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January 2004

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in Llangunnor School on Thursday 15th January 2004 at 7.15pm

PRESENT: Councillor Deryc R Rees (Chairman), Robin O Griffiths, Alfred Tyndale Bailey, Mair Lloyd, Audrey M Jones, C Merlin Jones, WD Vivian Evans, Denzil Williams, Howard R Davies and D Elwyn Williams

APOLOGIES: Councillor John David James Morgan and Ieuan M Lewis

In Attendance:PC Cyril Bond

81. Chairman's Announcements

The Chairman said that he was pleased with the presentation of the Council Certificate to Harri Williams before the commencement of the meeting. He thanked the Members for attending. It was agreed that:
(i) The Clerk writes to thank Mr Robert Lloyd (Cllr M Lloyd's son) for his kindness in arranging copies of the report and makes arrangements for Harri Williams to purchase a frame for the certificate;
(ii) A copy of the report be provided to Ysgol Llangynnwr. (Cllr RO Griffiths, as Chairman of the School Governors, received the copy on behalf of the school.)

The Chairman informed Members that he had visited Cllr I M Lewis at his home and was pleased to say that he was making a fine recovery from his operation. He had presented a get-well gift token to Cllr Lewis from the Chairman's fund. The Chairman welcomed Cllr M Lloyd to the meeting following her period of ill health. The Chairman thanked Cllr D Williams, Vice Chairman, for chairing the December meeting, in his absence.

He informed Members of the seminar organised by the National Assembly and attended by the Council representatives (Chair, Vice Chair, Cllrs HR Davies & AT Bailey) to consider the recommendations contained in the survey report, produced by UCW Aberystwyth, on the role, functions and future potential of community and town councils in Wales. It was a wide-ranging meeting and covered the main elements of the report. He advised Members to study the published summary of the report (all Members have been issued a copy) as the recommendations for changes included in the report, will now be considered further by the National Assembly.
The Chairman welcomed PC Bond to the meeting and invited him to present his report.

82. Police Report

PC Bond said he was pleased to report that only a few minor incidents had required police action during recent months. He had pursued the incidence of parked cars obstructing the pavements in Pensarn and would continue to monitor the situation, especially during the period of the closure of Carmarthen Bridge.
He reported that the mobile speed camera that operated recently on Rhiw Babell had resulted in the issue of 31 verbal warnings to drivers and one pending prosecution.

During discussion on the matter of traffic speed it was RESOLVED to request the County Council to introduce traffic calming measures on Bolahaul, Blaengwastod roads and on Rhiw Babell. The Chairman thanked PC. Bond for the report.

83. Minutes

RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 18th December 2003 subject to the addition to Minute 79(ix) (ii) to emphasise to the County Council the need to ensure the minimum of disruption to local businesses and residents during the period of works.
ii) The Planning Committee Meeting held on 18th December 2003 subject to noting that the date of the meeting was the 18th December 2003 and the recording of the declaration of interest made by Councillors RO Griffiths & CM Jones with regard to the planning application W/05710. Also in relation to this application, it was further RESOLVED to clarify that the Council had no objection in principle to the application and to reaffirm the Council's observations submitted to the Planning Authority

In considering the minutes the following points were raised:

i) Minute 74(iii). As the railings remained un-repaired it was RESOLVED to remind the County Council of the prevailing danger and the urgency for action.
ii) Minute 74 (iv) Cllr CM Jones will continue to make enquires with the County Council relating to the disposal of the Bus Shelter at Pibwrlwyd.
iii) Minute 75(b) Cllr CM Jones reported that he had been informed that the Llangunnor Action Group is being wound up.

84a. Llangunnor Park Association

Cllr HR Davies, Chairman of the Park Association presented a report on the work of the Association which highlighted the following points:
(i) The AGM will be held in 'Yr Aelwyd' at 7.00pm on 18th February 2004.
(ii) The Park Association is of the view that Llangunnor should have a community hall, but recommends that initially, a feasibility study should be conducted to establish the community's requirements.
(iii) Vandalism remains an issue of deep disappointment to the Association and Cllr Davies reported that the latest incidents have rendered the solar panels ineffective. The installation company has been approached to assess the damage and also the insurance company has been contacted. The pavilion side-panels are frequently broken and most of the 500 trees planted in the Park have been destroyed.
(iv) The time commitment and energy invested by members of the Association in dealing with the detailed formal work involved in transforming, what was essentially a private field, into a public park and playing field for the enjoyment of the whole community, has been considerable and noteworthy.
(v) It should be noted that except for Community Council grants and proceeds from a 'golf day', all the funds for the development of the Park have been raised from outside bodies.
(vi) With so little money raised by the community itself, it would appear, therefore, that any further enhancements at the park will need a similar amount of commitment to secure 'matched' funding.
(vii) The Association acknowledeges the work and support of Mr E Williams (handyman) who has seen to the maintenance of the park and for the commitment of Cllr D Williams for regularly keeping an eye on the safety aspects of the equipment.
(viii) The Council should apply for dispensation for the 4 Members representing the Council (CMJ, HRD, ROG and DW) to enable them to participate fully in all matters relating to the Park and Playing Field.

The Chairman thanked Cllr HR Davies for the comprehensive report

After discussion on the report it was RESOLVED:
(i) Notices of the AGM can be displayed on the Council Noticeboards
(ii) Write to the Chief Constable regarding the issue of vandalism.
(iii) Write to the County Council's Public Protection Dept. requesting advice and support on means to forbid dog fouling on the Park and Playing Field.
(iv) Apply to the Monitoring Officer, Carmarthenshire County Council, for the granting of dispensation that would enable the Councillors who serve on the Park Association to participate fully in Council deliberations concerning the Park and Playing Field.

84b. Llangunnor Action Group

It was understood by Members that the Group was to be wound up and that consideration is being given by the Group Officials, to transfer residual monies to the Community Council.

85. Footway Lighting

The Clerk presented a report summarising the footway lighting survey undertaken by the County Council Lighting Officer on behalf of the Community Council. Quotations had been received in respect of a number of the priorities identified by the Council. Other costings will be available in due course.
Following careful consideration of the report it was RESOLVED as follows:

(i) Agree to new lighting as per specification in the report, at Gerynant, Brithdir, Penymorfa Lane (Rhiw Babell end), Nantycaws Square and at Brynhyfryd (bottom of Nantycaws hill).
(ii) Consider further lighting installations after receipt of the other quotations.
(iii) To fund the agreed lighting installations, the Clerk be authorised to vire identified under-spend within the overall 2003/4 budget and to utilise the Council reserves earmarked for footway lighting.

86a. Health Care Services in the Area

Members viewed that the overall level of health care in the Area was falling far short of expectations and it was RESOLVED to present this view to the Minister for Health and Social Care at the National Assembly for Wales.

86b. Safety Barriers on Capel Dewi Road

After discussion highlighting the issues it was RESOLVED to write to the County Council and request the installation of safety barriers on the river side of Capel Dewi Road between Tywi Lodge and Riverside house.

87. Budget 2004-5

The Clerk presented a report detailing the financial position to date and the forecasted out-turn for the year 2003/4 together with a draft budget outlining the projected expenditure for 2004/5

After careful consideration of the Council's needs for 2004/5 it was RESOLVED to:
(i) Levy a precept of £27k for the year 2004/5 (approved by a majority vote).
(ii) Witness the signature of the Chairman to the 'precept requirement form'.
(iii) The Clerk as the Council's Proper Financial Officer to establish a budget for 2004/5 based on the Council's needs and the levied precept.
(iv) To congratulate the Clerk for the financial analysis presented to the meeting

88. Accounts

The monthly schedule was received from the Clerk it was RESOLVED to approve the following expenditure:

£

Payee	Info	(£) Amount
E Williams	Bus Shelters (Dec 03)	97.50
	Playing Field (Dec 03)	52.50
IW Davies	Salary - January 2004	287.10
	Allowance - January 2004	30.00
	Typing - January 2004	33.34
	Reimbursement: of token	10.00
	Reimbursement: Postage	1.16
Llangunnor Post Office	Postage Stamps	50.00
Save the Children Fund	S137 Grants	25.00
BOBATH Cymru/Wales	S137 Grants	25.00
Childline Cymru/Wales	S137 Grants	25.00
Cymdeithas Capel Dewi	Chairman's Fund	30.00

Council noted receipt of the following income: Carms CC Final Precept 2003/04 8,000 89. Correspondence

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

Item	Nature of Correspondence
i	To receive the Clerk's verbal report on details received from the County Council on the Code of Conduct Training Seminar for Clerks held on 4/09/03 and RESOLVED to adopt the good practice recommended for Members to record their declarations of interests on agenda items, in the Council's attendance book as well as noting in the minutes
ii	To note the response received from the County Council (Street Scene) with regard to the Council's request for dog fouling signs (minute 72(i) refers) and RESOLVED further, to request the County Council to provide 'informal advisory signs'
iii	RESOLVED to refer the questionnaire received from the Dyfed-Powys Police Authority re: Policing & Building Safer Communities Together to Cllr D Williams for completion
iv	RESOLVED that the Chairman, (and the Vice-Chairman as deputy), to attend the consultative event arranged by the County Council to discuss proposals for the Carmarthenshire Community Strategy, at 6.00pm, on 5/02/04 at St Peter's Hall Carmarthen
v	To note the notification from the County Council of the name of a new house - Gwynfan, Nantycaws, had been forwarded to the local Member - Cllr WDV Evans
vi	To note that the promotional information received from SMP Play Equipment had been forwarded to the Chairman of the Park Association
vii	To note that the County Council propose to install more 'dropped kerbs' on the Elder Grove estate before the end of March 2004 and in Pensarn 'probably' during the financial year 2004/5
viii	To note confirmation that no un-metered electrical connections for Christmas lighting 2003 were made by the Council, had been forwarded to Western Power Distribution
ix	To note that a letter of thanks had been received from BOBATH for the Council's financial donation (Minute 77 refers)
x	To refer the letter received from the County Council Planning Authority re: tree felling on a housing development site at Nantycaws, to the Planning Committee
xi	To note all other correspondence as listed in the schedule

90. Other Matters

i) The Chairman reported on a letter of thanks he had received from Ms C James for allowing her to observe the November 2003 monthly Council meeting. He also referred to her offer of help with fund raising in the community. It was RESOLVED to thank her for the letter and acknowledge her positive community spirit and to refer her interest to the Park Association.

ii) RESOLVED that the Clerk obtains the cost of producing a bilingual 'back-to-back' version of the Council Certificate.

iii) RESOLVED to refer the following matters to the County Council:
- water flowing on to Roman Road at the bend by the Bryncoed duck pond.
- Provide bus timetables in the new bus shelters near Safeway Stores

iv) RESOLVED to advise the appropriate body of the need to examine an electricity pole at Nantycaws Square, which is in poor condition.

v) Following representations to the County Council, to accept the offer by the recently appointed Director of Technical Services, Carms. CC, Mr Richard Workman, to attend a future meeting of Council to discuss better ways of securing the management and operations of environmental works identified for action by Members. Date to be arranged at the February meeting.

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