March 2015

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', Tregynnwr at 6.30pm on Thursday 19th March 2015.

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

APOLOGIES: Councillor Selwyn Thomas

Declaration of Interest None

Chair's Announcements

• Mr & Mrs Davies wished to extend their thanks to the Council for their invitation to the recent dinner, they had thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
• Cheques had been handed out to different organisations within the community (as listed in February meeting). Chair had received letters of thanks from these organisations.
• The Chair had been invited to a meeting organised by Clwb Cinio Caerfyrddin to discuss the issues raised in the recent census, as she was unwell Cllr Bevan had represented her, Cllr Bevan reported that the group was established to examine the reasons behind the fall in welsh speakers in the County and how this could be turned around. There was cross party support from Carmarthenshire County Council and further meetings were to be organised. Cllr Bevan stated that he had attended as an observer as the issue had not been discussed at Community Council level.

It was moved by Cllr Robin Griffiths and seconded by Cllr Paul Totterdale (minute 0315-2) and RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of the monthly Council meeting and Planning Sub-Committee held on the 19th February 2015.

a) Tree Planting in Capel Dewi Road - There are BT lines in the verge and unfortunately with a tree like an Oak tree the roots would be a problem. It was suggested that the tree be planted in the park, this to be put on the agenda of next Park Sub-Committee.
b) Noticeboards - The Clerk reported that the planning fee would be £165 (50% discount given to Community Council). Clerk to make enquiries with a local company to establish the cost of putting them up.
c) Penymorfa Lane Bus Stop - "Initially just to make the Community Council aware that I was not involved in the original decision process of locating the bus shelter in Elder Grove. Regardless however following a site visit this afternoon, there is certainly no comparison between the two locations, there is no problems/issues with the visibility in Elder Grove whatsoever. The footpath/bus shelter is positioned on a slight internal curve in the road which obviously provides greater visibility for vehicles exiting the nearby side road. With regards to the junction exiting Penymorfa, this is on a slight external curve/section of the road which restricts and impedes the forward visibility. I'm sure that your members would agree if they'd visit and compare the visibility at both junctions in question".
d) Old Print Works, Pensarn - Previous requests to tidy up the grounds of the property have led to clearance of weeds etc and the property was then put on out grounds maintenance team's regular maintenance regime. I will, however, ask for the area to be cleared again. The property has been on the market to let for some time and there has been a succession of interested parties which have all unfortunately withdrawn at late stages of negotiations (the most recent of which pulled out a couple of weeks ago). As a result, we have now decided to sell the property, rather than lease it, and particulars are being drawn up with a view to marketing within the next week or two. We still have one occupier in the building (Talking Books for the Blind) which will vacate to another Council building at the end of next week and will free up the whole property for disposal. We had previously considered Healthy Planet's request to use the property but, as we had a tenant lined up to occupy the building within weeks (which subsequently withdrew), we were not able to accommodate their request. Hopefully, as we have a number of interested purchasers, the marketing for sale will be relatively short and the property will be occupied or redeveloped shortly. Hopefully your Councillors will understand that we have been working hard to secure an occupier for the building and the reasons for not being able to accommodate. I'm afraid that the County Council has no other out of town retail property. There may be opportunities via Tesco for use of the former MFI building or Towy Community Church for use of part of the Xcel Centre, Johnstown, which are the only vacant or part vacant premises I'm aware of. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Carmarthenshire County Council asking if the weeds in and around the building could be treated.
e) CCTV - "Many thanks for updating the Commissioner on your members' views. He continues to discuss the future of public space CCTV provision within Carmarthenshire County Council, which owns and maintains the existing surveillance system. The system is funded mainly by the council, with Mr Salmon contributing £44,000pa for live monitoring only. Research commissioned by Mr Salmon in partnership with Dyfed-Powys's county councils produced no evidence to indicate that live monitoring is cost-effective here; this is the reason for his decision to remove the funding. Since his announcement he does not feel that further evidence has been forthcoming. Furthermore, other Dyfed-Powys counties do not have live monitoring - and Powys has no public CCTV - but crime levels continue to be low. In the first half of this year Mr Salmon will publish advice and guidance for those bodies wishing to maintain their own systems. Please inform the council that crime continues to fall and that Dyfed-Powys Police, with 30 new police officer posts and investment in IT, will spend around 100,000 extra hours on the beat this year".
f) Sunken Kerbs - "Sunken/damaged kerbs - Initially as a temporary measure, we have arranged for the two or three damaged kerbs to be topped off with slow set tarmacadam over the next few days. However I'm pleased to report that in the long term we will arrange for the 5 or so kerbs to be raised and replaced in due course (not considered a high priority at this present moment in time)".
g) Commemorative Seat (Cllr Merlin Jones) - Clerk had not been able to make contact with the family.
H) Rubbish in Haulfryn - Email gone to Carmarthenshire County Council asking them to have another look at the issues in Haulfryn. Still major issues at Haulfryn, Clerk to contact Carmarthenshire County Council to see if bins can be placed in the area to try and alleviate the problem. It was also mentioned that there was a general issue with litter in the community, it was suggested that a litter pick be organised, Clerk to liaise with Cllr Whatley and put on the agenda of next meeting.
i) Bus Bay - It was reported that the bus bay have been painted outside the school but cars parking there and bus not using it.

The Clerk reported that the outdoor gym equipment was to be installed on the 26th March, it was expected to be completed in 2 days. Cllr Watson to meet contractor on site to discuss positioning etc.
• Estimates for park equipment (tables/seats/swings) to be sought in next week or two.
• Extending the path - plan received from Carmarthenshire County Council, agreed that quotes be sought from 3 contractors, the area put aside for a seat near the hut be omitted.
• The 'playwall' should be started this Spring.

As a result of the resignation of Cllr Sarah Howells the Clerk reported that the statutory notice had been placed, if there was no request for an election the Clerk to request any interest for the role of Councillor with a closing date of 14th April 2015, advert to be put in notice boards and on website.
The meeting then considered the matter of co-opting a new member, the Clerk reported that two letters had been received (circulated with meeting Paperwork), the meeting agreed both were excellent. Following a discussion it was proposed by Cllr Whatley and seconded by Cllr Griffiths that a decision be made which of the two candidates should be co-opted, this proposal was defeated (For 4, Against 5)

It was Resolved (minute 0315-6) that the decision be deferred to the April meeting to allow both vacancies to be filled at the same time.

Cllr Whatley raised a couple of issues in respect of Facebook - Cllr Watson gave a brief update of the current situation. As this sub-committee was to be made a formal committee of the Council, the Clerk bring a report to the next meeting on sub-committees generally. It was also agreed that the park sub-committee be renamed the park and environmental committee and this form part of the Clerk's report.

• Cllr Griffiths asked whether the school governors had considered the recent school banding report from Welsh Assembly Government. Cllr Elwyn Williams and Cllr Bevan gave an explanation of some of the different criteria considered and that in their opinion it was not as robust as any report prepared by Estyn.
• Cllr Watson reported that he and Cllr Dafydd Williams had attended training on How to make Grant Applications. Information to be passed on to the Clerk.

It was Resolved (minute 0315-9) proposed Cllr Elwyn Williams and seconded by Cllr Dafydd Williams (unanimous):

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

[1] Extra Meetings held April 1st 2014 - March 31st 2015

Finance Sub-committee 17th April 2014, 24th July 2014, 16th September 2014, 15th January 2015
Park's Sub-committee 17th July 2014, 18th November 2014, 29th January 2015, 19th February 2015
Town Forum 4th June 2014, 16th July 2014, 27th November 2014, 18th March 2015
Meeting at School 22nd January 2015

B) Council to note receipt of income: None

It was RESOLVED (Minute 0315-10) that the following correspondence be noted/action taken.

• Could Carmarthenshire County Council consider putting a grit box in Haulfryn.
• The Oak tree and hedge near Brynmeurig Stores needed attention.
• The sign for the footpath (28/16) has been removed as it was in poor condition, could Carmarthenshire County Council replace it.
• Concern expressed that cars were parking on the road outside Police HQ whilst the probation office car park is empty. Clerk to make enquiries.
• Cllr Griffiths requested that the entrance into Police HQ be placed on the agenda of the next meeting.
• Cllr Griffiths reported that there had been issues in Elder Grove recently involving some work carried out by BT and parking on the pavement. He was concerned that Cllr Dafydd Williams was using his role as a Community Councillor in an incorrect manner. Cllr Williams strongly refuted the accuracy of Cllr Griffiths' information. The Chair reminded all members that they had to be very careful when discussing issues with the public, it was very important that they differentiate between what is the Council's position and what is a personal view. If there were any instances of misuse of any member's position as a Councillor this would be viewed extremely seriously and appropriate action would be taken under the Code of Conduct.
• Carmarthenshire County Council be asked if they would consider putting anti-slip surface on the part of Sticle path which is still not covered.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 16th April 2015 at Yr Aelwyd.

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