Penygroes Community News

Present

Apologies

Llinos Hindley, Mark Durdin


Minutes of last meeting

•    Correction to last month’s minutes – Councillor Sian Thomas was not billed for the Christmas Tree etc. outside the library only sent a query regarding the matter.
•    A Letter from The Penygroes Children & Youth Community Group was read to all.
•    Comments were raised after letter was read.  

1.    Does this group have a constitution; it will be difficult getting funding, grants and public money without it?  
2.    Many local parents do not seem to have heard of them.  
3.    They haven’t contacted Menter Cwm Gwendraeth (MCG)
4.    They must have an AGM open to the public.
5.    As far as the pavilion is concerned, they haven’t been part of the process from the start.
6.    This group have been invited to join in with local events and attend meetings, but have so far refused to attend.
7.    Mr Sutton is trying to arrange events at the same time as the forum.
8.    We have thanked the group for the Christmas Tree.

Pavillion Update

•    Only the changing rooms have been completed to date.
•    Councillor Sian Thomas read a letter from Mark James (CCC) regarding the upgrade to the park.  
•    The Rugby club are claiming ownership of the Pavilion although it should be for community use. Although the above letter refuted this.
•    Suggest that it used as often as possible for sports activities when it is completed.
•    The Head of Parks has confirmed that the pavilion is a public building, but must be booked.
•    Lights are planned so the multi-ball park can be used at night.
•    Funding is required for skateboard facilities, so that children have a place where they can play and be safe.  For summer play schemes, the park is ideal.
•    There are 40 youngsters who attend Sunday school.  It’s important to work with the children, but parents must take some responsibility (for their behaviour) and interest in what they are doing.  We must work together on this.
•    We need to call a meeting regarding this and the Memorial hall is free till 7pm every night.  Meeting to be arranged by the Youth Officers of MCG.
•    Is the work being done with the youngsters as they need to feel a part and have a sense of ownership?
•    Rubbish has been dumped on some wasteland between the pavilion and the Apostolic Temple.
•    There is the opportunity for us to something relevant that will benefit everyone.  The Forum will pay for CRB checks as has been mentioned in previous minutes.  Other meetings need to be arranged to work out what equipment needs to be bought and to look into what funds are available.
•    Can the Youth Officers of MCG get in touch with PC Higgins at Cross Hands and let the Chair know when they would require the hall and they can run the meeting with the support of the Forum.

Games Night

•    Choice of dates, need to speak to Rhys Jones to confirm.
•    No date yet – liaise with Alun beginning of May (7-11)
•    Very good night last time, bowls for the youngsters and paint ball at the back.
•    Old mixing with the young needs to be encouraged.

Emlyn and Apostolic Church brief update

Roger Evans was invited along to speak about what was happening at the Emlyn site

•    John Davies gave a brief update from the sub committee meeting.
•    Phil Owen contacted the Environmental Agency and CCC to check if the site was clear, both bodies are happy that it is.
•    All the waste has been removed and taken to a landfill site.
•    Earth moving equipment will be landscaping last week in May.
•    Excess water will be collected in holding tanks and drained off into a new pipe, which will take 10-12 weeks to complete.
•    Gorsddu Road – test grouting.
•    Scrap metal at the top of Norton Road still hasn’t been removed yet, Roger Evans assured the forum that this would be addressed.
•    Complaints about a howling dog and spoil dumped behind John Davies house.
•    Lorries and heavy equipment parked in Rugby club/Memorial hall car park may damage the tarmac surface which isn’t constructed to take this type of wear.  Also excess mud is being left and washed up in the road.
•    Road to be replaced in time.
•    Western Mail featured details of the re-structure of the companies.
•    Eastern Management -> John Taylor <- Protex
•    £8.5 Million lent for infrastructure only.
•    A Sports facility on the site has been proposed.
•    Could MCG talk to John Taylor or Roger Rees about grants for match funding.

Apostolic Church

•    Public consultation in May – decision will be with lawyers.
•    Need as many people as possible to attend the meeting in Llandeilo.  If they win it could mean any developer could build anywhere.

Community Development Worker

•    A full time development worker based in Penygroes is hoped to be appointed for one year to try and source funds and grants for local issues.  We currently have a 20% shortfall for this project but hope to be able to raise the funds.
•    It is proposed that the computer room at the Memorial Hall can be used as an office.
•    We need someone else to carry out this important work as we are all busy working and have other committee obligations.  The person appointed would have specific experience in sourcing grants etc.
•    This person would work with all the local groups with the sole intention of obtaining any money that’s available from the community council.


Gardening Club

•    1st meeting to be held immediately after this meeting has ended.

The Easter Walk

Marie Hughes-Jones read information supplied by Mark Durdin as he could not attend.
•    Volunteer Walk Leader courses are being arranged and funded by the council.
•    Insurance will be provided if the VWL organises a walk that the council are aware of.
•    Marie-Ann is looking for weekly short duration walks (c. 30mins) for people who have health issues or are recovering from illness etc.  She is also trying to get rights of way information so that local routes can be developed.
•    Guided walks around Llyn Llech Owain every Wednesday will commence at Easter.  Details to follow.  Marie-Ann wants to know what we are looking for e.g. weekly local walks, monthly walks, walks further from home etc.
•    Mark to arrange something for Easter and put it in the newsletter.
•    Dai Thomas will have a certificate for walking, wait till next meeting.

Fund-raising Events

•    Work on the Village Of The Year award.  We need someone to work on this.
•    Information on Penygroes and what’s going on there is required, events, groups etc. Villages are judged on this.
•    £3,500 has been raised for the Eisteddford already, Llandybie has raised just over £1,000.  Lots of projects, Forum part of process to raise £6,000 but not lose all of it.
•    Adventure Flower show.
•    Committee meet in the Farmers Arms – Support from the forum.

A.O.B.

1/ Volunteer of the Year award
•    Need proposals by 25th May for week 1st – 7th June.
•    This is an opportunity to thank someone for work they have done in the community, schools, chapels etc.
•    Elected and/or paid officials i.e. councillors or committee members cannot be proposed.
•    Information needs to go to every house, ballot boxes placed in the Post Office/Surgery and Club.
•    If voting isn’t effective then a panel can choose.  Nomination either one per person or one per house (to be decided) and only local population eligible.
•    Perhaps Protex could contribute either a plaque or plate.

2/ Newsletter

•    Editorial team to speak to local businesses to help fund for the long term.

3/ Courses

•    MCG are arranging courses, 2 sessions each. The first is chairing a committee for prospective Chairman training.  
•    Courses for committee secretaries, minute writing etc.

4/ Dog Fouling

•    People are walking their dogs and letting them foul on the soccer fields.

5/ Bus Shelter in Caerbryn

•    An extra bus shelter has been requested in Caebryn towards Penygroes (only one going to Llandybie).
•    Current funds used up, new financial year coming.  Alun to confirm.

6/ Insurance

•    3rd party liability Insurance – Huw to look into further.

Meeting Closed

Next Meeting 11th April 2006 in Penygroes