Minutes of the Meeting of Llanllawddog Community Council held at Llanllawddog Church Hall on Monday 5thSeptember 2016 at 7.pm

Present : Councillors Mike Evans, Allan Haskins, Pam Palmer, Peter Williams

In the Chair – Councillor Peter Williams 40.Apologies Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Howard Davies, and Dilwyn Green RESOLVED that Councillor Dilwyn Green’s non attendance at meetings was approaching 6 consecutive months and in view of the circumstances that his absence be approved.

41Declarations of Interest No declarations recorded

42. Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm The Chair extended a particularly warm welcome to Bethan Edwards, Development Project Manager and Malcolm Sherrington, Construction Project Manager with RWE Innogy UK Ltd. Following a brief overview of the project the representatives updated members on where the scheme now stood. with tree clearance work and site investigations having been completed. From the outset, it had always been the case that the turbines would be within the forestry and not replacing it. It was anticipated that construction work would commence early in October, possibly a week or two earlier to take advantage of good weather to build access tracks and the need to improve forestry roads proceeding to construct turbine foundations, and a substation within the forest. Grid connection was in the hands of Western Power Distribution with the decision expected on 6th October. On current programming, it was now expected that the first turbines would be producing electricity in October/November 2017 and the Wind Farm fully operational by March 2018. The next steps would include extensive public communication and discussions on community benefit and investment confirming that the company were committed to the Fund’s administration. Cllr Pam Palmer emphasised the need to minimise disruption to the area when transporting the turbines with advance planning for the abnormal loads and ensuring consideration by drivers for other road users. In addition, heavy machinery damaged roads, tracks and verges which the contractors should rectify. Members highlighted that local projects should benefit from available funding and Council’s website could assist with local publicity at various stages. In response, it was noted that a resident engineer would be on site to help resolve any local problems as they arose. Bethan and Malcolm were thanked for their attendance and left the meeting at 7.35pm

43. Policing Matters Members noted that PCSO Nicola Waters a regular visitor to meetings had not been able to attend on the evening and members referred to continuing speeding contraventions on the A485. In addition to concerns in Rhydargaeau which was regularly monitored by the police, however they did not seem as vigilant in the Pontarsais area as they have been in the past with motorist taking advantage in driving at excessive speeds. RESOLVED that the Roads Traffic Police be asked to monitor excessive speeds on the A485 in the vicinity of Pontarsais

44. Minutes RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 4thJuly 2016 be signed as a correct record

45.Matters Arising i) 30)Trees opposite Stag and Pheasant, Pontarsais The Clerk and the County Councillor referred to repeated requests to reduce the height of the trees opposite the Stag & Pheasant and an update on what action could be taken was still awaited. The meeting noted that unless action was taken by the County Council that aggrieved parties would be approaching their Member of Parliament or faced with no alternative but to possibly seek recourse via the Ombudsman RESOLVEDthat the County Council be informed accordingly ii) 38) Damage to Trees and Verges The Chair reminded members as to extensive damages to trees and verges as a result of large lorries, far too big for rural roads. It was noted that the situation had now improved somewhat, but verges had disappeared and a fingerpost had been damaged. Pam drew attention to enquiries of the County Council and the response received

46. County Councillor’s Report Pam kept members in touch with various issues of concern to residents with regular reports from irate residents as to speeding on the A485 and what could be done to reduce the problem. Seasonal issues were again to the fore with the cutting of verges a prevailing problem. Planning matters routinely required solutions. On conclusion Pam was thanked for her succinct report

47. Correspondence Members proceeded to consider the following schedule of correspondence circulated with the agenda 1.One Voice Wales i) Cymru’nCofio Wales Remembers 1914 – 1918, ii) Planning Policy Wales Questionnaire, iii) Consultation on fee rates and scales 2017-18 , iv) One Voice Wales – Annual Conference 1st October 2016, v) One Voice Wales – Annual Conference Motions for Debate, vi) Ombudsman’s Casebook – Issue 25, vii) Planning Law in Wales – Scoping Paper Summary, viii) Training opportunities 2.Carmarthenshire County Council
i) Documentation from the Councillors Code of Conduct Training, ii)Change in language category for Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin, iii) Precept 2nd instalment £2278.33, iv) Community & Town Councils County Liaison Forum, County Hall, 6th September 2016. v) Applications for Safe Routes in Communities Grant, vi) Peniel Community School Governing Body- Appointment of a minor authority representative 3. NHS Wales/Hywel Dda University Health Board Let’s Talk Health – Join the big conversation 4.Police & Crime Commissioner i) Police and Crime Plan priorities, ii) Consultation Events 5. Barclays Balance in Council’s Current A/c on 22nd July was £12549.52 6. DwrCymru Welsh Water Have your Say 7.Informative Material i) MarmaxProducts, ii)Older People Commissioner for Wales – Newsletter – Summer 2016

RESOLVED that i) Council be not represented at OVW’s AGM/Conference, ii) Cllr Allan Haskins be thanked for his time on the Peniel Community School Governing Body and that one of the other councils within the catchment area be provided with an opportunity to nominate for the forthcoming term of office, iii) the questionnaires be completed accordingly, iv) the Police & Crime Commissioner be asked to include more visible community policing in the new Police & Crime Plan and v) the remaining items be noted

48. Planning Applications The meeting noted the action taken over the summer months with no new applications received.

49. Requests for Financial Assistance The meeting considered the schedule of applications circulated with the agenda RESOLVED that a contribution of £25.00 be given to each of the following organisations : i) Kidney Wales Foundation; ii) Age Cymru Carmarthenshire; iii) Shelter Cymru; iv) St John Cymru-Wales; v) UrddGobaithCymru East and West Carmarthenshire; vi) Radio Glangwili; vii) Carmarthen & District Youth Opera; viii) CFFI Sir Gar/Carmarthenshire YFC

50. Bills for Payment RESOLVED that the following accounts be paid : 100554 – J E Williams - £517.68 – Clerk’s salary, Jul/Aug/Sep 2016 100555 – HMRC - £129.20 – Tax deductions – Jul/Aug/Sep 2016 100556 – Llanegwad Church Restoration Fund – £75.00 – Contribution in lieu of internal audit 100557 – Kidney Wales Foundation - £25.00 – Contribution 100558 – Age Cymru Sir Gar - £25.00 – Contribution 100559 – Shelter Cymru- £25.00 – Contribution 100560 – St John Cymru Wales - £25.00 – Contribution 100561 – Urdd GobaithCymru - £25.00 – Contribution 100562 – Radio Glangwili - £25.00 – Contribution 100563 – Carmarthen & District Youth Opera - £25.00 – Contribution 100564 – CFFI Sir Gar - £25.00 - Contribution

51. Footpaths and Bridleways The meeting noted that there were no recent issues reported

52. Casual Vacancy The meeting noted following a further period of public notice no expressions of interest had been received. RESOLVED that further efforts be made to seek candidates for co-option to enable Council to consider the possibility of co-option at the November meeting unless otherwise notified by the County Council.

53. Matters appertaining to Council’s Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2016 The meeting noted that the certified copy of Annual Return with an unqualified report for the year ended 31st March 2016 had now been received.

RESOLVED that the report relative to Council’s accounts for the year ended 31st March 2016 be received and approved

54. Any Other Business Beech Trees With the changing seasons Cllr Pam Palmer drew attention to the need for the customary assessment of the condition of trees on the road leading from the A485 towards Llanllawddog Church by the County Council’s Arboriculture Officer. RESOLVED that the County Council be requested to carry out a survey of these trees to ascertain if there were problems that need resolution in advance of the usual inclement weather. Bus Shelters Cllr Alan Haskins referred to the situation with bus shelter cleaning and in particular of advertising being displayed obscuring the views of passengers RESOLVED that this issue of increasing concern be reviewed as and when appropriate.

55. Date of Next Meeting Members noted that the next meeting of Council would take place on Monday 7thNovember 2016

Meeting terminated at 8.25pm

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