CYNGOR CYMDEITHAS LLANGATHEN / LLANGATHEN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of Llangathen Community Council held on Tuesday, 18th November 2014 at The Reading Room, Court Henry.
Present: Cllrs. C. Moses (chair), E.Morgan, M.Williams, H. James, M. Wynne and S. Collins
In attendance were County C. Campbell and Mrs M.Rees (clerk).
14/46 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. L.Hughes and G. Davies.
14/47 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
14/48 MINUTES OF MEETING 25/8/14
It was proposed by Cllr. H.James and seconded by Cllr. E.Morgan that the minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 25th August 2014 be accepted as a correct record of proceedings.
14/49 MINUTES
It was proposed by Cllr. C. Moses and seconded by Cllr. H. James that the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 16th September 2014 be accepted as a correct record of proceedings.
14/50 MATTERS ARISING
Min 14/39 (1) STABLE BLOCK IN FIELD NEAR RHYD YR AFON / GLANDDU, BROAD OAK
There was no further information to report. To review next meeting.
Min 14/39 (2) DRYSLWYN SQUARE, DRYSLWYN
The clerk had received notification from Edwina Hart, Welsh Government, in which she confirmed that the white junction markings had been renewed. Also, the safety study for the A40, including the Dryslwyn Square section had been undertaken. She would be considering the study’s draft report and any funding recommendations. The community council would be updated. To review next meeting.
Min 14/39 (3) BRIDGE OVER RIVER MYDDYFI, NEAR GLANMYDDYFI, PENTREFELIN
Cllr. E. Morgan had been unable to contact Mr John McEvoy of Carmarthenshire County Council regarding signage at this location. It is anticipated that more information will be available by the next meeting.
Min 14/39 (4) ROAD CONDITION NEAR GLANDDU, BROAD OAK
Councillors agreed to monitor the road condition at this location over the winter months. To review at the next meeting.
Min 14/39 (5) AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS, LAN FARM, BROAD OAK
The clerk had contacted K. Jones of Carmarthenshire County Council regarding the refusal of two planning applications. Mr K. Jones advised that it would be necessary for the applicant to resubmit two applications for all identified breaches and also certificate of lawfulness applications for buildings in situ for more that four years. Since this notification, Mr K. Jones had advised that the owner had submitted the planning applications. Unfortunately, no application numbers were provided and members were unable to trace the documentation on the CCC website. The clerk to contact Mr K. Jones to enquire.
The clerk had also contacted Rosie Carmichael, Rural Conservation Manager, CCC, regarding the removal of trees/hedges. Ms Carmichael had replied stating that the owner would shortly be issued with a hedgerow replanting notice. To review at the next meeting.
Min 14/39 (6) RIVER LASH, DRYSLWYN SQUARE, DRYSLWYN
No reply or further information available from the Welsh Government on this matter. To review at the next meeting.
Min 14/39 (7) OVERHANGING BRANCH – HAFOD NEDDYN / CILWERN, BROAD OAK
It was reported at the meeting that the overhanging branch had been removed.
Min 14/39 (8) ROAD CONDITION NEAR SUNNY BANK, LLANGATHEN
The clerk had received a telephone call from Ann Thomas of CCC. Mr McEvoy had asked her to get in touch with regard to the exact locations of the proposed signs. Cllrs. Moses, Williams and Morgan confirmed subject to their availability, they would be prepared to meet Ms Thomas on site to clarify the position of bilingual signs “Unsuitable for Large Vehicles”. The favoured locations were in the vicinity of the Old School, Llangathen and Chestnut Cottage, Cilsane. Cllr. C. Campbell asked to be kept in touch with regard to this situation. The clerk to arrange.
Min 14/40 (9) WALES AUDIT OFFICE
The clerk confirmed that following the redistribution of reserves, £30 had been credited to the Llangathen Community Councils bank account.
14/50 CORRESPONDENCE
The following items of correspondence were presented to council and duly discussed/noted:
1. CCC – Code of Conduct Training
The clerk would arrange to notify Robert Edgecombe of CCC regarding the Code of Conduct training and also the number of occasions members made declarations of personal interest.
2. Welsh Government – Trunk Road Speed Limit Review.
This matter was discussed in detail. The clerk to arrange to complete the questionnaire with the comments that members made. The form to be returned to Welsh Government, Cardiff.
3. Age Cymru Sir Gar – Notice of AGM 3/12/14
4. CCC – Planning. Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan – Notification of Publication of Inspector’s Report. Available on council’s website.
5. Lloyds Bank – September statement – £9795.67
October statement – £9825.67
6. Carmarthen Sports Personality Awards – Nomination Form
7. D T Davies. Llangathen War Memorial. Mr Davies had contacted the clerk by telephone and also through a letter requesting financial assistance to carry out essential maintenance on the said War Memorial. It was unanimously agreed to donate £200.00. The clerk to arrange for the cheque to be forwarded.
8. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority Draft Strategic Plan 2015-20 and Draft Annual Improvement Plan 2015-16 – www.mawwfire.gov.uk
9. Carmarthenshire Local Service Board – Annual Forum 27/11/14
10.CCC – Seasonal Decorations
11. Society of Local Council clerks – Training and Professional Development Opportunities for Wales in 2014/15
12. Un Llais Cymru – Town and Community Council County Liaison Forum – 4/12/14
– Minutes of meeting 30/9/14
– Carmarthenshire Area Committee – minutes of meeting 9/7/14
– Notice of meeting 28/10/14
Brochures / Circulars
1. Yr Ardd
2. Clerks and Councils Direct
3. Wicksteed Playgrounds
4. Society of Local Council Clerks – Books for Sale
5. Collaborative Communities – Newsletter
Requests for Financial Assistance
1. Bobath – children’s Therapy Centre Wales
2. Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
3. Marie Curie Cancer Care
4. Eisteddfod Genedlaethol
5. Teigrod Tywi Hockey Club
6. Yo! Carmarthen & District Youth Opera
7. Traws Link Cymru – West Wales Rail Campaign
8. Sioned Elin Davies. Miss Davies had e-mailed the clerk requesting a donation towards her travels to Panama in order to provide medical help to underprivileged communities. It was decided to make a £150 donation and to ask Miss Davies to provide a written report on her return and suggest that she might attend a few local organisations to give a presentation on her experience.
E-mail correspondence
Wendi Huggett [wendi.huggett@onevoicewales.org.uk]
Last chance to take advantage of Making Effective Grant Applications training at St Peter’s Civic Hall, Nott Square, Carmarthen, SA31 1PG on Tuesday 18th November – 6.30pm-9pm – Cyfle olaf i archebu Hyfforddiant Gwneud Ceisiadau Grant Effeithiol yn Neuadd Ddinesig San Pedr, Caerfyrddin, SA31 1PG ar dydd Mawrth 18ed Tachwedd – 6.30pm-9pm
Website/Gwefan: www.onevoicewales.org.uk/www.unllaiscymru.org.uk
Badger Found Dead Survey
Have you found a dead badger? www.wales.gov.uk/bovinetb
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From: “PublicAppointments” <PublicAppointments@Wales.GSI.Gov.UK>
Appointment of Lay & Legal Members to the Welsh Language Tribunal
The closing date for receipt of applications is 28 November 2014
For further details and to apply go to http://wales.gov.uk/about/recruitment/devolvedtribunals/vacancies/?skip=1&lang=en
For queries contact Huw Williams on 029 2082 6841 or email tyg@wales.gsi.gov.uk
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Community Foundation in Wales – £175,000 GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITIES
[wendi.huggett@onevoicewales.org.uk]
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| Grow Wild Wales Community Project |
An opportunity to join the Grow Wild Wales community project network.
Grow Wild is awarding the second round of funding of levels from £1,000 to £4,000 to community groups that want to bring people together to transform a communal space by sowing and growing UK native plants.
https://www.growwilduk.com/2015-application-guidance
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Superfast Business Wales – Is your business ready to maximise the benefits in exploiting superfast broadband? Business Wales [WelshGovernment@public.govdelivery.com]
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R.A Robinson-Redman. The clerk had received an e-mail request for a copy of the Councils Complaints Procedure. The clerk had e-mailed the “Concerns and Complaints Policy” to Mr Robinson-Redman.
14/51 ACCOUNS FOR PAYMENT
The following accounts were approved for payment and cheques duly prepared:
£
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
Wreath for Remembrance Day plus donation 50.00
D T Davies – Llangathen War Memorial 200.00
S E Davies – Medical Student Donation 150.00
M Rees – November Salary 266.66
M Rees – Clerks Expenses 79.47
14/52 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The following applications were considered by the Council and their observations noted:
APPLICANT DEVELOPMENT LOCATION
Mr Amos Single Storey Conservatory Extension Pantybas, Llandeilo
E / 31007 to Front of Property
No objections
Thomas Lloyd Changes to Kitchen Location, underfloor Cwrt Henry Mansion,
E / 31118 heating, repairs to stone tiled floor,improved Dryslwyn,
ventilation, new window, steps from library
to new conservatory.
No objections
Aberglasney Restoration Repairing Piggeries, inserting aluminium The Piggeries, Aberglasney
Trust glasshouse and cold frames, removing calor Gardens, Llangathen
gas tanks and constructing boiler house and
E / 31172 biomass heating plant. New sewage treatment
plant and resurfacing paths and car park
No objections
Aberglasney Restoration Repairing Piggeries, inserting aluminium The Piggeries, Aberglasney
Trust glasshouse and cold frames, removing calor Gardens, Llangathen
Gas tanks and constructing boiler house and
E / 31173 biomass heating plant. New sewage treatment
plant and resurfacing paths and car park
No objections
14/53 PLANNING PERMISSION
Carmarthenshire County Council advised on the planning decisions on the following:
E / 24195 – Proposed erection of 12 wind turbines to form a scheme known as ‘Brechfa Forest East Wind Farm’, land south of Rhydcymerau (B4337) and north of Abergorlech (B4310) for RWE Npower Renewables Ltd – permission granted.
E / 30659 – Free range chicken shed at land north of Glanmyddyfi, Pentrefelin, Llandeilo, for beneficiaries J T Davies – application withdrawn
E / 30727 – Change of use from a disused cowshed into an annexe of the existing property at Cilsane Mill, Llandeilo, for Mr Robert Harris – application withdrawn
E / 31007 – Single storey conservatory extension to front of property at Panybas, Llandeilo, for Mr Amos – permission granted
E / 30759 – Renovation and extension of the existing dwelling to include the conversion of two adjoining barns at Crug Mawr, Dryslwyn, for Mr and Mrs Davies – permission granted.
14/54 CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS POLICY
The clerk had consulted One Voice Wales regarding the Concerns and Complaints Policy. The policy required personalising to Llangathen Community Council, this had now been completed and was therefore presented to council for approval. It was proposed by Cllr. H. James and seconded by Cllr. M. Williams that the policy be formally adopted. It was also suggested that the policy along with Concern/Complaint form be available on the community website for the general public to down load if need be. The clerk to arrange.
14/55 COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
County Cllr. Cefin Cambell advised the following:
Cllr. Campbell had met with Mr T. Davies regarding the Chicken Shed application and it would appear that the Trunk Road Agency were not comfortable with the access / exit route onto the A40. It seems that they regard the road splay as insufficient.
The chief executive of Carmarthenshire County Council, Mark James, has made a redundancy request.
Cllr. Campbell reported that there would be difficult times as the county was looking to make financial cuts of £43 million over the next three years.
The educational budget – although having been approved – was having to be reduced.
A damning report by the WLJA made some concerning findings within the County Council:
Lack of openness / transparency during important decision making
Too few people making decisions behind closed doors
Undemocratic approach to decision making
It had been decided to form a cross party group in order to move on.
14/56 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1. Cllr. Hughes, although not at the meeting, had telephoned the clerk asking to put forward a request for the purchase and planting of daffodil plants within the parish. It was unanimously agreed that this should go ahead.
2. Cllr. C. Moses and Cllr. M. Wynne were thanked for attending and taking part in the recent Remembrance Service at Llangathen Church.
3. A discussion took part regarding the Brechfa East Wind Farm. Underground cables were regarded as a better option than overhead cables and Cllr. Campbell confirmed that it was CCC intention to campaign for this option.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was resolved that the next meeting of Llangathen Community Council would be held on Tuesday, 20th January 2015 at the Reading Room, Court Henry at 7.30pm.