Port Eynon Community Council
Minutes of monthly Council meeting held on 16th October 2017
Present Councillors Robert Fisher, Sheila Fisher, Steven Young
Apologies Councillor Gareth Evans
In attendance Mr.Barry Stubbings – Clerk
Mr. Martin Cox of Port Eynon.
Mr. Peter Beynon of City & County of Swansea, with responsibility for Foreshore Management.
Chair Councillor Robert Fisher took the Chair
Declarations None.
The Chair invited Mr. Peter Beynon to address the meeting.
Mr. Beynon informed Council that C&CS were currently reviewing the assets of the Council, and among these were the current four ‘blue flag’ beaches’ Bracewell, Caswell, Port Eynon and Rhossilli. Provision will be made in an amended Rural Development Plan to protect and improve the status of these beaches. From this, Port Eynon could be eleigible for funding to implement a study on measures to improve public facilities that will give rise to a general improvement in the visitor experience.
A feasibility study will therefore be conducted in 2018 with regard to creating a working document that can then open sources for funding future improvements.
There was a general discussion on past similar programmes such as the recent ‘Green Seas’ initiative and the very limited impact that these had made on the overall visitor experience. Also subsequent negative impacts on some improvements, such as signage, car-parking etc., which are caused by a less than sympathetic approach of other Council Departments.
Mr. Beynon was pleased to have had this opportunity to address the Council and appraise them of these developments. He would endeavour to keep the Council appraised of developments and was available for further consultation and discussion. Mr. Beynon then left the meeting.
Minutes Clerk confirmed that the minutes of the last meeting held on 18th September 2017 had been circulated, posted on the notice boards and on the web site.
There were no requested amendments.
It was proposed by Councillor Shiela Fisher, and seconded by Councillor Stephen Young that the minutes be accepted and agreed by all.
Matters Arising CASUAL SIGNS: Councillors expressed their continued concern over the presence of casual signs at the junction between Port Eynon Road and Rhossilli Road in Scurlage. They presented a clear risk to all road users. Cllr. Steve Young advised that he had been in discussion with Mr. Rod Latham of C&CS Planning Enforcement, who had advised that C&CS were aware of legal issues which prevented their direct intervention and removal of the signs.
BUS SERVICES: Councillors similarly expressed their concern over the continued practice of NAT bus company to have two or more busses parked in or opposite the bus bay at Scurlage which was also leading to a high risk of vehicle accidents.
PORT EYNON VILLAGE GREEN: Clerk advised that he had received communication from Eaton Fencing that the works at Port Eynon Village Green would be carried out this month.
WAR MEMORIAL: chair advised that he had been in discussion with a Monumental Mason who would prepare a proposal for the memorial and should be able to present these proposals to council at the next meeting.
Finance Clerk advise that there had been no income or expenditure in past four weeks and unallocated reserves currently stood at £7,990.
Committed expenditure was presently:
Port Eynon Village Green – £2,000
Scurlage Village Green – £1,000
War Memorial at Scurlage – £7,000.
Discussion took place to include in the planned works for Scurlage Green to include a string of timber posts along Monksland Road at its junction with Salisbury Close sufficient to discourage motorists taking a short cut across the Green. Estimated cost based on similar work at Port Eynon would be £1,500. Also to construct a paved path across the Green from the vicinity of Nos 9/10 Monksland Road to link with the path to the Sports Ground. This would eventually replace the existing path which was considered to create a conflict between pedestrians and vehicle movements outside the village stores. Estimated cost £1,000.
Planning Clerk provided a resume of previous applications.
Application 2016/3587 Foxwood Overton. Conversion of barn to semi-detached holiday cottages. Council considered the application to be sympathetic to its surroundings and generally acceptable. Application refused and appeal lodged.
Application 2017/0350 Orchard Green, Knelston Replacement dwelling. Council considered the existing bungalow to be of sub-standard construction and inadequate for present usage. Acceptance was recommended. Decision pending.
Application 2017/0725 Gower Holiday Village. Permit for temporary use of field for the siting of 64 touring caravan pitches from the 1st of June to the 5th of September. Application refused on 31 May 2017. Appeal lodged on 25th September 2017 – 2017/0066 and under consideration.
Application 2017 1787 Frog Moor Farm, Proposed part single part two storey side and rear extensions. Council considered the application and whilst of the opinion that the extensions were substantial and would alter the nature and appearance of the original building, they were unanimously agreed that they were in general acceptable. Decision pending.
Application 2017 1798 Newpark Holiday Park. Proposed demolition of existing office and shop building and replacement by a pitch to accommodate a double static caravan unit with occupation for 10 months of the year. Councillor Fisher provided a background to this new application which superceded similar previous rejected applications. He then left the meeting whilst consideration was made. Council determined, by majority,
- There was no objection to the proposed demolition work.
- There was no objection to the siting of a double static caravan unit provided that this was within the overall license conditions for the site.
- The occupation of this additional unit should be the same as the present license conditions for the site.
Application approved on 5th October 2017 – for holiday occupation 15th March to 15th January only.
Councillor Steven Young enquired as to the status of the application by Gower Holiday Village for use of the field adjoining the village as a camping and caravan site. Clerk advised that he was not yet in receipt of the findings of the Planning Appeal Board.
Highways and Footpaths
Cllr Sheila Fisher advised that she had been in discussion with C&CS with regard to action being taken to eliminate the occurrence of Japanese knotweed in Berry Lane.
Councillors expressed concern over the poor road surface of Monksland Road and the need for re-surfacing.
It was noted that the finger sign directing to the Village Hall, at the highway junction near the Ship Inn had been recently destroyed and replacement was required.
Communications
Clerk advised that the audited accounts were available on the web site.
Village Halls
Councillor Steve Young reported that he had attended the recent meeting of the Port Eynon Village Hall Committee on behalf of Cllr. Robert Fisher. He advised that there were no items of note discussed at that meeting.
Cllr’s. expressed concern that no action had been taken with regard to the boundary encroachment from Highfield Caravan Park. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the Park Owners establishing the fact and requesting corrective action.
Clerk reported that he was in communication with Llanddewi Village Hall Trustees and attempting to establish a convenient time for a meeting.
Any Other Business
Cllr. Sheila Fisher advised that she had been in discussion with the new Head Teacher at Knelston School and that he had agreed to the Council making use of the school for future monthly meetings.
There being no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 9 30 pm.
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Barry Stubbings (Clerk) Robert Fisher (Chair)