MEMBERS PRESENT:                    Chairman Councillor P. Hood-Williams

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

Also present were members of the public representing the bowls clubs in the community.

The Council was addressed by the representatives from the bowls clubs. They drew the Council’s attention to matters concerning the draft plans for the construction of a new shared facility at the Recreation ground, Penclawdd. The points raised were (i) Access to the new building and concerns over ‘short cuts’ being taken over the bowling green. (ii) The internal layout of the building, concerning showers and storage facilities. It was agreed that a meeting should be organised between the members of the bowls clubs and the architect to discuss these matters further. This was arranged for Tuesday 31^st March 2009.

Apologies were received from Councillor G. Nicholls

146.     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:

Councillor Mrs. S. Davis declared an interest in respect of the contractor’s 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.

147.     CHAIRMAN’S REPORT/REMARKS:

The Chairman welcomed all the members of the public who had attended the meeting. The Chairman took the opportunity to update the Council on matters concerning the Boundary Commission and the Three Crosses ward. Councillors from Three Crosses had circulated a petition regarding the position of Three Crosses in Llanrhidian Higher Community Council and the Chairman apologised to the Council for being unable to notify the council of this petition before it was circulated. This was due to the short notice the Boundary Commission had given the Councillors in this matter.

Two spelling mistakes and the location of the damaged railings in Penclawdd, Item 139 were corrected. The minutes of the Council meeting held on Thursday 19^th February 2009 were then confirmed as a true record. 

Item 136, point 2. It was agreed that tenders were now sought regarding the playground in Penclawdd.

Item 136, point 3, regarding Crwys Hall. It was noted that the deeds for Crwys Hall in Three Crosses have not been located. It was agreed that the Council instructs Mr A. Lewis of Sheehans, solicitors to proceed with the necessary work to claim ownership and produce new deeds. It was confirmed that the lowest tender for the construction at the hall was from Bessent & Bessent building contractors and this was accepted by the Council subject to the receipt of the grant and the CDM report.

Item 136, point 3, regarding Play Facilities. Councillor J. Guy reported that grant  applications had been submitted for £6,000 for Three Crosses and Llanmorlais for play equipment.

The Clerk reported on the borrowing application for Crwys hall in Three Crosses. The £25,000 loan has been received. The interest rate has been fixed at 2.47% and two repayments of £1,418-39 are to be made in March and September annually for ten years.

The Clerk reported the loan application for the Penclawdd playground has been completed and submitted.

The Clerk reported the Council’s membership of One Voice Wales is due for renewal. It was agreed to proceed with the renewal.

The Clerk reported on submissions by the Council’s Contractor for the supply and application of anti vandal paint to the Pavilion at Penclawdd. It was unanimously agreed to proceed with this.

The Clerk reported that the annual playground inspections were due. The Council agreed that inspections and risk assessments be carried out for all the Council’s playgrounds.

The Clerk reported that he had received a telephone call from a resident concerning a recent burial. The resident had paid for a plot in one of the Council’s graveyards with the agreement that if the relevant paperwork could be produced, the Council would refund the cost of the plot. The resident has been unable to locate the paperwork but respectfully submits that the empty plot was purchased by a member of her family and requests a refund. After some debate the Council regrettably refused her application because of the precedent that this would set. The Council agreed that should evidence of the pre purchase of the plot subsequently arise it would refund the cost of the plot.

Councillor W. Smart reported that the project brief for the playground in Penclawdd had been sent to suppliers and contractors. A timetable for the project was submitted and Councillor Smart sought the Council’s permission to consult with Mr N. L. Aubrey regarding planning and legal issues. The Council agreed to pay any costs arising from these meetings. Councillor Smart’s programme was unanimously approved and he was thanked by the Council for his hard work to date.

Councillor Smart reported that he was awaiting responses from City and County of Swansea regarding funding. Councillor P. Tucker reported that he felt the tourism department was the best avenue open at the current time and agreed to keep pursuing this with the City and County of Swansea.

Councillor Smart reported on the possibility that the City and County of Swansea would agree to install the equipment instead of providing a monetary contribution.

Councillor Mrs. P. Guy reported the sub committee on benches had selected and ordered the benches for installation at Penclawdd.

Councillor W. Smart reported that the sub committee for Crwys hall, Three Crosses met on the 8^th March 2009.

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

Councillor Mrs. P. Guy reported on complaints over a tree in the graveyard at Parc Hendy, Penclawdd. She requested that the overhanging branches be cut back as has occurred in previous years. After some discussion this motion was approved. A second proposal that the wall in the graveyard be checked for safety was also approved unanimously.

The Clerk reported on a quote received from the Council’s contractor regarding land drainage at The Banc, Three Crosses. The Council agreed to seek further quotations for this work.

The Clerk reported Mr N. L. Aubrey has confirmed his acceptance of the Project manager post for the extension at Crwys hall, three Crosses and forwarded details of his fees and the costs for a CDM survey.

The Clerk reported on a quote from the Council’s contractor for the application of herbicide to the land rented by the Council at Wern Olau. It was unanimously agreed that the Clerk write to the landowner over this matter.

The Clerk reported on receipt of quotes from the Council’s contractor regarding Spring/Summer renovation works at Penclawdd recreation ground and Dan-y-Lan playing fields. The Council agreed to seek further clarification on this matter.

The Council agreed to investigate the £1,000 limit on Council spending before the seeking of tenders.

Councillor Mrs. Ann Lewis-Pudduck requested the Council’s support and endorsement of a letter to the City and County of Swansea Executive, Council leader Mr. C. Holley and the new holder of the portfolio for child care services. The letter to express the Council’s deep concern over the situation regarding the provision of child care in Swansea and to request details of the action the City and County of Swansea is taking on this matter. The Council voted in favour of the letter with the Council’s City and County of Swansea representatives abstaining.

Councillor Mrs. S. Davis requested that the Clerk contact City and County of Swansea over the issue of diversion of footpaths and request that in future the Council is notified of all such diversions. Councillor P. Tucker on behalf of the City and County of Swansea assured the Council that this would occur.

Councillor Mrs. S. Davis notified the Council of the litter problem in Llanmorlais and Crofty. Councillor P. Tucker agreed to investigate.

Councillors Tucker and Hood-Williams withdrew.

Councillor Mrs P. Guy assumed the role of Chairman.

155.     PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

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

2009/0235; 2009/0271; 2009/0303; 2009/0380

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Councillors Tucker and Hood-Williams returned.

1. City and County of Swansea, Planning Services – Notification of planning consent for ‘land adjacent to
   60 Pencaerfenni Lane
   ’ – Noted.
   
   
   
2. Office of Mr. Peter Black A.M. – Notification of surgery dates– Noted.
   
   
   
3. Mr. Huw Rees – Enquiry regarding Welfare Hall, Penclawdd – Item to be added to agenda for next meeting.
   

1. One Voice Wales – Notification of trial eTrading scheme - use of computer facilities to assist purchasing processes – Noted.
   
   
   
2. National Assembly for Wales – ‘Have your say’ posters – Noted.
   
   
   
3. DigitalUK – Notification of digital switch over in Wales – Noted.
   
   
   
4.  City and County of Swansea, Planning Services – Letter regarding footpath number 2, notification that changes to footpath will now require a formal application – Noted.
   
   
   
5. Glasdon Uk – Product Information – Noted.
   
   
   
6. National Assembly for Wales – Invitation to visit National Assembly Buildings – Noted.
   
   
   
7. City and County of Swansea, Planning Services – Notification of appeal regarding ‘Sunnyside Farm, Three Crosses, Swansea’ – Noted.
   
   
   
8. Invitation to attend Community / Town Councils Forum, 17^th March 2009 – Noted.
   
   
   
9. Local Boundary Commission for Wales – ‘Line in the Sand’ publication – Noted.
   
   
   
10. Community Health Council – Invitation to attend ‘local consultation on future of health councils in Wales’, 3^rd April 2009 – Noted.
    
    
    
11. Cor Penclawdd – Complimentary Tickets for concert 28^th March 2009 – Noted.
    
    
    
12. City and County of Swansea, Finance Department – Notification of precept payment schedule – Noted.
    
    
    
13. Big Lottery Fund – List of outstanding requirements for Three Crosses Hall – Noted.
    

The next meeting of the Council will be held at Penclawdd community centre on Thursday 16^th April, 2009 commencing at 7.00.p.m.