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A meeting of Llangunnor Community Council will be held Remotely on Thursday 20thth October at 6:30p.m. To transact the following agenda: 1. To receive apologies for absence. 2. To record all declarations of interest. 3. Chair’s Announcements. 4. 12 minutes for any questions from public. 5. To approve the minutes of the Monthly meeting of Council held on the 28th of September 2022 6. To receive an update from the Clerk 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. . . Council Committees - a) Park & Environment meeting took place remotely on the 29th of September at 6.30pm, where minutes have been circulated and uploaded to our web page. Further meeting to be arranged for early November. b) Finance Committee – Meeting to be arranged for early November. c) Web / Media Committee- no meeting. Meeting to be arranged for next month. d) Christmas Committee – Meeting took place remotely on Thursday 29th September, where minutes have been circulated and uploaded to our web page. Update from Cllr Lee Whatley on how we are going to develop and implement our Councils 5-year plan, following feedback from our Councillors. Update from Chair and Clerk on The Finance & Governance Toolkit for Community and Town Councils. Motion from Cllr Graham Slate “I would like to instigate discussion for the provision of a public toilet in Pensarn.” To discuss letter received from ameyconsulting re A40 Llangunnor Roundabout -20mph National default (20mph and 30 mph) details already circulated to you. Vandalism of new Toilet. To appoint a Council representative for the Riverside Association/Bar Navigation Committee. Arrangements for Remembrance Sunday. Update on “Queen’s Jubilee Handbook” 16. To receive County Councillors Report (Cllr Elwyn Williams. 17. To receive reports from Members representing Council on other: Bodies Howard Davies, Clerc/Clerk, Llys Awelon, Heol Cae Gwyn Drefach.Llanelli. SA14 7BB Tel: 01269 844105 CYNGOR CYMUNED LLANGYNNWR LLANGUNNOR COMMUNITY COUNCIL Howard Davies, Clerc/Clerk, Llys Awelon, Heol Cae Gwyn Drefach.Llanelli. SA14 7BB Tel: 01269 844105 Training. a) One Voice Wales b) School Governors c) anything else. 18. To approve schedule of accounts for October 2022 19. To receive correspondence and agree responses 20. Councillor’s Report 21. Any other important business: Clerk to advise of two complaints received regarding safety railings at skateboard park, condition and lack of investment into Bike Track, dog fouling at park/ and suggestion to fence off area at top of park to be designated specifically for use of dogs. Dog fouling was last discussed at our Park & Environment Committee meeting held on the 18th of Jan 2021 where the clerk reported that he had not received any interest in taking forward the collating of evidence before any dog orders could be considered. In the interim dog gloves had been supplied by the Council, at their cost, and further signage highlighting issues were to be sought. No further complaints had been received until now. 22. Date of next meeting – Thursday 24th November 2022

October 2022

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held Remotely at 6.30pm on Thursday 20th October 2022.

PRESENT: Councillor Geraint Bevan (Chair), Lee Whatley, Paul Totterdale, Ally Wadeward, Elwyn Williams, Sandra Thomas, Jennifer Slate, Matthew Williams, Joan Evans and Charlie Evans>

APOLOGIES: Councillor Graham Slate

Also present Howard Davies (Clerk) and one member of the public present Robin Griffiths

Declaration of Interest

To be recorded during agenda items

3. Chair's Announcements

• The Chair firstly wished to advise of the tragic death of Peter Ormerod, who had commenced his teaching career at Carmarthen Boys Grammar School, and latterly move to Bro Myrddin School where he was Deputy Head. He had taught maths to many pupils from the Llangunnor area over the years and had indeed taught Cllr Elwyn Williams and our Clerk. He was a well-liked gifted teacher, and we sympathise with the family at this sad time. Events He advised that he had recently been invited to open a coffee morning at Babell Zion Newydd Chapel, and had spent an enjoyable morning there, having met with many residents of Llangunnor. He was pleased to have donated to their funds. He had also spoken with Helen Gibbon from the Chapel who showed him improvements made to the kitchen area, which had recently been undertaken at a cost of thirty thousand pounds. She had highlighted to him, the good works of the chapel in the community, especially the “Babell Friendship Centre” where free tea and coffee, along with hot food was being provided to local residents within our community on a weekly basis. Apparently, this is the only venue within Llangunnor providing this level of support, and we should look to continue to foster and value this asset. He further advised that he had visited the Yr Aelwyd to call with Ann Muir, who was celebrating her 100th birthday, taking along flowers and chocolates from the Council, which were well received. He spent some time with her and enjoyed the visit. He highlighted that he was on the local fund-raising committee for the 2023 Urdd Eisteddfod to be held in Llandovery and given their inability to actively fund raise during the pandemic, there was a major funding gap to cover, and much local fundraising will be needed to address the shortfall. Finally, he was pleased to impart some good news in that the Boundary Commission having conducted their review, had seen sense to keep Llangunnor within the Carmarthen Electoral constituency as opposed to being transferred to be part of the Llanelli constituency as per their original proposal
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4. Public Questions

RG wished to record his thanks to the Council, for their input in getting the copies of the Queen’s Jubilee Book delivered to Llangunnor School, where every pupil will now receive a copy

. Minutes

It was agreed and RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of the monthly Council meeting held on the 28th of September 2022. Cllr Whatley abstained. (Minute 1022–5)

6. To receive an update from the Clerk

The Clerk provided full updates to the Council on the following matters: 1. I have spoken with Cllr Edward Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infra structure Services, who will try and arrange a site meeting between Mr Pillner Head of Transport & Engineering, and our Councillors to further discuss the proposal to create an additional exit out of Charlie’s car park onto Pensarn Road near to the mini roundabout. 2.Workload of late has prevented me from sending out the follow up letters to those businesses’ s on Pensarn Retail Park, who have not responded to my original letter and visit, seeking support to create the new exit at the top of Charlie’s car park onto Pensarn Road. To date only four replies have been received out of the 20 businesses canvassed. These will be sent out before our next meeting. 3. Clerk advised that he had recently met with Charles Sams Electrician at the park to discuss the drawing of electricity into the park, and to review the quote received from Western Power. He concluded that a single-phase supply would be adequate and pointed out that Western Power were going to charge us for the supply of two metal pillars, where our agreement with them that they would provide a working pillar at the park entrance, to which we could hook up and connection to, a point subsequently accepted by WP. The Council would have to pay for the second pillar, and associated cabling between the two pillar, and installation costs for the second pillar where he has quoted £2383.00 plus VAT. Clerk will now await the revised quotes from WP and will then speak with Carms C C to see if the full cost of installation of both Pillars and associated installation costs can be covered by our 106 monies

7. Committees

i) Finance

Noted the minutes of the meeting held on the 27th of July had been circulated. Further meeting to be arranged for November.

ii) Park & Environment

Noted the minutes of the meeting held on the 29th of September had been circulated. Further meeting to be arranged for early November.

iii) Web & Media

No meeting had taken place. Further meeting to be arranged before year end

iv) Christmas Lights

Noted the minutes of the meeting held on the 29th of September had been circulated. Further meeting to be arranged for early November

8.

After a brief discussion it was agreed to that a brain storming meeting was the best way to provide input into the Council’s five-year plan. Cllr Whatley advised that as the motion was adopted by the Council, it was now up to the Council and not him individually to move matters forward. Cllr Ally. Wadeward offered to lead discussions and to formulate a plan, which could then be bought back to full Council for further discussion/development. Cllr Whatley was asked to send on the suggestions that he had received to date from his fellow Councillors for inclusion within the plan. Everybody was cordially invited to attend Cllr Ally’s brainstorming session. She will forward the date and location of meeting shortly.

Cllr Elwyn Williams wished to abstain and took no further part in these discussions

9.

3. The Clerk advised that he and the Chair had spent 4 hours earlier in the week, to complete the financial Health Check, included within The Finance & Governance Toolkit. This is involved a significant overview of our current procedures, and the health check has identified that there is work to be done, to fully comply with the current legislative requirements. The Actual document runs to more than 100 pages, which I have already circulated to you, and suggest that all Councillors revisit this document over the next month to reacquaint yourselves with its contents, The remedial action will require input from all Councillors and is not just a piece of work to be undertaken by the Chair and Clerk and will take a significant amount of work to ensure full compliance. We will place it on the agenda of our November meeting to have a further discussion with a view to moving matters forward. 10.

As Cllr Graham Slate was not present due to unavoidable absence, his motion was not presented

11.

After a robust discussion it was resolved to support the reduction of the speed limit on the dual section of the carriageway between the Llangunnor roundabout and the Towy Bridge Roundabout, 10 Cllrs voted in favour with Cllr Joan Evans abstaining. Action point: Clerk to advise Amey Consulting of our decision, who are working on behalf of the South Wales Trunk Toad Agent

12.

Cllr Jenny Slate updated the Councillors on the needless vandalism of the park toilet. Thankfully there was no permanent damage, but the mess still had to be cleaned up. Cllr Graham Slate was thanked for his prompt action in cleaning the toilet and re stocking of toilet rolls, so that the toilet could remain open. The clerk advised that the toilet was due to serviced on Monday 31st October, and every month thereafter on a trial basis. All Cllrs were unanimous in condemning this senseless action by a minority, which sadly then affected many of our park. Everyone was asked to keep a vigilant eye out for antisocial behaviour, and when seen to immediately report it by dialling 101

13.

The Clerk advised that he had been in contact with the Riverside Association/Bar Navigation Committee to request a job description, but regrettably there was no job description in place for this position. As there was no candidate’s forthcoming to be appointed onto the Riverside Association/Bar Navigation Committee, it was resolved to place on the agenda for next month’s meeting. (Minute 1022-13)

14.

Cllr Sandra Thomas advised that preparations were well in hand for Remembrance Sunday, and it would follow the usual format with a service at Llangunnor Church at 11.00am. followed by a short service to follow at the Memorial Stone on Llangunnor Road. As a mark of Remembrance all Councillors were asked to make every effort to attend. Cllr Williams advised he would be unable to attend this years ‘service as he had to accompany The Chief Fire Officer to a service at St Peters Carmarthen, in his capacity as Chair of the Fire Authority. Action point: Clerk to ask the handyman to strim around the Memorial Stone

15.

Cllr Thomas advised that following the input of the Clerk, and several Councillors the school had received 352 copies of the Queen’s Jubilee Handbook. She and the Clerk had received a personal thankyou from Aled Davies Headmaster

16. County Councillor Report

Cllr Williams advised that the Council were still catching up, and he was now attending an average of two meetings a day. He stated that he had still not received any contact from Mr Pillner, Head of Transport and Engineering. Please cross refer to point 6.1. He advised that the County Council were becoming increasingly concerned with the financial crisis, being fuelled by rising inflation that seemingly continues to worsen daily, and this will impact on their ability to deliver the same level of key services going forward, and they were facing challenging times ahead. He himself had been advocating to the Council for some time the dangers of rapidly rising inflation.He had nothing further to impart

17. Reports from Members Representing Council on other Bodies

Riverside Association -

One Voice Wales - Cllr Whatley advised that no meeting of the One Voice Wales local committee had taken place.

School Governors - Cllr Thomas advised that she had passed on the Council’s congratulations to the Headmaster and staff of Llangunnor School having gained their Autistic Awareness Certification. She Also advised that she had been invited to the School’s Harvest and Remembrance day services.

Town Forum - Cllr Charlie Evans advised that he had been unable to attend meetings of The Town Forum, as theses had taken place during working hours, however, would strive to attend future meeting if his work schedule allowed

18. Approve the Schedule of Accounts

It was Resolved (Minute 1022–18) that the accounts submitted be approved with Cllr Whatley abstaining.

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

Payee	Info	(£) Amount
E Williams	Playing Field	97.00
	Strim/ cut area around memorial stone in readiness to open site for floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth	22.00
Howard Davies	Salary -	627.25
	Office Allowance -	100.00
	IT Allowance -	40.00
	Zoom Monthly Payment	14.39
	Postage	13.86
	Laminating posters for toilet	5.00
	Purchase of new phone for clerk to take emergency calls to do with park etc	109.99
	2 Extra meetings (see below)	80.00
Carms C C	Installation of Ger Y Nant Lights to be reimbursed from 106 funds	6,432.00
	Grounds maintenance at park now moved to Quarterly Invoicing	731.02
Bowen & Weaving	Stationery & Ink	118.74
Vision ICT	Website hosting Dec 2022 – November 2023	195.60
	SSL Certificate to make site secure	60.00
Diane Evans	Toilet Cleaning, opening, and closing for Sept, Days at £5p.d as agreed	135.00
Geraint Bevan	Flowers to mark Ann Muir’s 100th Birthday	10.00
City Loo Hire	Servicing of toilet, 19.9,26.9,3.10	108.00

(After new Payroll Mgr.’s adjustment for overpayment to clerk of £49.93 in Tax and NI for last financial year following recalculation of payroll on setting up new payroll account to pay clerk. Phased reduction of overpayment agreed over 4 months Sept – December to address total overpayment of £199.71 in the 21/22 Tax year.) Extra Meetings 1 X £50 = £ this equates to £40.00 after tax. (Extra meetings - @ £50 meeting – salary includes 11 meetings + AGM, all others treated as extra meetings over 4 hours will be paid at £100. (Minute 0920 – F4) Extra Meetings. 29.9 Parks and Environment. 29.9 Christmas Lights Committee.

B) Council to note receipt of income: None

19. Correspondence

The following correspondence be noted/action taken:

No	Nature of Correspondence	Agreed Action
1	PCC Bulletin	Circulated
2	Planning Application PL/04748	Circulated
3	Bar Navigation Committee – Further information on the works and make up of this Committee	Circulated
4	Bar Navigation Committee meeting 14th November	Circulated
5	Independent Remuneration Panel Draft Report	Circulated
6	Ramblers Our paths – our future	Circulated
7	Wellbeing of Future Generations	Circulated
8	1VW Training Courses October	Circulated
9	Consultation from The Trunk Road Agency over speed limit between Llangunnor roundabout and Pensarn roundabout	Circulated
10	Electoral Administration and reform White Paper	Circulated
11	Fate of Language in Carmarthen - 22	Circulated
12	Carmarthenshire’s Draft Street Naming and Numbering Policy 2022	Circulated
13	Hywel Dda Community Health Council-Autumn newsletter	Circulated
14	Note from One Voice Wales moving over to A Zoom platform for virtual training from 17.10.22	Circulated
15	1VW Training Courses, October, November and December	Circulated
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20. Councillor's Report

• Cllr Whatley asked if the dormice population had been considered when the handyman had recently replaced fencing posts along the boundary fence with the wooded area at the top of the park. The clerk advised that this work had been carried out on an urgent basis to address the health and safety concerns, as several posts had broken off, and there was wire laying on the ground, which was presenting a health and safety hazard. All posts have been replaced as the originals had become rotten, as near as possible to the original post hole. Given the urgency of the work, no consultation had been undertaken with the Council, however every care had been undertaken to avoid any major disturbance to this fenced area.
• Cllr Charlie Evans advised that he was pleased that Llangunnor ward had remained within the Carmarthen constituency. He also mentioned that he had received a complaint from Mrs Heather Jones who lives at the property near to Llangunnor Church about the lack of street lighting. The lamp and connection had been damaged during a bad storm some eighteen months ago. Clerk was able to advise that this problem had been reported to Arwel Price at the Council’s Public Lightening Department, and he stated the problem lies with Western Power, and the distance between the poles. However, his contact at Western Power has been on long term sick for some time. He has been awaiting a costing from them for several months, and this could be an issue here, as they are saying the span was too long, and should not have spanned this distance in the first place, to just service a street light. County Cllr Williams was aware of the situation and has been trying to escalate matters internally, but at the end of the day it is likely to come down to cost, and who is going to pay for it
• Cllr Joan Evans had received complaints from the residents of Llygad yr Haul, about cars parking across the road from its junction with Blaengwastod Road, thereby reducing the visibility when exiting this junction. Cllr Whatley pointed out that the Highway Code states that cars are not to be parked across the road from a junction, but the clerk pointed out as there were no yellow lines marked on the opposite of the road it would be difficult to enforce. Action point: Clerk will refer the matter to Nicola Waters our PCSO.
• Cllr Mathew Williams asked if consideration could be given to placing a salt/grit bin, on the grass area at the top of Brynmeurig, opposite Brynmeurig Stores, as this stretch of road being a side street is not gritted, and accidents have occurred in the past. Action point: Clerk to write to Highways Department to see if they can provide a bin at this location.
• Cllr Ally Wadeward asked if we could have bilingual signage at the entrance to the park, Cllr Slate responded that she was in the process of ordering new signage for the park now that the clerk had purchased a phone for Council use, and an emergency contact number could be incorporated within the new signage which would be of a bilingual nature. She also enquired if we could place some seating for families within the toddlers play area. Clerk apologised for the delay here and would again take up the matter again with our play equipment supplier for their suggestions. Cllr Wadeward also asked about the ownership of a plot of land located between 17 and 19a Pen y Morfa, as she was keen to see if we could place a seat there. Cllr Bevan advised that from local knowledge it was owned by T I Davies the developer who had built out most of the estate. Sadly, the Council had not had much joy in dealings with him over the years. The clerk agreed to write to the local planning department to see if there was current planning on this plot and asking them to confirm if it ever had been designated as a “Communal area” for Community use. Action point: Clerk to write to Carms C C Planning to ascertain exact position with this undeveloped plot of land. She wished to share her concern with fellow Councillors that cars were travelling at speed along Pen Y Morfa, and along Awel Tywi and Golwg Tywi. She enquired id it would be possible to ask Carms CC to provide suitable signage/traffic calming measures here for the safety of the children, given this was a family orientated area, where there were many residents with young children. Action point. Clerk agreed to write to Carms C C Highways Department advising of our concerns in the first instance.

22.

The clerk advised that he had received two letters of complaint, the first from a resident of Leicester who had visited the park and was unhappy that the skateboard park did not have any safety rails, that the bike track was not up to standard, poor maintenance of equipment, and the management of dogs at the park, and the ongoing national problem with dog fouling. Indeed, had cited that her son had suffered a near accident when he rode his BMX bike up the skateboard ramps. The matter has been referred to our Playground inspector for his professional input here, and once received a final response will be provided Here. The second was from a local resident asking if the bike track could be improved, for the enjoyment of local children. Both were thanked for their observations, and have been responded to, with the clerk having liaised with the Chair of both Council, and Park Committee to agree on suitable responses here.

23. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 24th November 2022 with format and location to be agreed. Clerk to confirm in advance

Meeting closed 8.30pm

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