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January 2023
Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held remotely at 6.30pm on Thursday 19th January 2023
PRESENT: Councillor Geraint Bevan (Chair), Paul Totterdale, Lee Whatley, Elwyn Williams, Joan Evans, Jennifer Slate, Charlie Evans, Matthew Williams, Ally Wadeward and Graham Slate >
APOLOGIES: Councillor Sandra Thomas
Also present Howard Davies (Clerk) and one members of the public present Robin Griffiths
Declaration of InterestNone
3. Chair's Announcements• Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi gyd a chroeso nôl ar ol yr egwyl Nadolig. Happy New Year to you all. He hoped all were refreshed from the Christmas and New Year break and ready to face the challenges of the coming months and year. He had two announcements to make
• He was able to drop off boxes of chocolates at Ysgol Llangynnwr for every class in the school and one box for the staffroom for the teachers and support staff. The boxes were gratefully received by Mr Aled Davies, the headteacher.
• He had called to see the former clerk, Mr Clive Thomas to pay his respects following the death of his father. He had passed on his personal condolences and the condolences of the council as a whole to him and his family. He also took the opportunity to thank Clive for his support of Howard in his role as new clerk.
Robin Griffiths wished to advise that Mrs Mair Lloyd the oldest surviving retired member of the Council was out of hospital following her recent fall, and was currently receiving respite care in Llanelli, but was unlikely to return home for some weeks. The Chair asked the clerk to forward her a get-well card from the Council, and that he would visit once she was back home.
5. MinutesIt was agreed and RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of the monthly Council meeting held on the 15th of December 2022 Cllr Whatley abstained (Minute 0123–5)
6. Committees:i) Finance
Noted that a meeting took place on the 14th of December, and the minutes had been circulated. Further meeting arranged for Thursday 26th January 2023
ii) Park & Environment
Noted the minutes of the meeting held on the 29th of September had been circulated. Further meeting arranged for Wednesday 25th January
iii) Web & MediaNoted the minutes of the meeting held on the 10th of November 2022 had been circulated. Further meeting rearranged for Wednesday 1st February
iv) EventsNoted the minutes of the meeting held on the 18th January were being compiled. A further meeting had been arranged for Wednesday 22nd February
7.The Clerk provided brief updates to the Council on the following
matters:
a. Regrettably Cllr Edward Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste, and Infrastructure Services, was still trying to arrange a site meeting between the council and Mr Pillner Head of Transport & Engineering at Carmarthenshire County Council re: new exit at top of Charlie’s carpark onto Pensarn Road. Mr Thomas remains supportive of council efforts to create a new exit here, and fully understands where we as a Council are coming from, and is keen to arrange a meeting. To date eight letters of support have been received from businesses located at Pensarn Retail Park.
b. Clerk advised that our application to Carmarthen C C for 106 funding of £3410.50 to cover the installation works associated with getting an electricity connection into the park had been successful, and that the purchase order together with their fee of £695.94 plus Vat had been forwarded to National Grid, who will reimburse this cost on completion of the work as part of our agreement. The quote from Charles Sams Electrician in the sum of £3410.50 for the installation and supply of the electricity pillars had also been accepted.
He was further pleased to advise that following the intervention of Cllr Elwyn
Williams our County Councillor, Carmarthenshire County Council had agreed to waive their fee of
£350 to grant an easement for the new cabling over the park, given the
Community benefit being derived from this scheme, which had previously
delayed progress here, as National Grid were not prepared to pay their fee.
c. He was pleased to advise that a new traffic limiter sign had finally been
installed at Bolhaul Road to replace the previously defective unit.
Furthermore, a new grit bin had been provided by Carmarthenshire County Council following our
earlier request, to be placed at the bottom of Haulfryn, which had been well
received by the residents.
d) Ongoing lighting issues at Sticle underpath had been again reported back to SWTRA, following a further report from a nearby resident
e. The clerk had shared with the Councillors the Police Report of crimes committed within the last four weeks via email
f) Following on from the Park’s Committee decision to seek alternative quotes from a reputable contractor to undertake the Inspection and Maintenance works at the park, he was pleased to advise that he was meeting with a representative from Dragon Play & Sports, being a Cardiff based Company, on Monday 30th January. This company had been highly recommended by Llanelli Rural Councillor, where they have carried our similar work with them for many years without issue. He extended an invitation to any Councillor who wanted to join
him at this meeting.
Cllr Jenny Slate introduced her motion –
“As you will know the Council agreed for the clerk to arrange for Messrs & Maher to move the toilet out of the park, and onto secure ground at the entrance to enable the toilet to remain open and to be serviced over the winter months. Martin Jones who formerly lived at Ty Penbryn, wished to help the Community Council and as such did not seek payment for his work but requested that the Council consider donating £50 to Christ Church Carmarthen food bank. The clerk has ascertained from Paul Egan at 1VW that if agreed the Council can make this payment Under S137 donations. I therefore seek your support to make this payment as it was essential that the toilet was moved, during these frozen conditions which allowed vehicles to travel over the previously wet ground.”The motion was seconded by Cllr Paul Totterdale. After a robust discussion a vote was taken where nine Councillors supported making payment out of our 137 Budget, with Cllr Whatley abstaining. The motion was therefore supported. Clerk to arrange payment to Christ Church Foodbank. (Minute 0123–8) 9. County Councillor Report
Cllr Williams advised that a 7% rise in Council Tax was likely, although a final figure was yet to be approved. Much time at the Council had been spent on what services could be cut to “balance the books” and that discussions had been well publicised in the local media. He foresaw a tough time ahead, as it was proving difficult to cut expenditure on some key services without seeing a reduction in service provision, as essentially services had been paired to the bone. He stated that he had still not received any contact from Mr Pillner, Head of Transport and Engineering
10. Reports from Members Representing Council on other BodiesRiverside Association -
One Voice Wales -
School Governors -
Training -
Carmarthen Town Forum - Cllr Charlie Evans advised that due the fact that the Forum, met during working day, he was finding it difficult to attend due his own work commitments. However given that that there was no other volunteers to replace him on this committee he would endeavour to attend meetings where possible. The Chair thanked him for his dedication
11. Approve the Schedule of Accounts :: Cllr Elwyn Williams declared an interest as his brother is the handyman ::It was Resolved (Minute 0123–11) that the accounts submitted be approved
A) Council is requested to consider and approve the following items of expenditure:
| Payee | Info | (£) Amount |
| E Williams | Playing Field (31/12/22) | 97.00 |
| Howard Davies | Salary - Jan 2023 | 647.18 |
| Office Allowance - Jan 2023 | 100.00 | |
| IT Allowance - Jan 2023 | 40.00 | |
| Extra Meetings Two Extra Meeting(see below) | 100.00 gross | |
| Reinbursement: Zoom Monthly Payment | 14.39 | |
| Reinbursement: Stamps | 5.44 | |
| Cllr Geraint Bevan | Xmas Selection Boxes for Llangunnor School | 44.00 |
| JRB Enterprise Ltd | Dog Gloves for Park | 42.84 |
| One Voice Wales | Training Module 16: Use of IT, Social Media, and Websites (Cllr Matt Williams) | 35.00 |
| Bowen & Weaving | Envelopes | 39.00 |
| Carmarthen Town Council | Purchase of two Xmas Trees- £500. Delivery of trees & services, of lift supervisor -£360 2 Staff at £20 per hour. £40 Vat thereon £172.00 | 1072.00 |
B) Council to note receipt of income: None
| Payee | Info | (£) Amount |
The following correspondence be noted/action taken:
| No | Nature of Correspondence | Agreed Action |
| 1 | Hywel Dda CHC Newsletter | Circulated |
| 2 | Updated contact list for Councillors | Circulated |
| 3 | Update on number of support letters received for new exit at top of Charlie’s car park (7 received to date) | Circulated |
| 4 | Details on Hiring Yr Aelwyd | Circulated |
| 5 | Carmarthen District Youth Opera: Thank you letter - recent donation | Circulated |
| 6 | PCC Bulletin | Circulated |
| 7 | Carmarthenshire Nature Notes and CNP Annual Report | Circulated |
| 8 | 1VW: Training dates for Jan, Feb,March | Circulated |
| 9 | Carmarthen County Council: 106 Funding electricity connection to Llangunnor Park | Circulated |
| 10 | Keep Wales Safe this winter – Viruses | Circulated |
| 11 | Launch of Amser third party sector grant scheme | Circulated |
| 12 | Monthly Police report for Llangunnor – January | Circulated |
| 13 | Public Commemoration Wales | Circulated |
| 14 | Democratic Engagement grant | Circulated |
The Chair advised that it was that time of year to open the application process for this years “Community Awards”. After a brief discussion it agreed to publicise via our Facebook page, and to ask for nominations to take forward for consideration. Additionally, every Councillor asked to bring forward the names of any deserving recipients to the next meeting. Cllr Charlie Evans agreed to place a suitable post on the council Facebook page inviting nominations from the residents of Llangunnor. This will be placed again on the Agenda for our February meeting to consider the nominations received.
14. Consider the use of Babell Zion Newydd for our meetings given Location, and excellent WIFI capabilities which can support both Face to face, and virtual connectivity for those who cannot attendThe Council’s desire to return to face-to-face meetings was again discussed, and in order to comply with current Welsh Government guidelines on the provision of hybrid meetings where we must accomodate both face to face and virtual attendees, a suitable central venue with the necessary WIFI capability would have to be found. After a brief discussion it was agreed that the clerk, accompanied by Cllrs Charlie Evans and Matt Williams who have a knowledge of working with IT/Wifi visit both Yr Aelwyd, and Babell Zion Newydd to appraise their facilities further, and to report back to our February meeting with their recommendations, and details of hire costs etc
15. Councillor's Report• Cllr Whatley wished to report that following the recent heavy rain, large volumes of water was flowing out from the field entrance near to Parc Y Swn, on Heol Blaengwastod, and was not draining away from the road surface, which then had led to dangerous road conditions, during the recent period of low temperatures and freezing conditions. Additionally, he wished to compliment Carmarthenshire County Council on their repairs to the pavements between the new Pet Food Shop and Login School
• Cllr G Slate advised that our Christmas banners has probably been collected by Carmarthen Town Council when they took down the trees and barriers and asked the clerk to check to see if they had them
:: Both Cllrs G & J Slate left the meeting at this point ::
• Cllr Joan Evans wished to report that she had received a complaint from a resident about motor vehicles travelling at excessive speeds along Roman Road. Cllr Elwyn Williams advised that the Council in the past had requested Carmarthenshire County Council FOR a 30mph speed limit be placed on this stretch of road, which was regrettably turned down, and as such the speed limit on this road remains the National Speed limit
• Cllr A Wadeward enquired as to progress with the bilingual signs for the park. In the absence of Cllr J Slate Chair of the Park And Environment Committee, the Clerk advised that now as a new emergency phone had been purchased, she was in the process of putting together a pictorial signage pack for our further consideration. She also wished to advise that a drain near the school could not cope with the heavy rainwater running off the bank, and was flowing onto the road, which during the recent freezing conditions was making it dangerous for parents and children walking along that area to school.
• Cllr Bevan wished to advise that the speed limiter sign opposite the Old Login school had become defective, and asked the clerk to report it to Carmarthenshire County Council
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 16th February 2023
Meeting closed 8.35pm