---

April 2015

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', Tregynnwr at 6.30pm on Thursday 16th April 2015.

PRESENT: Councillor Glenda Lloyd (Chair), Robin Griffiths, Paul Totterdale, Alun West, Elwyn Williams, Sandra Thomas, Geraint Bevan, Lee Whatley, David Watson, Dafydd Williams, Selwyn Thomas

12 members of the Public. Ian Lewis, Carmarthen Journal

APOLOGIES: None

Declaration of Interest

Item 3 - Cllr Lloyd declared an interest - sits on the Governors and has grandchild in school. Cllr Sandra Thomas also declared an interest in this item as she has a grandchild at the school.

The Clerk had asked Carmarthenshire County Council Standards Committee for dispensation on behalf of the two Cllrs - dispensation given to speak only.

1. Chair's Announcements

None

3. Motion From Robin Griffiths Declarations - G Lloyd and Sandra Thomas

The Chair requested that Item 10 on the agenda be considered at this juncture. Before commencing Cllr Griffiths asked whether Cllr West & Bevan should declare an interest, the Clerk stated that as he had not been made aware of this prior to the meeting it was for each to decide. Neither declared an interest although Cllr West took no part in the debate and abstained from the vote. The following motion was put forward by Cllr Griffiths and seconded by Cllr Whatley:

"Llangunnor Community Council is disappointed to learn that the Governors of Llangunnor School have decided to make the teaching in Foundation Years (Nursery - Year 2) through welsh only without any consultation with parents, the wider community or the Council itself. It instructs the Clerk to write to the Headmaster and the Chair of the governors to express this disappointment"

Cllr Griffiths expressed his, and parent's concern that these early years would have to start through welsh only and that choice was being taken away from parents.

Cllr Elwyn Williams (Community Council Representative on the Governors and therefore entitled to take part in the debate) explained that no formal decision had been taken, parents had been asked initially how they wanted children in these particular years taught and as there was high percentage that stated through the language of Welsh the headmaster had come up with a plan to implement this. It is usual for parents to make their final decision by June and in previous years this had not been a problem, it had been agreed to bring forward this final decision by parents so that the headmaster knew more accurately what their wishes were - this would take place over the next few weeks.

Cllr Sandra Thomas expressed a view that children were better taught in English in their early years, especially when English was the language of the home and that parental choice in the medium of education was essential, this was strongly contested by Cllr Bevan. Cllr Watson also highlighted issues which concerned him and in particular the closure of the English Nursery and whether this was legal.

Following an amendment put forward by Cllr Watson (agreed by mover and seconder) the following motion was considered

"Llangunnor Community Council is disappointed to learn that the Governors of Llangunnor School are considering making the teaching of the Foundation Years (Nursery - Year 2) through welsh only, without proper consultation with parents, the wider community or the Community Council itself. It instructs the Clerk to write to the school and LEA stating that while the Council supports any democratic decision on the welsh medium if it has been subject to proper consultation with the local community as they are charged to do under legislation.
Further, that the school and LEA be asked to assure the Community Council that proper consultation will take place, that it will be made public and that the details of the process will be provided to the Community Council.
Further that the LEA will also review the actions of the school in respect of the closure of the English Nursery and confirm its legality".

Following further comments for and against and from a member of the public the matter was put to the vote.

For 4, Against 4, Abstentions 1 (Cllr Sandra Thomas did not vote and Cllr Lloyd could not give a casting vote as they had both declared am interest)

The motion therefore fell.

::Councillor Elwyn Williams left the meeting at this stage. A number of members of the public also left::

4. Minutes

Cllr Whatley asked for a couple of amendments to be included, these were accepted and it was moved by Cllr Dafydd Willimas and seconded by Cllr. Watson (minute 0415-4) and RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of the monthly Council meeting and Planning Sub-Committee held on 19th March 2015.

5. Matters Raised/Resolved outside meetings

a) Noticeboards - The Clerk reported that the Planning Application had been submitted, awaiting decision.
b) Penymorfa Lane Bus Stop - The Clerk reported that he, Cllr Bevan and Carmarthenshire County Council had met and each alternative had been considered, it was apparent that the only valid option was to place a cantilever shelter at the current bus stop with its back to the bank. It was unanimously agreed that this would not provide any shelter against the rain and that residents would think it a waste of money, unfortunately it would not be possible to do anything at this particular time.
c) Rubbish in Haulfryn - Carmarthenshire County Council were going to visit properties identified by the enforcement officer as being the likely 'offenders'. The issue would be monitored.
d) Litter in the area - The Clerk reported that any litter pick would be covered by insurance as long as the appropriate risk assessment took place, it was unanimously agreed to organise such a pick. It was further agreed that due to his experience, Cllr Whatley lead on the matter and that a litter pick be organised hopefully in May. The Clerk to make enquiries with Carmarthenshire County Council whether they had a supply of litter pickers. Finally it was agreed that Cllr Whatley /Clerk have a budget of £25 to assist with any equipment/safety wear (minute 0415-5D)

6. The Park

Cllr Watson reported that the gym equipment had been installed and apart from a minor issue 'all was going well'. It was unanimously agreed that the supplier be paid, but that a retention of £437.38 be made to allow for any remedial works to be completed. The Clerk reported that he would be calling a Park's Sub Committee in next week or so, any members with issues for them to consider to email the Clerk.

7. Vacancy on the Council

The Clerk reported that two persons had shown an interest in being co-opted onto the Council. It was unanimously agreed that Mrs A Trowbridge-Mathews and Mrs Margaret Wilkins be co-opted onto the Council (minute 0415-7) The Clerk to inform them of this decision and inform them of the AGM on the 5th May.

8. Web Sub-Committee

Several issues were raised by members: pictures reported to be owned by council where they are clearly not; a lot of discontent at some of the organisations that the facebook paged liked; an issue with there being two facebook pages; an issue with the facebook page not reflecting the webpage; many of the comments placed on facebook were not bilingual; could sub-committee provide usage statistics at Council meetings. All these matters to be considered by web-subcommittee.

::Cllr Elwyn Williams returned at this point::

It was proposed by Cllr Sandra Thomas and seconded by Cllr Griffiths that in future all 'likes' be brought to Council before being instigated For 6, Against 3 Abstension 1 (Cllr Elwyn Williams abstained as he had not been in attendance for all the agenda item) (minute 0415-8)

9. Following motion put by Cllr Bevan and seconded by Cllr Elwyn Williams

This community council notes:
• That when the Dyfed Powys police helicopter was incorporated into the new National Police Air Service in November 2014 it was agreed in the force's agreement to join the service that the Pembrey site would be kept as an operating base.
• That due to proposed budget cuts four months after the force's agreement to join the new National Police Air Service that the service has decided to close the Pembrey site on New Years Day 2016.
• The Dyfed Powys police area will now be covered by bases in St Athan near Cardiff and Hawarden which is close to Chester.
• the very rural nature of the Dyfed Powys Police area which is the largest police area in England & Wales with over 350 miles of coastline.

"This community council calls on the National Police Air Service to honour the agreement made with Dyfed Powys Police made in November 2014 and keep the Pembrey site as an operational base".

Further following the recent tragic events on the River Tywi this community council asks the County Council to provide us with any risk assessments made in relation to any public footpaths/ public rights of way that provide the public with access to the banks of the river in our community area. In the event of no risks assessments having been made we urge the county council undertake risk assessments as soon as possible.

Following a brief debate the motion was unanimously approved (minute 0415-9).

10. Receive a report from the Finance Sub Committee

The Clerk reported that Finance Sub-Committee had considered the accounts for 2014/15 and were recommending that they be accepted and submitted to the internal auditor - this was unanimously agreed (minute 0415-10).

:: Councillor Lloyd had to step outside and vacated the Chair, Councillor Watson took the Chair ::

11. Police HQ Entrance

Cllr Griffiths reported that due to the heavy traffic leaving Police HQ particularly in the winter months that there was no lighting in the area. It was unanimously agreed that the Clerk write to Police Commissioner / Carmarthenshire County Council and ask that lights be provided at this junction (minute 0415-11).

12. AGM

The Clerk confirmed that members from the Sugarcraft would be supplying light refreshments, invites had been sent out.

::Councillor Lloyd returned and Councillor Watson vacated the Chair for her::

13. Council Sub-Committees.

The Clerk reported briefly on this matter and it was unanimously agreed that the following sub-committees be set up:
i) Finance
ii) Park and Environmental
iii) Web and Social Media,
that each sub-committee be made up of 3 councillors + Chair/Vice and that each sub-committee be elected at the AGM.

14. Reports from Members Representing Council on other Bodies

Cllr Watson reported that there was a meeting of the Riverside Assoc on the 12th May.

Cllr Griffiths asked if the Governors had met, Cllr Elwyn Williams stated that they had and that he had reported under item 4 what had been discussed.

It was agreed that all members that represented the council on any body should provide a report at each meeting, if only to state that there had been no meeting.

15. Approve Schedule of Accounts Mar/Apr 2015

It was Resolved (minute 0415-15) proposed Cllr Whatley and seconded Cllr Totterdale (unanimous)

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

Payee	Info	(£) Amount
E Williams	Playing Field (31/03/15)	75.00
CJ Thomas	Salary - April 2015	612.84
	Office Allowance - April 2015	90.00
	IT Allowance - April 2015	30.00
	Postage (planning application)	3.47
Carmarthenshire County Council	Planning Application - Noticeboards	165.04
	Attendance at Planning Seminar	15.00
Fresh Air Fitness	Gym Equipment	9000.00 [1]

Retention of £437.58 to be made to allow for minor remedial work to take place

B) Council to note receipt of income: None Received.

:: Cllr Elwyn Williams left the meeting ::

16. Correspondence

It was RESOLVED (Minute 0415-16) that the following correspondence be noted/action taken

No	Date	Nature of Correspondence	Agreed Action
1		Mr AL Evans (Brithdir) - raising concerns regarding litter in Llangunnor.	Response sent notifying of intention to litter pick.
2		Invitation for Chair to attend YFC Rally	Noted
3		Carmarthenshire County Council - Code of Conduct Training	Members to inform Clerk of wish to attend

17. Any Other Business.

• Clerk to make enquiries to see if there is any truth that the 'Tip' would be charging in future.
• Damage caused to hut in park, Clerk to ask police to have a look at CCTV from Brynmeurig Stores to see if there is a link.
• Banner had been damaged, agreed not to repair at this time as the Council had another two.
• Clerk to contact Carmarthenshire County Council with regard to new contractors carrying out grass cutting in the area, Council under the impression that verges were to be litter picked first, this was not the case.

18. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be the AGM to be held on Tuesday 5th May at 7.00pm followed by the monthly meeting on Thursday 14th May at 6.30pm at Yr Aelwyd.

---

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