Minutes
of the Ordinary Meeting of the Penrice Community Council held
on Wednesday 17th July 2013 at Oxwich and Penrice Community Hall at
7.30pm
Members
Present: Councillor M Barnett
Councillor M Williams
Councillor A Glass
Councillor
J Bowen
Councillor
J Ellis
Councillor
G Roberts
Councillor
B Richards
Action
Seven
members of the public were present for part of the meeting.
39/13 Apologies
for Absence.
Cllr T Methuen- Campbell
The Chairman proposed that Standing Orders were suspended to alter the
order of business;
40/13 Presentation from the
NRW.
A presentation was
given by Nick Edwards from the NRW (Natural Resources Wales) the new name for
the CCW which he explained was an amalgamation of the Forestry Commission, the
Environment Agency and the CCW. Also
Gareth Dougherty from the NRW also attended the meeting,
Oxwich Nature Reserve
– Update
Originally owned by
the Penrice Estate now has up to 10,000 students who use the dunes for their
studies.
It boasts every
coastal habitat, 570 flowering plants, including many types of orchids. The reserve is of significant wildlife
importance, having butterflies such as the small blue butterflies.
Incredible
biodiversity, the bird population is of National importance.
There are now ducks
and ducklings on the cleared reed areas.
There are also
breeding swans on the Marsh.
Land management –
Bracken bruising has
been carried out every year, by rolling the bracken which has been found the
most effective method of control.
A bridge has been put
over the Marsh to allow the ponies to cross.
Trees are being cut
as an ongoing project.
Swansea University
use the site for study and ongoing scientific studies.
There is a new Weir
to allow more control of the water levels.
Step management and
strimming is a constant job. The
woodland area is used by 20,000-25,000 people every year.
The Weather Station
is continually collecting valuable data.
Corporate volunteers
are now being utilized as the large companies such as HSBC are allowing the
staff to learn about fencing, tree work, ragwort pulling and many other
important roles involved with land management.
Both parties have received many benefits from this arrangement, the
large companies do not have to pay large amounts to the ‘away day’ companies
and at the same time the area is properly managed with the additional
help. Staff members of these
organizations also learn about the many skills that are needed to ensure the
protection of important areas such as this in Oxwich.
40/13 Presentation from the
NRW cont….
There has been a lot
of work carried out on the reed beds over the past six years to reclaim the
pond areas.
A specialist vehicle
was hired at a cost of £750 per day. One
of these soft track vehicles has now been purchased and is starting to pay for
itself. Due to the difficulty of the
area only one of these specialist vehicles can access the area due to the
difficulty of the terrain.
Some of the areas
require grazing and natural methods are preferred and are used where it is
possible. Ponies are used and also Highland cattle. Grant aid is available for schools whose
children have never been to Gower.
The NRW are involved
with the Police and the CCS in patrolling the area to identify any illegal
camping on the dunes etc and routinely operate along with these organizations
on a rota basis to try an deter this as it can have quite a detrimental effect
on the protected area and species that inhabit the Reserve.
The NRW would like to
establish more links and work more with the local communities in the future.
A member of the
public from the floor suggested;
A weekend telephone
number to report illegal camping would be useful. Huw Lloyds telephone number to be put on the
PCC Notice Boards.
A Flyer is currently
being produced with all details.
If anyone is seen fly
tipping then the public are asked to report the number plate to the CCS and
Police.
The NRW are very pro
active and clean areas that have had illegal campers very quickly.
Dog fouling is still
a problem.
The Chairman thanked
Nick Edwards and ? for their interesting and informative presentation.
41/13 Declarations of
Interest.
Cllr G Roberts declared an interest in the item to be discussed under the
RNLI planning due to be a member of the lifeboat crew.
42/13 To confirm the
minutes of the Meeting held 19th June 2013.
Thanks to Cllr A Glass for continually assisting with the proof of the
minutes.
Cllr A Glass proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record of
events, seconded Cllr G Roberts, carried unanimously.
43/13 Matters arising from
the minutes.
Item 29/13 sub item 22/13
Caravan units do not pay council tax.
Clerk to check if the chalets mainly at Oxwich Leisure Park have to pay
as they are not residential. SC
Item 31/13
The Tourism Organization held a meeting in Oxwich Hall - Cllr A Glass attended. Cllr Glass reported
that the meeting was interactive between residents and businesses to promote
and stimulate tourism. Mr I Williams of
the Oxwich Bay Hotel spoke at the meeting.
A follow up meeting would be held in September.
43/13 Matters arising from
the minutes cont…
Item 31/13 sub item no 6
Local Access Forum - Cllr M
Williams name forward. SC
Item 34/13
The Clerk reported that the verge cutting policy is a balance between the
safety of vehicles and the public in the first instance and also consideration
is given to wildlife, nesting birds and wild flowers etc.
44/13 Community Councils
1 CC - Town Councils Websites – Noted Cllr J Ellis to look into. JE
Cllr A Glass reported that the Gower Website was suffering from apathy by
some of the Community Councils that had signed up to it and some of the more
well funded Community Councils had set up their own websites. Pennard is about to set up its own website
and pay for a link to the Gower Website.
A discussion followed and a query of how much it would cost to set up a
website was considered. Cllr J Ellis to
have a look at this. JE
Agenda next meeting. SC
2 CCS –
Community and Town Councils Forum.
Noted.
45/13 Correspondence
1
Pennard
Community Council – Letter regarding retrospective planning application from
Kittle Hill Poultry Farm. Following a discussion
Council voted to support the principle due to being retrospective
planning. Cllr B Richards abstained from
the vote. SC
2
CCS – Planning Design Guidance - Noted.
3
CCS – Planning Application for
Bysouth Farm approved.
4
Edwina
Hart – Public consultation - Noted.
5
Grow
Local Swansea – Grant funding available – Noted
6
Tidal
Lagoon information – Noted.
7
The
Voice – Noted.
8
Best
Kept Village Award – List of villages entered ; Penrice, Oxwich, Oxwich Green
and Horton.
46/13 Financial.
£
1 Clerk salary Information
protected under the Data Protection Act July
2 Clerk salary August
3 The Ink Store 33.00
4 The Gower
Website 100.00
Cllr J Ellis proposed to pay, seconded Cllr G Roberts carried unanimously.
47/13 Planning.
A Application number 2013/0911 Cliff Cottage, Slade
Mr Newman was present at the meeting and advised the Council that he had
to compromise with the Planning Department in the pre-application meeting that
he had attended. Council considered the
application and decided to support it.
Proposed Cllr A Glass, seconded Cllr J Bowen carried unanimously.
B Application
no 2013/0491 Ridgeway, Horton
Following a discussion Cllr B Richards proposed to support
the application, seconded G Roberts, carried unanimously.
C Application no 2013/0491 Hill Top, Oxwich Green.
H Davies attended the meeting who
is the direct neighbour of this property and explained to the Council the
following ;
there had been an ongoing
boundary dispute between the two parties.
The Owner of Hill Top had sold the land next to this property and due to
Welsh Water not allowing building within 3 metres clear of the sewer Mr Dale of
Hilltop was claiming more of the boundary that H Davies had agreed when the
neighbouring parcel of land was purchased.
The boundary dispute had been ongoing for 2 years. The amount of land in question was 1.5 metres
the other side of the hedge. H Davies
showed Councillors on the plan the details.
The proposed new dwelling was planned approximately 3metres away from
her house and there were no others in Oxwich that close. The proposed new property was higher and
overbearing. Mr Dale had come onto her
land when she was in work and chopped the trees down. Mr Dale will not meet with Mr and Mrs Davies
to resolve this.
Council considered all the points
put forward and also the plans submitted.
Following a discussion Council
decided to object to the application due to the plot being too narrow, the fact
that there is a boundary dispute with the neighbouring property and permission
should not be given until this is resolved.
Too close to the neighbouring property and too high therefore
overbearing. The sewer is under the
proposed property and also too high so would block light.
D Application no 2013/0894 Greenways Leisure Park caravan decking. No objection.
48/13 Pot Holes
Cllr A Glass to write back to A Fitzgerald to advise
about more problem pot holes. AG
49/13 RNLI
Lifeboat House Horton
Cllr G Roberts declared an interest and withdrew from the meeting due to
being a member of the lifeboat crew.
Following a
discussion Council decided to advise the RNLI that it was the intention to ask
a purchase price of £1 for the land, unless the Council’s solicitor advises otherwise.
Council to advertise
that this proposed sale of land is to the RNLI.
50/13 Cllrs Reports
and Questions
None
51/13 Public
Questions relating to the agenda.
(limited to 10 minutes)
Concern was raised by a member of the public from the floor to the fact
that a Swansea West MP was supporting the proposed Tidal Barrage.
52/13 Date and venue of
next meeting.
18th September Horton Village Hall Agenda next meeting trees Oxwich Green and children’s
swing.
Date _________________Chairman_____________________