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

Present:              Councillors Mrs. J. A. Griffiths, Mrs. C. Grove, Mrs. J. Llewellyn, Mrs. F. Owen-John, P. Burgess and R. Church.

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

Noted that Mr. Howard John, a longstanding and well-respected Member of the Council prior to his retirement, had recently gone to visit his family in New Zealand and on arrival there had broken his leg.  

Agreed that the Clerk sends a Christmas card with the Chairman’s, Members’ and his own good wishes for a swift recovery and return to good health.

1.       Apologies for Absence.

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors W. Anderson, N. Hollett, V. M. Jones, T. A. Beynon, and Tom Beynon (Nicholaston).

2.       Minutes.

          The minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2009 were confirmed and signed as a true record.       

3.       Matters Arising.

On 3.4      Shed at The Forge, Cartersford.  Noted still ongoing.

On 11(1)  Bryn Cottage, Penmaen.   Noted letter dated 28 October 2009 from the Director of Environment, giving the Authority’s response to the Council’s letter dated 19 October 2009 and reassuring the Council that what has gone on recently is in order and should not cause concern.   Letter shown as APPENDIX ‘A’ to this minute.

On 7(3)    School Governor, Pennard Primary School.  Noted all correspondence which is shown as APPENDIX ‘B’ to this minute and, in particular, Clerk to the Governors’ letter dated 10 November 2009 asking for a nomination and this Council’s letter dated 13 November 2009 nominating Councillor J. Llewellyn as this Council’s representative for the ensuing year.

On 6(h)    Planning Application, Byways, Lunnon.   Noted response compiled by Councillor P. Burgess, Mrs. F. Owen-John and V. Jones and confirmed action, letter dated 2/11/09 shown as APPENDIX ‘C’ to this minute, along with copy of previous letter dated 24/9/2008.   Further noted letter dated 9 November 2009 from Deputy Monitoring Officer (Roderic Jones) asking if the Council wished him to refer the contents of the letter to Committee.  The Clerk, after consultation with Councillor P. Burgess, informed the Deputy Monitoring Officer that the Council wished the letter be read to the Committee on 12 November 2009 (this being the reason for the letter to David Daycock in the first instance).

On 5(b)    Application Nos. 2009/1504 and 2009/1506.   Councillor R. Church stated that Councillor Tom Beynon (Nicholaston) did not think the wording of the minute was correct.  Councillor Church was informed that the Council had already approved the minutes as a true record and it was reaffirmed that this minute was correct.

On 7(f)     Letter 5/10/09 – Alan Cairns AM re dredging.   Noted response to Council’s letter dated 5 November 2009 stating Helwick licence not yet commenced will last for seven years, likely to expire in 2017.  Nobel licence granted in 2006 for 10 years, allowing a total of 3 million tonnes to be extracted.   Llanelli Sand are seeking leave to increase the extraction limits.

                 Further noted letter dated 2 November 2009, Welsh Assembly Government, re Nobel and Helwick Banks.   Agreed response be on same lines as to E.R.M.   Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John would send response and write also to Llanelli Sand/Dredging Co.

4.      Reports from Members.

            Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John reported on the Forum Meeting she had attended in place of Councillor W. Anderson on 17 November 2009 – main topic “Quality of Education 2020”.

            The Chief Executive then covered the Forum visit to Barry to see if there was any enthusiasm for progressing towards a Charter.   Eventually agreed to a working group being set up to report back to the Forum.   (Report shown as APPENDIX ‘D’ to this minute.)

            Councillor R. Church reported on Rural Business Project – Village Enhancement Scheme – will report further on progression.  (Project idea form shown as APPENDIX ‘E’ to this minute.)

5.      Planning Applications.

         The weekly lists were received.

          Location:             Bryn Cottage, Penmaen, Gower.

          Proposal:             Retention and completion of detached dwelling and construction of replacement garage.

          Applicant:           Mr. Martin Morgan.

          Agreed, after full deliberation, that the response be left to Councillors Peter Burgess and Mrs. F. Owen-John with power to act.   Council noted response dealt with earlier in the meeting under Matters Arising (3.11(1)).

         Received and noted:-   

a)      Letter dated 20 November 2009, Mazars Accountants, Southampton – completion of Annual Audit 31/3/09 – certified Annual Return – only comment:  any alterations to be initialled by RFO and Chairman. 

         Return available for inspection.

b)      Mazars Southampton invoice dated 20/11/09 – fee for carrying out Annual Audit for year ended 31/3/09 in the sum of £57.50 (£50 fee, £7.50 VAT).

         Agreed payment.

c)      Penmaen & Nicholaston Village Hall invoice dated 23/11/09 in the sum of £49.20 (rent September, October, November 2009 – 3 sessions at £15.00 plus £4.20 electricity.

         Agreed payment.

d)      Lord Mayor’s Office, C & C of Swansea.   Invitations to Carol Service, 17 December 2009, and Swansea Celebrating 40 Concert on 10 December 2009 – unfortunately no Members available for either invitation and Mayor’s Secretary to be informed accordingly.

e)      WAG and Big Lottery Fund £13M programme will help Welsh communities help themselves.

f)       C & C of Swansea letter 20/11/09 – Youth Support Services in Swansea.  

g)      Society of Local Council Clerks – Bursary Scheme and Trainers for Wales.

h)      WAG letter 2 November 2009.   Proposed guidance for the Wales programme for improvement for the Fire & Rescue Authorities in Wales, Annual Improvement Plan 10/11 – to Chairman in 1^st inst.

i)       WAG letter 28/10/09 Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 – Statutory Guidance.   Councillor C. Grove in 1^st inst.

j)       Letter dated 12 November 2009, Gower Website fees 1 April 2009 – to Councillor Claire Grove to pursue.

k)      C & C of Swansea Regeneration Department letter 6.11.09 Rural Development Plan in Swansea – News issue 3.   Rural Business Plan 1 and Annual Implementation Report 2008.   Papers to Chairman in 1^st inst.

l)       Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2009, Issue 66.

m)     C & C of Swansea – Swansea Bay Information News Sheet.

n)      Play for Wales, Autumn 2009, Issue 30.

o)      Appeals for financial assistance: (1) NSPCC letter dated 27/10/09, (2) National Eisteddfod letter October 2009.

(p)     Glasdon & Rekk Co. UK agricultural brochures.

          Local Members for Ilston reported on potholes – Lunnon Hill from Shepherds to North Road junction and

          Agreed matter be taken up with Highways Department.

          Noted date of next meeting as Wednesday, 13 January 2010, at 7.30 p.m.

          Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John gave apologies for the January 2010 meeting as she would be abroad.  In the meanwhile, planning applications to be forwarded to Councillor V. Jones or Councillor P. Burgess.

As there would be no meeting in December 09, matters of emergency should be referred to Chairman and Vice Chairman and planning applications to Chairman and Vice Chairman, Councillor V. Jones and Local Members.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.20 p.m. with the Chairman wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.   The Members and Clerk responded accordingly.

Chairman