At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 30 September 2009

Present:              Councillors Mrs. J. A. Griffiths, V. M. Jones, Mrs. C. Grove, P. Burgess,           Mrs. J. Llewellyn, Mrs. F. Owen-John and R. Church.

In the Chair:      Councillor Mrs. J. A. Griffiths.

1.       Apologies for Absence.

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

2.       Minutes.

          The minutes of the meeting held on 29 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 that Mr. John Grayham of the Highways Department had contacted the Clerk about the above-mentioned matters and that a note was being prepared for Councillor Richard Lewis, giving him the current position.  A report back to the next meeting could now be available.

On 11(1)  Bryn Cottage, Penmaen.   Noted letter dated 19 August 2009 from the C & C of Swansea Planning Officer, stating:

                 “Application 2009/0639 has now been withdrawn.  The applicant is now considering alternative design options for the site.   This follows careful consideration of the application, including a review of the Design Commission for Wales, and my advice that as proposed I would be recommending refusal of the application to the next Area 2 Development Control Committee.

                 The alternative design options are still at a concept stage but the applicant has indicated that this will include the demolition of the existing structured on site, at least in part.   Therefore enforcement action to remove the existing structure would not be expedient whilst alternative designs are being developed and considered, but will remain an option if an acceptable new design cannot be agreed.”

On 11(2)  Illegal Camping, Tor Bay and Three Cliffs.  Noted letter dated 27 July 2009 from Director of Environment and advice on dealing with illegal campers with contact details, particularly Gower AONB Ranger, tel. no. 07917 200209.  Details shown as APPENDIX ‘A’ to this minute.

On 7 (1)   Work at Barham Centre, Parkmill.  Noted letter dated 4 August 2009 from C & C of Swansea shown as APPENDIX ‘B’ to this minute.

On 7 (3)   School Governor, Pennard Primary School.  Noted copy of a letter stating that the National Association of Head Teachers challenges the appointment of Councillor Mrs. Julia Llewellyn vice Councillor T. A. Beynon inasmuch as the NAHT does not accept the method of her appointment.   Noted Clerk had already taken up this matter with   Mrs. P. Davies, School Governor Section, and a formal reply is now awaited.  Until such time that contact is made with Councillor Mrs. Llewellyn, she remains this Authority’s representative.

4.      Reports from Members.

(a)     Councillor R. Church reported further on the Barham Centre’s interest in the possibility of the purchase of Coed Onnen, Ashtree Wood, Parkmill and Councillor Nigel Hollett would prepare a report on the current position for the next meeting.

(b)     Councillor R. Church reported on the launch of the Rural Development Plan in Swansea held at Felindre Welfare Hall, Felindre on 24^th September with presentations from Welsh Assembly, Swansea Economic Regeneration Partnership and C & C Swansea Council.   Councillor Church then referred to the possibility of entering into partnership schemes, e.g. Bishopston School outdoor classroom.

          Councillor Church agreed to further this matter and report back to the next meeting.

5.      Planning Applications.

         The weekly lists were received.

Noted    1) Objection to Planning Application No. 2009/0968, Byways, Lunnon – proposed demolition of existing bungalow and garage and construction of four-bedroomed house,

                   and

              2) Support to opposition of construction of wind farm at Mynydd y Gwair, Mawr.

Confirmed the Sub-Committee’s action.

Minute shown as APPENDIX ‘C’ to this minute.

          Location:             Barham Centre, Parkmill

          Proposal:             Retention and completion of lay-by, access ramp, landscaping and associated works.

          Applicant:           Mount Pisgah Chapel.

          Councillor R. Church declared an interest as a trustee of Barham Centre and left the meeting.

          Agreed to respond as follows:  “No objection and the Council is pleased to see reinstatement of woodland at rear of lay-by.  The only concern is that as Parkmill experiences cattle trespass, the proposed retaining wall of natural limestone should be high enough to prevent livestock entering the area of woodland.”

Location:             Lilac Cottage, Penmaen.

Proposal:             Two-storey rear extension;  two-storey side extension, side conservatory and replacement front porch.

Applicant:           Dr. T. G. Kingham.

Agreed to raise no objection.

Location:             Field No. 3655, Willoxton Farm, Lunnon, Gower.

Proposal:             Construction of an agricultural building.

Applicants:         D. & G. Joseph.

Agreed to refer to Sub-Committee to take up with neighbours and make decision.

          Location:             Glen Bryn, Parkmill, Gower.

          Proposal:              Single-storey front and rear extension, rear porch, rear balcony, two dormers on east side/on west side.

          Applicants:         Mr & Mrs. Lloyd.

          Agreed to raise no objection.

          Location:             Ilston Cottage, Ilston. 

          Proposal:             Two-storey side extension and replacement front porch.

          Applicants:         Mr. C. Carr and Mrs. M. Bowen.

          Agreed to raise no objection.

          Location:             Penmaen Farmhouse and Jasmin Cottage, Penmaen.

          Proposal:             Alterations to roof to provide deep rafters (application for Listed Building consent).

          Applicant:           Mr. B. Martin.

          Agreed to raise no objection.

         Received and noted:-   

a)      Invoice Mrs. D. Cottle, Typing Services, dated 23 September 2009, in respect of typing, etc. to 23 September 2009 in the sum of £163.23.    Agreed payment.

b)      Letter Legal Services, C & C of Swansea, dated 4/8/09, regarding additional Proposed Diversion of Footpath No. 2, Community of Ilston.   Agreed to raise no objection.

c)      C & C of Swansea, Democratic Services letter dated 14/9/09 – Vale of Glamorgan Community Liaison Committee Visit, 21 October at 6.00 p.m., Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry (already responded to – Councillor W. Anderson and Mrs. F. Owen-John to attend).

d)      Bishopston Comprehensive School letter, September 2009, complimentary tickets for Music Concert, Undumo Wesizwe, live and direct from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, 6^th October, 7.30 p.m. at the School.

e)      Environment Centre, Pier Street, Swansea letter 16/9/09 – Swansea Waste Forum Meeting,    15 October 2009 at the Centre.

f)       Environment Department, C & C of Swansea letter dated 21 August 2009 – Review of the C & C of Swansea Gambling Policy – papers to Councillor R. Church in 1^st instant.

g)      Letter ERM Edinburgh dated 23.9.09 – proposed variation to Nobel Bank Area 476, Aggregate Dredging Licence – referred to Councillors Peter Burgess and Mrs. F. Owen-John.

h)      Letter dated 11 August 2009, Section 78 Planning Appeal, Land at Byways, Lunnon – Appeal against decision of Swansea C & C Council as Local Planning Authority to refuse planning permission for demolition of existing bungalow and construction of detached dwelling and extension of residential curtilage (outline).   Local Inquiry 6 October 2009, Civic Centre, Swansea.

i)       South Wales Police Authority letter, September 2009 – Your Police – Your Priorities Consultation – Questionnaire.   Questionnaire to Councillor R. Church.

j)       Commons Commissioners letters, 19 August 2009 and 8 September 2009 – various hearings and decisions in respect of Registrations, etc. in Gower.

k)      Welsh Assembly letter, 20 August 2009 – L.G. Partnership Scheme Annual Report 2008-09.

l)       Local Government Boundaries Commission for Wales letter 1/9/09 – Annual Report and Workshops 2009.

m)     Welsh Audit Office letter 27/8/09 – re financial arrangements.

n)      Human Resources, C & C of Swansea letter dated 3^rd September 2009 – Rural Swansea Action – Job Opportunities.

o)      WA letter 4/8/09 – Consultation on proposed Legislative Competence Order relating to Community Councils and Councillor recruitment, retention and allowances.

p)      WA Adjudication Panel for Wales letter, 3 August 2009, Annual Report 2008-2009.

q)      Swansea Community Health Council – Annual Report 2008/2009.

r)       Peninsula – National Trust Newspaper for Gower, Vol.11, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2009.

s)      One Voice Wales letter 3/9/09 – Councillor Training Programme.

t)       Society of Local Council Clerks – membership, training days, publications, etc.

u)      C & C of Swansea letter, 18^th August 2009 – Gower Countryside Forum, Planning Effectiveness Study.  Papers to Chairman in first instant.

v)      Clerks & Councils Direct, No. 65, September 2009 and Gower Society Newsletter, Autumn 2009 – to Chairman in first instant.

w)     Paper from WA – Tidy Wales Week 2009, 21-27 September 2009.

x)      Macmillan Cancer Support – Coffee Morning, 25/9/09 – to Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John on 8/9/09.

y)      Financial Appeals from Mencap cymru, Bobath Children’s Centre Wales (an Annual Report 07/08).

z)      Brochures from Wicksteed, Kompan, Glasdon and Timberline.

Date of Next Meeting. 

Noted date of next meeting as Wednesday, 28 October 2009, at 7.30 p.m.

Chairman