UPPER  KILLAY  COMMUNITY  COUNCIL   MINUTES  of a meeting held at The Recreational Hall on the 8th day of May 2006 PRESENT. Mr. R.Oliver ( Chairman ), Messrs. P. Hood-Williams, W.Morris and J. Baiss , Mrs. B. Talbot, S.Phillips and J. Birch and Mr. R.K.Evans ( Clerk ). APOLOGIES  FOR  ABSENCE Mrs. J. Williams.   THE  MINUTES   of the previous monthly meeting were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.   MATTERS  ARISING Mr Baiss produced a memorandum signed by six Summerland Park residents who live adjacent to the end roundabout and who agreed to reasonably maintain the roundabout and to keep it tidy and reasonably weed free. This would be retained by the Clerk. The Chairman advised that he had considered the draft  Swansea Council Economic Regeneration Strategy, but there was no obvious link to Village activities, and he felt no response was needed. The Clerk reported that a Community Constable had telephoned from Reynoldston indicating that the Police were aware of the Council’s concerns about certain users of the highway in the Village. SWANSEA  COUNCIL  MATTERS   Mr Baiss said that he had written to the M.P., the A.M. and to Swansea Council about the state of the highway in Summerland Park, but that Swansea had not replied. Cllr. Hood-Williams advised that Swansea Council did have plans for further repairs at this location. Cllr. Hood-Williams also reported that there was now a limited 20mph speed limit on Gower Road to try to improve safety when children were arriving at and leaving the School. Initial signs were that road speeds past the School were moderating. Also, he said, a survey had shown some prospect of widening the pavement between the Farm and the School. He reminded the meeting that there was resurfacing due upon the road itself, and members pointed out previous mention that there were a number of watercourses requiring gullies. Cllr Hood-Williams next mentioned the single education plan for the City, in which there was a forecast of falling school numbers for Cila Primary. He would be querying this at a Governors’ meeting. Mr Morris said that he felt that the School was an important part of the community which should be safeguarded. The Clerk said a letter had been received from Swansea Council about marking the AONB 50th anniversary, and it was agreed to respond mentioning the proposed footpath guide to mark this. The Swansea Council Welsh Education Consultation Draft had been received, and Mrs Phillips agreed to read this. Mrs Birch reported on the latest Community Councils’ Forum meeting, which had included presentations upon the Swansea Eisteddfod, and upon the Swansea Future Plan. She had also attended a recent One Voice Wales meeting, following which a further meeting to advise upon obtaining grants would be organised.   HALL  MANAGEMENT Mrs Talbot said that she was looking for contractors to service the boiler, as Gas Services Wales were unable to contract for a commercial system. She also reported that there had been difficulty with football teams using the pitch without booking or paying. The Chairman will look into the cost of provision of a sign indicating that permits were needed for use of the playing fields for matches. Members would advise Mrs Talbot if matches were taking place, so she could check for payment. It was noted that repairs were needed to hall guttering, fascias and roof, and there would be a Hall Management Committee meeting on the 15th to discuss repairs. The Chairman said he had a quote from Exclusive Flooring Ltd. in the sum of £285 for flooring in the new office, and it was resolved to proceed with this. Cllr. Hood-Williams said that he had received a number of complaints about litter around the hall, play-area and pond. The Chairman said that he had a supply of gloves and bags for litter picking, and Cllr Hood Williams offered to try and obtain litter picking tolls, and if he were successful, a litter pick would be organised. As the caretaker was already doing some litter clearing, it was resolved to ask him to work a further two hours each month specifically for this purpose. A letter from Mr. Stephenson of 19 Summerland Park raised the need for repair to the play area. The Chairman advised the Wickstead Ltd. had offered to attend to the annual inspection, at a price competitive with ROSPA and apparently to the same standard. Unlike ROSPA, they could also deal with any necessary repairs. It was agreed to approach the Council’s insurers, and if they approved then Wickstead would be asked to undertake the survey instead of ROSPA. The Clerk reported that Mr. Rhodri Mugford had indicated there would be a delay in the grant application for the cricket pitch, because of the number of such applications made. However it was hoped to make use of the playing fields for some junior cricket. The Clerk also said that the Charity Commission had confirmed the registration of the Village Hall charity, and he had written requesting that the existing bank account and Council accounts be utilised instead of separate accounts relating to the Charity alone. He also advised that steps needed to be taken to register the Council’s title to the Charity lands, and that in this respect disclosure would have to be given to the Land Registry of any legal rights of way over the land.     PLANNING   Cllr Hood- Williams left at this point. Mr Baiss advised that the following recent applications had been granted, viz; a shop and office at Blackhills Nursey, and extensions at 588 Gower Road  and 33 Hen Parc Lane. Change of use from livery stable to dwelling at Hen Parc Lane had been refused. The Meeting had no further comment upon an application for removal of a condition for frosted glass window at 768 Gower Road. It was  resolved to oppose an application for a new dwelling at 762 Gower Road , as being in garden development out of character and an undesirable precedent  for this part of the Village and potentially intrusive upon the privacy of neighbours. Also the access appeared as if it might be unsuitable for emergency services. At this point Ms. Birch gave apologies and left the meeting. There was no further comment upon an amended plan for development at 27 Hen Parc Lane. It was resolved to oppose an application for conversion of a stable block to holiday accommodation for the disabled at Westwinds, Blackhills Lane, as being inappropriate non agricultural user in a predominantly rural part of the AONB. Appeals at 730 Gower Road and Middle Farm were noted , with no further comment. Cllr. Hood- Williams returned at this point.           FINANCES   It was resolved to pay the following:-                         £     p        B.T.                                                                           89    72 Caretaker                                                                 672     00                     The following payments direct from the Bank in April were ratified :- SWALEC                                                                   63    00 Swansea Council ( Loan )                                        279    81 Swansea Council ( Rates )                                         68    40 Welsh Water                                                              32    50 Security Centres                                                         47    68            Powergen Gas                                                             84          84 DREDGING  ON  HELWICK  BANK The Clerk was instructed to write to the Planning Inspectorate in support of the Gower Society led coalition that opposed the continuation of dredging. Points to be made were that Upper Killay was the ‘Gateway  to Gower’, and sandy beaches were an essential part of Gower’s heritage. Businesses would be adversely affected if Gower lost tourism, including a substantial caravan site, and bed and breakfast establishments. Also, people had bought houses in the Village for the very reason of its proximity to Gower beaches, which had offered the opportunity of healthy recreation for youngsters in the Community over many years. It was resolved to make a contribution of £500 to the Coalition’s fund to cover the cost of representation at the enquiry. ANY  OTHER  BUSINESS 1.     the Chairman and Mr Morris would inspect the wooden railing near the cattle grid to the Common, as work was needed upon this. 2.     It was with sadness that the death of William Ellicott, at the age of 99 years, was noted. 3.     Mr Hood-Williams thanked Mrs Talbot and Mr Baiss for publicising a recent public meeting concerning the proposed closure of Fairwood Hospital. He said that the campaign to save the hospital would continue, and members then expressed views against the closure.     There being no further business, the meeting was closed. The date of the next meeting would be June 5th 2006.