Minutes of the meeting of the Penrice Community Council held on ~

Wednesday 11th July 07

At Oxwich and Penrice Youth Hall at 7.30pm

Members Present: Councillor A Glass – Chairman

Councillor G Davies

Councillor T Methuen-Campbell

Councillor B Richards

Councillor M Barnett

Councillor A Oliver

35/07 Apologies for Absence.

Councillors I Williams and G Roberts.

The Chairman advised that Councillor E Wakeford had resigned and the Clerk was awaiting a letter to confirm this. Clerk to advertise the position with the statutory notice of vacancy.

36/07 Declarations of Interest.

Cllr B Richards declared a personal interest in Planning Items relating to Bank Farm.

37/07 To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 12^th June 07.

The minutes of the 12^th June 07 were agreed to be a true and accurate record.

Proposed: Cllr T Methuen-Campbell Seconded Cllr G Davies.

38/07 Matters Arising from the minutes.

28/07 Cllr A Glass and Cllr I Williams had met with John English of the City and County of Swansea to discuss the signage required at Oxwich Cross. Some of the requested signs would be possible within the budget, but not all. Work was hopeful to be completed by the end of August. The problem of parking in Slade was also to be investigated as was the signage requested for the ‘Penny Hitch’ at Home Farm, to try to prevent caravans being directed to Horton via Penrice by ‘Sat Nav’ systems.

The Chairman had completed the Gower Community Facility Survey.

39/07 County Councillor R. Lewis.

No Report

40/07 Community Councils.

The One Voice Wales conference and AGM 2007 details and attendance was discussed. Two delegates could attend and the cost would be £50 per delegate. Council decided not to attend, but the Clerk to request a copy of the minutes of the AGM. SC

40/07 Community Councils cont….

One Voice Wales had provided a ‘model policy’ on Unacceptable Actions by Individuals for Councils to adopt if they felt necessary. Council decided to circulate with the minutes at the next meeting and defer the decision until then. SC

41/07 Correspondence

The City and County of Swansea letter regarding the planning permission that the Greenways site has planning permission for.
E mail from Philip Davies regarding Greenways and the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council.
A letter to Thomas Gronow, Senior Planning Officer from Alan Osborne of the Cottage, Oxwich Green and other local residents regarding Greenway Holiday Park.

Cllr B Richards declared a personal interest in Greenways Holiday Park, did not speak or vote during this part of the meeting. Cllr G Davies also declared that he was a neighbour to this site and felt that he had a personal interest. Personal interests were queried as Mr Philip Davies felt that the residents were not being represented if Cllr G Davies could not speak about this item. Clerk to seek clarification from the City and County. SC

A protracted debate than ensued involving many of Oxwich Green residents, regarding Greenways. A number of points were made including:

The Chairman has spoken to Mr Mead, who claims to have an ‘Established
Use Right’ for touring caravans, and is in the process of implementing
his new planning permission, which requires a phased changeover which
has resulted in temporary overcrowding.
There have been touring caravans over the years, including under the
previous ownership, but the numbers are thought to have increased
recently, and presumably Mr Mead has to prove uninterrupted and constant
use by a consistent number of vans.
It is appreciated that Mr Mead has improved the clientele of the site,
but there are concerns about the volume of traffic generated locally,
especially the problems arising from caravans meeting other vehicles on
the hills of Oxwich.
The touring caravans seem to mainly stay on site from March until
September/October.
The Planning Department need to use their enforcement powers to ensure that Mr Mead adheres to planning permissions granted - there is concern that
they may not have kept abreast of events on this site to date.
Penrice CC need to keep pressure on the planners to perform their
function properly.
Cllr Oliver was thanked for his input on this issue, but advised that
he is not alone in expressing concern.

Whether to have Greenways as an automatic agenda item was considered.

E mails from Jeremy Bowen regarding the coastal path at Slade and Green Lane

41/07 Correspondence cont…

Green Lane has been cut since sending the e mail

The Coastal path and possible funding was considered. Clerk to invite Chris Dale to one of the next meetings of Council Sept or Oct. Agenda on appropriate meeting. SC

Ombudsman - Annual Report Noted
The City and County of Swansea - African Community Centre invitation Noted

42/07 Financial.

Council decided to decide the Clerks pay and expenses in camera at the end of the meeting

Details chq no amount VAT Total

Allianz Cornhill additional insurance 60 60

Balance as @ 29^th June 07

Cash @ bank 9750.52 opening balance 4826.27

Cheques not presented 565.80 receipts 14603.22

19429.49

less payments 10244.77

9184.72 balances 9184.72

Balance as @ 29^th June 07 £ 9184.72

Annual Statement of Accounts

The Clerk advised that the accounts had been passed by the Internal Auditor Mr Peter Davies as per the previous year. All figures had been sent to Councillors with the minutes for their consideration. There was more than 15% difference between the end of year amounts 2006 and 2007 and Council was asked to decide the reason for this due to the Clerk only being in position from March 07. Council decided that the benches that had been decided to be purchased during the financial period 06-07 had not been actioned yet, due to unforeseen circumstances. This will be going ahead so the money will be spent as planned. Clerk to advise Wales Audit Office. SC

Council Carefully considered section 2 of the Statement of Annual Accounts and read and discussed each item individually before answering. Council agreed that all finances were correct as presented and duly signed the appropriate sections in order for the return to be completed and sent.

Proposed Cllr A Oliver Seconded Cllr B Richards

Council decided that all payments as presented to be paid and that the Statement of Annual Return was correct.

Brian (member of the public) – knew of access to funding which could be used for community projects, eg objective research/undergraduate research. Various possible projects were considered and would require match funding from the Penrice Community Council. Brian to investigate.

43/07 Planning.

Cllr B Richards declared a personal interest in Planning Application 2007/1311 and 2007/1383 and did not speak or vote.

Application no: 2007/1311 Applicant: Ms Catherine Frasier

Application Site:Oxwich Leisure Park, Oxwich

Proposal:Demolition of club house annex & construction of 4 holiday chalets

Council decided to object to this application due to it being visually intrusive and obstructing the view.

Application no: 2007/1383 Applicant: The Caravan Club

Application Site: Bank Farm, Horton

Proposal: Caravan rally for approx 40 units 19^th - 21^st October 07

Agent: Application no: 20071118 Applicant: D Jarvis

Application Site: “Rose Cottage” Slade, Oxwich

Proposal: Building to accommodate exercise pool

Council decided for Applications 2007/1383 and 2007/1118 that there were no objections and to support these applications.

44/07 Bench at Oxwich

Following a discussion as to the safety of the location on Oxwich Hill, Cllr B Richards proposed that placing a bench at this location be abandoned, seconded Cllr G Davies. Carried unanimously.

A sign directing to Oxwich and Penrice Youth Hall was queried, this had been mentioned to John English at the Councillors meeting and was being looked into.

45/07 A5 leaflet

The mock up provided by Jan Ellis had been completed with relevant information by

Cllr G Davies.

The Chairman suggested - what the Council have achieved and also asking what local residents require from the Council could also be added.

46/07 Matters Outstanding

Due to the resignation of Cllr E Wakeford, the Vice Chairman position was now available. Council decided to agenda next meeting.

The Statutory vacancy notice advertising for the position of Councillor to be posted, Cllr G Davies would assist in displaying in the notice boards. GD

Green Lane – was becoming spoiled by rubbish and debris. The hedge needs replanting and the overgrowth has been cut back. Trees need to be cut to be able to access.

42/07 Financial (held in camera)

Meeting ended 9.50pm