Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 15^th June 2010

1.      Attendance: Attendance: Steve Walmsley (SW) (Chair), Anne Morse-Jones (AMJ) (Vice Chair), Steve Campbell Kelly (SCK), Roger Button (RB), Sally Thomas (ST2), Selina Taylor (ST) (Clerk)
2.      Apologies: Nicola Rees (NR)
3.      Declaration of interests: ST2 2010/0820
4.      Minutes of the last meeting: Signed as correct.
5.      Matters arising: OVW SCK looked at changes of audit regulations. Little if anything applies to us. Noticeboards coated in Sikkens.
6.      National Trust: ST received a postcard from a tourist complaining about the amount of dog mess between the NT shop and Worms Head. Pass to NT.
7.      Footpaths: AMJ said that Mewslade Lane (FP 13) is becoming virtual impassable also the lanes going through to little Vile are overgrown (FP11) and round the back of the Church.
8.      Highways: AMJ asked for a Dog Bin at the end of School Lane. AMJ said that there was an awful problem with the rubbish and the holiday homes over the bank holiday weekend. Letter to holiday home owners reminding them to let their visitors know when the rubbish is collected. Helen Griffith asked ST to request a Pitton settlement sign. Stuart Goulden phoned ST at the end of May about list of outstanding issues. He said that the potholes are due to be done within the next week (now done), there are no planned ditch clearances either at Kimley Moor or Margam Corner as there is no budget for ongoing clearance but as a gesture of goodwill, will send a team down. Also agreed to meet at the Green. Letter from C L Swain acting group leader for Transport re. new proposals for bus shelter. New design is all glass to improve security and the paved area has been discarded in favour of a coloured area. A new seat and bin will be provided that are more in character. Letter to say that we would not want it to hinder access to the Community Council noticeboard. Expect it to be moved free of charge. AMJ said that opposite Rhosmor there is a telephone pole with a hole all around it. ST2\\ said speed of buses through village is excessive and often they are over the central line. Recently there was an accident in Middleton where car crashed into wall as had nowhere to go. SCK said that North Gower evening bus is going to be removed. SCK said that Penrice, NT and Highways met at The Green to discuss the erosion of the track. Penrice will approve the aggregate that the council will provide. NT denied any responsibility and nobody will provide any labour. Will wait to see what SCC provide in terms of a sample of aggregate. No drains in Rhossili, only soakaways. Council accept the responsibility, but do not have the funds. AMJ said that VJ had a problem on June 8^th, neither 4pm or 5pm bus arrived, controller told her to get a taxi and bill Veolia. Still has not been reimbursed. 12pm from Swansea broke down again in Reynoldston and previous week broke down in Killay. Buses breakdown every week. Richard Lewis was horrified when AMJ told him about the state of the buses. Letter to Veolia and Richard Lewis with compiled list. CB spoke to SW congratulating us on help in getting potholes filled.
9.      Village Hall: AMJ said campervan in car park over the weekend blocking fire escape. Bookings are picking up now and most of accommodation is full for the Summer during the weekends. Car park to be covered under finance.
10. Parking in Rhossili: No trouble at all since the stones have been placed. Major problem has been solved.
11. WA correspondence: none
12. One Voice Wales: The Voice newsletter. Notice of OVW 2010 Conference and AGM – 9^th October. Swansea Area Committee 10^th June. South West Wales regional funding fair. Ffoslas Race Course, Carmarthenshire - 08 June 2010. Training opportunity 28th June 2010. Information on the forthcoming Community Action for Climate Change. The Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) are working jointly with the Welsh Assembly Government and One Voice Wales to assess the training needs of Clerks within Wales, and have now compiled a short survey, which we would ask you kindly to complete and which will give us a clear picture of what training that is required. A consultation on updating and extending permitted development rights in relation to micro-generation and low carbon technologies (e.g. installing solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps etc). The proposals relate to both domestic and non-domestic installations. SCK mentioned the front elevation change for property with 16 solar panels installed on the roof. SCK to look at consultation and get in touch with planning.
13. Planning:    2010/0725 Lower Pitton Farm – RCC no comment
2010/0820 Highcliffe – RCC no comment
14. Finance: SCK said that NT still owes us money and the accounts omitted that fact at the year end. Amount carried forward is just over £1100 rather then just under £1100 (This is the £42.50 owed). Current year £1278.39 to today’s date including outstanding receipts and cheques not presented. Annual Return for the year end is pencilled in. Then will be submitted on put on public display. SW and SCK to work together in order to approve at the next meeting. AMJ said that DC said that there was a strong feeling that the NT would allow village hall to use it when they wanted to. NT now want to use the land for other purposes and he didn’t want to let it go without a fight. JF now has the tenancy on that field.
Car park. SCK has the valuation and deeds. At AGM SW raised the issue of giving the car park to the village hall as they use it and get the income from it. When telephone exchange was demolished, the land was given to RCC with a no building clause. No objections from residents since AGM so it should be pursued. Have to confer with the general auditor within 28 days of making a decision to dispose of the land. Valuation fee of £88.13 was agreed to be paid. Consideration does not need to be for money. Village Hall is a charitable trust run for the good of a village. If the auditor approves it then we should be ok to go ahead. SCK to speak to Mazars in the first instance and then put a letter together.
15. Correspondence: Gower AONB Management Plan review 25^th May and notes from the meeting. Gower AONB Summer 2010 Newsletter. Annual report of the county archivist 2009-10. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authourity – Draft annual Action Plan 2011/2012 – for comment. Society of Local Council Clerks regional conference 14^th July and training courses. Proposal for a common complaints system for public service providers in Wales from the Ombudsman – for comment by 23^rd July. Swansea Rural Development News – issue 5 Spring 2010. NSPCC asking for funds. Swansea Waste Forum ‘Question Time’ 24^th July.
16. Items for the next meeting: Water pressure in the event of a fire. Gorse at the top of cliffs between Mewslade and Fall Bay (NT).
17. Next meeting: 13^th July 2010