Pontarddulais Town Council Minutes 11
MINUTES OF THE PONTARDDULAIS TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 2ND FEBRUARY 2012
PRESENT: Cllr P.J Waterhouse (Mayor) Cllr R. Waterhouse
Cllr D. Richards Cllr E. Miles Cllr G. John Cllr E. Davies
Cllr D. Beynon Cllr J. Harris
Cllr D. Howard-Willis Cllr B. Lewis
Cllr P. Penry Cllr P. Downing
Prior to commencement of business the Mayor invited questions from members of the public. Mr R. Jenkins queried the reason for price differentials between various Tesco stores. He asked whether the Council was able to save any of the money it received from the precept. The Clerk explained that at the Special Council meeting held on the 26th January 2012 it was resolved to put £15,000 into reserves and to increase the reserves annually.
117. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J. Rees, S. Burgess, C. Morgan and W. Vonk.
118. TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST FROM MEMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL’S CODE OF CONDUCT:
There were no declarations of personal interest.
119. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 5TH JANUARY 2012:
The above minutes were accepted as a true record subject to the addition under Minute No.112 (B) :- “The Mayor thanked the Clerk for his work during the removal of materials from the Institute prior to commencement of refurbishment works.”
(a) Junction St Michael’s Avenue and Water Street (Min No 109(a)):
The Clerk advised Members that he had a preliminary site visit with officers from the City and County of Swansea and County Ward Members. They had agreed to re-check the official parameters for such a junction. Members agreed that a site meeting should still be convened with Town Councillors and County officials.
(b) Christmas illuminations (Min No 109(c)):
Concern was expressed that the lights on the Dantwyn tree had no been operational for part of the Christmas period. The Clerk explained that he had not been made aware of this fact.
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(c) Bus Service Pontarddulais to Swansea (Min No 111):
The Clerk reported a reply e-mail from the City and County of Swansea concerning the lack of buses on Sundays between Pontarddulais and Swansea.
(d) Grant Update (Min No 112(B):
Cllr Richards queried why the Council was paying for storage facilities in Canolfan y Bont when the Pontarddulais Partnership had received a grant of £2,000 from the Town Council. Cllrs P. Downing, J. Harris and P. Penry declared a personal interest and took no part in the discussion. The Clerk explained that the expenditure on storage would be reclaimed under the grant.
(e) PACT meeting (Min No 114):
Cllr Beynon advised Members that the PACT meeting due on the 24th January 2012 had been cancelled and that the next meeting would be on the 21st February 2012.
120. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THE 19TH JANUARY 2012:
The above minutes were received and noted.
121. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 26TH JANUARY 2012:
The above minutes were accepted as a true record.
The Clerk explained that money had been allocated to puchase a new laptop in the new financial year. Due to serious concerns with the existing laptop he requested permission to purchase a new laptop as soon as possible. RESOLVED that the Clerk be given permission to purchase a new laptop as soon as possible.
122. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNTY WARD MEMBERS:
County Councillor Miles reported on the following:
v Site meeting regarding junction of St Michael’s Avenue and Water Street;
v Fallen wall on road from Banc y Bo to Highland Terrace;
v New housing development at Parc St Teilo being nominated for a national award;
123. TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS (3 CLEAR DAYS NOTICE OF ANY QUESTION HAVING BEEN GIVEN TO THE PERSON TO WHOM IT IS ADDRESSED):
There were no questions tabled.
124. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM THE CLERK:
A. CORRESPONDENCE:
The following correspondence was received and noted:
(a) Welsh Government – proposal to alter the date of the local government elections in Wales;
(b) City and County of Swansea – cost of Community/Town Council elections 2012;
(c) City and County of Swansea - plan for an estimated election cost of £4,000 for Community/Town Council elections 2012;
(d) One Voice Wales – response to the Local Government Byelaws (Wales) Bill;
(e) Welsh Government – borrowing by Community and Town Councils in 2012-13;
(f) Welsh Government - Section 137 expenditure limit for 2012-13;
(g) Kidney Wales Foundation – Opt for Life Campaign;
(h) Mr Gareth Williams, 32 Heol y Maes, Pontarddulais:
The Clerk reported a letter from Mr Williams queying the current position regarding the Council’s decision to make him a Freeman of the town. The Mayor explained that it was her intention to hold a presentation evening in the Institute in April when all refurbishment works were completed.
(i) One Voice Wales Training:
The Clerk reported an e-mail from One Voice Wales advising that the “Understanding the Law Overview” course was undersubscribed and wondered whether any Members would be interested. It was agreed to inform One Voice Wales that Thursday nights were not necessarily suitable to many Members.
(j) Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg:
The Cler reported two e-mails from the above organisation and a copy of a letter from them to Cllr Lewis. Members were reminded that the decision to erect a plaque to commmemorate the founding of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg in Pontarddulais had previously been made. It was agreed to query who would be paying for the cost of producing and erecting the plaque.
B. GRANT UPDATE:
Members had been circulated with a written report from the Clerk. It was agreed that due to the reduction in size of Room 2 this room would now be used as the Clerk’s office.
125. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDE REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR:
The Mayor advised Members that her Deputy had undertaken one plate presentation in the last month. She also thanked her Deputy for chairing the Special Council meeting on the 26th January 2012.
126. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES:
Cllr Harris informed Members that the local police now had an office in the Canolfan and that there had been an increase in young people’s usage of the building. She stated that the Partnership’s AGM would be held in March.
Cllr John reminded Members that the monthly Local Produce Market would be held in the Institute on the 8th February. She also stated that she had been requested to organise this year’s Kidney Wales Walk for Life.
Cllr Beynon informed Members that the police would be holding a Blue Light Disco in the Workingmens Club on the 2nd March 2012.
127. TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE ANTI-DOG FOULING MEASURES IN PONTARDDULAIS:
Cllr Richards expressed concern at the amount of dog fouling that was occuring in St Teilo Street. All Members were in agreement and it was RESOLVED to request suitable signage in St Teilo Street.
128. TO AUTHORISE AND APPROVE THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2012:
The above expenditure was authorised and approved.
See Appendix “A”.
129. TO RECEIVE PLANNING APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY CIRCULATED TO ALL MEMBERS:
(i) Cwmdulais Farm, Pontarddulais – erection of 16 boarding kennels in a 12m x 8m building;
Members had agreed to object to this application on the grounds of noise and access issues.
Signed ...... Date......
CYNGOR TREF PONTARDDULAIS TOWN COUNCILAPPENDIX "A"
Expenditure transactions for the month of January 2012
Name / Particulars / Net / Vat / Total
Cyril Sweett / Fees / £934.00 / £186.80 / £1,120.80
HMRC / Quarter tax/NI / £1,684.46 / £0.00 / £1,684.46
Cathedral Leasing / Hire of dustmat etc / £35.10 / £7.02 / £42.12
C & C of Swansea / Non domestic rate / £188.00 / £0.00 / £188.00
Caretaker / January salary / £374.09 / £0.00 / £374.09
Cleaner / January salary / £383.91 / £0.00 / £383.91
Clerk / Expenses (incl hire of truck etc) / £187.62 / £14.17 / £201.79
Mayor / Third allowance / £500.00 / £0.00 / £500.00
Davies Craddock / Insurance renewal / £4,205.33 / £0.00 / £4,205.33
A & N Lewis / Grant payment / £52,360.30 / £10,472.06 / £62,832.36
Centregreat Ltd / Xmas illuminations / £5,250.00 / £1,050.00 / £6,300.00
Dwr Cymru / Water/sewerage charges / £511.43 / £0.00 / £511.43
Celtech Consultancy / Building Regulations inspection / £500.00 / £100.00 / £600.00
Clerk / January salary / £1,186.59 / £0.00 / £1,186.59
Getmapping / Parish Online subs / £60.00 / £12.00 / £72.00
Denotes grant expenditure
£68,360.83 / £11,842.05 / £80,202.88
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