COMMUNITY COUNCILLORS

SOUTHGATE WARD
Dr. Ralph. Cook 233822
Ms. Adele Gerke 234942
Mr. Gerald Gregory 233736
Mr. Nigel King 233124
Mr. Peter Lanfear 233624
Mrs. Helen Langford 233365
Mrs Margaret Smith 233790
Mr. George Nash 234425
Mr Andrew Thomas 234310
Dr. Margaret Waymark 233607

KITTLE WARD
Mrs. Lynda James 234316
Mr. Wes Weeks 234180
Ms. Catherine Bryden
-Smith 232518

CITY & COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Mrs. Margaret
Smith 233790

CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
Mr. Brian Smith 232390

New Councillors
Since the last Newsletter three Councillors have resigned namely Peter Morris, Sian Musgrave and Elizabeth Radcliffe. We are grateful to them all for the contributions which they made.

Margaret Smith, whom we all know as a City Councillor has now been co-opted to the Community Council. Margaret was first elected to the Community Council in 1974 so for her it is a return. Andrew Thomas, who has been back in the village for 5 years, is married with two daughters and two grandchildren. He works as a Finance Manager for a Development Trust charity. His main concern is the protection of the environment to ensure we continue to enjoy the wonderful area in which we live.

At the time of going to press there is still one vacancy.

Chairman’s Report
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow councillors for all the support, time and effort they have put in trying to keep Pennard a place we can be proud of. I would also like to thank everyone else in Pennard who has freely given their time and expertise in helping us to achieve this.
No doubt by now you have noticed the new speed restriction signs outside the school, which by the time you are reading this should be working correctly, i.e. showing a 20 mph limit in school hours.
The overhead power cables on the playing field are now being taken down and placed underground thus removing an eyesore and possibly at last allowing kite flying there.
The www.gowercc .org.uk Community Council website has now been up and running for just over 12 months. It now has a facility for expressing your opinions on local matters, your Council or on any issues relating to the Gower. Please do use this and let us know what you think and feel on matters important to you. Are there any other facilities you would like to see in Pennard e.g. allotments.
You may or may not be aware that the Pennard Residents Association no longer exists. I would very much like to see this group reformed. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact me.
Please remember we are here for you.

Environment Committee
This new committee has recently been formed in order to look at the environment in which we live and to look at ways of improving it. Some of the items we have identified for possible action are regular community litter picks, dog fouling, wild flower and tree planting and rationalisation of highway signs.

However, we are always open to suggestion. So if you care about your environment and feel that there is an issue that we could address, please advise the Clerk.

Our first community litter pick will be held on Saturday 24 November at 10 am, meeting in the Community Hall Car park (weather permitting). Gloves, bags etc provided. ALL WELCOME.

Burial Ground Report
In the last few months we have had trouble with moles which has made the burial ground uneven. We have also found that some of the head stones have had small gardens planted in front of them. This causes problems for the company looking after the burial ground and I would ask that you restrict yourselves to flowers on the graves or vases on the plinths.
We are also finding it difficult to contact the right people when problems arise because many of the next of kin are not known to us, the burial ground being over 50 years old.

Facilities for Young People
We are making some progress with a half pipe to be located on the Field. We have located one, had the safety check to ensure it is practicable. The pipe itself is a second hand one so, currently, we plan to have the pipe delivered, then repaired on site before installation.

Whereas the above are all useful sources of revenue, the Field continues to be used by many of the young people as a meeting place and many parents and grandparents who take children to the play area. We will also need to undertake some more ground reinstatement works if we are to retain the playing area to a reasonable standard.

Community Hall
We have recently undertaken some drainage works so that, hopefully, the car park will drain better and those going to the hall will no longer have to paddle to reach their cars.

We spent a considerable time negotiating a prospective tenancy which, in the end, fell through. However, we are now hopeful that we have another tenant. There will be fewer alterations required and the work may well start soon.

The hall is available at weekends for parties, dances and other social events. To book the Hall, please contact the Clerk.

Neighbourhood Watch
The Committee, through the street reps continues to strive to develop a good working relationship with the police to assist in reducing crime. Through various initiatives the Committee continues to raise awareness and to encourage positive actions from residents to report any suspicious to the contacts available. The Committee is chaired by Jeff Eley (233196) with Sior Roberts as the Secretary (234224) and consists of Mark Henwood, George Nash, Lynda James, Roger Jenkins, Alan Clarke, Wes Weeks and Ronald Harvey. The organisation is now in its 12th year and boasts 55 street wardens, whose names and telephone numbers can be found in the mini Handbook. It should however, be emphasised that we are a low crime area.

All of them enjoy a healthy relationship with the Community Council, neighbourhood watch and local businesses, whilst providing a visible uniform presence in the community. They are thus part of the framework of the community and this project will be supported for the foreseeable future. Summer 2007 was one of the quietest in terms of crime in Pennard area for some years, due in no small part to the work of the three officers. The officers can be contacted on the mobile numbers above and are there to respond to the demands of the community. If they are unable to assist on a specific issue (for example, if it does not fall within its remit) they will refer the matter to the appropriate agency.

Regular PACT meetings, which give the residents a chance to meet with the officers, have also been introduced. Whereas this process is not without its problems, it is very much a work in progress which, it is hoped, will develop into a useful method of giving the local community a voice. South Wales Police introduced these officers into the community to show the commitment it has to providing a visible uniformed presence not only to prevent crime but also to provide reassurance.

Financial Matters
In December we will, once again, be setting the precept for the next financial year. As we said last year we will try to restrict the amount we request. Our continued aim is to give value for money whilst maintaining the field, hall and burial ground as valuable amenities. If you have any ideas of things we should be doing, please contact your local councillor.

Survey Report
Just a few lines to thank all of you, who took time to complete the questionnaires, which we circulated with the last newsletter. Sadly there were very few. The analysis of the replies seemed to follow a similar pattern. In the facility section nearly everyone thought that the field, community hall and burial ground were important. In the activity section lobbying and working with the Council seemed to be the most important, followed by the sections on highways, village groups and working with other community councils. In the comments section, the major complaint related to cattle and horses straying around the estates and main road. (it should be noted that currently they are not in Pennard). The debate on this has taken much time but, sadly, we are as far away from a solution as ever.

Elections
The Community Council, who as we try to explain are trying to improve the amenities and quality of life in Pennard, are due for re-election next year. It would be great if we were to actually have an election. Please think about putting yourself forward as a prospective councillor. It is no big secret that the average age of the Council is in the upper age bracket. We do have different perspectives and it would be a good idea if we were to have some interest from both younger members of the community and also from those who have moved to Pennard in the last few years.

Pennard Carnival 2007
This year’s carnival was nearly rained off, but again the sun shone down on us on the Saturday. We would like to thank all who braved the weather to attend the Friday evenings concert. We had a tremendous turnout of floats of all shapes and sizes. Well done to everyone you took part, you had obviously all worked hard.
Pennard Carnival will be held on Saturday 19th July in 2008 and Dunvant Male Voice Choir will be singing again in the marquee on Friday evening. There will be a live band playing on Saturday night, and a non-denominational church service will take place on Sunday morning.
The carnival and procession will again commence from Kittle Green, moving to Southgate cliffs where the floats, including the children of Pennard Primary School will join the procession.
Our committee is small and the success of the carnival depends on volunteers on the day. We would like to extend our gratitude to all who helped over the weekend as with out them the carnival could not happen. A special thanks to the WI who provided teas and cakes all afternoon and made an outstanding contribution to the carnival funds. All the profits from the carnival, except for the working capital, go to the upkeep and refurbishment of the Parish Hall.
If you can help in any way, or require a stall, then please ring Lynda James on 234316.
If you have any ideas for ring events or games etc please contact David Wintle on 232626.

PARISH HALL BOOKINGS –Please contact as below for information

PENNARD CHURCH - Contact the Vicar 232928