llston Community Council At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 28 February 2007 Present:        Councillors Mrs. F. Owen-John, V. M. Jones, H. John, Mrs. J. A. Griffiths, W. J. Anderson and N. Hollett. In the Chair:    Mrs. F. Owen-John. Apologies for Absence. Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J. Harris, P. Burgess, R. Hanson, Mrs. J. Llewellyn, T. Beynon and a written apology dated 26 February from Councillor Richard Lewis. Minutes. The minutes for the meeting held on 31 January 2007 were read, confirmed and signed as a true record. Matters Arising. On 3.3 para (b) Traffic problems, Penmaen Hill. Agreed a reminder be sent in respect of                      necessary signage (original letter dated 2/2/07 not replied to) and that the matter of rubbish on both sides of the bend be taken up again. On 3.3.7(a) Fly Tipping. Noted matter ongoing with Councillor R. Hanson. On 8 (b)    Drainage off Cefh Bryn. Noted matters ongoing. On 3.8(a)   Land north of Western Farm. Nicholaston. Noted letter dated 14/2/07 from Rhodri Williams, Enforcement Section, Planning Department, which stated that the works carried out are not considered to be engineering operations that require permission under Town & Country Planning Acts 1990-2004 and he is unable to pursue this matter further. On4(a)    Code of Conduct for Members. Noted Councillor T. Beynon was unable to attend this meeting, but hopefully he would return the copy of the Code at the next meeting. On 6(d)    National Trust - Sian Musgrave letter dated 26/1/07 - work to be carried out on Cefn Bryn including ditch clearance. Clerk reported he had contacted Ms. Musgrave asking if the ditch upside of the Loop Road, Penmaen, could be cleared out by their contractors. Sian Musgrave undertook to contact Councillor P. Burgess to establish the exact location of the ditch. Reports from Members Councillor W. Anderson reported back on the WA document "Making the Connections" and the intention to transform Public Services in Wales, with a change from public sector to public service ethos and a major review in 2010. Councillor Anderson commended the document\'s intentions and recommended its reading to other Members. The papers were passed to Councillor Mrs. J. Griffiths for her perusal. Councillor Anderson was thanked for his report. 1  5.     Planning Applications. The weekly lists were received and it was noted there were no applications on this occasion. The Area 2 Development Control Committee Agenda and papers for 6th and 20th February 2007 were handed to Councillor H. John. 6.    Correspondence. Received and noted:- a)     Wales Audit Office letter dated 16 February 2007 returning the Council\'s Certified Annual Return for the financial year ended 31 March 2006 without any issues being raised. Agreed no action required. Noted the Notice of Conclusion of Audit and Right to Inspect the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2006 had been posed in the Council\'s area with the return being available for inspection from 19/2/07 to 9/3/07. Further agreed that, as the invoice for carrying out the audit would be received before the next meeting, the Chairman and Clerk be authorised to make payment and report back. b)    Finance Department, C & C of Swansea letter dated 31 January 2007 - Precept Payment dates. Noted dates as:- On or before                             30/4/07      31/8/07      31/12/07 Proportion of the Annual Precept               third          third         third           c)    Chief Superintendent M. Mathias, Divisional Commander H Division Swansea, South Wales Police - letter dated 22/2/07, informing the Council of his new appointment vice Chief Superintendent Jehu who will be retiring in March 2007 and going into detail of changes and improvements within the service (letter shown as Appendix A to this minute). Agreed Clerk write back wishing him well in his new post and will write again in the future regarding a possible visit to the Council at one of its meetings. d)    Community Council Forum - Agenda and papers for meeting to be held on 6 March 2007, County Hall, Swansea at 5.00p.m. - papers to Councillor W. Anderson who will attend and report back. e)     WA letter dated 2/2/07 - Fire & Rescue, National Framework (Wales) 2005 (Revisions) Order 2007 and Intervention Protocol — consultation paper - to Councillor V. Jones to report back. f)     WA letter, 29 January 2007, Local Service Boards/Local Service Agreements - consultation paper. Papers to W. Anderson to report back. g)    WA letter dated 6 February 2007, Public Meeting NA SW Wales, Regional Committee North Connelly, 2 March 2007. h)    WA letter dated 6 February 2007, Borrowing by Community and Town Councils 2007 - 08, change to maximum repayment period. i)     Aran Jones CE Cymuned letter 15/2/07 asking to declare support for Homes for Locals –agreed the Chairman and Councillor W. Anderson check policy suggestions on web site www.homes41ocals.com and report back. j)     WA document - Living Longer Living Better - The Strategy for Older People in Wales -paper to Councillor Howard John. k)     Contact the Elderly Wales letter dated 19/2/07 — drive for volunteers to assist with the elderly. 1)     Swansea in Bloom Committee Agenda for meeting on 21/2/07, The Guildhall, Swansea. m)    Safer Swansea Partnership - minutes of meeting 6.2.07. n)    One Voice Wales letter, 1 February 2007 - invitation to join.                                                   2  o)    Western Power Distribution - Quality of Supply Report 2006 - papers to Chairman in 1st instance. p)    Swansea Youth Forum - posters for "It\'s About You", 14/2/07, Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. q)    Wicksteed Leisure brochure - Mystical World. 6.    Any Other Business a) Road Problems. Furzehill Lane Councillor J. Griffiths reported problems with the road breaking up in parts and potholes elsewhere on Furzehill Lane from Lunnon Road at Willoxton Cross to Ilston Village. Agreed matter be taken up with the Highways Department. b) Blocked culvert. Councillor V. Jones reported a blocked culvert causing road flooding between Lunnon Close and Stoneleigh Bungalow in Lunnon. Agreed matter be taken up with the Highways Department. c) Litter on Cower The Chairman reported on the vast amounts of litter and rubbish to be found almost everywhere on Gower which reflected badly in a holiday area. Agreed matter be taken up with the Environmental Health Department, asking when a litter pick might take place. d) Date of Next Meeting. Noted date as Wednesday, 28 March 2007 at 7.30 p.m. Councillor Howard John expressed thanks to the Chairman and Clerk for a particularly well-run meeting. There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.45 p.m. Chairman.