Ilston Community Council __________________________________ At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 29 November 2006 Present:    Councillors Mrs. F. Owen-John, H. John, V. M. Jones, T. Beynon, Peter Burgess, Mrs. J. Llewellyn, and J. Harris.      In the Chair:    Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John. Members and the Clerk expressed their sympathy to Councillor Mrs. J. A. Griffiths on the passing of her father, Mr. Arthur Williams, a well-known and respected gentleman of Lunnon. 1.    Apologies for Absence.     Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. J. A. Griffiths, W. Anderson,    R. Hanson and N. Hollett.          2.    Minutes. The minutes of the meeting held on 25 October 2006 were read, confirmed and signed as a true record.      3.    Matters Arising. On 3 3 para (b) Traffic problems, Penmaen Hill.  The Clerk reported that a Mr. Paul Zamgaris of the Traffic Section had contacted him on 29 November, stating that the sign on the dangerous bend would be removed and placed lower down the hill within the next few days.  Other markings on the road, chevrons, etc. were still to be done. On 3.3.7(a)    Fly Tipping.  Noted matter ongoing with Councillor R. Hanson. On 8 (b)    Drainage off Cefn Bryn.  Noted matters ongoing. On 3.9(b)    Highways Asset Management Programme 2005/2010 – Work scheduled to be carried out on A4118 from Nicholaston to Oxwich.  Noted letter dated 3/11/06 from the Section Leader, Planned Maintenance (letter shown as Appendix ‘A’ to this minute). On 3.8(a)    Land North of Western Farm, Nicholaston.   The Clerk reported that he had contacted Rhodri Williams, Enforcement Section, who would visit the site in relation to the physical work carried out on the Common and report back. On 6(b)    Letter L. Shinner, Parkmill, dated 14/10/06 regarding inappropriate car parking, Parkmill.  Noted acknowledgement letter dated 1 November 2006 from the Divisional Commander stating matter was now in the hands of Inspector Williams, Gower Sector.  Further noted Police had been in touch with Mr. Shinner but a reply was still awaited from Inspector Williams. On 6(c)    Letter dated 7 October, Hugh Jones, The Croft, Reynoldston, Gower, Swansea – 3rd Gower Scout Group – financial contribution.  Noted no reply to questions asked, i.e. how much the Group had raised themselves and what is the timescale. On 9(2)    Potholes and River Bank, Ilston.  Noted the Clerk’s report and that Stuart Golden of Highways had made contact on 13/11/06 stating potholes will be repaired shortly at the Church, Ilston, and after his discussions with the Environment Agency, the Highway Authority will now shore up the river bank at Ilston.       He further stated scalpings will be laid down past Whaitawiti at Nicholaston as soon as scalpings become available in the area. On 9(3)    Grazing, Fairwood Common.  Noted no reply to the Council’s letter sent on 27/10/06 and agreed Clerk sends a reminder. 4.    Reports from Members     (a)    The Chairman reported on the Community Councils Forum which she attended on 21 November 06 – session covered The Code of Conduct for Members – copy of the papers to Tom Beynon in the first instances.  Report shown as Appendix ‘B’ to this minute. (b)    Councillor P. Burgess reported on the informal Training & Discussion Evening which followed the Forum with One Voice Wales representatives in attendance.  Relevant papers shown as Appendix ‘C’ to this minute.  Noted that Councillor R. Hanson would give a written report to the next meeting.     The Members concerned were thanked for their efforts. 5.    Planning Applications.     The weekly lists were received.         Application No. 2006/2367         Location:    Eastfield, Lunnon, Gower.         Proposal:    Construction of a chimneystack.         Applicants:    Mr. & Mrs. I. Pearce.         Agreed to raise no objection. The Area 2 Development Control Committee papers for 31 October 2006 had already been handed to Councillor H. John and the papers for 14 and 21 November 2006 were handed to him at this meeting. 6.    Precept for 2007/2008     Noted letter dated 22 November 2006 from Director of Finance C & C of Swansea.     Further noted current year’s precept as £2,370 (316 Band D equivalent properties x £7.50) of which £1,580 had been received to date.  Current Account stood at £521 and Deposit Account at £1,543 with expenditure to date being £1,361.  Estimated expenditure to 31/3/07 is £500.       Council Tax base for this Council for 2007/08 is 325 Band ‘D’ equivalent properties (316 current year).     Noted possible further expenditure on the website, an increase in typing and clerical payments, and an increase in payment to a newly-appointed Clerk when the current Clerk retires, and a gratuity payment to the retiring Clerk would also need to be provided for.     The Clerk agreed to report back on Clerk’s payment and gratuity payment after he had furthered both matters with his colleague, Mr. Brian Smith of Pennard Community Council.     The Clerk also undertook to further certain matters with the website with Mrs. D. Cottle who currently carried out the Council’s typing work and Councillor R. Hanson, currently responsible for the website.          After discussion and taking the foregoing into consideration, resolved  to increase the precept from £7.50 to £8.00, i.e. 325 equivalent Band D properties x £8, giving a total precept of £2,600 for the financial year 2007/2008.  Payments will be made as follows:             _ last working day of April 2007    30/04/07             _ last working day of August 2007    31/08/07             _ last working day of December 2007  31/12/07 7.    Correspondence.     Received and noted:- a)    Invoice Penmaen & Nicholaston Village Hall dated 28/11/06, rental of Village Hall, September, October and November 2006 (3 x £15) in the sum of £45.  Agreed payment. b)    Letter dated 30/10/06 Corporate Marketing Officer, C & C of Swansea – Community Council’s Buffet Evening, 30 November 2006, Mansion House – Chairman available, Clerk unfortunately unavailable and the Clerk had already replied accordingly. c)    Letter dated 28 November 2006, Roy Church, Sunnybank, Parkmill, showing interest in standing as a Community Councillor.  Agreed the Clerk informs Mr. Church that there is no vacancy at present, and that the next election for Community Councillors will be in May 2008. d)    Community Councils Forum Agenda for meeting on 21 November 2006 – attended by the Chairman and already reported on. e)    Land Registry Wales Office – Notice to an adjoining owner of a proposed registration No. CYM 322205 – Pumping Station, Parkmill – application to register the freehold interest in the name of Dwr Cymru, Cyfyngedig.  Agreed to raise no objection. f)    Swansea in Bloom AGM 2006 agenda and papers. g)    Swansea Local Health Board – disc containing Annual Report from April 05 – March 06. h)    Countryside Alliance – saving Rural Post Offices – publicity card. i)    Life Beings at 50+ brochures for meeting, Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 15 November 2006. j)    Poster – Lord Mayor’s Christmas Evening, Mansion House, in aid of Lord Mayor’s Charity Fund, Wednesday, 6 December 2006. k)    Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2006, Issue 48. l)    Letter October 06 – Eisteddfod Flintshire & District 4 – 11 August 07 – financial appeal. m)    Letter October 06 – British Heart Foundation, Swansea – financial appeal. n)    One Voice Wales letter 19/10/06 – re membership. o)    Letter November 06, Alan Cairns AM – surgery posters. p)    Wickstead Leisure & SMP Playgrounds brochures. 8.    Any Other Business     1)    The Green, Parkmill         The Clerk reported that Mr. Shinner of Gower Court had reported that part of the Green was being dug up and it would appear that hardstanding was going to be put there.         Noted that this matter was now in the hands of the Enforcement Section, Highways;  Malcolm Ridge of the Gower Society;  Dawsons, Agents for the Somerset Trust;  Edward Harris of the Gower Society and Councillor for the area, Richard Lewis.         The Clerk will report back further in due course.               2)    River Bank from the Footbridge to the Old Forge, Parkmill             Councillor V. Jones reported that bushes were growing through the railings onto the road, and the railings were in need of repair and painting.           Agreed that the matter be taken up with the Environment Agency.          3)    Continual water on road at entrance to Western Farm, Nicholaston.         Noted report by Councillor J. Harris that water was continually running on to the A4118 at the above-mentioned point.  Agreed this matter be taken up with the Highway Authority.       4)    Payment of Accounts.            The Clerk reported that the invoice for the Audit fee for the year ended 31 March 2006 could well be received before the next meeting.  Agreed that the Chairman and Clerk be authorised to pay the Audit invoice, if received, and report back.     5)    Apologies for absence from meetings January, February and March.         Noted Councillor J. Harris will miss all three meetings as he will be in New Zealand and the Chairman will miss the January 07 meeting as she will be in Tasmania.         Members and the Clerk wished them both safe and happy holidays.     6)        Date of next meeting.  Noted date of the next meeting as Wednesday, 31 January 07, 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 H. John and Local Members. Councillor Harris and Members wished the Clerk’s daughter, Diana, well with the birth of her first child early in December.  The Clerk thanked Members for their kind wishes.      There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.47 p.m. with the Chairman thanking all and wishing everyone a Happy Christmas. Chairman.