Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 10^th February 2009

1.      Attendance: Attendance: Steve Walmsley (SW) (Chair), Anne Morse-Jones (AMJ) (Vice Chair), Roger Button (RB), Steve Campbell Kelly (SCK), Nicola Rees (NR), Sally Thomas (ST2), James Beynon (JB), Selina Taylor (ST) (Clerk)
2.      Apologies: none
3.      Vacant position: One letter of application from James Beynon, therefore JB automatically co-opted. SW welcomed JB to the RCC.
4.      Declaration of interests: SW declared a personal interest 2009/0027 Crossfield, Rhossili
5.      Minutes of the last meetings:
6.      Matters arising: RB went to a meeting re. recycling and SCC have said that they won’t collect plastic from Gower. He suggested staggering the green bags to a monthly collection. One fortnight plastic and paper, next cans and cardboard. RB spoke to SP and suggested having a location marker on finger posts.
7.      National Trust: Meeting on 4^th March for all Rhossili Residents.
8.      Footpaths: RB showed mock-ups of proposed footpath map. RCC agreed that font 12 was smallest acceptable size. RB to approach advertisers asking for £30 per advert. Reply from SJ re. work on coastal path to say that she believes that many of the issues have been resolved and she is sure that there will be greater sensitivity and consultation in the future. No response from SP, but may be still ill.
9.      Highways: Further comments about mirror at bottom of School Lane received. If a mirror is placed on private land, there could be legal implications for land owner if mirror is the cause of an accident. Also SCC have no budget to come to assess the situation. Letter reply to correct inaccuracies and to express regret that they don’t think that this is an issue that they should be concerned about. Also express regret that they are not prepared to come to a site visit especially since they do not understand what we are saying. NR said road just past High Priest, is going to collapse as water runs under the road. Runoff from lane behind Sheep Green cottage going into garden of Sheep Green. Owner aware and JB to help. Rhossili sign has been mended and RB has possession of old seats from Green. 30mph sign opposite High Priest has been replaced. RB and SCK looked at placing stones on The Green and think that it is not viable. Suggested building the banks up instead. NT sign needs cleaning up. Gutter by Pitton Cross sign needs clearing. Chase extra gate with planning at Pitton Cross, letter to planning asking what has happened.
10. Village Hall: Nothing to report
11. WA correspondence: Information regarding borrowing by Community Councils in 2009-10. Information regarding the Appropriate Sum for 2009-10.
12. One Voice Wales: Next Swansea Area Committee 12/02/09. Minutes from 11/12/08. Initiation to Buckingham Palace Garden Party for Chair, RSVP no.
13. Save Our Sands: Minutes from meeting 13/01/09. Hope next meeting to be in March or April. Meeting to decide what to do about the dredging, now that they have the license we need to be more organised into opposing the renewal licence. If pressure group wanted to move the dredging further off shore, we would support that.
14. Out of hours at Scurlage Surgery: John Beynon thought that the doctors in Scurlage could provide a night rota and come out to house visits. He thought that it would be better not to have to go to medical centre in Swansea when you are ill, as it is a long way. He also thought that it would ease the strain on casualty, as people go there rather than to the doctors. Letter to Scurlage Surgery about ways of improving the service. We’ve had several comments from the community about the possibility of extending the services to cover an evening surgery and night rota cover, specifically because it is felt a long distance to travel to Swansea when you are seriously ill. We’d appreciate it if you could take our comments into consideration when formulating your future plans.
15. Planning applications: 2009/0027 Crossfield, Rhossili. AMJ chaired this item of the meeting as SW declared an interest. RCC are concerned about a potential change of use of the building as the top floor appears to only be accessible from the existing part of the house and the first floor and new ground level floor could become a separate unit. We are also concerned that there may not be sufficient parking.
2008/1509 has been REFUSED.
Letter from enforcement re. Talgarths Well to say that the Authourity is working towards what is deemed to be a positive outcome.
16. Finance: Current position £1300 in bank. Outstanding £250 last instalment for salary and expenses for ST’s trip to the bank. Precept payment dates 2009-10 passed to SW.
17. Correspondence: Community Councils Forum 20/01/09. Kidney Wales Foundation asking for funds. SMP play equipment.
18. Items for the next meeting: Set date of AGM for May.
19. Items for the discussion board on the website:
20. Next meeting: 10^th March