September 2003

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd' on Thursday 18th September 2003 at 7.15pm

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

APOLOGIES: Councillor John David James Morgan and WD Vivian Evans

IN ATTENDANCE: Police Constable C Bond

The Chairman referred to the Council's Civic Service held in Llangunnor Church on Sunday 14th September 2003. He was very pleased to have had the presence of the Chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council, Cllr D Williams and Mrs Williams; Mayor of Carmarthen Town, Cllr P Hughes Griffiths; Chairman of Llanddarog CC. Cllr S Evans; and Chairman of Llandyfaelog CC, Cllr Glenn Jones. The service was conducted by the Vicar, Canon Aled Griffiths and the lessons were read by the Chairman and the Clerk. He thanked all Councillors for their support

The Chairman informed that he had written to congratulate Mererid Hopwood, Awel Tywi, Llangunnor, on winning the Crown in the National Eisteddfod held at Meifod, near Welshpool, in August. He added that this achievement was exceptional as she had been the chaired bard in 2001

The Chairman reported that he had made a donation to the newly formed Wales Branch of the South Atlantic Medal Association 82 (SAMA82). (The Members warmly appreciated a letter of thanks received from SAMA)

The Chairman wished Council to note the letter received from a Mr H Smith, Penymorfa Lane, expressing his thanks for the installation of the seating bench near the 'Wetlands' in Pensarn. (The Clerk to respond.)

The Chairman reported on the One Voice Wales/Un Llais Cymru consultation meeting he had attended. He felt that Community Councils would benefit when this all-Wales body is established in April 2004. Training would be available to Councillors and Clerks, a sharper focus on the Code of Conduct and planning matters could be clarified on a national basis. Above all he believed that the profile of Community Councils would be enhanced as a result, and economics of scale achieved could improve support services to Councils. There will be further detailed discussion again at the WACTC National Conference in October, which he will be attending.

The Chairman thanked the Vice Chairman Cllr SWJ Richards for chairing the July Monthly Meeting in his absence and thanked Cllr HR Davies for attending the Licensing Consultation Meeting and the Taf/Myrddin/Teifi group, on behalf of the Community Council.

The Chairman referred also to the Code of Conduct presentation, held on 11th September 2003. He felt it had proved informative and particularly useful in addressing the sensitivities attached to Code of Conduct issues. He was sure that all who had attended would have benefited from the presentation by Carmarthenshire County Council. The Chairman welcomed PC. Bond to the meeting and invited him to present his report to the Council.

He was pleased to report that during the summer months only a few minor incidents had required a police response in the community. He believed that the established Housing Liaison Committee is proving effective and is promoting a multi-agency approach to tackling local problems and issues. He was getting more closely involved with the primary school activities, such as cycling proficiency, sports day and involvement in school assembly. The older group of children, however, was causing some problems but a sensible non-confrontational approach was being exercised. He emphasised the need to target the group. He reported that the CCTV near 'Yr Aelwyd' had been replaced and will soon be operational. Addressing specific issues which had been raised previously by the Community Council he advised Members that:
i) The issue of the van regularly parking in the bus lay-by in Pensarn had been seen to.
ii) The service bus stopping at the bottom of Babell Hill was subject to a 'Hail & Ride' contract with the County Council. (The bus company had advised the Clerk that drivers would be notified of the Council's concern and requested to take special care at that location).
iii) Will be regularly monitoring the incidence of trailers parked at Login Square.
iv) Traffic monitoring along Babell Hill had resulted in motorist prosecutions and warnings, but it was felt that a more permanent strategy aimed at reducing speed, should be introduced.

It was RESOLVED to include this matter on the Agenda of the October Meeting

RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of:
i) The Monthly Council Meeting held on 17th July 2003, subject to the amendment of Minute 39 viii) to read Carmarthen Town Council.
ii)The Planning Committee Meeting held on 17th July 2003
iii) The Special Meeting held on 26th August 2003

i) (Minute 31) Council noted the explanation provided by the Mayor of Carmarthen Town with regard to the Admiral Court Day.
ii) (Minute 32ii)) the next monthly meeting would be held on 23rd October at Llangunnor School.
iii) (Minute 32iii)) Mr Cross, Ty Coch Cottage had declared interest in acquiring the bus shelter. The Council was awaiting a response from Carmarthenshire County Council.
iv) (Minute 32 vi)) Councillor CM Jones reported that the County Council needed to resolve a legal matter before they were in a position to confirm the operational hours.
v) (Minute 34a resolution iii)) Members wished to note that other individuals had been active in developing the Park and in particular, Members acknowledged the work undertaken by Cllr C.M. Jones.
vi) (Minute 36) The Clerk reported that two further representations had been received from Talar residents, Members noted the representations and RESOLVED to consider same when reviewing footway lighting priorities at the October meeting.
vii) (Minute 36 resolution iii) Members noted the apology received from the Chief Executive of Carmarthenshire County Council and are now awaiting a response from Steill Inframan with regard to the lighting survey.
viii) (Minute 37) The Clerk had been advised that the name Brynhyfryd/Mount Pleasant was unacceptable to the Postal Services. Members wished to record that in future it should act on naming development sites at the time when planning applications are received.
xi) (Minute 39 iv)) Members put forward the following suggestions as projects for the Carmarthenshire Youth Offending Team: - (i) General tidying work in the Pensarn area (from ATS to Focus and along Old Llangunnor Road). (ii) The pavement from Pennant Cottage to Philadelphia Chapel is overgrown and needs clearing. (iii) Clearing litter at the town end of Sticle Path. (iv) Regular work to keep Llangunnor Park clean and tidy. During the identification of projects, Members re-affirmed the need for the Council to 'employ' a handyman and it was RESOLVED to consider further at the November meeting. (x) (Minute 39 viii) Cllr HR Davies reported on the Taf/Myrddin/Teifi Group meeting, which he had attended. Much discussion had surrounded the NAW proposal to establish 'One Voice Wales/Un Llais Cymru'. It was understood that each Council would make its own decision on membership and that the annual subscription levied would relate to chargeable dwellings. Councillor Davies reported that training relating to the new licensing arrangements would be offered to Community Councils. The County Council complaints procedures were highlighted at the meeting and will be covered in detail at the next meeting of the group in December.The Chairman thanked Councillor Davies for the report and it was REOLVED to: (i) Receive the training on licensing when offered. (ii) Request the Clerk to attend future Taf/Myrddin/Teifi Group Meetings on a 'special meeting' basis. xi) (Minute 39 viii)) The Chairman reported on the joint meeting held with the Mayor of Carmarthen Town Council and the Chief Executive of Carmarthenshire County Council to promote improvements on both sides of the River Tywi in Carmarthen. The meetings had been positive and constructive and he was assured that the County Council would be addressing this matter following completion of the current plans to build the footbridge crossing and other major projects. xii) (Minute 40) Awaiting a response from the Evans family. Councillor AM Jones offered to contact the family.

i) The AGM had been delayed.
ii) All the work in hand at the Park had been completed

As no meeting had taken place, Councillor SWJ Richards, Chairman of the Group, had nothing further to report

Members agreed that the document presented a comprehensive analysis of the housing situation in the County. The strategy was welcomed and is seen as notably ambitious. The amount of loss of income resulting from vacant homes was of concern to Members together with the high level of tenants entitled to rent rebate, which reflected the weak state of the local economy in certain parts of the County. Members felt that the County Council's strategy should highlight the need to provide housing for young people unable to purchase their own property in these times when house price increases, out strip inflation and income levels. The strategy could be positively weighted to encourage young families to take up the empty housing.

These views to be conveyed to the County Council

After broad discussion on the document it was RESOLVED that Members would respond individually by returning completed questionnaires directly to the County Council. The Community Council would not submit one composite response.

The monthly schedule of expenditure was considered and it was RESOLVED as follows:

i) To query the annual rental charge levied by the County Council for the playing field, since Llangunnor Park Association had already paid the County Council the lease charges to cover the period of the lease

ii) To approve the following expenditure:

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

i) The Clerk informed Members that he was planning a special meeting with the Carmarthenshire C.C. Area Manager (acting) responsible for local Highways and Street Scene, to highlight local issues previously identified by Members. Members supported the Clerk's proposal and requested that the following items be included:
• Dangerous deep hole in the road near Dan y Coed,
• Absence of footway access to the New Currys/PC World store at Pensarn.
• Low height of Power cables in Pensarn, impeding car transporters from entering garage premises to unload.
• Need for maintenance work to be carried out to the cattle grid and wicket gate on the road leading from Heol Capel Dewi, to Nant Farm.
• Side growth reducing width of pavement from Penybanc to the entrance to Tregynnwr estate on Rhiw Babell; and from Glanffynnon to Parc y Swn; the Talar side of the hedge forming the boundary with Elder Grove.
• The shabbiness resulting from un-trashed hedges around telegraph poles and the growth left, that obscures road signs.
• The poor surface condition of Penymorfa Lane

ii) Councillor CM Jones informed that it had been agreed that the County Council would arrange to trash the upper section of Sticle footpath (above Penymorfa Lane) four times per year. Councillor Jones will pursue the need for the County Council to replace the litterbins along Sticle with, non-combustible 'heavy duty' type bins

iii) Llangunnor School to be congratulated on being appointed the Centre for the provision of specific education for all deaf pupils of primary school age in Carmarthenshire.

iv) Western Power to be notified of the Council's concern relating to the low height of the overhead power cables in Pensarn. As it is proposed by the County Council that Pensarn Road is to be re-surfaced, Western Power should be encouraged to re-route the cables underground before work commences on the road.

v) The CCTV located Near Tywi Ford petrol station is now operational.

vi) The Environment Agency to be notified that the 'flood flaps' on the Pensarn side of the River Tywi appear to have silted up.

vii) Western Power to be reminded of the need to lower the level of the underground cables at the entrance to the Park so that the obstructing mound of earth can be removed.

ix) Christmas Dinner: Councillor D Williams tabled dates offered by Coleg Sir Gar, Pibwrlwyd. Thursday 11th September 2003 was agreed by Members as the preferred date. It was RESOLVED that: Councillor D Willliams to confirm the date and to circulate the Menu to Members. It was further RESOLVED to invite the following: -
Canon Aled Griffiths and Mrs Griffiths; Clerk and Mrs Davies; Mr C Philips (ex-Clerk) and Mrs Phillips; Chairman's Consort; Councillor M Lloyd's guest.

Before closing the meeting the Chairman congratulated Councillors CM Jones and AM Jones on the celebration of their Golden Wedding Anniversary. All Members extended their best wishes and congratulations and wished them happiness in the future

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