MINUTES  of a meeting held at The Recreational Hall on the 2nd  day of June 2008   PRESENT. Messrs. R. Oliver (Chairman), V.Ley and J.Baiss, Mrs. J. Williams, J.Birch and S. Phillips and Mr. R.K.Evans (Clerk)   APOLOGIES  FOR  ABSENCE       Messrs W.Morris and C.Mowbray and Cllr. P. Hood-Williams     THE  MINUTES   of the previous monthly meeting were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.   SWANSEA COUNCIL  MATTERS. Mr Baiss said that residents had complained about the planted roundabout at the end of Summerland Park. The soil was said to be poor, and better topsoil was needed and kerbstones and concrete had been found buried and required removal. It was agreed that he approach Swansea Council about this, and Ms. Birch would mention the matter to Cllr. Hood-Williams   HALL  MANAGEMENT Mrs. Phillips said that temporary arrangements continued for bookings, but that Mrs Talbot, the former booking officer, had offered to take on a limited paid role to assist. Members were grateful, but the Clerk advised that it would not be possible for her to be paid until a year had elapsed since she had been a member of the Council. It was agreed to consider payment and also placing an advertisement, for which the Chairman and Mrs. Phillips would prepare a job description. Ms. Birch also offered to help with the bookings. Mr. Oliver left the meeting at this point , declaring an interest in the issue of works at Fairwood Lane. Mrs. Phillips took the Chair, and reported upon discussions at the latest Estates and Asset Management Committee meeting. By way of reminder, she said the ditch alongside the lane needed cleaning because of parked cars pushing in soil. However the Committee recommended deferring drainage works, until agreement was reached upon placing the spoil. It would be ideal if the Uplands Rugby Club could construct its proposed car park, but this was not assured. For the Council, there was a need to consider the extent to which expenditure was justified, given the potential to benefit only a limited area of the village. The options for improvement were primarily parking restrictions, or better stewarding and the placing of signs or hard standing alongside the lane. Following a discussion, it was felt that stewarding of car parking by the Rugby Club offered the best option, and minimized expense. The Clerk would speak to the Secretary of the Club, with a view to a report in July whether stewarding could be put in place. In the light of the response, further consideration would be given to placing of spoil following ditch clearance. Mr. Oliver returned and resumed the chair. It was noted that the level of hall charges was being discussed, and would be considered at the next sub committee meeting. Mrs. Phillips advised that the Caretaker had complained again about vandalism and unruly behaviour be youngsters near the Hall, to the extent that he felt threatened. Use of motor bikes on the field when children were playing was also still a problem. In these circumstances, it was considered that a more visible presence by the Police Community support Officers was desirable, and the Clerk was instructed to write to the Police requesting this. Mrs Phillips then reported that two new items of playground equipment had been fitted. The Clerk advised that BT had accepted the Council’s challenge to the call out charge on the latest bill, which had been reduced accordingly.   PLANNING It was resolved to support applications at 40 Edgemoor Close for a rear extension and 633 Gower Road for replacement of a flat roof with a pitched one, as both were considered applications for improvements that did not adversely affect neighbours. There followed a discussion of an outline application for 13 new homes at 702 Gower Road. This was a brownfield site, and the access to the main road appeared adequate, and it was resolved to support housing development . It was further resolved to suggest designation of part of the development for affordable housing, to assist young persons to stay in the Village, and also those elderly residents who wished to sell their larger homes and downsize.   EASEMENT ON COUNCIL LAND The clerk reported that he had written to Mr Morris for progress, but there had been no reply. He was instructed to write pressing for this matter to proceed.   FINANCES It was resolved to pay the following:-                         £     p  Chairman’s Float                                                     100     00 County Supplies                                                        86    62                     Caretaker                                                                 499     20                      The following payments direct from the Bank in May were ratified :-   Welsh Water                                                     32    00 E On                                                                        252     61 SWALEC                                                                   63    00 B.T. ( by cheque )                                                      92    02   ANY  OTHER  BUSINESS ·       The one vacancy on the Council would be formally advertised ·       The Clerk advised that a nil return to the Welsh Assembly had been submitted in respect of on the spot fines for graffiti, litter etc. ·       There would be no representative at the One Voice Wales conference ·       The Chairman invited contributions to the Village Newsletter   There being no further business, the meeting was closed.   The date of the next meeting would be July 7th 2008