October 2006

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', on Thursday 19th October 2006 at 7.00pm

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

APOLOGIES: Councillor Denzil Williams, Catherine James, Geraint P Bevan, Mair Lloyd and Willian Denzil Vivian Evans

IN ATTENDANCE: Ysgol Llangynnwr School Council [20 pupils, Headteacher, Teachers and Parents], Rhodri Glyn Thomas, AM [Welsh Assembly Member], Police Sergeant M Maynard, PC M Richardson and Ian Lewis, Carmarthen Journal

The Chairman warmly welcomed all to the meeting and expressed pleasure at the presence of the Pupil School Council and thanked the school staff for making the arrangements. The Chairman asked all to stand and observe a minute's silence in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster and in memory of Mr Ieuan Lewis, a former Chairman and Member of the Community Council who had passed away recently

PC Richardson referred to vehicle speed checks undertaken on Llangunnor and Blaengwastod Roads with warnings given to speeding drivers. He also reported that the Police are organizing sporting activities for the local youth. Sergeant Maynard commented on the low attendance at the Police public meeting held recently, which he believed reflected the drop in reported incidents. He added that Llangunnor was a safe and a nice place to live. Chairman thanked Sgt Maynard and PC Richardson for the report

i) School Council: The Chairman thanked the School Council for attending and emphasized the comparable democratic role of the School Council with the Community Council. The School Council was making a significant difference to the School and the pupils themselves were gaining valuable experience. To note the occasion the Chairman presented each pupil with a dictionary on behalf of the Community Council. The School Council Chairman and the Headteacher responded and presented the Community Council with a silver platter suitably engraved to note the occasion.
ii) Police Sergeant M Maynard: On his retirement from Police duties the Chairman thanked Sergeant Maynard for years of service to the Llangunnor Community and wished him well for the future. He was presented with a framed Community Certificate. Sergeant Maynard responded and thanked the Members for their support over the years

Chairman reported on a meeting he and the Assembly Member had attended with local parents of pupils not afforded free transport to QE High School. [Minute 61iv), Council meeting 21/09/06, refers]. He also referred to chairing the public Police meeting held on 7th October 2006 in Yr Aelwyd. Though attendance was very low the meeting proved constructive. The Chairman announced that he would be laying a poppy wreath at the Remembrance Service in Llangunnor Church on Sunday 12th November 2006. He will switch on the Christmas tree at 6.00pm on 15th November. He was arranging for the school choir to attend and Canon Aled Griffiths to officiate a blessing

Assembly Member covered the following matters
i) School Transport: He expressed support for the parents' appeal for the provision of school transport for pupils attending QE High School citing health and safety reasons, distance involved and the absence of consultation by the local authority. Pursuant to the County Council response to this matter, Council RESOLVED to support the parents' appeal for the provision of free school transport.
ii) Parking in Penymorfa Lane outside Ysgol Llangynnwr School: Declared support to improving parking arrangements that would ease traffic flow problems in Penymorfa Lane and the safety of pupils on arrival and leaving school.
iii) Other significant local matters included opposition to closing Catherine Street and for the 'Design to Deliver' proposal to build a new hospital west of Carmarthen. He believed that Glangwili Hospital was safe

Cllr C M Jones, on behalf of Council, thanked the Assembly Member for attending and especially for his work and representations on behalf of the Llangunnor Community. The comments were endorsed by all present

RESOLVED to approve the minutes as a correct record:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 21st September 2006.
ii) The Planning Committee meeting held on 21st September 2006

a. Minute 46 i & ii) The Road Verge Maintenance Policy and the Winter Road maintenance Plan had been received from the County Council.
b. Minute 46iv) Mr J McEvoy Transport Operations Manager has agreed to meet with Council representatives. RESOLVED: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Cllr G Bevan and the Clerk to represent Council.
c. Minute 49a) County Council has noted request to replace Bus Shelter but advised of long delay due to high demand throughout the County.
d. Minute 49c) RESOLVED: note that Pant Farm hedge has been trimmed.
e. Minute 49d) Capel Dewi Road lighting proposal: Landowner requests meeting with Council. RESOLVED: obtain quotation for lighting as far as Pant Farm only and request County Council for a staged payment.
f. Minute 49e) Police meeting held - low attendance.
g. Minute 50) The Christmas tree [supplied by Mr E Evans, Bwlch y Mynydd, Nantycaws] and lights will be installed on 13th November and switched on at 6.00pm on 15th November. RESOLVED: discretion to purchase addition lights if required.
h. Minute 51) RESOLVED: Cllr D Morgan, the immediate past Chairman, to join the sub-committee in view of his role in agreeing the Clerk's Contract of Employment.
i. Minute 56) Zurich Municipal advised there would not be a charge for raising the Fidelity Guarantee limit to £35k. RESOLVED: to increase the limit. Also RESOLVED to note Barclays Bank advice not to change the current mandate by introducing a cheque payment ceiling.
j. Minute 60i) Cllr M Lloyd and the Clerk were unable to attend the event.
k. Minute 61i) County Council unable to repair. RESOLVED: request handyman to carry out minimal repairs relating to personal safety only. Noted increased bulb wattage agreed for lamp outside Philadelphia Chapel; Rhoslas/Haulfryn sign installed; diseased tree removed; County Council Housing Officers will investigate the encroachment complaint

No report was presented on this occasion

i) Carnival Committee:
Cllr S Howells reported that the committee was planning a fireworks display in the park, pending obtaining insurance cover. A 'bingo' evening is planned for December

ii) Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2007 - Appeal Committee:
Chairman reported that the school had held a successful sponsored walk over the Pont King Morgan Bridge in aid of the Urdd appeal

iii) Riverside Committee:
Chairman reported on the proposed appointment of a Harbourmaster and notification that the Consultants report on the Riverside Development is to be discussed at the next meeting. Council has received a copy of the report

iv) Un Llais I Gymru/One Voice Wales - AGM:
Cllr Howells reported and advised Members that the official minutes of the meeting will be distributed shortly

No further progress to report

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) Refer the following matters to the County Council: Vehicles parking on pavements in Pensarn on auction days - also RESOLVED to refer the matter to the Police; review the white line road markings on the former A48 near the side road junction at the bottom of Nantycaws Hill due to danger from fast traffic; provide nameplate for the Gwynfan estate in Nantycaws; stop cars parking on green areas in Rhoslas, Tregynnwr; raw sewerage flowing over wall from a Primrose Hill property on to pavement in Rhoslas.
ii) Query the future of Yr Aelwyd with Cllr M Gravell, Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, in response to rumours that it may become a 'Drugs Rehabilitation Centre'
iii) Cllr Valentine informed that Bron y Dre residents plan to hold a street party in June 2007

Every effort has been made to check the above for accuracy however if you find a mistake please contact us.