CYNGOR CYMUNED GWAUN CAE GURWEN
GWAUN CAE GURWEN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council
Held at the Tairgwaith Community Centre
On Tuesday 10th September 2013.
68. Present.
Cllrs. S.Sunderland (Presiding), M.Pugh, C.Puw, I.P.Lewis, G.Moore, J.Penston, J.E.Jones, D.Jones, L.G.Williams, A.Herdman, T.Darnbrook, L.Davies.
69. County Councillors L.G.Williams and A.Woolcock.
Councillors attended this meeting and updated members on various items of discussion within NPTCBC and the Community.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
70. Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held at the Tairgwaith Community Centre on Tuesday 9th July 2013.
These were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairperson.
71. Matters arising upon those minutes.
a) Park Heol Godfrey, Lower Brynaman (min 41a refers), the Clerk reported that the official opening of the park is on Saturday 28th September 2013 at 11.00am, and A.Woolcock will be opening the park, it was agreed the Cllr M.Pugh organise the refreshments for the opening and to be reimbursed by Council. Notes were presented to council members on cost break-down and funding terms and conditions from Sustainable Hubs reminding of terms and conditions of the grant with regards to documentation retention; letter dated 28th August 2013 from Community Regeneration Officer.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
b) Community Web Site (min 41b refers), Chairperson S.Sunderland, Cllrs D. Jones, M.Pugh, J.Penston, and G.Moore for future meeting on developments of a Web site.
RESOLVED that future meeting be arranged.
c) Accounts for the Year Ended 31st March 2013, (min 44 refers), Proposed audit certificate and opinion, there are no issues in respect of which we propose to qualify their audit opinion on the Annual Return for the Year Ended 31st March 2013. There are no other matters which they wish to draw to the attention of the Council and they have not identified and misstatements in Section 1 – Accounting Statements that require to be corrected.
RESOLVED that Council formally approve the Annual Return and the Chairperson of the meeting must sign and date section 3, in accordance with Regulation 9 of the Regulations. The minute reference should also be inserted.
d) Pwllfawatkin Liaison Committee (min 54 refers), update from members that the meeting was cancelled.
RESOLVED that the Clerk informs NPTCBC of knotweed that needs to be treated within the area of Rhyd Y Fro, Cllr A. Herdman to identify areas affected and discuss with the Clerk.
e) The Old YGG Ysgol Y Glyn Primary School, Brynaman (min 60 refers), the next meeting will be held at Canolfan Maerdy on Wednesday 2nd October 2013 at 7.00pm.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
f) Retirement of Councillor (min 62 refers), Notice of Vacancies were presented to council members for distribution within the community.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
g) Retirement of Councillor, Councillor L. Preece has moved out of the area, and has verbally requested his retirement from the GCG Community Council.
RESOLVED that the vacancy be advertised.
72. Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Council held at the Tairgwaith Community Centre on Tuesday 16th July 2013.
These were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairperson.
73. Matters arising upon those minutes.
a) NPTCBC Liaison Committee (min SM 4 refers), Cemetery Road, the Clerk reported that all relevant paperwork has been passed on to Cllr A.Woolcock for next meeting.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
74. One Voice Wales – Area Committee.
The next Area Meeting will be held at the Resolven Community Centre
on Wednesday 11th September 2013.
RESOLVED that Cllr D.Jones attends the meeting on behalf of Council.
75. Swansea Neath Port Talbot Citizens Advice Bureau.
The AGM of the SNPTCAB will take place at 10.30am on Friday 18th October 2013.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
76. Celtic Energy – Car Park.
The safety of the young children associated with GCG Primary School, particularly the nursery and reception classes at drop off and collection times, has been mentioned during recent site liaison meeting and as a result consideration is being given by the company to create a safe location for this purpose. The car park has been located so that access can be gained via the current GCG Community Centre entrance; this additional parking area could also be of benefit to the Centre as overspill parking for events/meetings.
RESOLVED that Council accept in principal the proposed extended car park to the GCG Community Centre.
77. Tairgwaith Community Centre – Renewal of Fire Doors.
The Clerk reported that costs for the renewal of fire doors and repairs to the oil tank garage/decoration had been obtained for the sum of £850.00.
RESOLVED that the contractors carry out the above work for the sum of £850.00.
78. Correspondence Gwenda Thomas AM.
17 Banwen Place, Lower Brynaman, maintenance of boundary fence, owner is extremely concerned about the overgrowth of the hedge.
RESOLVED that council adhere to letter sent to 17 Banwen place on 13th July 2010 stating that council will not continue with cutting the hedge.
79. DANSA – Community Transport.
Are looking into the possibility of placing a car onsite to be driven by volunteers. This car would require secure storage, they also need to recruit volunteers in the area who are prepared to drive residents to appointments, at the moment they are in the process of sourcing a minibus, which will operate in the Brynaman, GCG, Cwmgors and Tairgwaith areas.
RESOLVED that DANSA are invited to a future meeting with Council.
80. Welsh Government.
Community and Town Councils Welsh Government News, the local government measure 2011 makes provisions to strengthen the structure and working of local government in Wales at all levels, to ensure that local councils reach out to and engage with all sectors of the communities they serve. Distributed to Council Members.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
81. Welsh Government.
In April 2013, the First Minister established the Commission on Public Services Governance and Delivery to examine the current arrangements on the provision of public services in Wales. This is a step towards achieving the Welsh Government vision of a public service landscape which delivers efficient public services based on collaboration arrangements to meet the various and changing needs of Welsh citizens. Distributed to Council Members.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
82. GCG Management Committee.
That the present Chairperson calls a meeting of the GCG Ward members to set up a new management committee.
RESOLVED that the GCG Management Chairperson call a meeting.
83. Commemorative Plates.
It was discussed that when presenting commemorative plates that our official photographer Cllr M.Pugh be available to take photographs and advertise within the local paper.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
84. NPTCVS – AGM.
The 15th AGM of NPTCVS will be held on Thursday 26th September 2013 at 5.30pm at the Aberavon Beach Hotel, Port Talbot.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
85. RWE npower renewable.
Channel Energy Limited – the proposed Atlantic Array offshore wind farm order. The Planning Inspectorate has accepted an application made by CEL, the application id for development consent to construct and operate the proposed wind farm, which comprises up to 240 wind turbine generators and associated infrastructures, with an installed capacity of up to 1,200 MW.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
86. Gwenda Thomas AM – News.
Distributed to Council members.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
87. Police Matters.
PACT agenda and news update for July and August neighbourhood news, distributed for council members.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
88. Neath Town Council.
Invitation for the Chairperson to attend the annual civic service held on 6th September 2013.
RESOLVED that the Chairperson attends the annual civic service on behalf of council.
89. Pontardawe Town Council.
Invitation for the Chairperson to attend the annual civic service held on 18th August 2013.
RESOLVED that the Chairperson attends the annual civic service on behalf of council.
90. NALC – 2013/2014 National Salary Awards.
National Association of Local Councils and Society of Local Council Clerks jointly recommend that the salary scales of all Clerks be adjusted in accordance with the new spinal column points.
RESOLVED that council agree with the above recommendations laid down by the National Association and the Society of Local Council Clerks.
91. NPTCVS – Voluntary Voice Magazine 2013.
Distributed to council member.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
92. Play for Wales Magazine – News.
Distributed to council members.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
93. NPTCBC – Deposit Local Development Plan (LDP).
Informing that the NPTDLDP is to be published for consultation for a period of 7 weeks beginning on Wednesday 28th August and ending at midnight on 15th October 2013. The Deposit Plan sets out the Authority’s vision, strategy and key policies which will shape the way in which the County Borough will develop in the period to 2026. Distributed to council members.
RESOLVED that the matter be noted.
94. G.C.G Community Council Standing Orders.
The Clerk reported that the cost of translation of the standing orders by Trywydd is the region of £320.00 plus copies and VAT.
RESOLVED that the Clerk instructs Trywydd to translate the standing orders.
95. Financial Assistance.
Brynaman RFC.
Cwmtawe District Youth Band.
Shelter Cymru.
RESOLVED that the matter be deferred.
96. Other Business (At discretion of Chairperson).
Cllr J.E.Jones – Path from Twyn yr Efail up to Colbren Square handrails have been removed from steps, possibly corroded, need to be replaced.
RESOLVED that the Clerk informs County Councillor.
97. Planning Applications.
RESOLVED that no objections be made against the following planning applications:-
a) Application No P2013/0758 – Demolition of existing rear extension and construction of single storey rear extension, detached garage and front porch, 10 Lower Colbren Road, Gwaun Cae Gurwen.
b) Application No P2013/0803 – proposed variation of condition 2 of planning application reference P2005/1406 to allow continued use of the rail loading facility for the transportation of coal from the east pit East revised opencast coal site, former GCG distribution centre and existing GCG rail pad facility, Nr Tairgwaith.
98. Accounts Paid and Income Received August/September 2013.
Accounts Paid.
A&R Electrical – Emergency Lights. 158.76
Chubb – Servicer Fire extinguishers GCG. 159.95
British Gas – Gas Cwm Centre. 1534.13
OVW – Training. 10.00
Wicksteed – Service parks. 999.32
Wages and Salaries August. 2478.74
Robert and Son – Gutter cleaning GCG and Cwm. 340.00
K.E.Supplies – Cleaning material Tair and Cwm. 119.53
Robert and Son – Weedkiller. 60.00
Robert and son – WDW Cleaning. 90.00
Wages and Salaries September. 2471.94
NPTCBC – Business Rates GCG. 632.00
NPTCBC – Business Rates Tair. 192.00
The Meeting finished at 9.00pm.
Signed...... Dated......
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