At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 13 January 2010

Present:              Councillors Mrs. J. A. Griffiths, P. Burgess, V.M. Jones, N. Hollett, Mrs. C. Grove, W. J. Anderson and R. Church.

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

Noted with sadness that since the last meeting Councillor W. J. Anderson’s dear wife Bridget had passed away after a long illness, borne very bravely and with great dignity.   Condolences from the Council had been sent at the time and were reiterated again to Councillor Anderson who suitably responded.

1.       Apologies for Absence.

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. F. Owen-John, Mrs. Julia Llewellyn, Tom Beynon (Northills) and Tom Beynon (Nicholaston).

2.       Minutes.

          The minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 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(f)     Dredging Nobel and Helwick Banks.   Noted letters dated 29/11/09 to Welsh Assembly and Llanelli Sand Dredging Ltd. shown as APPENDIX A to this minute.

On 5(a)    Application No. 2009/1638 – Bryn Cottage, Penmaen.   Noted letter dated 29/11/09 and shown as APPENDIX B to this minute.  Council confirmed response sent.

On 6(j)     Gower Website fees, 1 April 2009.   Councillor Claire Grove reported she had pursued this matter with the Chairman of the Website Committee who had stated that the invoice for £30 was for the period from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010.  Agreed that the fee of £30 towards annual maintenance and support costs of the Gower Community Council Website to 31.3.2010 was reasonable and that payment be made.

4.       Reports from Members.

            Councillor R. Church reported on Rural Business Project – Village Enhancement Scheme.  The proposal was now in Business Plan Phase 2 for consideration (2-year time schedule).  Councillor Church was thanked for his report.

5.       Planning Applications.

          Applications dealt with by the Planning Sub-Committee

          Location:             Ilston Bridge adjacent to St. Illtyd’s Church, Ilston.

          Proposal:              Removal of railings (application for Conservation Area consent).

          Applicant:            Mrs. Georgina Harding.

          No objection to railings being replaced, but object to the design of the new railings.  Letter shown as APPENDIX C to this minute.

          Location:              Rose Cottage, Perriswood, Penmaen.

          Proposal:              Single-storey side extension.

          Applicant:                        Mr. P. Burgess

          Agreed to raise no objection.

          Noted letter dated 25 November 2009 from Finance Department, City and County of Swansea, and that the Council tax base for the Council for 2010/2011 is 314 Band D equivalent properties, this number being 5 less than for 2009/2010.

          Further noted estimated expenditure for year ending 31/3/10 as £1,889 and there was no out-of-the-ordinary expenditure envisaged for 2010/2011.

          After discussion resolved that the precept remain at £8.75 for 2010/2011, i.e. 314 Band D equivalent properties x £8.75 = £2,747.50, and that the City and County of Swansea be informed accordingly.

          Received and noted:-   

a)       Planning Services, C & C of Swansea letter 10/12/09 – Local Development Plan Delivery Agreement papers to Chairman in 1^st inst. and then the Vice Chairman. 

b)      Legal Services, C & C of Swansea letters dated 31 December (3).

1)      Proposed diversion of Footpaths Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8, Community of Ilston.

2)      Dedication of Public Footpath from Oxwich Village to Footpath N16 in the Communities of Penrice and Ilston (Grid Ref. SS501866 – SS519878).

3)      Diversion of Public Footpaths PM 5 & 6 and N1 6 & 7 in the Community of Ilston (Grid Ref. SS527879).

c)       Legal Services, C & C of Swansea letter 9/12/09, Community & Town Councils Forum – next meeting 5.00 p.m., 19 January 2010, Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Swansea – Councillor W. J. Anderson to attend.

          Agreed payment.

d)      Planning Services, C & C of Swansea letters dated 9 and 12 December 2009, Section 78 Appeals.

1)      Ilston Cottge, Ilston refusal of Planning Permission.  Appeal starting date 7/12/09.

2)      Mynydd Gwair, Swansea (wind turbines) – failure of Planning Authority to give its decision within the appropriate period.

e)       Welsh Assembly letters, December 2009.

1)      Section 137 – Expenditure limit for 2010/11.

2)      Consultation on proposed changes to Local Authority Capital Finance framework.

f)       Letter dated 15 December 2009, Alan Cairns AM, sand dredging – monitoring strategy – papers to Councillors R. Church and W. J. Anderson.

g)      Letter 26 November 2009 – Institute for Employment Studies – Local Government views on provision for disabled elected Members and service provision for disabled people in the community.

h)      Letter dated 21/12/09 – City and County of Swansea, Lord Mayor’s Charity Ball, 12 February 2010.

i)       Ombudsman letter dated 30/11/09 – Code of Conduct – Draft Guidance from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (also a copy from Legal Services, C & C of Swansea).

j)       NT Peninsula Newsletter Autumn/Winter 2009, Vol. 11 No. 2 – to Chairman then Councillor C. Grove.

k)      Peter Black AM, Martin Caton MP and Edwina Hart AM surgery dates for 2010 (Peter Black until May 2010).

l)       Appeals for financial assistance:-

1)      MacMillan Cancer Support.

2)      Llangollen Musical Eisteddfod, 5 – 11 July 2010.

m)     Brochures – Notts Sport (UK) Ltd. – pitch maintenance, and Second Life Products Wales – street furniture.

          Agreed to take up with Environment Agency.  

b)      Lane between Ilston and Furzehill.   Leaves and debris never cleared.  Agreed to take up with Environment Department Cleansing Section.

c)       Grit Boxes urgently needed (1) Bottom of Sandy Lane;  (2) First bend going up Lunnon Hill;  (3) Near Shepherds and Pisgah Chapel, Parkmill;  (4) Bottom of Ilston Hill.

          Also, gully cover needed bottom of Sandy Lane.

          Agreed take up with Highways Department.

d)      Activity at Byways, Lunnon.  Noted conservatory erected to the rear of Byways possibly outside the curtilage of the property;  also large pillar erected on the roadside boundary.  Agreed to take up with Planning Department.

e)       Lane to Perriswood, Penmaen.   Badly potholed lane also serves as a storm drain for a significant catchment area on the south side of Cefn Bryn, etc.   Agreed take up with Highways Department.

f)       Date of Next Meeting.     Noted date of next meeting as Wednesday, 24 February 2010, at 7.30 p.m.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.50 p.m.

Chairman