Fforwm Ward Penygroes Ward Forum
5 December  2007 at 7 pm
Pafiliwn Parc Penygroes Park Pavilion

Minutes

Present
Les Devaney, Roy Evans, Mark Waygood, Nicola Davies, Llinos Hindley, Vicky Thomas, Barbara Jones, Eleri Davies, Phil Owen, Julian Tandy (Chair), Huw Evans

Apologies
Cllr Sian Thomas, Julie Owen, Mair Griffiths, Lynnette Reynolds, Caryl Tandy

Corrections to the Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Eleanor Tandy’s name had not been included in the list of attendees.

Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes were accepted as correct, subject to the change noted above.  Proposed by Mark Waygood and seconded by Phil Owen.

Matters Arising

Speeding on Waterloo Road.  Nobody turned up at the Police surgery, therefore this issue was not raised.


Update from the Penygroes Park Steering Committee

A short update on the committee’s work was given by Eleri Davies.  The committee are in the process of adopting a constitution and opening a bank account.

The committee are bringing together the specifications and costs for various works at the park.  Developments such as the skateboard park are being developed in conjunction with the youth of the village who are represented on the committee.

Update relating to the Community Garden

Phil Owen had presented a petition to the County Council asking for the Council not to sell the Community Garden land.  This is currently under consideration.

Plans from Protex the developers had been received prior to the meeting showing the proposed location of the new Library and Community Garden near the current access from Waterloo Road into the village hall/rugby club car park. The plans show only pedestrian access from Waterloo Road and that the gate into the cemetery at Calfaria is blocked. Even if this was open it could mean that small diggers would be travelling through the Community Garden.
So far the Gardening Club who developed the garden have not been consulted.

Agreed: to contact John Taylor of Protex to request a meeting to discuss the garden its location and layout.  The Gardening Club in particular would like an input into the design.
Events
Christmas Fayre – The Fayre, organised by Lynnette Reynolds and Vicky Thomas will be held at the Village Hall on Thursday December 6th 2007 at 6.30pm.  Father Christmas will be there along with 11 stalls run by different groups in the village.  The raffle prizes had been donated by local business.  Entrance will be a £1, raffle £1 and a photo with Santa £1.

Boxing Day Walk – The walking is being arranged by Julian Tandy and Phil Owen starting from the Farmer’s Arms at 1 pm.

Wine Tasting – The tickets for the Wine Tasting evening on 25 January 2008 are on sale for £10 each.  There will be 8 wines to taste and food.  A bus will take people from the ward to the Badgers at Blaenau and home again.

Soul Night – The Soul Night will be held at the Rugby Club on 16 February 2008, tickets will be £10.

Walking Weekend – To launch the new footpaths in and around Penygroes a weekend festival of walking will be arranged in March 2008. It will also include a celebration of the work achieved with the most recent grant.

Development Officers Report

• An initial application for a Village Mentor has been submitted to the Big Lottery Fund.  The Mentor will develop a welcome pack for people who move into the village to help them integrate with and join activities.
• The Autumn Newsletter has been published which include the questionnaire on the forum’s future.  Phil Owen asked for volunteers to help deliver the questionnaire to each household in the ward.
• The Development Officer has started a Community Engagement course arranged by Menter Cwm Gwendraeth.
• The Gwendraeth Valley Training Forum is able to arrange training courses as long as there are 10 – 12 people interested.
• A grant has been secured to produce an interpretation board on the village’s history.  Cambria Archaeology will be leading on the work.
• Plans for the new extension to the village hall, including a meeting room, changing room, toilet and storage have been prepared and a bid for funding will be developed.
Future of the Village Forum

It was agreed to wait the results of the questionnaires before taking any decisions on the future of the forum.

Location of Meetings

Mair Griffiths has spoken to the elders of Mynydd Sïon who are happy for the Forum to meet in the Vestry.  It was agreed that the January, February and March meetings would be held at the vestry.

Any Other Business

Apostolic Church Youth Club - It was reported that the Youth Club was making sure that there are sufficient adults to look after the younger age group.  For the 13+ years Youth Club they are operating an open door policy.  Concerns about young people not being able to go back into the centre will be raised with the organisers.
The Community Police had called into a session.

Community Police.  A box for complaints and comments has been placed in the Penygroes Post Office, which will be collected regularly.

1-Fund Awards.  All 3 projects funded through 1-Fund, the Community Garden, Development Officer and Interpretation Board are currently under consideration for an award through the programme run by Carmarthenshire County Council.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Forum will be held at Mynydd Sïon Vestry Penygroes on 9th January 2007 at 7 p.m.