Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 9^th December 2008

1.      Attendance: Attendance: Steve Walmsley (SW) (Chair), Anne Morse-Jones (AMJ) (Vice Chair), Roger Button (RB), Steve Campbell Kelly (SCK), Sally Thomas (ST2), Nicola Rees (NR), Selina Taylor (ST) (Clerk)
2.      Apologies: none
3.      Declaration of interests:
4.      Minutes of the last meetings: Approved as correct.
5.      Matters arising: none that not covered elsewhere
6.      National Trust: Pond at Pilton Green. SJ replied to say “It appears that the dew ponds we reinstated as historic features by the Gower Society. The initial work was done I understand under the supervision of Gordon Howe who had obviously done some local research. In the latest clearance all we have done is manage existing structures. To my knowledge the only accident in that area was caused when the person driving was taken ill”.
7.      Footpaths: Footpath map RB has photocopied OS map and has plotted walks on it.   SCK suggested printing map in grey and then walks and roads can be made bolder. SW suggested using smaller map and putting walk descriptions around the map. RB to work on map and liase with SP. Fade out other footpaths.
8.      Highways: Letter from Penrice asking to suggest dates to meet on The Green to agree the work to be carried out at the expense of RCC.    SCK to work out how many stones will be needed and to report back to next meeting. SCK said that some of the signs are being knocked about and turned around. 30mph School Lane has not been replaced is still on ground opposite High Priest. Councillors to make a list for next meeting. Crash at the bottom of School Lane ask for a mirror and consider purchasing one ourselves. Ask for alternative solution if mirror is not viable.   Dustbin at bottom of School Lane has not been replaced and place by Evening Post box in car park. CB contacted SW to say that one hole were filled in Lower Pitton and rest were left, problem especially by car park. Dip outside Village Hall has sunk more over the last 12 months. One outside car park and other opposite new build. Back of Rhossili sign has rotted through, RB and SCK to repair.
9.      Village Hall & car park: nothing to report
10. WA correspondence: Invitation to comment on the financial support that the AMs receive. Comments to the Independent Panel on Members’ Pay and Allowances by 31^st December.
11. One Voice Wales: Next committee meeting 11^th December.
12. Newsletter: Bill for £64 for photocopying at Staples to PV. ST said she thought that a particularly poor job had been done by Staples. The toner running out, wet pages put together, multiple copies stapled together and pages in the wrong order or missing altogether. Suggests going elsewhere of the next newsletter.
13. Freedom of Information Act: Need to say what information we hold, where it can be obtained and how much it will cost. Need to adopt and maintain the new model publication scheme by 1^st January 2009. Need to have two documents in place, completed guide to information and copy of the model scheme (to be adopted without modification). Have to display on website or noticeboard by 1^st January. TM asked for copy of letter that we sent to SCC about Ash Tree. SW said we have to have a formal way of releasing these things. It is our policy to release copies of our letters upon request.
14. Bi-lingual Policy: It was agreed that RCC does not have the funds to implement a full bi-lingual policy and decided that we would only produce individual documents bi-lingually if requested.
15. Planning applications: Notification that SCC have adopted the City and County of Swansea Unitary Development Plan as of 10/11/08. Copies available at Swansea.gov.uk/devplans
2008/1164 Pilton Moor Cottage has been APPROVED
Talgarths Well: 2007/0852 lists garage as previously approved. Only other garage plans are in 2003/0293. We don’t believe that the garage at this site has been built following those plans. Could you please confirm that this garage has been constructed as per the approved plans 2003/0293.

16. Finance: £2010.33 in bank. Clerk’s salary – it had been agreed that the Clerk should be paid £750 for June 06-April 07, £750 for 07-08 and £1000 for 08-09. So far the clerk has received £750 in 06-07; £500 in 07-08 and £250 in 08-09 (16/05/08). SW proposed we pay £1000K that takes us up to date to December 2008, with £250 due for remaining of tax year. This was agreed. SW declared an Interest for the next item as he was RCC representative on the Gower Web-site Group and also acts as their Treasurer. It was agreed to pay Gower Web-site Group £120 for annual maintenance costs.    Notification of precept form for 2009/2010 to be returned by 31/01/09. Payment requisition passed to SW. Photocopying bill for £64 from PV for newsletter. ST reported that she went into HSBC to verify her signature and was told that her signature did not need to be verified, rather SW’s did. Then she was told that there had been a mistake on the computer and that the note requiring verification dated back to 2004 when SW became a signatory. She gave ST a new form to complete and return with all three signatories on it. ST presented expenses of £1 parking and 35 miles for the wasted trip to HSBC. ST to write to HSBC for compensation.
17. Correspondence: Alun Cairns AM inviting us to a meeting with Port Eynon CC on Monday 12^th Jan at Port Eynon re. sand dredging and monitoring its impact. RSVP 4 possibly 5. Notification of code of conduct training that SW attended. Community and Town Councils Forum 25/11/08. Annual report 07-08 of the Adjudication Panel for Wales. Glasdon products. Rekk.co.uk youth shelters. Alzheimer’s Society and Macmillan Cancer Support asking for funds.
18. Items for the next meeting: Code of Conduct training that SW attended, elections, Community Council Precepts 2009/2010.
19. Items for the discussion board on the website: none
20. Next meeting: 13^th January 2009