December 2013 Meeting

The monthly  meeting of the Council was held on the 5^th December at 7:00 p.m. at “Y Ganolfan”, Capel Iwan.

Members Present:

Richard James (Chair), William Davies, Hugh Thomas, Don Griffiths, Samuel Jones,  Nigel Williams, Chris Thomas,  Jeff Lewis, Guto Jones, Hywel Bowen and Cyng. Sir  Hazel Evans. Also present was  PCSO Gareth Augustus from Newcastle Emlyn Police Station

The Chairman Richard James welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked the Police whether there was anything to report. Gareth stated that everything was fairly quiet in the area. Members asked what had happened to the incident at Ty Hwnt,  Penrherber, when someone had attempted to break the rear window of the car and steal the wiper motor. Investigations were still ongoing. The clerk reported that 2 young people were in the area offering to do odd jobs to elderly people and charged the earth for their services. The incident had been reported to the police at Newcastle Emlyn. Everyone to keep an eye open for a white Ford transit van. Richard then thanked Gareth Augustus for this visit and wished him and all the staff at Newcastle Emlyn a Happy Christmas and hoped to see them in the New Year.

The Clerk then read the minutes of the November meeting. They were proposed as being correct by Samuel Jones and Guto Jones.

Matters Arising

1.  Coun. Hazel Evans gave a report on the present state of the highway problems. The guttering works at Gwynfa, Capel Iwan have been completed. So far nothing had been done to the entrance to Maes Yr Awel and Bryngolau Farm to prevent surface water entering the properties. Hazel asked Richard to take  photographs next time it rained so that she could forward them to the Highways Dept.

2.  The clerk read a letter from Mr D A Williams, Assistant Area Manager  stating that an inspection would be carried out on the road from Sycamore House to Tower Hill with a view to carry out remedial works. The clerk stated that the Highways Dept were now working on this stretch of road and digging up the surface and re-tarmacing. The council policy at present stated Mr Williams was to cut hedges only once a year unless specific areas proved to be causing road hazards. There was no money available to re-surface Class 3 and unclassified roads this year. They would be placed in the works programme and if no re-surfacing was done, patching would take place.

3.  No hedge cutting had taken place at Pili Pala nor Pleasant View, Capel Iwan. The clerk to send letters to the owners.

4.  Samuel Jones reported that Berwyn Thomas had completed the work on the Cenotaph at Cenarth but still had the boundary wall capping to repair. He would contact Samuel when the work was completed.

5.  Nigel Williams stated that he had been in contact with Valley Engraving, Clydach who had re-checked the spelling. Also, they were going to attach fixing spikes for the plate. Samuel stated that he had the original small plate and would check whether it could be cleaned up before replacing.

6.  Coun. Hazel Evans and the clerk had been in contact with Mr Nigel Powell from the Countryside and Rec. Dept. stating that they hoped to start on repairing the leaks at St Llawddog’s Well, Cenarth next Monday 9^th December 2013.

7.  Samuel Jones stated that the old mattress on the Bwlch Coed Brith, Penbuarth Road had been removed. Hazel stated that she had also sent an email about the rubbish.

8.  Hugh Thomas stated that the street light near Llechwedd, Capel Iwan was still not working. The clerk to check with street Scene once more.

9.  Hazel stated that she had spoken to Mr Mike Roberts regarding the Dog Fouling signs from Pentre Isaf to Panteg Chapel. He had promised the signs would be erected as soon as possible.

10.         Nigel stated that no roads sweepers had visited the area. Hazel to check again.

Correspondence

1.  Coun. Hazel Evans and Ken Davies had to meet 2 officers from the County Council regarding the bus shelter at the Three Horseshoes Inn, Cenarth. Hazel gave a report and various designs had been looked at and Hazel and Ken had chosen one that blended well with the surroundings. The county would be forwarding photographs.

2.  Letters of thanks were received from the following after grants had been given by the Community Council.

a.  Federation of YFC’s Carmarthenshire

b.  Cenarth Eisteddfod 2014  - Julie James

c.  Committee of Y Ganolfan, Capel Iwan to assist with building Disabled toilet facilities – Margaret Jones

3.  Appointment of Minor Authority representative on the Governing body of Ysgol y Ddwylan Newcastle Emyn (No. 115) to represent Llandyfyriog Ward, Cenarth Ward, Newcastle Town Council. It was agreed to support Counc. D Richards from Llandyfyriog Ward.

4.  Review of County Electoral Arrangements for the County of Carmarthenshrie. Proposals were received from the Commissions for Wales. They propose a Council of 75 members and 50 electoral divisions.  They propose that the existing Cenarth and Llangeler electoral divisions be combined to form a new division. The new division would have 4,373 electors which if represented by two councillors is 16% above the proposed county average of 1,881 electors per councillor. It would mean combining Cenarth Ward, Cilrhedyn Ward, Penboyr Ward, Drefach Ward and Llangeler Ward together with a division name of Cenarth and Llangeler. Members agreed to oppose the proposals and not to agree to multi-member divisions in rural areas and the area would be too large.

5.  Coun. Hazel Evans stated that she had been told by Mr John McEvoy – Transportation Dept. that most probably they would be moving one of the village signs at Cwm Morgan due to objections from the residents.

6.  It was agreed that the clerk should re-new his membership of the Society of Local Council Clerks for 2014.

7.  A letter was received from Ysgol Cerdd Ceredigion, Newcastle Emlyn asking for financial support to perform a new choral work “Testament” which would be staged at St. David’s Cathedral, Arts Centre Aberystwyth and the Ffwrnes Theatre Llanelli. Members felt that they could have performed locally and given a better change for local people to attend. Also members felt that they should see a balance sheet for the choir before deciding.

8.  A letter from Talking Books Wales, Carmarthen was received asking for financial support to run this important service for people who are blind, partially sighted and difficulty in reading print. This is a voluntary organisation. Members agreed to send a donation of £100 towards the costs.

Planning Applications

The following applications were received:

1.  W/29038 – change of use from field to enlarged garden amenity area. – land at Westfield,  Capel Iwan was granted planning permission.

2.  W/29168 – application to retain internal doors and small area of plaster board ceiling at Listed Building at Teifi View, Cenarth for Mr and Mrs G Evans – no objections. 

3.  W/29192 – erection of garden shed and non-habitable recreation room at Davren, Cenarth for Mr David Scott. Members agreed to the garden shed but felt that a building of 17’ x 11’ could be used as a chalet and they objected to this use. 

Any Other Business

1.  The chairman Richard James stated that there were several fallen trees across the River Cych near the bottom of Plyg yr Rhiw hill. He felt that they could cause flooding in the area. The clerk to contact the Rivers Authority.

2.  Jeff Lewis stated that the retaining wall on the St Llawddog’s Well Car Park had been damaged and stone work needed re-building. Coun. Hazel Evans thought it a good idea to approach the Countryside Wardens when working on the well.

3.  Guto Jones asked whether a salt bin could be placed near the junction road – Picnic Site – finger post. Hazel also noted that she would ask for  one at the bottom of the Rhyd Y Felin – Llainrhydwen hill. 

At the end of the meeting members were treated to a cup of tea and mince pies and cakes by the Councillors wives. Richard thanked the ladies and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The next meeting will be on the 2^nd January 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at “Y Ganolfan”, Capel Iwan.