Ilston Community Council At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 30 May 2007 Present:    Councillors Mrs. F. Owen-John, H. John, V. Jones, R. Hanson, Mrs. J. A. Griffiths, W. J. Anderson, Mrs. J. M. Llewellyn and P. Burgess. In the Chair:    Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John. In Attendance:    Councillor Richard Lewis. Council noted that Councillors Mrs. F. Owen-John and R. Hanson had been re-elected as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively at the AGM held immediately before this meeting. 1.    Apologies for Absence.     An apology for absence was received from Councillors J. Harris, N. Hollett and T. Beynon. 2.    Minutes.     The minutes of the meeting held on 25 April 2007 were read, confirmed and signed as a true record.     3.    Matters Arising. On 3a    Barham Centre, Mount Pisgah Chapel, Parkmill.  Noted letter dated 22 May 2007 from Martin Caton MP enclosing a copy of a letter dated 3 May 2007 from the Charity Commission stating that they cannot take sides or comment on the relative merits of the dispute (letter shown as ‘Appendix A’ to this minute).     Further noted that the Chapel Trust had made an offer to buy the premises and a response was awaited.     Council had already agreed to consider some financial support for a fund specifically for the legal costs which may occur.  Resolved that a donation of £200 be made to help with legal costs of fighting their case against the URC on receipt of a written request, and Members would approach Mr. R. Church immediately in this respect. 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 7(c)    Litter on Gower.  Noted letter dated 2 May 2007 from Environment Department stating the Authority are currently reviewing its cleansing procedures and intend to move to a system of cleansing areas on a needs basis and not on a fixed routine which should benefit the Community Area, particularly during the summer months.  Arrangements have been made for a supervisor to visit the Community Area and arrange for any necessary sweeping/litter-picking works to be undertaken and have requested that the areas be maintained.   (Letter shown as ‘Appendix B’ to this minute). On 6(a)    Signage, Cefn Bryn.  Noted letter dated 26 April 2007 from John English, Transport & Engineering Department, asking if the Council could indicate by a plan the proposed locations for the signs prohibiting vehicles from driving onto common land in the Penmaen area of Cefn Bryn.   Councillor P. Burgess undertook to supply Mr. John English with a plan suitably marked. On3.6(c)    Picnic Area, Penmaen – sign.  Noted letter dated 10 May 2007 from Richard Beale, Planning Department, stating that a sign will be placed there in the near future. On 5(b)    Planning Application No. 2007/0619 – Nicholaston House, Penmaen – Detached chapel.  Noted application approved. On 5(c)    Planning Application No. 2007/0635 – Willoxton Farm, Ilston – Agricultural building.   Noted application refused. On 6(a)    Land Below Pennard Castle – noted rubbish had been cleared – confirmed by Footpaths Officer. On 6(b)    Path from Car Park Penmaen to Tor Bay – noted sign in hand with Footpaths Officer. 4.    Reports from Members. (a)    The Chairman reported on the Draft Countryside Access Plan 2007/2017.   Noted the possible return of a Gower Warden and the proposal that the Council write to commend the general aim but highlighting the policing aspect, perhaps suggesting less emphasis on encouraging people to use the network other than those who are actively looking for more opportunities for walking, riding and responsible use of bikes.  (Report shown as ‘Appendix C’ to this minute.)   Agreed the Clerk reply accordingly. (b)    The Chairman reported on the Inauguration of the Lord Mayor on 11 May 2007. (c)    The Chairman reported on AONB Awareness Day on 25 May 2007 at Reynoldston.  (Reports for (b) and (c) shown as ‘Appendix D’ to this minute.)     The Chairman was thanked for her reports. 5.    Planning Applications.     The weekly lists were received (a)    Planning Application No. 2007/0980     Location:        Brig-y-Don, Lunnon, Gower.     Proposal:        First-floor side extension, single-storey front extension, single-storey                     rear extension and canopy, detached garage/store.     Applicant:        Mr. & Mrs. A. Boughey     After discussion agreed to raise no objection. (b)    Planning Application No. 2007/0952     Location:        Fields Nos. 8254 and 9555, Fairwood Corner Farm, Fairwood.     Proposal:        Use of land for a caravan rally for a maximum of 70 units from 21st to                     23rd September 2007 (inclusive).     Applicant:        The Caravan Club.     After discussion agreed to raise no objection.     The Area 2 Development Control Committee Agenda and papers for 1 May 2007 were handed to Councillor H. John. 6.    Correspondence.     Received and noted:- a)    Wales Audit Office letter dated 3 May 2007 – Notification of New External Auditor appointment, namely Mazars LLP Southampton vice Gill Lewis of the Wales Audit Office. b)    Letter dated 21 May 2007 from Stephen Christopher of Mazar LLP, newly appointed external auditor, enclosing Annual Return for the audit of accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007. Noted appointed date as 1 October 2007.     Agreed matter be placed on the Agenda for the meeting on 27 June 2007.     c)    Mid and West Wales Fire & Rescue Authority Draft Risk Reduction Action Plan 2008/09 – papers to Councillor J. A. Griffiths in first instance. d)    Commons Commissioners Commons Registration Act 1965 – letter dated 10 May 2007 – hearings commence County Hall, Swansea 4th June 2007, 9.30 a.m.   Chairman to attend in respect of Penmaen Village Green. e)    Environment Department letter, 21 May 2007 – Outstanding Magazine – the magazine for AONBs Spring/Summer 2007 – to Chairman in first instance then Councillor P. Burgess. f)    Annual Report County Archivist 06/07 – Councillor R. Hanson, then V. Jones, then Mrs. H. Jones. g)    Welsh Assembly Concessionary Travel Heart of Wales Line. h)    Letter dated 1st May 2007 – Standards Board for England re Code of Conduct and letter dated 22 May 2007 asking that the first letter be disregarded as the Code does not apply to Wales. i)    Swansea Bay Information for Tourism, May 2007 – to Chairman. j)    Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2007, Issue 51. k)    Fairbridge Charity Swansea – financial appeal. l)    Komplay – Community Play Area – appeal brochure. 7.    Any Other Business (a)    Reimbursement of Petty Cash expenditure to Clerk for Council year ended 31 May 2007.  Noted petty cash expenditure for the year to 31 May 2007 as £137.66.  After scrutiny, resolved that the sum of £137.66 be reimbursed to the Clerk. (b)    Road Problems: 1.    Lane, Nicholaston Cross to Waitawhiti House badly potholed and “No Through Road” sign at Nicholaston Cross needs to be re-erected.     Raised by Councillor J. Llewellyn. 2.    Main road from Nicholaston Cross to the Towers –  when is resurfacing which was scheduled for 2006 to be carried out?       Raised by Chairman. 3.    Lunnon Road adjacent to field OS No. 5236 – substantial repairs needed to shoulder of carriageway – extremely dangerous as it is.       Raised by Councillor V. Jones. 4.    Brynafel Farm to Ilston Village – road needs to be resurfaced.     Raised by Councillor Mrs. J. A. Griffiths Agreed all above matters to be taken up with the Highway Authority. (c)    Cutting back of trees and hedgerows, Ilston Community Area.  Councillor Richard Lewis agreed to further this matter.     (d)    Date of Next Meeting.            Noted date as Wednesday, 27 June 2007.   As there was no further business, the meeting closed at 8.47 p.m. Chairman