May 2006

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', on Thursday 18th May 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: 7 community residents

Cllr Griffiths welcomed all to his first meeting as Chairman and referred to the absence of Cllr WDV Evans due to ill health. The Clerk was requested to write to Cllr Evans and convey the Council's get well wishes. The Chairman reminded Members to declare any pecuniary interests and record accordingly in the attendance register

Chairman informed Members that the Police will be available for consultation at 6.45pm prior to monthly meetings and in future will only report on specific matters in Council meetings. Chairman felt the AGM had been exceptionally successful and was pleased that County Cllr C Scourfield had attended on behalf of the Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council to present Council Certificates to Cllr JDJ Morgan for his long and dedicated service to the community and to Kevin Evans for his success in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. He wished to thank Cllr D Williams and the Clerk for making the arrangements. RESOLVED: Convey thanks to the Head of Catering, Coleg SirGâr and provide £20 service gratuity from the Chairman's Fund

RESOLVED to approve the minutes:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 20th April 2006.
ii) The Planning Committee meeting held on 20th April 2006

a. Minute 134a) Cllr CM Jones awaiting reply on council loans. RESOLVED: Agenda item for June meeting
b. Minute 134b) Cllr C Scourfield has resumed responsibility for the County Council Economic Development portfolio. RESOLVED: Offer invitation to the June or July meeting.
c. Minute 134c) Noted Pensarn, Login Road and Nantycaws Square as the identified three locations. RESOLVED: Agenda item for June meeting - provision of replacement seat outside Yr Aelwyd.
d. Minute 134e). Clerk reported that County Council Highways Officers consider the tree stumps, together with scaled maps, as sufficient delineation of the splay boundary at the entrance to Penymorfa and believed it to be unnecessary to erect a fence, but will keep the situation under review.
e. Minute 139. Cllr Bevan requested another meeting of the Objective I Project sub-group with the Bureau Adviser to finalise the grant application. RESOLVED: To convene a meeting and Chairman to replace Cllr JDJ Morgan as a member of the sub-group.
f. Minute 142ii). Carmarthenshire County Council Highways have identified location for a salt bin in Penymorfa during the winter period.
g. Minute 143i). Clerk and Cllr West to identify exact location of surface water problem in Haulfryn and refer to County Council.
h. Minute 143iii). RESOLVED: Note that the Clerk's Contract of Employment had been agreed and signed at the AGM together with agreement to review the Clerk's remuneration package at a future meeting and note that any pay award and changes to the allowances would apply with effect from 1st April 2006

Cllr D Williams reported on recent developments. Landfill tax grant received from CWM has provided a tarred pathway, goalposts, safety rail to the pavilion, some play equipment and possible outdoor seating. Members commended the Association on these developments and the Chairman thanked Cllr Williams for the report. Regarding the possibility of developing a Community Hall in the Park, Cllr Williams confirmed that the terms of the lease precluded erecting permanent buildings on the field. He also informed Council that all organised events held at the park must each be individually insured, which the organiser has to confirm with the Secretary of the Park Association

Council considered the consultation document "Designed to Deliver: Shaping our Acute Hospitals in Mid and West Wales". Following discussion on the potential impact of the options on the community of Llangunnor the Council unanimously RESOLVED: To recommend OPTION 2 - develop West Wales General Hospital, Carmarthen as the main acute hospital to link closely with the Withybush and Bronglais hospitals

Clerk awaiting response from the County Council Statutory Services Manager. RESOLVED: Agenda Item for June meeting

Chairman informed Members that the closure of this path by a householder adjacent to the footpath had given rise to a large number of complaints and press coverage. Chairman also informed the residents who were present concerning the footpath that they may table related correspondence but are not entitled to speak unless authorised by the Council

The Chairman tabled a petition handed to him with 348 signatures objecting to the action taken by the Penymorfa householder to block up the path. The Clerk referred to Minute 142xii of the Council meeting held on 20th April 2006 and accounted subsequent transactions and detailed specific communications with the householder, the owner of the strip of land over which the path runs, the County Council Planning Enforcement Officer and the Rights of Way/Access Manager and individuals in the community

The Chairman referred to the joint meeting he attended with the landowner and the County Council Parks and Open Spaces Manager. The landowner had indicated at the meeting that he had every intention to continue to allow public access to the footpath and that he would be willing to dedicate it as a public footpath. The Clerk further reported that the path was now open to users

Following open discussion and agreed inputs from the residents, Council RESOLVED:
i) To receive the petition and to advise the landowner and the County Council Access Manager of the level of opinion supporting the footpath;
ii) Request the County Council to secure the dedication of the footpath;
iii) Subject to progress with the dedication to hold a special meeting to further consider the future of the footpath.
[Cllrs CM Jones and AM Jones declared a pecuniary interest in this item and left the meeting room]

Clerk reported that he was awaiting a response from the South Wales Trunk Road Agency regarding this matter. RESOLVED: notify the Agency that the rubbish is a health and safety hazard as it could attract vermin

Clerk was awaiting response from the County Council Housing and Social Care Department on this matter. RESOLVED: Request response

i) Rail Partnership:
Chairman and Clerk had met with the Carmarthen Rail Station Manager regarding improvements at the station. It was noted that i) A CCTV unit is now operational at the Station ii) Manager supports the potential for additional parking on Network Rail land adjacent to Old Llangunnor Road iii) the need for a dropped kerb at the gateway provided for handicapped passengers. RESOLVED: Clerk to refer points ii and iii to the County Council

ii) Town Forum Meeting:
Chairman reported that the 'Oak Leaf' feature for the Tywi Ford roundabout will be installed in July and that work on the Llangunnor Bridge roundabout is planned for September and October. The next roundabout to be enhanced will be the roundabout by Morrisons Supermarket and Halfords

iii) Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2007 - Appeal Committee:
Cllr Bevan reported on the successful concert at Llangunnor Church and thanked Members for their support. Over £300 had been raised. Chairman congratulated the organisers and praised the high standards of the artistes

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

B) Council to note receipt of income:

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

i) Refer the following matters to the County Council - Request update on action regarding the overgrown hedge at Pant Farm, Heol Capel Dewi; need for dropped kerbs at the handicap gateway to Carmarthen Rail Station and at the front of Tywi Ford Petrol Station; request action to prevent frequent damage to the stone wall at junction of Old Llangunnor Road and Pensarn Road; need to amend the Rhoslas sign at entrance to Tregynnwr as it is misleading; need to eradicate the ragwort growth adjacent to the 'wetlands' footpath near the Pont Cynnwr roundabout
ii) The Chairman announced that the Council Civic Service would be held in Llangunnor Church at 10.45am on Sunday 11th June 2006 and would be combined with the Education Sunday Service. Llangunnor School pupils will be participating.
iii) It was agreed for Cllr CM Jones to arrange for the sports equipment previously purchased by the Council to be kept at Llangunnor School.
iv) The Clerk confirmed that the Community Challenge Silver Plate was kept along with other Council property at his house.
v) Cllr C James mentioned the intention to hold a Halloween event at the park. Cllr D Williams emphasised the insurance aspect [minute 3 refers]
vi) Cllr G Bevan requested that consideration be given to the provision of a Community Christmas Tree in Nantycaws. RESOLVED: Agenda item in June meeting

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