Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Penrice Community Council held
on Wednesday 19th October 2011

at the Oxwich and Penrice Community Hall at 7.30pm


Members Present:       
            Councillor G Roberts (Chair)

Councillor B Richards

Councillor M Williams

Councillor A Glass

Councillor T Methuen-Campbell

Councillor M Barnett

Councillor R Lewis

Councillor A Lewis

Cllr J Bowen

 

Two members of the public were also present.                                                                                               Action

66/11                            Apologies for Absence.

 

None

 

67/11                            Declarations of Interest

 

Cllr A Lewis declared an interest in an item to be discussed under Planning relating to Bank Farm due to being a friend of the owner.

Cllr B Richards declared an interest in an item to be discussed under Planning relating to Bank Farm due to being the owner.

Cllr R Lewis declared an interest in all planning items due to sitting on the CCS Planning committee.

 

68/11                            To confirm the minutes of the Meeting held 21st September 2011.

 

Cllr A Glass proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record of events, seconded by Cllr T Methuen-Campbell.  Carried unanimously.

 

69/11                            Matters Arising from the Minutes.

 

Item 59/11

Cllr A Glass reported: Local opinion had been canvassed and at least 6 people had expressed support for the installation of a newspaper kiosk in Oxwich.  He had obtained a quote for a suitable cabinet of £2500 which was more than expected.  Cllr Glass advised that other quotes could be sought.  Knelston Garage would hold the accounts for the newspapers and the papers would be collected daily on a possible rota system reducing the usage of cars individually.     Cllr Glass felt that this would offer a service to the community.

 

Council raised the following points;

1              If people are away on holiday, papers would be forgotten.

2              Cllrs had personal experience of selling newspapers and felt that the management of this would be complicated.

3              The cost is too high for the number of people that it would service.

4              Planning permission would be required.

5              If the cost of the kiosk was a £200 then the council could consider the service.

6              Could a grant be available for the Council to offer this?

 

Cllr A Glass to obtain lower quotations.                                                                                                  AG

 

Item 62/11

The potential removal of sycamore trees from Horton was discussed and Council decided to consider at a later date.

Cllr M Barnett to meet with CCS to resolve the problem with the steps leading to Horton Beach.               MB

 

 

70/11                            Community Councils.

 

1                      Cllr M Williams advised the Council that he had removed the litter from the grit bins in Oxwich and suggested that they be cable tied during the summer months to prevent them being used as bins during this time.  He was thanked for his efforts.

 

71/11                            Correspondence.

           

1                      Gower Society – Newsletter and booklet                                                                         Noted

2                      CCS – Planning permission approved for Solar Panels at The Hayes, Horton.

Council again discussed whether permission was required or not and a member of the public had been incorrectly advised that planning permission was required for the installation of solar panels .  The CCS refunded half of the fee and issued a Certificate of Lawfulness.  The Clerk had written to the Council to have the correct details whether permission is required or not.  Awaiting reply.                                                       SC

3              CCS Charter between the City and County of Swansea Council and the Community/Town Councils within its

Boundaries.                                                                                                               Noted

4              CCS – Review of the Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations.

Cllr R Lewis advised that this had already been decided.                                                 Noted

5              The Queens Diamond Jubilee Beacons -4th June 2012

It was suggested that the PCC link to both Village Halls to possibly organize an activity to celebrate this.

Agenda next meeting.                                                                                                    SC

 

72/11                            Financial.

                                                                                                Amt                                          Chq no

Clerk salary and expenses                                             Information protected under the Data Protection Act

The Gower Website (additional charge input links)                           5.00                         

 

Cllr M Williams proposed to pay, seconded Cllr B Richards, carried unanimously.

 

Cash @ bank  £8010.52 as at 26th September 2011.

 

73/11                            Planning.

 

Cllr R Lewis declared an interest in all Planning items due to being on the CCS Area 2 Planning Committee and withdrew from the meeting during this item.

Cllr B Richards declared an interest in item A relating to Bank Farm due to being the owner and withdrew from the meeting during this item.

Cllr A Lewis declared an interest in item A relating to Bank Farm due to being a friend of the owner and withdrew from the meeting during this item.

 

A                      Application no: 2011/1375   The Caravan Club,  Bank Farm, Horton

Proposal: Caravan Rally. 40 units 18th May 2012 – 20th May 2012

 

Council decided to make the usual comment.

 

B                      Application no: 2011/1276    Mr and Mrs Mead,   The Field Gate adjacent to Oxwich Cross

Proposal: Directional sign advertising the name ‘Greenways Leisure Park’ Family Camping and Static Caravans and Lodges For Sale.

 

Council considered the application and the sign which is already in existence in the location on the gate at Oxwich Cross.  The following points were raised;

 

1              The content of the sign is an advertisement and it is not a directional sign.

2              This is retrospective planning.

3              Would be better placed on the post rather than the gate.

4              Should be on a brown directional sign.

5              Too intrusive and too large.

Council decided to object to the application as the sign should be brown and contain directional information only and not advertising material.

74/11                            Land adjacent to Shore Cottage – Update.

 

The Clerk had met with the Land Registry and the letter received following this meeting, advising the best course of action,  was read to the Council.

The advice was to lodge a ‘Boundary Agreement’ , which would evidence the agreement from all parties of the boundaries at the time of the sale. The fee would be £50

 

The details had been passed to the Solicitor to action.

 

75/11                            Atlantic Array – Proposed Off Shore Wind Farm

 

A proposed wind farm is planned by NPower Renewables and will be called Atlantic Array.  It is to be located between North Lundy and South of Carmarthen Bay and would be visible from certain areas in Gower. 

 

The Chairman suggested that the Council should make local people aware of the full details and implications of this for the area.

 

1                      The Consultation period ends 10th November 2011.

2                      There are to be 400 turbines which will be lit at night.

3              In 3 yrs tidal power will be available.

4              The Government has targets and plans on renewables.

5              On land would be more intrusive,  noise, visual impact etc.

6              The turbines are not really efficient.

 

The Chairman summarized that there was mixed views from Members, however the Council should make the community aware of the details.

Decided:  To put the information and contact details on the notice boards.                                                          SC

 

76/11                            Matters Outstanding.

 

1              The Horton Fireworks Display is due to be held before the next meeting.  The Council normally support this with insurance, risk assessments, marshals etc and also financially.  Following a discussion Council decided to offer a slightly reduced donation of £225. Proposed Cllr M Barnett, seconded Cllr J Bowen, carried unanimously.

2              Training on the Code of Conduct to be held 7th November 2011 5pm at the Civic Centre.

3              The Chairman had attended an operations meeting of the RNLI.  Problems with kayaks getting into difficulties off Oxwich Point had risen recently.  A warning sign to show that there is a rip tide and strong offshore winds at this location was requested. 

Cllr T Methuen-Campbell agreed that would be acceptable and offered to meet to discuss the wording etc.

Agenda next meeting.                                                                                                                SC       

                                                                                                                                                TMC / GR

 

77/11                            Public Questions relating to the Agenda.

 

None

 

The Council called this part of the meeting into camera due to having to discuss personal details relating to the Clerk.

The public left the meeting at this stage.

 

The Clerk advised the Council that she had another job working also part time.  This would be additional to her role for the Council which hopefully will run alongside.  A request was made to alter the November meeting to allow the Clerk to undertake training for this new role.  Council decided to amend the meeting to the 9th November 2011, unanimous.

 

78/11                            The Date and Venue of the Next Meeting.

 

9th November 2011 at Horton Village Hall.

 

Date_______________Chairman__________________________