GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL

CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR

Minutes of the Meeting of Council held at 7pm on Wednesday 1 July 2020

 

Due to Coronavirus and social distancing restrictions, this meeting was held via a telephone conference call.

 

 

PRESENT:  Councillors: Gareth Evans, Paul Emmerton, Susan Jones, Ann Guard, Linda Bolchover, Ros Holt, Lyneth Howells, Barbara Small.  Clerk to the Council:  Allison James.

 

 

21.       APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Cllr Viv Davies

 

22.      DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS:  None

 

23.       MEETINGS WITH: None held due to Covid-19 restrictions.

 

24.   TO RECEIVE ANY PUBLIC REPRESENTATION – None received.

 

25.  COUNCIL MINUTES: 3 June 2020.

a)  The Minutes were accepted as a true record.

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

 

26. TO RECEIVE THE REPORT BY THE WARD MEMBER:

 

Cllr Jones gave the following report:

 

Monthly Report for June 2020.

 

I am keeping the village informed through Facebook as much as possible.  The residents are into a routine and the volunteers are dealing with many issues for the vulnerable people of the village.  Nomad Bar and Kitchen have produced over 500 meals for the vulnerable people of the village and the Rugby and Cricket Volunteers are still doing an amazing job.  We are very fortunate to have so many volunteers attached to the village.  I have made many phone calls to ensure that people are coping and to ask if they need anything.

 

The inclement weather experienced over the last month has caused a number of residents’ great concern.  Mount Street was an area of concern, and the additional 41 houses of George Manning Way will add to this situation. The open culvert along the back of the houses in Mount Pleasant is causing flooded gardens and patios, this is a new cause of concern.

 

The thunder and lightning, which resulted in a house being burned down in Porth y Waun, was horrendous.  I was involved in arranging the temporary accommodation and I would like to thank Dave and Helen Bivens for their kind offer of their caravan.  The village were great with the support offered to the couple whose house was destroyed.  The Coop offered their help in providing essential items to the couple. Gowerton Rugby Club came to the rescue by offering storage for their possessions, and a “Just Giving Appeal” was set up to raise funds to help the occupants of the house through this difficult time.  They are at present in temporary holiday let accommodation until their home is rebuilt and I wish them well for the future.

 

It is with sadness that we heard that Mrs.Sandra Hill ex. Warden of Llys Elba passed away and I would like to feel my condolences to the family. Also, my condolences to the family of Mrs Sylvia Jones, who also passed away recently.

 

I have been opening and closing the gates of the Elba Sports area at the weekends.  I have been doing this to avoid the residents having a problem with indiscriminate parking over their drives and on the yellow lines.  I have again requested that the yellow lines on Ffordd Beck be progressed to allow the enforcement of the yellow lines.  The 3 G football pitch is closed – the fence has been vandalised allowing access through the hole that has been created.  It has been witnessed that a coaching session has been carried out on this pitch with no social distancing being observed.  There should be no access to the play areas on the Elba Complex.

 

 

27.  TO RECEIVE THE REPORT OF THE CHAIRPERSON

 

Cllr Gareth Evans gave the following report:

 

Gowerton Junior school update.

Due to the lack of agreement between Welsh Government and the unions over the planned fourth week of school in July, the decision was passed to local authorities. Swansea has decided that they will not offer the additional week and the Head Teacher and the Chair of Governors have agreed to take the same stance. The end of term will end on Friday 17th July The LA has delegated schools across Swansea to decide if they wish to offer reception places based on each school’s individual risk assessment.

 

Gowerton Primary school will not be open to reception pupils for the following reasons -Staffing requirements for day care- which is in the guidance to take a priority over school provision

- Social distancing with young children is very difficult and one the school is unable to commit to achieving at this point -The school has prioritised the needs of the rest of the school at this point

 

 

28. REPORT OF THE CLERK

 

28(a)      Miscellaneous

 

 

1. Bank reconciliation – Councillors to give preference whether they require a monthly or quarterly report.

Action – it was decided to produce quarterly reports.

 

2. Expression of interest from K Davies regarding becoming a Community Councillor.

Action – Clerk has spoken to K Davies and has informed her that as soon as an action meeting can be arranged, she will be invited to come along.

 

3. Newsletters – when are we looking to compile the next one.

Action - It was decided that newsletters will not be produced until it is safe for them to be delivered through peoples letter boxes.  It is not worth risking due to the threat of contracting Covid 19 as many Councillors have been shielding/isolating.

 

4. Introduction of Teams for future audio meetings.

Action - Clerk has looked into this and Teams can be used if wished. It is free to use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28 (b)    Financial Matters

The following items for payment are for authorization/ratification:

 

The following are for authorisation/ratification:

 

Date	Creditor	Subject	Net	VAT	Total
01/06/2020	Allison James	Monthly telephone allowance.	38.99		38.99
01/06/2020	Bay Landscapes	Monthly Standing Order - inv 01535 11/6/2020	202.92	40.58	243.5
04/06/2020	Zurich Insurance	Annual Insurance Inv 44413937	364.38	43.73	408.11
11/06/2020	One Voice Wales	Membership 2020-21	752		752
15/06/2020	Money Soft Ltd	Pay Roll Manager Annual Licence	72	14.4	86.4
10/06/2020	Gowerton Cricket Club	Grant from Western Power Covid 19	300		300
10/06/2020	Gowerton RFC	Grant from Western Power Covid 19	300		300
10/06/2020	St Johns Church	Grant from Western Power Covid 19	300		300
10/06/2020	Gowerton Comprehensive School	Grant from Western Power Covid 19	300		300
10/06/2020	Gowerton Catering Ltd (Nomad)	Grant from Western Power Covid 19	300		300
10/06/2020	Hendy & Community Park Committee (Co Op)	Grant from Western Power Covid 19	300		300
21/06/2020	McAfee	Security System for PC - annual subscription	16.66	3.33	19.99
22/06/2020	Lyn Llewellyn	Internal Audit - Invoice dated 6/6/2020	340		340
22/06/2020	Allison James	Reimbursement of monthly ink	7.99		7.99
23/06/2020	Post Office Ltd	Audit Files - Special Delivery	11	0	11
25/06/2020	Allison James	Salary - June 2020	851.64		851.64
26/06/2020	Allison James	Reimbursement for stamps purchased	4.56		4.56
26/06/2020	Cllr R Holt	Reimbursement for materials purchased for Elba Colliery Memorial	27		27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Authorisation:

 

 

	ANNUAL EXPENSES 2020 / 2021
	Car Allowance - Mileage record
Date	Detail of Journey	Mileage
25.04.20	Home -  Elba St - Gower Rise - Home. Deliver bank forms.	4
27.04.20	Home - Gowert Rise - home.  Deliver forms	3
28.04.20	Home - Elba St - home  Deliver forms	1
29.04.20	Home - Park Road- home	3
09.05.20	Home - Gower Rise - home.  Deliver chqs for signing.	3
18.05.20	Home - Gower rise - home. Drop audit file.	3
20.05.20	Home- Gower rise - Ammanford (auditor) - Home	35
24.05.20	Home - Gower rise - Elba St - home. Deliver bank sign in pads.	4
06.06.20	Home - Ammanford (auditor) - Home	35
15.06.20	Home - Gower Rise - home.  Deliver cheque	3
19.06.20	Home - Gower Rise - Home  Deliver audit papers	3
27.06.20	Home - Gower Rise - Home . Deliver contract for signing	3
	Total mileage =	99
	Total car allowance claimed at 45 pence per mile  =	£44.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28(c) CORRESPONDENCE

 

 

1. Email from Andrew James – CCOS. 1/6/20. There is an existing 20mph speed limit on George Manning Way, to complement this it is proposed to extend the 20mph limit into the new development to the extent of the adopted highway (see enclosed plans).

No issues were raised. No action required.

 

2. Email from Steven Davies - Gowerton Cricket Club 3/6/20.  Asking for help with funding, finding grants to help refurbish the pavilion and changing rooms.  Cllr Jones has contacted Dean Mason giving a list of grants to apply for. Cllr Evans has suggested donating his £500 allowance to the Cricket Club. This is to be confirmed.

£500 chair allowance was confirmed and sent out by cheque.

 

3. Email from Cllr Jones - 6/6/20. A copy of an email requesting a litter pick by the NEAT team.

Noted

 

4. Email from One Voice Wales – 12/6/20. An email re health and safety when returning to the workplace.

Noted

 

5. Email from Cllr Emmerton 14/6/20. An email re the traffic survey box on Sterry Road. Health and Safety concerns. Clerk tried to contact the number on the box to no avail. Rang CCOS but it is nothing to do with them.

The box has since been removed. No further action required.

 

6. Email from Cllr Jones 14/6/20 – email trail regarding the shutting of the gates on the Elba Playing Fields.

Cllr Jones continues to open/lock gates every weekend until further notice.

 

7. Email from Cllr Jones 16/6/20 – Wales and West Utilities Safe and Warm Fund. Clerk has applied for a £3000 grant.

We will be notified by 27 July 2020 if we have been successful.

 

8. Email from Richard Jenkins, Gowerton Rugby club, thanking us for the £300 cheque.

Noted.

 

9. Email from Cllr Jones 17/6/20 – forwarding on a complaint from a resident about noisy behaviour in the Elba and requesting the gates get locked on weekends.

See point 6 above.

 

10. Email from J Foden 17/6/20 – complaint about road conditions around Gowerton.

This has been reported to CCOS.

 

11. Email from Cllr Jones 18/6/20 – looking for a volunteer to lock the gates in the Elba on weekends.

See point 6 above.

 

12. Email from Cllr Bolchover 24/6/20 – the decision has been made not to run the Arts and Crafts Exhibition in 2020 due to Covid 19 restrictions.

An announcement has been made on Gowerton CC website. The Temple Church have been notified.

 

13. Email from a resident in Gowerton 25/6/20 – Overhanging trees in Woodland, Gowerton.

Clerk has reported this to Martin Bignell via email.

 

14. Email from Cllr Evans (Chairman) 27/6/20 – Corrections to be made on Clerks Contract of Employment.

Noted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29 QUESTIONS FOR BUSINESS

 

1.   Hanging baskets and flower displays for local businesses in the village next year. Clerk to request prices from Alan Hughes, CCOS then send out letters to local businesses in the village in November to ask if they want to order for May 2021.

 

2.   Local Places for Nature – Cllr Holt has had materials and plants delivered in readiness for the visit from an Officer from Keep Wales Tidy to check if the site near the Library is suitable.

 

3.   Cllr Small asked if the NEAT team could go to Marsh Road to litter pick.  Cllr Jones said that due to the location and no safe place to walk along the road, this would not be possible but that she would notify CCOS of any fly tipping.

 

4.   Social media – a Facebook page was discussed but it was decided that there are already a few news groups for Gowerton, along with Cllr Jones own posts.  Clerk to look into possibly setting up a page where comments can be turned off but can just post local events and news updates for the Community Council.

 

 

 

 

30.  PLANNING MATTERS

 

The following planning applications were discussed:

 

Application No: 2020/0926/106

 

Date Registered: 04.06.2020 Electoral Division: Gowerton - Area 2 Status: Being Considered Map Ref: 257438 195029 Development Type: All Others (CPLDS, Prior etc) Location: Gower Golf Course, Gowerton Road, Three Crosses , Swansea , SA4 3HS

 

Proposal: 18 hole golf course with club house, changing rooms, pro shop, squash courts and car park (removal of Section 106 Agreement dated 20th December 1991 attached to planning permissions 2/2/90/0667/01 and 2/1/90/1684/01) Applicant: Adrian John And Beverley Elizabeth Richards Agent: Eleri Davies

 

No Objections were raised.

 

 

 

Application No: 2020/0965/FUL

 

Date Registered: 03.06.2020 Electoral Division: Gowerton - Area 2 Status: Being Considered Map Ref: 259047 196275 Development Type: Minor Retail A1-A3 Location: 72-74 Sterry Road, Gowerton, Swansea, SA4 3BW

 

Proposal: Change of use of ground floor from retail (Class A1) to mixed use retail and coffee shop (Classes A1 and A3), external seating/play area, new rear entrance door and roller shutter Applicant: Mr Justin Jones Agent: Mr Mark Thomas

 

Cllr Jones and Cllr Evans objected on the grounds of Gowerton already has a coffee shop and a previous application for a coffee shop was objected to, so they feel they should remain consistent.

 

Cllr Howells raised concerns about customers parking on rear lane and it being used as a right of way.

 

The majority of Councillors were in favour.

 

 

 

Application No: 2020/1022/FUL

 

 Date Registered: 09.06.2020 Electoral Division: Gowerton - Area 2 Status: Being Considered Map Ref: 259136 196267 Development Type: All Other Minor Dev Location: 98 Sterry Road, Gowerton, Swansea, SA4 3BW

 

Proposal: Detached open sided canopy to provide additional external seating Applicant: Mr & Mr Sam and Jack Richards and Frazer Agent: Miss Helen Flynn

 

Cllr Bolchover objected to this on the grounds of it being a noise issue for residents. Cllr Emmerton also objected.  The majority of Councillors were in favour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting closed at 7.53pm

 

                                                                                                            Chairperson

                                                                              

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