MINUTES OF THE MEETING

HELD AT PENCLAWDD COMMUNITY CENTRE

ON THURSDAY 16^th FEBRUARY, 2006 AT 7.00 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Councillor Mrs. A. Lewis-Pudduck

Councillors A. Godfrey, T, Snell, J. Guy, P. Tucker, P. Hood-Williams, Mrs.S. Davis, D. Morgan, R. Griffiths.

Council was addressed by Mrs. C. Stevens, Vice-Chair of Swansea & District National Eisteddfod 2006, who advised that the festival would take place in August at the Felindre site. Mrs. Stevens outlined a number of issues relative to health and safety and parking and advised that the bilingual festival was open for all to enjoy. It would bring economic benefit to the area with a number of businesses working in partnership. The cost to run was £2.7m and 35 districts had been asked to raise one tenth of the total of which some 94% had now been raised. Support was required from the Community Councils not only financially but representatives would be invited to attend. Mrs. Stevens distributed literature and members agreed to place the item on the agenda for the next meeting for further consideration.

152. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies were received from the Chairman Councillor R. Cooper and Councillor Ms. Birch. Councillors Tucker and Hood-Williams had advised that they would be late attendees.

153. TO RECEIVE DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INTEREST FROM MEMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT ADOPTED BY LHCC ON 13^th DECEMBER, 2001:

Councillor Mrs. S. Davis declared an interest in respect of the contractors account for grounds maintenance, agenda item 7. Councillor Mrs. Lewis-Pudduck declared an interest in respect of planning application 2006/0189.

City & County Councillors Hood-Williams and Tucker declared an interest in respect of matters relating to the City and County of Swansea.

154.     CHAIRMAN’S REPORT /REMARKS:

            The Chair referred to the position of rural post offices which had seen a decline in business following direct payment of pensions to bank accounts. Government contracts would not be renewed from 2010 and work lost. There was concern that not all pensioners had bank accounts and post offices must be maintained. The vulnerable and illiterate without bank accounts would be affected and there was some difficulty in today’s climate in opening bank accounts. After discussion it was agreed that Council write to the M.P. to express its concern in a strongly worded letter.

155.     TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 19^th JANUARY, 2006:

The minutes of the Council meeting held on Thursday 19^th January, 2006 were confirmed as a true record. Minutes of the finance committee of the same date were also confirmed as a true record.

156. MATTERS ARISING:

Councillor Godfrey referred to a near collision at the Waun y Felin junction and asked if a letter had been sent to the Highways Department. This was confirmed by the Clerk who advised that the letter had not been acknowledged.

157. CLERK’S REPORT:

A request was received from a regular observer for copies of the minutes to be made available at each meeting. The Clerk found merit in the suggestion and agreed. In communication to the individual, he advised that minutes are now available on the collaborative website accessed at www.gowercc.org.uk.

158. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT /FINANCIAL REPORT:

The accounts as detailed and agreed by the Clerk were passed for payment.

159. COUNCIL PROPERTY, LOTTERY FUNDING AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS:

Councillor Snell advised that a child had suffered injury on a seat at Llotrog. The Clerk advised that the seat had been repaired last year but would ask Council’s contractor to investigate.

A request was received from Llanmorlais Hall Carnival Committee for use of the Recreation Ground, Llanmorlais on Saturday 24^th June. This was agreed and it was also agreed that in future the Clerk handle such matters without further reference to Council.

Councillor Griffiths referred to the proposed Gardening Competition and presented a draft poster. In discussion, some amendments were agreed in that all Councillors be listed; most productive garden to specify fruit and vegetables; this was not organic and to be specified. It was also agreed that Councillors could not enter and that application forms be prepared.

The Clerk advised that Blue Anchor Bowls Club had requested repairs to seats at the bowling green. This would be attended to.

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Councillor Mrs. Lewis-Pudduck withdrew.

It was agreed that Councillor Morgan take the Chair.

160. PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

Applications received from the Local Planning Authority were read out. The applications considered were:

2006/0055; 2006/0060; 2006/0092; 2006/0104; 2006/0118; 2006/0149; 2006/0151; 2006/0189; 2006/0237; 2006/0253; 2006/0257; 2006/0276.

Amended plans were received in respect of 2005/1243, land rear of Old Manse, Gowerton Road, Three Crosses; 2004/0848 land rear of Pencaerfenni Lane, Crofty.

The Local Planning Authority advised that an appeal had been lodged against the refusal of application 2005/0472, detached dwelling, land adjacent to 61, Gowerton Road, Three Crosses.

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Councillor Mrs. Lewis-Pudduck returned to the Chair.

Councillors Tucker and Hood-Williams in attendance.

161. CORRESPONDENCE:

(i) Welsh Assembly – The Local Government Partnership Scheme Annual Report 2004-2005. Noted.

(ii) One Voice Wales – Buckingham Palace Garden Parties – 24 invitations allocated for 11^th July, for Chair and Spouse, Town & Community Councils. Nominations required. Noted.

(iii) One Voice Wales – copy of Planning Handbook, additional copies available at £5-00 each. Copy of The Voice Newsletter. Noted.

(iv) Correspondence from resident Dukefield, Three Crosses concerning tipping of garden waste on land apparently in ownership of Somerset Trust. Rubbish now removed by City and County of Swansea. Asking Community Council for some action to prevent this from re-occurring. Noted.

(v) Regeneration Dept., City and County of Swansea – Gower Exhibition, next meeting 27^th February, Swansea Museum, notes of last meeting 16^th January. Noted.

(vi) SCVS News & Information Bulletin. Noted.

Councillor Griffiths asked that a letter be sent to Crwys School congratulating them on their Eco award.

162.     RECOGNITION OF 50^th ANNIVERSARY OF GOWER A.O.N.B.:

            Councillor Snell thought that the Peninsula should be accessible to all not just those in cars. It had been suggested that a parking area constructed from grasscrete be provided at Cefn Bryn. Councillor Hood-Williams advised that the Commoners had no objection to this and it was a possibility. It was agreed to pursue matters with the Cabinet Member.

163.     FOOTPATHS:

Councillor Tucker advised that a new lighting column had been erected on Footpath 2.

Councillor Guy said that all footpaths need improvement and lighting and that City Councillors should be given allowances particularly in rural wards. The City and County Members said that they would take this matter up.

There was general discussion on litter following which Councillor Tucker advised that the matter was to be looked at by City and County officers, next week.

164. DELEGATES REPORTS:

There were no delegates reports.

165. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

Councillor Griffiths referred to road safety and that a meeting with Cabinet Member Councillor Hague had been postponed and not re-arranged. He advised that he had proposals for traffic calming in Three Crosses. It was agreed that this be considered at the next meeting.

Councillor Guy referred to the bottle bank at Swn-y-Mor installed by the City and County at the owners request. He stated that the location was dangerous and would increase traffic at the junction and suggested that it be moved to Graig y Coed. Councillor Tucker advised that it had been installed at the request of the licensee but it was policy that it could be used as a community facility. He would ask that it be screened and if that were not possible it would be removed.

166. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING:

The next meeting of the Council will be held at Crwys Community Centre on Thursday 16^th March , 2006 commencing at 7.00.p.m.

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Chairman