October 2007

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', on Thursday 18th October 2007 at 7.00pm

PRESENT: Councillor D Elwyn Williams, (Chairman), Sarah J Howells, Robin O Griffiths, Richard S Thomas, Doreen Valentine, Geraint P Bevan and T Alun West

APOLOGIES: Councillor Denzil Williams, Audrey M Jones and Clifford Merlin Jones

Chairman informed Members that he had received a letter from Cllr W D V Evans explaining that due to continuing ill health, he was retiring from his seat on the Community Council, with effect from 30th September 2007. RESOLVED: Clerk to i) thank Mr Evans for his long and dedicated service to the Llangunnor Community and convey the Council's get well wishes and ii) proceed with filling the vacancy

Chairman reported on a photo shoot promotion that he and the Clerk had attended to launch the proposed Connect2 cycle path connecting Llangunnor and Johnstown. Members were informed that he would be laying a commemorative wreath during the Remembrance Service on 11th November, in Llangunnor Church.
Members were reminded to declare pecuniary interests and record in the attendance register

Members had consultation with the Police before commencement of the Council meeting. PC Richardson had informed that the Neighbourhood team would be focussing on environmental issues with emphasis on dogfouling, littering and anti-social behaviour. Members identified the need to monitor vehicle speed in Rhoslas and littering late at night in the Bus park in Station Road

RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the following meetings as a correct record:
i) The Planning Committee meeting held on 20th September 2007
ii) The Monthly Council meeting held on 20th September 2007

i) Minute 47) Clerk to request an urgent meeting with the Chief Executive. Cllr Griffiths outlined a proposal to present to the Chief Executive at the meeting: the Residents and Tenants Association Resource Centre to be relocated to a premises in Spilman Street thereby vacating the room used on a part time basis in Yr Aelwyd for the Neighbourhood Police Base. RESOLVED: support the proposal and request the Tenants and Residents Association Area Committee to consider the proposal.
ii) Minute 48ii) Clerk to request action by the Environmental Enforcement Department regarding litter in Heol Pensarn.
iii) Minute 48iii) Clerk reported on prices of mementoes to past Chairmen. RESOLVED: Defer consideration until after the 2008 Council elections.
iv) Minute 48vi) Clerk reported that a meeting is scheduled for 26th October to consider relocation of the Carmarthen gateway sign. Members requested that the Llangunnor gateway signs and their locations be reviewed with the Engineer.
v) Minute 50 RESOLVED: agree a revision to the Welsh language name for the Estate - Maes Lewis Morris.
vi) Minute 56 RESOLVED: notify Radio Carmarthenshire and BBC Wales ('Derek's Diary)
vii) Minute 60iii) Clerk and Cllr Griffiths to meet with the relevant County Council Officer regarding the completion of landscaping the roundabout near Parc Pensarn.
viii) Minute 60v) Clerk reported on confirmation received that Pont King Morgan will be officially opened on 6th December 2007 by the Deputy First Minister, Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones. Llangunnor Council will be formally represented and Ysgol Llangynnwr invited to take part in the ceremony.
ix) Minute 60vi) Clerk to further request Mr Youngman to attend a Council meeting.
x) Minute 60 vii) Clerk reported that the lighting columns in Golwg Tywi had not been adopted by the County Council and remain the responsibility of the developer.
xi) Minute 60e) Chairman's Chain of Office. Clerk reported that the cost of 10 additional links would be in the region of £400. RESOLVED: Purchase 10 additional links

Cllr RS Thomas reported that spare grant monies had been used to repair and paint the park pavilion and purchase a picnic table bench. Members commended the high quality appearance of the park and thanked the Association members for their hard work on behalf of the community. Discussions on the lease are in abeyance pending publication of the County Council policy report on Parks and Public Spaces in the County

Clerk reported on the potential significance of this document and its relevance for the future of local councils in Wales. RESOLVED: refer consideration to the sub-committee established to review the Standing Orders and report to the November Council meeting

Clerk provided an update on the lighting plan together with costing and budget implications. RESOLVED: To convene a site meeting at 6.00pm before the December Council meeting [December 13th] to consider the lighting needs of the Nantycaws area

Misled by satelite navigation systems a bus and some long vehicles had become stuck in this narrow road and needed heavy plant assistance to exit the road. RESOLVED: Obtain the views of the Police and subject to the Police response refer the matter to the County Highways Authority

Due to the noticeable rate of land erosion caused by the Tywi river adjacent to a section of Heol Capel Dewi, RESOLVED: Refer the matter to the County Council with the emphasis on road safety concerns
::Cllr DE Williams declared an interest in this matter::

Concerned with the speed of traffic on this road, RESOLVED: request the County Council to install traffic calming devices in Rhoslas similar to those introduced in neighbouring villages

Certification was received from the External Auditor confirming successful completion of the Audit for the year ended 31st March 2007 and there were no matters for the Council to address. The Auditor had referred to one minor issue relating to a rounding error of £1 and requested that rounding errors are eliminated in future years. RESOLVED:
i) To accept and approve the Certified Annual Return.
ii) To note the Auditor's advice on the rounding error.
iii) To congratulate the Clerk on the successful completion of the audit

i) Un Llais I Gymru/One Voice Wales:
Cllr S Howells gave a verbal report on the AGM and referred to presentations by Mr B Gibbins, Assembly Minister for Local Government and Youth Council involvement in the Ammanford Area. Cllr Howells will report further on the Youth Council at a future meeting
ii) Environmental Project:
Cllr Bevan reported on a meeting with Mr E James of Carmarthenshire County Council to progress the project and will report further after a meeting planned with Trysor Agency

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:
Leaves on Babell Hill pavement and Sticle footpath
Pidgeon droppings under Carmarthen Bridge
Brambles overgrowth in Old Llangunnor Road
Need for litter bin at Llangunnor Road and Old Llangunnor Road junction
Refer the incidences of strong sewerege smells from the reed beds alongside Sticle path.
Poor surface condition of many pavements in Tregynnwr

b) Refer to Dyfed Powys Police
Vehicles parked on road and pavement and hedge overgrowth outside the Police HQ in Llangunnor Road restricting driver visibility

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