76 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS: 

• Moved to the area September 13^th 2009 so doesn’t know Gowerton very well.  Since then the trees by Clos Helyg have unfortunately been cut down.
  
• There seems to be an issue of litter by the traffic lights, towards Tesco, particularly on grass verges.
  
• The road signage in the Elba area is extremely poor, and Ms. Moore has reported several signs that are illegible.  Ms. Moore has evaluated all of the signs on the estate, and will email the Clerk a copy so she can report it accordingly.
  

79 COUNCIL MINUTES   - 3^rd December 2008

Cllr Sue Jones sent the following report:

·       Several people associated with Gowerton have received awards.  Mrs. Davida Lewis - M.B.E,  Mrs Dorothy Neyland - M.B.E and Mr Alan Fry - O.B.E.  Clerk to write to congratulate.

·       Bench at Glanmorfa has been removed, and the Highways dept. has repaired the bench at the bottom of the Bishwell.

·       A new patrol person has started on Mount Street for Tregwyr Junior School.

·       Mrs Morris, the headteacher of Tregwyr Infants School has indicated she will be retiring at end of the school year.

·       Issues with residents in relation to complaints of litter, road signs, dog fouling, boundary issues and privacy issues which she is currently dealing with.

·       Sue has held several surgeries in Gowerton, with no great response, however the next one is 7^th February and another on 7^th March 2009.

·       Sue has also attended several events and meetings including the Education QED 20, Longfields association as trustee representative, Morriston Hospital as Community health Council member and along with several Council officers for a Democracy day at Penyrheol Comprehensive.

81       PLANNING MATTERS

The Clerk commented upon her written report.  RESOLVED:

1. 2008/2385 - Mill Street Surgery - renewal of planning consent - 2003/1763 - two storey front extension and new formation of access ramp and doctors parking area.   This will be discussed in full at next meeting when old plans are available.
   
2. 2009/0001 - 15 William Bowen Close, Gowerton.  Application for tree works on works subject to a TPO.  Object to application as tree poses no health and safety risks and it would set an unacceptable precedent to surrounding householders.
   

82  CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chairman Cllr Peter Johns reported the following:

·     Attended the PACT meeting as Chair on 12.01.09.  The main worry was the Gower Lodge resident causing some anti-social behaviour.  Several representatives attended the meeting from Gower Lodge to explain several issues raised by residents, and they confirmed that the troublesome resident is no longer there.

·     Community Council Forum.  Cllr Johns recently attended the Forum and was invited to vote on minimum standards of road pavements and lighting.  Cllr. Johns feels it would have been far more effective to ask opinions on current state of these provisions now.

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

a)      the following payments are authorised:    

The items of correspondence were noted.

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

a)   Several potholes are reported on Cecil Rd , near telephone box on Cecil Rd/Mansel St and near surgery before bridge.  Clerk to contact highways.

b)  Infants school wall being rebuilt - due to being unsafe.  For info.

c)   Junior school entrance - new development - not yet finished.  For info.

d)  Tree on square by Sterry Rd/Cecil Rd roundabout - snapped by vandals. Clerk to contact parks.

e)   Street Light out on Uplands/Shaw street.  Clerk to contact public lighting.

f)    Water flowing down road by Mount Pleasant - seems to be coming from house. (about half way down on left hand side)  Clerk to report to CCOS.

g)   Manhole on corner of Mount Pleasant/Caemansel - lifted with water coming out.  Clerk to report to Highways.

h)   Fence broken on inner relief Rd, due to accident area has been covered in black tarpaulin.  Clerk to advise Council that repair in needed.

i)    Poop scoop bags are non biodegradable.  Clerk to contact Environment to check whether long term they are considering a ‘greener’ option.

j)    Dog Bin still not installed by Glanmorfa.  Clerk to request again from Environment.

k)   Residents parking requested on left hand side of Mount Street for residents.  Clerk to request evaluation by traffic management dept..

l)    Raffle Prizes.  Any further prizes to be given out in week after meeting. All organisations who have contributed prizes, Clerk to thank them in next newsletter.

m) There seems to be some ongoing confusion with the ownership of manholes in the Gowerton area.  Clerk to request information from Highways.

n)   Once again problems are encountered with mud etc. on pavements by Aunty Ivys.  Clerk to request again a pavement for this area.

o)  Gritting is needed on Station Rd going down to station and crossroads junction from Gorwydd Rd to Sterry rd and last time the weather was severe this was not carried out which caused residents some problems.

p)  Drains still need a thorough clean on Gorwydd Rd, some of them have grass growing out of the.  Clerk to advise Highways of this repeated request.

q)  Pavements and Road sweeping is needed for Gorwydd Rd.  Clerk to advise Environment.

r)   Waste bin needed by bus stop/Phone Box at bottom of Bishwell.  Clerk to advise Environment.

s)   Cllr Staples advised Council the reasons that he had been unable to help out more during the Gowerton Christmas Parade and Exhibition.  Cllr Staples stated that in the Welcome to Gower they try really hard to work for the community.  He also wished to contribute more with Community Issues.  Council advised that all efforts were noted, and it is completely understandable that work commitments increase for everyone over the Christmas period, and everyone only does what they are able to do.