At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 30 July 2008

Present:                   Councillors Rodney Hanson, Mrs. F. Owen-John, Mrs. J.A. Griffiths, R. Church, W.J. Anderson, Mrs. J. Llewellyn, V. M. Jones, T.A. Beynon and P. Burgess.

In the Chair:           Councillor Rodney Hanson.

1.       Apologies for Absence.

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors N. Hollett and Tom Beynon.

2.       Minutes.

          The minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2008 were read, confirmed and signed as a true record.          

3.       Matters Arising.

On 3.4      Shed at The Forge, Cartersford.  Noted matter still ongoing with Rhodri Williams of Planning Enforcement.

On 6(a)    City and County of Swansea Unitary Development Plan – Noted papers to be returned by Councillor T. A. Beynon to Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John. 

On 6(c)    Alleged Right of Way from Penmaen to Nicholaston.   Noted matter ongoing between Mr. O’Carroll, City and County of Swansea, and Councillors P. Burgess and Tom Beynon.

On 5(e)    Planning Application 2008/1202, Field 3655 Willoxton Farm, Lunnon – Construction of an agricultural building.  Noted matter referred to Planning Sub-Committee (excluding Chairman who had declared an interest) who recommended to object.  Objection letter shown as APPENDIX ‘A’ to this minute.   The Council confirmed the sub-committee’s action.

On 7(1)    Road signs (4118) Penmaen, Parkmill and Nicholaston.  Noted letter 17/7//08 from Area Surveyor – signs to be rectified and overgrowth issues to be dealt with.

On 7(2)    Penmaen Village Sign.   Noted letter dated 24 July 2008 and that sign will be replaced when funds can be identified.  If Community Council were prepared to pay, matter could be treated as urgent.   Clerk had already asked for estimated costs which would hopefully be provided within three weeks.

4.       Reports from Members.

There were no reports on this occasion.

5.       Planning Applications.

          The weekly lists were received.

(a)     Planning Services letter dated 30 June 2008 – Amended Plan, Byways, Lunnon, Application No. 2007/1826. 

          Proposal:  Demolish existing bungalow, construct detached dwelling and extension of residential curtilage (outline). (Details of design, siting, external appearance and access.)

          Agreed to object.  Objection letter shown as APPENDIX ‘B’ to these minutes.

          Council confirmed Sub-Committee’s action.

Location:        Tyddyn Isa, Penmaen, Gower

Proposal:         Single-storey rear extensions.

Applicant:       Kate Cavendish

          Agreed to raise no objection.

Area 2 Development Control Committee agenda and reports for meetings on 24 June and 15 July 2008 were handed to Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John.

6.       Road-calming measures – Ilston Community Area

          Noted report by Councillor Roy Church that he had been in contact with Aeron Kircyk of the Highways Department regarding the possibility of a pavement from the bottom of Lunnon Hill to the Barham Centre (Pisgah Chapel), with a lay-by to the east of the chapel, and with traffic-calming measures by way of active speed-indicating signs in close proximity to the Centre.   After discussion, agreed to give full support to the project and, in addition, check out the possibility of such signs above the Gower Inn, approaching Parkmill, and just before the chicane as the road approaches the car park for Tor (going west);  also, coming east, a further sign on the approach to Nicholaston.   Copies of letters to be sent to Councillors Richard Lewis and John Hague, City and County of Swansea.  Clerk to liaise with Chairman with draft letters.

          The matter was raised by Councillor T. A. Beynon who felt there was need for such bins in certain areas.  Areas suggested:  near bus shelter opposite North Hills Lane, Penmaen, and Tor Bay Car Park between letterbox and gate to Tor.  Agreed Councillor Beynon check with householders in first instance and report back to Clerk who would then take up the matter with the Environment Department.  Noted Clerk had already spoken to the Department concerned who had given the following information:-

1)      Litterbins need to be bolted – hardstanding necessary.

2)      Dog litterbins need a concrete post.

3)      Dual-purpose bins – these are weighted and don’t need to be bolted – suitable sites therefore needed.

4)      Waste Management Section will check site to ensure waste can be collected and will supply and erect bins.

          Noted report by Councillor Roy Church and agreed to give support to retain the Post Office.  In the first instance, Councillor Roy Church to prepare a letter for Chairman to be sent out to all residents in the Ilston Community Area.  Chairman then to proceed with Clerk.   Further noted Public Meeting to be held at 7.00 p.m. on 7 August 2008 at Pisgah Chapel.        

          Received and noted:-   

a)       Invoice Penmaen & Nicholaston Hall dated 20 June 2008 in respect of rent from January to July 2008, 7 sessions at £15 = £105 and electricity £12, total £117.00.   Agreed payment.

b)      Invoice 24 July 2008 – D. Cottle Typing Services – typing, etc. from 29 February 2008 to 23 July 2008 in the sum of £213.90.   Agreed payment.

c)       Planning Services letter dated 21/7/08, Section 78 Appeal, The Willows, proposed development:  detached garage/stable with first-floor tack room.  App. Ref. 2008/0871, Appeal Ref. A08/2079754, Applicant S. Hocking, Appeal start date 16 July 2008.  Appeal follows refusal of planning permission by the City and County of Swansea.

d)      Letter 2/7/08, Democratic Services Manager, City and County of Swansea – Training on Code of Conduct.  Require numbers for a date to be arranged.  Clerk has already informed Stephen Rogers that hopefully 4 or 5 members would be able to attend a training session.

e)       National Trust letter, 21 July 2008 – dumping of grass clippings and garden waste on National Trust land – cattle grid, east end of loop road, NT stone cairn.  Council unable to help at present but if culprits found out, then Council would inform NT.

f)       Welsh Assembly letter, June 2008 –  Reviews of Electoral Arrangements. 

g)      Welsh Assembly letter, 9/6/08 – Local Government Partnership Scheme Report 2006/07 – to Councillor Anderson in first instance.

h)      Democratic Services Officer (Elections), City and County of Swansea – booklet – All About Parish and Town Councils.

i)       One Voice Wales – launch of ~Training Programme, 24 July 2008, Pennard Community Hall, National Training Programme and The Voice magazine, issue 9, January 2008. 

j)       Local Council Clerks Society – National Conference, 17 – 19 October 2008.

k)      Clerks & Councils Direct – July 2008, Issue 58.

l)       Ombudsman letter 25 June 2008 – revised leaflets – How to complain that a LA member has broken the Code of Conduct.

m)     Play for Wales, Issue 25, Summer 2008.

n)      Bulb catalogue, J. Parker, Autumn 2008.

o)      Glasdon – equipment for local authorities.

(a)     Village Green, Penmaen. 

          Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John reported on the Commons Commissioners draft report regarding the application of the Village Green, Penmaen, which had been refused.  However, particular reference had been made to Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John on presenting the case.

(b)     Road repairs and signpost.    

          Councillor V. Jones stated repair work on Lunnon Hill and Lunnon Road was badly needed;  also signpost in Lunnon Village needed replacing.  Agreed Councillor V. Jones and the Chairman compile letter in conjunction with the Clerk.         

(c)     Cattle grid, Penmaen Church.  

          Councillor T. A. Beynon stated this grid needs cleaning out and there is some repair work needed.  Agreed Clerk take matter up with Highways Department.

(d)     Date of next meeting. 

          Noted date of next meeting as Wednesday, 24 September 2008, at 7.30 p.m.

Chairman