May 2008

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', on Thursday 22nd May 2008 at 7.00pm

PRESENT: Councillor Clifford Merlin Jones (Chairman), Richard S Thomas, D Elwyn Williams, Doreen Valentine, Sarah J Howells, Robin O Griffiths, Selwyn H Thomas, Anthony Green, Geraint P Bevan, D I Davies, L Keith Carmody and T Alun West

APOLOGIES: None

IN ATTENDANCE: India Pollock, Carmarthen Journal

Police consulted with Members before the meeting and shared local policing matters and action taken in the area

Chairman welcomed all to the first monthly meeting of the new council and reminded Members to declare any pecuniary intersts and record in the attendance book. He thanked the Clerk for arranging the Chairman's reception and dinner held at the Blue Boar, Water Street, Carmarthen on 15th May 2008.

He requested a letter of thanks be sent to the Blue Boar for the hospitality and the meal provided. The Chairman invited all Members to attend the Civic Service to be held in Llangunnor Church at 10.45am on Sunday 8th June 2008

RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the following meetings as a correct record:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 17th April 2008
ii) The Planning Committee meeting held on 17th April 2008

i) Minute 132i) Neighbourhood Police Base - Cllr R Thomas and Cllr Bevan reported on their meeting with the Tenants Networks and Inspectors on 20th May 2008. Two of the 3 Networks and the Inspectors group had rejected the proposal for the Police to hold surgeries at Yr Aelwyd office. Taf Myrddin Network had supported the proposal. The Networks and the Inspectors declared that they will not enter into further dialogue on the matter. RESOLVED: Convey the Council's dismay at the decision to the Chief Executive of Carmarthenshire County Council and request an urgent meeting with him. Chairman and Cllrs RO Griffiths, R Thomas and DE Williams nominated to attend the meeting
ii) Minute 132ii) - Cllr DE Williams still awaiting response to the complaint
iii) Minute 144a - Refer excessive traffic speeding in Llangunnor Road to the Police

The Clerk reported on the five written applications received from AD, AJ, MK-H, AL and PT, for the vacant seat in the West Ward. RESOLVED: co-opt by ballot. After two ballots, E Audrey Jones to be invited to fill the vacant seat. It was further RESOLVED that the Clerk notifies all the candidates of the outcome

This Community Council Resolves to Become a Carbon Netural Council

The motion proposed by Cllr G Bevan and seconded by Cllr RO Griffiths recommended using a carbon calculator to determine the amount of CO2 emissions the Council is responsible for [mainly public lighting] and adopt a compensatory strategy that would neutralise the amount of emission on an annual basis. Before setting the annual precept, the cost of the compensatory measures be determined and incorporated in the council's operational budget

Members acknowledged the significance of the proposal but requested more information in relation to the technical aspects of compensating for CO2 emissions together with costs of the measures, before finalising their views on the motion RESOLVED: Cllr Bevan and the Clerk to obtain further information for consideration at a future meeting

Clerk outlined the report received from the County Head of Transportation rejecting any change to the traffic priority at this junction and advising that the current priority configuration offers the safest arrangement. Members were disappointed with the outcome as the change of priority offered the potential to reduce the amount of traffic using the narrow one-way section at the eastern end the lane thereby improving pedestrian safety. RESOLVED: to note the report and convey Council's disappointment with the outcome and to ask what alternative measures could now be introduced that would safeguard pedestrian safety along the one-way section

Clerk reported on the meeting held on 29th April 2008 with the County Head of Sports and Leisure and the County Assets Manager to consider the future management of the park following the surrender of the lease by the Llangunnor Community Park Committee. The remit of the meeting was to identify potential terms for a County/Community partnership to manage Llangunnor park in the future. Following exchanges of views the following terms were recommended: County Council would have exclusive possession of park and would insure appropriately and control any lettings to other agencies. Llangunnor Community Council: would resource the grass cutting, conduct health and safety checks, continue to fund the 'handyman' upkeep duties and accrue a reserve contingency fund in the accounts towards future needs [say £500 annually]

Discussion focused on the community Council taking possession of the park under lease and the legal liabilities implications RESOLVED:
i) to obtain advice on the legal liabilities;
ii) consider the various management options and the corresponding Community Council role;
iii) Chairman to convene a special meeting to consider the options and the liabilities

RESOLVED: due to time constraints, the Chairman adjourned this item and referred it to the special meeting to be covened under minute 7

No reports were given

RESOLVED: revised allowances agreed with effect from 1st April 2008: IT - £20 per month; Home Office - £70 per month; Approved additional special meeting - £50

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:

B) Council to note receipt of income:

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

a) Refer to County Council:
Unreliability of temporary traffic lights in Heol Capel Dewi
BOAT lane to Parc y Clo by Tynewydd, Nantycaws has been fenced off - Refer to the County Enforcement Officer
Residential Caravan in Nantycaws - request formal response to query
Rats seen in Bron y Dre
Petition signed by 64 residents appealing for the introduction of a 20mph zone in Penymorfa Lane
County Council lorry regularly parked in Blaengwastod Road causing traffic obstruction
Request installation of crash barriers in Penymorfa Lane, opposite entrance to the school field.
Dog fouling along Roman Road and pigeon droppings on new cycle/footpath, Old Llangunnor Road
Side growth obstructing pedestrians on pavement opposite Capel y Babell

b) Llangunnor Community Park Committee:
Refer consideration of the proposal made by Cllr RO Griffiths for Council to formally recognise the work of the Community Park Committee to the special meeting to be convened - reference: minute 7 and 8

c) Llangunnor Tenants Association:
Cllr Valentine announced that she had resigned her position as Chair of the Llangunnor Tenants Association

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