UPPER KILLAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL

MINUTES of a meeting held at the Recreatonal Hall on the 5th of March 2007

PRESENT Mr. R.Oliver ( Chairman), Messrs J.Baiss and C.Mowbray, Mrs. B. Talbot, L. Holmes and S. Phillips , Cllr P. Hood-Williams and Mr. R.K.Evans ( Clerk )

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Mr W.Morris

THE MINUTES of the previous monthly meeting were approved as a true record, and signed by the Chairman

MATTERS ARISING.

1.Mrs Phillips reported upon the Local Water Abstraction Policy. Most water in the region is from the surface, and not deep water. There is not much water taken from Gower itself, and what there is is all from the surface. There is currently abundant underground water, although this could be affected by global warming, and future absraction could affect wetlands. Also rising sea levels locally are anticipated.

2. The Clerk had spoken to the Secretary of the Uplands RFC. The Club was conscious that there had been difficulties on the Sunday referred to in last month\'s meeting, and these had arisen in part because the usual no parking cones had not been available. Steps had been taken to remedy this.

SWANSEA COUNCIL MATTERS

Clrr Hood-Williams said that repairs had been put in hand for the speed lights near the School, and Swansea Council was also aware of excessive water on the hill, particularly following the recemt heavy rain. He said that the Swansea Council Tax increase this year would be three and one half per cent. He noted repairs needed for the pavements at the top end of Gower Road, and on the road surface in Summerland Park. Mrs Talbot said she would attend the Community Council\'s Forum. It was noted there was now a diversion order for the footpath between Gower Road and Fairwood Road.

CONSULTATION ON LOCAL SERVICE BOARDS

The Chairman reported upon this. He said the intention is to develop Local Service Boards from the current Local Strategic Partnerships, in order to strengthen delivery of services locally. The aim was cooperation amongst the various authorities, and to engage those involved. The Boards are to be set up in 2007/8, with Local Service Agreements to be drawn up, with Local Authorities in the lead and all other sectors involved as well as engagement with those served, including Community Councils. He mentioned concern about how inclusivity and effective teamwork will fit together. Comminity Councils would provide the voice and challenge on behalf of the citizens, save in those cases where the Councils themselves are service providers. They would receive agendas and invitations to meetings. The Chairman felt the consultation did not call for comment from the Council, but that the request for engagement when the Boards are set up was noted.

HALL MANAGEMENT

Window repairs were in hand, with the wrought iron bars to be enmeshed, but the weather had been too inclement for repairs to the dayroom doors. The annual service of the fire safety equipment. has been carried out, and a new extinguisher has been necessary. The Caretaker has cleared adhesive from the rear patio, and Swansea Council have replaced the defective dog waste bin. It was resolved to give the required twelve months notice to Security Centres to terminate their intruder alarm agreement, in order to install the new system as previously agreed. Hall Management Committee will deal with the various requirments of Cornhill, following their survey, but it was noted that Cornhill had advised the Clerk that they considered the Hall to be in their top tier of management efficiency. It was noted that litter picking was needed in the hedge along the main road, and that the lay-by kerbs needed cleaning. The Chairman said that Spencer Environmental had been instructed to deal with the fence by the cattle grid, and that the fallen tree had been removed. A hedge to the rear of the Hall had been laid, at a cost of £500, and it was resolved to accept a quote of £500 from the same contractor, Alan Porter, for landscaping the area from the Hall to the Pond Entrance, as this was cheaper than an alternative quote. The Chairman said he was still speaking to Standard Signs for field user signs. It was resolved to retain Spencer Environmental to carry out work on the Play Area for £1064, as being more competitve than the quote from Wickstead. It was further resolved to engage Mr Purnell, the Caretaker, as an employee of the Council from April 6th at £8.00 per hour, subject to agreement of terms with the Clerk

GARDENING CLUB SHED

This item would be placed upon the agenda for next month

PLANNING

Middle Killay Farm - application for change of use from an agricultural store to a first floor granny annexe and ground floor agricultural store. It was resolved to object as this proposal appeared incompatible with the semi rural and part agricultural nature of the site, where there was already one new house. There were concerns whether protection of bats had been adequately dealt with in Middle Killay, as less bats were now seen. It was agreed to recomend a site visit.

FINANCES

The following monthly payments in February were ratified:-

£ p

Security Centres 49 20

Welsh Water 32 50

SWALEC 63 00

It was agreed to pay the following invoices:-

RK Evans ( Clerk ) 850 00

Caretaker 378 00

John Collins & Partners 49 39

Hanging Baskets 752 04

The baskets would be four by the school, and four at the top end of the Village.

Also the Chairman was delegated authority to approve payment during March for outstanding hall development work.

The Clerk reported that the previous year\'s audit had now been completed.

There being no further business, the meeting was closed. The date of the next meeting would be April 2nd .