MINUTES OF THE MEETING

 

HELD AT CRWYS COMMUNITY HALL

 

ON THURSDAY 16th MARCH, 2006 AT 7.00 p.m.

 

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                   Chairman Councillor R. Cooper

Councillors A. Godfrey,  P. Tucker, R. Sweet,                       P. Hood-Williams, D.  Morgan, Ms. J. Birch,          R. Griffiths.

 

There were three members of the public present.

Representatives of Penclawdd Rovers Junior Football Club requested use of the football field at Penclawdd for home matches.  They claimed that the Llanmorlais pitch had a tendency to flood and become unplayable, resulting in fixtures being cancelled.  It was suggested that the senior club do not play each week.  They stated that the recreation ground was used by seniors and all age groups of the rugby club and asked for similar consideration.  Members sympathised with the request and the Chairman advised that it would be considered.

 

167.     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

 

Apologies were received from Councillors Mrs. A. Lewis-Pudduck, G. Nicholls and Mrs. S. Davis.

 

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

 

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

 

169.     CHAIRMAN’S REPORT /REMARKS:

 

             The Chairman thanked Councillor Mrs. Lewis-Pudduck for taking the chair at the February meeting.

 

170.     TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16th FEBRUARY, 2006:

 

The minutes of the Council meeting held on Thursday 16th February, 2006 were confirmed as a true record.

 

171.     MATTERS ARISING:

 

There were no matters arising.

 

172.     CLERK’S REPORT:

 

            The Clerk advised that he had met with Mr. T. Royal of Knight Frank, agents for the Somerset Trust, at the foreshore, Penclawdd on 22nd February.  Councillor Tucker had also been in attendance.  Council’s lease on the foreshore will be determined on 29th September, 2006.  Mr. Royal indicated that he would locate the plan attached to the lease and forward a copy of same.  This information was still awaited.

 

            The Clerk had been advised that planning permission was required for the proposed 4.00m high fence at the football pitch.  An application had been submitted.

 

            The Clerk asked for keys to all Council owned buildings, necessary for insurance purposes and a statutory requirement to read service meters annually.

           

173.     ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT /FINANCIAL REPORT:

 

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

 

174.     COUNCIL PROPERTY, LOTTERY FUNDING AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS:    

 

            The Clerk referred to correspondence received form the Charity Commission, advising that the request in respect of redevelopment of the Memorial Hall site had been referred to the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation, since clear proceeds of any transaction must be paid to them.  Information was requested on Council’s future plans for the Memorial Gardens and the Clerk had confirmed that there were no development proposals.  It was agreed to write to the occupiers of the hall setting out the situation in respect of use and condition of the property.

 

            The earlier request from the junior football club officers was considered.  It was moved by Councillor Tucker, seconded by Councillor Godfrey and agreed unanimously that the juniors be granted permission to use Penclawdd football pitch.

 

            The Clerk referred to a letter received immediately prior to the meeting from solicitors acting for the Benson Estate, claiming the freehold interest in the football pitch and seeking Council’s right to use.  In this respect it was agreed to seek out past records held in storage.  Councillor Sweet volunteered to peruse the records.

 

            Councillor Tucker requested that hedges at Parc Hendy Cemetery be cut.  This was agreed.

 

            The Clerk advised that he had agreed playground safety inspections at three sites at a total cost of £120-00 plus V.A.T.  Wicksteed Leisure would report accordingly.

 

            Councillor Hood-Williams referred to proposals to extend Crwys Hall. He advised that the bureaucracy involved in commissioning proposals and seeking Local Authority consents meant that Council should start the process.  Councillor Morgan suggested that an architect be engaged to make an early start on the programme.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Sweet and agreed unanimously.

 

            Councillor Hood-Williams asked that seats be inspected for repair.  The Clerk advised that he had discussed this matter with Council’s contractor and had asked for details of styles and prices.  He would report back when information was available.

 

------------ // ------------

 

Councillors Tucker and Hood-Williams withdrew.

 

175.     PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

 

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

 

2006/0306; 2006/0332; 2006/0416; 2006/0444; 2006/0501.

 

Amended plans were received in respect of 2005/1861, block of 4 terraced properties and pair of semi-detached, land at Pencaerfenni Court, Crofty.

 

The Local Planning Authority advised that an appeal had been lodged against the refusal of application 2004/2911, detached agricultural building and proposed access track at Tir Gil Farm, Station Road, Llanmorlais.

------------ // ------------

 

Councillors Tucker and Hood-Williams returned.

 

 

176.     CORRESPONDENCE:

(i)                  Welsh Assembly – The Standards Committees (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 – inviting comment on draft proposals concerning time constraints standards committee.  Noted.

(ii)                Swansea Community Health Council Annual Report 2005.  Noted.

(iii)               City and County of Swansea, Transportation and Engineering – response to traffic calming Gowerton Road, Penclawdd – belief that there is adequate signage at junctions; no reports from bus or H.G.V. companies that junction is not negotiable; no police recorded accidents attributable to the traffic island.  A proposal to install a fixed speed indicator display is to be investigated.  Copies of correspondence will be forwarded to South Wales Police, with regard to deployment of mobile safety camera.  The full letter was read to Council.  There followed general discussion wherein Councillors stated that traffic leaving Waun y Felin was ignored by traffic coming from the left on the roundabout, which did not have priority.  Accidents had occurred at the roundabout.  It was claimed that visibility at the junction was poor due to trees and walls on the left hand side of Waun y Felin obstructing the vision of traffic leaving Penclawdd.  Further letter to the Local Authority in this respect.

(iv)              Councillor J. Hague, Cabinet Member Environment – copy report on arrangements for licensing of mineral dredging from Helwick Bank which was supported by Members, City and County of Swansea on 16th February.  Councillor Hood-Williams stated that the City and County of Swansea had opposed the extension of the licence and had called for a public inquiry.

(v)                City and County of Swansea, Regeneration Department – consultation on the draft Swansea Economic Regeneration Strategy.  Comments by 21st April.  Noted.

(vi)              Swansea College – copy of part time prospectus.  Noted.

(vii)             Eisteddfod – letter from Mrs. C. Stevens thanking Council for receiving presentation at last meeting.  Noted.

(viii)           City and County of Swansea, Leadership and Democracy – notes on presentation, Community Council Forum, 7th March, next meeting 2nd May, 5.00. p.m  Noted.

(ix)              One Voice Wales – invitation to renew membership; brochure detailing aims and ambitions; website to be launched shortly; feedback document.  It was agreed to renew membership.

(x)                City and County of Swansea, Regeneration Department – Golden Gower Exhibition, minutes of meeting 27th February, next meeting 3rd April; copies of Swansea Museum leaflet.  Noted.

 

177.     FOOTPATHS:

 

            There was no report.

 

178.     HIGHWAY MATTERS:

 

            Councillor Griffiths called for traffic calming measures in Three Crosses.  Many parts of the village were without pavements.  He proposed safe routes to schools and a 20 m.p.h. zone for main roads with the concerns being
Joiners Road
and Dunvant Road.  The speed of traffic along Tirmynydd Road was of concern and speed regulators were required.

 

            Councillor Hood-Williams said that some measures had already been undertaken in relocating the 30 m.p.h. signs to the other side of the cattle grid, together with increased road markings and the installation of safety bollards on Gowerton Road.  He had suggested a mini roundabout at the Tirmynydd/Joiners Road junction but this was subject to funding amidst competing claims.  He advised that officers of the City and County of Swansea would be looking at highways issues in Three Crosses in the near future.  There was discussion on the provision of a pedestrian priority area along Dunvant Road.

 

            The Chairman thanked Councillor Griffiths for his presentation.

 

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

 

            Councillor Ms. Birch advised that a number of suggestions had come forward and were being considered.  It was agreed to defer the matter.

 

180.     ESITEDDFOD 2006:

 

            The award of a prize was discussed.  The Clerk to enquire of the categories that are available.

 

181.     DELEGATES REPORTS:

 

Councillor Hood-Williams advised that he had attended the Community Council Forum on 7th March.  Matters discussed were the Community Plan, which will be the subject of full consultation and the Regeneration Plan.  Comments were requested on the latter by 21st April, the document to be circulated.

 

182.     DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING:

 

            The next meeting of the Council will be held at Penclawdd Community Centre on Thursday 20th April, 2006 commencing at 7.00.p.m.

 

 

 

……………………

Chairman