At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Present:            Councillors Rodney Hanson, V. M. Jones, W. J. Anderson, R. Church, Peter Burgess and Mrs. F. Owen-John.

1.       Apologies for Absence.

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. J. A. Griffiths, T. A. Beynon,      N. Hollett, Tom Beynon (Nicholaston) and Mrs. J. Llewellyn.

2.       Minutes.

          The minutes of the meeting held on 29 October 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 letter dated 10/11/08 from Mr. K. O’Carroll, Legal Services, City and County of Swansea, regarding awaited response from Councillor P. Burgess and Tom Beynon, Nicholaston.

                 Councillor Peter Burgess  now undertook to deal with this matter as being urgent.

On 7(2)    Penmaen Village Sign.   Noted that the cost of a replacement sign by the Council would be £357.05.   Agreed not to purchase new sign but to remain on the list for the City and County of Swansea to replace when funds become available.

On 6.        Road-calming measures – Ilston Community Area.   Noted report by Clerk who stated that Mr. Daniel of the Improvements Section had now prepared a report on the pavement and lay-by project at Pisgah, Parkmill, and possible traffic-calming measures.  He would be seeing Councillor Richard Lewis with the report and possibly recommendations in the near future and then would write to the Council.

                 Agreed that Councillor R. Lewis be asked to attend the next meeting of the Council to discuss the position as it stands at present, and that the matter be placed on the Agenda for the next meeting.

On 3(7)    Waste & dog litter bins, Ilston Community Area.   Noted matter still ongoing with Councillor T. A. Beynon.

On 3(6)    Community Council’s Term of Office for a representative as Pennard School Governor.   Noted that before anyone had been contacted, Councillor T. A. Beynon volunteered to be the Council’s representative.  The Chairman authorised the Clerk to inform the School Governor Unit, as a matter of urgency.   Council confirmed the Chairman’s action.

On 3(7)    Water Pressure, Parkmill.   Noted letter dated 19/11/08 from Brian Smith, Team Leader (Clydach Depot Operations) that only problems identified were 11 properties in the area from Willoxton Farm north to Little Hills.   These properties are receiving pressures below minimum requirements and are being reported as failing to OFWAT.   However, the Board are installing a booster pump to resolve the problem and newsletters have been delivered to the properties in question.   (Copies of the graphs were handed to Councillor R. Church.)

On 3(8a)  C & C of Swansea – Training Members on Code of Conduct.  Noted letter dated 20/11/08 from Democratic Services Manager informing the Council that a further training session on the Code of Conduct will be held on Monday, 8^th December 2008, at 5.00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre, Swansea.

                 Agreed Councillors P. Burgess and Roy Church attend.

On 6.        Community Council Website fees.   Chairman stated he would be looking at reduced rate for small councils.  An invoice would be forthcoming in due course.

                 Chairman would report back to next meeting.

    On 7 (j)     Local Government Act 1972, Section 56 (1) Review of the Community Boundaries in City and County of Swansea.  Papers to Chairman and Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John who expressed no views.  

                     This Council had already stated it wished the status quo to remain as far as Ilston was concerned.

On 8(a)    Bus Stop, Tor Bay Car Park.   Noted reply still awaited.

4.       Reports from Members.

Noted reports from Councillor W. Anderson who had attended the Community Councils’ Forum on 25/11/08 whereat presentations were given on (1) Air Quality Monitoring and (2) Local Service Boards which had been imposed by the Welsh Assembly, e.g. Better Swansea Partnership.

Councillor Anderson was thanked for his detailed reports which were much appreciated by Members.

Councillor Anderson concluded by saying that sadly, however, the Forum appears to be an empty vessel where Community Councils attend and listen, rather than a vehicle for really involving Community Councils.

5.       Planning Applications.

          The weekly lists were received.

(a)     Application No. 2008/2131

          Location:        Bryn Afel, Ilston, Gower.

          Proposal:         Cladding of external walls to two dwellings.   Conversion of barn to provide ancillary residential accommodation, excavation of pond and construction of detached breakfast room and bridge link.

          Agreed to raise no objection.

Location:        Rose Cottage, Perriswood, Penmaen, Gower.

Proposal:         Single-storey side extension and two first-floor side extensions.

Applicant:       P. Burgess.

          Councillor P. Burgess declared an interest in this application for obvious reasons and left the meeting whilst the application was being discussed.

          Agreed to raise no objection.

          Received and noted:-   

a)       Invoice 503446-4278, Mazars, 3 Grosvenor Square, Southampton, dated 5/11/08 – fees for Annual Audit year ended 31 March 2008 in the sum of £50 plus £8.75 VAT (total £58.75).  Agreed payment.

b)      Invoice Penmaen Nicholaston Village Hall dated 22/11/08 – hire of hall September – November 2008, 3 sessions at £15, total £45, plus 20 units electricity @ 20p per unit £4, total £49.00.  Agreed payment.

c)       Invitation to City Carole Concert at St. Mary’s Church, Swansea 18/12/08.  Noted that the concert was attended by the Chairman and partner.

d)      Freedom of Information 2005 – New Model Scheme effective from 1 January 2009.  Resolved that the scheme be adopted. 

e)       Community Councils Forum 25/11/08, Civic Centre, Swansea, at 5.00 p.m. – already reported on by Councillor W. J. Anderson.

f)       Adjudication Panel for Wales – Annual Report for 2007 – 2008 – Noted.

g)      Environment Department Planning Services letter 11 November 2008, City and County of Swansea Unitary Development Plan.   Plan adopted on 10 November 2008 available for inspection at the Civic Centre and on Council’s website

h)      Secretary, Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales – Review of Boundaries in     C & C of Swansea – received by the Council on 29/10/08, referred to Chairman and Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John who make no comment. 

i)       Swansea Community Health Council Annual Report 2007/2008.   

j)       Letter dated 31/10/08 – Local Government Boundaries Commission for Wales – Workshops 2008 (Dec.).  

k)      Mid and West Wales Fire & Rescue Authority – Risk Reduction Action Plan 2009/2010 – to Chairman in first instant.

l)       Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2008, Issue 60.

          Members noted there was a great deal of local concern that the house is not being built to plan in terms of position on the plot and the height of the structure.  Agreed the Planning Officer be written to for confirmation the plans are being adhered to.

          Members felt that delegated powers needed explanation and agreed that the Planning Officer be asked:  “What are the criteria and procedures by which some applications are dealt with by the officers under delegated powers?”

          Councillor R. Church raised the question: “Can tickets purchased on First Cymru, i.e. weekly pass or student’s pass, be recognised on First Cymru and Veolia and are they interchangeable between the two companies?”  Agreed matter be taken up with C & C of Swansea Transport Unit.

(d)     Date of next meeting. 

          Noted date of next meeting brought forward to Wednesday, 21 January 2009 at 7.30 p.m.

Matters of Emergency to be referred to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman and planning matters to be referred to Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John and Local Members.

The Chairman wished everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Members and the Clerk responded accordingly.

Chairman