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

                                                                  Councillors P. Hood-Williams, R. Griffiths,  Mrs. P. Guy,  Mrs. S. Davis, R. Cooper,            P. Tucker.

ADVISOR:                                               Dr. P. Rees.

14.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies were received from Councillors R. Sweet, D. Morgan, J. Guy, P. Place and T. Snell.

15.         CHAIRMAN’S REPORT/REMARKS:

The Chairman thanked Members for their co-operation throughout her year of office.  She recognised that whilst there were both geographical and political divisions, there was unity in decision making.  She referred to the increasing accountability being placed upon Councils, which this Council had tried to address  in part through ‘The Estuary’ publication and by welcoming visitors and believed that issues had been handled and therefore accountability addressed.  She thanked the Clerk for his support. 

Councillor Mrs. Guy moved a vote of thanks to Councillor Mrs. Lewis-Pudduck stating that she had handled meetings with diplomacy and skill.  Councillor Hood-Williams endorsed these comments stating that co-operation had benefited the community.

16.         TO ELECT A CHAIRPERSON FOR THE MUNICIPAL YEAR 2007/2008:

Councillor Mrs. Guy nominated Councillor Sweet to the position and this was seconded by Councillor Cooper.  However, Councillor Sweet was not present and the matter was deferred.

17.         TO ELECT A VICE-CHAIRPERSON FOR THE MUNICIPAL YEAR 2007/2008:

Councillor Mrs. Guy nominated Councillor Hood-Williams to the position, seconded by Councillor Cooper.  Councillor Hood-Williams declared acceptance of the nomination and took the Chair for the meeting.

18.         TO CONSIDER THE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THE YEAR:

These were agreed.

19.         TO APPOINT A STANDING COMMITTEE:

Councillor Tucker nominated Dr. Rees, this was seconded by Councillor Mrs. Guy and Dr. Rees accepted the position.

20.         TO AGREE DATES OF MEETINGS FOR THE MUNICIPAL YEAR, 2007/2008:

The Clerk circulated proposed dates for the forthcoming year.  Following consideration, it was agreed that these be accepted, except that a meeting would not be held in December.

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21.         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 13.

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

22.         CHAIRMAN’S REPORT/REMARKS:

There was no report.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on Thursday 19^th April, 2007 were confirmed as a true record.

There were no matters arising.

The Clerk thanked Councillor Mrs. Lewis-Pudduck for her support and assistance during her year of office.

He advised that he had met with Mr. Grundy, Claims Investigator, Allianz Cornhill Insurance, relative to a claim lodged against Council in respect of an alleged incident at Penclawdd playground.  It was believed that the claim would be challenged, further information would be provided when available.

The employer’s Inland Revenue return for 2006/2007 had been submitted and P. 60 notices had been issued to staff.

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

The Clerk referred to the policy of the grant of donations and it was agreed to circulate to all known groups and organisations that applications would be considered at the Finance Meeting in June.  The closing date for receipt of applications would be notified to all parties.

Correspondence had been received from Legal Services, City and County of Swansea, concerning Parc Dan Y Lan, Hendy Road, Penclawdd.  Council’s Terrier indicated that the site was owned by this Council but there had been previous voluntary agreements with West Glamorgan County Councils Education Department for use as a sports facility.  The matter was being further investigated with searches to be made of Land Registry and the Archives Department at County Hall.  Further contact would be made when this information was to hand.

Councillor Mrs. Davis advised that corroded metal had fallen from the framework of the toddlers swings at Crofty playground.  As a consequence the swings had been removed.  The Clerk advised that the Wicksteed report had drawn attention to corrosion to the slide at Three Crosses playground and this had also been taken out of use.  It was agreed that the Clerk be given plenary powers to arrange restoration.

Councillor Mrs. Guy asked for repair work to the goal mouths at Parc Dan Y Lan field.  This was agreed.  She also referred to an overhanging tree at Victoria Road and Councillor Tucker advised that he would look into the matter.  Councillor Mrs. Lewis-Pudduck referring generally to overhanging hedges on private property was advised that such matters should be referred to the City and County of Swansea.

Councillor Mrs. Davis referred to Llanmorlais tennis courts which were incomplete.  The Clerk advised that he had left messages for the contractor but these had not been returned.  He would pursue the matter.

Councillor Tucker advised that vandals had damaged the roof to the changing rooms and store, Recreation Ground, Penclawdd.  He also referred to access to the bottom entrance, suggesting that a wider kissing gate be considered.

The Clerk made reference to correspondence received concerning Penclawdd children’s playground.  The lease held by Council, had terminated, September, 2006.  Members were of the opinion that an alternative site should be found and Penclawdd Ward Members were asked to identify a site.  Following discussion, it was agreed to arrange a site meeting at Dunraven, since a covenant existed when the land was acquired such that the site could only be used for recreational purposes.  It was agreed to undertake a site visit prior to the July meeting.

The Clerk made reference to an account received from Dwr Cymru for water usage at Parc Dan Y Lan changing rooms, in the sum of £718-24.  He considered this excessive and had queried the account, which would be investigated by Dwr Cymru.  He also made reference to correspondence received from Dwr Cymru concerning the means of sewerage to changing rooms at both Parc Dan Y Lan and the Recreation Ground.  It was believed that drainage was to cess pits.  It was understood that Dwr Cymru would investigate.

Councillor Tucker advised that a family wished to donate a seat in memory of a deceased relative, in the Memorial Gardens.  This was agreed.

Councillor Hood-Williams referred to the City and County of Swansea hanging basket scheme and asked when they would be provided.  Councillor Sweet had been closely involved with the Department and agreed all locations with assistance from Councillor Mrs. Lewis-Pudduck and Councillor Morgan.  It was not known when the baskets would be erected.

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Councillor Tucker withdrew.

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

2007/0815; 2007/0875; 2007/0885; 2007/0898; 2007/0900; 2007/0930; 2007/0957; 2007/0975; 2007/0981; 2007/0982; 2007/1001.

Notification was received from Planning Services of an appeal against refusal for the provision of outdoor manege in respect of application 2006/0306.

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Councillor Tucker returned.

(i)                       Mid and West Wakes Fire & Rescue Authority – Draft Risk Reduction Plan 2008/2009, consultation will commence 22/5/2007 and end 14/8/2007.  Draft plan available at www.mawwfire.gov.uk.  Hard copy and questionnaire to follow.  Noted.

(ii)                     Commons Commissioners – Hearings will take place week commencing 4/6/2007 at County Hall.  included are  - land known as Wern Olau Common, register unit no. CL82 and land known as Gowerton and Penclawdd Marshes, register unit CL12.  Noted.

(iii)                    Crwys Primary School – letter of thanks/photograph of presentation of donation of £100-00 to school council.  Noted.

(iv)                   Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales – notification of AGM, to be held 30/6/2007 at Plas Dolerw,

(v)                     Letter of thanks received on behalf of Joseph Parkhouse for grant given by Council.  He had represented the county at under 15 level in a cricket tour to South Africa.  Noted.           

Advisor, Dr. Rees advised Council that some 400 copies of ‘The Estuary’ publication had been delivered to locations in Three Crosses.  He was pleasantly surprised by the response received.

Councillor Mrs. Guy advised that a resident of Greenacres had seen a motorcyclist riding along footpath 21, above the Recreation Ground.  Councillor Tucker advised that he would refer this matter to the Local Authority.  Councillor Mrs. Davis thanked the Local Authority for providing dog fouling bins near the cycle path.  Councillor Tucker advised that footpath 2 in Crofty had now been adopted by the Highways Department.

There were no reports.

The next meeting of the Council will be held at Crwys Community Centre on Thursday 21^st June, 2007 commencing at 7.00.p.m.  This to be followed by a Finance Committee meeting.

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Chairman