Minutes of the Meeting of Penrice Community Council held on Monday 5th December 2005 in Oxwich Youth Hall at 7.30pm.

 

 

 

Present:

Mr. A. Glass – Chairman                    Mr. G. Evans

Dr. J. Hilliard                                      Mr. B. Richards

Mr. I. Williams                                   Mrs. M. Iles

Mr. A. Oliver

Mrs. E. Wakeford

Mrs. E. John - Clerk

 

 

05/110   Apologies for absence

Mr. T. Methuen-Campbell

 

 

05/111   Declarations of Interest

Mr. A. Glass, Mrs. E .Wakeford, Mr. B. Richards and Mr. I. Williams Declared an Interest in Planning Applications 2005/2406 and 2005/1496 – Coastlands, Oxwich.

 

Mr. I. Williams Declared an Interest in Planning Application 2005/2410 – Woodside Guest House, Oxwich.

 

Dr. J. Hilliard Declared an Interest in :The Alleged Public Footpath at the Former Tennis Courts, Horton, Swansea.

 

 

05/112   Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 10th November 2005

The Minutes were approved as read.

 

Proposed by:  Mr. G. Evans                   seconded by:  Dr. J. Hilliard.

 

 

 

05/113: Alleged Public footpath at the former Tennis Courts – Horton.

 

Standing Orders were suspended in order to allow a member of the public, Mr. John Mumby , to enquire if a member of The Community Council would attend an informal Public Enquiry concerning an alleged Public Footpath at the former Tennis Courts at Horton which will be held on February 8th 2006.  The land is owned by Mr. Mumby.  The Community Council had not supported the application. 

 

Mr. Andrew Oliver agreed to attend and received the full support of The Community Council.                                                                                                               AO

 

 

 

 

 

05/114: Planning Application 2005/2221 – 8, Great House, Horton.

 

Standing Orders were suspended in order for a member of the public to discuss Planning Application No: 2005/2221 – 8 Great House, Horton, - Proposal:  Retention of the following structures: a) Agricultural store, b) Glasshouse,  c) Tractor shed,         

d)  Horticultural Store.

 

The application would only be supported by The Community Council if a strict agricultural covenant was applied. The Community Council also expressed concern that enforcement action has taken a long time.

 

 

05/115    Matters Arising

a)  Message in a bottle.

 

Dr. J. Hilliard reported that the Surgery in Scurlage would be willing to store and distribute the bottles.

 

b)  Draft Strategy for people aged 50 and over

 

Mr. A. Glass reported that he had read the Draft Strategy and was concerned that Housing issues were not addressed within the document.  He was particularly concerned for elderly people living alone.  A questionnaire will be returned to The City and County of Swansea stating his concerns.                                               A.G.

 

 

c)   Valuation of Land at Oxwich and Horton.

 

Mr. A. Glass reported that he had received professional advice that the Village Greens owned by The Community Council had no value because the land could not be used as building land.

 

d)  Bin at Oxwich crossroads

 

Mr. A. Glass reported that he was to liaise with Mr. T. Methuen-Campbell about relocating the galvanised bin to a less conspicuous location.  However, the bin had been damaged prior to moving.                                                                          A.G.

 

 

05/116   County Councillor R. Lewis

No Report.

 

 

 

 

 

05/117   Community Councils

Noted:   Communication from The City and County of Swansea about the Community Council Forum Meeting to be held on Tuesday 10th January 2006 at 7pm.

 

 

 

 

05/118   Financial

a)  Noted:   From Horton Village Hall,a letter about payment for the use of the hall for 2004/2005 at a cost of £50 and advising that a Children’s Christmas Party was being organised and would the Community Council consider making a donation towards the cost.  It was agreed to pay a sum of £75.00.                               EJ

 

b)  Noted:  From Oxwich & Penrice Youth Hall about the Christmas Party for the children on Sunday 18th December and would the Community Council consider making a donation towards the cost.  It was agreed to pay a sum of £75.00. EJ

 

c)  From the City and County of Swansea details of Community Council Precepts for 2006/07                                                                                                            EJ

 

 

d)  Accounts approved for payment @ 5th December 2005

 

Payable to:                 Purpose:                    Cheque No:             Total

E. John –Clerk       Pay & Expenses              253                     £ 250.03

Horton Vill Hall         use of hall                   254                          50.00

Horton Vill Hall     Sctn 137/ donation          255                        475.00

Oxwich Y.Hall       Sctn 137/donation           256                        475.00

Horton Methodist

    Church               Sctn 137 grant                 257                         300.00

St. Illtyd’s

Church                   Sctn 137 grant                258                          300.00

 

 

 

e)   Balance as @ 5th December 2005

Cash @ Bank          4,910.30            opening balance              2152.80

Less cheques

Not presented             nil                  additional receipts           7864.75

 

                                                                                               10,017.55

                                                        Less payments to date      5,107.25

 

                               4,910.30         Balance                               4,910.30  

 

The Clerk pointed out that £241.39 of the above balance was Trafalgar Day proceeds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

f)   Trafalgar Day Money

The Clerk reported that in addition to the £241.39p an amount of £388.71p was to be banked giving a total profit made at the Trafalgar Day Celebrations of £630.10p.  The Community Council agreed that an equal payment of £157.52p should be given to four Charities, and the following cheques were written:

 

Cheque No:                   Charity                         amount                Registration No:

    259                           R.N.L.I.                         £157.52               209603   

    260                          Wales Air Ambulance     157.52               1083645

    261                           Oxwich & Penrice

                                         Youth Hall                   157.52               524207

    262                     Horton Village Hall               157.52               1076446

 

All proceeds were from events held on Trafalgar Day.                                        EJ

 

 

05/119   Budget 2006/2007

The Budget had been circulated with the Minutes.  Some amendments were made.  It was agreed that the precept should remain at £9,000. The tax base being based on 429 Band D equivalent properties.                                                                               EJ

 

 

05/120   Correspondence

Noted correspondence from the following:

 

* National Assembly for Wales:  about playing fields under threat.

* Welsh Assembly Government: Three year Revenue and Capital Settlements for   Local Authorities in Wales.

*  St. Andrew’s Parochial Church Council – Penrice – Thanking the Community  Council for the grant of £300.

* Alzheimer’s Society – seeking donations. Not budgeted.

* City and County of Swansea: about the proposed traffic speed reductions within the Gower area.

* Swansea Council for Voluntary Services: Annual Report 2004/2005.

 

 

 

05/121   Planning


a) New Planning Applications:

Planning Application 2005/2275 – Bank Farm Horton

Proposal:  Use of land for a caravan rally for approximately 25 units from 14th to 17th April 2006 (inclusive).

Decision:   Supported.

 

 

 

b) Planning Application  2005/2275 – 8, Great  House, Horton, Swansea.

Proposal:   Retention of the following structures:

Agricultural Store,  Glasshouse, Tractor shed, Horticultural Store.

Decision:  The Community Council feel that if a strict agricultural covenant applies they would support the application. however, should the outbuildings be used for anything other than agricultural materials or equipment they would not be supportive. There were also concerns that enforcement action had been extremely slow.

 

c) Planning Application 2005/2410  - Woodside Guest House, Oxwich, Swansea.

Mr. Ian Williams left the room during the discussion.

Proposal: Erection of cottage on land adjoining Woodside Guest House.

Decision:  The Community Council object to this application on the following grounds.  There are concerns that the size of the plot to be developed is inadequate, there are insufficient parking facilities and there will be loss of a visual and safety amenity at a junction.

The Community Council received a letter from the applicants stating the reasons for their application.

 

d) Planning Application 2005/2453 – The Hayes, Horton, Swansea.

Proposal:  Construction of Highway access.

Decision:  Supported.

The above Planning Application had been received after Notices had been distributed. In order to respond to Planning Applications within the given period of time stipulated by the Planning Department, Council agreed to discuss late Applications and to advise the public by adding to their New Planning Application document, that ‘The Community Council reserve the right to discuss Applications received after Notices have been distributed.’

 

 

e) Planning Application 2005/2406/1496 – Coastlands, Oxwich, Swansea.

Mr. A. Glass, Mrs. E.Wakeford, Mr. B. Richards and Mr. I. Williams left the room during the discussion.

Proposal: Demolition of Bungalow and erection of one detached dwelling house.

Decision:  The Community Council were unsure of the meaning of the Planning Applications. Clerk to contact the Planning Department for advice.                EJ

Letters of concern from Professor Nigel Stott were taken into consideration.

 

f) Delegated Decisions made by the Local Planning Authority

i)  Application No: 2005/2102  - 2, The Cross, Reynoldston, Swansea.

Proposal:  Two storey side extension attached garage and rear conservatory.

Decision:   Grant permission conditional

 

ii)  Application No: 2005/1546  - Brynview, Oxwich, Swansea.

 

Proposal: Retention of two storey rear extension and side porch (amendment to planning permission 2003/0468 granted on 25th July 2003)

Decision:  Grant permission conditional.

 

05/122   Buses – Oxwich Green.

Mr. G. Evans reported that a complaint had been made by a Resident of Oxwich Green that buses when turning were driving over land owned by the Resident.

Mr. Evans had investigated the matter and the land in question is owned by Penrice Estate.

Mr. A. Glass to speak to the bus Company – Pullmans Coaches.                  AG

 

 

05/123   Flooding Issues in Oxwich

Mr. A. Glass reported that Mr. Stuart Goulden of The Highways Department, The City and County of Swansea, had not received permission to lay a larger drain through land owned by a Resident of Oxwich even though they had agreed that there would be no charge to the Resident.

Major works are currently being carried out to try to address the flooding issues, but Mr. G. Evans is concerned about the effectiveness of some of the repair works.  It was agreed that he would pass on his views to Mr. Goulden while work is still in hand, the effectiveness would afterwards be monitored. Mr. Evans would also remind Mr. Goulden that grit bins need refilling.                                                        GE.                                                                                           

It was noted that a major cause of flooding is due to leaves blocking gullies, which are not regularly cleared now that highway workers do not live locally.

 

 

05/124   Gower – Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – 50 year Celebrations 2006

 

Mr. A. Glass reported that he had spoken to members of Oxwich and Horton Village Halls, The Churches and the W.I. who were all happy to form an Official Sub-Committee to arrange events to mark the celebrations.

 

 

05/125    Bridge at Underhill

Mr. A. Oliver reported that a nasty accident had recently occurred at the bridge involving a head – on collision. Suggestions were made that the bridge could be widened. The Clerk to contact The City and County of Swansea.                 

 

Trees have also been taken down at the side of the road, on a bend above Underhill Cottage.  The Clerk to write to The Highways Department of The City and County of Swansea to suggest they put marker posts on the bend as a warning.                EJ.

 

 

05/126   Dates of Meetings for 2006

The Dates of Meetings for 2006 were circulated with the Minutes.

 

 

05/127   Matters Outstanding

There were no matters outstanding.

 

The Meeting ended at 10pm.