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May 2023

Minutes of a hybrid Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held at Babell Zion Newydd at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday 18th May 2023

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

APOLOGIES:None

Also present Howard Davies (Clerk) and two members of the public present Robin Griffiths(*) and ?

Declaration of Interest

Cllr Elwyn Williams declared an interest as his brother is the handyman To be recorded during agenda items

3. Chair's Announcements

• Our new Chair Cllr J Slate, had very little to report, having just taken over as Chair and this being her first meeting. She and her husband Graham had attended the recent “Mayor making” celebrations in Carmarthen which had allowed them to meet new colleagues and provide an opportunity to network

4. Public Questions

Robin Griffiths again queried why the Council had not voted on the amendment prior to bringing it in last month, where members of the public had the opportunity of being able to ask questions or to raise points on the agenda.
Chair again reiterated that no amendment to Standing Orders has been made requiring a vote. This was an amendment made to the agenda item for clarity to ensure the speaker adhered to asking questions relating to the agenda only, thereby ensuring the smooth running and efficiency of the meeting and complying fully with current policy. Any questions falling outside these criteria would have to be sent to the clerk. As this was existing policy, and to bring us in line with other Community Councils there was no requirement for a vote.
This being her final response on this matter

5. Minutes

It was agreed and RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of the monthly Council meeting held on the 20th of April 2023. (Minute 05/23–5) Noted 8 Councillors in favour with Cllr Whatley and Evans abstaining

Action point: Following feedback on the new system for approving minutes going forward the Chair would enquire of the clerk if any amendments had been received relating to the previous month’s minutes. Any received would be advised to full Council by the clerk prior to making the final amendment to the draft minutes. Typo’s will be excluded and corrected immediately upon notification. If no amendments have been advised, then the Chair would immediately proceed to a vote

6. Committees

i) Finance

Noted that a meeting took place on the 17th of May. Draft minutes had been circulated and uploaded to our webpage. Further meeting to be arranged

ii) Park & Environment

Noted the minutes of the meeting took place on the 3rd of May. Draft minutes had been circulated and uploaded to our webpage

iii) Web & Media

Noted the minutes of the meeting held on 1st February had been circulated and uploaded to our webpage. Further meeting to be arranged

iv) Events

Noted the minutes of the meeting held on the 22nd of March had been circulated and uploaded to our webpage. Regular working groups continue to meet to move the Event forward. Further meeting will be arranged for June

7.

It was unanimously agreed to purchase a Lenovo Laptop with a three-year warranty for the clerk, at a cost of circa £700 from Carmarthen C C’s approved Supplier Centreprize International based in Ystrad Mynach, together with an IT bundle to run hybrid meetings consisting of camera, speakers, cables etc. (Minute 05/23-7)

8.

It was resolved to support the SSAFA Charity with a donation of £60 under S137 policy It was also agreed that these requests be looked at twice a year in May and November to ensure consistency. (Minute 05/23-8)

9. 9.

Cllr Evans motion “To make Cllr A Wadeward and Administrator of The Facebook Page” was unanimously adopted. (Minute 05/23–9)

10.

Cllr Bevan’s motion

“This Community Council welcomes the Urdd National Eisteddfod to Carmarthen and notes the local efforts to raise money for the event that was originally scheduled for 2021 but was delayed by the COVID pandemic. As a Community Council we wish all youngsters from our community who are competing the very best of luck and hope all that attend the largest youth festival in Western Europe enjoy themselves. We would also encourage individuals and local organisations to support The event flying flags and putting up bunting.”

Was unanimously adopted (Minute 05/23–10)

11.

Cllr Wadeward reported back to Council having had the opportunity of looking further into the provision of a Coronation Mug for the children attending Llangunnor Primary School. After a robust discussion it was felt during these times of austerity, allied to no government funding being made available centrally, We could not justify support on this occasion. (Minute 05/23–11)

12. County Councillor Report

Cllr Williams advised matters had been very quiet and he had nothing to impart

13. Reports from Members Representing Council on other Bodies

Riverside Association -

One Voice Wales - Cllr Whatley advised that he had attended the Area meeting at Llanelli on the 26th of April which was poorly attended. He would share the minutes when received

School Governors - Cllr Ally Wadeward our newly appointed Council Governor representative advised that she had attended her first meeting and had found it to be both very insightful and interesting

Carmarthen Town Forum - Cllr C Evans there had been no further meetings and suggested that we write to the “Forum” to see if we could send a deputy to represent us if Cllr Evans could not attend due to prior commitments. Actions: Clerk to write to The Town Forum to see if this proposal is acceptable to them

Training -

14. Approve the Schedule of Accounts

Resolved to approve with (Minute 05/23–14) Cllr Elwyn Williams declared an interest as his brother is the handyman

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

Payee	Info	(£) Amount
E Williams	Playing Field (30/04/2023)	97.00
	Moving toilet £25, £60 Labour, Materials for base £50.00
	Labour to move Defib £100, Rails £20	.00
	Path repairs Materials £30, Labour £120	£502.00
Howard Davies	Salary - May 23	711.20
	Office Allowance - May 23	100.00
	IT Allowance - May 23	40.00
	Zoom Monthly Payment	15.59
	Files	17.96
	Extras Meetings /td>	80.00
Geraint Bevan	Bunting purchased from Chairs Allowance for Urdd Eisteddfod and fruit for Llangunnor School	44.92
Bowen & Weaving	Stationery and Ink	114.00
Dynevor Tree Services	Tree work undertaken at Lewis Morris entrance and bottom of park as per accepted quote	550.00
Clay Shaw Butler	Annual Accountancy fees for running Clerk & Councillors Payroll	420.00
L Whatley	Travelling expenses to attend One Voice Wales Area Meeting at Llanelli.as per attached claim	17.552

For Information Cheque for £75.00 Cheque No 103589 dated 28.4.23 Payable to Association of Running Clubs issued to cover Annual membership and entry fees for Fun Run. Itemised within Agreed Community Event Budget and therefore preauthorised.

Extra Meetings
Park & Environment 3rd May 2023
Finance Committee 17th May 2023

2 X £50 = £100 this equates to £80.00 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)

B) Council to note receipt of income: None

15. Correspondence

The following correspondence be noted/action taken:

No	Nature of Correspondence	Agreed Action
1	1VW Appointment of new Communication Officer	Circulated
2	Emergency alerts system Saturday 23 April	Circulated
3	Training Courses April & May 1VW	Circulated
4	Code of Conduct training for Councillors- Carms C C	Circulated
5	Urdd competition to decorate your property	Circulated
6	Parks report- March 23	Circulated
7	Motion for IVW AGM -September	Circulated
8	Zoom update Thanks for 20mph campaign	Circulated
9	1VW Minutes of Carmarthen Area Meeting	Circulated
10	1VW Training May	Circulated
11	Crime stats -April	Circulated
12	Innovative Practice Conference 5.7.23	Circulated
13	Response from Cwm Environmental re our traffic concerns	Circulated
14	April Operational Report received for Llangunnor Park	Circulated
15	Good Councillor Guide to Employment	Circulated
16	No mow May	Circulated

16.

Cllr Slate provided a detailed report on our Community Event/Fun run scheduled for 16th July. She was please to advise that Brian Jones MD of locally based Castell Howell Foods had agreed to open the event. The working group continues to meet on a regular basis, where a formal Events Committee meeting will be arranged for early June

17. Councillor's Report

• Cllr C Evans wished to remind everyone that the consultation on the new hospital closes on the 19th of May
• Cllr Totterdale was concerned as to the longevity of the recent repairs made to the road surfaces around Brynmeurig, as the potholes had been repaired with cold tarmacadam, and had not been sealed as opposed to the hot method. Action point: Clerk to ask Highways Department as to why the repairs had not been undertaken with hot tarmacadam, to see if their methods had changed
• Cllrs G Slate wished to report that the pigeons had returned to the flyover beneath Babell, and their droppings were now building up and becoming a health concern. Action point: Clerk to report to SWTRA as a matter of urgency
• Cllr J Slate wished to report that she had received several complaints from residents about motorists finding it difficult to navigate the junction of Bleangwastod Road, and the Elder Grove Estate due to a caravan, and motor home being parked on the Elder Grove side of the junction. Action point: Clerk to ask PCSO to have a polite word with the owners.
• Cllr Matt Williams had been receiving complaints from residents about vehicles travelling at excessive speed along both Llangunnor Road, and Babell Road. Action point: Clerk agreed to report our concerns to the Go safe web page being our initial port of call, as advised by the local traffic section of Carms C C

As a general observation Councillors felt that by having both the AGM, and the monthly Council meeting on the same evening it was to intense. Action point: Next year consideration to be given to having two separate meetings spread across two evenings

18. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 15th June 2023 at Babell Zion Newydd Vestry, with option to join virtually if required

Meeting closed at 21.30pm

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