MINUTES OF THE PONTARDDULAIS TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 5TH OCTOBER 2017

PRESENT:Cllr J. Harris (Mayor)Cllr C. Mathias

Cllr G. JohnCllr K. Griffiths

Cllr D. Howard-WillisCllr D. Beynon

Cllr A. CascariniCllr R. John

Cllr Rev. J. BeynonCllr M. Roberts

Cllr E. DaviesCllr R. T. Jenkins

Prior to commencement of business members of the public were invited to ask questions. There were no questions forthcoming.

67.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P. Downing, H. Roberts and C. Harris.

68.TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST FROM MEMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL’S CODE OF CONDUCT:

There were no declarations received.

69.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 7TH SEPTEMBER 2017:

The above minutes were accepted as a true record.

(a)Caecerrig Road, Pontarddulais (Min No 54(b)):

Cllr D.Beynon advised Members that the next PACT meeting would be held in the Institute on Monday 6th November at 7.00pm.

(b)Virgin Media (Min No 56):

The Clerk reported a copy of an e-mail from the City & County of Swansea’s Streetworks Management Officer concerning works undertaken by Virgin Media.

(c)Mynydd y Gwair (Min No 56):

The Clerk reported a copy of an e-mail from the Mynydd y Gwair Wind Farm Community Liaison Officer concerning problems associated with road sweeping.

(d)Graig Merthyr Commemorative Stone (Min No 59(r)):

The Clerk advised Members that the Graig Merthyr Committee did not have a shortfall in their funding for the above commemorative stone.

(e)National Grid overhead line refurbishment (Min No 59(w)):

The Clerk presented a briefing paper from the National Grid indicating the key stages of their Swansea to Pembroke overhead line refurbishment.

70.TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THE 26TH SEPTEMBER 2017:

In the absence of both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the committee the Clerk reported on the above minutes.

(a)Consultation document “Electoral Reform in Local Government in Wales”:

Members had before them the Finance committee’s recommendations on the consultation questions. Following discussion on the answers it was RESOLVED to accept the committee’s recommendations.

(b)War Memorial, St Teilo Street, Pontarddulais:

Members had before them a quotation for the replacement of the missing hand on the monument. After considerable discussion it was RESOLVED to seek grant funding for the replacement of the hand and the cleaning of the monument.

71.TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNTY WARD MEMBERS:

Cllr K. Griffiths reported on the following matters:

  • Problems with Virgin Media had been reduced;
  • House renovation problems;
  • LDP meeting with a small group of residents;
  • Tarmac to Trinity Street completed;
  • Pavement sinking on entrance to Maesteg;
  • Street lighting in Upper Mill;
  • Fly tipping in Goppa Road.

72.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER ANY URGENT MATTERS FROM TOWN COUNCILLORS:

Cllr Roberts queried who owned the land in Banc y Bo which housed one of the Graig Merthyr memorial stones. He also referred to the problem of dog fouling in the area. Cllr K. Griffiths would investigate the possibility of providing additional dog litter bins.

73.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.

74.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM THE CLERK:

  1. CORRESPONDENCE:

The following correspondence was received and noted:

(a)Traffic lights Bolgoed Road/Pentre Road – copy e-mail from City & County of Swansea confirming trial staging alteration to lights;

(b)Mynydd y Gwair Wind Farm – update e-mail from Cllr K. Griffiths;

(c)Mynydd y Gwair Liaison Group – copy of draft minutes 14th September;

(d)One Voice Wales – seminar on dangers of cyber attacks;

(e)Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue – public consultation on value for money;

(f)City & County of Swansea – Gambling Act 2005 – consultation on proposed amendments to their Statement of Principles;

(g)Asset Based Community Development –information on training sessions;

(h)One Voice Wales – health and Safety checklist for community and town councils;

(i)One Voice Wales – October training sessions;

(j)Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service – draft corporate plan 2018 – 2023;

(k)Welsh Government – Welsh Tax Policy Report;

(l)LDP – copy of e-mail from City & County of Swansea to Cllr K. Griffiths with information on the Planning Inspectors’ formal “Pre-Hearing Meeting;

(m)LDP – e-mail from the City & County of Swansea with information on the LDP examination by the Planning Inspectorate;

(n)Mynydd y Gwair Wind Farm:

The Clerk reported a letter from Mrs P. J. Waterhouse concerning the construction of the wind farm access road in Bolgoed Road. It was agreed that the matter be brought up by the Mayor at the next Mynydd y Gwair Liaison Group meeting.

(o)Internal Auditor:

The Clerk reported a guidance note from One Voice Wales on the appointment of an internal auditor for community and town councils. It was agreed that the matter be referred to the Council’s Finance Committee.

(p)Lloyds Bank:

The Clerk reported an e-mail from Cllr Rev. J. Beynon regarding the above Bank. Prior to any discussion on the subject the Clerk advised Members that the building had been sold.

(q)Independent Review of the Community and Town Council Sector:

The Clerk reported information from the Independent Review Panel requesting views on various matters. It was agreed that the request be considered at the next Council meeting.

(r)Consultation Guidance for Principal Councils on the Review of Communities:

The Clerk reported information from the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales on the above consultation. It was agreed that the matter be considered at the next Council meeting.

(s)Payment to Members of Community and Town Councils:

The Clerk reported on the Annual Report from the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales and their determinations on payment to town and community councils. It was agreed that the document be considered at the next Council meeting.

(t)Larger Local Councils Committee:

The Clerk advised Members that the next meeting of the above committee would be held in Llandrindod Wells on Wednesday 18th October. It was agreed that the Clerk attends the meeting.

75.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR:

The Mayor reported on her civic duties over the past month.

76.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES:

Cllr G. John presented a written report following her attendance at the One Voice Wales Conference and Annual Meeting. She advised Members that the next children’s film would be held in the Institute on Saturday 7th October and the Local Produce Market would be on Wednesday 11th October.

77.TO AUTHORISE AND APPROVE THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2017:

The above expenditure was authorised and approved.

See Appendix “A”.

78.TO RECEIVE A MONTHLY INCOME REPORT AND BANK RECONCILIATION FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2017:

The above reports were accepted. See appendices attached.

79.TO RECEIVE PLANNING APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY CIRCULATED TO ALL MEMBERS:

(i)Land off Church Lane, Pontarddulais – detached house;

(ii)Parcel of land to the west of Pentre Road, adjacent to the bridge on the B4296 crossing the M4 – construction of agricultural buildings;

(iii)BontElim Community Church, Pontarddulais – to vary condition to grant primary cooking in the coffee shop;

(iv)Roadside verge adjacent to access to GwaunCamffrwd and Coedlan, Pontarddulais – construction of a small concrete plinth and installation of a pole mounted solar panel, kiosk and ancillary ducting on a permanent basis to house equipment for recording and transmitting river level data.

Cllr Rev J. Beynon declared an interest in application (iii) above. There were no observations regarding the above applications.

Signed:Date:

CYNGOR TREF PONTARDDULAIS TOWN COUNCIL
APPENDIX "A"
Expenditure transactions for the month of September 2017
Name / Particulars / Net / Vat / Total
C & C of Swansea / Non domestic rate / £225.00 / £0.00 / £225.00
SSE / Cenotaph electricity / £45.76 / £2.28 / £48.04
B. T. / Office phone / £22.74 / £4.55 / £27.29
Wales Audit Office / External audit fees / £245.10 / £0.00 / £245.10
Cathedral Leasing / Hire of 2 No. san units / £21.67 / £4.33 / £26.00
ESPO / Stationery (paper) / £41.88 / £8.38 / £50.26
Kingfisher Electrical / Replace flood light in hall / £85.00 / £17.00 / £102.00
Salaries / September salaries / £2,112.59 / £0.00 / £2,112.59
Lloyds Bank / Service charge / £5.00 / £0.00 / £5.00
Festival Committee / Xmas parade sponsorship / £850.00 / £0.00 / £850.00
£3,654.74 / £36.54 / £3,691.28

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MONTHLY INCOME REPORT – SEPTEMBER 2017

01-Sep / HB/1/17 / Macsens Coffee Shop - hanging basket / £63.66 / £63.66
06-Sep / 43/17 / CorGlandulais - room hire / £30.00 / £30.00
06-Sep / 53/17 / Art Class - room hire / £30.00 / £30.00
06-Sep / 51/17 / Dulais River Writers - room hire / £50.00 / £50.00
08-Sep / 49/17 / Slimming World - room hire / £150.00 / £150.00
11-Sep / 50/17 / Sewing Class - room hire / £40.00 / £40.00
11-Sep / Lloyds Bank - bank interest / £1.85 / £1.85
11-Sep / Lloyds Bank - bank interest / £1.41 / £1.41
25-Sep / 55/17 / Karate - room hire / £75.00 / £75.00
29-Sep / HMRC - VAT refund / £3,620.06 / £3,620.06
Monthly totals / £375.00 / £0.00 / £3.26 / £3,620.06 / £63.66 / £0.00 / £4,061.98 / £70,243.51

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CyngorTrefPontarddulais Town Council
Bank Reconciliation / Sep-17
Balance brought forward / £88,942.44
Add total receipts as per R & P Book / £4,061.98
Less total payments as per R & P Book / £3,691.28
Balance carried forward / £89,313.14
Bank balances
Closing bank balances
(as per bank statements as at 30/09/17)
Current Account / £1.00
Deposit Account / £59,649.89
Reserve Account / £31,131.20
Total bank balance / £90,782.09
Less unpresented cheques / Cheque number
4392 / £606.95
4396 / £12.00
4428 / £850.00
Total / £1,468.95
Add cash/cheques received not yet banked
Other adjustments
Reconciled Balance / £89,313.14
(as at 30/09/17)

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