Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in
Ysgol Llangynnwr School, on Thursday 19th March 2009 at 7.00pm
PRESENT:
APOLOGIES:
Councillor D. Valentine (Chair).
Councillors A. West, G.P. Bevan, R.O. Griffiths, D.I. Davies, S.
Howells, S.H. Thomas, L.K. Carmody, D.E. Williams, J.A. Green
and R.S. Thomas.
Councillors C. M. Jones and E.A. Jones
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr Arundale, Chief Constable, Dyfed Powys Police.
Divisional Commander Chief Superintendant Keith Jones
PC. M Richardson
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CHAIRMAN
With apologies for absence tendered by the Council Chairman the Vice Chair, Cllr D
Valentine chaired the meeting.
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PRESENTATION BY CHIEF CONSTABLE AND THE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT
Mr Arundel and Chief Superintendent Keith Jones were welcomed to the meeting and
proceeded to address the meeting:
i)
Mr Arudale thanked Council for the invitation to the meeting and outlined his
background and police experience previous to his appointment as Chief Constable of
Dyfed Powys Police. He emphasised his committment to police visibility and the
ethos of neighbourhood policing and in that respect, he is regularly ‘out on patrol’.
ii)
Chief Superintendant Keith Jones detailed the historical crime records for the
Carmarthen division and Llangunnor in particular and declared that in his view the
low levels of recorded crime clearly illustrated that Llangunnor can be confidently
deemed a ‘safe’ community.
iii)
Following careful analysis of the numbers of public callers and times of calling at the
Carmarthen Town Police Station it had been agreed for efficiency reasons, to
rationalise access times and confine public opening hours between 8.00am and
8.00pm. This enables the Division to increase its resource deployment for
neighbourhood policing. The public can still gain access via the 999 emergency
number, the published non emergency number [08453302000] and the ‘customer
service’ phones located outside every police station. Officers will target situations by
home visits if necessary.
iv)
The issue of parking on the B4300 in front of the Police HQ is being addressed by
the formation of a ‘travel to work’ plan aimed at reducing the number of employee
vehicles. Unfortunately there is no further parking space on site at present. In
conjunction with the County Highways department the Police Authority is seeking
ways of illiminating parking on the road by designating it as a ‘clearway’.
v)
Both Chief Constable and the Chief Supertintendent declared full support for the
opportunity to establish a ‘public caller surgery’ in Yr Aelwyd, as part of a strategy
for diverse neighbourhood police bases within the division reaching out to the wider
community. The surgery at Yr Aelwyd would be in addition to the established
arrangement in the retail store MATALAN.
vi)
Members utilised the opportunity to ask a variety of questions involving excessive
speeding on local roads, police precept and budget, support for victims of crime,
following which the Chairman warmly thanked both Officers for their thorough
presentations and for their support to the Llangunnor Community.
Chairman and Members warmly thanked both Officers for their attendance and support to
the Llangunnor Community.
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POLICE REPORT
PC Richardson provided a detailed report on his involvement in the community. A
PACT meeting had been poorly attended probably due to lack of publicity and marketing
and in future this will be improved. Vehicle speed monitoring is regularly taking place in
Heol Capel Dewi and should inform the request by Council to the County Highways for the
40mph extension along the road. On going support is given to the Youth Service football
intitave and involves around 15 youngsters from Llangunnnor. Operations have been
initiated to counter the nuisance of ‘boy racers’ in MATALAN parking ground and
enforcable action taken on littering and graffiti. A Member attention to the practice of youths
gathering in the concrete ‘look out shelter’ in the field above the Park. PC Richardson noted
the matter.
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CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Members were reminded to declare any pecuniary interests and appropriately record in the
attendance register.
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MINUTES
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the following meetings as a correct record:
the Monthly Council meeting held on 19th Febuary 2009;
the Planning Committee meeting held on 19th February 2009
Matters arising:
i)
Minute 99: County Director of Regeneration has accepted invitation to attend the
May Council meeting and requests an earlier start. RESOLVED: Agreed to meeting
starting at 6.15pm.
ii)
Minute 101i): Riverside development – work has commenced on the initial phase
from the boat yard to Pont Lesneven.
iii)
Minute 103xvi): Cllr EA Jones provided information on the Mobile Youth Service.
RESOLVED: Clerk to obtain further details.
iv)
Minute 104i):Green bins for rubbish disposal, Llangunnor Road – referring to
previous minutes Council RESOLVED: demand that the County Council remove
the bunkers as already general waste is being dumped alongside the bins.
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LLANGUNNOR PARK
Clerk reported on confirmation received from the County Parks Officer that the Green Flag
Quality Standard Award is run by a national consortium involving Keep Britain Tidy
and Green Space. County Council had decided to make one new application each year
with Penlan Park, Llandeilo being the first one that was submitted in January this year.
Application is quite an onerous process that also requires some capital funding in order to
make the necessary improvements accompanied by a 5 year management plan, which
sets out further improvements over the course of the plan. There is also a need to work
quite closely with various community groups who use the particular facility.
RESOLVED: note the report and thank the Parks Officer for the information.
It was also reported that dates for playground health and safety inspection training courses
were awaited. Clerk confirmed that the ‘Partnership Agreement’ with the County Council
stated that the Community Council would resource the weekly inspection of the Park and
that the County Council would supply the training. Clerk also reminded Council of the
financial implication of conducting weekly inspections.
RESOLVED: Clerk to consult with the Parks Officer on the time commitment associated
with conducting the inspections.
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NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE BASE
Clerk reported on a letter received from the Assistant Chief Executive of County Council
stating that the structural alterations currently undertaken at Yr Aelwyd may mean that the
facility is better able to accommodate the drop-in surgery for the police in future, whereas
previously it had been unable to do so. There is now a distinct possibility that it may be
possible. On completion of the alterations a site visit will be arranged involving County
Councillor Merlin Jones to discuss whether something may be possible. It is stressed that the
final decision for a surgery base rests with the police should suitable accommodation be
identified.
RESOLVED: to note the report and thank the County Council for the response and convey
the Chief Constable’s support for a surgery facility at Yr Aelwyd subject to the needs of the
local Neighbourhood Police Team.
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RIGHTS OF WAY FOOTPATHS IN PENYMORFA
Clerk reported on confirmation received from the County Council that the developer, Mr TI
Davies, had agreed to the dedication of the footpath between Penymorfa and y Talar and the
two footpaths between Bryntywi and Awel Tywi and Llangunnor Road subject to formal
agreements being finalised.
RESOLVED: to note the report.
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REPORTS FROM OTHER GROUPS
One Voice Wales – Area meeting.
Cllr Howells reported on her attendance at the area meeting that had included a presentation
on ‘community websites’ and invitation to submit resolutions to the Un Llais Cymru/One
Voice Wales AGM. RESOLVED: the report be noted.
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MONTHLY ACCOUNTS
RESOLVED: approve the monthly income and expenditure schedule presented by the Clerk
Expenditure: E Williams
Bus Shelters (Feb 09)
57.00
Playing Field (Feb 09)
70.00
I. W. Davies
Salary – March 09
441.74
Office Allowance- March 09 70.00
IT Allowance – March 09
20.00
Office Support – March 09 147.24
Bowen & Weaving 4x Certificate Frames
32.00
Llangunnor School Provide reception for guests
at presentation to H. Gleeson 50.00
Hannah Gleeson
Personal gift for achievement 25.00
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CORRESPONDENCE
RESOLVED: receive the monthly schedule of correspondence and action agreed as
follows:
i)
Welsh Assembly Government:
Posters ‘Have your say on bilingual services’ – displayed on Council noticeboards.
Acknowledgement received to Council’s letter re: Home to School Transport’
ii)
Un Llais Cymru/One Voice Wales
Noted e-trading trial involving community and town councils
Renewal of Annual Membership. RESOLVED: Renew.
Notice of Area meeting at Newcastle Emlyn on 17/03/09 – to Cllrs Howells and D
Valentine.
iii)
Carmarthenshire County Council
Director of Regeneration to attend May Council meeting. RESOLVED: Meeting to
commence at 6.15pm as requested by the Director.
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iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
viii)
ix)
x)
xi)
xii)
xiii)
xiv)
xv)
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Consultation on request to change the street name and post code for ‘Primrose Hill,
Mount Pleasant, Llangunnor. RESOLVED: Request County Council to obtain views
of all residences in the street prior to Communuity Council deliberation.
Details of action undertaken by County Street Scene in Pensarn. RESOLVED:
Convey appreciation for the work done and note that a meeting is to be held with the
Director of Regeneration.
Noted update on the Connect2 cycle path between Johnstown and Pont King Morgan
Noted consultation on the West Wales ‘Shoreline Management Plan Process’
Noted acknowlegement of petition for Heol Capel Dewi 40mph extension
Acceptance of suggested glass bottle bank location in lay-by near Ysgol Llangynnwr
School. RESOLVED: confirm pending consultation with residents in ‘The Cottage’
Noted acknowlegement of request for ‘Halt’ sign in Stephen’s Way, Pensarn
Noted acknowlegement of appeal for 20mph zone in the Penymorfa area.
Financial Appeals: Carmarthen Youth Opera. RESOLVED: Refer to April 2009
meeting
Society of Local Council Clerks: Noted the new qualification certificate designed
for Local Council Clerks in Wales.
Cllr G. Green: Update on ground contamination investigations undertaken at Tywi
View Residential Park and thanks to the Council for their support in respect of the
matter. RESOLVED: to note the situation and the sentiment.
Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales: Noted copies received of
first newsletter.
Ysgol Llangynnwr School: Invitation to attend the presentation to Miss Hannah
Gleeson for her success at the Special Winter Olympics in Idaho, USA.
RESOLVED: Copied to all Members.
Llanelli TUC: Noted notice of organised ‘anti-BNP’ rally at Llanelli on 28th March.
DigitalUK: Noted information on TV signals conversion to digital transmission.
Transmitter conversion dates to note – Preseli 19 August 2009; Carmel 26 August
2009
Calor Village of the Year: Noted details of the national competition for the ‘Calor
Village of the Year’.
World Wildlife Foundation: Noted campaign for all powered lights to be switched
off for 1 hour at 8.30pm on Saturday 28th March 2009 to counter ‘global warming’.
Carmarthenshire Tourism Association: Noted information on the lottery funded
project ‘Tywi – A river through time’ – Llangunnor is outside the project boundary.
HM Revenue and Customs: Annual return documents for submission by 19th May
2009. RESOLVED: Clerk to action.
Noted all other correspondence and promotional material received.
ANY OTHER MATTER: RESOLVED
i)
Refer to County Council:
Poor surface condition of footpath 28/1 [riverside west of Carmarthen Bridge]
Llangunnor end of Pont King Morgan structure needs cleaning.
Fly tipping and litter along former A48 in Nantycaws
Request clearing of pavement between Philadelphia Chapel and Pennant, Nantycaws.
Danger to youths climbing onto steel structure under Pont Cynnwr
Fence bat rear of pavement between Old Llangunnor Road junction and ‘The
Decorating Centre’ Llangunnor Road has further deteriorated and is now a public
safety hazard.
ii)
Boat moored in River Tywi
Request the ‘Admiral of the Port’ to arrange for the removal of the boat moored in
the River Tywi by Carmarthen Bridge displaying protest material.
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