MINUTES of a meeting held on the 7th of September  2009 at the Recreational Hall

PRESENT  Mr. R.Oliver ( Chairman ), Messrs V.Ley, C.Mowbray, C.Low, J.Baiss and T.Porter , Cllr. P. Hood-Williams ,Mrs. S.Phillips and Mr.K.Evans ( Clerk).

APOLOGIES  FOR  ABSENCE Mr. W. Morris and Mrs J.Wiliams

THE MINUTES of the previous month’s meeting having been circulated were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman

MATTERS  ARISING

None

SWANSEA  COUNCIL  MATTERS

Cllr. Hood-Williams reported that markings were shortly to be added on Gower Road during the Autumn.  New road signs would  take longer however. It was noted that with recycling, black bags would now be limited to one per week. The Clerk advised that Swansea Council were consulting on the Council’s Gambling Policy revision, and the Chairman took the Gower Effectiveness Study for review.

HALL  MANAGEMENT

Hall Management Committee had considered provision of new flooring. Quotes had been received, and £4872 would be likely to be needed. The Committee advised that flooring renewal was now a priority because of difficulty of cleaning the existing flooring and also an increasing risk of tripping. If renewed, the floor would need lower cleaning and maintenance costs, although there would be a loss of revenue when fitting took place. It was resolved to proceed with the new flooring, funds being avaiable in view of a potential reduction of  budgeted hall expenditure upon the roof.

Mrs. Phillips reported that there had been complications with the fitting of the new boiler, but this had now been completed. Payment of the contractor for this was approved. Work was needed to the shower heads, but it was proving difficult to find a plumber to deal with this. Mr. Purnell had negotiated a payment of £250 for use of the Hall for forthcoming Euro elections.  He also said there was a new Yoga Club on a Monday, but so far there had been no bookings using the new written application system for non regular users. The Chairman advised that Wickstead  had dealt with the inspection of the Playground, and all was satisfactory, but work would be needed in the future on at least one item of equipment.

A letter had been received from Mrs. Dalling of 675 Gower Road, who was concerned that the access to the rear of no 677 was still open. She said this affected the safety of her property and she feared vandalism. The Clerk had responded in August to the effect that a request had been made for the verge to be reinstated, and enquiring whether Mrs Dalling wanted the matter considered further. It was noted that reinstatement of the Council’s land had now been dealt with.

USE  OF  PLAYING  FIELDS

Hall Management Committee recommended booking fees for rugby at £25 and £30 per session respectively for Uplands RFC and Swansea College, on the basis that the Club supply and fit posts. The Clerk advised that he had very recently heard from the Club Secretary that the quotation received for installation was significantly greater than anticipated, and so the Club was currently reviewing the project. In the meantime, the College had made a booking for training, for which posts were not needed, and the Club might also make bookings for its mini rugby sections. Mr. Purnell advised there had also been bookings for football matches, and it was envisaged that football games could still be accommodated if there were also hirings for rugby

PLANNING

Cllr. Hood-Williams left the meeting.

An applications  for a single storey rear extension at 88 Summerland Park was supported as an  improvement not adversely affecting neighbours.  An appeal to the Welsh Assembly in respect of 754 Gower Road was noted, but there was nothing to add to previous observations. Cllr Hood-Williams returned. The Clerk was instructed to ask Swansea Council to send outcomes of planning applications to Mr. Ley rather than himself.

FINANCES

The following cheques were approved for payment:-

P.C.Jenkins Ltd.                                                  5031  25

Handprint                                                            1214  80

Ricoh                                                                        7    57

Newhall Janitorial                                                            93    61

Wickstead                                                              81    65     

The following payments direct from the Bank in July were ratified:-

Welsh Water                                                          28    00

SWALEC                                                               63    00

EON                                                                       84    53

And in August:-

EON                                                                       27    26

SWALEC                                                               63    00

The Clerk would send another  reminder to B.T. to remove the payphone.

The Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year end March 2009 had been previously circulated, and were approved for signature by Chairman and Clerk. Members were particularly grateful to Mr Ron Dolbear for dealing with the internal audit at a time of great sadness for himself, and the Clerk was instructed to write to him expressing this and offering condolences following the death of his wife.

ANY  OTHER  BUSINESS

1.     The Clerk was instructed to write to Police Superintendant Martin Jones, seeking to take up his offer to address the Council upon road safety issues affecting Gower Road.

2.     It was agreed that £100 be paid as the annual subscription to the Gower Community Councils’ website.

3.     Annual Reports from the Adjudication Panel for Wales, and the Local  Government Partnership Scheme were noted. There were no observations proposed in response to the National  Assembly’s consultation upon  a proposed legislative competence order dealing with community councils.

There being no further business, the meeting was closed.

 The next meeting would be on October 5th 2009.