MINUTES OF THE PONTARDDULAIS TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 4TH OCTOBER 2012
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PRESENT:Cllr R. Waterhouse (Mayor)Cllr D. Beynon
Cllr J. MilesCllr G. John
Cllr E. DaviesCllr K. Griffiths
Cllr G. ThomasCllr D. Howard-Willis
Cllr P. DowningCllr C. Mathias
Cllr. K. HarrisCllr G. Williams
Cllr C. Davies
Prior to commencement of business the Mayor invited questions from members of the public. Mr R. Jenkins, Glasfryn Road, made reference to the footpath from Bolgoed Road to Brynbach Road; the planning application for a proposed wind farm on Mynydd y Gwair and the possibility of a pelican crossing on Water Street.
64.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J. Harris, H. Roberts and P. J. Waterhouse.
65.TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST FROM MEMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL'S CODE OF CONDUCT:
There were no declarations of personal interest received.
66.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 6TH SEPTEMBER 2012:
The above minutes were accepted subject to Minute 55 being amended to read ...... wall outside 139 Goppa Road......
(a)Public questions:
The Clerk reported an e-mail reply from the City and County of Swansea indicating that they would consider the Town Council's additional comments concerning a possible crossing in Water Street and a memorial bench for the late John Mathias in the Dulais Gardens.
(b)Proposed plaque, The Institute, Pontarddulais (Min No 53(a)):
The Clerk reported an e-mail reply from Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg stating they would be in touch soon concerning the above proposal.
(c)Traffic Lights, Pontarddulais (Min No 53(c)):
The Clerk reported an e-mail reply from Mr Allan Capp following the Council showing their appreciation for the work he had undertaken concerning the new traffic lights on the junction of Station Road and St Teilo Street.
(d)Risk Assessment Schedule (Min No 54(a)):
The Clerk reported an e-mail from One Voice Wales estimating the cost of undertaking a health and safety inspection and report at £700. It was agreed not to pursue the matter further.
(e)Wall outside 139 Goppa Road, Pontarddulais (Min No 55):
The Clerk reported two e-mails from the City and County of Swansea concerning the condition of the above wall. The owner has submitted a design for the replacement of the whole length of wall fronting his property and has given a verbal start date of 6th November 2012.
(f)Claimed public footpath from Bolgoed Road to Brynbach Road near former Graig Merthyr Colliery:
The Clerk advised Members that he had submitted to the City and County of Swansea the comprehensive report provided by Cllr Miles on the historical background to the above footpath.
(g)Grovesend & Waungron Community Council (Min No 57(t)):
The Clerk reported a reply letter from Grovesend & Waungron Community Council advising that the date of the inaugural meeting between neighbouring councils would be held in the Grovesend Welfare Hall on Monday 29th October 2012 at 7.00pm.
(h)To approve the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2012 (Min No 61):
The Clerk advised Members that the Annual Return had been returned from the external auditors and that no matters had come to their attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements had not been met.
67.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 20TH SEPTEMBER 2012:
The above minutes were accepted as a true record.
The Clerk reported a reply e-mail from the City and County of Swansea referring to the abnormal loads procedure for the trial run due to take place between 17th September and 29th October 2012. They stated that the police would prohibit the precise date from being publicised and the incorporation of the full weight was unnecessary as the trial run tests road geometry in order to identify constraints. Cllr Miles had produced petition templates and urged Members to persuade the public to sign them as soon as possible.
68.TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNTY WARD MEMBERS:
County Councillor Downing reported on the following:
- The Hyder Transportation Study, Stage 1 had been finalised and prior to corporate briefing the consultants would meet with the two local county ward members;
- The Town Centre Enhancement report would go before the Heads of Service on the 22nd October. The total fund was £330,000 and the City and County of Swansea had applied for a further £100,000.
- Houses to Homes - a Welsh Government initiative to tackle empty homes with a maximum loan of £25,000 for individual dwellings and £150,000for HMOs. The City and County of Swansea would receive £850,000 towards the initiative.
- Welfare Reform Act - Cllr Downing explained some of the benefit changes that were proposed under the Act.
69.TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS (3 CLEAR DAYS NOTICE HAVING BEEN GIVEN TO THE PERSON TO WHOM IT IS ADDRESSED):
There were no questions tabled.
70.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM THE CLERK:
A.CORRESPONDENCE:
The following correspondence was received and noted:
(a)The Electoral Commission - Police and Crime Commissioner elections;
(b)Welsh Government - appointment of the Expert Advisory Panel for the National Literacy Programme;
(c)Mynydd y Gwynt Community Consultation Team - transportation route consultation;
(d)Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service - Draft Annual Improvement Plan 2013 -14 consultation;
(e)Swansea Substance Misuse Action Team - annual "open door" forum;
(f)The Heart of Wales Line Forum - project to secure improved service;
(g)Friends of Coedbach Park - Eco Report and press release;
(h)One Voice Wales - availability of planning training module;
(i)Mr Byron Davies AM:
The Clerk reported a letter from Mr Davies AM requesting a copy of the Council's accounts for the year ended March 2012 and querying the Council's views on any proposed selling off of school playing fields. The Clerk explained that he had already sent Mr Davies a copy of the Council's Annual Return for 2011/12. It was agreed to advise Mr Davies that the Council was opposed to the selling off of any school playing fields.
(j)One Voice Wales Training Survey:
The Clerk reported correspondence from One Voice Wales explaining they were undertaking a Wales wide survey of its member councils to establish a database of pertinent information for future training courses. It was agreed that the Clerk e-mails Members and collates the information prior to completing the survey.
(k)Launch of Green Map for Pontarddulais:
The Clerk reported an e-mail from Pontarddulais Partnership advising that the Green Map would be launched on Friday 19th October between 4.00pm and 8.00pm in Hope Siloh Chapel Vestry. They had suggested that the Town Council and the Local Produce Market may wish to have a display at the event. The Clerk explained that he could provide the material but would be unavailable until after 5.00pm. Some Members agreed to assist during the event.
(l)Council Newsletter:
The Clerk reminded Members that it had been agreed that a local dance troupe would deliver the Council's Newsletter. Certain matters had now come to light and in view of the current abduction of a young child in Machynlleth it was deemed inappropriate to allow young girls to deliver the newsletter. On being put to a vote it was agreed by seven votes to five to give the troupe a good will payment of £100 (one hundred pounds). It was further agreed to ascertain from Pontarddulais Partnership if the Council Newsletter could be distributed at the same time as their Bont Bulletin. Cllr Downing declared a personal interest and took no part in the discussion.
(m)The Institute, Pontarddulais:
The Clerk advised Members that he had received complaints concerning the condition of the existing chairs in the Institute. It was agreed that the Clerk provides estimated cost of new chairs and payment be made through the RDP grant. The Clerk also stated that he was now pursuing a grant application to provide specialist assistance to take forward the second floor development of the Institute.
71.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR:
The Mayor reported on his civic duties during the last month.
72.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES:
Cllr Beynon reported that the next PACT meeting would be held in the Institute on Thursday 11th October. Cllr John reported that the Local Produce Market would be held in the Institute on Wednesday 10th October and the children's film would be in the Institute on Saturday 6th October. She advised Members that she had been re-appointed onto the City and County of Swansea's Community Council's Standards Sub Committee. Cllr Downing advised Members that he had been appointed Vice-Chairman of Pontarddulais Primary School's Board of Governors with Cllr Gareth Williams appointed as Chairman. The school was committed to spend £10,000 on additional books and they had bought extra iPads for pupils.
73.TO CONSIDER AND MAKE OBSERVATIONS ON THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA'S LDP VISION, OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIC OPTIONS:
The Clerk had provided Members with a Ward Profile for Pontarddulais, fact sheet No 2 on Vision, Objectives and Strategic Options and an extract from the City and County of Swansea's Strategic Options Concept plan as it related to Pontarddulais. The Clerk directed Members to the key questions within the profile document and explained that the closing date for public consultation on this stage of the LDP was the 12th October 2012. It was agreed that Members would forward their views to the Clerk prior to the above date.
74.TO DETERMINE A COUNCIL POLICY CONCERNING STORAGE OF EQUIPMENT BY ROOM HIRERS:
The Clerk explained that there was equipment now being stored in the hall, Room 1, Room 3 and on the first floor landing. It was agreed to refer the matter to the Council's Estates and Development Committee.
75.TO AUTHORISE AND APPROVE THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2012:
The above expenditure was authorised and approved.
See Appendix "A".
76.TO RECEIVE PLANNING APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY CIRCULATED TO ALL MEMBERS:
(i)Slieve Ynys Farm, Garnswllt Road, Pontarddulais - tractor shed to provide shelter for tractors;
(ii)Mynydd y Gwair, Swansea - installation of 16 wind turbines (max ht to blade tip of 129 mtrs with a hub height of 80 mtrs), with a maximum generating capacity of 48MW, associated tracks and ancillary infrastructure (including permanent and temporary anemometer masts, electric substation compound, hardstandings, transformers and underground cabling) and construction of new access track from A48 (Bolgoed Road at Pontarddulais) (approx 14.54km in length) incorporating improvements to 3.9km of existing road across Mynydd Pysgodlyn;
(iii)134, 136 & 138 St Teilo Street, Pontarddulais - replacement of shop front and provision of illuminated fascia signage;
(iv)148 St Teilo Street, Pontarddulais - replacement of shop front and provision of illuminated fascia signage;
(v)9 Pentre Road, Pontarddulais - conservatory to the side elevation.
The Council had previously agreed to object to application (ii) above.
Signed:Date:
CYNGOR TREF PONTARDDULAIS TOWN COUNCILAPPENDIX "A"
Expenditure transactions for the month of September 2012
Name / Particulars / Net / Vat / Total
C & C of Swansea / Non domestic rate / £199.00 / £0.00 / £199.00
Cathedral Leasing / Hire of dustmat etc / £35.10 / £7.02 / £42.12
Clerk / Expenses / £75.90 / £0.00 / £75.90
Caretaker / September salary / £374.09 / £0.00 / £374.09
Cleaner / September salary / £415.51 / £0.00 / £415.51
Royal British Legion / 2 No Remembrance Wreaths / £70.00 / £0.00 / £70.00
B. T. / Office phone / £20.20 / £4.04 / £24.24
S. Porch / Institute door and locks / £442.46 / £0.00 / £442.46
Clerk / September salary / £1,186.59 / £0.00 / £1,186.59
ESPO / Stationery / £56.15 / £11.23 / £67.38
C & C of Swansea / NEAT team payment / £6,000.00 / £1,200.00 / £7,200.00
Mazars / External audit fee / £1,450.00 / £290.00 / £1,740.00
ESPO / Cleaning equipment etc / £39.53 / £7.90 / £47.43
£10,364.53 / £1,520.19 / £11,884.72
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