Minutes of the Pontarddulais Town Council Meeting Held on the 3Rd December 2015

MINUTES OF THE PONTARDDULAIS TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 3RD DECEMBER 2015

PRESENT:Cllr G. John (Mayor)Cllr H. Roberts

Cllr P. J. WaterhouseCllr R. Waterhouse

Cllr D. Howard-WillisCllr D. Beynon

Cllr J. MilesCllr J. Harris

Cllr K. HarrisCllr C. Mathias

Cllr K. GriffithsCllr E. Davies

Cllr G. ThomasCllr C. Davies

Prior to commencement of business members of the public were invited to ask questions. Mr R. Jenkins the section 106 payment from Highgrove Holdings to the comprehensive school. Cllr Miles replied that £50,000 had been agreed. Mr Jenkins then referred to a recent press article concerning the closure of the Lloyds Bank in Skewen. He hoped that the Pontarddulais branch was not in danger of closure. The Clerk reminded Members that he had previously written to Lloyds Bank and their reply had been reported. It was agreed that another letter be sent to the bank.

92.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P. Downing and G. Williams.

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

There were no declarations of personal interest received.

94.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 5TH NOVEMBER 2015:

The above minutes were accepted as a true record.

(a)Pyrolisis Plant, Cwmgwili (public questions):

The Clerk reported e-mail correspondence with Carmarthenshire County Council’s planning department together with a copy of the non-technical summary accompanying the planning application.

(b)Speeding problems in Pontarddulais (Min No 81(b)):

Members queried the proposal to have a 20mph limit in various parts of Pontarddulais. County Councillor Harris agreed to take the matter up with the road safety partnership.

(c)Parking Bay outside Arwel’s Hairdresser Shop, St Teilo Street, Pontarddulais (Min No 81(c)):

Members commented on the reopening of the above bay and it was pointed out that the removal of the barriers had not been undertaken by the City & County of Swansea. County Councillor Harris will investigate.

(d)Proposed Mynydd y Gwair Wind Farm (Min No 81(e):

The Clerk reported a letter from the Planning Inspectorate concerning the exchange of common land applications and stating that a pre-inquiry meeting would be held on the 16th December at the Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea.

(e)To receive and consider the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on the 26th October 2015 (Min No 82):

The Clerk informed Members that there were further dry rot problems which had been discovered when part of the floor of the attic above the kitchen had been removed. The contractor was exposing the timbers and the dry rot specialist would have to undertake further treatment works.

(f)Groundwork Wales (Min No 85(k)):

The Clerk informed Members that information concerning funding for community green space had been forwarded to Friends of Coedbach.

(g)Grow Wild (Min No 85(l)):

The Clerk informed Members that information concerning funding to create inspiring spaces had been forwarded to Friends of Coedbach.

(h)Welsh Government – update for community and town councils (Min No 85(m)):

The Clerk reported a reply letter from the Planning Inspectorate advising that the Council will be notified of any development of national significance in its area.

95.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THE 19TH NOVEMBER 2015:

The Clerk reported on the above minutes.It was agreed to approve the following recommendations:

• The six month budget report;
• The amended Risk Assessment Policy.

96.TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNTY WARD MEMBERS:

County Councillor Harris reported on the following:

• City & County of Swansea trying to secure as many resources as possible;
• £100 million savings to be found in the next 3 years;
• Growth and development in some areas e.g. university.

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

There were no urgent matters to consider.

98.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.

99.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM THE CLERK:

1. CORRESPONDENCE:

The following correspondence was received and noted:

(a)Sunday Trading Rules – reply letter from Mr Byron Davies M.P.;

(b)Wales Audit Office Newsletter – extract concerning community and town councils;

(c)Precept 2016/2017 – letter from City & County of Swansea requesting notification of actual precept by 31 January 2016;

(d)Draft Local Government (Wales) Bill:

It was agreed to place the above matter on the agenda of the January 2016 Council meeting.

(e)Cooking Together Wales:

The Clerk reported a request from the Pontarddulais Library for funding to promote healthy and low budget cooking. Each session costs £110.00 and lasts 1.5 – 2 hours dependant on the type of session and can cater for up to 35 people. It was agreed to fund a session and offer the facilities in the Institute should the library not have sufficient space.

100.TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR:

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

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

The Mayor informed Members that the Children’s pantomime would be held in the Institute on Friday 11th December and the local produce market would be held on Wednesday 9th December. The Christmas Quiz would be held in the rugby club on Wednesday 16th December and it was agreed that on this occasion the winning team would receive the total amount of prize money. Cllr Beynon informed Members that the next PACT meeting would be held in the Institute on Monday 7th December at 6.00pm.

102.TO CONSIDER AN E-MAIL RECEIVED FROM THE “SAVE THE BONT” GROUP CONCERNING THE LDP PROCESS:

Cllr Miles informed Members that he and Cllr Downing had met representatives from the above group. After considerable discussion it was agreed that the Council’s Estates, Development and Regeneration committee meets with representatives of the “Save the Bont” group.

103.TO AUTHORISE AND APPROVE THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2015:

The above expenditure was authorised and approved.

See Appendix “A”

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

The above income report and bank reconciliation were authorised and approved.

See Appendix “B” and Appendix “C”.

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

(i)15 James Street, Pontarddulais – outbuilding under construction. Application for a lawful development certificate.

There were no adverse observations with respect of the above application.

Signed:Date:

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