Ilston Community Council ________________________ At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 25 April 2007 Present:    Councillors Mrs. F. Owen-John, R. Hanson, N. Hollett, Mrs. J. A. Griffiths,       W. J. Harris, Mrs. J. Llewellyn, V. Jones, H. John, P. Burgess and T. Beynon. In the Chair:    Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John. The Chairman, Members and Clerk congratulated Councillor John Harris on attaining his 70th birthday and wished him many more happy years. 1.    Apologies for Absence.     An apology for absence was received from Councillor W. Anderson. 2.    Minutes.     The minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2007 were read, confirmed and signed as a true record.     3.    Matters Arising. On    Barham Centre, Mount Pisgah Chapel, Parkmill.  Noted meeting held 2 April 2007 and correspondence to Martin Caton MP and Mr. Roy Church, Trustee of the Centre.     Further noted  reply from Martin Caton stating he had taken up the matter with the URC and the Charity Commission and he would write again when replies were to hand.     Noted that certain meetings had been held at the Centre in April and that the Barrister for the Centre had met with the URC at Neath.     The position is no clearer and a fighting fund is to be set up by the Centre.     The Sub-Committee also agreed to consider some financial support for a fund specifically for the legal costs but it will be small, owing to the Council’s very limited precept.     All papers are shown as “Appendix A” to this minute. On 3 3 para (b) Traffic problems, Penmaen Hill.  Noted letter dated 10 April 2007 from John English, Transport & Engineering Section, C & C of Swansea, enclosing a copy of his original reply dated 22 February 2007 (original mislaid in the post), stating a scheme of lining is being drawn up, but will not be undertaken until early in the new financial year.  A chevron board will not be erected until the effect of the lining scheme has been assessed.  The intention is to have the lining scheme implemented by the height of the visitor season. On 3.3.7(a)    Fly Tipping.  Noted matter ongoing with Councillor R. Hanson. On 8(b)    Drainage off Cefn Bryn.  Noted matters ongoing. On 7(c)    Litter on Gower.  Noted Environmental Health Department had asked for a copy of the original letter – this had been sent on 17 April 2007. On 6(a)    Signage, Cefn Bryn.  Noted reply awaited. On 6(c)    Picnic Area, Penmaen – sign.  Noted reply awaited. 4.    Reports from Members.     Noted report by the Chairman on the meeting of Community Councils held on 24 April 2007 which she had attended instead of Councillor W. Anderson, main topic being a Presentation on City Centre Strategic Framework.  The Chairman was thanked for her report. 5.    Applications.     The Planning Lists were received     (a)    Application No. 2007/0611     Location:    The Beacons, Nicholaston, Penmaen.     Proposal:    Rear dormer.     Applicant:    Mr. Taylor.     After discussion agreed to raise no objection. (b)    Application No. 2007/0619         Location:    Nicholaston House, Penmaen.     Proposal:    Detached chapel.     Applicants:    Trustees of Nicholaston House.     After discussion agreed to object on the grounds that the architecture is unsuited to the area in which it is to be sited.  Also, the proposal would be bound to generate a lot more traffic causing parking problems, and furthermore the site is already overfull due to recent developments. (c)    Application No. 2007/0635 and amended plan under cover of letter dated 13/4/07.     Location:    Willoxton Farm, Ilston.     Proposal:    Agricultural building.       Applicants:    D & G. Joseph.     After discussion agreed to object on the grounds that the Council do not consider that there is any agricultural justification for the size, massing and siting of this development.  Redeveloped and modern farm buildings have been demolished as part of this development in the last three years on the grounds that these buildings were no longer required for agricultural purposes, and yet a replacement barn is now being asked for. (d)    Application No. 2007/0734     Location:    Hall Meadow, Nicholaston.     Proposal:    2-storey front and side extension, side conservatory and rear porch.     Applicant:    G. & L. Jones.     After discussion agreed to raise no objection. (e)    Application No. 2007/0754     Location:    Land adjacent to Silverstone, Penmaen.     Proposal:    Detached dwelling with detached garage.     Applicant:    Mr. G. Thomas.     After discussion agreed to object on the grounds that it would lead to urbanisation of the area and create a precedent for future applications, especially having regard to its proximity and juxtaposition to the only listed house in Penmaen.     The Area 2 Development Control Committee Agenda and papers for 3rd, 10th and 24th April were handed to Councillor H. John. 6.    Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2007.     The Accounts were received.     Noted    Precept of £2,370.   Interest £16.08.         Expenditure £1,849.46.   Deposit Account Balance £2,052.95.         Current Account Balance £333.21     After discussion resolved that the Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2007 be approved. 7.    Matters for the AGM to be held on 30 May 2007     After discussion agreed there were no further matters to add to the normal AGM Agenda. 8.    Correspondence.     Received and noted:- a)    Allianz Cornhill Insurance – Renewal Invitation dated 17 March 2007 – renewal date 1 June 2007 – in the sum of £273.75.  Noted no increase from last year.  Agreed to renew with Allianz Cornhill and that the payment of £273.75 be made.   b)    Letter dated 10 April 2007, Corporate Marketing Manager, C & C of Swansea.  Invitation to Chairman and guest and Clerk to attend Inauguration of Councillor Susan Waller as Lord Mayor, Brangwyn Hall, 11 May 2007, 10.15 a.m.  Noted Chairman and guest able to attend.  Clerk unable to, owing to a prior engagement.  Clerk to reply accordingly.         c)    Society of Local Council Clerks letter, April 2007 – re membership. d)    Letter April 2007 – Information Commissioner’s Office, Cardiff – guide to responding to requests for information. e)    Peninsular NT Newsletter for Gower, Vol. 9, No. 10, 1 March 2007.     f)    WA Local Government Policy Statement 2007 ‘A shared Responsibility’ – papers to Councillors J. Harris and R. Hanson in first instant. g)    One Voice Wales letter 30/3/07 – A Shared Responsibility – summary of WA document and letter 30/3/07 – guidance on establishing a complaints procedure. h)    Bay Trains Mumbles and Gower Travel News April 2007. i)    Electoral Services Officer April 2007 – Notice of Poll and Statement as to Persons Nominated – Welsh Assembly Election 3 May 2007 – Notice displayed. j)    Swansea in Bloom Meeting 25 April 2007 – Agenda and Minutes of meeting 21 February 2007. k)    Health Challenge Wales – Issue 4, Spring 2007. l)    Play for Wales, Issue 20, Spring 2007. m)    Wales Air Ambulance letter, 1 March 2007, financial appeal. 6.    Any Other Business     a)    Land below Pennard Castle.           Councillor R. Hanson stated that rubbish was left after wooden walkway replaced.  Agreed matter be taken up with Clerk to Pennard and Footpaths Officer C  & C of Swansea.     b)    Path from Car Park Penmaen to Tor Bay.           Councillor J. Harris stated cars were going down this path – possibility of sign ‘No cars beyond this point’ being replaced.  Agreed matter be taken up with Footpaths Officer.     c)    Date of Meetings.            Noted date as Wednesday, 30 May 2007.  AGM at 7.00 p.m. followed by monthly meeting at 7.30 p.m. As there was no further business, the meeting closed at 9.27 p.m. Chairman