At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 1 July 2009

Present:            Councillors Mrs. J. A. Griffiths, W. J. Anderson, R. Church, Mrs. F. Owen-John,    V. M. Jones and N. Hollett.

In the Chair:   Councillor Mrs. J. A. Griffiths.

Two members of the Community were present, namely Mr. and Mrs. Mason, and the Chairman allowed them to speak briefly on the application for Bryn House.

1.       Apologies for Absence.

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P. Burgess, T. A. Beynon, Tom Beynon Nicholaston and Mrs. J. Llewellyn.

The Chairman then, with the approval of the meeting, took item 6 on the Agenda.

6.       Co-option of a Member for the Ilston Ward (vice Mr. R. Hanson).  Noted letter dated 25 June 2009 from the Electoral Services Officer stating there was no request for an election and the Council could co-opt a Member. 

          Further noted one person from the Community had put her name forward, namely Mrs. Clare M. Grove of Bryn Afel, Ilston, Gower, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. R. Hanson.

          There being no further nominations, the Council unanimously co-opted Mrs. Grove to fill the vacancy.

          Mrs. Grove, who was present, was welcomed by the Chairman and Members and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office before the Clerk.

2.       Minutes.

          The minutes of the meeting held on 27 May 2009 and of the Special Meeting held on 19 May 2009 were confirmed and signed as a true record.    

3.       Matters Arising.

On 3.4      Shed at The Forge, Cartersford.  Noted still ongoing.

On 7(a)    Planning Code of Good Practice.   Noted the books received from Planning Aid Wales, namely Community Councillors Handbook – the Land Use Planning System in Wales and a Public Guide, were handed to Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John.

On 8(b)    Loop Road, Penmaen – badly damaged road.  

and   On 8(4)     Road Works, Nicholaston Cross to the Towers, Oxwich and the ditch at

On 9(a)    Potholes, Furzehill Lane.   Clerk reported that the Inspector who had visited the area had to report back to his manager who would decide on the remedial work necessary.

4.      Reports from Members.

            The report is shown as APPENDIX A to this minute.

         Councillor Anderson was thanked for his report.

         Council noted a letter dated 22 June 2009 from the City and County of Swansea, informing the Council that arrangements have been made for Members of the Forum to visit and view first hand the workings of the Vale of Glamorgan Community Liaison Committee.   The meeting is to be held on 21 October 2009 at 6.00 p.m. at the Council Chamber, Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry and transport has been arranged to leave the Civic Centre, Swansea at 4.45 p.m.   Agreed Councillor W. Anderson attend with Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John to act as reserve.

5.      Planning Applications.

         The weekly lists were received.

          Location:             Penmaen Farmhouse and Jasmine Cottage, Penmaen.

          Proposal:              Variation of Condition 11 of planning permission 2008/0995 granted 17 December 2008 to allow for Slimlite double-glazed windows (application for Listed Building Consent).

          Applicant:            B. Martin.

          Agreed to raise no objection provided CADW were happy that the glazing meets the criteria set out to comply with the Listed Building status.

          Location:             Barton’s Wood, Parkmill, Gower.

          Proposal:              Installation of rear chimney.

          Applicant:                        Mr. Alec Buckland

          Agreed to raise no objection.

          Letter dated 2 June 2009, amended plans, Dolphin and Hillcrest Cottages, Stones Field, Penmaen.

          Agreed to raise no objection.

Council confirmed the Sub-Committee’s action.

          Letter dated 24 June 2009, Planning Services – amended plans, Bryn Cottage, Penmaen – Retention and completion of detached dwelling.

          The Council, after studying the amended plans, agreed to respond as follows:   “The amendments appear to be superficial.   The actual building is exactly as in the previous plans and therefore the objections stated in the Council’s letter dated 20 May 2009 still stand and a copy of that letter is enclosed.”

          Location:             Field No. 9555, Fairwood Corner Farm, Fairwood.

          Proposal:              Use of land for a caravan rally for a maximum of 60 units from 17 – 19 September 2010 (inclusive).

          Applicant:            The Caravan Club.

          Agreed to raise no objection.

Council noted letter dated 8 June 2009 from Planning Services in respect of a Section 78 Appeal, Seven Lights, Penmaen (S. Camm) – refusal of Planning Permission by City and County of Swansea (increase in ridge height of main dwelling by 0.5m and 1 front and 2 rear dormers).

Application Ref:                                   2008/1922

Planning Inspectorate Appeal Ref:       A09/2105445

Name:                                                    S. Camm

Appeal start:                                          5 June 2009

  7.    Gower Community Councils’ website.   Noted that Councillor Mrs. C. M. Grove was prepared to represent the Council on the website.   Mrs. Grove’s offer was accepted with the Council’s thanks.

         Councillor Mrs. Grove would liaise with Mr. R. Hanson who had previously sat on the Committee and was handed the relevant papers.

         Councillor Grove was asked to check on future costs to the Council so that it could consider whether to remain on the website or not.

  8.    Swansea Rural Development Partnership.   Noted a report by Councillors Church and Hollett on the possibility of a Scheme for Coed Onnen, Ash Tree Wood, Parkmill, which is for sale at £49,000 and, in the words of Woodlands Co. UK, would make an ideal woodland from which to base adventure and activity holidays with much to explore in the surrounding Gower Peninsula.

         Agreed that without any commitment whatsoever by the Council at this stage, Councillors Church and Hollett put a scheme together and report back.

         Further noted Swansea Rural Development News, Issue 1, Spring 2009.

         Further agreed that the Clerk checks out with Richard Beale representation on the Partnership Committee and report back.

  9.    Clerk’s Fees and Clerical Allowance.   Noted Clerk’s fees and clerical allowance for the Council year ended 31 May 2009 as £700 and £400 respectively.

         The Clerk stated he was prepared to continue on the same fee and clerical allowance for the current year.

         Council resolved, after the Clerk declined an increase, that the Clerk’s fee for the year ending 31 May 2009 be £700 with a clerical allowance of £400.

         Received and noted:-   

a)      Barclays Bank letter dated 19/6/09 – Bank Mandate completed and running with the newly-appointed Chairman, Councillor Mrs. J. A. Griffiths.

b)      Letter, 25 June 2009, RAF Civic Reception in Swansea, Brangwyn Hall, 16 September 2009.  Invitation left with Chairman who will respond.

c)      Letter dated 26 June 2009 – One Voice Wales – National Training Programme for Community and Town Councils.

d)      Letter 4 June 2009, West Glamorgan Archive Service – Annual Report 2009/2009 – to Chairman in 1^st inst.

e)      Letter dated 24/6/09, Ombudsman for Wales Annual Report 2009/2009 – to Chairman in 1^st inst.

f)       C & C of Swansea letter, 8 June 2009 – Outstanding magazine – for AONBs Spring/Summer 2009 – to Chairman in 1^st inst.

g)      C & C of Swansea – Statement of Case – Appeal of T. Beynon, Nicholaston Farm, Nicholaston – to Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John.

h)      Clerks & Councils Direct, July 09, Issue 64 – to Chairman in 1^st inst. 

i)       Glasdon – brochures for Local Council products, Summer 2009.

(1)     Councillor Mrs. F. Owen John reported (a) that Councillor P. Burgess had approached Councillor M. Smith, Pennard, for support over Bryn Cottage and Mrs. Smith will be asked to the next meeting, and (b) that Councillor Burgess had reported that NT have put up “No Camping” signs in the Tor and Three Cliffs area and are patrolling the areas as well.   The Clerk was asked to write to the NT, noting the foregoing.

(2)     Illegal Camping, Tor Bay and Three Clifs

          Councillor R. Church asked if the Authority could be written to regarding more funding being made available to control illegal camping in Tor Bay and Three Cliffs during the summer months – Clerk to write accordingly.

(3)     Road Repairs, Lunnon. 

          Councillor V. Jones reported on the bad state of the roads generally in Lunnon village and especially outside Eastfield.   Clerk to take up with Highways Department.

          Noted date as Wednesday, 29 July 2009 at 7.30 p.m.

Chairman