November 2003

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd' on Thursday 27th November 2003 at 7.15pm

PRESENT: Councillor Deryc R Rees (Chairman), John David James Morgan, Robin O Griffiths, Howard R Davies, WD Vivian Evans, Alfred Tyndale Bailey, D Elwyn Williams, Audrey M Jones and Denzil Williams

APOLOGIES: Councillor C Merlin Jones, Mair Lloyd, Ieuan M Lewis and PC C Bond

In Attendance: C James

Chairman was pleased to see Cllr RO Griffiths in the meeting, following his illness and period in hospital and congratulated him on the Community Award

The Chairman welcomed Ms C James to the meeting as an observer and thanked her for her interest in the work of the Council.

He informed Members that as the guest of the Mayor he had attended the Town's Christmas Lights switching on ceremony, which he felt had exceeded expectation this year and was a very successful evening. Next year the lights may be extended to include Carmarthen Bridge

The Chairman apologised that he would be unable to attend the Annual Red Cross Charity Concert at the Lyric Theatre. He also reminded Members that the Christmas Dinner was arranged for Thursday evening 11th December and names should be confirmed with the Clerk

It was with feelings of regret that he informed Members that Cllr S Richards, Vice Chairman, had resigned from the Council. He paid tribute to Cllr Richards' contributions to the Council.

RESOLVED to:
i) The Clerk to explore with neighbouring Community Councils their arrangements for Christmas festive lighting with the view that Llangunnor should consider having lights in 2004.
ii) Agreed for the Clerk to represent the Council at the Red Cross Concert.
iii) To thank Cllr Steve Richards for his contributions as Councillor and to wish him the best for the future. Also to express the Council's wish that he continues a member of Llangunnor Action Group

RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 23rd October 2003 subject to the amendment of minute 59(vii) to read: planning seminar;
ii) The Planning Committee Meeting held on 23rd October 2003

i) (Minute 53(i)) Councillors received copies of the Rates of Travelling and Subsistence Allowances payable to elected members of Local Authorities as approved by the National Assembly for Wales RESOLVED to adopt the rates.
ii) (Minute 53 (ii)) Cllr RO Griffiths, as Chairman of Llangunnor School Governors, requested Council's agreement for the previous year's wreath to be used by the local Primary School. RESOLVED to agree to the request
iii) (Minute 53(iii)) it was RESOLVED to present Cllr Griffiths with the Council's Certificate at the Christmas Dinner
iv) (Minute 54(ii)) Clerk informed that he was still awaiting a response RESOLVED to refer the matter to County Cllr CM Jones to progress
v) (Minute 54(vii)) Members were pleased with the clearing work completed on Babell Hill and the cattle grid referred to in the minutes. It was noted that footpaths would be cleared of leaves by the County Council in the near future
vi) (Minute 56) Further representations by the residents of Talar had been received via correspondence from the Assembly Member
vii (Minute 57) Clerk informed members that the County Council Transportation Department had confirmed in writing that it would investigate the feasibility of installing speed limit repeater signs. It was noted that the Police mobile speed camera has been operating on Rhiw Babell.
viii) (Minute 59(viii)) Cllr D Williams tabled the following Policing Priorities for 2004/5: 1. To support and encourage new legislation for controlling the use of, and the sale of, fireworks. 2. To increase the use of CCTV in local hot spots to reduce unsocial and antisocial behaviour. 3. To increase police presence in local communities, and raise awareness of antisocial problems, by visiting schools and colleges RESOLVED To endorse the priorities and forward to the Dyfed Powys Police Authority. The Chairman thanked Cllr D Williams for formulating the priorities
ix) (Minute 59(ix)) Cllr RO Griffiths emphasised the urgency of securing a solution to the traffic problems encountered daily at the beginning and end of the school day, along Penymorfa Lane. He believed the matter should be brought to the attention of the National Assembly as well as the County Council. After discussion it was RESOLVED to bring to attention of the County Council the urgent need for a pavement from Pont Pensarn to the School. Subject to the response of the County Council, the National Assembly to be lobbied on the matter
x) (Minute 60(ii)) Cllr Griffiths reported that the CCTV camera at Tregynnwr had been removed and for security reasons it is not possible to visit the CCTV Operational Centre RESOLVED to write to Carmarthenshire County Council requesting that camera be permanently located in Tregynnwr
xi) (Minute 60(iv)) Clerk to make arrangements to present the Council Certificate to Harri Williams and Corporal Nigel Evans (Minute 40(i) Monthly meeting 17/7/03 refers)

The Clerk reported on the letter received from Cllr S Richards, dated 13th November 2003, and informed members that since the resignation is within six months of the end of the term of the present Council, there was no obligation upon to Council to fill the casual vacancy created. It was RESOLVED to:
(i) note receipt of the letter;
(ii) not fill the casual vacancy, in line with the six months dispensation;
(iii) write to the Llangunnor Action Group to secure a means for it to report on its work to the Council;
(iv) appoint Cllr Denzil Williams as Vice Chairman until the new council is elected in 2004. (Nominated by, Cllr JDJ Morgan and seconded by Cllr Howard Davies - all members in agreement). Cllr Williams accepted the appointment and thanked members for their confidence in him. It was further RESOLVED that if the National Assembly for Wales, extends the term of the present Council until the European Elections in June 2004 (Minute 59x refers) the term of office of the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Chairman of Planning be correspondingly extended

Cllr HR Davies reported that the Association had received a letter from the Llangunnor Action Group stating that it was withdrawing its proposal for the construction of a Community Hall on Llangunnor Park. Boards to the sides of the Pavilion had been broken and the need to drain parts of the BMX and skateboard tracks had been noted. Following discussion it was RESOLVED to:
i) request Mr E Williams to repair the broken boards
ii) Place 'Community Hall' on the agenda of the January 2004 monthly meeting

As Cllr S Richards had resigned, no report had been received

The Clerk reported on the comprehensive positional report prepared by the County Lighting Officer and the Lighting Contractor, in conjunction with himself, after conducting a visit to examine all the Council's footway lighting. Unfortunately the Contractor had not been able to cost the Council's identified priorities in time for the meeting

Following a general discussion it was RESOLVED to:
(i) note that the County Council will meet the cost of replacing the lighting column at Penybanc, Rhiw Babell. (The role of Cllr CM Jones in securing the replacement light be noted);
(ii) note that the County Council will install new lighting at Login Square;
(iv) note that a number of lighting columns in Brynmeurig and Tregynnwr were badly corroded and in need of replacing;
(v) note that the Nantycaws area had been included in the analysis. (Cllr WDV Evans stated that he was very pleased with the inclusion of Nantycaws requirements in the report);
(vi) defer consideration of priorities until the costing had been received from the Lighting Contractor.
(vii) the Clerk to receive a 'special meeting' allowance for undertaking the lighting survey.

The Clerk presented the Council's financial position as at 31st October 2003. It was RESOLVED to receive the report and note the current position

:: Cllr D E Williams declared his interest in this item and did not take part in the discussion ::

Members focussed on the need for more attention being required to maintain the Community's open spaces in good order. Council keeps requesting County Council in piecemeal fashion to undertake work whereas a more structured arrangement would be far more beneficial.

Following discussion and the identification of various strategies, it was RESOLVED to write to Carmarthenshire County Council Chief Executive for his view on delegating defined County Council responsibilities, with a commensurate financial allocation, to the Community Council

As a result of representations made by the Community Council during the consultation period on the draft UDP, the Council is invited to submit its views to the Public Inquiry to be held in February 2004.
RESOLVED that the Chair of Planning and the Clerk represent the Council at the Inquiry

Council RESOLVED as follows:
(i) both the Council Monthly Meetings and the Planning Meetings to be held on the third Thursday of the month, in 'Yr Aelwyd' and commencing at 7.15pm.
(ii) accept the dates for the whole of 2004 subject to the Council, after the 2004 elections, agreeing that no meeting be held in August and that the December 2004 meeting be held on the 2nd Thursday - namely 9th December 2004

The monthly schedule was received and it was RESOLVED: to approve the following expenditure.

To note:

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

i) RESOLVED to request the County Council to:
• Install drop curbs in pavements in Pensarn and on the Elder Grove estate;
• Provide a progress report on the request made for new lighting at the A48/B4300 junction, Nantycaws.
• Conduct a safety analysis of the bus shelter at the bottom of Nantycaws Hill;
• Repair the railings along Penymorfa Lane near the junction with the B4300 as a matter of urgency;
• Incorporate Dog Fouling signs into the new pavement scheme underway along Login Road;
• Provide pavement access and road crossing provision to the new Currys and PC World units being built at Towy Ford Retail Park

ii) It was further RESOLVED to:
• Thank Cllr C M Jones for his considerable effort in getting the pavement provided along Login Road.
• Establish contact with Currys and PC World in view of their progress towards store openings in the Spring.
• Place on future agendas, discussion on the current state of the Health Service in the Area and the need for safety barriers along Capel Dewi Road.

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