Cenarth Community Council

The Council meeting was held on Thursday 1^st September 2016 at 7.00 p.m. at Y Ganolfan Capel Iwan.

Members Present: - Don Griffiths (Chairman), William Davies, Samuel Jones Jeff Lewis, Guto Jones, Meurig Thomas, Hywel Bowen, Anthony John, County Councillor Hazel Evans and PCSO Jeff Kedward. Apologies received from Nigel Williams and Richard James.

The chairman Don Griffiths welcomed everyone to the meeting after the summer break including PCSO Jeff Kedward, Newcastle Emlyn Police Station. Jeff then gave a report of police activities in the area. Members had received complaints about cars racing around the village square at Capel Iwan. Jeff was given the reported information and he would be visiting some properties on his way back to Newcastle Emlyn. Guto Jones also reported to Jeff that someone was opening the gate to the track that lead up to the Windmill Site near the road at Blaenbowi Windfarm. All sorts of rubbish and litter were being dumped on the private lane. Jeff noted the complaint and the police would keep an eye on the site. PCSO Jeff Kedward then left the meeting and was thanked by the chairman for his visit.

The chairman then asked the clerk to read the minutes of the July meeting. Don also welcomed Samuel Jones back to the meetings after his accident and hoped that the broken leg was on the mend. The clerk then read that minutes and they were proposed as being correct by Meurig Thomas and Jeff Lewis.  

Matters Arising

1. Highway problems: Don Griffiths stated that the owner of Pentre Farm bungalow, Capel Iwan had been informed by the County Council that the repairs to the gutter and entrance to the house was his own responsibility. Some of the pot holes leading to Pentre Isaf were still awaiting attention. Councillor Hazel Evans would again take up the matter. Hazel also noted that the Highways Dept. were now awaiting heavy rain so as to locate the broken pipe drain between Brynifor and Maesgwyn.

2. Members were going to look into the possibility of purchasing re-cycled plastic seat ends for the bench at Argoed Farm Caravan Site. Members also asked the clerk to check with Mr Hugh Davies, Ponthirwaun what had happened to the wooden seat he had taken away for repair and re-varnishing that used to be situated above the fishing platform near St. Llawddog’s Well. It might be worth re-locating this seat near Argoed Caravan Park.

3. Councillor Hazel Evans asked whether repair work had been carried out to the crash barrier at the bottom of Danrhelyg Hill. Members stated that the plastic warning signs were still in place. Also the sunken drainage pipe at the junction of the main road leading up towards Llain and Capel Iwan Road had not received attention nor the sunken drainage cover at the road side above Llain bend. No attention had been given either to the Pot hole on the bend from Blaenpant to Meysydd, Capel Iwan. Councillor Hazel Evans noted the situation and would take up the matters with Mr Tony Williams – Highways Supervisor.

4. Jeff Lewis also asked what was happening to the re-surfacing work due to be carried out on the main road into Cenarth village from above Yet Farm to Cenarth Bridge. The surface was now really bad and a sunken drainage cover opposite to Ty Te – Café was causing traffic problems to cars and lorries. Hazel stated that the list of re-surfacing work was being reviewed at the moment and Cenarth was top priority.

5. Don Griffiths stated that the road from Glenview, Capel Iwan up to Gelynnen and Llety’r-gaib had now been re-surfaced all the way (motorway standard).

6. Councillor Hazel Evans also stated that she had been in contact with Mr Tony Williams, Highways regarding the trashing that had not been done on the road from Derlwyn square through to Beacon Stoves and Penrheol Uchaf junction. Also the road surface here was in a terrible state and needs attention.

7. Jeff Lewis stated that the National Environment Wales workers had been carrying out work on the Allt y Ceiliog forestry site cleaning the entrance and road and re-erecting the picnic site sign.

8. We are still awaiting a report from Nigel Williams regarding the repairs required to the red kiosk at Bryn square, Penrherber. Members also suggested that Nigel could also apply a fresh coat of red paint to the kiosk if he was willing to do the work.

9. The clerk asked the members whether the Community Council were going to support the Te a Choffi prynhawn- Tea and Coffee afternoon event organised by Capel Iwan Merched y Wawr in aid of the MacMillan nurses – cancer care. Members agreed that the council should support this worthy cause and that a donation of £150 should be made towards the Tea and Coffee afternoon to be held at Y Ganolfan Capel Iwan on the 30^th September (Friday).

Correspondence

1. A letter was received from the Development Officer of Adran Myrddin of Urdd Gobaith Cymru thanking the Cenarth Community Council for their donation of £50 towards the running costs.

2. A letter was received from the Carmarthenshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs asking whether the Community Council would consider giving financial assistance towards the running of the movement at county level. The movement plays a very important role in inviting young people between the ages of 10-26 years to attend local clubs throughout the county of Carmarthenshire. Members felt that the movement should be supported as there was a very successful club at Capel Iwan and gave the young people of the area all sorts of chances to take part in events locally and internationally. It was proposed that a sum of £150 be sent to the appeal.

3. A letter of confirmation was received from Barclays Bank PLC stating that the Mandate and Signing Arrangements for the Council for 2016-2017 had been updated.

4. A notice was received stating that a Community and Town Councils County Liaison Forum would be held on Tuesday6^th Sept 2016 at County Hall, Carmarthen at 6:30 p.m.

5. A letter was received from the new Police and Crime Commissioner – Dafydd Llywelyn at Llangynnwr, Carmarthen (PO BOX 99) asking the Community Council to forward their views on what should be included as priorities in his Police and Crime Plan for the next four years. Members discussed local needs and the clerk was asked to forward the priorities to The Commissioner.

6. Documents and guides to the Code of Conduct for members of Community Councils were received from Mr Robert Edgecombe, Admin and Law Division, County Hall, Carmarthen setting out the rules on personnel and prejudicial interests and dispensation forms.

Planning Applications:

1. App. Number W/34088 – Discharge of Planning Conditions (5,7,8,9,10,11 of W/30630) for Outbuildings at Gelligatti, Newcastle Emlyn for Mr and Mrs Evans- No obligations.

2. App. Number W/34214 – Full planning – proposed change of use of former Primary Schoolat Capel Iwan to a single dwelling to include minor external alterations for Mr and Mrs James. The clerk stated that he had spoken to the architect Mr Matt Edwards of Castle Designs Ltd, Newcastle Emlyn regarding the right of way and the 14 ft gated entrance from the road down to the Community Centre. This had been agreed between the new owners Mr and Mrs James, Community Hall Committee and Carmarthenshire Estates Dept. The new owners would erect a fence between the rear of Capel Iwan CP School and the hall and also a fence boundary on their side of the right away down to the hall. The architect had spoken to Mr and Mrs James regarding the agreement and they have no obligations. Hence the Cenarth Community Council and Hall Committee have no objections to the development.

3. App. Number W/33147 – consultation application and amended plans for full planning for change of use of agricultural land to an extension of the existing Caravan Site for nine lodge style caravans (to be connected to water, Electricity and foul drainage) with cut and fill works, access road extension and landscaping planting- location – Argoed Meadow Caravan and Camping Site – Cenarth, Newcastle Emlyn – Applicants Alun and Rita Owen. The Council had no objections.

4. App. Number W/34343 – modification to the re-build of Pantygarn Cottage, Capel Iwan for Mrs Margarita James – no objections.

Any Other Matters:

1. Samuel Jones asked what progress had been made in modifying the access to the Cenotaph at Cenarth and making it usable for the disabled and wheelchair users. Hywel Bowen stated that he had made another site visit with contractors – Geraint Davies and Berwyn Thomas. They had agreed on a plan for modification and the contractors were ready to start provided the Community Council gave the go ahead. Members discussed the matter and agreed to carry out the work. Hywel would look after the work necessary.

2. Don Griffiths asked whether the Countryside Rangers were still engaged in clearing Council footpaths. Councillor Hazel Evans stated as far as she knew they were still carrying out Public Footpath clearances. Paths needed clearing in the Cenarth area. The clerk and Hazel were asked to contact Head Ranger – Nigel Powell.

3. Councillor Hazel Evans stated that she had been contacted by Mr Merfyn Morgon (previously of Maes y Deryn, Capel Iwan) who had stated that he and Alun and Arwel Roberts (sons of the late Rev. L. G. Roberts – minister at Capel Iwan Chapel) that they were going to write a bookabout the old history of Capel Iwan area. They were asking for names and phone numbers of local people who could assist with inputs and information. Members suggested names to Hazel who would contact Merfyn Morgan.

The meeting ended 9:00 p.m. Next meeting Thursday 6^th October  2016 at 7.00 p.m. at y Ganolfan, Capel Iwan.