Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in
‘Yr Aelwyd’, on Thursday 15th October 2009 at 7.00pm
PRESENT Councillor D. Valentine (Chair)
Councillors A. West, C.M. Jones, D.I. Davies, D.E. Williams, R.O. Griffiths, P.E. Totterdale, S. Howells, S.H. Thomas and G. Bevan.
APOLOGIES Councillors E.A. Jones, L.K. Carmody and J. A. Green.
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr. R Staines, Head of Housing and Mr R. Batt, Area Housing Manager, Carmarthenshire County Council.
D. Fisher, Reporter, Carmarthen Journal.
59(i) COMMUNITY USE OF ‘YR AELWYD’, TREGYNNWR – Consultation with
County Housing Department Officers.
Cllr Valentine welcomed Mr Staines and Mr Batt to the meeting and invited them to give their views on permitting public use of the ‘residents lounge’. They were pleased that the provision of a Police Surgery at Yr Aelwyd had come to fruition and with the press coverage on the commencement of operations. It had been achieved by a process of negotiations with Yr Aelwyd residents as it must be recognised that Yr Aelwyd is essentially their residence. Mr Staines and Mr Batt stressed the importance of having criteria for public use and believed that most differences can be sorted by working together and achieving a logical compromise. In open discussion Members raised issues concerning access for tenants living in the bungalows nearby, the WI and other local groups and for the Police to hold PACT meetings. Giving due consideration of relevant factors the Housing Department agreed to draw up access criteria for consultation with Yr Aelwyd residents and the Community Council. It was emphasised by Members that the access issues impact on the wider community and jointly agreed criteria would be welcome as tenants come and go but the community is permanent.
Cllr Valentine thanked Mr Staines and Mr Batt for their attendance and for their positive approach in addressing the issues and looked forward to receiving the consultative criteria.
59(ii) CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chairman announced that Remembrance Service would be held at Llangunnor Church at 11.00 a.m. on Sunday 8th November. Along with Cllrs A. Jones and P Totterdale she had attended a ‘Code of Conduct’ Seminar at Llandyfaelog and advised Members of the need to give the Code very careful consideration. She also congratulated Cllr. Howells on successfully obtaining a new post as a Training Assessor.
60 MINUTES
RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of:
i) The Monthly Council meeting held on 17th September 2009.
ii) The Planning Committee Meeting held on 17th September 2009.
In considering the minutes the following points were raised:
i) Minute 43: It was reported that an accident had occurred on the pupil fare paying bus to QE High School, which proved the danger of carrying standing passengers. Following discussion Council RESOLVED: invite the Leader and Chief Executive of Carmarthenshire County Council to attend a meeting of Llangunnor Community Council.
ii) Minute 48: Contact the County Council Legal Department and obtain the County position and request a representative to attend a Council meeting.
iii) Minute 51: The Clerk reported that the cost of a sign produced and erected via the County Council would be in the region of £500. RESOLVED: initially establish whether the Neighbourhood Police propose to erect a Police Surgery location sign outside Yr Aelwyd.
iv) Minute 52: Awaiting response from Cllr Scourfield. RESOLVED: request a response.
v) Minute 53: Cllr CM Jones reported that the landowner had given approval to access the land behind the Christmas tree location. RESOLVED: Thank the landowner and change date for Christmas tree lights switch-on to 6.00pm on 26th November. Advertise event on Radio Sir Gâr.
vi) Minute 58 i): Awaiting response. RESOLVED: Request response.
vii) Minute 58 iii): 8 frames ordered at cost of £10 each.
61 PUBLIC LIGHTING PLAN
Clerk presented an updated version of the Council’s Public Lighting Plan together with a statement of the budgeted amounts available for further lighting developments. RESOLVED: Subject to consultation with the County Public Lighting Officer, proposed the following developments:
i) Lamp opposite the cemetery, Nantycaws – fitted with a part-night light switch.
ii) Lamp along the road towards Penlan – fitted with a part-night light switch.
iii) Lamp on the footpath between Close Sticle and Haulfryn, subject to approval by the County Housing Department.
iv) Investigate the possibility of improving lighting between No 53 Rhoslas and the electricity sub-station
v) Cllrs G Bevan, Cllr E.A Jones and the Clerk to identify lamps that could be fitted with part-night light switches in Penymorfa Lane.
62 BUS SHELTERS
Clerk presented a report detailing the estimated cost per bus shelter and the locations previously identified by the Community Council. Should provision be on a 50:50 partnership basis with the County Council the cost would be approximately £2500 for each shelter plus any additional groundwork costs that may be incurred at each location. RESOLVED:
a) Agree to the partnership arrangement with the County Council and obtain costs for new shelters at the following locations:
i) Heol Pensarn, near the entrance to Stephen’s Way
ii) At a suitable location in Tir Ysgawen/Elder Grove
iii) By the entrance to Brynglas, Heol Capel Dewi
b) Establish whether the County Council would be prepared to install the three shelters during this financial year but agree to payment being phased over two financial years.
63 LLANGUNNOR PARK
Clerk reported that he had received an estimate for carrying out repairs to the collapsed floor of the pavilion from Jones & Johnson, Building Contractors for the sum of £831+VAT.
RESOLVED: Agree the estimate and instruct Jones & Johnson to carry out the repairs. [Cllrs R. Griffiths and D. E. Williams declared their interest and as they are closely associated with the building contractors and did not take part in the discussion]
64 COMMENCEMENT TIME OF COUNCIL MEETINGS
Subsequent to the requirement for all meetings in the Residents Lounge in ‘Yr Aelwyd’ to end by 9.30 p.m. and subject to the agreement of the County Housing Department, commence meetings at 6.45pm
65 REPORTS BY MEMBERS ATTENDING OTHER GROUP MEETINGS
i) Carmarthen Riverside Association. Cllr CM Jones reported on the recent meeting of the Committee and confirmed that the initial phase of development, which was near completion focused on the Carmarthen side of the river and that the Llangunnor side would benefit in future phases.
ii) Un Llais Cymru/One Voice Wales AGM. Cllr Howells reported on her attendance at the AGM and indicated that a formal record will be issued in due course by Un Llais Cymru/One Voice Wales
66 MONTHLY ACCOUNTS
RESOLVED: approve the monthly income and expenditure schedule presented by the Clerk:
Expenditure
E Williams Bus Shelters (Sept 09) 57.00
Playing Field (Sept 09) 70.00
I. W. Davies Salary – October 09 457.50 Office Allowance- Oct 09 70.00
IT Allowance – Oct 09 20.00
Office Support – Oct 09 152.50
Carmarthenshire CC Council Meeting-Aelwyd Fee 5.00
Income Nil
67 CORRESPONDENCE
RESOLVED to receive the monthly schedule of correspondence and agreed action as follows:
i) Un Llais Cymru/One Voice Wales
Noted Low Carbon Communities Challenge – funding opportunity
Noted response to proposed Government Order concerning transfer of powers to Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru/Welsh Assembly Government.
2009/10 salary award to Council Clerks & revised travelling allowances. RESOLVED: Receive the report and Clerk to report at the November meeting.
ii) Carmarthenshire County Council
Announcing the abandoned shopping trolley initiative. RESOLVED: Convey support for the initiative in view there are a number of retail outlets in Llangunnor that provide trolleys.
Invitation to nominate individuals for the Annual Carmarthenshire Sports Personality Awards. RESOLVED: Members to submit suitable names to the Clerk by end of October.
Request for details of local festive events. RESOLVED: Submit Christmas tree lights switch on. Also notify Radio Sir Gâr.
Notices of temporary road closures – circulated to all Members
Noted responses to various referrals.
Notice of event - ‘Working Together Enhancing Our Communities’ at Ffoslas Racecourse on 19th November.
Noted that the reported effluent on the pavement in Rhoslas will be cleaned and that work will commence soon to resolve the problem.
Application form for the display of seasonal decorations on highway land – Clerk to action in respect of the Community Christmas tree.
County Council will review the ‘Cattle Crossing’ signs at Login.
Confirmation that the Nantycaws Speed Restriction and central refuge for pedestrians have been added to the County list of future works but completion is subject to priority determination.
iii) Financial aid appeals: Carmarthen Youth Opera; Carmarthen Riverside Association; Urdd National Eisteddfod; Shelter Cymru and Victim Support Cymru. RESOLVED: Consider at December 2009 meeting.
iv) Society of Local Council Clerks [SLCC]: Annual Membership renewal - £94. RESOLVED: Renew.
v) Trinity University College: Prospectus of courses and notice of open days - displayed on Council notice boards.
vi) Parent Representative – ‘Home to School Transport’: Noted copies of various correspondences with the County Council and plea for the Community Council to press the parents appeal for free transport for all Llangunnor pupils. RESOLVED: Advise the representative of the action undertaken by the Community Council.
vii) Driving Standards Agency: Noted the action taken to stop the use of the junction by Brynmeurig Stores. RESOLVED: Thank the Agency for the action taken and Members to monitor the situation at the junction.
viii) Carmarthen Town Council: Response to publication of personal information.
ix) Dyfed Powys Neighbourhood Policing Inspector: Noted response regarding learner driver use of the junction by Brynmeurig Stores.
x) Menter Cwm Gwendraeth: Noted notification of support for the 10:10 global energy reduction campaign and plea for all communities to join in.
xi) National Botanic Garden: Copy of the magazine ‘Yr Ardd’
xii) Carmarthenshire Tourist Association: Noted County Tourism Awards Ceremony at Stradey Park Hotel on 22 October.
xiii) Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water: Notification of commencement of improvement works at Heol Capel Dewi Water Treatment Works.
xiv) Resident, Penymorfa Lane: Request for road resurfacing of the narrow east end of Penymorfa Lane. RESOLVED: Support and refer to the County Council.
xv) Mentrau Sir Gâr: Noted invitation for ideas for inclusion in the Welsh Language Future Strategy for Carmarthenshire.
68 ANY OTHER MATTER: RESOLVED
i) Refer to County Council:
Overgrown hedge by 29/30 Brynmeurig
Mud and debris on Church Lane opposite Pant Farm needs clearing
Request repair of damaged railings in the narrow east end section of Penymorfa Lane.
Request clearance of litter on former A48 by Plas Newydd.
Appeal for the Nantycaws Recycling Facility to remain open beyond
5.00 p.m. on weekday evenings. [Cllr CM Jones declared an interest as a Member of the CWM Board of Directors and took no part in discussion on this item]
Request for the railings by Tywi Service Station roundabout to be painted
Request update on the proposals to deal with parking on Heol Llangynnwr in front of Dyfed Powys Police HQ.
Remove the temporary 20mph loose chippings sign on Rhiw’r Babell.
Remind the Housing Department that the leaning post in Y Talar has not been attended to.
Establish responsibility for de-weeding the sloping area in front of ATS, Pensarn.
ii) Members’ New Year Dinner
Clerk to draw up arrangements for the Members’ New Year Dinner.
iii) Clerk reported that he had written to a number of businesses along Pensarn Road kindly requesting removal of redundant items left on forecourts, de-weeding and general tidying of the forecourts. RESOLVED: Thank the businesses that have done so and remind the others of the Community Council’s wishes.
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