July 2010

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', Tregynnwr at 6.30pm on Thursday 15th July 2010

PRESENT: Councillor Sarah Howells (Chair), DI Davies, Alun West, E Audrey Jones, D Elwyn Williams, Selwyn H Thomas, Robin O Griffiths, L Keith Carmody, Paul E Totterdale and Doreen Valentine

APOLOGIES Councillors C Merlin Jones, Geraint P Bevan, James Anthony Green and PC M Richardson

IN ATTENDANCE:Dr E. Powell, Sustainability Adviser, Carmarthenshire County Council, D Evans, Environmental Officer, Carmarthenshire County Council, Mr Alex Smith, Reporter (Carmarthen Journal) and 40 Electors

Cllr Howells welcomed Dr Powell to the meeting and invited her to address the Council.
Dr Powell highlighted the importance and significance of focusing on achieving sustainable developments to which Carmarthenshire County Council attaches a high priority in its operations and was seeking every community in the County to be equally committed and contribute to the national strategy promoting sustainable development. She outlined the County Council initiative 'Byw SirGâr/Living Carmarthenshire' with its focus on helping communities reduce their carbon footprint and described how it was trialed and supported in the village of Ferryside. In conclusion she invited Llangunnor Council to consider the opportunity provided by the initiative and if interested to submit its interest to the County Council

In discussion mention was made of the current efforts being made by Council to reduce its carbon footprint but had been unable to identify grant aid for the project. Dr Powell agreed to investigate possible funding sources

Cllr Howells thanked Dr Powell for her interesting and challenging presentation and indicated that Council will give further consideration to the initiative

Cllr Howells reported on attending the River Festival and various other activities she had been involved with in the community. She also mentioned attendance at the arranged dignitary reception for the Royal party at Carmarthen Train Station. Cllr Howells confirmed that Llangunnor Carnival will be held on Saturday August 21st

Via the Clerk, PC Richardson reported that County Youth Officers, supported by the Police, aim to hold football matches for local youths. Speeding is an on going issue and several checks have been carried out in the area, including Llangunnor Road, Mount Pleasant and Blaengwastod Road. Several motorists have been warned for inappropriate speeds and speeding tickets issued. The vast majority of vehicles were well within the legal limits

RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 17th June 2010 subject to recording that Cllr Valentine was not present at the meeting.
ii) The Planning Committee Meeting held on 17th June 2010

i) Minute 3: Police Surgery Location Sign: Clerk to meet with Housing Officer on 22nd July.
ii) Minute 3: Resurfacing of Login Road: Clerk awaiting date for site meeting from the Highways Officer.
iii) Minute 3: Road into Parc Pensarn, named Heol Glasdwr Road: Clerk reported that all the development land has been taken for an hotel, electrical contractor offices and by the Assembly Government for storing starter factory building material. The Site Maintenance Officer will arrange for the clearing of rubbish.
iv) Minute 3: Llangunnor Park - Control of dogs: County Council awaiting response from the Welsh Assembly Government for its proposals on the control of dogs.
v) Minute 3: Public Seats and notice boards: All the public seats and the Council notice boards located in Nantycaws and Llangunnor Road have been painted.
vi) Minute 3: Bus Shelter Elder Grove: Clerk awaiting designs from the County Transport Officer.
vii) Minute 19: Home to School Transport: Jonathan Edwards, MP accepted invitation to walk the route and a motion has been submitted for debate at the AGM of Un Llais Cymru/One Voice Wales in October

Chairwoman welcomed Mr David Evans to the meeting and invited him to update Council on progress with regard to the remediation arrangements proposed at Tywi View.
Mr Evans reassured the Community Council that progress was being made. Since the last update in July 2009, the intrusive site investigation has been completed, and Open Days held for residents at Ysgol Llangynnwr School. The County Council and the National Public Health Service were in attendance. The open days were well attended by Tywi View residents and the officers listened and took on board the residents' views

The next stage of the investigation was to agree on remediation options with the landowner following a site walkover by Council officers to identify areas that were subject to remediation as a result of the intrusive site investigation report. The drawing of plans for each plot, and identifying all areas subject to remediation proved to be a complex and time consuming exercise. These plans were completed early April 2010, and consultations then took place between the local authority officers and the Health Protection Agency, (HPA). Following this consultation and agreement, the plans were then submitted to the landowner, who was then asked to provide a detailed remediation strategy for the site. This has been received

Officers are presently examining the details of the remediation strategy, and residents have been advised from the beginning, that the County Council would want to consult with them and if possible agree remediation that would suit the residents as well as the landowner. It is recognised that there is no one fit remediation option for all plots. Each plot must be looked at individually.
It is however accepted that it will be impossible to satisfy all of the residents all of the time. There is such a difference of opinion and expectation on the site that it will be impossible to satisfy everyone. Some residents expect remediation that goes well beyond the scope and recommendations of the report and others are questioning why remediation is required at all. The County Council must ensure that the recommendations of the report are adhered to, and that consultation continues with the HPA

It is agreed that remediation will be phased and Officers still hope that the remediation can be achieved by voluntary means. It is accepted that progress is slow, but continues to move forward. If the local authority is forced to go down the legal route, then undoubtedly there will be significant delays, and the process would be put on hold, until the courts make a determination. This would not be in the interest of the landowner or the residents. It would mean the site having to be determined as contaminated land and entry put on a public register

The next stage is to meet with the landowner, his consultant, (if landowner wishes) and residents on individual plots to agree remediation. It is important the Council continues to receive the full co-operation of the landowner, as well as the residents.
The Chairwoman thanked Mr Evans for his detailed report and was pleased to be reassured that progress is being made to resolve the difficulties experienced at the Park. She reminded Council of the initial request received from a group of Tywi View residents for support in setting up a Public Inquiry to examine the contamination issues surrounding Tywi View. After some considerable discussion the following motion was moved:

'At this moment in time it is not appropriate for Llangunnor Community Council to agree to the request for support in setting up a public inquiry'

The Clerk had circulated the National Training Programme calendar for the coming financial year. Three modules in Welsh and English were on offer for Carmarthenshire: 'The Council Meeting', 'Understanding the Law', 'Understanding Local Authority Finance'. Clerk confirmed that a budget allocation had been provided and that Council was eligible to apply for financial support from the Welsh Assembly Government Training Bursary Scheme in Wales.
RESOLVED: Members to submit nominations to the Clerk by the published cut-off dates

Clerk reported that for public safety reasons the archway to the park had been removed as a matter of urgency by the County Council following receipt of a complaint. The Assistant County Grounds Maintenance Manager has confirmed that he will review the fencing at the entrance and subject to funding available will replace this year. RESOLVED: Obtain confirmation of the Maintenance Manager's proposals for the entrance

Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge. To coincide with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 a campaign to protect 2012 playing fields in communities all across the UK as a permanent living legacy of the event has been launched. Local Authorities are invited to nominate fields/parks in their area as part of the scheme that can be permanently protected for future generations. In Wales the nominations are made to the national organisation 'Fields in Trust Cymru [FITC]', based in Cardiff. Clerk informed that he has arranged to meet with a FITC representative at the Park. Members expressed interest in the scheme.
RESOLVED: i) that the County Council gives consideration to nominating Llangynnwr Park for inclusion in the scheme; ii) Clerk reports progress at the September meeting

Cllr Howells [Chair] informed Council that she was having dialogue with the Neighbourhood Police and the local Youth Officer on this matter and would report progress at the September meeting. Members expressed support for the formation of a youth council. RESOLVED: Place on agenda of September meeting

Cllr DE Williams, who had been re-elected Chairman of the Finance Sub Committee, presented a verbal report on the meeting that had been held immediately before the Council meeting and noted the following points:
The Sub-committee had:
i) approved the financial out-turn for the year ending 31st March 2010 as presented by the Clerk [Proper Financial Officer];
ii) noted the Internal Auditor's approval of the Council's accounts and financial systems for the year ending 31st March 2010.
iii) received the Council's risk assessment criteria and agreed to a full review in January 2011.
iv) considered the Annual Return as presented by the Clerk [Proper Financial Officer] and resolved to recommend that Council approves the Annual Return and authorises its submission to the External Auditor

In line with the report of the Finance Sub-Committee [Minute 35 refers] RESOLVED: to certify the Statement of Accounts and approve the Governance Statement in the Annual Return and authorise its submission to the External Auditor, duly signed by the Chairwoman and Clerk. Cllr Howells thanked Cllr DE Williams and the Sub Committee for its work and thanked the Clerk for the presentation of the accounts

Cllr DE Williams presented a motion supporting complaints of the shortage of parking places available for the residents of Haulfryn, Tregynnwr. The motion was seconded by Cllr Griffiths. During discussion it was noted that Bron y Dre was also short of parking places.
RESOLVED: i) Request the County Council to provide additional parking spaces in Haulfryn and Bron y Dre, Tregynnwr; ii) provide the Tregynnwr Tenants and Residents Association with a copy of the request to the County Council

Gwili Railway: Cllr E A Jones reported on the meeting she attended on the proposed extension of the Gwili Railway track as far as Carmarthen and the plans for the overall enhancement of the attraction. Cllr Jones outlined the main aspects of the proposals, known as the 'Carmarthen North Project' and informed that an 'Open Day' is planned to be held by Gwili Railway in October and Members of the Community Council will be invited to attend.

Chairwoman thanked Cllr Jones for the detailed report.
[Cllr Griffiths declared his interest in this matter as he is a share holder of 'Gwili Railway']

RESOLVED: approve the monthly income and expenditure schedule presented by the Clerk:

B) Income: Nil

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

(i) Refer to County Council:
Request from local youths for lights in the Park - County Cllr C M Jones had agreed to refer the request to the County Council
Obtain progress on the road safety measures proposed for Nantycaws and the extension of the 40mph limit along Heol Capel Dewi
Vegetation growth outside the former Creamery Offices, Pensarn

(ii) Refer to Police
Vehicle parking at entrances to Llygad yr Haul, Elder Grove and Rhoslas presenting difficulties for motorists negotiating these junctions due to the vehicles being parked at the junctions or directly opposite the junctions.
'Cars for Sale' obstructing pedestrians on the pavement in Pensarn

(iii) Junction of Old Llangunnor Road with Heol Llangynnwr.
Long lorries have difficulty turning at this junction due to vehicles frequently left parked at the junction - refer to the Police for action and pursue the possibility of getting the affected businesses to provide a courtesy 'no parking' sign at the junction

(iv) Chain of Office:
Chairwoman has investigated the cost of purchasing a 'breast plate' for the Chain of Office as it is subject to damage in its present form. Council agreed to the proposal and for the Chair to proceed to obtain estimates

RESOLVED to suspend Council's Standing Orders for the period between the July and the September monthly meetings and grant powers to the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Chairman of Planning to deal with Council matters, in conjunction with the Clerk

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