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

Wednesday 16th Sept  09   at Horton Village Hall   7.30pm

 

Members Present:                    Councillor G Roberts – Chairman                                                

                                                Councillor B Richards 

                                                Councillor A Lewis

                                                Councillor M Barnett

                                                                                                 

Approx. twelve members of the public were also present.

 

Approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the meeting the Chairman had an emergency call to man the lifeboat.

 

The Clerk in the absence of the Chair and also the Vice Chair called for nominations for the position of Chairman for this meeting.

 

Cllr B Richards nominated Cllr M Barnett , seconded Cllr A Lewis.

 

Cllr M Barnett took the Chair.

 

68/09                            Apologies for Absence.

 

Cllrs T Methuen-Campbell, A Glass, J Bowen, R Lewis and A Oliver.

 

The Chairman, Cllr M Barnett proposed that the order of business be amended to allow the guest speakers to give their presentation.

 

69/09                            Oxwich NNR – A Management Overview

 

Nick Edwards and Gareth Dockerty both Reserves Managers working forThe Countryside Council for Wales gave a presentation about the nature reserve at Oxwich.

 

Points highlighted:-

  1. The Site is very diverse and has many features.
  2. Used by many schools and is very important to education.
  3. Large diversity of plants and butterflies,  including many species of orchids.
  4. A hide had been purchased last year to view the birds and many otters present on the marsh.
  5. The grassland management was explained eg Bracken thrashing to allow more diverse plants to grow.
  6. Oxwich Woods – Footpath maintenance works have been undertaken.
  7. Removal of scrub to allow more stock to graze the area.  If this area is not managed then the variety of species for which the area has been designated for will be lost.
  8. Nicholston Woods – Health and safety works have been carried out removing the pine trees.  CCW is reliant on volunteers and have been supported through the Environment Agency and BTCV with volunteer days.
  9. Lake restoration – an amphibious machine has been used that enables CCW to reclaim the lake area. Reeds have been removed 40 – 50 tonnes of reed removed every year, allowing many species to return to the area.

 

8 pm Cllr G Roberts, the Chairman, returned to the meeting.

 

  1. Cattle are being re-introduced to the area.
  2. A Soft track mowing machine has allowed areas to be accessed, that were inaccessible previously.
  3. 100 ton of chip was cleared in 3 weeks.
  4. Next year more tree removal is planned.
  5. 20 ponies are grazed in the area during the winter and approx 5 in the summer months.
  6. Welsh Blacks / Highland cattle are being considered for the future.
  7. CCW are seeking feedback and any historical information regarding the area in the Oxwich reserve and any information will be welcomed.
  8. A bird hide is awaiting planning permission and will be located where the old hide has been removed.

 

Questions from the floor:

Q 1       When did CCW introduce otters?

 

A          The otters have been in the area naturally for a long time.

 

Q 2       Has the mink population been controlled?

 

A          They used to be culled in years gone by, however this does not seem to be necessary now as there are no reports of mink being seen today.

 

 

Q 3       Is there any more hope of more staff to assist as this seems a large area for 3 people to manage?

 

A          WAG are looking at a way to fund volunteers, and the CCW are hoping that more help will be available soon.

 

The Chairman thanked Nick and Gareth for an informative presentation.

 

69/09                            Declarations of Interest.

 

Cllr B Richards declared a personal interest in 3 items to be discussed under Planning relating to Bank Farm as he is the owner.  He also declared and interest in the Eastern Slade Farm Planning Application update also to be discussed under planning.

 

70/09                            To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 15th July and 31st July 09.

 

Minutes 15th July 09

The minutes were a true and accurate record of events proposed Cllr M Barnett, seconded Cllr B Richards.

 

Minutes 31st July 09

The minutes were a true and accurate record of events proposed Cllr M Barnett, seconded Cllr A Lewis.

 

71/09                            Matters arising from the minutes.

 

Item no 53/09  item 20/09 No 3

Cllr M Barnett reported that the letter to Jane Davidson had been sent.

 

72/09                            County Councillor R. Lewis.

 

None

 

73/09                            Community Councils.

 

  1. One Voice Wales – Minutes of area committee meeting                                                    Noted
  2. One Voice Wales – Motions for debate at the AGM.                                                         Noted
  3. One Voice Wales – Wales could make its own laws to strengthen Community Councils. Noted

 

74/09                            Correspondence.

 

  1. Cllr J Bowen had reported via e mail that the warning sign on Oxwich Green had been knocked down.  Mr P Davies advised that this had been repaired.
  2. CCS – Application no 2009/0555 Rock Cottage , Horton  CCS                                         Approved
  3. CCS  -Application no 2009/0805  Green Meadow Farm, Oxwich Green CCS                    Approved.
  4. CCS – Application no 2009/0750  Sibrwd Y Coed, Reynoldston  CCS                                 Approved
  5. CCS – Application no 2008/0951  Bank Farm, Horton  Replacement Building to provide cellar ground floor workshop /store and reception area with first floor self contained apartment.  CCS         Refused.
  6. CCS – Application no 2008/0447 Land Adjacent to Underhill Cottage, Horton - Letter advising that additional information has been received     and can be viewed online www.swansea.gov.uk/planningsearch.
  7. CCS – Application no 2009/0624  Bank Farm Caravan Rally 23/7 – 15/8/10 CCS                       Approved
  8. CCS _  Letter confirming that Planning permission is not required for the memorial bench at Horton Green.
  9. Bob Fenwick CCS Highways Dept – email advising that the request for traffic calming measures by a member of the public at the last meeting has been passed to Mark Thomas CCS Highways.  Also that the road via Penrice Cross is in the future 5yr draft programme, however Mr Fenwick has requested what temporary works would be completed now to improve the situation.

 

Cllr M Barnett highlighted that the pot holes at the Sanctuary were getting deeper and therefore more dangerous. Council decided to send another letter to the CCS.                                                                           SC

 

 

74/09                            Correspondence.  Cont….

 

  1. Cllr J Bowen e mail that the road at Slade had eventually been re-surfaced and that she had thanked Carl Humphries and John Hague.
  2. Edwina Hart – Letter confirming that WAG had decided to award Oxwich and Penrice Youth Hall £ 60, 742 towards the renovation work.
  3. E mail from Kath Laws – Oxwich and Penrice Youth Hall Committee advising that in total the Committee had successfully secured in total £127,000 for the renovations.
  4. CCS Vale of Glamorgan Community Liaison Committee Visit  21st Oct 09.                                   Noted.
  5. CCS two letters confirming the diversion of footpaths Ox 12 and 13, Oxwich Woods and OX 23 in the community of Penrice.                                                                                                                        Noted.
  6. CCS  - Gower Countryside Forum Effectiveness Study – comments                                             Noted
  7. CCS     Rural Swansea Action  - Job Opportunity                                                                        Noted
  8. Tidy Wales Week 2009 – Free clean up kits available.                                                                  Noted
  9. Save our common mountain environment – Support opposition of Wind Farm North of Swansea.  Noted
  10. Defra Study – Conserving biodiversity.                                                                                          Noted
  11. Swansea Community Health Council – Annual Report                                                                   Noted
  12. CCS – The Gambling Act 2005 Review.                                                                                        Noted
  13. WAG – The Local Government Partnership Scheme Annual Report 2008-09.                          Noted
  14. Welsh Green Heroes sought.                                                                                                      Noted
  15. Community Profile Issues – Oxwich Castle survey.                                                                       Noted. 

 

The Council decided to alter the order of business and move the Financial to the end of the meeting.

 

75/09                            Planning.

 

A          Application no:2009/0607         Mr Nettleton   Land adjacent to Robins Rest   Detached Dwelling and Garage.            Amended Plans

 

The Council decided that this was out of character in the area and would be too large a development for

the plot.

 

Cllr B Richards declared a personal interest in the next 3 items and withdrew from the meeting.

Cllr A Lewis declared a personal interest in the next 3 items and did not speak during the discussions.

 

 

B          Application no 2009/1037         The Caravan Club, Bank Farm, Horton

Caravan Rally 30 caravans 21st – 23rd March 2010

 

C          Application no 2009/1268      The Caravan Club   Bank Farm, Horton

Caravan Rally approx 30  caravans 12th – 14th March 2010

 

D          Application no 2009/1269  The Caravan Club,   Bank Farm Horton

            Caravan Rally approx 30 units 21st May – 23rd May 2010

 

The Council decided to comment as long as the CCS is monitoring the number of caravans in the Gower area and is not excessive during these dates then there was no objection.

 

E          Application no 2009/1295  Mr S Moss     High Kiln Bank

The replacement of the existing coal store and oil tank room with a pitched roof structure, which is slightly larger than the existing ie. a small extension.

 

The Council decided that there was no objection to this application.

 

 

F          Eastern Slade Farm Application no 2009/0995 –update

 

Cllr B Richards declared a personal interest in this item and did not speak or vote.

 

  1. The Chairman, Cllr G Roberts gave an overview on discussions and the Councils decision at the previous meeting, 31st July 09.  The CCS had informed the Clerk that an e mail had been received from the applicant

to confirm that permission was being sought for tents only.  Also a site visit had been called for on 22nd Sept 09 at 3 pm for Planning Committee members to view the site.

 

75/09                            Planning.cont…

 

  1. Comments from the floor were invited.

 

  1. Mr P Davies advised that the application had been recommended for refusal by Planning Officers.

 

  1. K Beynon advised that this field has been used illegally for a number of years and this application is what the CCS Planning Dept has advised.

 

Council following discussion decided that there was no objection to 20 tents in this field.

 

5.       K Beynon advised that in the email sent to the CCS Eastern Slade Farm would not be taking any new caravans in the future.

 

 

G          Carreg Lwyd, Port Eynon– to discuss and decide if any comment to be made regarding the appeal.

 

The Chairman, Cllr G Roberts gave an overview of the situation to date.

 

Following a short discussion, Cllrs felt that this was a matter for the Port Eynon Community Council as this site in the area they represent.  They are in a better position to make comments/representation to the Planning Inspectorate. 

Decided : The PCC would make no comment on the appeal.

 

76/09                            Memorial Bench and Tree (Paul Walters)  - update (Cllr GR)

 

The Chairman, Cllr G Roberts advised that a memorial bench and plaque had been erected at Horton Green.

 

77/09                            Benches update.

 

Deferred until the next meeting.

 

78/09                            Noticeboards.

 

The Clerk advised that a couple of companies had been contacted and an approximate cost of an oak freestanding board, to allow 18 A4 size sheets would be £800.   Delivery approx £80 which would be per delivery not per board.  An additional £150 approx for a header to say the PCC each board.  Recommended to consider purchasing 3 at the same time due to the now urgent poor condition at Horton , Oxwich Cross and Oxwich Green. 

Decided : The Clerk to obtain exact quotes by the next meeting.                                                                SC

 

79/09                            Rural Development Plan.

 

Cllr A Lewis to return the file to the Clerk to see if any funding available for the community.                    AL

 

80/09                            Sale of land adjoining Shore Cottage – update.

 

1         The Chairman, Cllr G Roberts advised that there had been some discussion regarding rights of access across the land.  The PCC acknowledge existing rights, but could not grant new rights.

 

2         J Ellis – There could be development access over this land.  There is uncertainty as to who has rights. JE not in apposition to judge what rights people have.

 

3    Cllr M Barnett – there is no objection to the clause presented by Simmonds Hurford representing JE, however have to follow the advice of the PCC solicitor.

 

4    The Chairman asked MR J Mumby who owns land adjoining the land in question if he had any comments/concerns/queries?

 

5    Mr Mumby was shown the land registry map and Mr and Mrs Mumby queried the detail on the map advising that it did not accurately represent the area at the end of the driveway.

 

6    J Ellis advised that she has a letter from her solicitor regarding the by-way.

 

 

80/09                            Sale of land adjoining Shore Cottage – update   cont…..

 

7     Following discussion, members agreed that any queries should be fully investigated prior to completion and that J Ellis to obtain the letter from her solicitor regarding the by-way and once this is located a site meeting to be called at Shore Cottage to agree and decide the boundary of the land in question.  The Clerk to arrange.  Mr Mumby to bring along any maps available.

 

  1. J Ellis raised the ‘The Certificate of Sale’, which is included in the contract.
  2. Cllr T Methuen-Campbell had advised at a previous meeting, that to action this would be very straight forward and if the property was sold JE could come to the Council to request.
  3. JE felt that the onus is on the Council to deal with in a timely manner and expressed concern that there may be a delay in obtaining this if the Council felt that JE had not policed the covenants adequately.

 

  1. J Ellis was asked if her solicitor had advised to ask these questions?

 

  1. The Council could not really answer JE’s concerns due to not knowing who would be Councillor’s at the time of a future sale and also that the Council would be guided in any conveyance or conveyance related topic, due to not being legally trained themselves, at the time as required,  by the Councils’ solicitor.

 

Decided: Clerk to arrange meeting.                                                                                                          SC

 

81/09                            Over Hanging Hedges.

 

Deferred until the next meeting.

 

82/09                            Matters Outstanding.

 

The Sycamore trees needed to be cut as previously decided in order that the wood could be put on the bonfire.

Adam Cowley to be contacted.  Council agreed in principle following discussion that the work would probably cost approx £400. G Roberts to contact and arrange.                                                                                      GR

The Fireworks and Bonfire night was again planned this year.  Agenda next meeting.                            SC

 

83/09                            Public Questions relating to the agenda.  (limited to 10 minutes)

 

J Ellis said that it was excellent news that the Oxwich and Penrice Youth Hall had raised so much funding and the Clerk should be thanked for getting the ball rolling.

 

J Ellis also asked that the Planning Application – Land adjacent to Robins Rest is currently a garden and not separate land as is indicated in the application.   Council agreed with this.

 

84/09                            Financial.

 

1.

·         Annual Statement of Accounts  Financial Year 2008/09

 

The Council considered the annual accounts for the year and were satisfied that the money was in order and properly maintained.  Decided: Approve Accounts on Section 1 of – The Statement of Accounts 2008-09

Each part of the Statement of accounts was read and considered and yes was inserted into each of the boxes.

The Chairman and the Clerk signed the relevant boxes. Decided: The Annual Governance Statement is approved by the Council (Section 2 –Annual Governance Statement)

 

2.

The Clerks salary and expenses              Information protected under the Data Protection Act

During July the Clerk has attended an extra-ordinary meeting and had worked 8 hours overtime. Proposed to pay Cllr A Lewis, seconded Cllr B Richards. Unanimous. 

                                                                        Information protected under the Data Protection Act

 

Zurich Insurance -   Annual Insurance renewal    Chq no                                                    £344.93

 

Cash @ bank 30th August 09 £ 14,146.64

 

85/09                            Date and venue of next meeting.

 

21st October 2009   Horton Hall   7.30pm