MINUTES OF THE PONTARDDULAIS TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 6TH MARCH 2014
PRESENT: Cllr D. Beynon (Mayor) Cllr K. Griffiths
Cllr C. Mathias Cllr H. Roberts
Cllr P. J. Waterhouse Cllr R. Waterhouse
Cllr E. Davies Cllr D. Howard-Willis
Cllr J. Miles Cllr C. Davies
Prior to commencement of business members of the public were invited to ask questions. Mr R. Jenkins, Glasfryn Road, Pontarddulais queried the cost of the town centre enhancement works. The Clerk agreed to make enquiries.
112. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors G. Thomas, P. Downing, G. Williams, G. John, K. Harris and J. Harris.
113. 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.
114. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 6TH FEBRUARY 2014:
(a) Signage for Pentrebach (Min No 107(j)):
The Clerk advised Members that County Councillor Harris was discussing the above matter with officers from the City and County of Swansea.
(b) Changes to the planning system in Wales (Min No 107(l)):
The Clerk advised Members that County Councillor Harris had provided a comprehensive response to the above consultation which had now been forwarded to the Welsh Government.
(c) Code of Conduct Training (Min No 107(m)):
The Clerk reported correspondence from the City and County of Swansea inviting Members to the launch on the 26th March 2014 of the Charter between the City and County of Swansea and the Town/Community Councils within its boundaries. It was agreed that the Mayor should sign the Charter on behalf of the Town Council.
115. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNTY WARD MEMBERS:
County Ward members were not present at the meeting having previously tendered their apologies.
116. 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.
117. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM THE CLERK:
A. CORRESPONDENCE:
The following correspondence was received and noted:
(a) Conserving and maintaining Welsh war memorial heritage conference;
(b) Tower Mint – World War 1 Remembrance Medals for Community and Town Councils;
(c) Local Government (Wales) Byelaws Act 2012 – implementation;
(d) Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales Annual Report – February 2014;
(e) One Voice Wales – motions for Annual Conference and AGM;
(f) Welsh Government – consultation on proposed regulations and supporting guidance under the Playing Fields (Community Involvement in Disposal Decisions) (Wales) Measure 2010;
(g) City and County of Swansea – LDP update 2014;
(h) School field , Pontarddulais Primary School:
The Clerk reported a copy of an e-mail from Cllr Miles to Cllr Mathias referring to a press report that the City and County of Swansea was again considering the disposal of school playing fields. Members unanimously agreed that the Council would fight any such proposal.
(i) Repeal of Section 150(5) of the Local Government Act 1972:
The Clerk informed Members that following the approval of Parliament and the Welsh Government, the Minister would shortly be making a legislative reform order repealing the statutory requirement for 2 elected members to sign cheques and other orders for payments. It was agreed that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee.
(j) Membership of One Voice Wales:
The Clerk reported an invitation from One Voice Wales to renew its membership from April 2014. It was agreed to renew membership at a cost of £776 per annum.
(k) Mynydd y Gwair Wind Farm Community Investment Consultation Launch:
The Clerk reported correspondence from RWE Innogy UK Ltd inviting the Town Council to comment on the above Fund. It was agreed that the fund should be to communities affected by the development and relative to the effect on those communities and that representatives from the affected communities should be involved in the management of the fund.
(l) Swansea Lift Repair & Service Ltd:
The Clerk informed Members that following a recent service on the Institute lift the above company had drawn the Council’s attention to BS7255 which places a duty of care on the building owner to ensure that any engineer working on the lift can do so safely. To that end the following health and safety issues required attention:
(i) A rubber mat required conforming to electrical standards and placed on the floor in front of the electrical control panel (BS912 compliant);
(ii) Landing maintenance barrier required for engineers safety of pit examination.
It was agreed to purchase the above equipment from the company at a cost of £300 (three hundred pounds) excluding VAT.
(m) Summer floral display:
The Clerk reminded Members that following the town centre enhancement works the railings which held flower troughs outside Hope-Siloh Chapel had been removed. The Mayor had been investigating various alternatives but due to the passage of time it was now necessary to consider alternative solutions. The Clerk had been in contact with the City and County of Swansea who could supply and fill dark blue planters at a cost of £131.99 including VAT. It was agreed to request the supply of three such planters placed outside Hope-Siloh Chapel in St Teilo Street.
(n) Chamber of Trade:
The Clerk advised Members that he had been offered the Pontarddulais and District Chamber of Trade President’s Chain of Office by Mr Anthony Mathias, son of the late Town Councillor John Mathias. It was agreed to accept the kind offer and thank Mr Mathias and his family.
118. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR:
The Mayor reported on his civic duties over the past month.
119. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES:
The Clerk advised Members that last month’s children’s film had been very well attended and the next film would be held on Saturday 1st March. He also reminded Members that the Local Produce Market would be held in the Institute on Wednesday 12th March 2014.
120. TO CONSIDER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THE MAINTENANCE OF THE GRAVEYARDS AT CAPEL Y TRINITI, GOPPA CHAPEL AND LLANDEILO TALYBONT ST TEILO’S CHURCHYARD:
Cllr Miles declared a personal interest in St Teilo’s Church and Cllr E. Davies declared a personal interest in Goppa Chapel. It was agreed to make a donation of £150 (one hundred and fifty pounds) towards the maintenance of each of the above churchyards.
121. TO CONSIDER AND DETERMINE REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM ORGANISATIONS WITHIN THE COUNCIL’S AREA:
Requests for financial assistance were received from the following organisations:
(i) Pontarddulais Town AFC;
(ii) Pontarddulais & District Community Car Scheme;
(iii) Bont Elim Community Church;
(iv) Pontarddulais Age Concern;
(v) Pontarddulais Partnership;
(vi) Friends of Coedbach Park;
(vii) Cantorion Pontarddulais;
(viii) 4th Pontarddulais Scouts Group;
(ix) St Teilo’s Church Restoration Fund;
(x) Llandeilo Talybont Church on the marsh;
(xi) Pontarddulais Town Band;
(xii) Dragon School of Combat;
(xiii) Glynhir W.I.;
(xiv) Pontarddulais, Hendy & District Festival Committee;
(xv) Pontarddulais U3A;
(xvi) Blackstream Writers, Canolfan y Bont;
(xvii) Pontarddulais AFC Juniors;
(xviii) Pontarddulais Senior Citizens.
Members had before them copies of the above applications together with balance sheets, where provided. Councillors R & P. J. Waterhouse declared personal interests in applications (ii) and (x) above. Cllr J. Miles declared a personal interest in applications (v), (vii), (ix) and (x) above. RESOLVED that a donation of £250.00 (two hundred and fifty pounds) be made to each of the following organisations:
(i) Pontarddulais Town AFC;
(ii) Pontarddulais & District Community Car Scheme;
(iii) Bont Elim Community Church;
(iv) Pontarddulais Age Concern;
(v) Friends of Coedbach Park;
(vi) Cantorion Pontarddulais;
(vii) St Teilo’s Church Restoration Fund;
(viii) Llandeilo Talybont Church on the marsh;
(ix) Pontarddulais Town Band;
(x) Dragon School of Combat;
(xi) Glynhir W.I.;
(xii) Pontarddulais, Hendy & District Festival Committee;
(xiii) Pontarddulais U3A;
(xiv) Pontarddulais AFC Juniors;
(xv) Pontarddulais Senior Citizens.
It was proposed by Cllr C. Davies and seconded by Cllr C. Mathias that the application from the Pontarddulais Partnership be refused. Cllr E. Davies moved an amendment, seconded by Cllr D. Howard-Willis that a donation of £250.00 (two hundred and fifty pounds) be made to Pontarddulais Partnership. On being put to a vote the proposal was successful by 4 votes to 2.
Applications from the 4th Pontarddulais Scout Group and Blackstream Writers were refused since they had not provided balance sheets with the applications.
The Clerk was instructed to advise the Pontarddulais AFC Juniors and Dragon School of Combat that clearer balance sheets would be required with any future applications.
122. TO AUTHORISE AND APPROVE THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2014:
The above expenditure was authorised and approved.
See Appendix “A”.
123. TO RECEIVE PLANNING APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY CIRCULATED TO ALL MEMBERS:
(i) Ger y Felin, Upper Mill, Pontarddulais – minor changes to boundary position, rear window changed to door, minor changes in height of the ridgeline, new garage.
There were no adverse observations relating to the above application.
Signed: Date:
CYNGOR TREF PONTARDDULAIS TOWN COUNCILAPPENDIX “A”
Expenditure transactions for the month of February 2014
Name / Particulars / Net / Vat / Total
PRS / Performing Right charges / £103.90 / £20.78 / £124.68
Cathedral Leasing Ltd / Hire of dustmat etc / £35.10 / £7.02 / £42.12
Clerk / Expenses / £23.22 / £0.00 / £23.22
B. T. / Office phone / £22.00 / £4.40 / £26.40
Comm Cinema Group / Film 01/02 / £50.00 / £0.00 / £50.00
Caretaker / Lamp/cleaning materials / £19.00 / £0.00 / £19.00
Caretaker / February salary / £374.29 / £0.00 / £374.29
Cleaner / February salary / £431.71 / £0.00 / £431.71
Clerk / February salary / £1,186.59 / £0.00 / £1,186.59
British Gas / Dantwyn electricity / £34.87 / £1.74 / £36.61
British Gas / Institute electricity / £551.72 / £27.59 / £579.31
British Gas / Institute gas 6 months / £1,372.00 / £224.49 / £1,596.49
£4,204.40 / £286.02 / £4,490.42
Page 1 of 7