MEMBERS PRESENT:                   Chairman Councillor Mrs. P. Guy.

Councillors  J. Guy, T. Snell, C. Jones, Mrs. S. Davis, W. Smart,  P. Hood-Williams, P. Place, D. Jones, P. Tucker, R. Cooper & Mrs. A. Lewis-Pudduck.

Apologies were received from Councillor Mrs. J. Usher.

139.     TO RECEIVE DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INTEREST FROM MEMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT ADOPTED BY LHCC ON 2^nd MAY, 2008:

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

Councillor Mrs. S. Davis declared an interest in respect of the contractor’s account for grounds maintenance.

140.     CHAIRMAN’S REPORT/REMARKS:

The Chairman welcomed all present to the meeting.

A spelling correction, a correction to the discussion regarding Wern Olau and a correction to the Finance minutes were approved.

With the listed amendments, the minutes of the Council meetings held on the 21^st January, 2010 were confirmed as true records.

Councillor J. Guy reported that Mr. B. Phillips, the key holder at Parc Handy cemetery had decided to give up the position. A new key holder Mr. G. Morris has agreed to perform these duties. Councillor Guy thanked Mr. Phillips on behalf of the Council and proposed a letter of thanks be sent to Mr. Phillips and Mr. Morris. This was unanimously approved.

Councillor W. Smart reported on the playground equipment at Three Crosses. The equipment has been installed but was not currently open due to concerns over the matting around the equipment. The manufacturers opinion on the problem was being pursued.

Councillor Mrs. S. Davies reported the playground equipment in Llanmorlais was installed and in operation.

Councillor R. Cooper reported on hanging baskets. It was agreed that Councillor Cooper have plenary powers to deal with hanging baskets in consultation with ward Councillors.

The Clerk reported he had contacted City & County of Swansea regarding the Graig y Coed playing fields and was awaiting details of a meeting.

Councillor J. Guy reported that Mr Mike Walsh, Deputy Director of policy and external affairs for the Big Lottery would be attending the opening of the extension to the Three Crosses Hall on behalf of the Big Lottery. He detailed the itinerary for the opening and the details for the buffet were discussed.

Councillor J. Guy reported that concerning the new facility at Penclawdd Recreation ground for the bowls, weights and tennis clubs. He proposed

The new project is the replacement of an obsolete sports pavilion with a new community/sports/health and fitness building. Housing the three bowls teams, tennis teams, weights and fitness facilities for rugby, football etc for all ages, genders and the disabled.

Llanrhidian Higher Community Council is a partner of the Llanrhidian Higher Sports Association and asks the trustees of the Llanrhidian Higher Sports Association to take on the lease (25years) of the footprint of the new hall to be built on the recreation ground, Penclawdd.

         If the bid for grant aid is successful Llanrhidian Higher Community Council undertakes to maintain this new facility.

         Llanrhidian Higher Community Council will give a grant of £2,000 annually to the Llanrhidian Higher Sports Association to cover the cost of insurance.

         The land leased is worth £50,000 and is leased to the Llanrhidian Higher Sports Association as part of Llanrhidian Higher Community Council’s contribution to the project.

         Llanrhidian Higher Community Council will make a grant of £20,000 towards the project grant bid.

         The Llanrhidian Higher Sports Association will seek grants from granting bodies to fund the project which is estimated to cost about £200,000.

         Councillor J. Guy has plenary powers to deal with matters pertaining to the above on behalf of Llanrhidian Higher Community Council.

The items above were all passed by unanimous vote of Llanrhidian Higher Community Council and Councillor Guy was thanked for his work in this matter.

Councillor W. Smart reported on the drainage at the Banc at Three Crosses, it was agreed to Agenda this for the next meeting.

Councillor C. Jones reported on work needed at the recreation ground in Penclawdd, it was agreed to Agenda this for the next meeting.

Councillor Mrs. S Davis reported on the inadequate car parking at Llanmorlais Hall. A costing had been obtained for the work required and it was agreed to Agenda this for the next meeting.

The Clerk reported on an issue with the misallocation of a grave in Hermon cemetery, Llanmorlais. The Council agreed the Clerk should proceed to write to the parties involved and resolve this situation as soon as possible.

The Clerk reported on the boundary Commissions report regarding Three Crosses and Llanmorlais.

                        The Commission proposes that the Three Crosses ward should be removed from Llanrhidian Higher Community Council and allowed to form an independent Council on its own.

                        The Commission proposes that the boundary between the Penclawdd and Llanmorlais ward be realigned to transfer the upper part of Station Road to the Llanmorlais ward.

                        It was agreed to write to the Boundary Commission expressing the regret of the Council that this change is taking place but expressing support and best wishes to the residents of Three Crosses.

No sub committee reports were submitted.

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

Councillor J. Guy drew the Councils attention to expenditure on the hall and informed the Council the grant from the Lottery had now been spent.

Councillor J. Guy proposed that the Council cancel its request for borrowing for Penclawdd Playground as its reserves provide enough capital to cover the proposed expenditure for ongoing projects. This was unanimously approved.

Councillor Mrs. S. Davis reported on a cremated remains plot at Hermon that had been placed in an incorrect location. The Clerk agreed to investigate further.

Regarding issues concerning the Hall at Three Crosses it was agreed to unanimously defer any decisions until a meeting with the hall management committee could be arranged.

Councillor C. Jones reported on a crumbling gravestone at Parc Hendy cemetery that is starting to collapse. The Clerk agreed to try and contact the owners of the grave to arrange repairs.

Councillor P. Hood-Williams reported on a meeting concerning the potential closure of Fairwood Hospital. Councillor Hood-Williams reported that suggestions had been made to close the hospital and move the care provided by the hospital into the community. Whilst no concrete proposals have been made to date, Councillor Hood-Williams wished to inform the Council that there was no doubt in his mind that closure of the hospital would be an ongoing issue.

Councillor Mrs. S. Davis reported on litter picking in the villages. Councillor P. Tucker requested details of specific locations that he could direct the litter picking teams to and resolved to follow this issue up.

Councillor Mrs. A. Lewis-Pudduck referred to the state of the road and pavement between Wernffrwd and Llanmorlais. She commented on the dreadful state of the hand rail between the pavement and adjoining land and the danger involved with walking this route. Councillor Lewis-Pudduck requested a survey done on this route. Councillor Tucker agreed to arrange a site meeting to examine the situation but reported that work was ongoing to resolve disputes with a number of landowners along the route regarding the railing.

Councillor Tucker & Councillor P. Hood-Williams withdrew.

148.     PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

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

2010/0143; 2010/0117

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Councillor Tucker & Councillor P. Hood-Williams returned.

Councillor R. Cooper reported on communications regarding a ‘Rights of way officer’ to enable communication between the City and Council to be expedited. It was unanimously agreed that Councillor Cooper act as ‘Rights of way officer’ for Llanrhidian Higher Community Council.

Councillor Cooper reported on the footpaths leaflet which was still ongoing. The issues involved photographs, funding and bilingual language. It was agreed that Councillor Cooper proceed with the leaflet and report back to the Council where necessary.

No reports were submitted.

The next meeting of the Council will be held at Penclawdd Community Centre on Thursday 18^th March, 2010 commencing at 7.00.p.m.