MINUTES of a meeting held on the 11^th of May 2009 at the Recreational Hall

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

APOLOGIES  FOR  ABSENCE from Mrs. J.Williams and Mr. W. Morris

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

MATTERS  ARISING

The Clerk advised that he had spoken by telephone to the Secretary of Uplands RFC and to the organiser of rugby at Swansea College, who would now be speaking to each other to try to coordinate an approach to the Council. Mrs. Phillips declared a personal interest as it is her husband who is the Swansea College representative. It was agreed that rugby user would be dealt with by Hall Management Committee rather than a specific sub-committee. Mr. Mowbray said he felt that a capability to use the field for soccer should be retained if possible.

SWANSEA  COUNCIL  MATTERS

It was noted that some only of the potholes had been filled by a householder in the private lane opposite Fairwood Lane. The Clerk had not received a reply to his letter to Swansea Council on the maintenance of this lane. Cllr. Hood-Williams advised that the ponding near to

HALL  MANAGEMENT

The Chairman advised that the annual service of the security alarm was now due, and it was agreed to pay the charge for this of £180 to Pro Tec. Mrs. Beryl Talbot had written on behalf of five hall using organisations expressing concern at the higher hall charges, especially for short regular bookings. This was discussed, and it was noted that the new scale had been introduced after lengthy and careful analysis of the costs involved in providing facilities for shorter bookings, and also that the Hall remained competitive in price with other local halls. It was felt that a balance had been achieved between the interests of Council Tax payers and hall users, and the Clerk was instructed to respond accordingly to Mrs Talbot.

The Clerk advised that B.T. had not replied to a request for a rate for provision of the line only, and he was instructed to send a reminder. In response to a request by Mr. Don Lewis, it was agreed to purchase selective weed killer of an organic variety non toxic to bees, in order to deal with dandelions on the field. It was noted that weeds had been a problem during a recent football match. The Chairman reported that tree cutting had been completed satisfactorily by Mr. Porter, and within budget, and also that a new dog mess bin had been ordered. Mr. Mowbray said that the meadow area was already blighted by dog mess, and he feared exacerbation of this when the dog fouling ban for the field was enforced. It was agreed to place small signs at the entrance of the meadow reminding owners to collect up after their dogs.

It was noted with concern that Mr. Purnell would no longer deal with casual hall bookings, following signifigant difficulties he had encountered with one particular booking. As a result, it was resolved to restrict ad hoc bookings to applications by, or vouched for by, Upper Killay residents, which would have to be put in writing to the Hall Management Committee. Mr. Purnell would continue to deal with regular bookings, and it was agreed he should include in his time charges work on administration of these, and any cleaning up work in the hall that resulted.

Mrs. Phillips would pursue installation of the new boiler.

PLANNING

Cllr. Hood-Williams left the meeting.

Pwll y Frogga, Blackhills Lane – Conversion of a barn into two holiday units. It was resolved to support this application, on the basis that the use be restricted to holiday lets. Full time residential development at this predominantly rural location in the AONB would have been opposed.

FINANCES

The following cheques were approved for payment:-

Handprint                                                                 599     04

Pro Tec                                                                    180     00

A.L. Porter                                                             1090     00

B.T.                                                                           96    83

Newhall Janitorial                                                      55    96

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

Welsh Water                                                              32    00

SWALEC                                                                   63    00

ANY  OTHER  BUSINESS

1  The Chairman would write to Mr. Purnell to thank him for his first class work for the Community during the year

2  The Chairman invited contributions for the Village newsletter

3  The Clerk said a detailed digital TV switchover pack had been received, and it was agreed to circulate this.

4  From the floor Mrs. D. Kelleher enquired whether the Council would prepare a local contingency plan to deal with a possible swine flu outbreak.

There being no further business, the meeting was closed.

 The next meeting would be on June 1st 2009.