October 2008

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', on Thursday 16th October 2008 at 7.00pm

PRESENT: Councillor Clifford Merlin Jones (Chair), Doreen Valentine, Geraint Bevan, L Keith Carmody, Robin O Griffiths, Richard S Thomas, Selwyn H Thomas, E Audrey Jones, Sarah Howells, D Elwyn Williams, James Anthony Green and DI Davies

APOLOGIES: Councillor Alun West

IN ATTENDANCE: PC M Richardson, Dyfed Powys Police

PC Richardson reported that monitoring speeding outside the community park and in Llangunnor Road had resulted in a number of motorists being warned. Patrols would be increased leading up to Halloween and bonfire night and specific patrols will be conducted on those evenings

Chairman sincerely thanked all for the support and understanding he and his family had experienced during the difficult time of his wife's terminal illness and subsequent death and for the kind expressions of sympathy received. He thanked Council for the donation to Cleddau Ward, West Wales General Hospital, given in memory of his wife and was grateful to Cllr Valentine for taking responsibility for Council matters during this period

He announced that all Members and the Clerk are invited by the Head of Ysgol Llangynnwr to attend a special assembly and reception in the school to welcome representatives from the school's European partner schools. He also announced that he would be placing a commemorative poppy wreath during the Remembrance Service at 11.00am on November 9th in Llangunnor Church. Members were reminded to declare any pecuniary interests and appropriately record in the attendance register

RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 18th September 2008;
ii) The Planning Committee Meeting held on 18th September 2008

i) Minute 29 - Mr Batt has acknowledged receipt of the Council's suggestion of partitioning an area in Yr Aelwyd 'day room' for the Neighbourhood Police Team.
ii) Minute 32ii, referring to a previous minute 14 - Llandyfaelog Community Council has offered places for Llangunnor members to attend a joint Code of Conduct training session. RESOLVED: Thank Llandyfaelog Council for the invitation but decline the offer as Members have already familiarised themselves with the Code.
iii) Minute 32iii referring to a previous Minute 16 - Neighbourhood Police Base Petition. Clerk confirmed that the petition would be presented to the Chairman of County Council at the County Council meeting on 12th November 2008.
iv) Minute 36, Part Night Light Scheme - County Public Lighting Officer advises consultation with properties in the vicinity of the affected lighting. RESOLVED: Clerk to consult the householders.
v) Minute 39 Christmas Tree 2008 - Clerk advised that Carmarthen Town Christmas lights would be illuminated on Friday evening 28th November. RESOLVED: Revise date for Llangunnor switch-on to 6.00pm on Thursday 27th November.
vi) Minute 43a, Unsafe retaining wall in Haulfryn - Cllr Carmody identified the location of the wall and emphasised its unsafe condition. RESOLVED: report to the County Housing Officer

Clerk reported that a request has been received from a local youth football team via Cllr Bevan, for permission to play football matches on the playing field. The pitch would need to be marked and the goal posts required painting. Council welcomed the initiative. Cllr Bevan drew attention to the muddy gateway to the park and the poor condition of the safety notices at the entrance and the need for them to be in bilingual format. RESOLVED: matter be referred to the County Leisure and Sports Department with the support of the Community Council. Clerk also reported that a litter bin had been provided by the County Council and is placed near the children's play area

Attention was drawn to the absence of public toilet facilities in the Pensarn retail parks and to the Welsh Assembly Government press statement that a funding scheme is available designed to provide more toilets for public use at business premises such as retail outlets etc. Under the scheme participating Councils can provide rate relief to businesses that allow public access to their existing facilities. RESOLVED: enquire whether it is the intention of the County Council to promote this scheme to the businesses in the Pensarn area

Clerk reported on the process of registering the footpath as a public right of way on the principle of presumed dedication, following regular use by the local community. A case would have to be presented to the County Council requesting that the path be added to the Statutory Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way. The application needs to be evidenced by up to six persons who have known of the existence of the path and used it regularly. RESOLVED: proceed with registration

Attention was drawn to the previous referral to the County Council that this road has been blocked up by Tynewydd. Clerk reported that no response had been received. RESOLVED: remind the County Council that it is failing in its duty to keep this road open

Following complaints by electors that kerbside glass collection for recycling had been withdrawn by the County Council, Council identified the following areas where new style bins could be located on a trial basis: the parking area at the rear of Yr Aelwyd, Tregynnwr; at Nantycaws and in Penymorfa, Llangynnwr. RESOLVED: Clerk to explore possibilities with the County Council

One Voice Wales - AGM attended by Cllr S Howells
Cllr S Howells report verbally on the AGM. The morning session had focussed on sustainable developments and concerns on global carbon emissions. Ways that individual Councils could reduce its 'carbon footprint' together with reducing energy costs were emphasised. The business agenda of the organisation was covered in the afternoon

The Chairman thanked Cllr Howells for the report

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: None

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

a) Refer to County Council:
Need to clear wet leaves on Sticle footpath
Replacement reflector posts required in front of Green Cottage, Login to deter vehicle parking on the green verge.
Report surface water flowing across Login Road by Bank Farm Trailers.
Report mal-functioning of lights in theA40 underpass, Pensarn
Need to lop tree branches shielding the light columns along Sticle footpath
Request the removal of graffiti under Carmarthen Bridge, Pensarn.
Object to the placing of unsightly household rubbish disposal bunkers for the use of Gerynant properties adjacent to the bus shelter in Llangunnor Road following withdrawal of kerbside collections in Gerynant. Appeal to the County Council for the re-introduction of collections in Gerynant

b) Complain to the County Council that Llangunnor Council is still awaiting definitve responses to the following referrals:
- A residential caravan located on highway verge in Nantycaws.
- The blocking up of the green road alongside Tynewydd, Nantycaws

c) Dyfed Powys Police:
Welcome the newly appointed Chief Constable to the Police Headquarters in Llangunnor and extend an invitation to attend a future Community Council meeting.
Refer the practice of vehicles parking on pavements on both sides of the entrance to the Police Headquarters in Llangunnor Road, for the attention of the Chief Constable

d) Council New Year Dinner - Clerk to make enquiries for a suitable location

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