GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR
 
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 4th October  2009
 
PRESENT:  Cllrs Peter Johns, Ros Holt, Lynne Carey, Barbara Small, Ann Guard, Sue Jones, Mike Sander, Gareth Evans, Linda Bolchover and Mike Egan.
 
ALSO PRESENT:  Clerk - Serena Thomas.
 
45a A further candidate was interviewed in relation to Co-option to Council.  And subsequent to majority vote, Mr John Fitzjohn has been co-opted to Council.
 
45b   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - Gareth Morgan and Colin Staples
 

46 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS: 

Cllr Susan Jones declared an interest in all Planning matters, however due to a commitment left meeting prior to this agenda item.
 
47 MEETING WITH:   
None arranged.
 
48 PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS:
No representations


 

49 COUNCIL MINUTES   –   7th September 2009

 
a)      The Minutes were accepted as a true record.  
b)      Matters arising: Noted. 


 

50 REPORT BY THE WARD MEMBER

Cllr Sue Jones reported the following:

 
Cllr Jones has been attending the following meetings and dealing with the following issues in the village:
  • Fairwood terrace garage - owner has been given an enforcement order to repair or demolish within 8 months. (timescale due to asbestos on site)
  • New equipment has been installed in Park Rd Park.
  • The playbus will be on Park Rd on 26.10.09.
  • Attended Convergence update.
  • Bethel Chapel - currently seeking enforcement order to make safe.
  • Visits made to Rose Cross House, Blaen0y0maes youth club, and an up coming visit to Gorseinon Youth Club.
  • Community Health Council visit to Morriston and Gorseinon Hospital.
  • Working with neighbourhood watch with Gower Lodge.
  • Attended a Merchant Navy association open day.
  • The Gowerton Pelican crossing work is currently out to tender.
  • Dates for Sue’s surgery’s - 24th October, 21st November, 12th December 11-12 at Library with Community Policing Team.
(Councillor Jones finished report and left meeting at 7.45pm)
 

51       PLANNING MATTERS

 

The Clerk commented upon her written report.  RESOLVED:

1.      2009/1276 - 42 Bishwell Rd, Gowerton.  Side extension and alterations. No Objection

2.      2009/1298 - Land to east of Cae Mansel Rd and South if Cae Mansel Lane, Gowerton.  Proposed agricultural building. No Objection

3.      2009/1116 - 116 Gorwydd Rd, Gowerton.  116 Gorwydd Rd, Gowerton.  Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of 12no apartments.  Object - as previously - out of character , overdevelopment of site, parking, unsuitable sewerage facilities as system currently overloaded etc.

4.      2009/0979 - Cefn Golau Park, Three Crosses (on boundary by Cefn Stlle Rd) New stable block.  No Objection

5.     2009/1036 - 48 Cefn Stylle Rd, Gowerton.  Proposed replacement dwelling.  No Objection
 
For ratification by full Council - due to consulation period ending prior to this evenings meeting - Planning committee decision made:
6.  2009/0675 - 23 Cecil Rd , Gowerton.  Outline application for three detached houses.Overdevelopment of site. Objection - Ratified


 

52  CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cllr Ros Holt had no report.
 

53  REPORT OF THE CLERK

 
(A)   MISCELLANEOUS
 

RESOLVED that:

  1. Gowerton Tower committee - contribution to be confirmed towards the re build.  £2000.00 contribution confirmed.
  2. Updated Sept 2009 salary scales/petrol allowance - public and press excluded.  Council adopted new scales from April 2009.
  3. One Voice Wales - Area Committee Meeting - next meeting - 8th October 2009 in the Guildhall - Room 3.
  4. E-mailed letter received from resident in relation to newsletter and train vouchers.  Letter read out to full council.  Contents noted.  In response, initial query in relation to Cllr Sue Jones contribution in newsletter to be legally clarified by One Voice Wales, and response to item relating to distribution of train vouchers, if received again, permission will be sought from Arriva to confirm whether these can be generally distributed as opposed to distribution to members as is currently advised.  If this is the case consideration will be made when in receipt of vouchers.
  5. Invitation from Loughor Town Band - re concert 21.11.09. Noted.
  6. One Voice Wales - AGM - October 10th 2009. Noted.
  7. Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales - Annual Report and workshops. Noted.
  8. Diversion of Footpath LC97 - Gowerton. Members may recall receiving pre-consultation information in relation to this.  City and County of Swansea found some anomaly’s on this footpath, as currently the footpath goes through land that is now a housing estate.   It there are any objections, these need to be made by 27th October 2009.  No Objections to be made.
  9. CREATION OF PUBLIC BRIDLEWAY AT CAE MANSELL LANE IN GOWERTON. Again, Council may recall the original pre-consultation information requested by City and County of Swansea.  This creation of a public bridleway is a formality of a path already used for this purpose.  Again if there are any objections, these need to be made by 27th October 2009.  No Objections to be made.
  10. Update of Christmas working party arrangements - Noted.
  11. Cllr Gareth Evans volunteered for raffle arrangements.
 
(B)  FINANCIAL MATTERS

The written report submitted by the Clerk was noted.  RESOLVED that:

a)      the following payments are authorised:                                    

 
Creditor
Item
£ Amount
 
VAT
 inc
 
 
 
 
 
 
a)
Virgin Media
Telephone Adv. Charges Aug
33.00
 
Yes
b)
Clerk
Office Allowance
130.75
 
No
c)
Clerk
Mileage Allowance 122 miles @ 55.8p per mile
 
68.08
 
Yes
d)
Bay Landscapes
Monthly Cutting Oct
376.12
 
Yes
 
S137 payments authorised.
Gowerton Bowling Club - £50
Wales Air Ambulance - £100
Youth Group @ St Johns Church - £200
Bobath Childrens Therapy Centre - £100
 
C)  CORRESPONDENCE

The items of correspondence were noted.

 
54         QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS

Following question/issues raised by Members it was RESOLVED that:

a.     PACT meeting - problems on Woodlands - litter and antisocial behaviour.  Also steps by Gorwydd Rd/Cycle path are attracting gathering of youths.
b.     Cllr Sander attended RAF event meeting on Wed 16th September. Noted.
c.     Gorwydd Rd drains still not cleared.  Clerk to chase up.
d.     Metal rod sticking out of grass bank still in phase 2 car park.  Clerk to chase up.
e.     More dog bag dispensers needed in village.  Clerk to request again.
f.      Complaints received in relation to noise coming from new skateboard park on Elba.  Clerk to check with parks whether suitable sound muffler has been installed.
g.     Drain leaking with sewerage on lane by Mansel Street.  It has got to the stage where it is seeping through wall and is causing a hygiene risk.  Clerk to advise environment.
h.     Clerk to check to costings on reducing the ‘triangle’ hedge by approximately one foot to aid visibility.
i.       Complaint received in relation to resident on Brynymor rd pouring unsuitable liquids into public drains.  Clerk to report to environment.
j.      Street light out on Mount Street.  Councillor reporting to get lamp post number and report direct.
k.     Drainage gulley on Mount Street still waiting to be dug out.  Clerk to make repeated request.
 
Meeting closed at 9.20pm
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                                                                                                                                                                          Chairman