July 2011

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', Tregynnwr at 6.30pm on Thursday 21st July 2011

PRESENT: Councillors A West (Chair) , SH Thomas, DE Williams, S Howells, PE Totterdale, DJ Watson, DI Davies, RO Griffiths, EA Jones and LK Carmody

APOLOGIES: Councillors G Lloyd, GP Bevan and CM Jones

• Recently attended church service with Llangunnor School (pupils of year 6 that were leaving) at which Wyn Davies was presented with a community award for his services as Community Council Clerk.
• The Chair also announced that having consulted with other members he though it appropriate that the Council present Wyn Davies with a gift as appreciation of his work as Clerk over the past years.
• A letter of sympathy had been sent through the Chair to the parents of the boy who had recently drowned near Capel Dewi.

RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of (minute 0711-1): i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 16th June 2011 Proposed by Cllr Thomas and seconded by Cllr Howells.

i) Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy - The Clerk had returned the questionairre
ii) Bus Shelter by Maes y Lan, Cottages - Clerk reported that he had not had a response from Carmarthenshire County Council, will chase it up
iii) Daffodil planting - Cost received from Welsh Daffodil Co., suggested that an approach be made to Wyevale. RESOLVED - Cllr EA Jones would contact manager of Wyevale, Clerk to then take forward.
iv) Additional Lamp Penlan Road, Nantycaws - Clerk reported that Carmarthenshire County Council had estimated cost as £2650 + VAT it was RESOLVED - That in the current financial climate ths expenditure could not be justified.
v) Internet Connection for Clerk - It was RESOLVED - that a payment of £5 /month be made to the Clerk for his internet connection, this to be reviewed in 12 months.
vi) Telephone Kiosk Nantycaws - No response Clerk to follow up.
vii) Temporary "risk of flooding" Sign - Clerk reported that Highways agency were currently looking at a scheme to remedy problem, this should be carried out in 2011/12.
viii) Welcome Pack - Deferred to next meeting.

The Chair welcomed Mr John McAvoy (Carmarthenshire County Council transport section) to the meeting, the following were raised and in some instances discussed at length - (minute 0711-2)

1. Babell Hill - A budget of £35K has been allocated to traffic calming in this area. Carmarthenshire County Council are currently working on the design of this work and it will be available for consultation with the Community Council and the residents over the next month or so. It was hoped that the design would be ready for the next Council meeting on September 15th. It was alos hoped that the works would be completed in this financial year.
2. Works at Nantycaws - It was reported that the works to Nantycaws Hill / junction with Penlan Road was currently ranked third in priority with Carmarthenshire County Council, unfortunately due to the limited budget available it was not possible to give any assurances of when this work would be carried out. Updates to be provided on progress.
3. Llangunnor School / Penymorfa Lane - Capital money from Carmarthenshire County Council budget had been allocated for this scheme. The scheme was currently being designed and John McAvoy would be advising the engineering team to consult with the Community / Residents. Again it was hoped this scheme would be carried out in the current financial year.
4. John McAvoy was currently putting an internal bid together to get funding for extending the 40mph in Capel Dewi Road / Login Road.
5. Members of the Council challenged John McAvoy on the lack of traffic calming in area. John McAvoy responded by stating that the Authority did not provide traffic calming measures in residential areas and highlighted that communities such as Burry Port / Dafen and others had received grants directly from Welsh Assembly Government for this type of work, and that Carmarthenshire County Council had not financed it!! He suggested that Llangunnor should consider doing the same and that a member of his section (Carys Timberly White) could assist: it was RESOLVED that the Clerk meet with Carys Timberly White to discuss what was involved in putting a bid together and report back to the September meeting of the council.
6. Improvements to junction Llangunnor Road / Penymorfa Lane to be carried out 2011/12.

The Clerk presented a brief report on the current position in regards to the park

Meeting with Carmarthenshire County Council:
• Chain at entrance to be replaced and new lock provided.
• Entrance for wheelchair users / pushchairs / prams to be levelled off and improved.
• General inspection to repair / replace / remove loose flag stones, light "post" around perimeter of path.
• Repairs to building has taken place - Court awarded £30 damages.
• Large tree - In the opinion of Carmarthenshire County Council nothing formal can be done as the tree is neither dangerous, diseased or hindering any overhead cables.
• Response from Carmarthenshire County Council re: dogs in the park - "there are a few issues with regards to dog control orders in general, the Authority has taken legal advice and the queries passed on to the Welsh Assembly Government, we are awaiting a response from them"

• Carmarthenshire Youth Offending and Prevention Service - The correspondence was noted.
• Members requested that the clerk again write to the Driving Standards Agency stating that learner drivers were still using the junction opposite the park for reversing.

Although these would be ratified at next year's meeting they were circulated for accuracy to be checked - this was confirmed by the meeting.

The Chair of the finance sub-committee reported that they had met earlier, a letter had been received from Lyn Llewelyn (Internal Audit Service) confirming he had successfully completed an audit of the accounts, and that the sub-committee were recommending acceptance of the accounts. It was unanimously RESOLVED that the accounts for 10/11 be accepted and that the annual return be submitted to the external auditor.

Riverside Association: Cllr Watson reported that the use of land south of river / benches etc would be discussed at the next meeting.
River Festival Committee: Cllr Totterdale reported that the committee at its next meeting would be "looking back" at the recent festival. Suggestion that the Council provide a cup for the river festival - To be discussed at future meeting.

It was resolved (Minute 0711-5) that the following payments be made

A) Council is requested to consider and approve the following items of expenditure:

B) Council to note receipt of income: None

It was Resolved (Minute 0711-6) that the following correspondence be noted / action taken.

# Cllr E Williams declared an interest in item 10

(i) Protocol for meetings - Clerk to produce a brief update of protocol for meetings as a reminder for members.
(ii) Training for new members - Cllr Watson highlighted requirements for training for members, this was noted, clerk to make further enquiries.
(iii) Path Outside Aelwyd - When cars park right up to the pavement they "overhang" to such an extent prams / wheelchairs cannot pass. Clerk to contact Housing Section.
(iv) Fridge in Penymorfa Lane - Still there, Clerk to contact Environmental Team.
(v) Welsh Langauge Courses - Cllr Jones brought to the attention of the meeting that welsh courses to be run at the school, Clerk to place "flyers" in noticeboards.
(vi) Wall opposite Aelwyd - Has become very overgrown, Clerk to contact Housing Section.

It was noted that the next meeting will be held on Thursday 15th September.

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