At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 25 February 2009

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

1.       Apologies for Absence.

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors N. Hollett, Mrs. J. Llewellyn and     Mrs. J. A. Griffiths.

2.       Minutes.

          The minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2009 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 3(7)    Waste & dog-litter bins, Ilston Community Area.   Councillor T. A. Beynon reported that there are no objections to dog-litter bins being placed on the post with the cattle-grid sign on it at the Green, Penmaen, and near the gate to Torbay at the car park, Penmaen.

                 Agreed that the Clerk now furthers this matter with the Environment Department, City and County of Swansea.

On 3(6)    Community Council Website Fees.   Noted Chairman’s report and that he had agreed a figure of £50 for the year ending 30/4/09.

                 Council confirmed Chairman’s action.

                 Chairman to return invoice to the Clerk (not to hand at the meeting) in order that Clerk could make the necessary payment.   

On 7(a)    Bryn House, Penmaen, Planning Application No. 2007/1510.   Noted letter from Ian Davies, Enforcement Section, dated 27 January 2009, stating matter is receiving attention.   (Council’s original letter sent on 27 November 2008 and Mr. Davies now only refers to reminder letter.)   Agreed Clerk seeks clarification from Mr. Davies.

                 At this point, Councillor T. Beynon (Nicholaston) stated that he felt if residents complained on planning or any other matters, their complaints should be in writing. Council’s view was that this would be impractical as residents may not wish to write.

                 Councillor Roy Church then asked if there is any written protocol concerning complaints by residents or Members.  The Chairman agreed that he and the Clerk would pursue this matter and report back.

On 7(b)    Planning Applications – Delegated Powers.   Noted report back would be to the next meeting.

On 4(a)    Meeting with Alan Cairns AM and Community Councils on Sand Dredging Bristol Channel 12/1/09.    Noted Chairman’s e-mail correspondence, letter from Porteynon Community Council dated 29/09 enclosing notes of the meeting, and the Sand Dredging Policy which had been received by e-mail from Mr. Paul Moyles, Welsh Assembly.

                 Agreed to thank Mr. Moyles for the sight of the Sand Dredging Policy, which Council notes is an interim policy, and ask when this is to be made final and also if he could confirm that the Community Council will be consulted regarding any replacement policy.

On 8(b)    Letter Legal Services 12/12/08 – Proposed Diversion of Footpaths numbered 3, 8 and 9, Nicholaston Woods.   Noted Councillor Beynon (Nicholaston) felt there was no problem and the Clerk had replied accordingly.

On 9(b)    School Transport Route 735, Pennard Primary School.   Noted letter dated 13 February 2009 from Transportation Unit who are not prepared to agree an extension of the route.

                 The Council is not happy with the reply on the grounds of safety and local conditions and requests an on-site meeting to further understand the reasons for the decision.

4.       Reports from Members.

          Councillor W. Anderson briefed Members on next Community Council Forum meeting to be held on 17 March 2009 and which he and Councillor P. Burgess would attend on the Council’s behalf.

          Noted e-mail correspondence from the Chairman regarding new proposals for Community Councils which would be raised at the next meeting of the Forum.

5.       Planning Applications.

          The weekly lists were received.

(a)     Letter dated 18 February 2009 – Planning Application No. 2008/1922 Amended Plan, Seven Lights, Penmaen

          Proposal:  increase in ridge height to main dwelling by 0.5m and front and rear roof extensions.

          Agreed matter be referred to Planning Sub-Committee who will review plans on line.  However, a hard copy is needed and the Clerk will pursue this matter with the Planning Department.

(b)     Application No. 2009/0224

          Location:        Dolphin and Hillcrest Cottages, Stonesfield, North Hill Lane, Penmaen.

          Proposal:         Two replacement single-storey, oak-framed, detached dwellings.

          After deliberation, agreed to raise no objection.

          Noted that Councillor V. Jones had reported on 26 January 2009 that work was being carried out in field next to Byways, Lunnon, as follows:-

          Large concrete slab laid and block-work being carried out – building taking place directly behind Byways in bottom right-hand corner of field.  Check needs to be made to see if planning permission is required.

          The Clerk contacted the Enforcement Section on behalf of the Chairman and informed them of the foregoing.

          Council confirmed the Chairman’s and Clerk’s action and noted that planning permission is necessary and work is on stop.

          Noted telephone message from Allison, City and County of Swansea, on 18 February 2009 on behalf of Councillor Richard Lewis, giving his apologies for absence from this meeting.

          Further noted letter dated 11 February 2009 from Mr. J. H. Daniel of the Transportation Unit stating:-

1        details of footway link being finalised (linking Barham Centre with junction of Lunnon Road and A4118 South Gower Road, Parkmill);

2        due to constraints in available funding, the proposal for lay-by and disabled access to the Barham Centre cannot be pursued as a part of the scheme, along with the speed indicator display signs (SIDS) suggested for the area.

          Councillor Roy Church stated that the Centre would still apply for speed indicator display signs which would be funded by the Barham Centre, and asked that the Community Council and Councillor Richard Lewis support the application.   Council agreed to support the application by writing to the Highways Department and to Richaard Lewis asking that he too supports the application at the appropriate time after the application has been submitted by the Barham Centre.

          Received and noted:-   

a)       Letter dated 2/2/09, Finance Department, C & C of Swansea.

          Precept payment dates 2009/2010:-

          On or before                                 30/04/09          28/08/09          31/12/09

          Proportion of annual precept             ⅓                  ⅓                ⅓

b)      Letter Colin Lea, Southgate, Gower dated 17 February 2009, regarding (1) The Barn, Tor Lane, Penmaen, which is being restored to retain the “Gower Footprint” and (2) the drain at the north end (road side) of the car park as water coming down the main road into the car park misses the drain, floods the car park and then goes down the lane causing problems to walkers.

          Agreed the problem with the drain be taken up with the Highways Department.

c)       National Trust, Gower (Sian Musgrave) letter dated 10 December 2008 – tree work in Penmaen.  Noted necessary tree work opposite Silverstone, Penmaen – coppicing trees in the hedge to revive growth and enable hedge to be laid in later years;  also felling some trees which have grown up behind the hedge for safety reasons, as most are rotten at the base and, if they fell, could block the road.

          There are approximately four other trees along the roadside opposite Rose Cottage which will also be removed due to safety concerns.

d)      Richard Beale, Regeneration Department, C & C of Swansea letter dated 12 February 2009 – Briefing event, Swansea Rural Development Plan, 5 March 2009, 6.30 p.m., Penclawdd Community Centre (Google makes post code SA4 3XN).  Three places available.

          Agreed Councillors Mr. F. Owen-John, W. Anderson and Roy Church attend and report back.

e)       C & C of Swansea Human Resources – Rural Swansea Action – job opportunities.

f)       Society of Local Council Clerks circular regarding Certificate in Local Council Administration (CILCA).

g)      Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Authority letter 16/2/09 – Risk Reduction of Corporate Plan 2010–2015 – plan  to be released for consultation from 12 May to 4 August 2009, and letter dated 10.9.09 – improved system for crewing Pontardawe Fire Station.

h)      Welsh Assembly letter 9/2/09 – borrowing by Community and Town Councils in 2009/10.  

i)       Welsh Assembly letter 30 January 2009 – Local Government Partnership Scheme Annual Report 2007-2008 – to Councillor Anderson in first instant.

j)       Peter Black AM – Poster Advice Centre and Surgery February to July 2009.

k)      Kidney Wales Foundation letter, 20 January 2009 – Walk for Life information, date 29/3/09, and financial appeal.

l)       SMP Playgrounds Ltd., Egham - brochure.

          Councillor T. A. Beynon reported bad potholes in North Hills Lane and Councillor R. Church reported potholes in Mill Lane on both sides of the ford.

          Agreed matters be taken up with the Highways Authority.

          Agreed the Clerk take up the matter with the Footpaths Officer, C & C of Swansea.

          Councillor P. Burgess reported on the surface of the road adjacent to Bryn House which has been badly damaged by heavy vehicles delivering materials to Bryn House. 

          Agreed Highways Authority be written to, to see if road could be replaced by the contractors under Section 59 of the Highways Act 1980 (Extraordinary Traffic).

(c)     Date of next meeting. 

          Noted date of next meeting as Wednesday, 25 March 2009 at 7.30 p.m.

Chairman