At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 29 July 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.

1.       Apologies for Absence.

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

2.       Minutes.

          The minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2009 were confirmed and signed as a true record.  

3.       Matters Arising.

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

On 8(b)    Loop Road, Penmaen – badly damaged road and   

On 8(4)    Road Works, Nicholaston Cross to the Towers, Oxwich and also the ditch at Lunnon Road.   Noted report back still awaited from Councillor Richard Lewis.   Agreed matters again be taken up with Highways Department.

On 9(a)    Potholes, Furzehill Lane.   Noted letter to Councillor Mrs. Grove from Highways, stating the location is not considered urgent but will be monitored on a regular basis.

On 7         Gower Community Website.   Councillor Mrs. Grove stated that the next meeting is to be held in August or September 2009.

On 8         Swansea Rural Development Partnership.   Noted report by Councillor N. Hollett that contact had been made with Richard Beale, C & C of Swansea, stating that the Barham Centre was interested in pursuing the purchase of Coed Onnen, Ashtree Wood, Parkmill and Councillors N. Hollett and R. Church would play key roles in this through co-ordinating the Sustainable Development Fund bid.   Councillors Hollett and Church would like:

                 1)    a letter of support to the Barham Centre in connection with the purchase;

                 2)    to include the Community Council as a partner in the bid;

3)    to have a Member of the Council on the Management Board of the Woodland, and

4)    financial support from the Council (which would show commitment to the project).

Council agreed much more detail was needed before any decision can be made by the Council but, in any event, there would be no financial support.

In preparing any report or application, Councillors Hollett and Church were acting as individuals and not as representatives of the Council.

The Council, at this stage, was not committing itself to anything and Councillor Hollett was to be informed accordingly by the Clerk.

(On 8  Swansea Rural Development Partnership, continued)

The Clerk reported he had taken up the question of representation on the Partnership Committee and had been advised that representation on this was from the public and private sectors and there was an equal balance.   It was suggested that membership of Swansea Rural Action, which is open to individuals, would be an appropriate group to join if any individual so desired.

On 11(1)  Bryn Cottage – Support from Councillor M. Smith.   Noted Councillor Smith would not attend a meeting of the Council but will be pleased to receive representations.

On 11(2)  Illegal camping – Tor Bay and Three Cliffs.   Noted letter dated 6/7/09 from the Director of Environment, stating full response to follow.

On 11(3)  Road repairs, Lunnon – very bad state of roads generally and Eastfield in particular.  Agreed to take up again with Highways Department.

4.      Reports from Members.

5.      Planning Applications.

         The weekly lists were received.

          Location:             Barton’s Wood, Parkmill.

          Proposal:              Single-storey front extension incorporating chimney (additional plan and amended description).

          Agreed to raise no objection.

          Agreed that Mr. Morgan be asked for the application number and details of what is proposed.   The matter could then be considered when the Planning Sub-Committee meets in August.

         Received and noted:-   

a)      Invoice Penmaen & Nicholaston Village Hall dated 20 July 2009, hire of Hall January – July 2009, in the sum of £140 (8 sessions at £15 plus £20.00 electricity).   Agreed payment.

b)      Letter dated 2 July 2009 – Transportation Unit, C & C of Swansea – Shoreline Management Plan, Stakeholder Forum, 15.7.09, Liberty Stadium.   Councillor Anderson, who attended, will report back to the next meeting.

c)      Letter dated 2 July 2009 from Rosemary Mason, Hunters’ Hollow, after attending the meeting held on 1 July 2009.

d)      Letter dated 3 July, Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales – Review of the Community Boundaries in the C & C of Swansea – Further Draft Proposals – to Chairman and Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John in first instant.

e)      DEFRA circular letter received in July 2009 (undated) regarding the “Biodiversity Duty”.

f)       Heritage in Wales issue No. 43 – Summer 2009 – to Chairman in the 1^st inst.

g)      One Voice Wales letter dated 10 July 2009 – Membership 2009/10.

h)      Play for Wales, Issue 29, Summer 2009. 

i)       Peter Black AM – Poster re surgery dates to December 2009.

j)       Shelter Cymru letter, June 2009 – financial appeal.

k)      J. Parkes & Co., Manchester – bulb catalogue Autumn 2009.

(1)     Work at Pisgah Chapel (Barham Centre, Parkmill). 

          Noted work had been carried out on a new pavement from the bottom of Lunnon Hill to the Chapel by the Highways Department.   Further noted that, besides trees being felled, a lay-by had been created to the east of the chapel.  

          Agreed the Planning Authority be asked if it had been consulted before the trees were felled and what is the planning position in relation to the new lay-by.

(2)     Road Repairs, Lunnon.

          Councillor V. Jones reported on repair work urgently needed on the road to Lunnon from Furzehill Green – about 300 yards on the left a ditch needs urgent attention.  

          Agreed matter be taken up with the Highways Department.

(3)     School Governor, Pennard Primary School

          Noted Councillor T. A. Beynon could not continue as the Council’s representative because of work pressures, and Councillor J. Llewellyn offered to carry out the duties for the next year.   Council accepted her offer with thanks and the Clerk would advise the School Governor section accordingly.

          Noted date as 30^th September 2009 at 7.30 p.m.

Matters of emergency to be referred to the Chairman and Vice Chairman, and Planning matters to the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Councillors Mrs. F. Owen-John and Local Members.

Chairman