Gowerton Community Council

GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL

CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR

Minutes of the Meeting of Council held at Gowerton Con Club

at 7.30pm on

Wednesday 6 April 2022

PRESENT: Councillors Susan Jones, Gareth Evans, Paul Emmerton, Peter Morgan, , Amanda Guard, Roz Holt, Pat Evans, Brian Edy, Matthew Palmer, Clerk to the Council: Allison James.

100. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Barbara Small, Ann Guard

101. DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS: None

102. MEETINGS WITH: None required

103. TO RECEIVE ANY PUBLIC REPRESENTATION: None

104. COUNCIL MINUTES: 2 March 2022

a) The Minutes were accepted as a true record. Proposed by Cllr Amanda Guard, Seconded by Cllr Paul Emmerton

b) Matters Arising: The written report of the Clerk regarding matters arising and subsequent actions taken were noted.

105. TO RECEIVE THE REPORT BY THE WARD MEMBER:

No report received due to the forth coming Elections.

106. REPORT OF THE CHAIRPERSON

Cllr Gareth Evans

The street market arranged for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee event on Friday 3^rd June on Sterry Rd has been re-located to the land to the rear of the Commercial Public house/carpark as the City & County of Swansea had concerns with the Health & Safety issues with the proposed partial street closure in Sterry Rd. Cllr Amanda Guard and myself visited businesses and residential properties on 30^th March to advise of the change of venue for the street market. Further visits will be necessary to the properties that we had no response.

Attended OVW NEC on 18^th March where a number of topics were discussed as follows;

2a Local Government Decarbonisation strategy panel

Procurement, Buildings, mobility and transport, land use

To closely monitor and report their current and future carbon emissions, all Local

Authorities to have robust

Evidence-based net zero action plans in place as living documents.

2b. Strategy for ageing society

Welsh Government want to create a Wales where everyone looks forward to growing older

and age well,

Where individuals can take responsibility for their health and well-being whilst being

confident that support

Is available and accessible if needed, and age does not affect the quality of services that

older people receive.

2c Planning and Community engagement

How to make it less complicated for groups to effectively engage? There is a feeling within communities that

Decisions are made by people who are not fully aware of their Towns!

2d Welsh Government communities division is undertaking an exercise to look at common policy generally

Including ways departments are engaging with all communities wherever they may be.

Gowerton County Primary school

Due to the retirement of Mrs Roberts (Deputy Headteacher) who was an inspiration to all staff and pupils, a

Vacancy arose. With eighteen applications received for the position from across the County, the appointment Panel shortlisted three strong candidates for the final interview. With Mr Iain Ashton being offered the Position to commence in September. Many congratulations to Mr Ashton for the future in Gowerton.

Gowerton Comprehensive school

Congratulations goes to Ms Kathleen Lawlor who has been promoted to Headteacher

following the early retirement of Mr Nigel jones who worked tirelessly with his team at the school. Warm wishes given for a long and happy retirement. Kathleen Lawlor has worked at the school for 30 years and has engaged with generations of children in the village performing highly successful musical recitals.

107 (A) REPORT OF THE CLERK – MISCELLANEOUS

End of year figures to be checked and signed off by the Chairman. Clerk can then take the audit file to the internal auditor and display the required legal information on the website.

There has been a lot of communication with Dean Mason who is organising the Jubilee weekend. Sub committees have been set up following a meeting. The next meeting for the Jubilee celebration plans is 7pm on 12 April 2022 at Gowerton Conservative Club.

The Ukrainian flag has been put up on our flagpole in the centre of the village – thanks to Mr Terry Nicholls.

Election business is now in full swing. Can I check that all relevant papers have been submitted from Community Councillors? Thank you all for stating the correct wards. It is the first year that the nominations have been able to be submitted electronically.

Given that our next meeting will be the evening before Election Day, would it be advisable to roll the monthly meeting to the following week in May? What are your thoughts?

107 (B) REPORT OF THE CLERK - FINANCIAL MATTERS

Date	Creditor	Subject	Total	Budget Code

28/02/2022	One Voice Wales Training	Invoice number 6035 - B Edy training	30	T
03/03/2022	HP Instant Ink	Charges to 1/3/22	16.49	GA
08/03/2022	Amazon Market Place	Ukrainian Flag	6.89	E
11/03/2022	Swansea Council	Bench	1800	E
14/03/2022	McAfee	Anti Virus software	49.99	GA
14/03/2022	Bay Landscapes	Grounds maintenance - February	243.5	GM
14/03/2022	HMRC	Jan - Feb	289.65	HMRC
15/03/2022	Clerk Phone Allowance	March	38.99	CE
18/03/2022	Cllr G Evans	Remuneration 21/22	150	RE
18/03/2022	Cllr L Howells	Remuneration 21/22	150	RE
23/03/2022	Cllr P Evans	Remuneration 21/22 Pro rata 3 months	37.5	RE
25/03/2022	Clerk Salary	March 2022 + Back pay	965.54	S
29/03/2022	Amazon Market Place	Supplies for Jubilee tea party	84.59	GR
31/03/2022	1 and 1 IONOS	Website - quarterly payment	54	SAF

		Total for March 2022	3917.14


		Opening bank balance 1/3/22	24035.40
		Closing bank balance 31/2/22	20118.26

		Reconciliation	3917.14

107 (c) REPORT OF THE CLERK - CORRESPONDENCE

From 1 – 31 March 2022, we received approximately 150 emails.

These consisted of emails from Councillors, One Voice Wales, marketing emails etc which need no action.

Emails containing the weekly planning lists were all sent on to Councillors for information before the monthly meeting.

I have had ongoing correspondence from Dean Mason with regards to the Jubliee Weekend Celebrations. The next meeting is on 12 April 2022, 7pm at the Con Club. All are welcome. Are any Councillors available to help out at the vintage tea party?

I have had notification from John Hopkins in Parks that the bench installation will take place as soon as they are able to do it.

Correspondence from Rob Cross – Please see Matters arising for details.

An email was sent to Alison Lowe, Democratic services giving details of payments of remuneration to Councillors.

An invoice for £600 was received from SSE energy solutions. These were costs for the Xmas lighting supply. I have disputed this as I did last year also.

An email from One Voice Wales giving the new pay scales for Clerks. This was sent to Gareth for approval and back pay from the new agreed payscale from April 2021 has been paid. (See Financial Matters).

108. QUESTIONS FOR BUSINESS:

Cllr Roz Holt has had lots of complaints about the speed bumps in Gowerton. Also Cllr Brian Edy has had complaints about people driving around the speed bumps. Could we invite someone from Highways to a meeting to discuss?
Cllr Lyneth Howells has had complaints from local residents about the mess left on refuse collection day. It was agreed that people can report things directly on Swansea Council Website.
Cllr Pat Evans recently attended a meeting for the Twinning Association. Gowerton is twinned with the French village of La Gacilly. The next meeting is Thursday 7.30pm 7 April 2022 at Gowerton Conservative Club.
Clle Amanda Guard said that she had attended a training course on being a Local Councillor run by One Voice Wales and felt it was beneficial.
Cllr Ann Guard requested that Cllr Amanda Guard mention that the potholes Cllr Guard had reported were repaired within 48 hours. Cllr Ann Guard also has concerns that a lot of cyclists are going to fast along the cycle path from Dunvant – Gowerton – Gorseinon.
Cllr Barbara Small sent a message asking that the unsightly container opposite the caravan park on Pont Y Cob road be reported to Swansea Council to be removed.
Cllr Peter Morgan said that a car went over the speed bumps on Gorwydd Road and the back axle snapped. It was parked in the bay opposite the mini roundabout. Cllr Susan Jones has reported this to Swansea Council.
Cllr Peter Morgan reported that the workers on the Cefn Gorwydd site have vehicles parked on the side of road. Lorries are double parking to off load and causing hazards. Photos to be sent to Swansea Council and reported. Also write to Morganstone to inform them.
Cllr Gareth Evans reported the new signage to |Blackpill and Gowerton on the cycle path at the bottom of Gower Rise is facing the wrong way.
It was agreed that due to the forthcoming elections on 5 May that the next Community Council meeting would be held on the third Wednesday of that month.

109. PLANNING:

Application No: 2022/0654/FUL Date Registered: 22.03.2022 Electoral Division: Gowerton - Area 2

Status: Being Considered Map Ref: 259084 196317 Development Type: Householder

Location: 75 Sterry Road, Gowerton, Swansea, SA4 3BN

Proposal: Part two storey/part single storey rear and side extension with front access steps and rear garden retaining wall and steps

Applicant: Stefano Agent: Andrew Evason

GCC has no objections

Application No: 2022/0392/PLD Date Registered: 17.02.2022 Electoral Division: Gowerton - Area 2

Status: Being Considered Map Ref: 259710 195693 Development Type: All Others (CPLDS, Prior etc)

Location: 161 Gorwydd Road, Gowerton, Swansea, SA4 3AN Proposal: Single storey rear extension and rear roof extension (Application for a Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development)

Applicant: Mrs Dawn Little Agent

GCC has no objections

Application No: 2022/0501/FUL Date Registered: 01.03.2022 Electoral Division: Gowerton - Area 2

Status: Being Considered Map Ref: 259285 195893 Development Type: Householder

Location: 84 Cecil Road, Gowerton, Swansea, SA4 3DW Proposal: Single storey rear extension

Applicant: Mr Geoff Edds Agent: Mr Mike Cahil

GCC has no objections

Meeting closed at 21.20

Date of next meeting – Wednesday 18 May 2022 at Gowerton Conservative Club.

Chairperson

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