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September 2009

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in Yr Aelwyd, on Thursday 17th September 2009 at 7.00pm

PRESENT: Councillor Doreen Valentine (Chair), Alun West, Robin O Griffiths, Sarah Howells, C Merlin Jones, James Anthony Green, D Elwyn Williams, DI Davies, Paul E Totterdale and L Keith Carmody

APOLOGIES: Councillor Geraint Bevan, EA Jones and Selwyn H Thomas

IN ATTENDANCE: Mr Adam Price, MP; 32 Electors and 10 school pupils; Inspector S Lee and PC M Richardson; D Fisher, Carmarthen Journal

43. 'Home to School Transport' - Consultation with Mr Adam Price MP for East Carmarthenshire and Dinefwr

After welcoming both Mr Adam Price to the meeting and the public in attendance, Cllr Valentine invited Cllr Robin Griffiths to brief all present of the concerns of the community on the issues of home to school transport in Llangunnor. Cllr Griffiths contended that the pupils attending the two secondary schools were being treated differently and that the walking route to QE High School was unreasonably deemed safe by the County Council. The Community Council had tried for more than three years to get the County Council to review its position on these matters. Further the County Council was now providing a pupil paying bus service to QE High School that resulted in standing room only for a number of pupils. Parents were extremely concerned over the safety aspect of this practice.

In response Mr Price said that it was absolutely reasonable to expect all children and families to be treated equally and that the present arrangements were devisive and totally intolerable. He supported the right to a better service for Llangunnor pupils and by noting examples of wasteful expenditure by the County Council asserted that an extra bus could be afforded. The Council must respond to parental concerns over the safety of children and he would be prepared to support any direct action. He would research the present situation and will demand that Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru/National Assembly for Wales brings pressure to bear on the County Council to conduct a review into the whole issue and especially the principle of inequality. Along with the local Assembly Members he will be persitent in demanding a response as there is a strong case to answer by the County Council.

A parents representative invited to speak by the Chairwoman thanked Mr Price for his support and stated that the paramount concern of parents was the safety of their children whether walking to school or travelling on the bus. County Councillor Merlin Jones said that in these modern times of heavy traffic it would not be unreasonable for the statutory distance of 3 miles set in far gone days, to be reduced to a 2 mile limit.

Cllr Valentine thanked Mr Price for attending the meeting and felt reassured by his declared support to get the issues properly addressed by the County Council

44. Standing Orders

RESOLVED: reinstate standing orders following the summer recess

45. By-election - 10th September 2009 Cllr Valentine welcomed Cllr Paul E Totterdale to his first meeting following a by-election for the vacancy in the East Ward. Cllr Totterdale duly signed the 'Declaration of Acceptance'

46. Chair's Announcements

Cllr Valentine welcomed Cllr DI Davies to the meeting following surgery at Glangwili Hospital and Members were pleased to see that he was fit and well again. She congratulated Cllr Howells as Chair of the Carnival Organising Committee on the success of Llangunnor Carnival this year and commented on how pleasing it was to have fine weather this year. She had also conveyed sympathy to Cllr SH Thomas on the recent bereavement in his family. Cllr Valentine had attended the Annual Carmarthen Admiral of the Port event but had not taken the customary boat trip down the Tywi

47. Minutes

RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 16th July 2009;
ii) The Planning Committee Meeting held on 16th July 2009

In considering the minutes the following points were raised:

Minute 28: Tywi View Residential Park. Clerk referrred to correspondence received confirming that the County Council had received the final report and details of the dissemination process involving the residents of Tywi View Residential Park. Cllr Green asserted that Council had been mis-informed of the date of the final report as given by the Head of Public Protection and was now seeking an apology from him. RESOLVED: i) Receive the dissemination process as given by the County Head of Public Protection; ii) Note Cllr Green's viewpoint
Minute 30: Chief Superintendent Aled Davies has accepted the invitation to attend a Council meeting and will confirm date in due course
Minute 31: Bollard in front of Rail Station - Clerk reported that this had been replaced
Minute 31: Nantycaws Speed limit - Clerk reported that the meeting had taken place [minute 58iii refers]
Minute 32: Glass recycling facilities. Clerk reported that the recycling units are now in place in Bron y Dre, Tregynnwr and in Lôn Penymorfa. To counter the nuisance of noise caused by bottles dropping into the bins late at night, notices refraining use after 8.00pm are planned. RESOLVED: Request County Council to introduce means of reducing the noise in each recycling facility

48. Publishing Personal Information in Council Reports and Minutes

The Clerk presented a report giving the views of Un Llais Cymru/One Voice Wales and Carmarthenshire County Council on the publication of personal information in meetings and publishing same in Council minutes. He noted that it could be deduced from the two views that there is no hard and fast definitive position on this matter with reliance on the report writer to establish the most appropriate action, but emphasised that the protection of the Council and the interests of Members and the individuals concerned are paramount. In general terms the County Council's practice is not to reveal personal information in open meetings or minutes but to mask in some way e.g. initials etc. Similarly the guidance presented by Un Llais Cymru/One Voice Wales is also leaning towards the same position.
RESOLVED: i) To note the Clerk's report; ii) Clerk to obtain the position of Carmarthen Town Council in respect of this matter

49. National Training Programme for Town and Community Councils

Clerk had circulated Members with details of the National Training Programme for Councillors with dates of the modular courses to be held locally. Clerk invited nominations for submission to the programme RESOLVED: Nominations be made to the Clerk by 30th September and the Chairwoman to approve the final list for submission to Un Llais Cymru/One Voice Wales

50. Llangunnor Park

Clerk reported that he had approached a local building firm for an estimate to carry out repairs to the floor of the pavilion and was awaiting the costs RESOLVED: Endorse the Clerk's action

51. Signage for Police Surgery in Yr Aelwyd

Cllr Griffiths proposed that Council funds an external sign for the Neighbourhood Police Surgery to be established in an office on the lower ground floor in Yr Aelwyd, Tregynnwr RESOLVED: Clerk to research the cost of a suitable bilingual sign

52. Development Land - Parc Pensarn

Cllr Griffiths expressed disappointment on the apparent absence of promotion of the availability of development land at Parc Pensarn thereby missing the opportunity to create local employment opportunities RESOLVED: Invite County Councillor C Scourfield, Executive Board Member for Regeneration to a future Council meeting

53. Christmas Tree and Lights 2009

RESOLVED: Approve the provision of a community Christmas Tree at the former Tywi Ford roundabout. Lights switch-on at 6.00pm before the Council meeting on November 19th. Clerk to make the arrangements Cllr CM Jones agreed to seek the landowner's permission for the public attending the 'switch-on' ceremony to enter the land behind the Christmas Tree

54. Review of Council's Lighting Plan

Clerk presented an up-dated Council Lighting Plan together with the 2009-10 budget allocations available for developments. He also reported on negotiations with the County Lighting Officer for the installation of two lamps in Old Llangunnor Road. Council would only be obligated to meet the annual energy and maintenance costs of the additional lamps. RESOLVED: i) Agree to the two lamps for Old Llangunnor Road; ii) Defer discussion of the Plan to the October meeting

55. Reports from Members Representing the Council on other Bodies

Sustainable Development Global Project: Cllr Howells had attended an initial project introductory meeting. The focus of the project would be on developing tools that support understanding awareness of sustainable development and global issues related to food and active global citizenship and engagement between decision makers and local communities

56. Approve Schedule of Accounts

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:

Payee	Info	(£) Amount
E Williams	Bus Shelters (July 09)	57.00
	Playing Field (July 09)	70.00
	Bus Shelters (August 09)t	57.00
	Playing Field (August 09)	70.00
	Repairs to Bench Seat	35.00
IW Davies	Salary - August 09	457.50
	Office Allowance - August 09	70.00
	IT Allowance - August 09	20.00
	Office Support - August 09	152.50
	Reimbursement: Gift Cllr DI Davies	14.62
	Salary - September 09	457.50
	Office Allowance - September 09	70.00
	IT Allowance - September 09	20.00
	Office Support - September 09	152.50
Bowen & Weaving	Stationery	48.47
Brynmeurig Stores	Raffle Prizes - Yr Aelwyd Opening	30.00
Carmarthenshire County Council	Fitting part night cells	50.00

B) Council to note receipt of income:

Payee	Info	(£) Amount
Carmarthenshire County Council	Precept 2009/10 - 2nd instalment	11,200.00
HM Revenue & Customs	Reimbursement of VAT Payments 2008/9	3394.07

57. Correspondance

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

Item	From	Nature of Correspondence
i	Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru/National Assembly for Wales:	Noted consultation document on proposed order to have powers to legislate on Town and Community and Councils Promoting 'Tidy Wales Week' 2009: 21-27 September. Noted that Ysgol Llangynnwr School will be involved Noted update on Welsh language Legislation Noted Local Government Partnership Scheme - Annual Report 2008-9 Noted consultation event on 'Single use carrier bags at Swansea on 17th September Noted various public representative appointments
ii	Un Llais Cymru/One Voice Wales:	Received two copies of Y Llais/The Voice Noted confirmation of Cllr Howells as a representative on the global research project on sustainable development and global issues related to food Received Environment Agency Wales - summer bulletin Received notice of motions for debate at AGM on 10th October - referred to Cllr Howells Noted papers for the Carmarthenshire Area meeting on 17th September [clashes with Council meeting]
iii	Carmarthenshire County Council:	Noted advice on Footpath maintenance programme 2009/10 Noted action to cut sidegrowth along path between Bron y Dre and Penymorfa Noted terms of use of the Communal Lounge at Yr Aelwyd, Tregynnwr Noted costs of providing bus shelters Confirmation that BT will inspect the 'unsafe' pole in Y Talar, Tregynnwr Leaflets on the project - 'Tywi a River Through Time' Sample courtesy sign for limiting use of the glass bottle recycling facilities Guidelines/conditions on tree planting on highway roadside verges Request to select a Welsh version of the street nameplate for 'Primrose Hill' RESOLVED: Advise that 'Rhiw Briallen' seems the most appropriate Noted confirmation that no encroachment is deemend to have taken place by the housing development at the Penymorfa/Penymorfa Lane junction. RESOLVED: Request the Highway Authority to review its decision in line with maps available Noted the Review of Gambling Policy - consultation document Noted the Rural Conversion Grant Programme Noted the Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru/National Assembly for Wales rejection for a HALT sign at the Stephen's Way/Pensarn Road junction Noted that Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru/National Assembly for Wales are reviewing the appeal for the relocation of the 'Satellite Navigation' sign at Login Noted invitation to attend the Annual Standards Committee Conference in Cardiff Received community Play Project newsletter - summer 2009 Details received from the Head of Public Protection on the dissemination procedures of the results of the investigation into the suspected soil toxic contamination at Tywi View Residential Park. RESOLVED: To note the proposed dissemination process
iv	Financial Appeals:	Appeals for financial aid received from Carmarthenshire YFC, Macmillan Cancer Support, Air Ambulance Wales, Bobath Children's Therapy, Pit Pony Sanctuary, Carmarthenshire Age Concern - RESOLVED: refer to December 2009 meeting
v	National Botanic Garden:	Notice of 'Day Out' - circulated to Members
vi	Adjudication Panel for Wales:	Noted Annual Report 2008-9
vii	Cllr Green:	Noted correspondence relating to the delay in publishing the report on the suspected soil contamination at Tywi View Residential Park
viii	Elector:	Complaint of lack of bilingual signs by organisations established in Parc Pensarn. RESOLVED: refer to the County Council
ix	Dyfed Powys Police:	Response re: learner drivers using busy junction in Brynmeurig for reversing practice
x	Country Alliance Awards:	Noted request for nominations for 7 Awards [England and Wales]
xi	Llangunnor Church:	Posters on 'Open Churches Day' 19th September - displayed on Community Noticeboards
xii	Local Government Boundary Commission:	Noted Annual Report and Workshop at Swansea - 24th September
xiii	Driving Standards Agency:	Acknowledgement of letter re: Excessive use of Brynmeurig
xiv	Wales Audit Office:	Report on how Councils can combat fraudulent practices. RESOLVED: refer to Finance Sub-committee
xv	Resident Tywi View Residential Park:	Noted copy of complaint letter sent to the Chief Executive of Carmarthenshire County Council concerning the presentation given by the County Head of Public Protection at the July meeting of the Community Council
xvi	Capel Dewi Community Association:	Invitation for 2 representatives to attend official opening of 'the Annex' on 10th October - Cllr Totterdale will be attending
xvii	Local Health Board:	Noted panel meeting - 21st September
xviii		Noted all other correspondence and promotional material received

58. Any Other Matter: - RESOLVED

i) Refer to County Council:
The poor condition of the 'Cattle Crossing' sign on the former A48 at Login and a request for the consideration of installing part-time 'cattle crossing warning lights' at Login
Hedge clippings left on the footpath in Rhoslas and hedge side growth restricting passage along pavements in Heol Blaengwastod
Enquire what plans are being considered for the former United Dairies offices recently vacated by the 'Careers Service' in Pensarn

ii) October meeting agenda - Place on October meeting Agenda:
As external meetings held at 'Yr Aelwyd' have to end by 9.30pm, to consider commencing Council meetings at 6.45pm with the Police Consultation at 6.30pm
To consider the provision of extra bus shelters in the community

iii) Renewal of the frames of the historical photographs of Pensarn on display in Yr Aelwyd. Clerk reported that this was under consideration and would be liaising with the Chairwoman in regard to the overall cost

iv) Nantycaws Speed Limit Cllr DI Davies reported on a site meeting held at Nantycaws on 11th September with Mr J McEvoy, Highway Engineer and Residents of Nantycaws on the petitioned appeal for the introduction of a speed restriction on the former A48 through the village of Nantycaws. Mr McEvoy had reported that the local concerns were noted and the introduction of a speed restriction along with a central pedestrian refuge to support safe road crossing were being considered. He added that the proposal had been included on the County list of works. Cllr Valentine thanked Cllr Davies for the report and comented that she was very pleased that the concerns were being addressed at long last RESOLVED: Convey the Community Council's support for the proposal to the County Highways Authority and press for the scheme to be given the highest priority and completed with due urgency

v) Code of Conduct Seminar - Llandyfaelog Hall at 7.00pm on 22 September 2009 Clerk confirmed details of the joint seminar arranged for Llandyfaelog CC and Llangunnor CC on the Members Code of Conduct to be conducted by the County Standards Officer

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