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

                                                                  Councillors R. Sweet, P. Hood-Williams,        D. Morgan, R. Griffiths, G. Nicholls, J. Guy, Mrs. P. Guy, P. Tucker, Mrs. S. Davis,             A. Godfrey, R. Cooper

ADVISOR:                                               Dr. P. Rees

There was one member of the public present.

Council was addressed by Mrs. Lynn Hussey, Community Co-ordinator, Swansea College.  Mrs Hussey advised that the college offered full and part time courses in a variety of subjects and at different levels, including apprenticeships in centres around the city.  Courses were accredited by the Open College Network.  The purpose of her visit was to ask Council if adult needs were being met, for school leavers, employment change and commerce requirements.  Councillor J. Guy asked if only level 1 for apprenticeships was provided and how students could proceed through levels 2 and 3.  Councillor Godfrey enquired of placements and Mrs. Hussey advised that these could be arranged.  She advised that she would look into the level 2 and 3 requirements and respond.  In respect of I.T., she advised that this was not brought out to the communities except at stage 1 due to equipment needs but that day, evening and weekend courses were available.  The Chairman thanked Mrs. Hussey who left the meeting.

Penclawdd resident, Mrs. Rees addressed Council about the general deterioration evident in Penclawdd in recent years.  There were a lack of litter bins and those that were provided were overflowing.  Councillor J. Guy said that this Council had campaigned for some years on this matter and agreed with the comments of Mrs. Rees.  It was thought that litter bins should be located where school pupils and others congregate.  The Chairman reminded Council that the Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor J. Hague had been asked on several occasions to address this Council but had not done so.  The Clerk was asked to contact Councillor Hague again, in this respect.  Councillor Morgan said that people should be educated not to drop litter.  Councillor Hood-Williams referred to a recent litter pick undertaken by Crwys school pupils and volunteers in Three Crosses.  The eco committee had summoned him to a meeting, to discuss such problems.  The pupils will revisit the matter in September.  Councillor Cooper reminded Members that he had instigated a similar measure in Penclawdd some two years ago.

61.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies were received from Councillor Ms. J. Birch.

62.     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.

63.     CHAIRMAN’S REPORT/REMARKS:

          The Chairman advised she had attended ‘Towards 2020’, a seminar organised by the City and County of Swansea for Community Councils, volunteer groups and service heads of departments concerning expenditure and the need for transparency.  They had looked at highways, the general feeling was that expenditure should remain the same; older people expenditure should be increased by 10%; City Centre expenditure should remain the same; expenditure on schools should increase by some 5%; in respect of school buildings where there were falling rolls and repairing obligations, amalgamations were highlighted but the argument was complicated; expenditure on parks to stay the same; increase in expenditure on waste management with the need to educate people on environmental matters; in respect of e-government a reduction of 10% was appropriate and in respect of teachers, amalgamation and realistic school closures would reduce expenditure.  The Chairman said that it had been an interesting meeting.

          Councillor Hood-Williams referred to e-government and said that this would be cost neutral with possible savings and that it was a government requirement to introduce call centres.  In respect of schools and buildings he said that SEN schools were closing with pupils absorbed into mainstream schools.  There were large repair requirements in respect of buildings, the Leisure Centre, The Guildhall and schools.  Falling rolls in schools would mean some closures.  In respect of environmental matters there would be major expenditure over the next 10 years, promoted by the Assembly.

          The Chairman also advised that she had attended a concert organised for charity by St. John at St. Mary’s Church and had given a donation of £20.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on Thursday 15^th June, 2006 were confirmed as a true record.  The minutes of the finance meeting of the same date were confirmed as a true record.

Councillor Hood-Williams referred to section 137 payments and that over the last three years £4,000 had been set aside for tennis courts at Three Crosses.  Council agreed the sum of £4,000 be allocated, increasing that fund to £16,000.

Advisor Dr. Rees thanked Council for the donation to CLP.  The article for inclusion in the next publication was required by the third week in August.  Councillor Cooper advised that this had been forwarded to a member of the committee.

Councillor Godfrey noted that the Chairman’s Allowance had been abolished and welcomed this.

On 26^th June, the Clerk met with Mr. Grundy, claims investigator for Allianz Cornhill Insurance relative to a personal injury claim submitted against Council in respect of a seat, near Llotrog.  The claim will now be assessed by insurers.

The Clerk advised of a Training Forum to be held, 14^th September at Cwmbran, organised by SLCC.  The cost was £40-00, 3 delegates could attend for £100-00.  Members interested in attending to advise the Clerk.

The w.c. and wash hand basin in the ladies facilities, bowling green pavilion had been renewed.

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

Councillor Mrs. Davis advised that former committee members of the Gower Car Scheme had enquired whether they could site a bench in the Memorial Gardens in memory of Mr. Derek Heal, founder member and former co-ordinator.  This was agreed.

The Clerk referred to the football goal posts and had received a quotation for their replacement.  To supply, full sized galvanised and coated heavy duty steel goal posts complete with back irons, sockets and nets, labour and material £910-00 plus V.A.T.  This was agreed.

Penclawdd RFC tennis section submitted an application for permission to use the tennis courts and pavilion.  They sought use of 2 of the 3 courts for practice and home matches, the latter on Saturdays.  Practice to be on Wednesday and one other day.  This was agreed.  The Clerk advised that the courts had been closed over recent days due to extreme heat and potential damage that could be caused by keeping them in use.  He advised that the tennis club would have to adhere to this practice and would make the secretary aware.

Councillor J. Guy referred to the shed near the rugby pavilion, Penclawdd Recreation Ground.  He asked for a feasibility study to convert the building into additional changing rooms and to enclose the corridor between this building and the pavilion as well as enclosing the front balcony.  The Clerk was asked to look at the possibility and report back to Council.  Councillor Hood-Williams said that there was a priority list for works.  The Clerk advised that all matters were subject to finance being available.

Advisor Dr. Rees stated that the war memorial was in need of cleansing and offered to undertake this task.  Dr. Rees was thanked for his offer.

The Clerk referred to the Memorial Hall and that he had made contact with Foote & Halfpenny, Chartered Surveyors who were able to report as required in the sum of £350-00 plus V.A.T.  This was agreed.  The Clerk also advised that he had made contact with the Veterans Agency who had directed him to the British Legion in respect of updating names on the War Memorial.

Blue Anchor Bowls Club had requested that a directional sign be erected in respect of the recreation ground/bowling green.  They suggested a sign on Shipbank.  The Clerk advised that Council was not the landowner and it was agreed to refer the matter to the City and County of Swansea.

          This matter was deferred.  It was agreed to place this on the agenda for the September meeting.

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Councillor Hood-Williams withdrew.

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

2006/1295; 2006/1346; 2006/1371; 2006/1424; 2006/1475; 2006/1476; 2006/1519; 2006/1540.

Three Crosses Members referred to application 2006/1295, development rear of 1, Dukefield and raised objection on overintensification of this site.

Notification was received from the Local Planning Authority in respect of a section 78 appeal at Tir Gil Farm, Llanmorlais.  Application reference 2005/1788 was for a detached agricultural building and access track.

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Councillor Hood-Williams returned.

(i)                  Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Authority – copy of Draft Risk Reduction Plan 2007/2010.  Noted.

(ii)                Welsh Assembly – copy of publication ‘Providing indemnities to members and officers of relevant authorities’.  Noted.

(iii)               Environment Agency Wales – copy of response to Local Planning Authority re development at Tir Gil Farm.  They have addressed the flooding concerns and recommend refusal of the application, being within 7m of the bank of the river.  In addition the site is within zone C2, referred to under TAN15 Development and Flood Risk.  If the development is outside the 7m boundary, a Flood Consequences Assessment is required to confirm there is no risk to third parties.  Noted.

(iv)              Martin Caton M.P. – letter of thanks for keeping him appraised of the above.  Noted.

(v)                Swansea Local Health Board – response to letter from this Council concerning possible closure of Fairwood.  Prepared answers to questions and criticism raised.  Councillor Hood-Williams said that the City and County of Swansea would oppose closure of Fairwood and Ward 1 Hill House Hospital.  The decision of the Community Health Council was awaited.

(vi)              Acknowledgements for donations received:  C.D.S.A.; Capel-Y-Crwys; Penclawdd Primary School P.A.; St. David’s Church; St. Gwynour’s Church; CLP Development Group; Cor Penclawdd; Llanmorlais Community Centre.  The Clerk advised that some of the donations given had not been acknowledged.

(vii)             Edwina Hart A.M. – copy of First Minister’s Report.  Noted.

(viii)           Ombudsman for Wales – copy of Annual Report 2005/2006.  Noted.

(ix)              One Voice Wales – Swansea Area Committee News.  Noted.

(x)                City and County of Swansea, Community Leadership & Democracy – Review of Community Areas and Electoral Arrangements.  A review of all 24 communities within the County will be undertaken.  Penclawdd and Llanmorlais Members referred to a boundary anomaly in respect of the River Morlais where land should be moved into Llanmorlais Ward from Penclawdd.  The Clerk advised that he had referred this matter on two previous occasions and would do so again.  Councillor J. Guy thought that Three Crosses should unite with Upper Killay as Fairwood Ward.  Councillor Hood-Williams said there were no similarities with the other wards in LHCC and Three Crosses should look to go alone.  The Clerk to copy the information to Three Crosses Members.

Councillor Tucker in attendance.

Councillor Cooper advised that he had undertaken a review of footpaths the state of which had improved since the last inspection.  The style on Footpath 35 had been wrapped with barbed wire which should be removed and Footpath 74 was overgrown.

Councillor Hood-Williams advised he was now the Chairman of the Local Access Forum.

The Chairman advised that complaints had been received concerning dog fouling on Footpath 2 in Crofty.

Councillor Tucker advised that 3 new turn gates had been provided on footpaths in Crofty/Penclawdd for disabled access.

There were no reports.

The next meeting of the Council will be held at Crwys Community Centre on Thursday 21^st September, 2006 commencing at 7.00.p.m.

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Chairman