Ilston Community Council At a meeting of the Ilston Community Council held at Penmaen and Nicholaston Parish Hall on Wednesday, 31 October 2007 Present:        Councillors Mrs. F. Owen John, V. M. Jones, R. Hanson, N. Hollett,               P. Burgess, W. J. Harris and T. Beynon. In the Chair:        Councillor Mrs. F. Owen-John. Members noted with sadness the passing of Councillor H. John’s dear wife Margaret, and Members and the Clerk stood in silence in her memory. The Clerk will, of course, send a letter of condolence to Councillor John and his family. 1.    Apologies for Absence.     Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H. John, Mrs. J. Llewellyn, Mrs. J. A. Griffiths and W. A. Anderson.      2.    Minutes.     The minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2007 were read, confirmed and signed as a true record.     3.    Matters Arising. On 3.6(a) Signage on Cefn Bryn.   Noted matter ongoing with Councillor P. Burgess.     On 6(f)    Noise pollution, Penmaen House, Penmaen.    Noted Noise Pollution Officer to report back in due course.   On 4.    Shed at The Forge, Cartersford. (Councillor R. Hanson)  Noted report awaited from Enforcement Section. On 5.    Planning Application No. 2007/1826 and letter dated 18/9/07 from Planning Services (amended plans).  Noted Area 2 Planning Control Committee had deferred discussion until after a site visit had taken place.  Agreed that if anything needed to be furthered in this matter, it be left to Councillor P. Burgess and the Clerk to report back. On 6(d)    Alleged right of way, Penmaen to Nicholaston.  Further letter from Legal Services dated 10/10/07 received.   Agreed to reply as follows:  “Southern path is correct path and exists as such.  The route which is shown by a broken line which you call northern path is not a public right of way.  It is actually a drainage feature/base of hedge.  From B to X on N1 10 we believe to be already a bridleway.  PM10 to the east of X we have suggested be classified as a bridleway and is already being used as such”. On 7(b)    Speeding, Furzehill Lane.  Councillor Hanson reported persons concerned have been spoken to – the matter will now be monitored. On 7(c)    Overhanging trees, Gower.  Noted cutting had been carried out in Furzehill. 4.    Reports from Members. Councillor Hanson reported on a Website meeting held on 22.10.07.  Report shown as “Appendix A” to this minute.  Members to come back with a topic of concern for the Website.   (Reports from Members, continued)     The Chairman reported on the following:- (a)    AGM Barham Centre, Parkmill (8/10/07). (b)    Lord Mayor’s Civic Services (14.10.07), St. Peter’s Church, Newton. (c)    Safer Swansea Partnership Strategy meeting 23.10/07, The Guildhall. (d)    Stakeholders’ Meeting 25/10/07, County Hall. (e)    Lighting Scheme Guidance for Gower AONB.  Draft. Reports are shown as “Appendix B” to this minute. The Chairman and Councillor Hanson were thanked for their reports. 5.    Planning Applications.     The Planning Lists were received.      (a)    Planning Application No. 2007/2093 Location:    Field 0031.  Ivy Cottage, Nicholaston. Proposal:    Use of land for the siting of 20 touring caravans. Applicant:    M. M. Owens. After lengthy discussion, opinion was still divided.  Although there were serious concerns about the precedent this might set, on balance the meeting decided not to object provided there was adequate landscaping and tree screening, and that existing buildings are used for facilities that would be required, and that this site remains a touring site. (b)    Planning Application No. 2007/2133 Location:    Myrtle Cottage, Nicholaston. Proposal:    Two-storey side extension, single-storey side extension and single-storey rear extension and single-storey side and front extension to existing detached garage (amendment to planning permission 2007/0426 granted 13/7/07).     Applicants:    Mr. & Mrs. Sherwood. Noted it was too late to respond.  However, it was felt that the letter to Planning from Mr. R. E. Taylor, The Beacons, Nicholaston covered the points the Council would have raised. (c)    Planning Application No. 2007/2235 Location:    Land adjacent to Silverstone, Penmaen. Proposal:    Detached dwelling with detached garage. Applicant:    Mr. G. Thomas. After discussion, agreed to object on the grounds that it would lead to urbanisation of the area, especially having regard to its proximity and juxtaposition to the only listed house in Penmaen.     The Area 2 Development Control Committee Agenda and papers for 16/10/07 had been handed to the Chairman on 18/10/07 and the papers for 2nd and 23rd October 2007 were handed to her at this meeting     The Clerk reported for the Council’s information that a longstanding friend of his, Mr. Colin Lea now of Pennard, had telephoned him on 30/10/07, out of courtesy, to inform the Council that his stepson, Mr. Glen Donovan, had purchased at Penmaen Farm, the Longhouse, Lane and 30 acres on the right-hand side.  The rest of the farm had been sold off in two plots, i.e. 10 acres on the left of the Lane, and 20 acres with the two listed cottages. 7.    Correspondence.     Received and noted:- a)    Mazars Southampton Accountants – Certified Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2007.  Noted only comment was £NIL not shown in Boxes 8 & 10 in Section 1 (Statement of Accounts) of the Return.        There was nothing more for the Council to consider.     Further noted Notice of Conclusion of Audit had been posted in the Community Area.     In addition to the Return, Mazars’ invoice for work undertaken on behalf of the Wales Audit Office for the year ended 31 March 2007 was received, this being in the sum of £58.75 (fee £50, VAT @ 17.5% £8.75).   Agreed payment be made. b)    Letter 27/9/07 – Richard Beale, Planning Services – Rural Development Plan – Chairman in first instance. c)    Letter dated 15/10/07 Planning Services – Lighting Scheme Guidance Gower AONB – Consultation papers to Chairman 24.10.07 and Councillor Hollett at this meeting (response by 30 November 2007. d)    Letter September 07, Environment Department, C & C of Swansea – Licensing Act 2003 – Policy Review – to Vice Chairman (response by 2 November 2007). e)    Swansea Community Health Council Annual Report – to Councillor J. Harris in first inst. f)    EMU Southampton – letter dated 24/10/07 – application for licence in Aggregate Extraction 486 (Western Bristol Channel) – letter of thanks for comments. g)    Welsh Assembly letter 2/10/07 – Fire and Rescue Authorities Performance Measurement. h)    Play for Wales Issue 22 Autumn 2007. i)    Age Concern invitation to AGM 25/10/07. j)    Peter Black AM – poster – surgery dates November 2007 to March 08. k)    Macmillan Cancer Support – letter dated October 2007 – financial appeal. l)    Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales letter, October 2007 – financial appeal m)    National Eisteddfod 2008 Cardiff letter, October 2007 – financial appeal. 8.    Any Other Business (a)    Agenda Item for next meeting.     To consider the precept for 2008/2009. (b)    Date of Next Meeting            Noted date as Wednesday, 28 November 2007 at 7.30 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.35 p.m. Chairman