February 2009

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in Llangunnor School, on Thursday 19th February 2009 at 7.00pm

PRESENT: Councillor C Merlin Jones (Chairman), Doreen Valentine, Alun West, Geraint Bevan, Robin O Griffiths, EA Jones, Sarah Howells, Selwyn H Thomas, James Anthony Green, L Keith Carmody, Richard S Thomas and D Elwyn Williams

APOLOGIES: Councillor DI Davies

IN ATTENDANCE: Rhodri Glyn Thomas, Assembly Member, I Pollock, Carmarthen Journal, PC M Richardson and 6 Electors

PC M Richardson gave an update on his work in the community. Apart from one or two minor incidences there was nothing significant to report. Chairman thanked him for the report

Chairman welcomed Rhodri Glyn Thomas to the meeting and the following matters were discussed:
Free school transport to local secondary schools: RESOLVED: i) respond to Welsh Assembly consultative document on free school transport guidelines to local authorities ii) Petition the Cabinet Minister with responsibility for Equality and Diversity
Tywi Valley Heritage Trail Regeneration and Pensarn: The focus is on the upper reaches of the Tywi but there may be European funding available for a regeneration scheme. RESOLVED: Refer mater to the County Director of Regeneration.
Digital Switchover and Internet Services. Some parts of Llangunnor and Nantycaws may lose TV reception following the signal switchover from analoge to digital later in 2009. RESOLVED: Consult with OFCOM. Unavailability of broadband service in parts of Nantycaws RESOLVED: refer the matter to OFCOM
Appeal for the extension of 40mph speed restriction in Heol Capel Dewi: a public petition had been completed RESOLVED: Rhodri Glyn Thomas declared his support to the appeal

The Chairman thanked Mr Thomas for attending and for his support to the Llangunnor Community

The Chairman thanked the Clerk and Members for presenting him with the Community Certificate of Merit during the New Year dinner in recognition of his involvement in developing Llangunnor Park. He felt privileged to have received the certificate but emphasised that he was one of a dedicated team that worked hard to establish a quality public park in Llangunnor. The other team members, Cllr Richard Thomas, Jeffrey Lewis and Stuart Bowen were unable to attend the dinner and will be presented with their Certificates at a later date and Catherine James and Denzil Williams having received Certificates previously were warmly thanked for their contributions in developing the Park

Cllr Jones referred to the success of Hannah Gleeson at the Special Olympics in Idaho, USA and announced that a presentation was being arranged for her at Ysgol Llangunnor School. RESOLVED: present Community Certificate of Merit to Hannah Gleeson. 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 15th January 2009, subject to one amendment, namely minute 87 - replace 'He was aware...' with 'Cllr Bevan was aware...';
ii) The Planning Committee Meeting held on 15th January 2009

i) Minute 84ii Glass Recycling Bins - Had referred the junction of Old Llangunnor Road and Llangunnor Road as a possible site for the bins
ii) Minute 91i School Transport Petition - Clerk reported no reply received: RESOLVED: Make official complaint to the County Council

Clerk reported on the formal notice served by the County Council seeking confirmation that Llangunnor Community Council remains of the same view as recorded in minute 4, Council meeting 19th June 2008, in respect of the application for stopping-up redundant highway land adjacent to the Old Smithy, Login, Carmarthen.
RESOLVED: Uphold the resolution

Clerk presented a document providing a structure for the Finance Committee that includes Terms of Reference and delegated matters. RESOLVED: i) approve the structure with 5 Members to serve on the committee ii) Appoint the Chairman, Vice Chair, Cllrs DI Davies, R Thomas and DE Williams to serve on the committee

Clerk presented a report outlining a process for the evolvement of a Community Plan that would embrace public consultation with community groups and holding a public 'visioning day'. He also informed Council that Menter Cwm Gwendraeth has experience in these matters. Following a general discussion Council RESOLVED: Invite Officer from Menter Cwm Gwendraeth to attend a Council meeting to outline the process

Clerk reported on the exchange of correspondence with the County Council and the request by the Head of Street Scene for Llangunnor Council to identify locations where improvements could be made. The Clerk was thanked for the quality of his correspondence and for securing a positive response from the County Council. RESOLVED: i) Cllrs R Thomas, RO Griffiths and Clerk to identify the locations ii) Invite Mr Gilbert, County Regeneration Officer to attend a Council meeting

Clerk confirmed that the boundary hedge would be cut during February, weather and ground conditions permitting. Clerk also reported that he was awaiting information on the 'Green Flag' award from the County Parks Officer

i) Riverside development - Cllr Griffiths reported that work will be commencing soon on enhancing the riverside that initially will focus on the Carmarthen Town side from Pont King Morgan to Pont Lesneven. Cllr Griffiths tabled a copy of the approved plans

ii) One Voice Wales Area meeting - Cllr Howells reported that Councils should be budgeting for the training of Members and the Clerk. A particularly useful meeting had been held by One Voice Wales in conjunction with the County Council to outline the process of producing the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan. The meeting was attended by Cllrs S Howells, D Valentine and DI Davies

iii) Dyfed Powys Police Community Liaison Meeting - Cllr West reported on the meeting that had focused mainly on the budgeting aspect of the Police Authority and the potential funding shortfall in the 2009/10 funding allocation

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

i) Refer to County Council:
Insist that the green refuse bunkers by Gerynant, Llangunnor Road be removed.
Complain that vehicles are being parked in the designated bus bay by Yr Aelwyd preventing the Service bus from stopping by the raised pavement
Appeal to the County Council to replace the 'Give Way' sign with a 'Halt' sign for vehicles leaving Stephens Way, Pensarn.

ii) Extension of 40mph speed restriction in Heol Capel Dewi
Cllr Green handed a 71 signature petition to the Chairman, appealing for the 40mph speed restriction in Heol Capel Dewi to be extended to a point beyond the entrance to Tywi View Residential Park. Council had resolved previously to support the petition [minute 81iv Council meeting 11th December 2008 refers]. RESOLVED: endorse the petition and submit to the County Council

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