October 2014

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', Tregynnwr at 6.30pm on Thursday 16th October 2014.

PRESENT: Councillor Glenda Lloyd (Chair), Paul Totterdale, Elwyn Williams, Robin O Griffiths, Geraint Bevan, Lee Whatley, Sarah Howells, Dafydd Williams, David Watson, Selwyn Thomas and Merlin Jones.

APOLOGIES: Councillors Alun West and Sandra Thomas

The Chair welcomed Mark to the meeting. He circulated a couple of leaflets highlighting the services provided by the Care and Repair Team and the handyman service. He explained the types of service they provided and who their target clients were. He went into detail regarding the assistance they gave to the more vulnerable residents from filling in forms to getting reputable contractors to carry out the work was needed. A few members recounted their personal experience with Care and Repair and added that it was all very positive.

The Chair thanked Mark for the useful information he provided and for giving up his time to attend.

The Chair reported that:
• She had attended the 'Older Person week' at Yr Aelwyd, which was extremely well organised, but at times disappointingly supported.
• She thanked Cllr Dafydd Williams for taking her to the opening of Dunelm, she had the honour of cutting the ribbon to open the new store - they had received a great welcome.
• She thanked Cllr David Watson for accompanying her to a meeting with the Church (reported further in the minutes).
• She had attended the unveiling of the new Pizza Counter at The Carraway.
• She would be attending the Thanksgiving Service at Babell Chapel on Sunday which also marked its re-opening after refurbishment.

Following some minor amendments it was moved by Cllr Watson and seconded by Cllr Jones (minute 1014-3) and RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of the monthly Council meeting and Planning Sub-Committee held on September 18th 2014.

Matters raised/resolved outside meetings: September/October 2014

a) Penymorfa Bus Stop/Bus stop opposite Police HQ - Awaiting response. Clerk to get details and put on agenda of next meeting.
b) Query received "Is possible to check with the County Council if the owners of the new bike shop have taken land, as originally there was a green patch of grass at the front of the property then you had a fence so I am not sure if the original fence marked the boundary of the property. If it did then I would ask that the County Council take action for them to reinstate the grass verge." - Response from Carmarthenshire County Council "This matter was raised by third parties and is now with Enforcement for their attention, once there is further information available an update will be provided".
c) Issue raised by several Cllrs in respect of van parking in front of park gate - Met with John McAvoy, new orders being introduced allowing Carmarthenshire County Council to give parking ticket to anyone parking on/near a dropped kerb, once this has been in the press (imminent) then the wardens will be enforcing it. Also agreed that persons would be trained in use of speed gun (provided by Police)
d) Salt/grit bin in Brithdir - Residents committee organising delivery of salt, three estimates supplied. Salt/grit delivered and invoice paid.
e) Carmarthenshire County Council building (opposite ATS) - Awaiting update.
f) Bridge cleaning/Dog Fouling signs - Carmarthenshire County Council are dealing with the matter.
g) Parking Bays - Bron y Dre - No response to date.
h) Railing at Sticle Path, Penymorfa - Chasing up response
i) Copy of recent Traffic Survey in Pensarn - Still chasing up.
j) Daffodils - Bulbs provided for school for Nantycaws and rear of school, awaiting permission from Housing for entrances to sites in Tregynnwr.
k) Tree planting in Pensarn - Application form received to be discussed. Cllr Bevan and Clerk look into this.
l) Code of Conduct Training - Response from Carmarthenshire County Council "As regards further training, it's likely we will run further sessions, probably in May next year, although the format & venue are yet to be decided".
m) Blaengwastod Road - Response from Carmarthenshire County Council "Please rest assured that the road markings will be re-laid as they were before the new resurfacing took place"
n) Poundstretcher - Carmarthenshire County Council response "I can confirm that the enforcement file at the above location was closed. Having liaised with the Development Control Manager regarding this issue it was decided that it wasn't expedient to pursue further action in this instance".
o) Fence at Church Farm - Response from Carmarthenshire County Council "Initially following an inspection of the metal fence in question, it would appear that the County Council may have carried out a road widening improvement type scheme along the road and outside the Farm many many years ago. It must be noted that usually in order for these minor improvement type works to proceed especially many years ago, the adjoining landowners would have 'dedicated' part of his land for the purpose of improving the road layout, etc. Normal procedures would have included 'accommodation works' in exchange for the land dedication, which in this case involved, I assume, the provision of the steel railings. Basically under the dedication agreement between the landowner and the County Council, following the usual annual maintenance liability period, it is regarded that any future general maintenance responsibility for that particular fence, hedgerow, etc. would lie with the respective adjacent 'landowner' and not with the highway authority (unless contrary evidence can be provided by the landowner which indicates otherwise). Regrettably I'm afraid in this particular instance, from the Highway Maintenance Division's point of view; we strongly believe that the maintenance responsibility of the fence lies solely with the adjoining landowner.
p) Old Carmarthenshire Training offices in Pensarn - Request to Carmarthenshire County Council for Healthy Planet be allowed to use it - response "This building is currently in the process of being sold so relocation to here would not be possible".
q) Met Cllr Bevan and 4 residents in Penymorfa Lane following complaints of speeding traffic - Carmarthenshire County Council to place survey equipment on site to record traffic volume and speed - results to be forwarded when available.

The clerk reported that four companies had now been asked for quotations in respect of the gym equipment - he would call a Park Sub-Committee to deal with these when they were received. He had also received further information from Lovells in respect of the Play Wall, he had asked for some advice from Grantscape, once this was to hand Lovells would then get the go-ahead.

The Clerk reported that the Finance Sub-Committee had met to discuss the Model Regulations and was recommending to Council that they be accepted.
It was proposed by Cllr Elwyn Williams and seconded by Cllr Griffiths and unanimously Resolved (Minute 1014-6) that the Model Regulations be adopted by the Council and that the Clerk arrange for them to be placed on the website.

The Finance Sub-Committee also brought recommendations to the Council in respect of Clerk's terms and conditions, it was unanimously resolved (minute 1014-7) that the Clerk
(i) Receive the annual % increase when it is agreed nationally,
(ii) That the Office Allowance paid to the Clerk be increased by £5 a month to £90,
(iii) The IT allowance remain at £30 a month.

These changes to be implemented from August 1st 2014.

Cllr Whatley reported that this site was becoming very overgrown and unsightly, following a discussion it was unanimously agreed (Minute 1014-7) that the Clerk ask Carmarthenshire County Council if they could cut/tidy up at the site and that wild flowers then be planted to improve its appearance.

With the Chair's permission Mrs Jones of Roman Villa addressed the meeting, she highlighted the issues on Roman Road, and these included
• School children using the lane and that there are no pavements
• The speed of the traffic using the lane
• The volume of the traffic using the lane, it had become apparent that people were now using it to avoid the speed calming measures placed on Mount Pleasant/Babell Hill
• The amount of heavy vehicles using the lane.

Following a discussion amongst the members it was proposed by Cllr Griffiths and Seconded by Cllr Bevan and unanimously Resolved (minute 1014-8) that the Clerk write to Carmarthenshire County Council requesting that
a) Consideration be given to introducing a speed limit of 20mph on this lane
b) To enquire with Carmarthenshire County Council whether a weight limit could be introduced preventing larger lorries from using it as long as this was not to the detriment of any local business
c) Ask Carmarthenshire County Council if they would be able to place survey equipment on the lane so that the Council could get some factual information on its use.

Cllr Lloyd and Watson had recently met with the Archdeacon and two members of the Church, it concerned the amount of land available to the Church for burials. They reported that the Church would be making a request to the Council for assistance on this matter. The Clerk reported that Carmarthenshire County Council had given permission to the members of the Church that sat on the Council to take part in any debate but not in any voting that would take place; he further explained that until a formal request was received then this was not a matter that could be debated at the moment.

a) Cllr Watson reported that he and Cllr Dafydd Williams had recently attended One Voice Wales training on Code of Conduct. It had proved very useful, and he had brought two documents away from the training with regard to the Nolan Principles and on what constitutes a declaration of interest.
It was agreed that the Clerk circulate the documents before the next meeting and that the Council consider including them in their Code of Conduct.

It was Resolved (minute 1014-11) proposed Cllr Totterdale and seconded Cllr Howells that the following schedule of accounts be approved (unanimous):

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 0914-12) that the following correspondence be noted/action taken.

The Clerk asked that the following be accepted as any other business:
a. Elder Grove - A meeting was arranged with Ian Thomas (highways) at 4.15pm on Friday 24th October, to discuss water that comes off the road (outside 25,26).
b. Western Power - He and Cllr Bevan had met with WP to discuss trees that had been destroyed, agreed to meet in spring to identify extent of problem.
c. Remembrance Sunday Service Nov 9th at 11.00am, members to note this date. Clerk to inform the School that there would be a 'run through' at the Church at 1.00pm on November the 4th.
Also raised were the following: a) Cllr Dafydd Williams asked if consideration could be given to getting more banners to promote both the Council and it's website. Agreed that this be put on the agenda of the next meeting.
b) Could the Clerk check on the progress of the 'yellow lines' requested by the Council earlier this year, entrance to Tregynnwr in particular.
c) Could the Clerk ask Carmarthenshire County Council to check the drains in the area, as it was 'that time of year'.
d) There is a sign at the entrance to the B road that is accessed by Gwynfryn in Nantycaws showing that it is not suitable for Sat. Nav. Directions, several locals have had to help stranded lorry drivers recently, could a similar sign be placed at the other end.
e) Could Clerk follow up cutting of hedges in Bronydre.
f) Cllr Whatley informed the members that Lis Duffy had been nominated in the Carmarthen Journal Community Awards and had gone on to win Carmarthen Journal Community Champion award.
g) Cllr Elwyn Williams noted that Simon McCall was a Gold medallist at Skills Wales 2014, Highly commended in UK Skills and selected for the UK Skills team. Gained silver medal in Euro Skills 2014 at Lille representing team UK.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 20th November at 7.30pm

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