MEMBERS PRESENT:                         Councillors P. Hood-Williams, D. Morgan,     R. Griffiths, T. Snell, J. Guy, Mrs. P. Guy,       P. Tucker, Mrs. S. Davis, R. Cooper, A. Godfrey

In the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, Councillor Cooper was elected Chairman for the meeting.

The three bowling clubs were represented and Mr. J. Davis (Spencer ECA Ltd.) grounds maintenance contractor was present.  There were three members of the public present.  In addition, Police Community Support Officers Neil Rees and Andrew Brown were present.

The Chairman invited the P.C.S.O.’s to address the meeting.  They advised that they had recently been appointed and were based at Penclawdd Community Centre.  They worked on a shift basis and covered the areas of Penclawdd, Llanmorlais and Three Crosses.  Councillors enquired of their work rota and were advised that they worked 8 hour shifts within the time frame 7 a.m. to 12 midnight including three weekends out of four.  They were available to discuss matters with the public and so far had received positive response.  They left the meeting.

Councillor J Guy outlined the issues and the request for representatives of the bowling clubs and the contractor to be present.  The issues related to the frequency of the cutting of the green and setting out of rinks.  Mr. Davies of Blue Anchor Bowls Club said that they did not agree fully with comments from the ladies club and understood the budget constraints of the Council.  Mrs. Davies of Blue Anchor Ladies Bowls Club asked for the grounds maintenance contractor’s comments.  Mr. Jonathan Davis responded in reading a letter sent to Council in respect of the issues.  The Ladies Bowls Club claimed that the grass was too long for them to play.  Following discussion it was agreed that Councillor Snell chair a sub committee with Councillor Nicholls and representatives of the bowls clubs to resolve these issues and report back to Council.  The contractor and club representatives left the meeting.

Councillors Tucker and Hood-Williams withdrew

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Members of the public referred to planning application 2006/1277, development of the Old Colliery Site, Penclawdd.  They raised concern that the number of dwellings had increased from 30, within the original proposal to 36 in the new plans submitted.  They referred to issues in respect of the closure of a highway and pedestrianisation and the problems that would be experienced in icy conditions when the road was impassable.  There would also be difficulties for emergency vehicles in respect of access which would lead to confusion.  They contended that the drainage system would not accommodate the proposed development and that there were overlooking issues in the layout.  The development was out of proportion with the village and there was inadequate parking provision for existing dwellings.   The Chairman advised that the application would be considered under the planning item on the agenda.  He invited members of the public to remain if they wished.

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Councillors Tucker and Hood-Williams returned

90.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies were received from Chairman Councillor Mrs. A. Lewis-Pudduck, Councillors R. Sweet, G. Nicholls and Ms. J. Birch, together with advisor Dr. P. Rees.

91.         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.

Councillor Cooper declared an interest in respect of agenda item 10, Local Authority matters.

92.         CHAIRMAN’S REPORT/REMARKS:

There was no report.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on Thursday 21^st September, 2006 were confirmed as a true record.

Councillor Griffiths advised that he had given his apologies for not attending the meeting of the 21^st September.  These had not been received by the Clerk.  The Clerk suggested that members should refer apologies directly to him to avoid confusion.

The Clerk reported that resurfacing of the tennis courts at Llanmorlais had been completed.  The contractors would return in April to complete the acrylic surface and setting out of the courts.  The account received prior to the last meeting had been settled.

Audit documents had been completed for submission to Wales Audit Office for the call in date, 23^rd October, 2006.

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

The Internal Auditors report for the year ended 31^st March, 2006, had been received.  The Council had met with all the prescribed tests in relation to internal control systems.  The Internal Auditor raised two matters namely – risk assessment – where it appeared that the Council had not considered all the financial and other risks it faces whilst discharging its operations.  The task should be undertaken on an annual basis in accordance with the requirements of the Accounts and Audit (Wales) Regulations, 2005.  The Clerk advised that a model was available from One Voice and that he would advise further.  Secondly, it was recommended that Council should review its fidelity guarantee insurance.  The cover was presently £12,000, the sum recommended was £75,000.  The Clerk was asked to investigate the increase in premium.

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Councillors Tucker and Hood-Williams withdrew

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

2006/2038; 2006/2082; 2006/2085; 2006/2106; 2006/2110; 2006/2156; 2006/1277; 2006/2196; 2006/2250; 2006/2260; 2006/2273.

Application 2006/1277 was considered.  Councillor J. Guy stated that this Council was a consultee and submits observations to the Local Planning Authority.  Nevertheless, the issues raised by the residents were reasonable, especially those concerning the road and that it was impassable in icy conditions.  He thought that the proposed development was an overintensification of the site and a smaller scheme would be more suitable.  Members had noted that surface water provision was to soakaways, but culverts existed and the overrun from soakaways could lead to further flooding.  It was agreed that Council would raise objection to the application.

Councillor Cooper referred to application 2006/2260, development at Archway Cottage, Penclawdd.  He stated that this was a listed structure in a delicate state.

Councillor Morgan referred to application 2006/2082, development alongside 25, Joiners Road, Three Crosses.  Local residents had raised issues in respect of public footpaths.

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Councillors Tucker and Hood-Williams returned.

Councillor J. Guy referred to a public meeting held at the Hall on 9^th October.  Six members of the public were present together with members of the Council.  The building had to be demolished.  The options of inclusion within the Memorial Gardens or redevelopment, for say, a chemist shop were considered and the vote was 7 – 4 in favour of the latter.  Councillor Mrs. Guy said that an option not considered was the provision of an alternative therapy unit by the Local Health Trust.  Councillor Snell thought it commonsense to have the chemist next to the health centre removing a parking problem from the corner although it was recognised that the present chemist shop could revert to some other form of retail outlet.  It was considered that there were two options, either to retain as open space or sell.  Councillor Hood-Williams proposed that an outline planning application be submitted to redevelop the site for A1 retail use.  Following discussion, in relation to the Trustees position, the motion was seconded and agreed by majority, 6 -2 with 1 abstention.  It was agreed that fees be met in relation to the planning application.

Councillor J. Guy reported that at the last meeting he and the Clerk had been asked to investigate the securing of grants from the Welsh Assembly through Sports Council for Wales.  An application had been submitted for the provision of ladies and disabled facilities in the disused store at the recreation ground, Penclawdd.  The scheme cost was in the region of £30,000 and a grant of £20,000 had been recommended for approval and placed on a priority list put forward for further consideration.  Subject to that grant being forthcoming Councillor Guy sought agreement that the balance of £10,000 be met by the Council.  The proposal was seconded and approved.  He suggested that he and the Clerk seek further grants since additional monies would become available next year.  Planning permission should be sought for projects including a proposed extension to Crwys Hall and if multipurpose this could receive favourable response.  Grant aid would also be sought for fencing at Dan-y-Lan where planning permission had already been granted.  This proposal was agreed unanimously.  Councillor Guy asked if the Clerk could write to Marin Caton MP, Edwina Hart AM and Councillor Tucker to solicit their support for the bid put forward for grant by writing to the Sports Council for Wales.  This was agreed.

Councillor J. Guy referred to the £16,000 set aside for tennis courts at Three Crosses.  An application for grant in a similar manner to that outlined had also been placed in the priority pool.  He asked that due recognition be given to LHCC for the money set aside.  Councillor Hood-Williams said that he was amazed that Councillor Guy had not realised the appreciation given and that the application had stated that part funding had come from the Community Council.

A written request from Blue Anchors Ladies Bowls Club asked whether Council would consider forming a small patio area adjacent to the Bowls Pavilion.  This was agreed by majority.

Reference was made to the construction of new pavement outside Penclawdd School.  Whilst this project was applauded it was considered that it should have been extended around the corner of Park Road to the nursing home.  Land for this purpose had been offered at no cost but subject to reinstatement, of the wall.  Councillor Tucker responded that the pavement referred to should have been provided many years ago.  Under the ‘safe routes to school’ project, the section of pavement referred to had been constructed on a previously grassed area.  Further pavement construction was proposed, subject to land acquisition.  It was agreed to write to the Highways Department asking whether this missing section of pavement would be constructed, stating that the land had been made available.

Councillor Tucker advised that 20 m.p.h. speed limits would be introduced on

Councillor Snell advised that the clubs who had made contact had been asked to put their request in writing.  This had not been received and it was agreed to agenda the item for the next meeting.

i.                              Welsh Assembly – Consultation on Draft Guidance on the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.  Response required by 29^th December.  Noted.

ii.                             Edwina Hart AM – invitation for representative to attend special needs conference 17^th November.  The Chairman to be asked if she wished to attend.

iii.                           Welsh Assembly – notification of meeting of South Wales Regional Committee, Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, 20^th October.  Subject – domestic abuse.  Noted.

iv.                           Llanrhidian Community Hall Trust Ltd., re: North Gower Woodlands Project – working in partnership to improve the condition of and access to existing woodlands.  The project also includes creation of new native tree-species community woodland at Graig y Coed, Penclawdd and the possibility of creating a community woodland on land near Penclawdd Community Centre.  Funding received from European Union/WAG.  Additional funding for Graig y Coed site from National Grid/Transco.  This site is cause for concern, especially Hermon car park.  Most of land at Graig y Coed in ownership of City and County of Swansea and agreement reached for proposed community woodland.  Agreement sought from LHCC.  The Wildlife Trust has indicated a willingness to both create the new woodland and maintain it.  Management plan provided, setting out broad principles.  Funding is available to support improvements at Hermon car park, as may be agreed with LHCC.  Support of project requested.  It was agreed that the Council would support the scheme and give consent.  It was suggested that Sketty Park Estate were not the freeholders of the car park, Clerk to investigate.

v.                            Correspondence from Mr. I. Stock, concerning Tir Gil Farm, copied to all Councillors.  Highlighting concern and potential flooding problems.  Councillors Hood-Williams and Tucker withdrew.  Members considered that they had represented the views of all who had attended previous meetings.  The matter of potential flooding had been raised with the Environment Agency.  It was stressed that the Council was a consultee.  It was further agreed that a representative would attend the Local Inquiry, application 2005/1788, to be held at the Guildhall, 7^th November.  Councillors Hood-Williams and Tucker returned.

vi.                           3^rd Gower Scout Group – based in Reynoldston – has received grant aid from Sports Council Wales for adventurous activities.  The funding leaves a shortfall and request for donation of £100 from LHCC.  Noted.

vii.                         SCVS – invitation to attend AGM, 23^rd November, Marriott Hotel, including booking form returnable by 6^th November.  Noted.

viii.  Gower Society – Autumn newsletter and programme.  Noted.

Councillor Morgan sought clarification on the status of the footpath alongside the Joiners Arms Public House, Three Crosses.  It was confirmed that it was not a registered footpath.

Councillor Hood-Williams advised that he had attended the One Voice Conference and AGM, at Llandrindod Wells.

The next meeting of the Council will be held at Penclawdd Community Centre on Thursday 23^rd November, 2006 commencing at 7.00.p.m.