Cyngor Tref Llwchwr

CYNGOR TREF LLWCHWR

LLWCHWR TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of

Llwchwr Town Council

held on 2 April 2012

PRESENT: Councillor A. Veck (Chairman)

Councillors E. Davies, A. I. Evans, D. Evans, Wendy Evans,

William Evans, I. James, T. Jones, R. V. Smith, C. E. Watters and

P. M. Williams.

(Welfare Hall, Loughor: 7.15pm – 7.50pm.)

171. MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no Mayor’s Announcements due the Mayor being unable to attend due to ill health.

172. APOLOGIES

There were apologies for absence from Councillors J. Bowen, D. A. Evans,

S. M. Evans and C. Richards.

173. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The following declarations of interest were made under the Council’s Code

of Conduct.

Councillor William Evans declared a Personal Interest in Minute 182 as a

County Councillor and remained in the meeting to gather

information but did not speak or vote on the matters being discussed.

Councillor R V Smith declared a Personal Interest in Minute 182(b)(i) and

withdrew from the meeting while the matter was discussed.

Councillors William Evans and Ireen James declared a Personal Interest in

minute 181(d)

174. MINUTES OF COUNCIL

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Meeting of Council held

on the 5th March 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

175. MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising.

176. WELFARE HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Welfare Hall Management Committee

held on the 5th March 2012 were noted.

177. FUNCTIONS SUB-COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Functions Sub-Committee held on the

6th February 2012 were noted.

178. POLICE REPORT

The Chairman welcomed PCSO Jane Phillips to the meeting.

PCSO Phillips explained that PC Phil Barrow would be covering the Kingsbridge and Llewitha areas while PC Given covered Loughor. PC Barrow had issued tickets in relation to parking in Loughor Road and Belgrave Close and there were more operations planned for the next few months. There was a new Community Sergeant - David Davies.

In Loughor there had been a problem with access to the bowling green which was being kept under observation though steps had been taken to secure access to the green. The Blue Light Disco had raised £50 for Tre Uchaf Primary School and the Friends of Parc Wiliams. During the Easter Holidays the Police would be running Operation Vacation and targeting all the known trouble spots. Crime in the area was low and also antisocial behaviour problems were low.

Members outlined their concerns to the Officer.

There were concerns that three litter bins had been destroyed by fire and that the Old Town Hall had been broken into on two occasions. There were also concerns about cyclists cycling in the dark without any lights which was a danger to themselves and other road users.

The Chairman thanked the Officer for her report.

179. CORRESPONDENCE

(i) High Interest Deposit Rates.

It was reported that the high interest deposit rates were available but could only be broken subject to a penalty of up to £250 and total loss of interest.

It was RESOLVED that the Council proceed with the investment.

(ii)One Voice Wales – Consultation Response to the Welsh Governments

“Shared Purpose – Shared Delivery” Consultation.

It was NOTED that the One Voice Wales Response was available should any member require a copy.

180. MEMBERS REPORTS

It was NOTED that Councillor C E Watters had attended the Citizens Advice Bureau Meeting on the 30th March 2012 and the name of the organisation had been changed following an amalgamation and was now the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Citizens Advice Bureau.

181. REPORT OF THE CLERK

(a) Police Matters

It was NOTED that the PACT Meetings had been cancelled until after the local elections and the next PACT Meeting for Lower Loughor would be held in Jireh Evangelical Church at 7.00pm on the 25th May 2012.

(b) Accounts for Payment

It was RESOLVED that the following payments be authorised

(i) A W Davies - postage for this meeting - £6.54

(ii)Kingsbridge Print Ltd – Council Newsletter - £689.00

(iii)Eirian Youngman – Newsletter Translation - £35.00

(iv)A W Davies – Card - £2.99

(v)Apogee Corporation – Copier charges - £72.18

It was NOTED that the Newsletter had been printed and delivered to the ATC ready for delivery.

(d) Gorseinon Food Festival

It was reported that the Clerk and Mayor had been invited to attend a Food Festival Meeting to discuss the level of support the Council would be able to offer. In the past the Council had lent the festival tables from the Welfare Hall.

It was RESOLVED that

(i) the Clerk and Mayor be authorised to attend a meeting; and

(ii) the Council would be prepared to cover up to £500 of any loss made by the Festival.

(e) Council Grants

(i) Wales Air Ambulance

It was NOTED that a certificate of thanks had been received from the organisation.

(f) The Marsh Road/Culfor Road, Loughor

It was NOTED that the Traffic Section were going to look at the signage on the road and that the bollards on the bridge were intended to prevent any vehicle hitting the bridge abutments.

(g) One Voice Wales

(i) It was NOTED that the latest edition of “The Voice” had been

circulated to members.

(ii) It was RESOLVED that the Council renews its membership of

One Voice Wales for the coming year at a cost of £1015.00.

(h) Local Development Plan

It was NOTED that there was nothing further to report at this time.

182. PLANNING REPORT

The Council considered the following planning applications upon which the

observations of the Town Council had been requested.

(a) It was RESOLVED that no objection be made to the following;

(i) No. 2012/0135 – Bryn Road Evangelical Church, Bryn Road, Loughor – Proposed demolition of existing porch and reconstruction of a larger porch incorporating a canopy and ramp access;

(b) Amended Plans

It was RESOLVED that no objection be made to the following;

(i) No.2011/1187 – 17 Swansea Road, Gorseinon

Proposed replacement bungalow.

It was NOTED that the following was the subject of an appeal which

would be determined by an exchange of written statements and a site

visit;

(i) No.2011/1298 – Land at the rear of 11 and 15 Waun Road.

183. URGENT ITEMS

(i) Loughor Independent Council Magazine

It was reported that a leaflet entitled as above was being circulated in the Town Council’s area. The leaflet proposed the abolition of the Town Council and also made a number of inaccurate claims. One allegation was that the sum of £82000 had been stolen from the Council. It did not say what Council it had been stolen from or who was alleged to have stolen it. The Town Council had never held such a sum and in any event its accounts were independently audited every year.

It was RESOLVED that the Clerk be authorised to discuss the matter with One Voice Wales and the South Wales Constabulary.

(ii) The Monument, Loughor

It was reported that it had been suggested that a possible solution to the problem of preventing wreaths being blown or dislodged from the Monument could be for a narrow tile to be fitted round the edge of the Monument and after the wreath laying a black elasticated strap be fitted to hold them in place.

It was RESOLVED that the Clerk look at the option and report back to Council.

184. EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

It was RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the

meeting during the discussion of the next item due to the confidential

nature of the matter under discussion.

185. FURTHER REPORT OF THE CLERK

(a) Payments

It was RESOLVED that the following payments be authorised

(i) A W D – salary (March) - £1620.92

(ii) A W D – office expenses (March) - £83.33

(iii) Post Office Ltd - Tax and NI (March) - £1013.32

(iv) JB – wages (March) – £324.77

(v) DJ – wages (March) - £411.37

(vi) Post Office Ltd – Welfare Hall Tax and NI (March) - £75.40

Chairman