July 2006

NOTE:While transcribing this record it was noted that Councillor Catherine James is neither listed as present or having given apologies yet she has is recorded as giving a report regarding the park - the September minutes noted that she was present at this meeting but the Clerk has not corrected the official minutes

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', on Thursday 20th July 2006 at 7.15pm

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

APOLOGIES: Councillor Willian Denzil Vivian Evans

IN ATTENDANCE: County Cllr C Scourfield, Carms County Council, Police Sgt. M Maynard, PC M Richardson and Ian Lewis, Carmarthen Journal

The Chairman welcomed the Community Police Officers to the meeting for the consideration of complaints of anti-social behaviour at the bus shelter in Heol Blaengwastod, received from a resident living nearby [minute 23ix) refers]. The Clerk detailed letters received from the resident. RESOLVED: i) The Police to maintain close observation of the Shelter and visit the resident to discuss the concerns; ii) Clerk to remind the County Council of the request made to replace the shelter with a modern facility

Chairman welcomed Cllr C Scourfield [County Council executive portfolio for economic development] to the meeting for discussion on the promotion of business development at Parc Pensarn. Chairman expressed disappointment that most of the Parc continued to be un-developed despite the infrastructure being in place for many years. Cllr Scourfied informed Members that the Parc was being sold to a private developer by the Welsh Assembly Government and he was confident that it would be developed soon, creating job opportunities for the local workforce. Following general discussion on local economic issues the Chairman thanked Cllr Scourfield for attending the meeting

Chairman reminded Members to declare any pecuniary interests and record accordingly in the attendance register

Chairman requested that Canon Aled Griffiths be thanked for conducting the Chairman's Civic Service. RESOLVED: Clerk to send letter. Chairman thanked the Vice-Chairman for representing the Council in the Carmarthen Riverside Festival and a resident's 100th birthday anniversary at Brynderwen Residential Home. He had attended the Llangunnor Church Fete and had presented the winners trophies at the Ysgol Llangynnwr School annual sports. He had also attended the County Council Chairman's Charity evening at Llanboidy

Before proceeding with the Agenda the Chairman referred to the continuing absence of Cllr Evans through illness. As Cllr Evans had tendered apologies for absence for all consecutive Council meetings from February, Members need to consider the situation. RESOLVED: i) to approve the absence due to illness and to review the position at the September 2006 meeting; ii) Chairman and Clerk to meet with Cllr Evans and establish the circumstances

RESOLVED to approve the minutes as a correct record, subject to noting that Cllr C James had tendered her apologies for absence:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 15th June 2006.
ii) The Planning Committee meeting held on 15th June 2006

a. Minute 14b) Members Code of Conduct: Clerk reported on the advice received from the County Council Monitoring Officer relating to Members signing public petitions - Code of Conduct not breached if a petition is in the public interest and the Member has no personal interest in the matter. [Cllr C James tabled a letter to the Chairman explaining her reasons for signing the petition relating to the Penymorfa/Y Talar footpath.]
b. Minute 14c) Clerk reported that the damaged fence in Pensarn Road has been repaired.
c. Minute 14d) See minute 25
d. Minute 14e) Pant Farm hedge: Some hedge trimming had been carried out. RESOLVED: Ask County Council to re-assess the situation.
e. Minute 14f) The cricket equipment had been located but the footballs had been lost. Chairman agreed to purchase replacement footballs if requested. The Head of Ysgol Llangynnwr School had kindly agreed to store the equipment in the school.
f. Minute 18) Awaiting estimated costs from the County Council Public Lighting Unit for the provision of power supply and installation of lighting columns as far as Glan Tywi Lodge.
g. Minute 21i) The Director of Technical Services has accepted the invitation to attend the Council's September meeting. RESOLVED: Members to submit topics for discussion to the Clerk by 10th September.
h. Minute 23iv) Offer to the Police, Sept 28 and Oct 2,3,4,5 as suitable dates to hold the next Police/Public meeting in the community. RESOLVED: Clerk to proceed with the arrangements.
i. Minute 23vi) Members nominated to represent Council at approved meetings must have their nomination recorded in Council minutes. This requirement is significant when representing Council in Un Llais I Gymru/One Voice Wales meetings.
j. Minute 24) Cllr CM Jones confirmed that the Carmarthenshire County Council Housing Department would arrange to trash and clear the Sticle footpath adjacent to Ysgol Llangynnwr

Clerk presented estimate costs for a first Christmas tree in 2006 at Nantycaws together with costs for a tree in Pensarn as for 2005. RESOLVED to defer consideration of Christmas trees to the September meeting

Cllr C James reported on the grant application for the Park entrance improvement project. RESOLVED: Council to provide a letter of support for inclusion with the application. Chairman thanked Cllr James for the report

i) Town Forum Meeting:
Chairman provided details on the proposal to landscape the roundabout near the Morrisons Superstore. It would depict a sea theme but Members recommended that a river theme would be more appropriate in Carmarthen. Chairman will represent this view at the next Forum meeting

ii) Carnival Committee:
Cllr S Howells confirmed that the Carnival would take place on 19th August with a procession from Yr Aelwyd to the Ysgol Llangynnwr School playing field where the judging would take place. Stalls and shows would be available. Members wished every success to the carnival and the Chairman will make a donation to the Carnival Committee. [Cllr S Howells declared her interest as she is Chair of the Carnival Committee]

iii) Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2007 - Appeal Committee:
Cllr Bevan reported on planned fund raising activities and would arrange a stall at the carnival

iv) Environmental Improvement Project:
Cllr Bevan reported on the project sub-group meeting held on 12th July and the submission of a tentative application for funding to the Lottery Heritage Fund

The Clerk as the Council's Responsible Financial Officer presented the financial out-turn statement for the year ended 31st March 2006, which had been checked and verified by the Internal Auditor. RESOLVED: accept and approve the statement as a correct record for the year ended 31st March 2006

RESOLVED: i) To receive and accept the Internal Auditor's report that there were no matters to refer to Council. ii) To pay the Internal Auditor's fee. iii) To congratulate the Clerk on the successful audit

RESOLVED to certify the summary Statement of Accounts and to approve the Statement of Assurance in the Annual Return. It was further RESOLVED that the Annual Return be submitted to the External Auditor duly signed by the Chairman and Clerk

The Clerk presented a budget statement detailing the current financial position to 30th June 2006. RESOLVED to receive the statement

Chairman confirmed that he would be reviewing the Clerk's remuneration and will report to the September meeting. RESOLVED: pending the report, Council awarded an interim pay increase of 2.7% in the Clerk's salary and the monthly typing allowance, with effect from 1st April 2006

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

B) Council to note receipt of income: None

Clerk reported on two communications received from the County Council Rights of Way Manager referring to correspondence from residents living adjacent to the path and the landowner's solicitors asking if the path would be tarmacadamed if it were dedicated. RESOLVED: To note the residents' letter and to approve the Clerk's responses that had been agreed with the Chairman, indicating that the Community Council would endeavour to ensure that the surface of the path would be maintained at a standard that enables ease of passage by all its users

A special meeting was held at the boundary site at 6.30pm before the Council meeting [minute 14d) refers] RESOLVED: Defer deliberation pending receipt of a petition letter from local residents outlining their concerns

Request from County Council Lighting Unit that the running costs of two planned additional lighting columns on Sticle footpath adjacent to Ysgol Llangynnwr be charged to the Community Council's lighting account. County Council will meet installation costs. RESOLVED: Agreed in principle subject to checking why the County Council cannot adopt the lights as part of the Haulfryn lighting

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

i) Refer the following matters to the County Council: need to trash footpath between Nant and Maeslan; broken concrete pillar under Pont Pensarn.
ii) Agreed to start September meeting at 7.00pm and place on the agenda of the September meeting consideration that all future monthly full Council meetings commence at 7.00pm

RESOLVED to suspend standing orders for the period from the July to the September monthly meetings and grant powers to the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Chairman of Planning to deal with Council matters, in conjunction with the Clerk

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