Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 9th March 2010

 

1.      Attendance: Attendance: Steve Walmsley (SW) (Chair), Anne Morse-Jones (AMJ)  (Vice Chair), Steve Campbell Kelly (SCK), Roger Button (RB), Nicola Rees (NR), Sally Thomas (ST2), James Beynon (JB), Selina Taylor (ST) (Clerk)

2.      Apologies:  none

3.      Declaration of interests:  RB on letter in correspondence from GH.

4.      Minutes of the last meeting: Approved with alteration that ST2 was in attendance.

5.      Matters arising:  None that will not be covered elsewhere on the agenda.

6.      National Trust:  Fires in Rhossili, SCK said number of tourists complained about the fires and the danger implications: no warning signs, that in trying to get off the Down they had to walk close to the fires, feeling the heat and having ash settle on them.  Adrian Hughes from Reynoldston fire station had said that none of the fires on the Down were planned fires and were burning out of control.  SCK said what measures, if any, should we take to notify residents and tourists about what to do.  Sarah from NT had said that the only notification they have had is from CB for the burning above Richard’s Rock.  Any other fires that affect NT land without notification are consider to be arson.  174 hectares have been burnt on the Down.  NR said that the burning has been going on for over 40 years and that the NT should take it up with the Gower Commoners.  Letter to NT saying concerns have been raised by tourists and residents about the safety to the public and local buildings when there is uncontrolled burning in the area.  Why don’t you instigate controlled burns in the area, rather than uncontrolled burns taking place on a yearly basis?
7.      Footpaths:  AMJ said that new gates have been replaced by gates down to Fall Bay.  3rd stile from Middleton end on FP 13 is rotten.  Stile next to Fernhill Farm on bridleway is completely rotten.
8.      Highways:  ST has emailed Stephen Miles re. new bus shelter plans and asked for a copy.  Copy email from Steve Jones to Veolia complaining about standard of buses and their unreliability.  Ask JD for contact is SCC to write and complain.  cc Veolia.  Copy email from Pauline Bevan complaining about patches of the new tarmac surface coming away from the road.  Highways sent someone to investigate and have asked the contractor to do remedial work in the Spring.  CB asked us to mention the road to Lower Pitton.
9.      Village Hall:  Nothing to report.  JB to ask Martin Jenkins RR&P to value the car park.
10.  Parking in Rhossili:  Hopefully will start work on Wednesday 17th March.  Couple of large stones have appeared by The Green, unfortunately they are not local stone.  Could put on Vanguard Bus Station.  SCK said need to get all stone in one place first and then decide where to place them.

11.  WA correspondence: Borrowing by Community Councils in 2010-11.  Consultation on Accounts & Audit (Wales) amendment Regulations – dated 25th Jan.

12.  One Voice Wales: Follow up to Assembly’s Plenary debate that took place on 09/02/10 on the Local Government Legislative Competence Order (LCO). 
Invitation to comment on the Equality of Opportunity Committee Inquiry into the Accessibility of Railway Stations.
Annual Planning Aid Conference in Cardiff 29th & 30th April.  Funding newsletter March 2010.  Welsh Language Policy and Legislation updates.  Invitation to renew membership for 2010-11 - £35.  RCC agreed to renew membership.

13.  Planning: 2009/0772 Talgarths Well garage has been APPROVED.
Bus shelter: Stephen Miles “I can confirm that we are producing plans for a revised bus shelter provision at Rhossili. We are still discussing the layout / design internally with our landscape colleagues in the Planning Department.  I can however confirm that following the feedback we had from the previous proposal that the revised shelter will not be of stone construction, but is likely to be a much “lighter”, mainly glass design. As soon as something is available, I will be in touch”.
2010/0103 Talgarths Well, Middleton: RCC no comments
2010/0253 The Boat House, Rhossili:  RCC no comments.

14.  Finance:  Still waiting to receive the payment from NT re. footpath maps.  Precept payment dates passed to SCK.  Projected balance £1104.50, roughly same as 12 months ago. 

15.  Correspondence: Letter from the O’Brien’s at Talgarths Well about the minutes 8/12/09 that reference their exterior lighting.  ST to acknowledge receipt of letter and say points have been noted. Community Councils Forum 16/03/10.  NSPCC newsletter.  Wickstead playscapes.  Clerk & Councils Direct.  Final proposals for Review of Community Boundaries in CCS.  GH copied email SW in email to Richard Beale complaining about lights at Pitton Cross, The Countryman, Sports Centre and Doctors Surgery.  The lights don’t contravene planning so RCC can’t get involved. 

16.  Items for the next meeting: 

17.  Next meeting: 13th April 2010