Minutes of Monthly Council Meeting held on Monday 24th March 2014 at Port Eynon Village Hall.
The meeting commenced at 7:30 pm.
Present: Mr. G.Evans, Mr. S. Heard, Mr. G. Jones, Mrs. L. Newland and Mrs. P. Pritchard.
Apologies for Absence: Mr. R. Fisher, and Mr. Tom Roderick.
In attendance: Mr. B. Stubbings (clerk),
Chair person: In the absence through sickness of Cllr. Fisher, Cllr. Evans chaired the meeting.
021/14. Declarations of Interest: Cllr Newland in respect of planning applications for caravan sites.
022/14 Minutes of Last Meeting (February 2014):
The minutes were proposed to be accepted as a true record by Cllr. Jones, the proposal was seconded by Cllr. Pritchard and agreed by all. The minutes were then signed by the chairperson.
023/14. Matters Arising:
Jubilee Commemoration Bench Seats – Proposed by Cllr newland, seconded by Cllr. Pritchard and agreed by all, to proceed with purchase of three MMT bench seats from ‘The Notice Board Company’ and one oak seat from Gower Oak Company. Subject to verification of installation costs. Clerk reported that he was in receipt of a second quotation for installation of the four bench seats at £1,000 in total. (First quotation was from C&CS for £1,200 in total). Clerk was directed to check with standing orders and if necessary obtain a third quotation, before the order could be placed.
Flooding at Scurlage.
Clerk reported that Natural Resources Wales had carried out clearance of overgrowing trees, bushes etc and removal of accumulated rubbish to the Burry Pill from Flitters Hall to Burry, which together with previous works from Burry to Stembridge should assist in relief of flooding.
Llandewi Village Hall – Cllr. Jones reported that minor repairs and decorations were continuing but that a large window needed replacing and the management committee had enquired of him whether the Community Council would be able to fund the replacement costs. Council noted that the Hall had suffered a loss of revenue since the Council had discontinued its meetings. It was agreed to hold a more extensive discussion at the April meeting.
Billy Gibb Statue – Council noted that cleaning and restoration work appears to have been undertaken in past few weeks. (Clerk subsequently advised by Cllr. Evans that the RNLI had funded the cleaning and restoration).
Bus Shelters – Clerk was directed to clearly establish the ownership of the existing shelters. Also to approach C&CS to install seats, if necessary at the Community Councils expense. Proposed by Cllr. Pritchard, seconded by Cllr. Newland and agreed by all.
Scurlage Green – Clerk apologised for omitting this item from the minutes of the February meeting. In the absence of Cllr. Fisher, who had agreed to draw up a master plan for improvemenst to be discussed at this meeting, it was not possible to take the matter further. Cllr, Pritchard pointed out that a key item was the creation of wild flower planting areas. She had now obtained details including suppliers of seeds but was concerned that the ground needed to be prepared before the end of April. Clerk to follow up with Cllr. Fisher.
024/14. Finance:
Clerk advised that the current bank balances were as follows:
- Current Account £868
- Savings Account £15,251
- Knelston Burial Ground Account £675
There were at present the following financial commitments:
- Bench seats (4 no.) – £2,500
025/14. Planning:
From previous applications:
2013/1238 Commercial Premises, Llandewi – Certificate of Lawful Development. Council had issues with the procedure adopted and details contained in the application but considered that overall this business venture should be supported. Approved as ‘on the balance of probability the building was originally erected and used as a garage/workshop’.
2014/0091 New House Farm, Overton – New enclosed porch, rooflights and solar panels. Council considered the application together with other extensive works carried out recently and unanimously agreed that approval should be recommended. Decision pending.
2014/0101 – 12, The Boarlands, port eynon – Provision of dormer roof extension and conversion of attic space. Council considered the application, noted that there appeared to be no overlooking issues and unanimously agreed that approval should be recommended. Refused as the extension would fail to respect the character and appearance of the main dwelling and would appear as an incongruous and discordant feature to the detriment of the visual amenities of the locality and Port Eynon Conservation Area’.
2014/0207 Gower Holiday Village, Scurlage – Amendment of licensing conditions to permit all year round occupation of two holiday chalets. Council considered the application together with other recent applications for this site. It was noted that off-season repair and decoration works could be provided by local tradespersons without the need for residential accommodation, also residential accommodation had been made available for staff at both the fast food Outlet and The Countryman which did not appear to be utilised or taken into account in this application. Council was unanimouslyof the opinion that approval was not justified, would set a dangerous precedent for permanent occupation and recommended it should not be approved. Decision pending.
New Applications:
2014/0239 Frogmoor Cottage, Knelston – Extension to existing garden shed. Council noted that the existing garden shed was remote from the main dwelling, of timber construction approximately 3.2m square and 3.9m high. The proposed extension would increase the size to 3.2m by 5m and was below the eaves of the existing shed. The council saw no reason for the application to be refused.
2014/0250 Moor Corner Farm, Port Eynon – License for Touring caravans. Council noted that the license had been granted for anumber of years for the same location and saw no reason for the application to be refused.
2014/0298 South Gower Sports Club – License for Siting of up to 100 tents in July/August. Council noted that the application was four weekends from mid July to mid August. Concerns were expressed that 100 units could generate up to 1000 persons and that the reliance on the existing sports facilities, which were of a limited and communal nature, was unrealistic. Council noted that existing permanent camp site provisions had proven adequate in the past few years; also that ‘overspill’ facilities had recently been approved within a few yards of this site, to cater for the unlikely event that permanent faciilties were overloaded. Further that the proposed site would be in very close proximity to the recently constructed houses. Council were of the opinion by a majority of 4:1 that approval for such a large provision should not be made.
026/14 Footpaths.
Clerk reported that he had no feedback from C&CS.
027/14 Correspondence:
Clerk provided a resume of correspondence received from mid-January to date.
028/14 Knelston Burial Ground.
There were no matters to be considered.
029/14 Notice Boards & Web Site
Clerk advised that the initial stage of development of the web site had been completed and he was liaising with the consultant. He requested that Councillors should provide a suitable photograph (head and shoulders) that could be included in the web site detail page on the councillors.
030/14 Any Other Business:
Cllr. Evans reported that he was recently at Llanddewi Corner and noticed that the road surface had subsided near to the rock gabions, also that there was considerable erosion round cast iron covers creating hazards to motorists and cyclists.
Cllr. Newland conveyed a request from the Port Eynon Village Hall Committee to the community council to fund the replacement of the notice board at the village hall. After discussion it was proposed by Cllr Heard, seconded by Cllr Pritchard that an offer be made to match any funding by the Hall committee.
Cllr. Newland advised that she had received representations from local residents expressing concern over the works currently being carried out within Carreglwyd Caravan Site. It would appear that extensive re-profiling of the ground was being undertaken and this was causing noise and general environmental disturbance. Clerk was directed to take up with C&CS Environmental Dept.
Date of Next Meeting: Monday 14th April 2014 at 7:30 pm. at Port Eynon Village Hall.
Meeting closed at 9:15 pm. Chairman
B. J. Stubbings, (Clerk) R. Fisher