TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PONTARDDULAIS TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON THE 2ND APRIL 2009
PRESENT: Cllr S. Burgess (Mayor) Cllr J. Rees
Cllr D. Richards Cllr R. Waterhouse
Cllr E. Miles Cllr E. Davies
Cllr G. Bateman Cllr D. Beynon
Cllr J. Harris Cllr B. Lewis
Cllr D. Howard-Willis Cllr P. Downing
Cllr C. T. Morgan
Prior to commencement of business the Mayor invited questions from members of the public. The Chairman of Pontarddulais Partnership referred to the possible closure of Pontarddulais Leisure Centre and queried whether the Town Council could do anything to prevent the closure. Members were unanimous in their condemnation of any decision by the City and County of Swansea to close the leisure centre and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk writes to Mr Phil Roberts, Director of Regeneration with copies to County Councillor Graham Thomas, Cabinet Minister for Culture, Recreation and Tourism , Mr Martin Caton M.P., Mrs Edwina Hart, A.M. and the two local County Councillors.
132. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P. Penry and P. Waterhouse. Cllr R. Waterhouse wished it minuted that Cllr P. Waterhouse’s absence was due to her undergoing another major operation.
133. TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST FROM MEMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL’S CODE OF CONDUCT:
There were no declarations of personal interest received.
134. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 5TH MARCH 2009:
The above minutes were accepted as a true record.
(a) eTrading for Community and Town Councils (Min No 126(l)):
The Clerk advised Members that he had met with a representative from the Welsh Assembly Government who was hoping to have approximately 22 local councils to trial the exchangewales programme.
(b) St Teilo Church and Capel y Triniti, Pontarddulais (Min No 126(n)):
The Clerk reported letters of thanks from St Teilo Church and Capel y Goppa following graveyard maintenance grants from the Council.
(c) To consider requests for financial assistance from various organisations (Min No 129):
The Clerk reported letters of thanks from the following organisations following receipt of financial assistance:- Pontarddulais Senior Citizens, Wales Air Ambulance, Pontarddulais Town Band, Age Concern Pontarddulais, Pontarddulais & District Community Car Scheme, Pontarddulais & Hendy Disabled Association, Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Pontarddulais U3A.
135. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITEE MEETING HELD ON THE 17TH MARCH 2009:
Cllr J. Rees, Chairperson of the above committee, reported on the above minutes. Members agreed to discuss the recommendations of the committee concerning the new Financial Regulations and Grant Awarding Policy.
(a) Financial Regulations:
RESOLVED to adopt and approve the new Financial Regulations.
(b) Grant Awarding Policy:
Members considered the draft Grant Awarding Policy and discussed each policy item. RESOLVED that the Grant Awarding Policy be adopted and approved in its entirety with the addition of “Applicants should consider the bilingual nature of the Council”. Cllr E. Miles agreed to translate the policy.
136. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE WELSH LANGUAGE WORKING GROUP MEETING HELD ON THE 26TH MARCH 2009:
Cllr E. Miles, Chairperson of the above group, reported on the above minutes. It was agreed that the policy be sent to the Welsh Language Board for approval. Cllr Miles agreed to translate the policy. Cllr Bateman thanked Cllr Miles for her work in producing the policy.
137. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE “PARTY IN THE PARK” COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THE 31ST MARCH 2009:
Cllr J. Rees, Chairperson of the above committee, reported on the above minutes. The following recommendations were confirmed:
(a) Party in the Park:
RESOLVED that the Council organises a concert in Coedbach Park in the summer, headed by the same tribute band as last year and supported by a Welsh language group. There would not be any entrance charge and Dragon Events would be invited to provide refreshments, toilet favilities etc.
(b) Quiz Night:
RESOLVED that the Council organises another Quiz Night on the Wednesday before Carnival Day. Refreshments would be provided by the same caterer as last year.
(c) Committee name:
RESOLVED that the committee be renamed the “Special Events Committee”.
(d) Carnival Parade:
RESOLVED not to agree to the Festival Committee’s request that the Council provides entertainment in the Dulais Glen Gardens during the carnival parade.
138. TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS (3 CLEAR DAYS NOTICE OF ANY QUESTION HAVING BEEN GIVEN TO THE PERSON TO WHOM IT IS ADDRESSED):
The Clerk reported a letter from Cllr Beynon regarding the possible closure of the Pontarddulais Leisure Centre. It was accepted that this matter had been discussed under public question time.
139. TO RECEIVE CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE CLERK:
A. CORRESPONDENCE:
The following correspondence was received and noted:
(a) Welsh Assembly Government – invitation to visit the National Assembly Senedd building;
(b) National Assembly for Wales – Call for evidence – announcement of committee enquiry: the operation on CAFCASS in Wales;
(c) City and County of Swansea – confirmation that Cllr G. Bateman had been appointed as a member on the Community Councills Standards Sub-Committee;
(d) Town Signage:
The Clerk reported two e-mail from the City and County of Swansea advising of the cost of providing signage and that the signs for “Pentrebach” and Garnswllt Road” had been erected. It was agreed to proceed with two new “Pentrebach” signs and the addition of “Twinned with Cobh” on existing street furniture. It was also agreed to inform the County that the signs should be bilingual. Cllr Lewis stated that the “Pentrebach” and “Garnswllt Road” signs had not been erected as yet.
(e) Young People’s Drop-In Centre for Pontarddulais:
The Clerk reported a letter from Pontarddulais Partnership advising that they were hopeful of purchasing a building to develop into a centre for young people. RESOLVED to support in principle the Partnership’s proposal. The Clerk advised Members that they would not be able to commit to any financial support until such time as proposed expenditure figures were known.
(f) “Youth Action”:
The Clerk reported an e-mail from Swansea Youth Service requesting £600 (six hundred pounds) from the Council to support youth workshops and delivering an OCN in Peer Mentoring. On being put to a vote there were 6 Members for the request and 6 against the request. The Mayor gave her casting vote in favour of the request.
140. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDE REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR:
The Mayor reported on her civic duties for the month and reminded Members that she was arranging a Charity Music Evening in Pontarddulais RFC on the 1st May 2009.
140. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES:
Cllr Bateman reported on the Kidney Walk for Life and advised Members that she was hopeful that the walk would raise in excess of £1500 for the Kidney Wales Foundation. Cllr J. Rees thanked Cllr Bateman for organising the walk. It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to the proprietor of Pontarddulais Garden Centre for providing free refreshments for the walkers and for his kind donation.
Cllr Beynon reported on the last PACT meeting and expressed his disappointment at the poor turnout from members of the community.
Cllr Downing reported on the Primary Schoool Governors meeting and stated that new classrooms were to be built with the removal of the existing demountables.
141. TO AUTHORISE AND APPROVE THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2009:
See Appendix “A”
The March expenditure was authorised and approved.
142. TO RECEIVE PLANNING APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY CONSIDERED BY THE ESTATES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
(i) Cwmdulais Farm, Cwmdulais, Pontarddulais – use of land as livery stable, retention of stable block, alterations to access & formation of tracks, retention of pond & new storage barn;
(ii) Land off Trinity Street, Pontarddulais – proposed to re-site 3 spans of 11kV overhead line to allow for development.