Penygroes Ward Forum Minutes 4th July 2007

Present
List on file

Apologies
Julie Owen, Yvonne Kelly, Nicola Davies

Minutes of last meeting
Correct;  Proposed – Siân Thomas,  Seconded – Vicky Thomas

Matters Arising
•    Siân Thomas will be happy to be the moderator on the Penygroes Ward Welsh Community Site.
•    The clean-up week starts form Monday 9th July.  There will be road clearing in Tumble and Pontyates.  Lots of events are organized and local schools are getting involved.  It would be helpful if everyone could give up just an hour of their time.
•    There will be a litterpick along Caerbryn Road at 5pm on Wednesday 11th July.

Phil Owen’s Report
Phil Owen read details of his activities in June – details in brief, full report available on the community site or from Phil at the Memorial Hall.
•    Tubs of summer bedding plants – The grant application to B&Q was successful and 8 tubs of summer bedding are being placed around the Ward.
•    Planning Application for New Access Road through the new community garden - If the application is successful, Protex say they will reimburse the cost of the community garden and the European grant, which will need to be paid back.  However, the cost of time and energy on the part of the Garden Club members who worked on this project for over 2 years cannot be replaced.
•    Welsh Site – Is up and running, the translation is currently in progress.
•    Police Surgery – Only a couple of committee members turned up to the last surgery.  Hopefully, this means that there are no problems in the Ward.  Otherwise, we should take the chance of being able to speak to the community officers.  This is advertised locally.
•    Local Walks – A second walk has now been placed on the community site.
•    Events Program – This has now been drawn up and leaflets distributed, with up to date details from Phil at the hall.  Information has also been placed on the community site.

Community Garden Update
•    The completion has been delayed owing to bad weather although it is nearly finished.  It is hoped the flowers can be planted next Wednesday at 2pm.  Three benches are on order.

Protex
•    John Taylor attended the Forum meeting.
•    Many new facilities planned for site including Leisure Complex, Police Station, School and possibly a Medical Centre.
•    This site has been worked on for 6 years now and 15-16 sets of drawings have been submitted in line with requests from residents to incorporate certain facilities.
•    There is mistrust between the Protex developers and local residents and the general attitude of the group attending the meeting was only to believe what was planned when they see it occur.
•    Many people have suffered with noise, dirt, dust and general mess over the last few years and have had no recourse regarding this situation.
•    Although John Taylor did not believe the Forum had any right to question Protex’s financial affairs he did state that he has funding in place for the development and Protex had a solid financial base.
•    Phase 1 will be started this year and will a mixed development aimed at 1st time buyers.
•    John Taylor will contact Phil Owen when he has further news as it is difficult to give a date at present owing to planning delays.
•    A General Hall Meeting will be arranged and the Forum will consider their position before approaching the planning department.

Apostolic Development
•    Cllr. Siân Thomas said there wasn’t any news as the matter was still with the legal department.
•    The Caerbryn Road development has been delayed owing to issues with Welsh Water.

Events
•    Whilst Phil Owen is doing a good job arranging many local events we cannot expect him to do all the work and we need others to volunteer to organise and run them as this is not his sole responsibility.
•    Yvonne Howard & Julian volunteered to help organise the Treasure Hunts.
•    Vicky Thomas and Lynnette Reynolds volunteered to help organise the Christmas Fayre.
•    The FUN DAY is hoping to have a Hot Air Balloon Ride (6 tickets planned) via raffled 4 tickets prior the day and a raffle on the day for 1 ticket plus an auction for the last ticket.  Tickets are valued at £120 each.
•    There will be Rugby matches, Bungee events, a Hog roast, the Police will be there and other displays are planned.

A.O.B.
Penygroes School
•    A new Head Teacher is starting in September

Ball Park
•    The youth have requested a new tennis net.  This could be left out during the summer months and stored in the winter.  Phil will look into this.

Caerbryn Road
•    The grant for a survey of the woodland and pond alongside Caerbryn Rd. has been put in to Environment Wales.  It has been matched by a £250 grant successfully obtained from Carmarthenshire County Council’s local Biodiversity Action Plan.
•    Environment Wales are hopeful that it will be successful and if so, the project should be eligible for up to £10,000 to create the woodland walk but it will be their project.

Penygroes Park
•    The gate to the entrance in Gors Ddu Road is lying on the floor and the access Road is used as a private car park.  A request has been submitted to have the gate repaired or replaced.

Apostolic Youth Club
•    There have been a number of complaints about youths fighting and left to roam the streets once they have been left there by parents.  It seems there isn’t enough supervision.  Parents are concerned this is not a secure environment.
•    A CRB check is required for each person and for each location they supervise young people.
•    There are also concerns the problems here may reflect on our own Youth Club.
•    Phil Owen will speak to the Pastor and Siân Thomas will also look into it further.

Leaflet distributors are required to help deliver the latest Forum Newsletter.

Meeting Closed

Next Meeting
7pm Wednesday 5th September 2007 at the Pavilion