¦ January 2022 ¦ February 2022 ¦ March 2022 ¦ April 2022 ¦ May 2022 ¦ June 2022 ¦ July 2022 ¦ September 2022 ¦
October 2022 ¦ November 2022 ¦ December 2022 ¦
A meeting of Llangunnor Community Council will be held Remotely on Wednesday 28th September 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 21ST of July 2022.
6. To receive an update from the Clerk.
7. Council Committees - a) Park & Environment meeting next meeting will take place remotely on the 29th of September at 6.30pm b) Finance Committee – no meeting c) Web / Media Committee- no meeting. d) Christmas Committee – Meeting to take place remotely on Thursday 29th September following our Parks and Environment meeting
8. Ratification sought for Clerk’s and Chair’s decision to outsource the administration Of Clerk’s payroll to our existing Accountants Clay Shaw Butler who already undertake payroll on behalf of our Councillors, due to problems being encountered by clerk with HMRC’S Payroll software package, and the inordinate amount of time being spent on the phone to correct errors, and the liability of late submission penalties, at a cost of £100 p.a extra. Quote already circulated.
9. Delayed Audit submission paperwork for agreement and subsequent submission.
10. Mentoring of new Councillors. How are we going to implement our vision?
11. Motion from Cllr Jenny Slate “That Llangunnor Community Council consider the feasibility of having an events committee that could incorporate the current Christmas Lights committee and would cover any event planned in the community such as the recent Jubilee party in the park, remembrance parade and annual Christmas lights and Santa, and future events such as football tournament, summer fun day etc.; membership of which would be unlimited to allow as many councillors to be involved as possible and allowing them to choose the events they would like to be part of. This would enable us to share knowledge, contacts, supplies etc (e.g., Howard Davies, Clerc/Clerk, Llys Awelon, Heol Cae Gwyn Drefach.Llanelli. SA14 7BB Tel: 01269 844105 CYNGOR CYMUNED LLANGYNNWR LLANGUNNOR COMMUNITY COUNCIL gazebo/bunting bought for jubilee) and cover risk assessments, first aid etc.”
12. How are we are going to move forward our vision to have a permanent community building at the park, for the use of Llangunnor residents, and to incorporate improvements to the surrounding playing field? Clerk has already established that out landlord “Carmarthen County Council” have no restrictions about placing a building on the park, to provide a meeting place for the community, however this would be subject to the usual planning approval.
13. Opening hours for the park toilet going forward.
14. To appoint a Council representative for the Riverside Association/Bar Navigation Committee.
15. Nominations also required to fill one vacancy on the Finance Committee, and two nominations to fill two vacancies on the Web Committee.
16. Update on “Queen’s Jubilee Handbook”
17. To receive County Councillors Report (Cllr Elwyn Williams.
18. To receive reports from Members representing Council on other: Bodies Training. a) One Voice Wales b) School Governors c) anything else.
19. To ratify the schedule of accounts for August paid under delegated Authority and to approve schedule of accounts for September 2022
20. To receive correspondence and agree responses
21. Councillor’s Report
22 Any other important business:
23 Date of next meeting – Thursday 20th October 2022
September 2022
Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held remotely at 6.44pm on Wednesday 28th September 2022.
PRESENT: Councillor Geraint Bevan (Chair), Paul Totterdale, Lee Whatley, Elwyn Williams, Alison Wadeward, Sandra Thomas, Matthew Williams, Jennifer Slate, Charlie Evans and Graham Slate
APOLOGIES: Councillor Joan Evans
Also present Howard Davies (Clerk) and one member of the public present Robin Griffiths
Declaration of InterestTo be recorded during agenda items
3. Chair's Announcements• To mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II a one-minute silence was
observed.
The Chair advised that he had recently attended the Admirals Court and met
with Richard Skyrme Chair of Carmarthen Boat Club and had an informative
discussion with him.
He further advised that Carmarthen Town Council were putting forward a grant
application to fund essential work on the river Tywi.
He had also recently attended a ceremony to welcome the 2023 Urdd Eisteddfod
to Carmarthenshire which will be held in Llandovery
He had met with the clerk twice during the Council recess to discuss urgent
business, and to authorise payments under “delegated authority”
He thanked his fellow Councillors and the Clerk for ensuring that the passing of
Queen Elizabeth II was marked in a respectful and dignified way, with all
arrangements having been followed in a timely manner. A special thankyou was
extended to Cllr Jenny Slate who attended the Memorial Service at St David’s
Cathedral representing Llangunnor Community Council.
Finally, he thanked the Clerk and Carmarthen C C for promptly arranging the
removal of the sofa that had been “fly tipped” on Pen Y Morfa Lane.
Personal viewpoints
Firstly, having read recent articles in the local media speculating that the new
hospital would be built west of Carmarthen town, with several candidate sites
having been identified between the St Clears and Narberth areas, he wished to
record his personal concerns over traffic and safety issues. Major concerns have
long been voiced over the safety of motorist traveling along this stretch of the
A40, where numerous collisions, and several fatalities have been recorded over
the years. He was especially concerned that the additional hospital traffic would
further add to theses concerns, and we as a Council should highlight this on any
consultations that we asked to complete on this issue. Clearly the capability of
the road infrastructure to carry the expected increased volume of traffic would
need to be looked at in critical detail given these concerns, which are held by a
wide cross section of the community.
Secondly, he advised that he had attended a screening clinic at Glangwili
Hospital to detect Aortic Aneurysm which was available to men over the age of
Sixty-five as part of a health screening initiative and wished to take this
opportunity to promote this life saving service.
•
•
RG wished to ask two questions, and paid one compliment He asked for the Community Council to ascertain from Carms C C if there were any Council Buildings becoming available locally in Llangunnor notably Yr Aelwyd Complex under the recently agreed Health/Warm Place initiative where Councils in conjunction with the English and Welsh Governments had agreed to make available rooms within buildings for the benefit of the general public to save on heating costs as these public buildings were already open and being heated. Action point: As this was “hot off the press” the Clerk agreed to investigate further and to report back with his findings. Secondly, he was still not happy that the school children attending Llangunnor Primary School had not received copies of the Queen’s Jubilee Handbook. Chair referred him to point 16 on tonight agenda, where a full update would be provided. Finally, he thanked the Councillors and The Clerk for ensuring that the Council marked the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, in a profound and dignified manner.
5. MinutesIt was agreed and RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of the monthly Council meeting held on the 21st of July 2022. Cllr Whatley abstained as he felt they were not an accurate representation of the meeting, a view not shared by his fellow Councillors. (Minute 1022-5)
. Matters Arising 6.The Clerk provided full updates to the Council on the following matters: 1.Further to my address to Full Council regarding the work/life balance and wellbeing of the Clerk, following the presentation of Cllr Whatley’s motion, which was not supported, I am pleased in one way to report that not one single Councillors has come forward with concerns about the way that I work, and the support provided to you as Councillors. However, I remain saddened that the Cllr that did have concerns has not been in contact to discuss these in an open and transparent forum but chose to go “behind my back” to air their concerns on a third-party internet forum. 2.Workload of late has prevented me from researching the Bacs, and credit/debit payment options for the Council, but will strive to do so by our October meeting. 3. Time has also precluded me from completing The Finance & Governance Toolkit, which I will look to commence with the Chair by our October meeting. The Actual document runs to more than 100 pages, which I have already circulated to you. 4. Formation of new exit from Charlie’s Car Park Clerk advised that he had both written and called with twenty businesses located on the Pensarn/Stephens Way Business park to enlist their support for the creation of this new exit off the Babell roundabout. Whilst everyone thought it was an excellent suggestion and offered their verbal support at the time, to date disappointingly letters of support have only been received from Charlie’s, Aldi’s and Shaws. I am aware that the manager at the Sorting Office is currently away on sick leave, however I am assured a letter of support will be forthcoming from them, where Cllr Slate will oversee its receipt. After further discussion it was agreed that the clerk send out a reminder letter asking for their support and offering to call to collect their responses in fourteen days time. To see what response this brings. From speaking with theses business’s there is growing concern about the lack of public toilets within the park, with the Matalan Store having closed the public toilets at the start of Covid and having spoken to the store manager they have no immediate plan to reopen them. Regarding Cllr Williams getting a meeting booked in with Mr Pillner, Head of Transport and Engineering at Carmarthen C C, it was disappointing to note that no further progress had been made, despite having escalated the lack of Contact from Carms C C internally to Cllr Edward Thomas, Cabinet Minister for Waste, and Infrastructure. Cllr Williams was asked to chase up matters internally at the Council with a view to arranging a meeting ASAP, to start a dialogue on this prominent issue affecting our community. Action point: Clerk to issue reminder letters to those businesses that have not responded to his original letters, and Cllr Williams to press for a meeting with Mr Pillner. (Minute 0922- 6 (4))
5. Resignation of Councillor Following a period of reflection our Councillor Emma Reynolds has decided to resign from the Council as she feels that she does have the time available currently to commit to the role 7. Committeesi) Finance
Noted the minutes of the meeting held on the 27th of July had been circulated
ii) Park & EnvironmentNoted the minutes of the meeting held on the 29th of September had been circulated
iii) Web & MediaNo meeting had taken place
iv) Christmas LightsNoted the minutes of the meeting held on the 29th of September had been circulated
6. The Park / Environment Committee . Web Committee 9.Following a full explanation by the clerk for the late submission of this years Audit Papers which were due for submission by 30th June 2022, it was unanimously agreed that the revised timescale of submission by the 30.10.22 be agreed, and as it was the clerk’s first submission, and he now had a full understanding of the process and timescales for submission etc. Furthermore, any late penalties would be paid by the Council despite the clerk’s offer to cover them personally, as it was solely down to his oversight that the submission date had been missed. (Minute 0922-9)
10.Following on from Cllr Williams suggestion at our July meeting that a mentoring framework to support new Councillors be put in place (Minute 0622–7) it was agreed for everyone to consider the best way for this to be delivered to help support our new Councillors, and to report back to our September meeting with their proposals.
Following a brief discussion, the new Councillors felt that it would be more beneficial to have a meeting in early December, to have an exchange of views, and to share best practice. All agreed this was an effective way for the new and old Councillors to get to know each other socially, as to date all meetings had been held on Zoom.
All new Councillors were encouraged to attend training Courses details of which were circulated monthly. The Code Of Conduction and Induction Courses, being especially relevant for new Councillors, and those seeking a refresher. Action point: Clerk to arrange a meeting for early December in conjunction with Cllr Ally Wadeward.
11. Cllr Jenny Slate introduced her motion –Feasibility of re naming the Christmas Lights Committee as an Events Committee. “That Llangunnor Community Council consider the feasibility of having an events committee that could incorporate the current Christmas Lights committee and would cover any event planned in the community such as the recent Jubilee party in the park, remembrance parade and annual Christmas lights and Santa, and future events such as football tournament, summer fun day etc, membership of which would be unlimited to allow as many councillors to be involved as possible and allowing them to choose the events they would like to be part of. This would enable us to share knowledge, contacts, supplies etc (e.g., gazebo/bunting bought for jubilee) and cover risk assessments, first aid etc.” The motion was seconded by Cllr Paul Totterdale Following a brief discussion all Councillors thought it would be a good idea to have an events Committee going forward, and to incorporate the activities of the Christmas lights Committee going forward. Cllrs Slate also pointed out that the existing Christmas Lights Committee had a delegated budget in place, and this could possibly be taken over by the events Committee, which would alleviate some of the issues that the Council had encountered with funding the Jubilee Party at a workable level. It was readily agreed that such a Committee would need to engage with the residents to see what type of events they would like to see the Council put on, and to enquire if members of the public would be able to sit on a Council Committee and how this could work. Action Point. 1)All Councillors were asked to consider the way forward now that it has been agreed to newname the Christmas Lights Committee, as an Events Committee, Minute 0922 -11. 2.The Clerk to investigate if members of the public, could be allowed to sit on this Committee to receive their input, or if not suggestions on how the input of the public could be obtained.
. Committee 12.The provision of a “community building” where the community could meet was again discussed. Cllr Totterdale pointed out that a 4 bedroomed Council owned property in Park Hall had been turned into a “community hub” and asked if Cllr Williams could explore with Carms C C if there were any such buildings empty in Llangunnor that could be converted for this purpose. Cllr Bevan offered to investigate other community run facilities such as Llanarthne Hall, Capel Dewi School, Ferryside Community Centre, to name a few on our doorstep, with a view to see how these were originally funded, and how their running costs are covered and will report back further. He further suggested that drawing a few Councillors together to work on a strategy and timescale, and this could then be incorporated within the development plan currently being formulated. Cllr Evans believed this project should be included with the Council’s five-year development plan, which is currently being formulated following the successful adoption of Cllr Whatley’s recent motion. Cllrs Slate asked all Councillors to think of any empty properties locally which were available for sale, and to report back to our January meeting. The clerk confirmed that our park landlord - Carmarthen C C had confirmed that they have no objection to the siting of a modular building-portacabin etc, or a permanent brick and tile building subject to the necessary planning permission being obtained.
13.All agreed that the new toilet had been well received, and that Diane Evans was doing an excellent job in keeping clean and secure, helped primarily by Cllr Graham Slate. After a brief discussion it was agreed to retain the toilet open for the next three months on a trial basis and to evaluate thereafter, where the following amendments were agreed, with Cllr Whatley abstaining (Minute 0922-13) Cllr Graham Slate kind offer to open, lock, and clean the toilet at no cost over this period, so long as Diane would cover when he needed time off. It was further agreed to move the toilet servicing to monthly given anticipated lesser usage over this period at a cost of £30 plus VAT per visit. Action point: The Clerk was asked to send Diane Evans a thankyou letter for her services, and to Rob Holland at R & E Plant & Tool Hire Ltd, for providing a temporary toilet free of charge and covering the weekly service costs until our new purchased toilet arrived on the 16th of September
14.As there was no candidate’s forthcoming to be appointed onto the Riverside Association/Bar Navigation Committee, it was decided to ask the Clerk to write to the Organisation asking for a job description, and to place on the agenda for next months meeting, by which time hopefully this information would be to hand. (Minute 0922-14)
15.After a brief discussion Cllr Lee Whatley offered to join the Finance Committee, which was accepted, and Cllrs Ally Wadeward and Matthew Williams offered to join the Web and Media Committee which was accepted. (Minute 0922-15)
16.Cllr Thomas had visited Llangunnor and had spoken with Aled Davies Headmaster who advised that while they had attempted to “opt in” for the provision of the Queen’s Jubilee Handbook” to all pupils their attempt had proved to be unsuccessful. Cllr Thomas offered our assistance to see if this issue could be overcome, and the clerk has now written to the relevant Government Department, where he has been advised that the schools order for 350 books will now be placed on a returns platform, where any returned books will be allocated to them and other awaiting, as no new orders can be placed. Aled Davies was very grateful for our assistance with this matter but understands there is no guarantee as to how many books will be received from this source
17. County Councillor ReportCllr Williams advised that much of the Councillors time had been spent attending meetings which had to be reschedule following the Queen’s death. He had been invited to Llandaff Cathedral to represent the Fire Authority as their Chair, at the memorial service, and considered this to be a great honour. He stated that he had referred the lack of contact from Mr Pillner, Head of Transport & Engineering CCC re Charlie’s exit proposal to Cllr Edward Thomas Cabinet Member for Transport,Waste,and Infrastructure, who will investigate matters following Mr Pillners return to work from annual leave, with a view of getting him to speak with Cllr Elwyn Williams, and to start a dialogue on this important issue affecting our community. Regrettably, no progress to report to date but is continuing to press for a meeting. 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 going forward. He himself had been advocating to the Council for some time the dangers of rapidly rising inflation.
18. Reports from Members Representing Council on other BodiesRiverside 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 all the school pupils and staff had gained their Autistic Awareness Certification, and the Chair asked her to congratulate the school on their achievement
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
19. Approve the Schedule of AccountsIt was Resolved (Minute 0922–19) with Cllr Whatley abstaining that the accounts submitted be approved.
A) Council is requested to consider and approve the following items of expenditure:
Expenditure/Income August 2022 paid under delegated authority
| Payee | Info | (£) Amount |
| E Williams | Playing Field | 97.00 |
| strim/ cut hedges Blangwastod Rd around sign and chair, trash brambles Ger Y Nant footpath following complaint, cut grass around memorial stone, and clean algae off wooden stops in park | 165.00 | |
| Howard Davies | Salary - August 2022 | 667.18 |
| Office Allowance - August 2022 | 100.00 | |
| IT Allowance - August 2022 | 40.00 | |
| Reinbursement: Zoom Monthly Payment | 14.39 | |
| Reinbursement: Postage £13.86 | ||
| Reinbursement: Wedding Day card (Councillor Charlie Evans) | 1.00 | |
| Reinbursement: Extra keys cut for toilet padlock and main gate plus fobs | 27.60 | |
| Reinbursement: Toilet Paper | 9.58 | |
| 2 Extra meetings | 80.00 | |
| Bowen & Weaving | Paper & Ink | 115.20 |
| One Voice Wales | New Councillor Training -Lee Whatley | 105.00 |
| HMRC | Tax £523.20 Employee NI £19.51 | 542.71 |
B) Council to note receipt of income:
| Payee | Info | (£) Amount |
| Carmarthenshire County Council | Precept | 11,000.00 |
Expenditure/Income September 2022
| Payee | Info | (£) Amount |
| E Williams | Playing Field | 97.00 |
| Strim / cut hedges Blengwastod Rd for new flower tub, flower tub on Pibwrlwyd Flats, and around Basketball area in park. Repair and resecure Waste bin vandalised at Maes Lewis Morris Drive | 82.00 | |
| Howard Davies | Salary - September 2022 | 611.81 |
| Office Allowance - September 2022 | 100.00 | |
| IT Allowance - September 2022 | 40.00 | |
| Reinbursement: Zoom Monthly Payment | 14.39 | |
| Reinbursement: Postage | 9.11 | |
| Travelling June-Sept as attached | 225.00 | |
| One Voice Wales | Membership 22/23 Earlier Email not received | 445.00 |
| One Voice Wales | New Councillor Training -Joan Evans and Matthew Williams | 70.00 |
| HMRC | Tax | 506.40 |
| J R B Enterprise Ltd | Dog Gloves | 42.84 |
| Diane Evans | Toilet Cleaning, opening, and closing 20 Days at £5p.d as agreed | 100.00 |
| Jenny Slate | Reinbursement: Flowers for Queen’s memorial | 35.00 |
B) Council to note receipt of income:
| Payee | Info | (£) Amount |
| Jubilee Party | Income (Jubilee Party) | 230.81 |
The following correspondence be noted/action taken:
| No | Nature of Correspondence | Agreed Action |
| 1 | IVW Training Courses August | Circulated |
| 2 | Planning Application PL/04405 | Circulated |
| 3 | Update from WP re relocation of Glanffynnon Substation to the park, and provision of electricity supply | Circulated |
| 4 | Road closure Beaulieu Farm Road, Llangunnor from Thursday 18th August for two days | Circulated |
| 5 | Photographic evidence from a resident that cars are again parking above the new bollards and railings outside the park | Circulated |
| 6 | Audit certification and sign off of 2021/2022 Accounts | Circulated |
| 7 | PCC Bulletin | Circulated |
| 8 | 1VW: Training Courses August | Circulated |
| 9 | Draft Minutes for Finance Committee meeting 27.7.22 | Circulated |
| 10 | 1VW: Training Courses August | |
| 11 | Living safely with COVID 19 | Circulated |
| 12 | E Mail from Emma Reynolds advising that she now wishes to stand down as a Councillor | Circulated |
| 13 | Playground reports for July and August | Circulated |
| 14 | 1VW:Training Courses 1VW for remainder of August and September | Circulated |
| 15 | Hate Crime Awareness week sheet 2022 | Circulated |
| 16 | PCC Bulletin | Circulated |
| 17 | 1VW:Innovative Practice Conference 14.9.22 | Circulated |
| 18 | Living safely with Covid Toolkit | Circulated |
| 19 | 1VW: Training Courses September | Circulated |
| 20 | Courier fraud | Circulated |
| 21 | Carmarthen Bar Navigation Meeting 14.9.22 | Circulated |
| 22 | Hate crime awareness week | Circulated |
| 23 | Response to Covid 19 Survey | Circulated |
| 24 | Planning Appeal Consultation PL/02285 Land at Nant Y Caws | Circulated |
| 25 | Planning Application PL04637 | Circulated |
| 26 | Mourning Guidance | Circulated |
| 27 | A fairer Council Tax Consultation | Circulated |
| 28 | 1VW: September Training Courses | Circulated |
| 29 | 1VW: Training Courses Oct/Nov | Circulated |
| 30 | Hate Crime Awareness 2022 | Circulated |
| 31 | Hywel Dda CHC Report | Circulated |
| 32 | Food Survey | Circulated |
| 33 | Biodiversity Conference October 27th | Circulated |
| 34 | Energy Bill Scam | Circulated |
| 35 | Resignation of Emma Reynolds | Circulated |
| 36 | Park Inspection Reports July, Aug & Sep | Circulated |
| 37 | Indicative cost of electric feed to Pensarn Pillar opposite the Range | Circulated |
| 38 | Indicative costs of Xmas Trees | Circulated |
| 39 | Carmarthenshire’s Admission Forum | Circulated |
| 40 | ||
| 41 |
• Cllr Whatley advised that trees had been felled at the rear 13 Maes Morris Drive
along the boundary hedge with the park. Clerk was able to advise that this had been agreed by us following discussion with our Tree Consultant
:: Cllr Charlie Evans left the meeting at 8.40pm ::
• Cllr Sandra Thomas wished to discuss the arrangements for Remembrance Sunday. She advised that Rev Delyth Richards was leaving Llangunnor at the end of October and suggested that we speak to Rev Shirley Murphy to see if she would be prepared to take the service. She also requested the Councils authority to print the usual number of pamphlets. It was unanimously agreed for her to proceed to print the pamphlets, and to speak with Rev Shirley Murphy to see if she would be prepared to officiate at the service. (Minute 0922-21) She reminded the Council that the Chair’s chain needed to be updated with the details of the last three Chairs, and the clerk asked the Chair if he would take the chain into the Jewellers to get this work completed which was again unanimously agreed. (Minute 0921-21) A general discussion ensued as it was felt that with the number of links currently suspended to the chain of Office it was becoming heavy and cumbersome to handle. Cllr Totterdale suggested that the old links could be removed, and a new chain created that could be worn by the vice chair. All Councillors were asked to consider options here, and to bring their suggestions to a future meeting. Finally, Cllr Thomas advised that traffic congestion around the school entrance was an ongoing problem, and the Headmaster had suggested perhaps we could lobby for a one-way system. All agreed that this was a massive problem, and there was no immediate solution available. The clerk agreed to speak with the Headteacher on this point, indicating that there was little if anything that we could do as a Council to alleviate this problem.•
• 22.
There was no other important business to transact
23. Date of Next MeetingThe next meeting will be held on Thursday 20th October 2022 with format and location to be agreed. Clerk to confirm in advance
Meeting closed 8.45pm