June 2007

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', on Thursday 21st June 2007 at 7.00pm

PRESENT: Councillor D Elwyn Williams, (Chairman), Sarah J Howells, Robin O Griffiths, Doreen Valentine, Clifford Merlin Jones, Audrey M Jones, Geraint P Bevan, Denzil Williams, Richard S Thomas and Selwyn H Thomas

APOLOGIES: Councillor Willian Denzil Vivian Evans, T Alun West and Police Inspector Roderick

IN ATTENDANCE: PC M Richardson and PCSO C John, I Pollock, Carmarthen Journal, R Thomas, Ffynnon Las, Nantycaws and Mrs Thomas, Ffynnon Las Nantycaws

Cllr Williams presented the Llangunnor Council 'Certificate of Merit' to Robbie Thomas, Ffynnon Las, Nantycaws in recognition of being awarded a Wales Rugby Cap for representing West Wales Schools at under 11. Chairman reported on his attendance at the Carmarthen Court of the Admiralty and the 40th Anniversary of St Cynnwr WI. Members were reminded to declare pecuniary interests and record in the attendance book

Members had consultation with the Police before commencement of the Council meeting and the Chairman reported that no matters needed to be referred to Council

RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the following meetings as a correct record:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 17th May 2007
ii) The Planning Committee meeting held on 17th May 2007

i) Minute 3 referring to previous minute 139 - Home to Secondary School Transport. Clerk reported on the correspondence received from the Children's Commissioner for Wales. The Commissioner in qualifying the statutory duty upon the LEA to provide free school transport, subject to the application of the 3-mile rule, accepts that the Carmarthenshire Authority is already exercising discretionary provision of school transport. The Commissioner advised that the matter would not be referred to the Authority for an explanation, as that might prove counter productive with the Authority withdrawing its discretionary provision. The Commissioner identified the health benefits derived from walking to school and the initiatives such as the 'walking bus' and cycling routes. During discussion concerns over the health and safety aspects of the route were highlighted and the unrealistic expectation that parents could accompany pupils, which would effectively mean a 2 hour walk twice per day in all weather conditions RESOLVED: Appeal to the County Council to reassess the health and safety aspect of walking to QE High School Johnstown.
ii) Minute 3 - referring to previous minute 148 ivb - Packaging from FOCUS in the plantation area in Pensarn. Request response from County Council.
iii) Minute 5 - Clerk reported on a quotation from one supplier. RESOLVED: Cllr R Thomas identified other suppliers of commemorative 'jewels' for the Clerk to obtain further quotations
iv) Minute 8 - Approved the information on Members for display on Council notice boards as drafted by the Clerk with the addition of the Community website.
v) Minute 8 - Further to the quotation supplied by the 'handyman' for relocating two Council notice boards it was agreed to obtain a second quotation. A metal fabricator doing work for the Park Association was recommended. RESOLVED: Clerk to contact for quotation.
vi) Planning Committee - minute 1: Consider suitable names for the new estate at the July meeting

RESOLVED to receive as a correct record the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 10th May 2007

Clerk reported that no further information had been received regarding the funding issues hindering progress in establishing the base. Members expressed disappointment and frustration with the lack of progress as the premises had been made available for the base for over a year, by the County Council. RESOLVED: Cllr CM Jones and the Clerk to obtain a positional assessment of the current situation

Cllr Bevan presented a plan identifying trees that may be suitable for tree preservation orders. RESOLVED: Submit to the Planning Authority for consideration by the Tree Preservation Officer

Various projects were identified during general discussion such as the need for a Community Hall, additional pavements, further amenities in the park, but it was recognized that such community improvements would need to be addressed within the context of the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan that has to be approved by the Welsh Assembly Government by December 2011. RESOLVED: Clerk to brief Council on the Plan in the July meeting

Clerk updated Council on the current plan RESOLVED:
i) Clerk to revise the plan and present to the September meeting with updated quotations;
ii) approve the County Council offer to meet the cost of providing a replacement light column for lamp 724/01 nearer Llangunnor Church

Cllr R Thomas reported that discussion with the County Council on relinquishing the lease was in abeyance, pending completion of the County Council review of community parks in the County. Cllr Thomas highlighted the onerous responsibilities falling on the Trustees in managing the Park and overseeing health and safety issues and upon the Community Council to fund its upkeep. He reported possible options that could be considered such as leasing to the Community Council, actioning a break clause and resignation of the trustees. RESOLVED: i) to note the options; ii) Cllr S Howells to request Un Llais I Gymru/One Voice Wales to update member Councils on progress with the community parks funding inconsistencies previously referred by Llangunnor Council

Legal aspects under consideration by the County Council and the solicitors representing the path owner. Cllr D Williams agreed to arrange removal of any side vegetation growth obstructing the path. RESOLVED: remove from monthly agenda

a) Llangunnor Residents and Tenants Association:
Cllr Valentine voiced the Association's concern that Yr Aelwyd may not be available to hold meetings in the future. RESOLVED: Clerk to request response from the Director of Social Care and Housing on this previously referred matter.
b) Carmarthen Forum:
Cllr Griffiths reported on a 12ft high metal sculpture of a dragon available for display. The Forum had recommended to the County Council that it could be placed on the Blue Street roundabout
c) Local Health Board:
Cllr R Thomas reported that the re-configuration of local health care across West Wales was now in abeyance.
d) Llangunnor Carnival:
Cllr Howells confirmed that the Carnival would be held on 18th August 2007 and reported that the Carnival Queen and attendants had already been selected

RESOLVED: approve the monthly income and expenditure schedule presented by the Clerk:

A) Council is requested to consider and approve the following items of expenditure:

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

a) Refer to County Council:
i) The danger of vehicles queuing in the fast lane at the A48 Nantycaws junction because the filter lane is too short.
ii) Parked cars obstructing access to the pavement in Login Road.
iii) Frequent lengthy traffic queues at the Pensarn roundabout resulting in heavy traffic using the former A48 through Llangunnor.
iv) Sticle footpath: fused lighting in the underpass and need to cut back side growth.
v) Report the spread Ragwort and Japanese Knotweed in Sticle path and the 'wetlands' path in Llangunnor
vi) Graffiti and posters in bus shelters and graffiti in the underpass on the 'wetlands' footpath

b) Street Furniture - 3 Bench Seats.
Clerk reported that both he and the Chairman had met that morning with the County Council Highway Maintenance Officer to identify the locations previously recommended by Members, for placing 3 bench seats in the community. One would be placed on the green area across the road from the Probation HQ in Llangunnor Road, another near the bus stop in the splay area at the entrance to Brynglas Crescent, Heol Capel Dewi and subject to the approval of the Trunk Road Agency locate a seat on the green area adjacent to Old Llangunnor Road, between Pont Cynnwr and PC World

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