Minutes – Tuesday, 18th March 2014

CYNGOR CYMDEITHAS LLANGATHEN

LLANGATHEN COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of Llangathen Community Council held on Tuesday, 18th March 2014 at The Reading Room, Court Henry.

Present: Cllrs. M. Williams (chair), G. Davies, H. James, M. Wynne, E. Morgan, C.Moses, L.Hughes and S.Collins.

In attendance were County Cllr. C. Campbell and the clerk, Mrs M Rees.

 

13/44 APOLOGIES

There were no apologies for absence.

13/45 DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Cllrs. L. Hughes and S. Collins declared an interest as school governors of Court Henry primary school and therefore did not participate in any discussion regarding the school.

13/46 MINUTES

It was proposed by Cllr. H.James and seconded by Cllr. E. Morgan that the minutes of the meeting held on 21st January 2014 be accepted as a correct record of proceedings.

13/47 MATTERS ARISING

 Min 13/36 (1) JUNCTION NEAR CROSS INN CHAPEL, DRYSLWYN

As the hedge at this junction has been cut back to the base then it was considered that no further action would be necessary.  It will be necessary for growth to be cut back during the growing season and therefore this will be monitored by members.  The clerk would advise Stuart Quick of CCC.

 Min 13/36 (2) BUS SHELTER AT BROAD OAK

No further information to report.  To review next month.

 Min 13/36(3) STABLE BLOCK IN FIELD NEAR RHYD YR AFON / GLANDDU, BROAD OAK

Cllr. C. Campbell reported that he had been in discussions with Mr A Robinson-Redmond who had confirmed that he would be dismantling and selling the stables at this location.  To review next month.

Min 13/36 (4) DRYSLWYN SQUARE – A40

Following a discussion regarding the safety of motorists at this location, the clerk was asked to write to South Wales Trunk Road Agency at Neath to request the re-instatement of red hatch markings.

 Min 13/36 (5) COMMUNITY WEBSITE

The web site www.llangathen.org.uk has now been established.  Members had looked over the site and were very please with the product.  Minutes of meetings would now be displayed on the site, also contact details of the clerk, councillors names and the name and telephone number of the County councillor.  A brief résumé on the history of Llangathen had been provided by Mr D T Davies.  This would now form part of the home page and the clerk would arrange with Menter Bro Dinefwr for a translation into Welsh.

Min 13/36 (6) BRIDGE OVER RIVER MYDDYFI, NEAR GLANMYDDYFI, PENTREFELIN

The clerk was asked to write to Mr Pilliner of CCC for an update on the situation regarding advisory road width signage at this location.

 Min 13/36 (7) VILLAGE GREEN, BROAD OAK

David Rice Forestry had carried out a survey on the oak trees at the above location.  He had issued a tree Health and Safety report.  An invoice was also attached.

 Min 13/36 (8) ROAD CONDITION NEAR GLANDDU, BROAD OAK

It was reported that the road condition at this location remains far from ideal.  The tarmac on the edges of both sides of the road are cracking and giving way, the ditches are very much lower that the road.  The clerk to contact Stuart Quick of CCC once again.

Min 13/36 (9) AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS, LAN FARM, BROAD OAK.

Planning Enforcement Officer for CCC., Mr Kevin Jones had advised that a Planning Contravention Notice had been served to the owner.  Evidence in the form of a Certificate of Lawfulness application will be requested and also an application for retrospective planning.  R Carmichael, Habitat and Conservation officer, CCC., has advised that an inspection of the land would take place and where trees and hedges have been removed the owner will be advised of the species of plant material required in order to reinstate the landscape.

 Min 13/36 (10) RIVER LASH, DRYSLWYN SQUARE, DRYSLWYN

The clerk was requested to contact South Wales Trunk Road Agency in Neath in order request that maintenance be carried out to the culvert carrying Nant Lash under the A40 Trunk Road.  It should be noted that the work will need to be carried out during the drier, summer months.

 Min 13/36 (11) OVERHANGING BRANCH – HAFOD NEDDYN / CILWERN BROAD OAK

The clerk to contact CCC regarding the overhanging branch.

 13/48 CORRESPONDENCE

The following items of correspondence were discussed and noted:

1.  D G Morris Accountancy Service – Reminder of year end accounts service

2.  WG – Draft Playing Fields (Community Involvement in Disposal Decisions) (Wales) Regulations 2014 and Related Statutory Guidance.

3.  Carmarthenshire Environment Partnership – Climate Change and Community Resilience for Carmarthenshire Future Generations -Join the National Conversation, Halliwell Centre, 26/3/14

4.  CCC – Information on Vacancy Procedure for Town and Community Councils

5.  Lloyds Bank           January Statement – £11430.19

February Statement – £9822.57

6.  Zurich Municipal – Offer of Quotation for Insurance.

7.  CCC – Seminar for Management / Maintenance of Playgrounds – Stebonheath Club, Llanelli, 11/3/14

8.  HM Revenue & Customs – Paying your PAYE electronically

9.  WG – Local Government (Wales) Byelaws Act 2012 – Implementation

10. Un Llais Cymru –   Motions for 2014 Annual Conference / AGM

Wales this Week Survey – Burial Plot Survey – the survey was duly completed and returned.

11.  Dyffryn Cennen Community Council – Petition of Swimming Pool – details were forwarded to Cllrs. M Williams and C Moses.

12.  CCC – Invitation to a Public Transport Seminar Hosed by CCC – 14/2/14 – all members were advised

13.  David Rice Forestry – Tree Health and Safety Report, Broad Oak

14. CCC – Asset Transfer

Brochures /  Circulars

1.  Wicksteed plays capes

2.  Clerks and Councils Direct

3.  Yr Ardd

4.  Second Life Products Wales Ltd

Requests for Financial Assistance

1.  Menter Bro Dinefwr

2.  Y Lloffwr

3.  Prism

4.  Radio Beca

5.  NSPCC

6.  Victim Support

7.  Catch Up Ltd

8.  Kidney Wales Foundation – Walk for Life – 27/4/14

9.  Blaenau Tywi – Urdd Gobaith Cymru

10. Teenage Cancer Trust

11. Cruse Bereavement Care

12. Domestic Abuse Services

13/49 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

The following accounts were approved for payment and cheques duly prepared:

 

£

 

Victoria Lewis Designs

(website development)                                                                      500.00

 

C Raymond

(Cutting grass on village green, Broad Oak, 2013)                275.00

 

Carmarthenshire County Council

Footway Lighting Charges

( 1st Apr 2013-31st March 2014)                                             1607.62

 

M Rees – Clerks Expenses                                                            76.24

M Rees – Clerks Salary – (February/March)                       266.66

 

Court Henry Reading Room

(hire of hall – 6 x £15)                                                                     90.00

 

David Rice Forestry

(Tree health survey – Broad Oak)                                            110.00

 

13/50  PLANNING PERMISSION

The following applications were considered by the Council and their observations noted.

 

APPLICANT                          DEVELOPMENT                                          LOCATION

 

Ran Projects                            Extension of East Elevation and                    The Old Estate Office,

Antonios Loizou                     Creation of Covered Porch                             Llangathen, Carmarthen

 

No objections

 

Mrs Barbara Prentice              Certificate for a Lawful Development,          Castle House, Dryslwyn,

Certificate for an Existing use of 1 House     Carmarthen.

as 2 properties

 

No comments, application subsequently withdrawn

 

13/51 PLANNING PERMISSION

Carmarthenshire County Council advised on the planning decision on the following:

 

E / 29353 – To retain lean to adjacent to shed to provide clean and tidy storage of agricultural machines/parts.  To provide cover in order to extend the use of the caravan used for respite at Ffos yr Esgob, Capel Isaac, Llandeilo, for Mr Saraj Guha – permission refused.

E / 29488 – Certificate for a lawful development certificate for an existing use of 1 house as 2 properties at Castle House, Dryslwyn, Carmarthen for Mrs Barbara Prentice – application withdrawn.

E / 29274 – Certificate of Lawfulness for a garage, polytunnels, residential unit and garage/workshop at Joroma, Capel Isaac, Llandeilo for Mr John Bristow – permission granted.

13/52 COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT

County Cllr. Cefin Campbell provided clarification regarding the “Review of Electoral Arrangements.”  The Communities of Llangathen, Llanfihangel Aberbythych and Llanarthney will now be combined to form a single electoral division.  The name of the electoral division will be Llanfihangel Aberbythych.

Cllr. Campbell also gave a brief report regarding the situation at Carmarthenshire County Council and the account given by the Wales Audit Office regarding two payments allegedly unlawful made to the Head of CCC.   He advised that the matter was now being investigated by the  Gloucester Constabulary. The full council meeting held on 27th February 2014 in the Council Chamber attracted some 2,700 viewers via  webcast.

Carmarthenshire County Council are aiming to cut back on costs by up to  £30 million.

When asked what the situation was regarding the Welsh Governments plans regarding re-organisation, he advised that no definite decisions had been made.

 

13/53 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE / DONATIONS

A list of organisations requesting financial assistance was issued to members.  After discussion, it was resolved to donate funds to the following:

 

£

Yr Ystafell Ddarllen                                                   500.00

Cylch Meithrin a Ti a Fi Cwrt Henri                    550.00

Ysgol Cwrt Henri                                                        350.00

C.Ff.I / YFC Sir Gâr                                                   100.00

C.Ff.I / YFC Clwb Llanfynydd                             150.00

Y Lloffwr                                                                        50.00

Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Sir Gâr 2014             70.00

Wales Air Ambulance                                              100.00

 

The clerk to arrange for the cheques to be forwarded to the relevant organisations.

 

13/54 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1.  Graham Noakes, Planning Officer, CCC., had contacted the clerk following her invitation for a member of the planning department to attend a council meeting in order to clarify some planning points.  The clerk was requested to arrange for Mr Noakes to attend the next council meeting if this was convenient to him.

2.  It was reported that due to very large vehicles frequenting the road passing Sunny Bank, Llangathen, this was causing the hedge banks to collapse and creating very muddy and slippery conditions for the standard motorist.  The clerk to contact CCC for comments regarding signage at this location.

 

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

It was resolved that the next meeting together with the Annual General Meeting of Llangathen Community Council would be held on Tuesday 20th May 2014 at the Reading Room, Court Henry at 7.30pm.

 

 

 

Signed…………………………….

 

Date…………………………………. .