Penygroes Community News

Present
Julian Tandy (Chair), Yvonne Kelly (Treasurer), Mark Waygood (Secretary), Lynnette Reynolds, Nicola Davies, Llinos Hindley, Marie Hughes-Jones, Eleri Davies, Robert Quick, Sal Armstrong, Mair Griffiths, Rhian Dawson (Dolen Iechyd/Handle on Health), Huw Evans (Menter Cwm Gwendraeth)

Apologies
Siân Thomas, Alan Lewis, Derek Rourke, John Davies

Minutes of last meeting

Correction to One Fund:- Should Read ‘Alun Lewis’.  Also, the ‘One Fund’ has not closed and still has money available.

In all other respects, the minutes were correct:  Proposed, Llinos Hindley – Seconded, Lynette Reynolds.

Report on Christmas FayreThe forum raised £80 from entrance fees and the raffle.  The best Christmas Lights was awarded th No. 4 Blaen Emlyn.

Community Development Officer

* The secretary reported on the Community Development Officer meeting that took place at the hall on Thursday 11th January.  
* The application has progressed to the point where only a few documents are needed by the forum.  Alun Lewis is planning to put the application in on Monday 22nd January.
* There is a general feeling that the name ‘Community Development Officer’ might need to be changed as it has negative connotations.

Penygroes Park Development Meeting

* This meeting as held immediately after the CDO meeting on Thursday 11th January.  Council officers included Amy Hawkins and Gerwyn Thomas.  Other representatives included Menter Cwm Gwendraeth, Youth Project, Penygroes Memorial Hall, Penygroes Ward Forum and Penygroes Children & Youth Community Group.
* The meeting was held to discuss what improvements could be made to the park with all the attending groups working together towards a common goal.
* It was decided that the local youth would need to be consulted once the development agenda was made clear.
* At this early stage it was decided that Amy Hawkins would draw up a draft proposal and a local ‘open day’ would be arranged to allow the village residents to make their comments.

Future Forum Meeting & The Pavilion Project

* As from February 2007, all forum meetings in Penygroes will be held at the Pavilion although tables and chairs are required.
* This will also be the date for the Youth Project to start their weekly club.
* Yvonne Kelly said that some chairs would be available from her husbands employer if the forum could write a letter stating what the forum stood for in the community and its requirements.

Brief Updates

The Apostolic Development

* Unfortunately, Cllr. Siân Thomas was not able to be present at the meeting, however she had asked Huw to relate that the County Council’s legal department is still assessing the nature of the lease on the park, but action will need to be taken quickly once a decision has been reached.

* As Siân Thomas was not available, it was not possible to discuss this in greater depth.

Emlyn Site Report

* John Davis was not available to comment on the DVD and report carried out by DynoRod.
* Pictures of this investigation into the concrete works were shown to the members.
* It appeared that the pipe that was allegedly getting blocked was actually far higher up the drain than where the waste was collecting.  Although Protex is claiming that the concrete works are causing the blockages.
* There is an unconfirmed report that the ‘removal of contaminated waste’ agreement that Protex signed is possibly being removed from the contract.
* The Emlyn Sub-Committee are requested to look into this before the next forum meeting.

Gardening Club

* There is a small delay in receiving the funds whilst a letter from the bank is drawn up agreeing to the overdraft.

Dog Fouling

* There aren’t any problems to report at the moment.


Talk by Rhian Dawson on Community Health

* Rhian explained her role as Community Health Liaison Officer for the Gwendraeth Valley area.
* Her role is to improve the health of people on long term sickness and disability benefit by getting them to rejoin the community.  Currently 4% claim incapacity benefit.
* In her position she works with all local services and the Community Development Officers.
* Part of this long term plan is to promote more physical activity and less ‘self indulgence’.
* Mental health problems are currently the biggest facing the community.
* Post Natal clubs have so far been successful.
* It is important that people take more responsibility for their own health and general well-being.
* One problem is that many residents do not know what services, clubs, workshops etc., are available to them.
* In order to rectify this situation, a web site has been set up called @A Handle On Health’ which will enable people to find out what is going on locally to them.  As only 18% of the Gwendraeth Valley residents are connected to the internet, a number of access points for this service will be available including one at the Cross Hands Health Centre and one in Penygroes Surgery.
* It is looking to be launched in March and will be regularly updated.
* Carmarthenshire Council have a ‘Walking Your Way To Health’ incentive, Marianne Jones is the co-ordinator and there is a grant of up to £750 available for insurance from the Sports Fund.
* There is also a Health Assessment Facility available that looks into the long term health impact of large developments like Protex have planned.  This assessment is not currently mandatory but will be at some stage in the future.
* It is possible to get information and apply for an assessment from the department who carry them out at Cardiff University.
* The Vice-Chairman and Secretary will look into this before the next meeting and it will be placed on the agenda.  Proposed by Julian Tandy and seconded by Llinos Hindley.


A.O.B.

* The question of appointing a vice-secretary was once again raised by the Vice-Chairman.
* Eleri Davies kindly volunteered her services for this position.



Meeting closed.

Next meeting on WEDNESDAY, 14 February at the Pavilion in Penygroes Park.