Ilston Community Council At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 28 November 2007 Present:        Councillors Mrs. F. Owen John, V. M. Jones, R. Hanson, P. Burgess, and      W. J. Harris. In the Chair:        Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John. Noted that Mr. Hugh Lloyd, the newly-appointed Gower Warden, was to attend the meeting to introduce himself to the Council, but he did not arrive. 1.    Apologies for Absence.     Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H. John, W. Anderson, Mrs. J. A. Griffiths, Mrs. J. Llewellyn, N. Hollett and T. Beynon.      2.    Minutes.     The minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2007 were read, confirmed and signed as a true record.     3.    Matters Arising. On 3.6(a) Signage on Cefn Bryn.   Noted matter ongoing with Councillor P. Burgess.     On 3.6(f)    Noise pollution, Penmaen House, Penmaen.    Agreed matter be monitored.  Noted Councillor John Harris had contact number if needed. On 4.    Shed at The Forge, Cartersford.  Noted report still awaited from Enforcement Section.   Further noted correspondence by way of e-mails between Councillor Hanson and Mrs. E. Morgan, The Forge, Cartersford (shown as “Appendix A” to this minute). On 5.    Planning Application No. 2007/1826 Byways, Lunnon.  Noted this application had been deferred by Area 2 Planning Committee at the meeting held on 6 November 2007 as Planning Services had been informed that amended plans were going to be submitted. On 3(4)    Reports from Members (R. Hanson Website).  Noted no topics of concern for the website at present. On 3(5)    Planning Applications.  Noted Application 2007/2093, Ivy Cottage, Nicholaston, and Application 2007/2235, Land adjacent to Silverstone, Penmaen, had both been refused. On 7(b)    Rural Development Plan.   Noted papers passed from Chairman to Vice Chairman and now with Councillor V. Jones. On 7(c)    Lighting Scheme Guidance, Gower AONB.   Consultation paper (response by 30/11/07) from Chairman to Councillor Nigel Hollett.  Noted Councillor Hollett’s comments and agreed they be submitted to Planning Services (letter shown as “Appendix B” to this minute). On 7(d)    Licensing Act 2003 – Policy Review.  Noted returned from Vice Chairman with no comment. 4.    Reports from Members. Noted Councillor Hanson’s response to the Document “Preparing Community Strategies” (shown as “Appendix C” to this minute). Councillor Hanson was thanked for his report. 5.    Planning Applications.     The weekly lists were received.      (a)    Planning Application No. 2007/2370 Location:    Field 9555, Fairwood Corner Farm, Fairwood. Proposal:    Use of land for a caravan rally for a maximum of 60 units from 19th – 21st September 2008 (inclusive). Applicant:    The Caravan Club. Agreed to raise no objection. (b)    Planning Application No. 2007/2485 Location:    Field 9555, Fairwood Corner Farm, Fairwood. Proposal:    Use of land for a caravan rally for a maximum of 40 units from 25th – 27th April 2008 (inclusive).      Applicant:    The Caravan Club. Agreed  to raise no objection. (c)    Planning Application No. 2007/2488 Location:    Glenbryn, Parkmill, Gower. Proposal:    Extension to existing stable block. Applicant:    Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Agreed to raise no objection. (d)    Planning Application No. 2007/2571     Location:    Field No. 9535, Fairwood Corner Farm, Fairwood. Proposal:    Use of land for a caravan rally for a maximum of 40 units from 20th – 22nd June 2008 (inclusive). Applicant:    The Caravan Club. Agreed to raise no objection. (e)    Application No. 2007/2630     Prior to this application being considered, Councillor V. Jones declared an interest and left the meeting.     Location:    Field 6362, Great Lunnon Farm, Lunnon.     Proposal:    Use of land for the siting of 5 touring caravans from Good Friday or 1st April (whichever is the earlier) to 31st October during 2008/2009 seasons.     Applicant:    Mr. V. M. Jones.     Agreed to raise no objection.     The Area 2 Development Control Committee Agenda and papers for 6th, 13th and 27th November 2007 were handed to the Chairman. 6.    Precept for 2008/2009     Noted precept for current year as £2,600 based on 325 equivalent Band D properties x £8 and expenditure to date as £1,265 with a further estimated expenditure to 31 March 2008 of £625 making total expenditure for the year £1,890.  Estimated surplus for year £710.  The deposit account stands at £2,568 and the current account £251.  Further noted next year’s precept would be based on 331 Band D properties.     After discussion, and noting future extra expenditure on the Clerk’s gratuity on his retirement, increased expenditure when a new Clerk is appointed, possible expenditure on Community Council elections in May 2008 and the website, Council considered it was reasonable to increase the precept by 50p from £8 to £8.50 for the financial year 2008/2009.     Resolved that the precept be increased by 50p from £8 to £8.50, i.e. 331 equivalent Band D properties x £8.50 = £2,813.50 for the financial year 2008/2009, and that the appropriate form be forwarded to the Director of Finance, City and County of Swansea. 7.    Correspondence     Received and noted:-     a)    Invoice Penmaen & Nicholaston Village Hall dated 28 November 2007 in the sum of £51.00 in respect of rent of Hall from September to November 2007 (3 sessions @ £15 plus £6 electricity).   Agreed payment be made. b)    Invitation from Lord Mayor, C & C of Swansea, to Chairman to attend City Carol Service, St. Mary’s Church, Swansea, 20 December 2007.   Agreed Chairman attend if available. c)    Invitation to Christmas Evening at the Mansion House, Sunday 9.12.07, tickets £10 each. d)    Barclays Bank Customers’ Terms & Conditions, November 2007. e)    Community Councils Forum 13/11/07 – noted Councillor Anderson unable to attend – and notice of date of next meeting on 15 January 2008, 5.00 p.m. County Hall.  (Councillor Anderson to be informed). f)    Culture & Tourism Department, The Guildhall, Swansea – Swansea in Bloom Agenda for AGM 28/11/07, The Guildhall. g)    Adjudication Panel for Wales – Annual Report 2007/07, to Chairman in first instance. h)    Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Services – Risk Reduction Action Plan 2008/07 Improvement Plan 2007/08. i)    Copies of correspondence from Penrice CC to Pullman Coaches regarding transferring of bus passengers at Shepherds, Parkmill.  Noted Chairman to further with Penrice CC and report back. j)    Spotlight on Police meetings, 24 January 2008, County Hall, Swansea and 28 January 2008 County Hall, Cardiff.  Noted Members unavailable.  Clerk to reply accordingly. k)    Ambition is Critical – Swansea’s Community Strategy Update 2007. l)    Image Makers Newsletter, Issue 23 November 2007. m)    Continuous Professional Development – Institute of Local Council Management – a National Training Strategy Booklet. n)    Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2007, Issue 54. o)    Urdd Gobaith Cymru, National Eisteddfod 2008 Conwy – Financial Appeal. p)    Various playground brochures. 8.    Any Other Business 1.    Highway problems     Councillor John Harris raised the following matters:-     (a)    Penmaen Village sign broken.                             Continued. . . . ./4 (Highway problems, continued) (b)    Pothole, car park, Penmaen. (c)    Hill, Penmaen, westbound, left-hand side on bend – debris needs clearing, dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists, and on other side as well.     Agreed matters be taken up with the Highways Authority 2.    Date of Next Meeting            Noted date as Wednesday, 30 January 2008 at 7.30 p.m. Matters of urgency to be referred to Chairman and Vice Chairman, and planning matters referred to Chairman and Vice Chairman, Councillor H. John and Local Members. The Chairman thanked Members and the Clerk for their co-operation throughout the year and wished everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.  Members and the Clerk responded accordingly. There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.10 p.m. Chairman