Cenarth Community Council

The council meeting was held on Thursday  2^nd  July 2015 at 7.00 p.m. at Y Ganolfan Capel Iwan.

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

The chairman Samuel Jones  welcomed everyone to the meeting and as  the police were not present the clerk was asked to read the minutes of the June meeting. Counc. Hazel Evans stated that she had congratulated Samuel Jones and Bethan on becoming grandparents. William Davies and Don Griffiths then proposed the minutes as being correct.

Matters Arising

1. Nigel stated that no work had been carried out on the lay-bys from Bryn Square- Gellidywyll Hill to Yet Farm. The clerk and Counc. Hazel Evans had been in contact with the Local Highways Supervisor – Mr Tony Williams but had not replied to the query. Hazel stated that surface dressing had been removed from Newcastle Emlyn High Street and was supposed to be relayed on Gellidywyll Hill. Hazel would contact once more and also question the work supposed to be carried out on the road section from Soar, Cenarth to Gelligatti entrance.

2. Jeff Lewis stated that some tarmac had been placed around the sunken gratting by the bus shelter in Cenarth. Hywel Bowen stated that new signs had been erected near Bwlchcaebrith Square and Penrherber Square. He also noted that no direction signs had been replaced at Sycamore House junction towards Pontcarreg. Hazel would take up the matter.

3. William stated that workmen had been seen on the bend past Gors Farm entrance and since they had cut back the overgrowth making the red and white blocks clearer- still awaiting repairs to the collapsed gutter.

4. Richard also stated that he had seen workmen near the collapsed and blocked gutter near Blaenbowi Wind Farm entrance. Since then repair work has been carried out on the gutter.

5. Nigel also stated that a large branch had fallen across the road before the Cenarth Paintball Site. It was suspended at the moment and needed cutting down. Contact Highways Dept.

6. Hazel stated that she had not received any information from the Post Office at Swansea regarding the new letter box for Cenarth village. The clerk had received a letter from Headquarters Post Office stating that they had been exploring options for restoring a Post Office Service in Cenarth Village. They were investigating whether a hosted outreach option would best serve the locality. This is operated by a Postmaster from a nearby branch as long as suitable premises can be found. This vacancy in Cenarth has been advertised on our website but unfortunately so far we have received no formal applications for the position.

7. The clerk had received confirmation from the Council’s Auditors BDO LLP Southampton that the Council Accounts were correct up to the 31^st March 2015.

8. An email was received from NOVUS Energy stating that they were progressing with the Solar Park at Blaenbowi. They wished to know how the Community Grant should be paid to the locality a) a unilateral undertaking under Section 106 or b) community benefit contract. Members agreed to discuss the matter with the Planning Authority first before deciding on the option to be taken.

9. The clerk confirmed thatthe new Barclays Bank Mandate agreement for 2015-16 was now in place.

Correspondence:

1. The clerk read a letter from Mr Llyr James, Bryngolau, Capel Iwan stating that he had been chosen to represent Wales in the Home Counties International Tournament and British Open in the clay pigeon shooting competition in Mullinavat, County Kilkenny, Ireland on July 17^th and 18^th. He would be representing the Junior DTL team. Due to the high costs involved, Llyr was asking whether the council would sponsor him for this event. Before discussion took place Richard James left the meeting and declared and interest. As with previous requests members agreed to donate a sum of £100 towards Llyr’s costs and wished him every success out in Ireland.

2. A letter was received from Mrs Julia James, Secretary of Cenarth Annual Eisteddfod asking kindly whether the council could support them financially for the year 2016. Members agreed to ask for a balance sheet report before deciding.

3. Planning Aid Wales will be delivering a free planning training workshop for community Councillors at St Peters Civic Hall, Carmarthen on Monday 17^th August 2015 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 pm. Two members to attend.

4. Members were asked to complete a questionnaire Promoting Independence for the Older People in Carmarthenshire. Consultation is being held from 1^st June - 31^st July. Documents available on the council website – Lianne Jones, Access & Engagement Coordinator.

Any Other Business:

1. Don Griffiths stated that the footpaths from Pentre Isaf through to Pleasant View and Capel Panteg needed clearing as well as the one from Panteg Bridge to Godremamog Mill. Hazel would contact the Path Ranger – Nigel Powell.

2. Nigel Williams stated that the concrete seat ends which had been left by the Argoed Farm entrance in Cenarth had disappeared. He had asked the farmer but he had not seen them. Hazel was going to check with the Highways work gang to see whether we could get another set so that Nigel could carry out the seat repairs.

3. Jeff Lewis stated that the grass verges leading down from the road way to the fishing platform need edging as it was blocking the path. Jeff also stated that a growth of Japanese knotweed near the well at St. Llawddog, Cenarth needed treatment.

4. Coun. Councillor Hazel Evans stated that the police had complained about the road verge collapsing on the road from Plyg-y-Rhiw towards Bridgend. Warning barriers had been placed for a long time but no repairs carried out.

5. Guto Jones noted that there was a deep pothole on the road near Ty Gwyn, Capel Iwan. There was also a broken black and white bollard protruding above ground level in front of Llys Eryl, Tanglwst. It had caused tyre damage to a local resident.

6. The clerk received a complaint from Ms Jenny Wheeler stating that cars belonging to residents of Maes Hyfryd, Capel Iwan were blocking the entrance to the cemetery at the lower village green. She was unable to take the mower in for grass cutting. Members agreed to send a letter to the owners asking them to refrain from parking near the cemetery walls.

7. The clerk noted that the Give Way lines had been repainted at the bottom of Plyg-y-Rhiw Hill, Cwm Cych. Also the road from Bryngolau to Hendy Farm had been tarred and chipped. Also the school warning signs for Capel Iwan had been removed last week.

Meeting ended 9:00 p.m. Next meeting Thursday 3^rd  Sept 2015 at 7.00 p.m. at y Ganolfan, Capel Iwan.