November 2006

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', on Thursday 16th November 2006 at 7.00pm

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

APOLOGIES: Councillor Mair Lloyd, Catherine James and Willian Denzil Vivian Evans

IN ATTENDANCE: Police Sergeant R Anthony, Police Constable M Richardson

Chairman welcomed Police Sgt Roger Anthony to his first meeting of the Council. PC Richardson reported on action taken to stop car racing by youths in the retail car parks in Pensarn late at night. He mentioned support given to an elderly resident in Tregynnwr that was having stones thrown at his house and damage to his 'mobility' unit parked outside the front of the house. [Cllr CM Jones will refer the matter to the County Council Housing Department]. Also measures had been taken to stop vehicle parking on pavements during auctions in Pensarn. Chairman thanked the police for the crowd safety precautions made for switching on the Christmas tree lights, but unfortunately the event had to be cancelled due to the poor weather conditions

Chairman thanked all for their support at the Remembrance Service in Llangunnor Church and was pleased to see the Ysgol Llangynnwr School Council present. He was also pleased that Members had attended the Remembrance Service held by the pupils in Ysgol Llangynnwr. He expressed disappointment that the event organised for switching-on the Christmas tree lights had to be cancelled due to the atrocious weather. He thanked the Clerk and Mr E Williams ['handyman'] for their work in installing the tree. He wished to record thanks to Mr E Evans, Bwlch y Mynydd, Nantycaws for supplying the tree and for donating the Council's payment to the 'Oncology and Cancer Treatment Unit', Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen. RESOLVED: convey thanks to Mr Evans

Chairman referred to attending, together with the Vice Chairman, a 'photo call' in relation to the tree sculptures placed on the roundabout islands next to Pont Cynnwr and Carmarthen Bridge. He wished to place on record that Llangunnor Council had supported the landscaping of the roundabouts through its membership of Carmarthen Forum but has not contributed any finance to the project

RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the following meetings as a correct record:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 19th October 2006.
ii) The Planning Committee meeting held on 19th October 2006

a. Minute 66i) Clerk outlined the explanation received from the County Council Head of Transport why some pupils living in Llangunnor were not eligible for free transport to QE High School. After much debate Council RESOLVED: i) obtain from the County Council details of the national eligibility criteria and the report of the eligibility assessment undertaken in relation to Llangunnor pupils; ii) place on the Agenda of the December Council meeting. [Cllr G Bevan declared his interest as a parent of a Secondary School pupil]
b. Minute 67c) RESOLVED: request County Council to give priority to a new bus shelter in Pensarn.
c. Minute 67e) Clerk reported that the quotation received from the County Council was £20600+VAT for installing on the Church side of Heol Capel Dewi, seven 8 metre lighting columns, evenly separated between the two lanes leading to Llangunnor Church with the cost paid in three annual instalments. Clerk tabled an update of the Council's overall plan of lighting priorities together with the Council's financial position relating to lighting developments. He also referred to the notification received projecting a 50% increase in energy charges from April 2007. After due consideration Council RESOLVED: place on agenda of December Council meeting.
d. Minute 67h) Chairman reported on the initial sub-committee meeting held to review the Clerk's remuneration and conditions of employment and that another meeting is scheduled before the Council's December meeting. He notified Members that the review could have budgetary implications.
e. Minute 72ii) Confirmation received from County Council that a bridge would be provided over the railway in Johnstown. RESOLVED: convey full support for the cycle/footpath route.
f. Minute 72iv) Cllr Valentine explained that due to matters relating to funding applications, Llangynnwr Tenants and Residents Association was withdrawing its request for financial aid. RESOLVED: offer of meeting kept in abeyance.
g. Minute 73i) Parking on pavements in Pensarn and review of white lines at the bottom of Nantycaws Hill will be considered in the meeting with the Transport Operations Manager of the County Council [Minute 67b refers]; County Council will refer the need for a street sign for 'Gwynfan', Nantycaws to the Developer; the Housing Officer has written to Rhoslas residents and will also explore ways of enlarging the parking area; the Public Health Department will arrange for an underground camera survey of the sewerage pipeline in Primrose Hill and report results to the Council

No report was presented on this occasion

Clerk reported on a communication received from the County Council's Rights of Way Manager indicating that further information was being awaited from the landowner's solicitor. Due to the protracted negotiations experienced and the deteriorating condition of the path's surface, RESOLVED: Clerk to explore the situation

Chairman reported on a very serious incident involving a pupil in Ysgol Llangynnwr that required an emergency call for an ambulance. The ambulance was delayed in reaching the pupil due to failure in locating the school. Chairman thanked the Clerk for referring the extreme seriousness of this matter to Carmarthenshire County Council with the emphasis that directional signs locating the school must be installed in the area. The Council Transport Dept., had responded stating that lack of resources forced it to attach a low priority to this request and that the matter was being referred to the Education Department. The School Governing Body has appealed to the Community Council for support in securing appropriate directional signage. Cllr Bevan reported on his personal survey of Penymorfa Lane signposts and had found some to be missing and others so poorly positioned that they could be deemed ineffective

RESOLVED: i) Demand the County Council to install directional signage to the school and to review the signs in Penymorfa Lane;
ii) raise the matter in the meeting with the Highways Management Operations Officer. [Minute 83ii) confirms arrangements of meeting]

i) Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2007 - Appeal Committee
Cllr Bevan, Chairman of the Appeal Committee, complimented the efforts of the Llangynnwr area as it had far exceeded the area target of £3000. Also he reported that already 80% of the County target already had been reached

ii) Council Environmental Project
As part of the grant application process invitation for letters of support for the project had been sent to various organisations in the area. Members contributed with references to additional organisations

iii) Carnival Committee.
Due to difficulties relating to obtaining insurance cover, the proposed fireworks event in the park was not held

iv) Carmarthen Forum
The Gateway tree sculptures have been installed on the Pont Cynnwr and Carmarthen Bridge roundabouts and a photo-call held on 13th November. Chairman and Vice Chairman attended

RESOLVED: Confirmation of the provisional dates listed by the Clerk, meetings be held every third Thursday of each month except in August [no meeting] and December [2nd Thursday]. Venue: Yr Aelwyd, Tregynnwr. Commence: 7.00pm

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) Refer the following matters to the County Council: subsidence in pavement near Maeslan [also known as Tynewydd] Cottages, Heol Capel Dewi; tree growth restricting pedestrian passage on pavement in front of no1 Brynglas Crescent, Heol Capel Dewi; need to replace the 'Give way' sign at the junction of Church Lane and Heol Capel Dewi by Bryntowy Mansion.
ii) Cllr Valentine reported complaints that the bus provided by Tesco to carry shoppers to the new store presents access difficulties for the handicapped and elderly. Response is awaited to representations made to Tesco management. RESOLVED: subject to the response, include in agenda of the December Council meeting

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