None

It was unanimously agreed and RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of the monthly Council meeting held on the 21st of April 2022 (Minute 0522–5)

i)Finance committee - Note meeting took place on the 12th May and the minutes are in course of being written up. ii)Park & Environment - Noted the minutes of the meeting held on the 6th of April had been circulated. Additional expense of £270 had been incurred for the repairs to the Skate Board area, which had been authorised by the Chair Of the Park & Environment Committee and the Clerk on H & S grounds. Ratification sought from from full Council to confirm the above actions- Six voted in favour with one Abstention. (Minute -0522-6ii) – Resolved. iii)Web & Media - No meeting had taken place. iv)Christmas Lights - No meeting had taken place.

The appointment of a “Mentoring Officer” to support new Councillors was debated at length. Everyone thought it was a good idea, although many felt it would be an onerous ask if the mentoring support work fell to one individual given that currently there are 6 vacant seats on the Council

Cllr Whatley felt that he should be regarded as a new Councillor as opposed to an experienced Councillor returning to the Council, and that all new Councillors should receive as a minimum copies of “The Good Councillor Guide” and the latest version of Standing Orders”. Additionally, they should be encouraged to attend various courses provided by One Voice Wales, and others, especially the “Code of Conduct Module”. He was keen to embrace this experience this for himself

It was Resolved that the Clerk and Cllr Whatley in the first instance work together with a view to compiling a workbook/guide for new Councillors joining the Council, given that Cllr Whatley had previously done some research on this important issue and revert to full Council later with their proposals. (Minute 0522 – 7)

Applications for Financial Assistance received from the following Organisations and Groups were considered: 1.Cylch Meithryn Llangynwr Committee. 2.Llangunnor Appeal Committee -Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Urdd Gobaith Cymru Carmarthen 2023 3.Teenager Cancer Trust. 4.Kids Cancer Trust.

After a full discussion the following actions were agreed. (Minute 0522-8) To defer deciding on the application from Cylch Meithryn Llangynwr Committee as the Councillors felt that more time was needed to consider this. Agreed to defer until June meeting. It was unanimously agreed to donate £150 to the Llangunnor Appeal Committee to go towards the 2023 Urdd Eisteddfod which will take place in Carmarthen. It was unanimously agreed not to support the requests from both Teenage Cancer Trust, and Kids Cancer Trust given that they were National Charities, where the Council had historically looked to support local based individuals, groups, and charities under this scheme.

“Would it be possible for the Council to consider donating £1500 towards this year’s River Festival, as I feel that our historic donation of £60 per annum should be increased having taken account of the level of sponsorship received from other companies and individuals.”

At this point Cllr Whatley declared an interest and took no further part in the discussion.

Regrettably the motion did not secure a seconder and therefore did not proceed as proposed.

Cllr Williams subsequently proposed that a sum of £150 be given in line with recent other donations made to various other organisations, seconded by Cllr Slate. This was voted upon, with 4 in favour, 1 against,1 abstention and 1 not voting due to notice of interest, which was not accepted by Cllr Totterdale. Motion therefore unsupported and not actioned.

Cllr Totterdale advised his disappointment at the lack of support for his motion, and duly resigned with immediate effect as the Council representative, to sit on both the Riverside Development Committee and Carmarthen River Festival. (Minute 0522–9)

“I would like the council to consider whether there is currently a need to have a number of the various committees as it would take out five of the seven councillors so would seem pointless”

Cllr Williams was pleased to have been re-elected as County Councillor for the Llangunnor and Capel Dewi Ward and wished to record his thanks to Cllrs Evans and Whatley his fellow candidates for a well fought out contest. Cllr Elwyn Williams wished to report, that County Hall was slowly getting back to normal business after the recent Election, where Plaid Cymru have gained 38 seats giving them overall control over the Council, and they will continue to govern in coalition with The Independent Group. They also have a new Council Leader in Cllr Darren Price of Plaid Cymru who succeeds Cllr Emlyn Dole who lost his seat

Riverside Association - No report

One Voice Wales - Cllr Charlie Evans advised that One Voice Wales would be running “Code of Conduct Courses” during June, amongst others, the details of which had been circulated to everyone by the Clerk and encouraged Councillors both old and new to partake either on a first-time basis or to act as a refresher.

School Governors - No report

Training -

It was Resolved (minute ) proposed Cllr and seconded Cllr (unanimous) that the accounts submitted be approved. 13.To approve the schedule of accounts May 2022: – unanimously approved. (Minute 0522–13)

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

B) Council to note receipt of income:

The following correspondence be noted/action taken:

i) The Jubilee planning group provided a comprehensive report on progress a copy of which is attached to theses minutes as an appendix. Costs had increased substantially due to increased input costs of such items as, Inflatables, toilets and generators caused by severe shortages and reduced availability. Cllr Evans then took everyone through the two scenarios A & B providing an assumption of the financial impact of either having inflatables or not. Cllr Elwyn Williams wished to Abstain on the basis that Inflatables were going to be provided as part of the entertainment for kids, due to previous safety concerns with items such as this. Cllr Whatley also wished to Abstain from these discussions. After much discussion and questioning it was resolved with by a vote, Four in favour, one against and two Abstentions that the Council ratify the revised net budget of estimated cost of £1065 based on Plan A with inflatables to be provided, a reasonable charge to be levied on children using them, a raffle to be held with all Councillors to seek out raffle prizes, with any income generated to be netted off against costs. (Minute 0522 – 15i)

ii) Cllr Bevan brought up the need to have a contingency plan for wet weather, where Cllr Thomas was able to advise that the sports hall at Llangunnor School had provisionally been booked, and Cllr Slate had advised that cancellation insurance re inclement weather could be put in place for £150. A vote on the provision of insurance to cover cancellation due to wet weather was taken, with the resultant vote being, four in Favour, Against 1, Abstentions 2. (Minute 0522 -15 ii))

• Cllr Totterdale brought up two issues, 1.Council vehicles parking outside the park, whilst cutting grass nearby. Action point: Clerk to report to Carms C C. 2. Large lorries crossing the central reservation to exit Nant Y Caws East, which could potentially cause accident and injury. Action point. Clerk to write outlining our concerns to the Operations Manager, at Cwm Environmental, and directly to the Trunk Road Agency. Additionally, our concern to be included within the planning consultation that we are being asked to complete in respect of a new planning application for the site. Please see comments under Planning meeting.
• Cllr Evans brought up the provision of Jubilee Books. Action point: Clerk agreed to investigate. Additionally, he sought an update, on the Councils referral to Carmarthen C C Re consideration to reduce the speed limit along Llangunnor Road past the Decorating Centre at its approach to the roundabout from 40mph to 30mph. Clerk advised that the matter had been referred to the Traffic Management Group within the Council some time ago. Action point: Clerk will ask County Cllr Elwyn Williams to seek an update and advise Cllr Evans accordingly.
• Cllr Whatley noted that the speed advisory sign near to Bolahaul Mansion, has still not returned following repair. Action point: Clerk agreed to immediately report the matter to Carms C C Public Lighting.
•

:: Cllr Slate apologises and leaves the meeting at this point ::

The possibility of amending the date of the June meeting was discussed as Cllr Bevan Chair had previously advised out of courtesy that he would not be able to attend due to prior family commitments and being mindful of the quorum requirement for Five Councillors to be in attendance. The Clerk advised that he had checked with One Voice Wales who confirmed that we could deviate from the normal date (Being the third Thursday of the month except for our Christmas meeting) if everyone agreed. Cllrs took the viewpoint that they did not wish to set a precedent for this to become the norm, and therefore took the decision to a vote, where at this point Cllr Whatley decided to Abstain, with the remaining six Councillors voting in favour of leaving the original date of the 16th of June to stand. (Minute 0522 – 17) The Clerk asked every Councillor to try to attend the June meeting to avoid potential Quorum issues if there were not at least 5 of the six Councillors in attendance at the meeting. 18. With the permission of the Chair the Clerk was allowed to add the following Agenda item.

To recommend that Mark Ellis Jones a Solicitor with Morgan La Roche Carmarthen to be appointed by the Council to oversee the lease amendment with Carmarthen County Council in respect of allowing the Electricity Sub Station at Glan Ffynnon to be relocated to the bottom of the park as previously agreed. Mark Ellis Jones comes highly recommended and has extensive experience of dealing with Councils and Community Councils on issues such as this. He has verbally advised that he should be able to complete within the £750 offered by Western Power to cover our legal costs in this matter. The recommendation was unanimously accepted (Minute 0522 – 18)

. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on 16th June 2022 which hopefully will be face to face at Llangunnor School. Clerk to confirm in advance