June 2003

Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held at 'Yr Aelwyd' on Thursday 19th June 2003 at 7.15pm

PRESENT: Councillor Deryc R Rees (Chairman), John David James Morgan, Robin O Griffiths, Mair Lloyd, Ieuan M Lewis, Howard R Davies, WD Vivian Evans, Alfred Tyndale Bailey, D Elwyn Williams, C Merlin Jones, Audrey M Jones, Denzil Williams and Steven William John Richards

16. APOLOGIES: None (all Councillors present)

17. In Attendance: WC Phillips (ex clerk), Police Constable Cyril Bond

The Chairman welcomed PC Cyril Bond to the meeting and thanked Mr WC Phillips for attending.
An invitation to Llangunnor School sports afternoon had been received but the Chairman and Clerk would be unavailable to attend due to other commitments. It was agreed that the Vice Chairman, Councillor SWJ Richards would officially represent the Council. Other members also indicated that they would be pleased to attend.
The Chairman expressed his pleasure that the Agenda was now available in a bilingual format.

The Chairman invited PC Bond to present his report to the Council.

PC Bond provided a statistical analysis of reported offences in the Llangunnor ward area for the period January 2003 - May 2003. As investigative action is on going it is not possible to give absolute detection figures, but generally rates are positive. He felt that various actions being taken in the community should further improve the detection rates and effectively reduce offending:
i) The Mobile CCTV cameras being utilised will impact.
ii) Anti social target team has been established for the Carmarthen Area and will work with communities.
iii) He will conduct Cycle Proficiency training and tests, which should help to establish rapport with the younger children.
iv) The CCTV camera installed in Tregynnwr should help to deter offending.
v) The recently installed improved street lighting and some strategic tree lopping should help matters.

During open discussion, attention was drawn to the high speed of traffic on Rhiw Babell and along Bolahaul and Blaengwastod roads and concern was expressed that it may have been the main factor contributing to a recent accident on Rhiw Babell. Council would welcome action by the Police to reduce speeding along these roads.

PC Bond had raised directly with the auctioneers the issue of the parking difficulties experienced at Pensarn, on auction and previewing days held at the Peter Francis Sales rooms. They regretted the problem and would draw the attention of attendees to the difficulties, but they felt that the Rail Authority, by fencing off land for safety reasons, had contributed to the increased volume of parking on the Pensarn Road.

PC Bond had also broached the parking issue with the Careers Company nearby, who will now take internal action to advise staff and visitors with regard to the problem. Overall PC Bond advised that the matter should be referred to the Highways Authority. (The Clerk informed that this had been actioned)

Drugs offending is always a matter of serious concern to the Community, but PC Bond indicated that the vast majority of the incidents recorded in Llangunnor involved offenders that were passing through on the By-passes. Members noted that the Police have established a parking bay on the Pensarn roundabout, which is bearing fruit in the effort to intercept offenders.

The Chairman thanked PC Bond for his comprehensive presentation and instructed the Clerk to provide PC Bond with the minutes of the Monthly Council meetings, thereby strengthening rapport and joint communication. PC Bond left the meeting at this point

RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 15th May 2003;
ii) The Planning Committee Meeting, but to note that the date of the meeting be changed to 15th May 2003
iii) The Special Planning Committee meeting held on 12th June 2003

i) (minute 144) To note that on the advice of the Members, given at his meeting with the Community Council on 24 April 2003, the Chief Executive of Carmarthenshire County Council had decreed that the Polling Station for the East and West Wards, in future would be held at 'Yr Aelwyd' (subject to availability)
ii) (Minute 145) It was agreed by all members that the Llangunnor Park Association and the Llangunnor Community Action Group should be standing items on the Agenda of Monthly Meetings.
iii) (Minute 146) Mr Cyril Phillips conveyed words of thanks on behalf Mrs Phillips and himself for the gifts presented to them at the Annual Dinner. They appreciated the kindness of the Members and thoroughly enjoyed the evening
iv) (Minute 147 iii) With the 'Green Road' at Nant y Caws now surface cleared, there will be increased usage. There is need to ensure that all the gates across the road are properly closed by users and it was RESOLVED that the County Council be requested to install notices to that effect at each gateway
v) (Minute 148 i) Re: 'Code of Practice Training'. To offer 7.15pm on 11th September as a preferable date with 4th September as an alternative, for the Special Meeting
vi) (Minute 149) To note that the salary payment to Mr Phillips was in respect of May 2003 and similarly the typing allowance to MEF Phillips
vii) (Minute 150 iii) RESOLVED to revise the dates of the October and November meetings to be as follows: Thursday 23 October 2003 , Thursday 27 November 2003 (Venues to be checked and confirmed - See Annex 1)

RESOLVED to receive the minutes of the Annual meeting held on 22nd May 2003 subject to the insertion that Cllr DR Rees had declared an interest in respect of Minute 15 a (iv), as had been noted at the annual meeting

:: At this juncture the Chairman, and agreed by all members, added the following items to the Agenda::

Cllr Howard Davies informed that a preliminary meeting had taken place, prior to the full meeting of the Association, and he will report progress at the July monthly meeting

Cllr Steven Richards informed that the Group is awaiting a reply from the Park Association before a meeting of the Action Group is convened

During a general discussion on the Bus Shelter provision in the Council area the following points were noted:
i) The Bus Shelter near 'Yr Aelwyd' will be replaced with a modern facility by the County Council
ii) Members were pleased to learn that the County Council will provide Shelters on both sides of the A484 road adjacent to the Safeway Stores
iii) With new County Council Bus Shelter provision at Pibwrlwyd in place, it was RESOLVED as follows:
a) The Shelter on the College side of the road to remain, as it continues to be used.
b) To take steps to dispose of the Shelter located outside 'Ty Coch'. It was agreed by Members for Cllr D Williams to establish whether the occupant of Ty Coch would be interested in acquiring the Bus Shelter, and report back on the matter at the July meeting

Following a discussion, with advice provided by the retiring clerk Mr WC Phillips, it was RESOLVED:
i) To appoint Auditors for 1 year only and review annually.
ii) That Mr WC Phillips and the Clerk prepare a tender brief to audit the Council's financial operations for the year 1 April 2002 - 31 March 2003
iii) To invite tenders from local Accountants.

Concern had been expressed by local residents regarding variation of operating hours Councillor CM Jones agreed to obtain confirmation of the operating hours from the County Council

The monthly schedule of expenditure was considered and following clarification of certain items it was RESOLVED to approve as follows:

A) Council is requested to consider and approve the following items of expenditure:

The following items to be paid from the Chairman's Allowance

B) Council to note receipt of income: None

RESOLVED to receive the monthly schedule of correspondence and agreed action as follows:

i) Further consideration was given to traffic speed on Rhiw Babell and the incidence of a recent accident. It was RESOLVED that:
(a) the question of speed should be referred to the Police and
(b) The County Council should explore the introduction of a 'No Right Turn' directional sign at the junction of the lane leading from Montana to link with Rhiw Babell opposite Penybanc.
ii) Following further electricity supply stoppages in the Llangunnor area, without prior warning, the excessive frequency of such stoppages should be brought to the attention of 'Energy Watch'. It was agreed that Councillors should diary future stoppages so that firm information would be available to support representation to the appropriate 'watchdog agency'.
iii) The deplorable surface condition of the road between the Police HQ and Bryn Meysydd at Login, to be brought to the attention of the Carmarthenshire County Council Highways Department.
iv) Numerous pavements in the Llangynnwr area have not been provided with 'dropped curbs'. The County Council to be asked about future plans to complete installation.
v) General conditions around Pensarn and Sticle footpath were raised. It was acknowledged that the County Council had completed much tidying and clearing on Sticle, but it was agreed that regular attention was required. The Council to be requested to tidy the area along Old Llangunnor Road, from the Bridge to the junction with Pensarn Road. The need for trashing the footways on various estates and particularly around Clos Sticle was highlighted and to be brought to the attention of the County Council.
vi) Following issues raised on street lighting provision, it was agreed to include as an item on the Agenda of the July meeting.
vii) Concern was expressed at the poor condition of the fencing at the rear of the pavement on the river side of Llangunnor Road, between the Old Llangunnor Road junction and the Decorating Centre. Councillor CM Jones agreed to raise this matter with the Area Surveyor.
vii) Carmarthenshire County Council to confirm that it will cut the hedges along Pibwrlwyd Lane this year, as they were not trashed in 2002.
ix) Request to be made to the County Council for the provision of a pavement along Capel Dewi Road, from Star Cottage to Glan Towy Lodge, in view of new housing developments in the area.
x) County Council to review its cutting operation of the Llangunnor playing field as some parts have not been mowed. The hedge also needs to be cut.
xi) Coleg Sir Gar Restaurant Staff to be thanked for the provision of an excellent dinner after the Annual General Meeting.
xii) It was agreed that the Community Council owned spare seating bench should be sited along the footpath near the 'Wetlands' in Pensarn. Council RESOLVED as follows: Cllr M Lloyd and the Clerk to determine the location and to instruct Mr E Williams, Pantycelyn to install.
Cllr DE Williams declared interest with regard to the instruction
xiii) To establish the effective date when the new lighting installed in the Tregynnwr Area, will be adopted by the County Council.
xiv) To remind the Carmarthenshire County Council, HL Unit that the Council is awaiting its response to the request made in February for estimate of costs of installation and survey of lighting, in specified areas within the Community.

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