November 2014 Meeting

The November  Meeting of the Council  was held on Thursday 6th  November  2014  at 7:00 p.m. at “Y Ganolfan”, Capel Iwan.

Members Present:

Guto Jones (Chairman),  William Davies,  Don Griffiths,  Nigel Williams, Jeff Lewis,  Richard James, Hywel Bowen,  Meurig Thomas,  Anthony John,  County Counc.  Hazel Evans and PCSO Jeff Kedward. Apologies were received from Samuel Jones due to a knee replacement operation. The members and clerk wished him a speedy recovery.

The chairman Guto Jones welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked PCSO Jeff Kedward whether he had anything to report during the last month. Jeff stated that the refuse bags which had been dumped above the entrance to Chadzy’s Yard had been opened and hence the police could not take further action. Investigations into the padlocks and chains that had been broken in the Blaenbowi Forestry area was still on-going as well as the gates that had been left open in Merribah Farm, Tanglwst Fields. Also enquiries were being made about the tampering with the Windmill connection box at Blaendyffryn Farm, Capel Iwan. The clerk had been given the registration number of a car seen late at night in the entrance of a field on the Blaenachddu to Ffynnonwen road. Jeff took the number and the police would investigate and find the owner. Guto Jones also  stated that large graffiti slogans had been painted on the column of the windmill next to the main road near the entrance to Treale Farm. It was fairly high up and a ladder must have been used for the painting. It was estimated that it happened on the weekend of the 25th October. Jeff made notes of the incident. Before PCSO Jeff Kedward departed the clerk read a reply letter from Mr Andy Pearson, the Police Commissioner’s Office for Dyfed Powys Police, Carmarthen. He stated that the closure of Newcastle Emlyn Police Station was being considered as part of the Commissioner’s long-term estates strategy. He stated that the building was too large for its eight staff. Also it needed approximately £120,000  in maintenance over the next 10 years. The Commissioner would like to move the operations to another location within the same neighbourhood i.e. Newcastle Emlyn town centre. This would not happen till proper discussion and public meetings had been held. The Police Dept are open to suggestions for new premises. They also asked the Council and local people to maintain close working relationships with the local police officers and PCSO’s. Councillor Hazel Evans stated that there was going to be a meeting next week between the Commissioner and Newcastle Emlyn Town Council where facts and figures would be discussed and local feelings expressed. The Chairman Guto Jones then thanked PCSO Jeff Kedward for his visit.

The Clerk was then asked to read the minutes of the October meeting and they were proposed as being correct by William Davies and Nigel Williams.

Matters Arising

1. No action had been taken to repair the surface water gratings below Blaengwyddon Fawr entrance or the water running down from Bwlchcaebrith Square towards Gorwel and Blaendyffryn Farm entrance.  Hywel Bowen also stated that the large areas of water collections were happening on the road from Bwlchcaebrith up towards Penbuarth Banks. Richard also stated that he had not seen anyone looking at the water collecting on the bend by Bryngolau Farm. Don Griffiths stated that all the gutters from Gwynfa, Capel Iwan down to the school were blocked and water was running down the road. Also no action had been taken to repair the surface water gutter near Pentref Isaf, Capel Iwan. Guto Jones also stated that a stone gutter near the entrance to Blaenbowi Wind farm had collapsed with the result that all surface water was running down the road towards Blaenbowi entrance. The clerk and Councillor Hazel Evans noted the areas and both would contact the Area Surveyor – Mr Tony Williams with the listed problems.
2. Jeff Lewis stated that the bus shelter near the Three Horseshoe Inn at Cenarth had been erected. Members felt that a rain shield should have been fixed to the side facing the main road. Councillor Hazel Evans stated that she would look into the possibilities. The clerk also stated that the  old concrete seat ends  had been moved over to the entrance of Argoed Meadow Caravan Site. Nigel stated that he had made measurements of the timber required to repair the seat. After discussion members agreed to buy hard wood planks to make the repairs. Nigel would contact members when ready to start the work.
3. Councillor Hazel Evans stated that the Highways Dept would be starting work on the road-surface from Tower Hill down to Pontseli this month.
4. Richard James asked whether work had been done on the fallen trees across the River Cych near the bottom of Plyg y Rhiw, Cwm Cych. The clerk stated that the workers had been cutting the tree trunks but had not removed them. Members asked the clerk to contact the River Authorities again for their removal.

Correspondence

1. A letter was received from Carmarthenshire County Council stating that regrettably following the resignation of the Postmaster at Glanteifi Post Office, Cenarth and the withdrawal of the premises for the Post Office use the branch would be closing temporarily at 12:30 on 26th November 2014. The Post Office are investigating the options available which will enable us to re-instate a post office service to the local community.
2. Carms County Council will hold a Waste and Tyre Amnesty at Newcastle Emlyn Car Park on Wednesday 19th November 2014 from 8.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.. Max 10 car tyres  - no paint or chemicals or car batteries, gas bottles or construction waste.
3. Hywel Dda – University Health Board will hold a consultation on the 2015-16 budget. Public meetings will be held across the county – they will visit Newcastle Emlyn library on the 4th Dec 2014 at 6.30 p.m.
4. The clerk noted that the Community Council had been paid a rebate of the £30 from the Wales Audit Office  - it was termed at Redistribution of Wales Audit Office Reserves for 2014.
5. A letter of thanks was received from Urdd Gobaith Cymru – Carmarthenshire Area Appeal 2014 for the donation of £50 sent by Cenarth Community Council.

Planning Matters:  

The following planning applications were received.

1. W/30997 removal of garden sheds and construction of double garage at Chatterbox Cottage, Cenarth for Mr & Mrs Poole – The Council had no objection.
2. W/30236 – Retrospective planning for retention of boundary walls built at Glancorrwg, Cenarth for Mr Gwyndaf Evans. The above was granted planning permission subject to conditions on 28.10.2014. Members agreed that the finished stone clad wall did blend well with the local surrounds.

Any Other Business

1.  Nigel Williams stated that he had visited the site near Glancorrwg, Cenarth and had noted that a fishing platform erected nearby for wheelchair users was in need of repair and dangerous because the top planks were missing and a chair user could go straight into the River Teifi. Jeff Lewis stated that the platform had been erected by the  Teifi Trout Association at Cenarth . He stated that he knew the officers and would bring the matter to their attention.
2. Richard James noted that he had managed to cut back the trees and high poles on the boundary fence at the village sports field, Capel Iwan. Richard also noted that the mower was  in need of a service and would not start. Clerk to contact Garden Services at Drefach,  Felindre.
3. The clerk noted that the Council had not paid Mr Jim Hawkins this year for cutting the grass around the Cenotaph at Cenarth. Clerk to forward payment and thank Jim Hawkins for his labours.
4. The Chairman Guto Jones expressed words of sympathy with Don and Dilys Griffiths at their recent bereavement in the family. Don’s sister Janice passed away recently. Don thanked the members for their kind words.

The meeting ended at 9:15 p.m. The next meeting will be on Thursday, 4th December 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at “Y Ganolfan”, Capel Iwan.