Members Present:             Councillor G Roberts – Chairman

Councillor J Bowen

                                    Councillor M Barnett 

                                    Councillor R Lewis

                                    Councillor A Lewis

                                    Councillor A Glass

                                    Councillor B Richards  

Approximately 10 members of the public were also present.

Cllr T Methuen-Campbell

Cllr B Richards declared a personal interest in item A and B to be discussed under Planning.

The minutes were a true and accurate record.

Proposed Cllr R Lewis.                 Seconded Cllr J Bowen.

Carried unanimously.

The cost of erecting the notice board £48 – proposed Cllr R Lewis, seconded Cllr J Bowen. Unanimous.

Cllr J Bowen reported that the decking had been removed.  Council decided to send a letter to Grayson to thank for rectifying this problem.                                                                            SC

Item 33/08  No 1.

The Clerk reported that J Mead had requested copies of minutes for the year 2000-2002 that he had stated were not at the County Archives.  The previous Clerk had been contacted and confirmed that these minutes were not in the documentation passed to the present Clerk.  Council decided that to advise J Mead of the various change of Clerks and that the documents are not contained in the items currently held by the Council.                                                                                                   SC

Item 40/08

Cllr R Lewis reported that he had spoken to the Gower Ranger, Huw Lloyd and that during August more weekend patrolling was planned, hopefully with the assistance of security.  The gates would also be locked during August. 

It was suggested that the CCS should designate a farmers field for this overspill.

It was also suggested that tourists should be booked prior to arrival.

1. A letter from Mr A Oliver was presented at the meeting – with a complaint for the CCS who were failing to regularly clear the drains near Slade. Also the CCS were not cutting the hedges from Slade to Oxwich Green adequately.  Mr A Oliver had spent 2 hours with a tractor cutting the hedges in this area and presented a bill to the CCS for the work for £25 +VAT.
   

1. The Commons Commissioner – J Ellis reported from the floor: J Ellis had received a draft copy of the Commons Commissioners report, which made reference to Cllr T Methuen-Campbell and Cllr A Glass representation on behalf of the PCC.  Council decided to pass to both Councillors to check that the information was correct and the Councillors could respond as individuals.    SC
   

1. CCS -  Letter advising that there were two nominations for the Casual Vacancy in the Office of Councillor – Mr A Oliver and Mr I Williams.  Also notification that poll cards would cost £250.
   

1. CCS – Mr D Daycock enquiring if training on the new Code of Conduct is required by Community Councils.  Decided yes.                                                                    SC
   

1. CCS – Planning decision letters –
   

1. Annual Statement of Accounts/ Year end figures 2007/08

Clerk to circulate copies of accounts to Councillors. Council decided to defer until the September meeting.                                                                                                  SC

1. Budget review and payments. - Council considered that notices could be placed in the notice boards, to invite ideas from the community for potential projects in view of the fact that the Council’s reserves had increased.  Agenda September meeting.                            SC

Chq no

Clerks wages and expenses                        352              £ 355.22

Mr K Parker (erecting the notice board)       353             £48.00

Mr P Davies (mower purchase)                354             £150.00

Proposed to pay: Cllr M Barnett seconded Cllr R Lewis.

Cllr J Bowen raised the fact that due to the requests for information under the FOI from Mr Atherton and also the visit to view the minutes by Mr M Mead and his son Mr J Mead the Clerk had worked more hours in the last month. Council decided that the additional hours to be paid.

Clerks August pay and expenses on a post dated cheque no 355   - £370

Proposed Cllr B Richards, seconded Cllr J Bowen. Unanimous

Cash at bank 30^th June 08 £8688.63

50/08           Planning

Cllr B Richards declared a personal interest in items relating to Bank Farm, Horton due to owning this property and withdrew from the meeting.

Cllr R Lewis declared a personal interest in all of the Planning Items as he is the Chairman of the Area 2 Planning Committee on the CCS and did not speak or vote during this item.

Cllr A Lewis declared a personal interest in items relating to Bank Farm, Horton due to being a family friend and did not speak of vote on this item.

A       Application no: 2008/1227  The Camping and Caravaning Club  Bank Farm, Horton

Caravan Rally for 160 units 21 July – 16 Aug 09

The Council were concerned with the large number of caravans.

B       Application no: 2008/1232   The Camping and Caravaning Club  Bank Farm, Horton

Caravan rally for 160 units 22^nd May – 31^st May 09

Again the Council were concerned with the large number of caravans.

C       Application no: 2008/1189 Mr & Mrs Wilson  The Pines, Slade, Oxwich

Two storey extension over existing garage.

         Council decided to support this application with no objection.

D       Application no: 2008/1317   Countryside Council for Wales  Oxwich National Nature Reserve Retrospective application in respect of an automatic weather station.

         Council decided that there was no objection.

The Land Registry Office Copies and the Councils decision to place a restrictive covenant on the land had been sent to Mr G Walters the District Valuer, in order that the report and valuation can now be completed.

An e mail had been received from Mr J Mead, of Greenways Leisure Park querying that the Penrice Community Councillors had actually attended the Residents Group meetings as Councillors and not actually as residents as had been stated.

Mr J Bowen from the floor advised that this reference had been made to the second Residents Group meeting that had been held that had not been minuted.

The first Residents Group meeting did have minutes taken by the CCS Solicitor J Townsley and the second meeting no minutes were taken. These meetings did not have anything to do with the Penrice Community Council.  Clerk to respond.                                                                                                         SC

The Section 174 Appeal to the Enforcement Notice issued:

Ref: C08/2076849 – Fields 2626 and 4020(pt) Greenways Leisure Park

A discussion regarding the response to the notification of Appeal to the Enforcement Notice issued by the CCS Planning Department raised the following points;

·       Concern has been expressed for the immediate neighbours and local residents.

·       Overreaching concern on the increased traffic level on Oxwich Hill

·       There is no footpath on Oxwich Hill.

·       The lay-by’s are always full of parked cars adding to the problem if caravans are met on Oxwich Hill.

·       The PCC is concerned that all residents comply with the planning rules and regulations and are of the view that in this case this has not been the case.

·       The PCC wish to see the nullification of the ‘established use’ practice.

Clerk to send a response to the Planning Inspector by 21^st July 08.                                 SC

53/08           Illegal Parking.

Cllr J Bowen reported that local residents had passed complaints regarding the ongoing illegal parking at Slade.

Following a discussion Council decided that a letter to the police to advise of the situation and request advice on any action that could be taken.                                                                       SC

Cllr R Lewis was due to have a meeting with the Police in a few weeks and advised that this is a problem throughout Gower.

Also Cllr J Bowen highlighted that the road was collapsing.

Cllr R Lewis advised that the CCS is currently dealing with the most urgent work and is under funded by WAG.   Carl Humphries , John Hague and Cllr R Lewis would be reviewing the Gower roads shortly. He will raise this particular problem area with J Hague.  Also Clerk to send a letter to J Hague.   SC

Signatories: Cllr R Lewis proposed that Cllr G Roberts and J Bowen to be added to the signatory list, seconded Cllr A Glass, carried unanimously.

55/08           Date of next meeting.

Due to Oxwich Hall not being available on a Wednesday evening, Council decided that to hold the month when Oxwich is the venue on a Tuesday night and Horton on a Wednesday. Clerk to circulate some dates.                                                                                                     SC

The Chairman invited questions from the members of the public present.

Mr P Davies asked that if the reserve fund is growing then the Council should consider reducing the precept.

The Council would await public response.

Mrs S Williams – Illegal Campers do not wish to pay the camping fees.

Mr J Bowen – had attended the Port Eynon Community Council meeting, who had invited Mike (Cummings)?? the Leisure Manager from the CCS to discuss erosion on the Gower beaches.

Cllr R Lewis advised that WAG had given approval for dredging.

Sand moves around and to spend money on bringing more sand in would be a waste of money as not enough sand could be brought in to make any difference.

Cllr R Lewis advised that the CCS were monitoring the sand quantity on all major beaches, but these may have stopped now.

Cllr R Lewis to find out if CCS are still carrying out these survey’s.                           RL

Date___________________________   Chairman________________________________