Minutes of the Pontarddulais Town Council Meeting Held on the 1St October 2015

MINUTES OF THE PONTARDDULAIS TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 1ST OCTOBER 2015

PRESENT:Cllr G. John (Mayor)Cllr P. Downing

Cllr D. BeynonCllr P. J. Waterhouse

Cllr R. WaterhouseCllr D. Howard-Willis

Cllr G. WilliamsCllr J. Miles

Cllr C. MathiasCllr K. Harris

Cllr E. DaviesCllr C. Davies

Cllr K. Griffiths

Prior to commencement of business members of the public were invited to ask questions. Mr R. Jenkins, Glasfryn Road, Pontarddulais queried whether the CCTV cameras in St Teilo Street and on the library were working. It was explained that due to financial cut-backs the camera in St Teilo Street was not operational. The Clerk would make enquiries concerning the library camera.

Mr D. Gwenter, Glanffrwd Road, Pontarddulais queried why the local County Ward Members had not voted against the County’s LDP proposals. Cllr Downing invited Mr Gwenter to attend one of his surgeries.

64.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H. Roberts, J. Harris and G. Thomas.

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

There were no declarations of personal interest received.

66.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 3RD SEPTEMBER 2015:

The above minutes were accepted as a true record.

(a)Speeding problems in Pontarddulais (Min No 52):

The Clerk reported an e-mail from the City & County of Swansea indicating that the police would investigate possible speeding on Pentre Road, Pontarddulais.

(b)To consider the possible relocation of the Pontarddulais Post Office (Min No 53(a)):

Cllr Beynon advised Members that Tesco were not interested in having the Post Office relocated into their store and that Bont Elim Church had shown an interest in housing the Post Office. There had not been any communication from The Original Outlet Shop.

(c)Parking bay outside Arwel’s Hairdresser Shop, St Teilo Street (Min No 53(b)):

The Clerk reported e-mail correspondence with the City & County of Swansea and advised Members that he would be attending a meeting to discuss the issue on the 12th October 2015.

(d)“Save the Bont” Campaign Group (Min No 58(o)):

The Clerk reported a further e-mail from the above Group requesting reconsideration of the Council’s previous decision not to fund an independent planning advisor in relation to the LDP proposals. Councillors K. Griffiths and C. Mathias declared a personal and prejudicial interest and vacated the room. On being put to a vote Members agreed not to alter or amend their previous decision. Cllrs P. Downing and J. Miles abstained from voting. All Members expressed their support for the aims and objectives of the Group.

(e)Applications of interest to sit on the City & County of Swansea’s Standards Committee (Min No 58(r)):

Cllr Griffiths stated that, had he not been away at the last Council meeting, he would have been prepared to have his name put forward for the above vacancy. The Clerk explained that unfortunately the closing date for submission of applications had passed.

67.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THE 21ST SEPTEMBER 2015:

Cllr Downing, Chairman of the Finance Committee, reported on the above minutes. It was agreed to accept the recommendations of the committee as follows:

• The wages of any affected staff be increased in line with the new Minimum Wage as from 1st October 2015;
• The wages of any affected staff be increased in line with the new Living Wage as from 1st April 2016.

68.TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNTY WARD MEMBERS:

Cllr Downing advised Members on procedural issues relating to the Local Development Plan.

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

Cllr Beynon referred to the Remembrance Day Service and Parade on the 8th November and the need to ensure that the Memorial Garden was clean. The Mayor suggested the Council investigates the possibility of having fixings placed around the Cenotaph to keep the wreaths in place, especially during inclement weather.

70.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.

71.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM THE CLERK:

1. CORRESPONDENCE:

The following correspondence was received and noted:

(a)Welsh Government – consultation on changes to national retail policy and guidance;

(b)South Wales Police – implementation of changes to station enquiry office services;

(c)Welsh Government – draft statutory guidance for the well-being of future generations (Wales) Act 2015;

(d)Welsh Government – responses to the consultation on Landfill Disposal Tax;

(e)Welsh Government – responses to the consultation on a “Land Transaction Tax”,

(f)Audit of the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2015:

The Clerk informed Members that in the opinion ofthe external auditor’s report the annual return was in accordance with proper practices and no matters had come to their attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements had not been met. They had commented that in future, asset values should be stated as initial cost with no change to that value until the asset is disposed.

(g)External Audit arrangements: Annual Returns 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2018-19:

The Clerk reported a letter from the Wales Audit Office stating that BDO LLP will become the appointed auditor on behalf of the Auditor General as responsible fot delivering audit of the Council’s Annual Return for the above periods. Auditors will focus on budget setting and monitoring and the engagement of internal audit for the 2015-16 audits.

(h)Christmas Tree Festival:

The Clerk reported a letter from Llandeilo Talybont Parochial Church Council requesting sponsorship of the above festival to be held in St Michael’s Church in December. It was agreed to donate £200 (two hundred pounds) as sponsorship of the Christmas Tree Festival.

(i)Devolution of Services:

The Clerk informed Members that One Voice Wales would be holding a “Devolution of Services” training in the Civic Centre, Swansea on Tuesday 13th October. It was agreed that the Clerk and Mayor attend the training evening.

72.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR:

The Mayor reported on her civic duties for the past month.

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

The mayor advised Members that there would be a children’s film in the Institute on Saturday 3rd October and the Local Produce Market would be held on the 14th October. Cllr Beynon advisedMembers that he was still awaiting the date of the next PACT meeting.

74.TO DISCUSS RWE INNOGY UK LTD’S APPLICATION TO DEREGISTER COMMON LAND TO FACILITATETHE PROPOSED MYNYDD Y GWAIR WIND FARM:

Members had before them:

• a previously circulated letter from RWE Innogy UK Ltd informing the Council of their intention to apply to the Welsh Ministers under section 16 of the Commons Act 2006 to deregister common land and to provide replacement land in exchange for the land to be deregistered; and under section 38 of the 2006 Act to carry out works on common land. These applications are required to facilitate the construction, operation and decommissioning of RWE’s proposed Mynydd y Gwair Wind Farm.

• The public notice relating to the above applications;

• The September newsletter from RWE Innogy UK Ltd;

• Copies of the objection letters from SOCME.

Members reiterated their total opposition to the proposed wind farm and agreed that Cllr Miles liaise with the Clerk to submit a letter of opposition to the current applications.

75.TO AUTHORISE AND APPROVE THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2015:

The above expenditure was authorised and approved.

See Appendix “A”.

76.TO RECEIVE A MONTHLY INCOME REPORT AND BANK RECONCILIATION FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2015:

The above income report and bank reconciliation were accepted.

See Appendix “B” and Appendix “C”.

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

(i)58 Goppa Road, Pontarddulais – proposed garage;

(ii) 29 Dantwyn Road, Pontarddulais – disabled facilities grant works.

There were no observations made with respect to the above applications.

Due to the confidential nature of the next agenda item members of the public and press were excluded from the meeting.

78.TO CONSIDER QUOTATIONS RECEIVED FOR WORKS TO ERADICATE DRY ROT IN PART OF THE INSTITUTE:

The Clerk advised Members that works to trace a leak in the hall had revealed a dry rot problem in the attic area above the kitchen. A local contractor has taken plaster off one of the walls and exposed part of the roof timers. Dry rot eradication quotations had been sought from four specialist contactors with only one responding. It was agreed to accept the quotation from C. E. T. Morgan, Llanedi for £295.00.

The Clerk further informed Members that he had now requested quotations for the roof repairs from three local contractors. When received, these quotations would be considered at a later meeting.

Signed:Date:

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APPENDIX “B”

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