PORT EYNON COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of Monthly Council Meeting held on

 Monday 25^th January 2016 at Port Eynon Village Hall.

 

The meeting commenced at 7:30 pm.

 

Present:                                  Cllr. G.Evans, Cllr. R. Fisher, Cllr. Mrs. S. Fisher, Cllr. G. Jones, Cllr. Mrs. Ann Stott and Cllr, Andrew Milligan

 

Apologies for Absence:         Cllr. Mrs. L. Newland

 

In attendance:                        City Cllr. Richard Lewis

Mr. B. Stubbings (clerk),

 

Chair person:                         Cllr. R. Fisher took the Chair.

 

001/16.  Declarations of Interest:     None

 

002/16  Flooding

 

Cllr. Lewis had been requested to attend this meeting to review the recent incidences of flooding in the Scurlage – Llanddewi corridor. In particular the extended closure of the A4118 at Llanddewi corner, and the flooding of properties at Berry Lane.

 

Cllr. Lewis remarked that there was a general worsening of the situation due to more persistent rainfall and an increase in ground water tables throughout the area. He further commented that the extent and timing of maintenance of water courses by the City Council may also have led to the recent problems. Work had now been put in hand to clean and regrade the water courses from Scurlage all the way through to Burry Alley, as well as the holding lagoon at Llanddewi.

 

Cllr Sheila Fisher pointed out that the recent housing developments at Scurlage and the  new agricultural buildings at Scurlage farm have all led to significant increases in rain water run off. The practice of relying on soakaways to accommodate the run off from buildings and paved surfaces was clearly not working. Cllr. Robert Fisher added that shallow soakaways were ineffective when the ground was as saturated, as it has been in the winter months. Also there was no provision in the planning process for new developments, to ensure that soakaways were maintained and renewed when necessary.

 

Cllr. Scott pointed out that present practice of maintenance of hedges and verges was contributing to the problem as the debris generated was swept into the drainage ditches and accumulated there.

 

Cllr. Robert Fisher pointed out that after the issues of flooding of Mrs Lewis’ house at the bottom of Berry Lane in 2014. The City council had made no effort to prevent a re-occurrence. Cllr. Lewis ventured the opinion that the house, being of traditional cottage construction without a solid floor, would always be subject to flooding. Mrs. Lewis has now been provided with alternate accommodation by Sketty Housing Association.

 

Cllr Robert Fisher enquired of Cllr Lewis what measures could be taken to control traffic speed through Scurlage.

 

Cllr. Gareth Evans enquired of Cllr. Lewis what measures could eb done to improve the tourist experience, particularly in Port Eynon. Cllr Robert Fisher added that Gower was the so-called jewel in the crown of Swansea City Council and generated substantial income for the City but little was done to maintain or improve the image. Cllr Evans pointed out that there were simple measures like clearing the brambles from the areas of the Port Eynon water frontage that would enhance the impression gained of a visit to Gower.

 

Cllr. Robert Fisher thanked Cllr. Lewis for taking the time to attend this meeting.

 

002/16 Minutes of Last Meeting (November 2015):

 

The minutes were proposed to be accepted as a true record by Cllr. S. Fisher, the proposal was seconded by Cllr, G. Jones and agreed by all.  The minutes were signed by the chairperson.

 

003/16.  Matters Arising from previous Meeting:

 

Bench seat at Overton – Clerk advised that an order had been placed and delivery was awaited. Cllr. Gareth jones advised that once we had the bench to hand he would carry out the ground works.

 

Scurlage Green – Vehicles continue to be driven across the Green. It was agreed that the most effective control would be to re-establish the posts or stones along the edge of the green fronting the A4118. Clerk to write to Sketty Housing Assn. to inform them of proposal to place 15 cm. diameter posts at 2 metre centres rising to say 30cm above the ground.

 

Defibrillators – Noted that a suitable site in Overton could not be found.

 

004/16.  Finance:

 

Clerk advised that there had been no income or expenditure in the past month and the bank balances were as follows:

 

Current Account         £9,460

Savings Account         £5,255

Knelston Burial Ground Account       £675

 

The following funding commitments have been made and are carried forward:

 

Wooden bench seat (1 no) at Overton – £500

Scurlage Green Improvements – £2,000

Port Eynon village green improvements – £2,000.

 

Clerk advised that the City council required notification of the precept requested for 2016/17, and recommended that the precept remained unchanged at £5,500. Cllr. Gareth  Evans proposed that the precept be £5500, seconded by Cllr Sheila Fisher and agreed by all.

 

005/16.  Planning:

From Previous applications

 

2015/1502 Lake farm, Llandewi Erection of new agricultural building. Council agreed to support this application. Permission granted.

 

2015/1892 The Rickyard, Port Eynon Construction of three new detached dwellimgs.

Council noted that a previous application for construction of three dwellings on this site had been approved in application 2011/1389. Council further noted that the original application had not been supported and that the new application did not address any of the concerns that had been previously made. Council agreed by majority that theis application should be reluctantly accepted and reference should be made to those comments previously raised. Permission granted on 23^rd December 2015.

 

New applications :

2015/2323 Salt Cottage, Port Eynon. Repair and reconstruction of Sea Wall. Council noted that this new application was for more extensive reconstruction. Council considered the works to be of an essential nature and recommended approval.

 

2015/2362 Scurlage Farm, Scurlage. Removal of agricultural buildings and construction of four new houses.  Council noted that this site had been included in the LDP. Councillors noted that the access to the development was via the road junction between Berry Lane and the A4118. This was already proving dangerous and no measures are proposed to improve it. Councillors further noted that the development was reliant on shallow soakaways for the disposal of rain water and that this had proved unacceptable for other neighbouring recent developments. Recommendation should be made for attenuation tests to be carried out.  Proposal was otherwise considered to be acceptable

 

006/16 Highways & Footpaths.

 

Scurlage – Cllr. Robert Fisher again stressed the need for traffic speed control measures in Scurlage, particularly for through traffic to and from Port Eynon. Clerk was requested to arrange for speed monitoring to be provided by C&CS. Also that a request be made for highways department to consider the creation of a small roundabout which would serve the purpose of reducing traffic speed and improving safety at the junction.

 

Trumpet Lane – Councillors repeated their concerns over the closure of Trumpet Lane as parts were in regular use. Clerk to query current position.

 

Salisbury Close – Parking continued to be a serious issue among residents. It was suggested that an approach be made to Sketty Housing Assn. to remove some of the grassed areas and replace with paving.  Consideration could also be given to the creation of ‘Residents Parking Bays and issue of Residents Parking Permits on an allocation per household. Clerk to write.

 

Monksland Road – it was noted that at least two of the street lights were not working.

 

007/16 Correspondence:

 

Clerk provide a resume of correspondence received.

 

008/16 Knelston Burial Ground.  Nothing to report.

 

009/16 Village Halls – Nothing to report

 

010/16 Communications  Nothing to report.

 

011/16 Any Other Business: – None.

 

Date of Next Meeting: Monday 22^nd  February 2016 at 7:30 pm. at Port Eynon Village Hall.

 

Meeting closed at 9:30 pm.                                                                Chairman

 

 

1. J. Stubbings, (Clerk)                                                                       R. Fisher

PORT EYNON COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

DRAFT – UNCONFIRMED

 

Minutes of Monthly Council Meeting held on

 Monday 20^th June 2016 at Port Eynon Village Hall.

 

The meeting commenced at 7:30 pm.

 

Present:                                                  Cllr. G.Evans, Cllr. R. Fisher, Cllr. Mrs. S. Fisher, Cllr. G. Jones,and  Cllr. Mrs. L. Newland,

 

 

Apologies for Absence:                         Cllr. Mrs. Ann Scott and Cllr. A. Milligan

 

In attendance:                                        Mr. B. Stubbings (clerk),

 

Chair person:                                        Cllr. R. Fisher took the Chair.

 

Declarations of Interest:                       Cllr. Mrs. L. Newland re Gower Holiday Village

 

 

053/16 Minutes of Last Meeting (May 2016):

 

The minutes were proposed to be accepted as a true record by Cllr. Mrs S. Fisher, the proposal was seconded by Cllr. Mrs. L. Newland and agreed by all.  The minutes were signed by the chairperson.

 

054/16.  Matters Arising from previous Meeting:

 

 

Scurlage Green – The Chairman requested that the installation of timber posts should now be proceeded with. Cllr. G. Jones offered to obtain prices for suitable posts.

 

Commemorative Coins – Cllr. S. Fisher advised that she had requested the supplier to forward their invoice to the clerk. Cllr. S Fisher passed round a thank you card received from the school children and it was agreed to place a copy on the web site.

 

055/16.  Finance:

 

Clerk tabled an updated Cash Book status. He advised that there had been no income or expenditure in the past month. The bank balances were presently as follows:

 

Current Account     £9,460

Savings Account     £5,255

Knelston Burial Ground Account           £675

 

Payments were outstanding for installation of the Overton seat (£350); the bramble clearance at Port Eynon (£130) and for the commemorative coins (approx. £250) Cllr G Evans proposed that these paymnts be made, Cllr Mrs L Newland seconded the proposal and all were in agreement.

 

The following funding commitments have been made and are carried forward:

 

 

Scurlage Green Improvements – £2,000

Port Eynon Village Green improvements – £2,000.

 

 

056/16.  Planning:

From Previous applications

 

2016/0514 Scurlage Farm – 4 new dwellings. Council noted that this was a revised application which superceded the previous. Council also noted that the changes were of a minimal nature, in that the width of the two ‘barn’ buildings was reduced and the windows had been limited to skylights; both in response to the proximity of the development to the neighbouring houses. It was noted that the application included a drainage report, however the report appeared to only substantiate the plan to dispose of surface water by soakaways and ground infiltration. Council noted that during most of the year the present usage of the site could not cope with such a drainage solution and that this was contributing to the flooding of Corner Cottage. The increase in built and paved area will most likely make the situation worse. Council noted that there had been no attempt to address the adequacy of the road junction of Berry Lane and Port Eynon Road.  18^th May 2016 Permission refused as an unjustified residential development within the countryside.

 

2016/0524 Monksland Road Scurlage. Clerk advised that although this application had appeared on the weekly list of applications no papers had been received by the Council. He therefore could not advise on the details of the application. Cllr. R. Fisher advised that he understood that work was likely to commence within the next month. Access to the site would be via the lane adjacent to Ash Croft. He was of the opinion that problems still existed concerning drainage of the development which would rely on soakaways, even though rock existed within two metres of the surface. Also that inadequate parking was proposed. Application withdrawn

 

2015/1657 The Monksland Scurlage – Appeal for Permit for 64 units of Touring Caravans for three months. Council considered the grounds given for appeal and noted that the claims for a permit on the grounds of providing an overspill facility were not supported by local caravan site owners who had not experienced full occupancy in the past three years. Council also questioned the claims that the site would generate more than 20 full time jobs for the three months of operation, or that the continued viability of ‘The Monksland’ was dependent on this application being granted. Clerk was directed to respond to the Appeal document accordingly. Appeal decision pending.

 

2016/0471 Bank Farm, Castle Scurlage – Erection of marquee and permit for 125 units of camping both for 3 days of 10^th to 12^th June 2016  in conjunction with annual convention of West Wales Motor Cycle Club. Council noted that this event had been held for a number of years and had been well managed leading to no complaints or criticisms from local residents. It was agreed unanimously to reccommend approval. 20 April 2016 permission granted.

 

2016/0680 Adjacent to Hawthorn Cottage, Scurlage. – Outline planning permission for a single dwelling house. Council noted that there had been a previous application for outline permission over ten years ago which had been granted but had since lapsed. After discussion it was agreed that a number of changes had occurred in the vicinity of this site since the previous application. In particular Council considered that the proposed access would result in conflict with the bus lay by and was not to be recommended given the volume and speed of traffic using the A4118 at this location. It was considered that access should be taken from Monksland Road, as was required of the adjoining development. Concern should also again be raised of the unsatisfactory state of mains drainage serving this area and of flooding of this area. Decision pending.

 

New applications :

 

2016/1088 Berry Farm, Scurlage. – New agricultural barn. Council noted location and size of the new barn (approx. 18m by 12m.) and queried the height to eaves of only 3.7m. noting that whilst this rendered the barn more sympathetic to the surrounding buildings it would be of restricted use for access and storage. Council unanimously recommended approval.

 

057/16 Highways & Footpaths.

 

Councillors noted that there the void in the road surface between near to the entrance to Mr. John Mumby’s field was still present and required levelling. Clerk to action.

 

Also there was a large pothole in the vicinity of 18 and 20 Monksland Road. Clerk again to action.

 

Cllr Newland advised that shew as in receipt of complaints from residents regarding the overgrown verges in the Port Eynon area. Two way traffic on the Port Eynon road was no longer possible and vision at bends and junctions was severely impeded. Also all of the road signs were obscured.

 

After discussion it was again agreed to raise with the City council permission for the Community Council to carry out verge trimming subject to a cross funding arrangement.

 

Cllr. Jones advised that he had received a complaint from a resident concerning the overgrown hedges at the junction of Trumpet Lane in Knelston which obscured vision for traffic leaving Trumpet Lane.

 

Cllr Evans advised that the drainage to the disabled parking bays at Port Eynon had once again become blocked with sand and required thorough cleaning.

 

Cllr Fisher advised that the road signage for the site access to the housing development at Monksland Road was not in conformity with the submitted plans and traffic management statement resulting in large vehicles ‘missing’ the site access and trying to access the site via Monksland Road. He had taken the matter up with the City Council.

 

058/16 Correspondence:

 

• Council further discussed the Letter from South Gower Sports Club which questioned the action of the Community Council in issuing a notice to residents concerning the planning application for camping and the wording of the Council’s letter of objection to City Planning Dept. A draft response was agreed and Clerk was directed to finalise and respond to the Sports Club.
• Series of e-mail communications from a resident concerning the actions of the Council in the election and co-option of Councillors. Again a draft response was agreed and Clerk was directed to finalise and respond to the complainant.

 

059/16 Knelston Burial Ground.  Nothing to report.

 

060/16 Village Halls –

Port Eynon – Clerk advised that he was waiting for pegging of the boundary to be completed.

Port Eynon Green – Council discussed measures to control parking on the green and agreed that a suitable solution would be to install timber posts similar to those at Scurlage Green. It was noted that access would need to be maintained to the electricity sub-station. It was agreed to proceed with drawing up an outline plan and obtaining quotations.

Llandewi Hall – nothing to report.

.

061/16 Communications –  Cllr R Fisher would continue to liaise with Mr Tony Wright of AW Graphics concerning a newsletter.

 

062/16 Any Other Business:

 

After discussion it was agreed to look again at the registration of Port Eynon Green as a village green.

 

Councillors noted that the water supply pressure in the Port Eynon area had been very low. It was agreed to keep the matter under observation.

 

Cllr Evans advised that there had been foul odours in the area of Boarlands and Overton and on inquiry to Welsh Water they advised that there had been some difficulties in managing the water treatment plant at Overton.

 

Date of Next Meeting: Monday 18^th July 2016 at 7:30 pm  in the  Port Eynon Village Hall.

 

Meeting closed at 9:30 pm.                                                                                    Chairman

 

 

1. J. Stubbings, (Clerk) R. Fisher