At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 18 June 2008

Present:                   Councillors Rodney Hanson, Mrs. F. Owen-John, V. M. Jones, W. J. Anderson, T. A. Beynon, N. Hollett, P. Burgess and R. Church.

In the Chair:           Councillor Rodney Hanson.

Councillor N. Hollett signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and the Code of Conduct.

1.       Apologies for Absence.

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. J. A. Griffiths, Mrs. J. Llewellyn and Tom Beynon.

2.       Minutes.

          The minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2008 were read, confirmed and signed as a true record.          

3.       Matters Arising.

On 3.4      Shed at The Forge, Cartersford.  Noted Rhodri Williams of Planning Enforcement would report back as soon as he could.

On 3.5(a) Planning Application No. 2007/1826 – Amended Plans, Byways, Lunnon.  Noted matter still ongoing with Jane Lamnea of the Planning Section.

On 6(a)    City and County of Swansea Unitary Development Plan – Modifications (Consultation ends 27.6.08).  Members praised the document and agreed there were no comments to make.   Councillor T. A. Beynon wished to study the papers further, after which they are to be returned to Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John.

On 6(c)    Alleged Right of Way from Penmaen to Nicholaston.   Noted letter dated 4 June 2008 from Mr. Kieran O’Carroll, Legal Services, City and County of Swansea, regarding Members who are prepared to provide evidence that footpath N1 10 is being used daily as a bridleway.  (Letter referred on 5.6.08 to the Chairman).  Agreed matter now be left to Councillors P. Burgess and Tom Beynon to make contact with Mr. O’Carroll and further the matter, and then report back.

4.       Reports from Members.

Noted Councillor W. Anderson was unable to attend the meeting on 22 May 2008 regarding proposals to change the structure of the NHS in Wales.   However, this matter would be ongoing for some time to come and other opportunities would arise to attend meetings.

Further noted Councillor Anderson’s attendance at the Community Council Forum held on  17 June 2008 where a presentation was given on the New Code of Conduct (already circulated to Members).   Councillor Anderson explained in some detail the contents of the Code and stated that Mr. Steven Rogers from the City and County of Swansea is to arrange a training course in the near future of which the Council will receive details.

Councillor Anderson was thanked for his report.

5.       Planning Applications.

          The weekly lists were received.

          Amended Plans – Maes-y-Haf, Parkmill.

          The Council has already made its comments of no objection and there will be no alteration to the existing premises.   Therefore no further comment is needed.

Location:        Penmaen Farmhouse and Jasmine Cottage, Penmaen

Proposal (1):   Retention and completion of two single-storey rear extensions, replacement end gable and detached single garage (amendment to planning permission 2004/1953 granted on 28/2/2006).

Proposal (2):   Retention and completion of two single-storey rear extensions, demolition of existing single-storey rear extension, replacement two-storey end gable, partial replacement of roofs, reconstruction of raised cement margin to main roof verges, replacement chimney stack, replacement external lime mortar, two new internal stairways, internal alterations, external fenestration alterations (application for Listed Building Consent) (amendment to Listed Building Consent 2004/1952 granted on the 4^th April 2006).

Applicant:       B. Martin.

          After discussion, agreed to raise no objection.

          Location:        Southcrest, Perriswood, Penmaen.

          Proposal:         Conversion of garage into living accommodation.

          Applicant:       Mr. J. Tucker.

          Noted no response necessary.

          Location:        Nicholaston Cottage, Penmaen.

          Proposal:         Two-storey side extension, single-storey rear extension, fenestration alterations and a front porch.

          Applicants:     Mr. & Mrs. Morrish.

          After discussion, agreed to raise no objection.

Location:        Field 3655, Willoxton Farm, Lunnon.

Proposal:         Construction of an agricultural building.

Applicants:     D. & G. Joseph.

          The Chairman declared an interest, in as much as his farm overlooked the proposed development, and left the meeting.

          The Chair for this item was taken by Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John.

          Members felt that a past decision at Willoxton needed to be checked before Council responded to this application.

          Agreed matter be left as follows:-

          Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John to get past papers from Mr. Howard John.   The Clerk to check on previous minutes and the following Members to deal with this matter as a sub-committee and to report back:  Councillors Peter Burgess, W. Anderson, Roy Church and Viv Jones who would act as Liaison Member.

          The Chairman then returned and assumed the Chair.

Area 2 Development Control Committee agenda and papers for 3 June 2008 were handed to Mrs. F. Owen-John.

6.       To consider Audit Return for year ended 31 March 2008

          Resolved that approval of the accounts for the year ended 1 March 2008 be reaffirmed (the accounts having been approved at the meeting on the 30^th April 2008 and at the AGM held on 14 May 2008).

          Resolved that (1) the Annual Audit Return for the year ended 31^st March 2008 be approved, and (2) that the Annual Governance Statement be approved.

          The Council reaffirmed the appointment of Mr. J. G. Bennett of Southgate, Gower, as the Council’s Internal Auditor for the ensuing year, with its grateful thanks to Mr. Bennett.

          Noted Clerk’s fee as £700 with clerical allowance of £400 for the Council’s year ended 31 May 2008.   The Clerk stated he was prepared to continue on the same fee and clerical allowance for the current year.

          Council resolved that the Clerk’s fee be £700 with £400 clerical allowance for the Council year to 31 May 2009

          The Council’s grateful thanks were expressed to the Clerk.

          Received and noted:-   

a)       Legal Services letter dated 4 June 2008 re alleged right of way from Penmaen to Nicholaston in the Community of Ilston.  Noted letter received 5^th June 2008 and Chairman informed.  Chairman will deal with the matter of providing evidence that footpath N1 10 is being used daily as a bridleway with Councillors Mrs. F. Owen-John and Tom Beynon.

          Further noted that this matter is to now be dealt with by Councillors P. Burgess and Tom Beynon and that Councillor Burgess will deal direct with Mr. K. O’Carroll of the Legal Services section.

b)      Barclays Bank letter dated 30^th May 2008 – completion of Bankers Mandate – all formalities complete.

c)       Welsh Assembly letter dated 20 May 2008 – litter, dog control, graffiti, fly posting and noise offences.   Fix Penalty Notice Returns.  

d)      Legal Services, City and County of Swansea letter dated 4 June 2008 re Standards Committee Vacancy Panel.

e)       Professor D. Warner, Vice Chancellor, Swansea Metropolitan University – invitation to celebrate title change to Swansea Metropolitan University, Thursday, 4/9/08, 11.00 a.m., Brangwyn Hall, Swansea and will include the conferment of a Swansea Metropolitan University First Minister and the outgoing Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan.  Agreed Mrs. F. Owen-John and the Clerk attend if available.

f)       Ombudsman for Wales Annual Report 2007/08 – to Chairman in first instance.

g)      E. Hart AM letter, 12 June 2008 – Consultation on future of local speed limits on Welsh roads (response by 29 August 2008).   Letter to Chairman in first instance to circulate website, to Members.

h)      Annual Report of the County Archivist 2007 – 2008 – Independent Member of South Wales Police Authority, recruitment campaign for five new positions.

i)       Countryside Council for Wales letter May 2008 and booklet – Working Together in Swansea.

k)      Swansea Bay – Providing news and information for tourism businesses, May 2008.

l)       Western Power Distribution Bristol – Business Plan 2010 – 2015.

m)     Image Makers Design & Consulting – Newsletter, Issue 24, June 2008.

n)      Martin Caton MP Gower – letter 14 May 2008 – Mineworkers’ compensation – advance surgery, Gorseinon, 31 May 2008.

o)      Alan Cairns AM – Surgery posters May – November 2008.

p)      Childline Wales letter, May 2008 – application for funding.

q)      Mencap Wales letter, 23 May 2008 – financial appeal.

r)       Shelter Wales letter, June 2008 – financial appeal.

s)       Playground equipment brochures – Lappset (2008) and SMP Playgrounds.

t)       Glasdon – latest products for Local Councils.

(1)     Road Signs (4118) – Penmaen, Parkmill and Nicholaston.  

          Councillor R. Church reported that road signs had been tampered with in the above areas and do not show to the road user, rendering speed limits unenforceable.   This problem should be corrected urgently.  In addition, foliage is obscuring many highway signs and this matter also requires urgent attention.   Agreed Clerk take matters up with the Highways Authority.

(2)     Penmaen Village Sign (broken).

          Councillor T. A. Beynon reported this sign had still not been replaced.   Agreed the Clerk take the matter up again.

          Councillor R. Church wanted the following matters placed on the agenda for the July meeting:

(a)     Road-calming measures for A4118 through Nicholaston and Parkmill (letter dated 9 June 2008 refers).

(b)     Retention of Parkmill Post Office,

and Councillor T. A. Beynon wanted the following matter added:-

(c)     Waste and dog litter bins within the Ilston area.   (Clerk to make enquiries with Environmental Health Department in first instance.)        

(4)     Date of next meeting. 

          Noted date of next meeting as Wednesday, 30 July 2008 at 7.30 p.m.

Chairman