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
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
Action – it was decided to produce quarterly reports.
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.
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.
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
No issues were raised. No action required.
£500 chair allowance was confirmed and sent out by cheque.
Noted
Noted
The box has since been removed. No further action required.
Cllr Jones continues to open/lock gates every weekend until further notice.
We will be notified by 27 July 2020 if we have been successful.
Noted.
See point 6 above.
This has been reported to CCOS.
See point 6 above.
An announcement has been made on Gowerton CC website. The Temple Church have been notified.
Clerk has reported this to Martin Bignell via email.
Noted.
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
………………………………