December 2006

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', on Thursday 14th December 2006 at 7.00pm

PRESENT: Councillor Robin O Griffiths (Chairman), John David James Morgan, Mair Lloyd, Sarah J Howells, D Elwyn Williams, Clifford Merlin Jones, Audrey M Jones, Catherine James, Geraint P Bevan, Willian Denzil Vivian Evans and Denzil Williams

APOLOGIES: Councillor T Alun West, Doreen Valentine, Police Sergeant R Anthony and Police Constable M Richardson

IN ATTENDANCE: Mr Craig Bates, Cornhill Estates, Dorchester, Mr Ian Lewis, Carmarthen Journal

The Chairman welcomed Mr Bates to the meeting. He thanked Council for the opportunity of describing the development plans already submitted to the Planning Authority for 40 eco-friendly houses on land adjoining the community park at Mount Pleasant, with highway access from Bolahaul Road. There would be a mix of housing, some specifically designated as 'affordable housing', that is designed to be energy efficient with traditional features sympathetic with the local context. Members welcomed the 'affordable housing' aspect and identified the need to secure the boundary between the estate and the park and the opportunity for 'commuted sums [section 106]' allocation towards community improvements. Mr Bates recognised the importance of maintaining community involvement throughout the development and in naming the estate

Chairman thanked Mr Bates for attending and welcomed the community approach demonstrated by Cornhill Estates

The Police outlined action taken relating to parked vehicles causing obstruction in Rhoslas, cars racing in retail parking grounds, parking on pavements in Pensarn on auction days and speed limit enforcement on Llangunnor Road, Heol Login and Blaengwastod Road

Chairman apologised that he might have to leave during the course of the meeting because of a prearranged commitment and had asked the Vice Chairman to take the chair after his departure

Members were reminded to declare pecuniary interests and note accordingly in the attendance book. Chairman referred to attendance at the Christmas Fayres held in Ysgol Llangynnwr and Capel Babell. He announced that the annual New Year dinner for Members and Guests would be held in the Restaurant, Pibwrlwyd Campus on Thursday evening 1st February. Attendance must be confirmed by the January meeting. Members and the Clerk extended their best wishes to Cllr JDJ Morgan on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Chairman presented him with a token gift

RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the following meetings as a correct record:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 16th November 2006, subject to noting in Minute 84i) that Maeslan Cottages, Heol Capel Dewi, are also known as Tynewydd Cottages.
ii) The Planning Committee meeting held on 16th November 2006

a. Minute 76a) Clerk awaiting response from County Council - refer to minute 92
b. Minute 76b) County Council advised that high demand for bus shelters across the County meant the request is added to a long waiting list.
c. Minute 76c) Chairman reported on a further sub-committee meeting held with the Clerk to establish a proposal for Council to consider. It is planned to bring the proposal to the January meeting.
d. Minute 76g) Meeting with the Transport Operations Manager held earlier that day [14/12/06] would be reported to the January meeting.
e. Minute 79 Clerk reported that a meeting is to be arranged with the Transport Operations Manager and the County Council Street Signs Officer in the New Year to review street signage in Penymorfa Lane.
f. Minute 83ii) County Council report received on the successful un-blocking of sewer in Primrose Hill. RESOLVED: Thank the County Council for resolving the problem.
g. Minute 83v) Awaiting response from the Post Office.
h. Minute 83vii) 2007 Annual Policing Plan priorities identified and submitted: excessive speeding on Llangunnor Roads; set up the proposed Neighbourhood Police Team Base in Tregynnwr; eliminate the practice of 'car racing' in local car parks at night.
i. Minute 84i) Pavement near Maeslan [Tynewydd] Cottages repaired. RESOLVED: refer pavement by Star Fach near Maeslan [Tynewydd] Cottages for repair.
j. Minute 84ii) Cllr Valentine to report at January meeting

No report from the Parks Association presented on this occasion - next meeting planned for January. Chairman referred to an article in the local press warning that a County Council review of community recreational areas could lead to some parks actually closing. This matter should be raised at a branch meeting of Un Llais I Gymru/One Voice Wales, who are investigating the funding of local recreational areas throughout the County.
RESOLVED: Council representative to raise at Un Llais I Gymru/One Voice Wales meeting

RESOLVED: Clerk to complete the questionnaire on behalf of the Council based on responses received from individual Members

Clerk reported that the footpath landowner, Mr TI Davies, had already issued instructions to his solicitor to proceed with the path dedication process and that the County Rights of Way Officer had been notified accordingly

Clerk reported that he was awaiting a response to the requested additional information from the County Council Transport Department.
RESOLVED: query the delay with the Chief Executive

Clerk reminded Members of the proposal to install 7x 8metre lighting columns on the Llangunnor Church side of Heol Capel Dewi to cover the distance between the two lanes leading to the Church, at a quotation cost of £20,600. Payment structured over three financial years agreed with the lighting contractor [County Council Lighting Unit]. The alternative possibility of installing solar panel lighting was rejected for this scheme but would be explored for future lighting proposals. The Clerk outlined the financial implications of the scheme and emphasised that the 2006/7 lighting budget was already fully committed. Debate focused on affordability and impact on the precept, on-going energy charges and priority level. Cllr JDJ Morgan's request to record in the minutes his total opposition to funding the scheme by increasing the precept was granted by the Chairman

RESOLVED: i) on a majority vote [7/4] the scheme was approved;
ii) On a recorded majority vote [8/3] the first payment portion [circa. £7,000] be drawn from the Council general fund reserve.
[Recorded Vote:
In Favour: Cllrs A Jones, WDV Evans, D. Williams, S Howells, C James, DE Williams, G Bevan, R Griffiths
Against: Cllrs CM Jones, M Lloyd, JDJ Morgan]

[On conclusion of this item the Chairman left the meeting and Cllr DE Williams, Vice Chairman presided over the rest of the meeting.]

RESOLVED to convey the following views to the Commission.
Council welcomed the Boundary Commission proposals to review local communities in Wales. Members believed the review should aim at strengthening community engagement with an efficient democratic representation. Since the last review in 1986, Llangunnor has experienced significant growth in population and housing with new major commercial developments increasing community expectations. These changes have resulted in greater demands on the electoral arrangements.The ratio of Councillors per electorate and the two ward structure balance need to be examined, together with the validity of maintaining historical community boundaries

Council Environmental Project:
Cllr Bevan reported on a useful meeting with Mr Eirian James from the County Council that mapped out a way forward for the project

13 applications received for grant aid.
RESOLVED: £25 each to: Childline Cymru/Wales; British Red Cross; Shelter Cymru/Wales; Marie Curie Cancer Care; Coombe Cheshire Home, Llangynnog; Ty Hafan, Children's Hospice in Wales and Macmillan Nursing Care

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

B) Council to note receipt of income: None

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

i) Report to the County Council: poor standard of toilets in the general area in Yr Aelwyd; need to block off a gap being formed at one end of the new boundary fence between Glanffynnon and Elder Grove; eliminate smell in Sticle footpath underpass; reaffirm the need to repair pavement in front of Star Cottage, Heol Capel Dewi.
ii) Request 'handyman' to carry out essential safety repairs to the damaged bus shelter at the bottom of Nantycaws hill

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