November 2017

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', Tregynnwr at 6.30pm on Thursday 16th November 2017

PRESENT: Councillor Lee Whatley (Chair), Geraint Bevan, Robin Griffiths, Paul Totterdale, Elwyn Williams, Sandra Thomas and Alexandra Trowbridge-Mathews

APOLOGIES: Councillor Dafydd Williams, Alun West, Adrienne Mackintosh and Vivian Davies

There were no declarations of interest

Since the last meeting the chair had attended many public engagements regarding Remembrance Day with the launch of the Poppy Appeal at St Peters civic hall, a remembrance service at Llangunnor school, where both the English and Welsh streams took part and Cannon Brian Witt gave an engaging talk to the children about the importance of remembering. Main Remembrance Service took place at Llangunnor church on Remembrance Sunday and I would like to thank Councillor Griffiths for working with the church to organise the service. Later that day the Chair attended the service in Carmarthen, a very good turnout despite the weather. He would be attending the Carmarthen Christmas light switch on event.

Coming up we have the Christmas Tree light switch on and please remember to tell everyone to go back to Babell afterwards - this is a good opportunity to promote the work of the council to the community. Day after he had been told there is a choir singing to raise funds for Tenovus at Yr Aelwyd. He believed that a winter fayre was being held at the school on 7th December at 6pm. The Friends of St Peter's Church are holding a community Christmas celebration concert on Sunday 10th December at 6pm

None

It was moved by Cllr Totterdale and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge-Mathews (minute 1117-3) and RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of the monthly Council meeting and Planning Sub-Committee held on 19th October 2017

Matters raised / resolved outside meetings

a) Path from Penymorfa to Llangunnor Road - Discussed with Carmarthenshire County Council, see item 12 on agenda.
b) Tree in Llangunnor Park - Carmarthenshire County Council - see item 12 on agenda
c) Yellow lines entrance to Tregynnwr - Carmarthenshire County Council "No objections have been received by the Council's Head of Administration and Legal Services to this specific order. However objections have been received to one of the proposed locations published in the public notice (Variation No. 17). The objections (not related to Rhos Las, Llangunnor, Carmarthen) will need to be determined by the Council's Executive Board Member (Environment) before the full schedule of traffic orders listed in Variation No. 17 can be brought into lawful effect and implemented on the ground. A decision report on these objections for consideration by the Executive Board Member has been prepared and issued for final approval by a senior Council officer. The report is scheduled to be considered by the EBM in Nov '17.
d) Junction at Nantycaws - See item 12 on the agenda
e) Draft minutes on website - Carmarthenshire County Council "Checked with our Head of Democratic Services, it turns out that once the draft minutes have been approved by the Chair and relevant officers present at the meeting they are published on our website"
f) Lights in tree sculpture - Response from Transport Network Management "the lighting of the sculpture was considered to be a safety concern, following several accidents at this location. There are no current proposals to review this"
g) A48 Report - Received following in respect of "liaising with the County Council and the emergency services" - "we would be happy for the Community Council to be represented and will be in touch in due course to confirm the details". Update meeting arranged for December 14th at 1.30pm in Parc Myrddin, Carmarthen - more details to follow - representatives needed. It was unanimously agreed (minute 1117-4(g) that Cllrs Elwyn Williams and Griffths represent the Council at the meeting
h) Condition of Station Approach reported to Network Rail - Response "I'm pleased to say this access road has already been inspected and there is an agreement that works are needed. We are currently planning these works however haven't got a specific date for this to begin. When I have more information I'll be in touch"
i) Pot holes in Elder Grove - Carmarthenshire County Council have repaired some, We've had another look at the condition of the road surface yesterday and we'd agree there are a few new potholes developing which we've arranged to be filled in one day next week. Also as a more permanent measure we have raised a minor works ticket to plane out & patch the worst potholed areas using hot tarmacadam within the estate. The works will be done as soon as a patching gang becomes available
j) Southern Terrace - Carmarthenshire County Council response "please can a 10 hour pedestrian / traffic survey be undertaken at the point indicated on the attached plan, in fulfilment of a request for a zebra crossing facility to be constructed at this location" and "Just to advise that the safety barrier request has been recorded for inclusion in a future highway infrastructure and road safety improvements requests prioritisation review (in accordance with process approved by the Council's Executive Board 27th February 2017)"
k) Vans in Old Llangunnor Road - Carmarthenshire County Council response "I would be happy to meet with Cllr Elwyn Williams and representatives of the Community Council to consider the feasibility of on street parking restrictions". Site visit arranged for 21st November, Cllrs Elwyn Williams and Griffiths to attend
l) Baskets around Tywi Garage Roundabout - Have met with Carmarthenshire County Council seems to be possible, Clerk making enquiries with suppliers
m) Gwynfan Adoption - Confirmation received from Carmarthenshire County Council that Gwynfan, Nantycaws has been adopted
n) Re-numeration Panel Consultation: Determination 44 - 1 Voice Wales advice: The use of the word "must" is perhaps unfortunate in the context of this paragraph, but the proper explanation is contained in the leading text (and other summary sections of the report). The new regime makes it compulsory for councils to have to pay the allowance to all members who choose not to opt out from taking it. The change is that, up to now, councils could opt to ignore this potential allowance but, from next year, if these proposals remain in place following consultation, councils would not be able to do that. This year's report retains the member opt-out clause, stating that "in all cases, any individual member may make a personal decision to elect to forgo part or all of the entitlement to any of these payments by giving notice in writing to the proper officer of the council." That means that, whilst councils must make the payments (and therefore budget and precept for these payments) to all members, there is still an option available for individuals to opt out (or partially opt out) of the allowance. The advice is similar for Determination 45

No meeting had taken place

No meeting had taken place

Meeting held on November 16th 2017, draft minutes on website

Meeting to be arranged for January

Riverside Association - No Report

One Voice Wales - No Report

School Governors - No Report

Training - Cllr V Davies had attended training, update at next meeting

It was Resolved (minute 1117-15) proposed Cllr Elwyn Williams and seconded Cllr Griffiths (unanimous) that the accounts submitted be approved.

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

B) Council to note receipt of income: None

(b) To consider the following expenditure from the finance sub-committee
i) carry out inspection of all significant trees in Llangunnor Park (£432.40 + VAT);
ii) fee proposal for traffic 'island' design in Nantycaws (£1643.36 + VAT);
iii) fee proposal for 'enlarging kiddies area' design in Park (£2526.65 + VAT);
iv) 'no parking' sign for park (£215 + VAT);
v) Bottom of Penymorfa Path - provide and install a 2 metre long pedestrian barrier / guardrail in the footpath (£335.00 + vat).
vi) to commission report on park equipment from Sunshine Playgrounds for £240.00, It was unanimously agreed (minute 1117-10(b)) that the expenditure be approved by Council

The following correspondence be noted/action taken.

11. (8) Hywel Dda Engagement: It was unanimously agreed (minute 1117-11.8) that the following points be sent from the Community Council: "Time is vital- golden time. Currently a hub in Bristol that covers Cardiff. A Cardiff hub only goes to Swansea. Carmarthenshire and west would not be covered. A Swansea hub would go over to Haverfordwest and Cardigan. Morriston has a heliport, is on the edge of the M4 and has very good access to the Heads of the Valleys Road allowing access to South Powys".

11. (9) C&TC Review Consultations: It was unanimously agreed (minute 1117-11.9) that if able to that Cllr Bevan would attend on behalf of Council. Any other member who may wish to attend to please let Clerk know.

i) The Chair approved the addition of the following item onto the agenda: to consider an application from Jennifer Slate, Valhalla, Blaengwastod Road to be co-opted onto the Council. Following consideration of the written submission it was unanimously agreed (minute 1117-12(i)) that the Clerk inform Mrs Slate that she would be co-opted onto the Council and that the next meeting is on the 14th December
ii) It was noted that the old building on the old milk factory site was open to trespassing, Clerk to inform relevant agencies of this matter

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 14th December 2017 at 6.30p.m. at Yr Aelwyd

Meeting closed 7.20pm

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