Penygroes Community News

Present


Apologies

Kevin Kelly, Alun Lewis, Lynette Reynolds

Minutes of last meeting

•    The statement about the Gardening Club creating an allotment on the Apostolic land was incorrect.
•    Minutes approved, proposed by Yvonne Kelly, seconded by John Davies.

Matters Arising From Minutes

•    Mark Waygood to speak to Alun lewis regarding the ‘Mothers & Toddlers’ group, as it is not believed that Alun has spoke to any group.
•    A volunteer for the Vice Secretary’s position was again requested but no offers were forthcoming.

Emlyn Update

•    Residents of Nos 42-62 & 84-100 received letter from Protex regarding a proposed rear access road to services these houses with the maintenance being the responsibility of those residents.
•    Mark Durdin has replied to the letter saying that he was interested in principle but wanted certain matters clarified and that there be a meeting with all the residents affected by this proposed plan because they have always enjoyed access to the rear of their properties.
•    Cllr. Siân Thomas had a two hour meeting with John Taylor who said that he owned the land behind these properties. He also tried to explain away some of the problems and that the drainage system was working properly.
•    A meeting is to be requested by the sub-committee to clarify this situation.
•    Gully clearing was in operation in Gors Ddu Road today all day.
•    The concrete works in Norton Road have had Dyno Rod checking their drainage, although they were not requested by the works.  No complaints have ever been made about the concrete works.
•    The environment Agency has been out inspecting the drains.
•    The highways dept have already been out to clear the drains.
•    There has been water ingress into No. 85, soaking the carpets.

Garden Club

•    Community Garden - hopefully, all details will be complete by the next meeting.

One Fund

•    The one fund changed as of 1st November.
•    Since October 2004 the ‘One Fund’ has supported over 260 projects with 3.1 million pounds.
•    The Penygroes Officer looks good and the application is ready to be signed and only 6 letters of support are needed.
•    Match funding must be 5% of the overall project value.
•    100% is available for the Community Garden project as it is under £5,000  – a signed application, annual accounts and proof of land ownership are all that is required.
•    Cllr. Siân Thomas informed the forum that Mr Sutton and his group (The Penygroes Youth & Community Group) have applied for a garden in the park in Penygroes and are being assisted by the parks department with this application.  
•    Application for the community garden must be submitted quickly as the two projects are very similar.
•    There are still questions regarding the official status of this group which does not appear to have a constitution.
•    We need a development (feasibility) study carried out to ascertain if there are areas in our village that can be developed because there are grants available.
•    We need to find pieces of land that are not suitable for building on that we can use for the benefit of local residents.
•    Perhaps we could extend part of the coastal cycle path which goes up to Cefneithin, continues into the Beacons and then North Wales.  Large grants are available for this.
•    We may be able to do this through Llandybie community council as they are interested in having this type of project for the whole community.
•    Cross Hands, Gorslas and Drefach have all had studies on how they can improve their parks.  Trimsaran are having a feasibility study carried out now.

Forthcoming Events

Pavilion Opening Day.

•   This has been postponed in view of the need for the youth to actually set up the club and have something to show on the open day. This will probably now be held early in the New Year.
•    A report was read out to the forum on the youth project facilities, compiled by the forum Secretary.  Essentially, the pavilion is still first and foremost, a changing facility despite all the money spent on its refurbishment.  It is believed that certain adjustments will be required before it can be used for the Youth and will probably be a short term project until larger facilities can be found or constructed in the future.  
•    A full copy of the report is available for viewing.  Its contents are the views of the Secretary and do not necessarily represent the views of any other person.
•    An invitation to view the pavilion was then given to any interested parties.
•    A local developer that Cllr. Thomas is in discussion with intends to provide premises to house a youth club as part of his plans for a housing development locally.
•    The pavilion at the bottom of the field which the players sometimes use is owned by the Cricket Club.
•    Equipment in the pavilion needs to be secure, and someone needs to be responsible for the cleaning as it isn’t the responsibility of the Youth project to clean up after the players.
•    A community development officer would have this as part of their responsibility.
•    Eleri Beckett carried out a great deal of work in getting Caerbryn Hall for the community.
•    The grant we received was on the understanding that the pavilion would be for the benefit and use of the whole community.  That is why the amount for renovation increased from over £8,000 to over £80,000.
•    Alana did discuss requirements Gerwyn Thomas (parks dept.) who was also talking to the Rugby Club.
•    We need to have a meeting between the Youth Project, Rugby Club, Gerwyn Thomas, The Forum and Siân Thomas.  Mark Waygood to arrange.

Boxing Day Walk

•    Starting at 2pm in the car park in Llyn Llech Owain.  Adults and Childrens walks plus a prize

Christmas Fayre

•     Friday 15th December.  Help would be appreciated for stalls etc.  It is a 6.30pm start and a small charge to enter.

Craft Fayre

•     Took place last week.  Over £200 raised

Games Afternoon

•      Planned for 2nd December 2pm-5pm
•      Need volunteers, Yvonne is happy to help train people.  Volunteers will need to man the games table for the duration.
•      Some games from Menter would be helpful.

Volunteers

•    Volunteers are needed if we are going to hold a large local festival.   An event of this size will require more than just a few helpers and if volunteers are not forthcoming then it will not be possible to host such an event.

A.O.B.

•    Apostolic Church Update – They have not spoken to other local developers which could benefit them.
•    They have re-submitted their planning application which has now been approved.  The ownership of the site is in dispute as the Apostolic Church say they are in possession of the deeds.
•    The park was given to the council by the Welfare Hall Trustees to maintain for the benefit of the people of Penygroes.
•    The Assets department are duty bound to contact the people of the village if the legal department agree it is ok to sell the land.
•    It may be necessary to arrange local meetings if it goes this route and the Forum will need to be actively involved.
•    There is 999 year lease which stipulates the land is only to be used for recreational purposes.   The legal department are studying the lease at the moment.
•    There were 26 houses consulted initially to this development with 15 objections and only 5 objections the second time.  Although it appears not everyone received the letter on the second occasion.
•    The planning officer is a Deacon of the Apostolic Church although he handed the application over to his colleague.
•    The planning department are not taking the first letters from concerned residents into account but are allowing initial reports from council officers to be considered.
•    Highways are happy to run a road adjacent to the park and there is reasonable safety there although it is only there duty to maintain the flow of traffic.
•    Consultation period is 2 weeks but this could take place over the Christmas period (possibly from 11th December).
•    There are plans for 680 homes in Penygroes but the facilities are not being put in place.  Promises from developers are not written in stone.  All local schools etc. are currently at full capacity.
•    The Guardian and the Journal should be publishing stories this week.
•    As soon as we know what is happening then a leaflet drop will be arranged for the village.  Contact Paddy French (who is researching the planning department of Carmarthenshire County Council) and the Executive members of the council at the same time.
•    All objections to the development should be available on the council website.  Siân has access to information and will provide if required.
•    Dog Fouling – Penygroes Rugby Club recently had to abandon a game because of dig fouling on the pitch.
•    They have requested signs which are being delivered and will let the forum know when he has them.
•    Complaints have been sent in, one from the square and two from the Rugby pitch.  The council have said they have cleaned the area, can we have confirmation of this.
•    The council do not provide bins for dog waste because they doe not have the facilities to dispose of it.
•    There may be a scheme for local communities to apply for a grant to police their own area and fine anyone they catch whose dog is fouling the area.

Meeting Closed

Date of next meeting;  7pm 12th December 2006 at Calfaria Chapel