November 2004

PRESENT: Councillor Denzil Williams (Chairman), John David James Morgan, C Merlin Jones, D Elwyn Williams, Robin O Griffiths, Alfred Tyndale Bailey, Audrey M Jones, Doreen Valentine and Peter Williams

APOLOGIES: Councillor Howard R Davies, Mair Lloyd, WD Vivian Evans and Catherine James

In Attendance: Community Police Officer PC Jo(anne) Davies, Mr Lee MacGregor, Reporter, Carmarthen Journal

51

Chairman welcomed PC Jo Davies to her first meeting with the Council and invited her to present her report. PC Davies introduced herself as the new Community Police Officer for the Llangunnor area. She welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Council on a regular basis and was looking forward to developing a close liaison with the Llangunnor community. She was aware that anti-social behaviour was a significant issue in the community and was developing a strategy to tackle the problem by identifying specific trigger points. Action already taken included greater police presence on Halloween and bonfire nights, talks with local young people has identified the need to form a youth club but there isn't a suitable venue readily available, is planning to hold fortnightly ‘surgeries' in the community and establish close liaison with the Housing Department of the County Council. Members welcomed the positive approach being exercised and expressed the following views: the need to focus on the upper teenagers, the Community Police Officer should cover the whole of the Llangunnor community including Nantycaws, links between the Police and the Housing Department and the availability of regular surgeries should prove beneficial and Council would support action to provide a suitable place for a youth club.

It was also RESOLVED
i) that Cllr CM Jones would explore the availability of 'Yr Aelwyd' as a venue for the 'surgeries'
ii) to request that Community Support Beat Officers be allocated to the Llangunnor area
iii) to invite Inspector Phil Edwards to the December meeting
iv) request the Police to deal with the cars parking on pavements in Pensarn

The Chairman invited PC Davies [and partner] as guest(s) to the Council's Christmas Dinner

Chairman referred to Councillor Lloyd who recently had had an operation. It was agreed that Cllr AM Jones would convey get-well wishes on behalf of all Members and present her with flowers. The Chairman informed Members of his appointment as Vice-chairman of the ‘Riverside Development Committee' and that consultants have been engaged to identify possibilities for enhancing both sides of the river and report to a future meeting of the Committee. Chairman also reported that planning permission had been granted for the construction of the Foot/cycle Bridge over the river Tywi at Carmarthen and that work is expected to start before April 2005. He also referred to the initiative by Carmarthen Forum to improve the ‘Gateways to Carmarthen', which embrace the Llangunnor roundabouts and roads into town. The Chairman said he was delighted to report on the positive feedback he had received on the ‘Halloween' event held in the Park, which had been organized by Cllr C James with support from Cllr Valentine and Community Youth Workers and had involved around 100 youths. Members wished to record their appreciation and congratulations to the team for the highly successful event. Chairman reported on the Un Llais I Gymru/One Voice For Wales area meeting he had attended and indicated that the minutes will be distributed to all Members. The Clerk also to copy the Standing Orders of Un Llais I Gymru/One Voice For Wales for consideration in the January meeting. Concern was voiced that the Burns Unit at Morriston Hospital is to close and Member Councils were requested to convey their views on the matter to the Assembly and the Health Trusts. He had attended the Police Consultative Committee and reported that it had been a particularly positive meeting and reinforced the points that had been covered in PC Davies' report. The new emergency/communications centre at the Police HQ in Llangunnor will handle all calls for the Police, Ambulance and Fire Services. He also confirmed that the Council's 2005/6 Priorities for Community Policing had been forwarded to the Police Authority. Members were thanked for their support at the Remembrance Service in Llangunnor Church and wished a letter of thanks be sent to the Vicar, Canon Aled Griffiths. Chairman indicated that he and the Clerk had been invited to attend the Switching On of the Carmarthen Christmas lights. He also requested confirmation from Members of attendance at the Council's Christmas Dinner on 2/12/04. 53. Minutes

RESOLVED to approve the minutes:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 21st October 2004 as numbered in the minute book and to note that Cllr AM Jones had tendered her apology to the meeting and insert 'and allowances' in minute 50ii) following 'the Clerk's salary'
ii) The Planning Committee Meeting held on 21st October 2004

i) Minute 42 i) To note the positive response received from the Police Inspector, Phil Edwards and to invite him to the December meeting.
ii) Minute 42 ii) the Clerk reported that the additional lights had been installed.
iii) Minute 42 iii) Re: enhancement of Safeway and Pibwrlwyd roundabouts - To note responses from Carmarthenshire County Council outlining potential sources of grant and the current action being taken in conjunction with Carmarthen Town Forum. The Council is represented on the Forum [Cllr HR Davies] but it was felt that Council should also have direct discussions on the proposals with the County Council. RESOLVED to invite Mr P Snaith, Regeneration Department, to a future Council meeting.
iv) Minute 42 v) RESOLVED to endorse the Chairman's action of granting the hedge-cutting contract to Carmarthenshire County Council at the quotation price of £209.80.
v) Minute 42 vi) To note that the Council's Welsh Language Scheme was submitted to the Welsh Language Board by 31st October 2004. A copy of the Scheme was tabled at the meeting.
vi) Minute 43 Cllr Griffiths and the Clerk were pleased to have attended the launch of the Community Website Project and conveyed that they were impressed with the whole development and convinced of its potential for communicating Council business and strengthening community spirit. During discussion, the allocation of funds to the project and the need for broadband link to the Internet were identified as key to the way forward. It was RESOLVED
i) the Clerk to explore the cost of broadband Internet access
ii) to address the financial implications of the website development when considering the 2005/6 budget in January.
vii) Minute 44 Council awaiting reply from County Council with regard to the provision of a pavement in Penymorfa Lane but noted that the Welsh Assembly Government are presently investigating the feasibility of providing traffic lights at the A48 Pensarn roundabout. RESOLVED to write again to the County Council emphasising the seriousness of the absence of a pavement.
viii) Minute 48 viii) RESOLVED to request County Council to identify where on Rhiw Babell the traffic speed measurements were taken.
ix) Minute 48 xii) RESOLVED to confirm the local objectives for the 2005/6 Annual Policing Plan submitted by Cllr D Williams – to address anti-social behaviour by increasing foot patrols in the area during the evening; to undertake traffic speeds checks on the Bolahaul road; to support the extending of the 40mph on the Heol Capel Dewi.
x) Minute 48 xv) Cllr HR Davies recommended support for the Licensing Policy document but cautioned that the new licensing arrangements enacted from February 2005, should be closely monitored by the Council.
xi) Minute 48 xviii) Cllr Griffiths, based on analysis he had conducted into County Council spending on developing and maintaining parks in the county, expressed disappointment that Llangunnor was not receiving similar support from the County Council. Members thanked Cllr Griffiths for the analysis and RESOLVED to make representations on the issues at a meeting arranged between representatives of the Park Association and Officers from the County Council Parks Department.
xii) Minute 49 iv) Noted from correspondence that the County Council after investigations, and applying criteria laid down by Central Government, considers it inappropriate at the present time to extend the 40mph speed limit on Heol Capel Dewi as far as Glan Towy Lodge and noted also that the Police agree with the decision. RESOLVED i) to request the County Council to provide a pavement and ii) refer the matter to the Assembly Member.
xiii) Minute 49 v) Noted the press coverage and the posters displayed promoting the Council charity award for the best externally decorated house. The Chairman will arrange a panel of Councillors to adjudicate.
xiv) Minute 49 vii) Seek a response from the County Council regarding the buses parking in Pensarn.
xv) Minute 49 viii) Approach Western Power direct regarding the low height of power conductors in Pensarn.
xvi) Minute 49 ix) Having witnessed an emergency incident involving the ambulance service having difficulty in entering a Aelwyd residence coupled with the poor standard of décor and the need for repairs at Yr Aelwyd, Council RESOLVED to urge the County Council Housing Department to review its landlord obligations

i) The Clerk presented a progress report on the Council's public lighting development plan and informed Council that the County Council Lighting Department recommend that a further 11 old lantern type lights in Tregynnwr be replaced, enabling the introduction of sensor control switching rather than time operated as at present. The columns concerned are also corroded and in poor condition. Saving on maintenance should offset some of the capital cost of installation. The County Council quote a capital cost of £4430 with payment apportioned equally over the two financial years 2005/6 and 2006/7. ii) Cllr CM Jones tabled a letter from the Lighting Department confirming a revised quotation for 3 additional lamps in Haulfryn at a cost of £2485. RESOLVED to: i) proceed with the replacement of the 11 lamps at the quoted price and accept the payment arrangement and ii) subject to the County Council agreeing to adopt the lighting in Haulfryn, to proceed with the installation of the three new lamps. 55. Reserve Bank Account

Following receipt of advice from Barclays Bank on managing reserve monies and the availability of accounts that attract a higher rate of interest, Council RESOLVED to: authorise the Clerk to instruct the bank to close the Business Reserve Account and open a Business Tracker Account, with the closing balance transferred to the new account. 56. Llangunnor Park Association

Cllr CM Jones, presented the following points: Association Members were meeting to fix notice boards and new goal posts in concrete and carry out repair work to the pavilion together with safety checking all the play equipment. Thanks were expressed for the repair work to the BMX track and other general work done by Mr E Williams, ‘handyman'. A meeting is convened between the Association and Officers from the County Council Parks Department to explore the range of support available from the County Council particularly in relation to the requirements of the disability act. The Association is seeking an update on the removal of the earth mound at the entrance to the Park. Thanks were relayed to the Council for their continued support to the Association. Following discussion it was RESOLVED that Western Power be reminded of the Council's request for the removal of the earth mound at the Park entrance. 57 CONSULTATION ON THE CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL REVENUE BUDGET FOR 2005/6

RESOLVED to defer discussion on this item to the December meeting

Clerk presented dates for the 2005 Monthly meetings of Council and the Planning Committee. RESOLVED to accept the dates

RESOLVED to approve the monthly expenditure schedule presented by the Clerk:

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

i) To request Western Power to remove the Ivy covering a pole outside 2 Brynmeurig.
ii) To request the County Council to cut back the hedge in front of Valhalla, Heol Blaengwastod.
iii) To request the 'handyman' to varnish next spring the 2 Council notice boards located in Llangunnor Road and outside Brynmeurig Stores.
iv) Cllr Griffiths expressed serious concern that waste from outside Carmarthenshire was being carted for disposal at Nantycaws tip and asserted that such practice is speeding up the filling of the tip and will result in Carmarthenshire ratepayers having to meet the cost of developing a new waste disposal facility sooner than would normally be required. Members fully endorsed the concern and RESOLVED that strong representations be made to the County Council. [Councillor CM Jones, as Chairman of the Management Board with responsibility for the Nantycaws Tip declared his interest and left the meeting room and took no part in the matter.]

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