Port Eynon Community Council

 

Minutes of monthly Council meeting held on 19^th September 2017

 

Present                Councilors Gareth Evans, Robert Fisher, Sheila Fisher, Gareth Jones, Steven Young

 

Apologies            None

 

In attendance    Clerk Barry Stubbings

 

Public                    Martin Cox of Port Eynon, Peter Williams of Scurlage.

 

Chair                      Councillor Robert Fisher took the Chair

 

Declarations       Councillor Robert Fisher declared an interest in the planning application 2017 1798, Newpark Holiday Park.

 

Minutes               Clerk confirmed that the minutes of the last meeting held on 23^rd July 2017 had been circulated, posted on the notice boards and on the web site.

Minute 040 17 was amended to remove the reference to 50 per cent of the production cost of the newsletter.

With ths amendment it was proposed by Councillor Shiela Fisher, and seconded by Councillor Gareth Evans that the minutes be accepted and agreed by all.

 

Matters Arising 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 and the failure of the City Council to take action was irresponsible.

 

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.

 

Clerk advised that he had been chasing Eaton fencing to carry out the work at Port Eynon Village Green but with little success. Council agreed that if there was no progress in the next four weeks the order should be cancelled and a new order placed with those responsible for the second lowest quotation.

 

Clerk advised that with the considerable help of Councillor Evans he had been in discussion with the masons and the suppliers responsible for the memorial outside Pennard Community Hall. Clerk stressed that before proceeding any further the Council must make a decision on the form of the memorial. Council should also bear in mind that 2018 would be a significant year in terms of the anniversary of the conclusion of the First World War. Chair requested all Councillors to be prepared to discuss at the October meeting and to come to a decision.

 

Planning               Clerk provided a resume of previous applications.

 

Application 2017 1781 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.

 

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.

 

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

 

Councillor Young enquired a sto the status of the short footpath adjoining Milestone Court and providing access to the Sports Ground. It was concluded that the footpath was part of the Milestone Court development. It was agreed that an approach should be made to the developer, Purnell Construction, to clear the path of rubbish and to trim the overhanging tree branches.

 

Councillor Robert Fisher noted that the road surface for the link between Monksland Road and the A4118 was very slippery when wet and should be referred to City Council for corrective measures.

 

Councillor Robert Fisher noted that one of the Scurlage Village Signs was missing at Llanddewi Corner and the other two were in poor repair. Discussion took place at to replacing the village signs with an ornamental wall sign.

 

Councillor Gareth Jones expressed concern over the small grass triangle at junction of A4118 with Llanddewi Lane and whether this should have an enforced keep left practice.

 

Council noted that the road gullies outside Holly Cottage in Port Eynon were blocked.

 

Councillor Sheila Fisher advised that she had reported to City Council  the presence of Japanese Knotweed in Berry Lane, however there appeared to be a need to refer to Penrice Eatates.

 

Village Halls

 

Councillor Robert Fisher reported that he had attended the last meeting of the Port Eynon Village Hall where the Committee had discussed the possibility of transferring ownership and responsibility of the existing toilet and shower block in Port eynon Car Park to the PEVH Management Committee.

 

Clerk reported that he had yet to arrange a meeting with Llanddewi Village Hall Trustees.

 

Any Other Business

 

Councillor Young enquired as to the possibility of moving the footpath across Scurlage Green to align with the path adjacent to Milestone Court, as the present location was conflicting with vehicle movements outside the shop and hair dressers. He also pressed for the missing timber posts at this location to be reinstated, possibly in conjunction with the work at Port Eynon Green.

 

Councillor Sheila Fisher enquired as to a recent survey conducted of the trees on Scuralge green which were apparently suffering from Ash Die back and may need to be removed. Council agreed that a forward plan should be prepared for Scurlage Green taking account of replacement tree planting, the need for ad hoc ball games and the future war memorial.

 

Counciillor Robert Fisher observed that there had been a further occurrence of obnoxious odours in the Scurlage area.

 

There being no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 9 30 pm.

Minutes of monthly Council meeting held on 20^th November 2017 held at Knelston Primary School.

 

Present                Councillors Robert Fisher, Sheila Fisher, Gareth Evans, Gareth Jones and Steven Young

 

Apologies            Mr. Martin Cox

 

In attendance    Mr.Barry Stubbings – Clerk

 

 

Chair                      Councillor Robert Fisher took the Chair

 

 

Minutes               Clerk confirmed that the minutes of the last meeting held on 18^th September 2017 had been circulated, posted on the notice boards and on the web site.

Under Matters Arising – Casual Signs. It was Cllr S. Fisher who contacted Mr. Latham and not Cllr. S. Young. Minute was corrected to suit.

It was proposed by Councillor Stephen Young, and seconded by Councillor Sheila Fisher that the minutes be accepted and agreed by all.

 

Matters Arising

PORT EYNON VILLAGE GREEN: Clerk advised that there was still no action by Eaton Fencing Ltd. Council agreed that the Order should be rescinded and the proposed work incorporated with similar works to be carried out at Scurlage Green.

 

WAR MEMORIAL: Chair described possible arrangements for the memorial, which were discussed at council agreed that  the most suitable arrangement would be a stone monolith with brass plaque set on a raised plinth with a paved surrouns and possibly one or two bench seats. Chair would obtain quotation on that basis.

 

Finance                Clerk advised 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. Provision should also be made for new trees to replace the present mature trees which were affected by ‘ash die back’ disease.

 

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 Feb 2017 – and appeal lodged. Appeal allowed 17 Aug 2017.

 

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 1^st of June to the 5^th of September. Application refused on 31 May 2017. Appeal lodged on 25^th 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.

 

NEW APPLICATIONS

 

Application 2017/2288 Murmur Y Llanw, Overton Lane Addition of second floor to existing bungalow and associated works to access, driveways and parking.

Council considered the application and were of the opinion that they did not object in principle to the enlargement of the property by addition of a second storey, but concerns were raised as to the subsequent overall appearance of the property. More consideration should be given to the roof level, the windows, doors etc. Concern was also expressed over the extent of external paving and alterations to the garden walls and gates.

 

 

Application 2017/2139 The Granary Frogmoor lane  Single storey side extension and link building with  conversion of garage. Council considered the application and were of the opinion that it was largely acceptable. Cllr young questioned whether the property was in the parish of Reynoldston and on conclusion it was considered that it did in fact fall within the parish of Reynoldston.

 

Application 2017/0725 Gower holiday Village

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

 

Cllrs noted that the footpath from Scurlage green to the Sports and Social Club continued to give cause concern over litter and lack of maintenance. It was agreed that the matter would be raised verbally with both the Sports Club and Purnell Construction to improve maintenance.

 

Communications

Clerk had nothing to report.

 

Village Halls

Cllr. Robert Fisher advised that he had attended the November meeting of the Port Eynon Village hall Committee and that there were no items of note discussed at that meeting.

Clerk confirmed that he had written to Highfield Caravan Park with regard to the boundary encroachment.

 

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. Steve Young raised the possibility of Council funding rubbish skips. After discussion it was noted that previous experiences had indicated that this was difficult to police and very expensive if not controlled. Agreed not to proceed.

 

Cllr. Evans noted that storm water was again a problem on Port Eynon Hill and he was pressing SCC highways to clear the gullies.

 

Cllr. S. Fisher noted that the verge areas in vicinity of the bus aby at Scurlage continued to be degraded by busses. Also, that there had been recent incidences of near accidents at the Berry Lane junction with Port Eynon Road.

 

Next meeting – it was agreed that Council would not meet in December due to proximity of meeting date with Christmas holiday period. Any planning applications or urgent matters would be dealt with by circulation. Council would next meet on 15^th January 2018. Chair wished all Councillors a pleasant Christmas.

 

There being no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 9 30 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Barry Stubbings (Clerk)                                                                                                  Robert Fisher (Chair)