Present:
Mr. A. Glass - Chairman Dr. J. Hilliard
Mr. T. Methuen-Campbell Mr. B. Richards
Mrs. E. Wakeford Mr. G. Evans
Mrs. E. John – Clerk
06/128 Apologies for Absence
Mr. I Williams
Mr. A. Oliver
Mrs. M. Iles
06/129 Declarations of Interest
Mr. Thomas Methuen-Campbell as owner of part of the footpath in question declared an interest in the Modification Order for the alleged public footpath at the former Tennis Courts – Horton.
Dr. J. Hilliard declared and interest in the Modification Order for the alleged public footpath at the former Tennis Courts – Horton.
06/130 Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 5th
December 2005
The Minutes were approved as read.
Proposed by: Mrs. E. Wakeford seconded by: Mr. B. Richards
06/131 To discuss the Modification Order for the
alleged public footpath at the Former Tennis Courts – Horton.
Mr. John Mumby explained that the Public Enquiry, which was to be held in February, had been postponed, consequently this item was deferred for discussion until March.
06/132 New Planning Applications
Standing Orders were suspended to discuss Planning Application 2005/2571 – Badgers Hole, Oxwich,
Proposal: Conversion of outbuilding to separate unit of residential accommodation, increase in ridge height of roof by 2.6m, two storey side/rear extension and addition of three dormers on front and side elevations.
The applicant, Mrs Joanna Piercey attended the meeting to explain the Application. There had been no objections from neighbours.
Penrice Community Council supported the application.
Planning Application: 2005/2635 – The Oxwich Bay Hotel, Oxwich.
Proposal: Compliance with conditions 3 & 5 of Planning permission 2004/1741
Mr. Brian Richards declared an interest in this application.
Community Councillors are still concerned about light pollution. The primary concern is that the orange lights should be replaced with white down-lighters. Councillors also wanted more time to consider this application because it was received after the Notices had been posted. This Application will be discussed more fully at the February meeting.
06/133 Matters Arising
a) The Clerk explained that following the meeting in December she had received instructions from Councillors to write to the Planning Department concerning Planning Application 2005/2406/1496 – Coastlands, Oxwich.
The Community Council supported the application in principle but would be concerned if more than one property were to be built on the site due to sewage problems.
b) Bin at Oxwich Crossroads - Mr. A. Glass explained that following the
discussion in December to move the bin to a less prominent position, it had in fact disappeared.
c) Buses at Oxwich Crossroads – Mr. A.Glass had contacted the bus
company who knew nothing of any problem with buses turning on land
purported to belong to one of the residents.
d) Bridge at Underhill - A letter had been received from Mr. Gwyn Evans of
Traffic Management, explaining that money was not available to widen
The Bridge. Mr. Thomas Methuen-Campbell stated that Penrice Estates
owned the Bridge and widening it would not be an option. The Bridge is
200 years old and the beauty would be destroyed. The Clerk to write to
Mr. Evans asking if a sign painted on the road stating ‘narrow’ could be
added to the sign already there stating ‘slow’. EJ
The request for additional warning signs on the bend on the hill would
not be necessary as boulders had been placed along the edge.
e) The Clerk explained that a telephone call had been received from the
Swansea Evening Post asking for dates of Meetings and copies of the
Minutes and Agenda. Mr. Jason Evans, attended the Meeting, and was
told that the details they required could be obtained on the Community
Council Website.
06/134 County Councillor R. Lewis
No report.
06/135 Community Councils
Noted :
06/136 Financial
a) Accounts approved for payment @ 10th January 2006:
Payable to: Purpose: cheque No: VAT Total
E. John-Clerk Pay & Expenses 263 - £251.13
SLCC Annual Membership 264 - 69.00
b) Balances as at 10th January 2006
Cash @ Bank 6755.53 opening balance 2,152.80
less chqs not
presented:
256 475.00 additional receipts: 11,257.57
258 300.00 13,410.37
261 157.52 less payments to date 7,587.36
5,823.01 balances 5,823.01
c) The Clerk reported that the final precept payment for 2005/2006 of £3,000 had been credited into the account on 23rd December 2005.
d) The Clerk reported that a telephone call had been received from Wales Audit Commission regarding cheques 201 and 202 not having been minuted. Cheque 202 was minuted in August 2004 and a copy was sent to the Commission. Cheque 201 for the amount of £68.00 was dated 1st July 2004 made out to Mr. I. Williams for signs. A copy of the record of the cheque in the cash book has been forwarded to the Audit Commission, with an explanation that at this time the Community Council was without a regular Clerk.
06/137
Correspondence
Noted correspondence from the following:
* Mrs Joanna Piercey, Badgers Hole, Oxwich
– copy of a letter sent to Mr. Carl
Humphreys – Highways, City and
06/138 Flooding Issues
Mr. Gordon Evans reported that he had spoken to Stuart Goulden of the Highways Authority regarding his concerns about flooding. Following the work carried out in December 2005 in Oxwich, the Authority had left a steep bank of earth uncovered which had subsided in heavy rain and blocked the drains once again. Mr. Goulden said that he was not in charge of the project, but would ensure that the bank was netted.
Mr. Alan Glass had also spoken to Mr. Goulden about flooding in the lane outside Coastlands, Oxwich, which had overflowed into various properties including Bwythyn Crafts and The Nook. Mr. Goulden had agreed that the Highways Authority would meet the cost of supplying a larger drain pipe across the land of ‘Coastlands’ and the property owner agreed to lay the pipe. Mr. Glass also spoke about the lack of street sweeping taking place in Autumn 2005 resulting in more drain blockages caused by falling leaves. A new project known as ‘Street Scape’ is to be introduced which involves one Engineer becoming responsible for one street .ie: drainage, sweeping etc. Mr. Glass also requested that salt bins be filled but to date they are empty.
Mr. A. Glass reported that he had contacted Kelda Water about the programme for refurbishment of the foul sewer in Oxwich, and was surprised to be told that instead of it being replaced, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water might just install an over-flow tank to the pump-station sump. This causes concern, as it fails to address the problem of sewage egress to the marsh causing pollution and groundwater ingress to the sewer, which will result in unnecessary running of the pumps, and hydraulic overloading of the sewage treatment works. Mr. Glass will continue to monitor the situation.
AG
The Clerk was asked to write to the Local Authority regarding flooding on the road between Hangmans Cross and Horton as a large lake occurs approximately 10 metres in length and the road becomes impassable to small
vehicles. Mr. B. Richards suggested that the road could be raised and marker posts put on the North side. EJ
06/139 Gower Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty – 50th Anniversary Celebrations 2006
Interest was shown by the Committee of Horton Village Hall and they would like details of how they can become involved.
Further discussions were deferred until February as Mr. Andrew Oliver was not present.
Mr. Jason Evans, Reporter with South West Wales Publications Ltd. suggested that they would be pleased to advertise the event.
06/140 Matters Outstanding
Benches
Mr. A. Glass reported that Mr. Emrys Humphries will build the benches at Horton and Oxwich before the end of March 2006. Written consent to build the bench on the hill at Oxwich is to be obtained from George Bathurst’s Manager. Dr. Hilliard will contact Mr. Humphries to explain the location of the bench in Horton.
JH
AG
The Meeting ended at 9.20pm.