At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 24 September 2008

Present:                   Councillors Mrs. F. Owen-John, V. M. Jones, P. Burgess, T. A. Beynon,           R. Church and Tom Beynon.

In the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman it was unanimously agreed that Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John, the Immediate Past Chairman, occupy the Chair.

Mr. Simon Peake, The Old Forge, Parkmill, a member of the public, attended the meeting and spoke on the problems with speeding traffic through Parkmill.

1.       Apologies for Absence.

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R. Hanson and Mrs. J. A. Griffiths (Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively – due to unavoidable prior engagements),            N. Hollett, W. Anderson and Mrs. J. Llewellyn.

2.       Minutes.

          The minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2008 were read, confirmed and signed as a true record.           

3.       Matters Arising.

On 3.4      Shed at The Forge, Cartersford.  Noted matter still ongoing with Rhodri Williams of Planning Enforcement.

On 6(c)    Alleged Right of Way from Penmaen to Nicholaston.   Noted matter ongoing between Mr. O’Carroll, City and County of Swansea, and Councillors P. Burgess and Tom Beynon.

On 7(2)    Penmaen Village Sign.   Estimated costs of sign if Council were prepared to pay still awaited.  Department concerned to be reminded.

On 5(a)    Planning Services letter dated 30 June 2008 – Amended Plan, Byways, Lunnon, Application No. 2007/1826.   Noted report of the Planning Officer for Area 2 Development Control Committee on 23 September 2008 recommending refusal of the application.

                 The Council then learned that the Committee had gone against the Planning Officer’s recommendation and recommended approval, giving the following reasons in support of approving it:    (1)  It is replacement of a current dwelling;  (2)  it is within the village curtilage, and (3) there are no objections from the Highway Department.

                 The Council felt the reasons were neither good nor substantial and resolved to protest.  A letter was drawn up and approved by the Council and the Clerk was instructed to forward it to Mr. David Daycock, the City and County of Swansea’s Monitoring Officer, with a copy to Mr. Bryan Graham, Head of Planning Services.  

                 The letter is shown as APPENDIX ‘A’ to this minute.

On 6.        Road-calming measures – Ilston Community Area.   Noted letter dated 15 August 2008 from Mr. A. M. Kirczey, Transportation Section, stating matters are being considered on their technical merits by the Authority’s Improvement Group.   Agreed a reminder be sent as speeding still a grave concern.

On 7.        Waste & dog litter bins, Ilston Community Area.   Noted matter still ongoing with Councillor T. A. Beynon.

On 8.        Retention of Parkmill Post Office.  Noted report by Councillor R. Church and that matters are still being pursued with the Post Office.

On 10(b)  Road repairs and signpost, Lunnon, and other signs.  Noted work not carried out.   Agreed reminder be sent (letter APPENDIX ‘B’ to this minute).  

                 Further noted signs on the A4118 had not been attended to and neither had the overgrowth been cut back.  Agreed matter be taken up again.

4.       Reports from Members.

There were no reports on this occasion.

5.       Planning Applications.

          The weekly lists were received.

(a)     Two letters dated 31 July 2008 from Planning Services.  Amended plans Penmaen Farmhouse and Jasmine Cottage, Penmaen, application nos. 2008/0989 and 2008/0995.

          Noted no further action necessary.  

          Application dealt with by Planning Sub-Committee 28/8/08.

Location:        Land near Willoxton Cross, Ilston.

Proposal:         Construction of water pumping station.

Applicant:       Dwr Cymru Welsh Water.

          After discussion agreed to raise no objection.

Council confirmed Sub-Committee’s action.

Area 2 Development Control Committee agenda and reports for meetings on 5 August and       2 September 2008 to Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John on 6 August and 3 September respectively and for 23 September 2008 handed to her at this meeting.

6.       Community Council’s term of office for a representative at Pennard School Governor.

          Noted report from the Chairman via Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John that Ilston’s representative is now due to sit for the next two years.  However, there appear to be problems at the school which have still to be resolved.

          Agreed Chairman to liaise with Linda James, his contact on Pennard Community Council, to establish if the Council is to be formally asked to nominate a representative and report back.

7.       Water pressure, Parkmill.

          Councillor R. Church raised the problem of low pressure and discolouration of water in the area around Shepherds Shop, Parkmill.   Several residents, including Councillor Church, had complained but to no avail.  Agreed the Clerk take up the problem with Welsh Water Authority. 

          Received and noted:-   

a)       Letter dated 15 August 2008 – Democratic Services Manager – training members on Code of Conduct.  Training to be held 27 August, 5.00 p.m., Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Swansea.  Members informed.  Unfortunately no-one able to attend (Bank Holiday week not a good week to hold a meeting).

b)      Community and Town Councils Forum – Agenda for meeting 9 September 2008, Civic Centre, Swansea – Councillor W. Anderson to attend.  

c)       Letter 17 September 2008 – Corporate Marketing Manager, City & County of Swansea, Lord Mayor’s Civic Service, Sunday, 19^th October 2008, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Swansea, 3.00 p.m.   Chairman to attend if available.

d)      Letter 11 August 2008, Swansea Metropolitan University celebration and launch, 4 September 2008.  Noted Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John able to attend but the Clerk was not and he had replied accordingly.

e)       Letter 9 September 2008, National Trust, Reynoldston – ditching and banks at Penmaen/Cefn Bryn.  Noted work already carried out.

f)       Welsh Assembly letter, September 2008 – Guide to Value Wales Framework Agreements – to Councillor P. Burgess in first instant.

g)      Democratic Services Manager, City and County of Swansea letter dated 5/8/08 – Community/Town Councils Standards Sub-Committee – vacancies.

h)      Democratic Services team, City and County of Swansea letter 19/9/08 – from 1/9/08 agendas, minutes and reports will be on line and printed versions will no longer be available.  Website www.swansea.gov.uk by following links to Council & Democracy, Councillors, Democracy and Elections, Committees – Agenda, Reports & Minutes or by going direct to the link http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=16337.

i)       Letter dated 17/8/08, Reynoldston Village Hall Association, advertising next meeting of PACT (Partnership And Communities Together) 6/10/08 7.00 p.m. at Reynoldston Village Hall. 

j)       One Voice Wales letter dated 6/8/08 – Conference update.

k)      Barclays Bank letter, August 2008 – interest rates from 8/8/08.

l)       ABM University NHS Trust letter 3/9/08 – unscheduled Care Swansea FAQs – document to Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John in first instant.

m)     Swansea 2020 – Swansea’s Economic Regeneration Strategy – 10 September 2008 – update.

n)      Age Concern invitation to AGM – 15/10/08 Dolphin Hotel, Swansea.

o)      Peninusular NT Newsletter for Gower, Vol. 10, No. 2, July – October 2008, to Councillors Mrs. F. Owen John and then V. Jones.

p)      Gower Society Newsletter and papers, Autumn 2008 – to Councillor V. Jones in first instant.

q)      Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2008, Issue 59.

r)       Wales Air Ambulance – financial appeal.

s)       Glasdon – latest products for Local Councils, Autumn 2008 edition.

Date of next meeting. 

Noted date as Wednesday, 29 October 2008, at 7.30 p.m.  

Chairman