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

                                                                  Councillors P. Hood-Williams, D. Morgan,    Ms. J. Birch, R. Griffiths, G. Nicholls, J. Guy, Mrs. P. Guy, P. Tucker, Mrs. S. Davis.

There were two members of the public present.

Mr. James Matthews addressed Council on behalf of residents of Station Road, Llanmorlais, concerning activities at Tir Gil Farm.  He advised that residents had put up with an increasing volume of traffic over a period of five years.  The farm was being used for building contracting and disposal of waste material.  At this point City Councillors Hood-Williams and Tucker withdrew.  Mr Matthews referred to planning application 2006/0551 and stated that this was the same site as 2003/1858 which had been refused due to close proximity to the river.  He claimed that one side of the flood plane of the River Morlais had been filled up and there was grave concern in the locality.  Members considered the comments of Mr Matthews and agreed to make their views known to the Environment Agency who must monitor the situation.  Copies of correspondence to Ward Members, AM and MP.

Mr Matthews left the meeting and Councillors Hood-Williams and Tucker returned.

16.       APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies were received from Councillors R. Cooper, T. Snell and R. Sweet.

22.       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.

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

23.              CHAIRMAN’S REPORT/REMARKS:

The Chairman advised that she had attended the Inauguration of the Lord Mayor of the City and County of Swansea.  It had been a very pleasant ceremony.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on Thursday 20^th April, 2006 were confirmed as a true record.

Councillor Nicholls advised that a formal letter would follow from Penclawdd Tennis Club for use of the courts.  They were arranging age group tournaments. 

The Clerk referred to a letter from Swansea College presented last month in which Members had not responded.  It was agreed that a member of the college staff attend a future Council meeting.

Councillor Hood-Williams referred to the campaign to retain Fairwood Hospital.  He advised that a specimen letter had been produced for people to send to the Local Health Board. 

Councillor Ms. Birch referred to the A.O.N.B. Anniversary and proposed that Council provide benches within the designated area with suitable plaques attached.  This was agreed.  Councillor Tucker advised that Penclawdd Community Centre was organising a Food Festival, to be held 9^th August.  This would feature food produced on Gower.

The Clerk advised that the employer’s annual return had been submitted to the Inland Revenue and P60 forms had been issued to staff.

He advised that quotations had been received for resurfacing of Llanmorlais tennis courts.  In addition he referred to the June finance meeting where Council would consider section 137 payments to groups and organisations.  Details would be placed on notice boards.  He was asked to write to groups and organisations that had previously applied.

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

Councillor J. Guy moved that the football posts at

Councillor Morgan in reference to Crwys Hall referred to the issue of smoking and proposed a policy of no smoking on Council property.  This was seconded by Councillor J. Guy and agreed unanimously.  Advisor Dr. Rees suggested that this be confined to buildings.  It was agreed to erect suitable signage.

Councillor J. Guy referred to the claim concerning ownership of the Hendy Road football pitch.  He advised that there were rumours circulating in respect of proposed development.  He moved that this Council would continue to use the field for recreational purposes only.  This was seconded and agreed unanimously.  The Clerk advised that planning permission had been granted for ball-stop fencing to Gowerton Road and part returns to each side of the pitch.  This had not been costed to date.  The Clerk also advised that Councillor Sweet was making progress in discovery of documents.

The Clerk referred to correspondence from the Charity Commission concerning the Memorial Gardens.  They were reassured to know that the gardens would continue to be maintained and used as a memorial.  Councillor J. Guy reported that people were unhappy with the illegible wording on the memorial.  It was agreed to agenda this for the next meeting.

The Clerk advised that he had granted consent for the Cub Scout Pack to use the Pond Field for a football tournament on 16^th June.  He had granted consent to Llanmorlais Primary School to use the Recreation Ground for sports lessons on Friday afternoons during the present term.  In addition, consent had been granted to Pen Y Fro Primary School for use of the rugby pitch on 24^th May for the final of a primary schools rugby tournament.

The Clerk advised that he had received three quotations for resurfacing of Llanmorlais tennis courts.  The quotations were:

                        Fosse Contracts Ltd.                            £25,980 plus VAT

                        Blakedown                                           £26,750 plus VAT

                        Courtstall Services Ltd.             £17,560 plus VAT

In view of the narrow entrance gates he had asked for quotations to create improved access.  Fosse Contracts had quoted £670 and Courtstall £990 both plus VAT.  It was agreed unanimously to award the contract for resurfacing and replacement gate to Courtstall Services Ltd., total cost £18,550 plus VAT.

Councillor Tucker referred to access at Penclawdd tennis courts and it was agreed to make this disabled friendly.

Councillor Griffiths referred to the proposed gardening competition.  He circulated details.  Councillor Mrs. Davis advised that Spencer ECA Ltd., would like to donate a prize and this was accepted.  After due consideration on timing and judging, it was agreed to defer the competitions until next year.

The Clerk referred to an access formed off the car park, Llanmorlais Hall.  He had spoken with Mr. Francis who had created access into the adjacent field.  Reference was made to a former access off the recreation ground which had been closed due to pitch damage.  After consideration it was agreed that a formal agreement should be established to regularise the matter and an annual charge be levied.

Councillor Tucker referred to vandalism at Penclawdd playground, where fencing had been damaged.  The fence had been removed.  He referred to the coping stones to the foreshore car park wall which had been knocked off by a vehicle and it was agreed to remove these for safety reasons.  Reference was made to the use of the foreshore car park by heavy vehicles and there was a suggestion that charges should be levied and signs erected.  The Clerk advised caution in this respect, he was awaiting a copy of the lease and was not aware of the covenants to advise whether this was permissible.

A Penclawdd resident had contacted the Clerk concerning a damaged seat near Llotrog.  This had been inspected and he had advised Council’s contractor to remove the seat.  Replacement seats had been ordered.

Councillor Tucker advised that the key holder, bottom gate to Parc Hendy Cemetery had received verbal abuse from someone who found the gates locked.  It was resolved that a letter be sent to the key holder expressing concern over this incident and advising of Council’s gratitude for what he did.

29.              DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC:

The Chairman referred to discussion last month.  Councillor J. Guy moved that an article be placed in the People’s Estuary which circulated through Penclawdd and Llanmorlais wards.  He proposed that the same letter be distributed in Three Crosses and suggested that Councillor Cooper be asked to draft the detail.  This was agreed.

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Councillors Tucker and Hood-Williams withdrew.

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

2006/0873; 2006/0893; 2006/0896; 2006/0945; 2006/0947; 2006/0948; 2006/0992; 2006/0996; 2006/1014; 2006/1041; 2006/1042.

Three Crosses Members raised concern in respect of application 2006/1014, development at 14,

Notification was received from the Local Planning Authority advising that a Local Inquiry would be held on 20^th June, to consider the appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a detached agricultural building and proposed access track at Tir Gil Farm, Station Road, Llanmorlais.

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Councillors Tucker and Hood-Williams returned.

(i)                  Environment Department, City and County of Swansea: traffic calming in Penclawdd; Department states that there is sufficient advance signage on the approaches to the roundabout.  In respect of visibility, it is believed that no improvement is necessary.  The situation will continue to be monitored.  Noted.

(ii)                The Gower Society: Last opportunity to support the case against sand dredging at Helwick Bank.  Statements of Proof must be with Inspector by 23^rd May.  Noted.

(iii)               Health Challenge Wales – Newspaper – Issue Two.  Noted.

(iv)              Swansea in Bloom: Competition and entry form.  Noted.

(v)                Community Leadership & Democracy, City and County of Swansea: Notes of presentation to Community Councils Forum on Swansea Futures.  Noted.

(vi)              Regeneration Department, City and County of Swansea: Lord Mayor’s Civic Merit Awards – given to volunteers who run community centres and now open to non-council run buildings.  Contact details required.  Noted.

There was no report.

Councillor Hood-Williams advised that he had attended the Community Council Forum on 2^nd May in which there had been presentations on Swansea Futures and the Eisteddfod.

The next meeting of the Council will be held at Crwys Community Centre, Three Crosses on Thursday 15^th June, 2006 commencing at 7.00.p.m.  This to be followed by a finance meeting.

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Chairman