MINUTES OF THE PONTARDDULAIS TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 2nd NOVEMBER 2017

PRESENT:Cllr C. Mathias (Deputy Mayor)Cllr H. Roberts

Cllr G. JohnCllr K. Griffiths

Cllr D. Howard-WillisCllr A. Cascarini Cllr R. John Cllr Rev. J. Beynon Cllr E. Davies Cllr M. Roberts

Cllr R. T. JenkinsCllr P. Downing

Prior to commencement of business members of the public were invited to ask questions. Mr Andrew Burt from Dragon School of Combat informed Members that his premises’ landlord was increasing the rent and the organisation would find it difficult to operate. Cllr Rev. Beynon suggested various options and it was agreed that he meets up with Mr Burt to discuss the matter. It was also agreed that the Clerk writes to Mr Burt’s landlord.

80.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J. Harris, D. Beynon and G. Griffiths.

81.TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST FROM MEMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL’S CODE OF CONDUCT:

There were no declarations received.

82.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 5th OCTOBER 2017:

The above minutes were accepted as a true record subject to the omission of the sentence “He also referred to the problem of dog fouling in the area” under Minute 72.

(a)Mynydd y Gwair (Min No 69(c)):

The Clerk reported the following information:

  • Mynydd y Gwair Wind Farm Newsletter;
  • Cllr J. Harris’s notes from the Mynydd y Gwair Community Liaison Meeting held on the 25th October 2017;
  • Two e-mails from Mr I. Richard concerning Section 106 agreement.

83.TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNTY WARD MEMBERS:

County Councillor P. Downing reported on the following:

  • His engagements over the last few months as Lord Mayor of the City & County of Swansea;
  • Proposed bus shelter by Ty Hafan, Bolgoed Road, Pontarddulais;
  • Bollards to the entrance of Glasfryn Road, Pontarddulais;
  • LDP update.

84.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER ANY URGENT MATTERS FROM TOWN COUNCILLORS:

There were no urgent matters to consider.

85.TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS (3 CLEAR DAYS’ NOTICE OF ANY QUESTION HAVING BEEN GIVEN TO THE PERSON TO WHOM IT IS ADDRESSED):

There were no questions tabled.

86.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM THE CLERK:

  1. CORRESPONDENCE:

The following correspondence was received and noted:

(a)Pontarddulais, Hendy and District Festival Committee – letter of thanks following the Councils sponsorship of the Christmas Parade;

(b)National Assembly for Wales – consultation on the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Bill;

(c)Boundary Commission for Wales – Revised Proposals Report 2018;

(d)Welsh Government – reply letter from Welsh Government to Cllr R. John concerning traffic problems on M4 junction 48, Hendy;

(e)Welsh Government – consultation on registration of town and village greens;

(f)Welsh Government – competition run by RTPI on “Capturing Planning in Images – Competition to Picture Wales”;

(g)Pontarddulais, Hendy & District Festival Committee – e-mail thanking Council for organising the Christmas Quiz;

(h)Welsh Government – survey on Burial Charges for Children;

(i)Partneriaeth BRO Partnership – notes of meeting held on the 7th September 2017 to discuss the development of walking and cycling routes in Pontarddulais;

(j)City & County of Swansea – temporary road closure, Upper Mill, Pontarddulais

(k)Betws Common Holdings Ltd. – letter stating that they are applying to the Welsh Ministers for consent to construct works on Betws Common under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006;

(l)One Voice Wales – Innovative Practice National Awards 2018;

(m)Welsh Government – scheme to promote closer working with local government

(n)One Voice Wales – devolution of services/community asset transfer traing in Llanelli on the 14th November;

(o)National Assembly for Wales – consultation on local approaches to poverty reduction: The Well-Being of Future Generations Act and public service boards;

(p)Llandeilo Talybont Parochial Church Council:

The Clerk reported a letter from the Secretary of the Parochial Church Council requesting the Council’s sponsorship of the Christmas Tree Festival to be held in St Michael’s Church in December. Cllr Jenkins declared a personal interest. It was agreed to sponsor the event by the sum of £200 (two hundred pounds).

87.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR:

The Mayor was not available to present her report.

88.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES:

Cllr G. John advised Members that the next children’s film would be held in the Institute on Saturday 11th November and the Local Produce Market would be on Wednesday 8th November. She reminded Members that the Council was holding its annual Christmas Quiz in the rugby club on Wednesday 6th December at 7.00pm. She hoped Members would attend and form a Council team.

89.TO CONSIDER THE INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL FOR WALES’ ANNUAL REPORT:

Members had before them an extract from the above report relating to payments to Members of community and town councils. The report indicated that in all cases, any individual member may make a personal decision to elect to forgo part or all of the entitlement to any payments by giving notice in writing to the proper officer of the council. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk writes to every Member to ascertain whether he/she wished to forgo payment.

90.TO CONSIDER THE COUNCIL’S RESPONSE TO THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’S INDEPENDENT REVIEW PANEL’S QUESTIONS ON THE REVIEW OF COMMUNITY AND TOWN COUNCIL:

Prior to discussion of this matter the Clerk explained that he had received an e-mailfromOne Voice Wales inviting attendance at a consultation event to be held in Gorseinon on the 11th December 2017. It was agreed that the Clerk attends the above event.

91.TO CONSIDER THE LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES’ CONSULTATION – GUIDANCE FOR PRINCIPAL COUNCILS ON THE REVIEW OF COMMUNITIES:

The above consultation was noted.

92.TO AUTHORISE AND APPROVE THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2017:

The above expenditure was authorised and approved.

See Appendix “A”.

93.TO RECEIVE A MONTHLY INCOME REPORT AND BANK RECONCILIATION FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2017:

The above reports were accepted. See appendices attached.

94.TO RECEIVE PLANNING APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY CIRCULATED TO ALL MEMBERS:

(i)20 Dantwyn Road, Pontarddulais – construction of a ramped access and concrete hardstanding to front of property;

(ii)34 Glasfryn Road, Pontarddulais – conversion of garage to living accommodation.

There were no observations regarding the above applications.

Under the 1960 Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act it was resolved to exclude the public due to the confidential nature of the following business.

95.TO CONSIDER AND DETERMINE QUOTATIONS RECEIVED FOR THE INSTALLATION OF CHISTMAS LIGHTS 2017:

Members had before them a report from the Clerk indicating the current Christmas lights budget, budget and spend for 2016/17 and the names of the three contractors who had been invited to quote for the 2017 year. The only quotation received was from R. T. Electrics Ltd. for £2,117.50 (excluding VAT). Each contractor had also been invited to quote for new lighting to one of the mature trees in Dantwyn Park. It was RESOLVED to accept the quotation of £2,117.50 from R. T. Electrics and consider the additional lighting in 2018/19.

Signed:Date:

CYNGOR TREF PONTARDDULAIS TOWN COUNCIL
Expenditure transactions for the month of October 2017
Name / Particulars / Net / Vat / Total
C & C of Swansea / Non domestic rate / £225.00 / £0.00 / £225.00
HMRC / Quarter tax/N.I. / £1,565.21 / £0.00 / £1,565.21
Cllr G. John / Travel OVW Conference / £53.10 / £0.00 / £53.10
B. T. / Office phone / £22.78 / £4.56 / £27.34
Community Cinema / 2 No films 09/09 & 07/10 / £100.00 / £0.00 / £100.00
Royal British Legion / 2 No wreaths / £75.00 / £0.00 / £75.00
B. T. / Broadband services / £76.00 / £15.20 / £91.20
British Gas / Quarter gas / £298.58 / £14.92 / £313.50
C & C of Swansea / Trade waste 10/17 - 03/18 / £312.00 / £0.00 / £312.00
Cathedral Leasing / Hire of 2 No san units / £21.67 / £4.33 / £26.00
Salaries / October salaries / £2,112.39 / £0.00 / £2,112.39
British Gas / Quarter gas / £363.94 / £18.19 / £382.13
Apogee / Printing/copying charges / £59.11 / £11.82 / £70.93
Lloyds Bank / Service charges / £5.00 / £0.00 / £5.00
£5,289.78 / £69.02 / £5,358.80

Page 1 of 8

MONTHLY INCOME REPORT – OCTOBER 2017

04-Oct / 58/17 / Senior Citizens - room hire / £60.00 / £60.00
04-Oct / 62/17 / Dulais River Writers - room hire / £40.00 / £40.00
06-Oct / 68/17 / MYW - room hire / £15.00 / £15.00
06-Oct / 65/17 / Quilting Class - room hire / £30.00 / £30.00
06-Oct / 64/17 / Slimming World - room hire / £120.00 / £120.00
09-Oct / Lloyds Bank - bank interest / £2.22 / £2.22
09-Oct / Lloyds Bank - bank interest / £1.19 / £1.19
11-Oct / 57/17 / Karate - room hire / £130.00 / £130.00
11-Oct / 60/17 / CorGlandulais - room hire / £60.00 / £60.00
11-Oct / 61/17 / W. I. - room hire / £25.00 / £25.00
11-Oct / 59/17 / Art Class - room hire / £40.00 / £40.00
11-Oct / 72/17 / Sue Rice - BRO / £10.00 / £10.00
13-Oct / 56/17 / Sewing Class - room hire / £50.00 / £50.00
19-Oct / 63/17 / Creative Cards - room hire / £40.00 / £40.00
23-Oct / 54/17 / Mynydd y Gwair Liaison meeting - room hire / £10.00 / £10.00
Monthly totals / £630.00 / £0.00 / £3.41 / £0.00 / £0.00 / £0.00 / £633.41 / £70,876.92

Page 1 of 8

CyngorTrefPontarddulais Town Council
Bank Reconciliation / Oct-17
Balance brought forward / £89,313.14
Add total receipts as per R & P Book / £633.41
Less total payments as per R & P Book / £5,358.80
Balance carried forward / £84,587.75
Bank balances
Closing bank balances
(as per bank statements as at 31/10/17)
Current Account / £1.00
Deposit Account / £54,460.31
Reserve Account / £31,132.39
Total bank balance / £85,593.70
Less unpresented cheques / Cheque number
4392 / £606.95
4396 / £12.00
4433 / £75.00
4436 / £312.00
Total / £1,005.95
Add cash/cheques received not yet banked
Other adjustments
Reconciled Balance / £84,587.75
(as at 31/10/17)

Page 1 of 8