GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL -CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR
Minutes of a Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 2nd July 2008
PRESENT: Cllrs. Gareth Evans, Ros Holt, Barbara Small, Sue Jones (arrived 8pm), Lynne Carey (left at 9pm) and Linda Bolchover.
ALSO PRESENT: Clerk Serena Thomas
25 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllrs. Mike Egan, Mike Sander, Peter Johns and Gareth Morgan.
26 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS:
Ward Member disclosed an interest in all planning matters, and left meeting before any discussions took place.
Cllr Barbara Small declared personal interest in planning application 2008/1293. Cllr Small took no part in the discussions surrounding this application.
27 MEETING WITH:
Police - PC Phil Barrow/SC Price
PC Barrow reported that there have been the following problems in Gowerton:
No major issues within Gowerton, however there has been youths drinking in the Elba park and some local lanes, problems with local shop selling alcohol to under age youths, Litter is also an issue within Gowerton. The police have run several speed camera operations successfully. Council reported the following issues within Gowerton:
1. Youths throwing stones from Woodlands to Gorwydd Rd causing problems to residents and passing drivers.
2. Motorbikes nuisance on cycle paths. PC Barrow advised to try to get registration plate numbers to report.
3. Railway station has been stated as the number one hotspot for crime. PC Barrow advised that this is not under Police jurisdiction; this would fall under the Transport Police remit.
4. Abandoned car in lane between Woodlands/Cecil Rd lane.
28 PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS:
1. Bill and Veronica Bateman:
This representation was made in relation to the proposed development on Gorwydd Lodge, 116 Gorwydd Rd. This resident strongly objects to the proposal of 12no retirement apartments on the existing site. Mr. and Mrs. Bateman have supplied evidence on disk and a photo in relation to an already problematic sewage/drain service in area, and strongly believe that this proposal would serve to exacerbate this problem. It was also reported that there is a risk of flooding in the area, and that there is also an issue in relation to the traffic caused by this development, there is drive access from main road, however this is not sufficient for the volume of vehicles which will lend itself to the proposal and the number of dwellings.
2. Steven Higgins:
Further to the above representation, Mr. Higgins also advised he strongly objected the proposal on Gorwydd Rd. Mr. Higgins stated that he lives next door to the proposal, and he understands that while the application does state that it is retirement apartments, it is not strictly limited to this, this development could lend itself to up to 36 residents. Mr. Higgins also stated that this type of development would be completely out of character with the street scene. If this application of its type was approved it is of concern that this would set a precedent in the area.
3. Kathy - Sterry Rd Resident:
Kathy advised council it was of great concern to her and her partner that they have had their vehicles broken in to 5 times. They have moved their cars several times, however they have had their wing mirrors kicked off. Her partner has a business on Sterry Rd and has locked his car behind the gated car park, but someone climbed over fence and still vandalised his car. They have been told that CCTV is too expensive, however the figures supplied are for all 5 cameras in area. Clerk to contact Community safety to check whether they can supply costings for one camera.
P.C Phil Barrow advised Kathy that CCTV is not always the most effective or viable option, crime detection is something to be looked at initially.
It was also reported that there is a terrible dog muck issue on Sterry road.
Concern is also reported in relation to the existing LNW pub, which is up for sale at the moment, and she is concerned over potential issues raised when it is a public house.
P.C. Phil Barrow stated he would be advised by licensing if this was sold.
29 COUNCIL MINUTES - 4th June 2008
a) the Minutes were accepted as a true record.
b) Matters arising: Noted. The written report of the Clerk regarding matters arising and subsequent actions taken was noted.
30 REPORT OF THE WARD MEMBER
Cllr Sue Jones gave her report: Sue has completed the training element as a new member. During this month has attended her first Health,Social Care and Well Being Scrutiny Board meeting and has been brought up to date on the outstanding items to be completed by the new group – there is some work to complete on Effectiveness of Partnerships, and as a group will then look at the next review to set goals to improve service delivery. There are a number of suggested areas to look at e.g. Changes in the Community Alarm System, Door to Door Rent Collections or Delivery of Children Services. Sue has attended her first meeting at Longfields, attended Gower Forum visits to refurbished cottages in Gower, and also attended two planning site visits in Area 2 (one of which was the Monkey Tree in the new Welsh School). She has been on a visit with a planning officer at the allotment site and called in the application ensuring that all information can be available for the planning committee to make a decision ( I will recommend a site visit for all members of the committee to view the site). There are also a number of individual problems being looked at for residents in Gowerton, arrangement for a home assessment to be carried out to ensure ongoing need for physiotherapy, assisted a person to ensure inclusion on sheltered accommodation list, helping one resident to achieve a good outcome on a boundary issue that has been ongoing for a number of years, also the request for cctv in Sterry Road being addressed. The Dog Litter bin has been installed in Gorwydd Road and the upsidedown 20 mile restriction in Park Road has been corrected.
The Pelican Crossing group has met with Jeff Green (Traffic Section of Highways) and still no money being found By County – we have had a number of fund raising events in the village and have managed to raise £1700 up until Friday of last week. Sue has been to Grovesend Farmers Market on Saturday and they made teas and sold cakes to add to the fund. (Mrs. K.Davies – Headteacher of Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr, Mrs.Elaine Thomas and Gaynor, Maureen Saselle , Ann Davies –Neighbourhood watch and Sue) The Library have put on events and there is support from the Post Office, Pubs and Shops. The whole community are backing this fund raising but there is concern that County are still unable to find any money for this major concern. The group have a stall in the Waunarlwydd Fete on the 5th. Of July and we are collecting Bric a Brac for that.
Highways are looking at extending the yellow lines across the road at the entrance of the Junior School, this will ensure clear vision for the children to cross the road – especially because of the lack of a road crossing patrol person – If anyone could be encouraged to take up this position it would help a great deal to the safety of our children.
Sue has been informed that the planned maintenance of carriageways and footways 2008/2009 schemes to take place over the next year is the resurfacing at C158 Mansel Street and C157 Cefn Stylle Road (the worse sections) There will be a further survey completed in the winter to establish the next 5 year plan and look at the funding.
At the Community Council Forum there was a presentation on the Code of Conduct an has arranged for a copy of the presentation to be sent to Serena for her information.
There has been an AGM of the Swansea Branch of the One Voice Wales and Sue has retained her position as Chairperson of that Committee.
Sue has attended the Concert in St.Johns Church and must congratulate the organisers and the participants for a really good production. She has attended the Veterans Service in St.Mary’s Church and this was a very moving occasion which was attended by many of the local services as well as veterans and armed forces.
Sue has a meeting planned with Chief Sup. Mark Mathias with other ward members for the area on July the 8th and will let you know the outcomes.
Sue has also become aware that Gowerton train station is an apparent hot spot for crime, and will be pursuing this matter with the relevant departments/organisations.
31 PLANNING MATTERS
The Clerk commented upon her written report. RESOLVED:
1. 2008/0757 - 22 Porth Y Waun. Amended description - Part two part first floor side/front extension and change of use of land to form part of residential curtilage. This is an amended plan of previous application 2007/0382 which was withdrawn by applicant on 26/02/2007. No objections providing no larger than original development.
2. 2008/1073 - Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr. Evenly distribute earth to height of approx 300mm over land and hydro seed whole area. This application follows from last meeting as initially the application was unclear as to actual proposal. No objection.
3. 2008/1309 - 44 Cefn Stylle Rd, Gowerton. Detached dwelling with garage. No Objection
4. 2008/1250 - 8 Shaw Street, Gowerton. Two storey side extension. No Objection
5. 2008/1293 - Land occupied by 20 Cae Mansel Rd, Gowerton. Demolition of existing property and erection of two detached houses with garages. No Objection
6. 2008/1316 - 63 Brynymor Rd, Gowerton. Single storey rear extension -(application for Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development). No Objection.
7. 2008/1257 - 116 Gorwydd Rd, Gowerton. Construction of one three storey block apartment of 12no retirement apartments. Strongly Object.
32 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vice-Chairman Cllr Ros Holt stated she had been to see the local performance of ‘Joseph’ and was extremely impressed with the effort and talent within the village. Clerk to write and thank.
33 REPORT OF THE CLERK
(A) MISCELLANEOUSE
RESOLVED that: - Ongoing issue with state of surface on Cae Mansel Rd. Problem with large Lorries delivering to Golf Club. Also speed of through traffic. Clerk to contact highways.
- Ongoing issue re: footpath between Cecil Rd and Woodlands. Ownership is being questioned by resident. Noted.
- Revised Leaflet/Complaint Forms: How to Complain that a local authority member has broken the code of conduct. For distribution.
- ‘All about parish and town Councils’ - booklet for available for members and public. Noted.
- Local Government Partnership Scheme - for circulation.
- Annual Report of the County Archivist - for circulation.
- Ombudsman Annual Report - for circulation.
- Invitation from Swansea Metropolitan University - celebration title change - Thursday 4th September from 11.00am. Noted.
- Letter received from Richard Parry re: amalgamated classes within Gowerton Junior School. Noted.
10. Letter received from resident re litter picking within Gowerton
.A letter has been received in relation to observance of current procedures by the city and County of Swansea in relation to the order in which cutting of grass and litter-picking takes place. The resident stated that from what she has observed the City and County of Swansea do this in the wrong order, they cut the verges first, then litter-pick which causes the litter to be chopped up making it worse.. The resident has stated she has contacted the city and county of Swansea to question this however she has had no response to this. She has requested that the Community Council would perhaps consider contacting the relevant department within the City and County of Swansea to report the issue. Clerk to advise Parks/Highways
11. Co-Option of Councillors for 3 x Vacancies
To date, two applications for co-options have been received, and they have been contacted to advise that Council will be informally interviewing these candidates on 16th July 2008 (3rd Weds in July) to subsequently take their office for Septembers meeting. Clerk to arrange.
12. National Training Programme for Community/Town Councils in Wales
Council have received an invitation to participate in six modules of training designed to inform and develop members, whether recently elected or more experienced. Each module is designed to be delivered in a two and a half hour evening session at convenient venues to avoid excessive travel by participants. The cost of each training module, tailored to the size of the Council will be: OVW members £25.00. Places will be limited to 20 participants and open to all Councillors. Noted by members, and to advise Clerk if interested in attending.
. (B) FINANCIAL MATTERS
The written report submitted by the Clerk was noted. RESOLVED that: a) the following payments are authorised:
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| Creditor
| Item
| £ Amount
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| VAT
inc
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| Virgin Media
| Telephone Adv. Charges
| 32.00
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| Yes
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| Bay Landscapes
| Monthly Cutting Charge
| 384.30
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| Yes
| c)
| Allianz Cornhill
| Annual Insurance Premium renewal
| 540.96
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| Yes
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S137 Payments:
Gowerton Pelican Crossing appeal - £1000.00 (C) CORRESPONDENCE
The items of correspondence were noted.
34 QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS
Following question/issues raised by Members it was RESOLVED that:
a. Cycle track behind Bishwell Rd severely overgrown. Ward member advised she would address this issue. b. Proposal of footpath to be diverted. LC60. Council Resolved to strongly object this application. The City and Council of Swansea have given several reasons why this is necessary; however these can be addressed to object. The area is not a high crime area as indicated. The proposals would impact negatively to many residents, and letters/emails have been received to indicate that local residents are against this proposal. Clerk to object to this proposal to the footpath officer.
Meeting closed at 9.40pm
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Chairman |
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