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

Wednesday 18^th Feb 09.

at Horton Village Hall

Members Present: Councillor G Roberts – Chairman

Councillor J Bowen

Councillor B Richards

Councillor A Oliver

Councillor A Glass

Councillor A Lewis

Five members of the public were also present. ACTION

135/09 Apologies for Absence.

Cllr T Methuen-Campbell, M Barnett and R Lewis.

136/09 Declarations of Interest.

Cllr B Richards declared a personal interest in Items to be discussed in Planning relating to Bank Farm due to being the owner of Bank Farm.

Cllr A Oliver declared a personal interest in an Item to be discussed in Planning relating to High Kiln Bank due to being a direct neighbour.

137/09 To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th January 09.

Amendments:

Item 126/09 no 3 Add…Mr P Davies was thanked for the years of maintaining Oxwich Green and cutting the grass.

Item 127/09 para 2 to read…Cllr A Glass advised that due to the status of the Hall being a charitable trust as a Youth Hall, that it was not eligible for most grants that other Village Halls would have access to.

Item 129/09 add to the end of the second line…and Oxwich Green.

Item 123/09 - Sub item 111/08 last paragraph – omit J Hutt and add J Davidson.

Item 126/09 No 2 – insert after Chief Superintendant and that the Council would have to be careful so that Cllr A Oliver would not bring the Council into disrepute.

138/09 Matters arising from the minutes.

Item 130/09 Flooding on the road outside the Oxwich Bay Hotel.

Cllr A Glass reported that this work is currently underway and should be completed in the next couple of weeks.

Cllr A Glass also gave a verbal report on the problems that had been experienced on the sewer renewal works at Oxwich Cross. At present the road closure is extended until the end of March and the company carrying out the works are currently re-evaluating the situation in order to find a solution to the problem.

Item 133/09 Cllr J Bowen reported that contact had been made with Chris Dale, CCS to chase the work needed in Green Lane.

139/09 County Councillor R. Lewis.

None.

140/09 Community Councils.

a) One Voice Wales

Mr L Llewellyn had verbally advised the Council that this was a complaint that the Council was unable to deal with and that Mr D Jarvis should be referred to the Local Government Ombudsman. Council were still awaiting for this in writing.

b) One Voice Wales

Agenda and minutes of the meeting. Cllr J Bowen reported:

All Clerks had complained that the CCS did not reply to any correspondence that was sent. It was agreed that all Clerks were to write to complain directly to the Chief Executive, CCS. SC

140/09 Community Councils. Cont…..

b) One Voice Wales

The only way correspondence is replied to is for the Clerks to ring and identify the Team Leaders name firstly and then write directly to that person.

Twenty two traffic wardens were employed by the CCS and all mainly based in the City Centre. The CCS cannot afford for them to be sent out to more rural areas.

Council tax is to increase by 4.5%

A Couple of Councillors voiced that they were disappointed with the Council training. Suggestions were made to put training on CD/DVD this was thought to be a good idea by most present.

CCS to monitor dredging.

Cllr Bowen had signed the PCC to the ‘Exchange Wales’ service, which allowed access to cheaper stationary supplies.

141/09 Correspondence.

St Illtyds Church – Letter of thanks for donation. Noted
Mr Philip Davies – request for copy of the PCC budget. Given to Mr Davies at the meeting.
Swansea Rural Development Plan – 5^th March Penclawdd Community Centre Briefing for Councillors. Noted
Horton Village Hall – Potential projects that the PCC can financially support to be discussed at the Halls AGM to be held 23/2/09.
Horton Village Hall – Notification that a new plaque has been placed on the Village Hall. Noted
The Gower Website minutes of meeting 17/11/08. Noted

The Clerk gave a verbal report on the problems being experienced with the website at present.

Port Eynon Community Council – Letter of thanks for attending the Meeting “Sand Loss at Gower Beaches. Noted
CCS - Bank Farm Planning Application no 2008/1858 – Response to enquiry regarding ‘Exempt Caravan Club’. This application was for extra nights as the Club was exempt for 5 nights. Due to the response still leaving the Council confused, Clllr B Richards was called on to explain the exemption status.

Cllr Richards explained that the field and also the Club in this instance had an exemption to hold a rally and that only the extra nights required permission from the CCS. 63 Clubs were exempt for 5 nights and certain fields at Bank Farm were also exempt. This application had been approved.

9. CCS – Application no 2008/1731 has been withdrawn. Noted

10. CCS – Notification from Mr Martin Appleby that if by 27^th Feb 09 the Council have not decided to make a tree

preservation order on the sycamore trees around Horton Green then the PCC are entitled to cut the trees and

remove.

11. SLCC – Notification that the Certificate in Local Council Administration is available for Welsh Clerks. Noted

12. Rural Swansea Action – Notification of jobs available and also a briefing session for Councillors 5/3/09 for the Rural Development Plan – passed to Cllr ???? JB

13. One Voice Wales – Buckingham Palace Garden Party 14^th July 09 – Clerk to put the Chairs name to attend.

14. St Andrews Church – Letter of thanks for the donation. Noted.

15. Mid and West Wales Fire Service – Information re crewing of stations. Noted

16. Welsh Assembly Government – Borrowing by Community Councils information Noted

17. Welsh Assembly Government – Appropriate sum under Section 137 of the Local Government Scheme Noted.

142/09 Financial.

Details chq no amount

Cllr J Bowen 376 102.40

Proposed to pay Cllr A Glass, seconded Cllr A Lewis

Clerks wages and expenses 377 information protected under the

Clerks back pay as per minute no 127/09 378 Data Protection Act

Proposed to pay Cllr A Lewis, seconded Cllr J Bowen

A update following meeting with Oxwich and Penrice Youth Hall.

The Clerk advised that a successful meeting had taken place with the Oxwich Hall Committee. Ceri Daugherty of the CCW had also been invited to offer valuable grant information to the Committee. Cllr J Bowen had also attended. Various sources of funding had been suggested and contacts given. Council financial assistance could be better utilized if it acts as a match fund for a grant application in order for the Hall to access more much needed money. District Audit had been contacted and had advised that it is acceptable for the Council to save for a specific project that will benefit the community. The District Audit may however still check this at the end of year.

143/09 Planning

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

Application no 2009/0031 Bank Farm – Application for a caravan rally 10^th April – 14^th April 09 for approx 60

units. An exemption certificate also accompanied this application.

Council remained confused at the exemption certificate as it omitted the number of nights that were exempt so was unclear exactly what was exempt.

Council decided that a letter to Kim Flanders re exemption details and also regarding compensation. Council still felt that there were no means of knowing how many caravans were in the area at one given time and felt that without being in possession of the full facts then were unable to comment

Clerk to also write to the Gower Society to assess their view. SC

Cllr A Oliver declared an interest in this item due to being a neighbour and withdrew from the meeting.

Application no 2008/2262 High Kiln Bank – Mr Moss Amended plans received.

Council had no objection.

144/09 Bench Maintenance update (Cllrs AG, GR & JB)

Cllr A Glass, J Bowen and G Roberts gave verbal updates on the condition of the benches at Oxwich, Slade and Horton.

Generally most of the benches needed some attention, some more than others. Also some benches needed the undergrowth around them cut back. Following a discussion it was decided that a notice inviting tenders to cut Oxwich Green and also cut overgrowth and maintain the benches be placed. A couple of local people were suggested that already undertake similar work in the area. SC

145/09 Recycling (Cllr JB)

Cllr J Bowen had been in contact with the CCS and had been provided with leaflets and posters promoting and providing information on recycling in Swansea. Council distributed the information and to be put on the notice boards.

Also supplies of green bags were handed out. Council agreed to thank Cllr Bowen for her efforts.

146/09 Greenways (Cllr JB)

Cllr J Bowen gave a brief summary of the situation regarding the Planning Inspectorate appeal hearing currently underway at the CCS. The hearing has been extended into the following week, so it was thought better to wait until complete and a full update will be given.

Mr P Davies was invited to speak from the floor.

Mr Davies reported that the hearing had relied on the minutes of the Community Council , but is up to residents to report to the Community Council any unauthorized caravans in any fields so that a minute will reflect this and therefore in ten years time a record of this information can be used.

If a lay by has been used for over twenty years, then becomes part of the highway. Representatives of the Highways Dept, CCS had been attending the hearing.

147/09 Lighting at the Oxwich Bay Hotel (Cllr JB)

Following a brief discussion, Council decided that the Chair to speak to Mr I Williams of the Oxwich Bay Hotel. GR

148/09 Sale of land adjoining Shore Cottage, Horton update.

The Clerk gave a brief verbal update as the contract was still to be agreed by Ms J Ellis. The Clerk will forward to all Councillors when complete.

149/09 Future Maintenance of Oxwich Green.

Decided earlier in the meeting

150/09 Matters Outstanding.

None

151/09 Public Questions relating to the agenda. (limited to 10 minutes)

J Ellis queried if the trees on the dunes were included in the plan. Cllr M Barnett had completed the plan and due to his absence from the meeting would be unable to answer the question.

J Ellis also advised that a swap shop was provided by the CCS on the website and suggested that the Horton Hall could keep supplies of the green bags for the community.

J Ellis also advised Members that Mr Mead was appealing against the Enforcement Notice served by the CCS and if it fails at appeal, the Planning Inspector will consider the application as a planning application.

152/09 Date and venue of next meeting.

17^th March 09 at Horton Hall