Lampeter Town Council Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the 26.05.2011 Which Was Held at the Church Hall at 7.00Pm
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LAMPETER TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY MEETING OF THE 26.05.2011 WHICH WAS HELD AT THE CHURCH HALL AT 7.00PM. 1. CHAIRPERSON’S WELCOME The Mayor Hag Harris extended a welcome to all present. Cllr Margaret Davies-Evans led councillors in prayer. Members observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for the sudden, untimely, passing away of the Clerk’s sister, Lis. 2. PRESENT Mayor Hag Harris (Chairperson); Deputy-Mayor Cllr Kistiah Ramaya (Deputy-Chairperson); Cllrs Cecilia Barton; Andrew Carter, Elsie Dafis; Margaret Davies- Evans; John Davies; Greg Evans; Chris Thomas, Selwyn Walters, Derek Wilson and Dorothy Williams. Rachel Evans Help4Carers; (7-7.15pm) PC Richard Marshall Meri Huws (University of Wales Trinity Saint David Pro-Vice Chancellor) Professor Denzil Morgan (Provost) University of Wales, Trinity Saint David. Hannah Smith; Carl Stringer (Press) APOLOGIES for absence were received from Cllr Rob Phillips. 3. PRESENTATION HELP4CARERS (Rachel Evans) The Big Lottery Funded project aims to offer free practical help to unpaid carers in West Wales. Help is offered in matters such as transport, gardening and housework. During the first year of its inception, the Project concentrated on the Aberystwyth, Aberaeron and Cardigan areas. This year, Help4Cares is assigning attention to the Llangrannog, New Quay and Lampeter areas in Ceredigion and to Llanybydder in Carmarthenshire. Two volunteers have offered their services in Lampeter. Further information can be obtained from the Ceredigion Project Worker Rachel Evans on 07733 265769. 4. PRESENTATION UNIVERSITY OF WALES TRINITY SAINT DAVID (To clarify the University’s Redundancy Programme and Future Development Plans; The main concern of the town had been the recent redundancies at the Lampeter campus) Meri Huws, who assumes responsibility for Innovation, Skills and Community, said that 40 staff across the 2 campuses in Lampeter and Carmarthen had been lost, in light of the 35% cut from the HEFCW (Higher Education Funding Council for Wales) and the reorganisation process. Cllrs felt that a disproportionate number of redundancies had taken place in Lampeter, when compared to Carmarthen and suggested that it had been a poor exercise in PR. To address this issue Meri Huws suggested that University Management should meet with the Town Council on a 6 monthly basis, a move which was 1 welcomed by councillors. It was revealed that student members on the Lampeter campus were increasing year on year. The university expects to induct up to 600 students this year and will have 1,400 students studying from September 2011. Meri Huws also outlined the planned refurbishment of campus buildings, including a new student hub, Arts Hall refurbishment and the creation of two new institutes. The Institute of Voice will open in June and an Institute of Rural Health and Social Care will be housed in the old Ysgol Ffynnonbedr building, which was recently bought by the university. The Mayor Hag Harris raised the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s proposal, to include the University Field at Pontfaen Road as a potential new site for employment/retail within the Ceredigion County Council’s (CCC) Local Development Plan (LDP). The Mayor said that a supermarket could move into the 3.03 hectare site if it was awarded employment/retail designation within the LDP, “if a supermarket moves onto the site it would mean the loss of that field for sports facilities in Lampeter and would have a small impact on retail elsewhere in the town”. Members were disappointed at the lack of openness from the university concerning this key-issue and felt that the matter should have been discussed with the Town Council. Professor Morgan stated that Mr Cennydd Powell, Executive Director of Properties and Estates for the Lampeter Campus had given a presentation on the LDP application earlier in the day. RESOLVED: to invite Mr Powell to the June meeting of the Town Council to clarify the situation. RESOLVED: a delegation of the TC will prepare a response on the university field along with other site allocation representations made for Lampeter, within the LDP, for discussion at the 30 June meeting, to meet the CCC’s 12 July deadline. Members of the public may also present objections to the CCC. Representations (including objections) in respect of the Site Allocation Representations Proposals should be sent in writing to the Principle Officer of Forward Planning and Policy , Ceredigion County Council, Dept of Environmental Services and Housing, Neuadd Cyngor Ceredigion, Penmorfa, Aberaeron, SA46 OPA or [email protected] and must be received before 12 noon 12th July 2011. The Local Development Plan (LDP) is the new land use plan being prepared by CCC due for adoption in November 2012. 5. POLICE MATTERS 5.1 Litter on Harford Square: much improved. 5.2 King’s Head/ Drovers’ Rd: vehicles causing obstruction. 5.3 The red van, alluded to, in previous minutes, continues to be a feature of the Common; it was reported that the van is used quite often (Cllr Margaret Davies-Evans). An abandoned red car is a permanent fixture at Bryn Steffan. 2 5.4 Dog Fouling problem: in the vicinity of the Farmer’s Market area and in College Street. 5.5 Christmas Lights – Cllr John Davies reported that the lights would not be taken down this year, but rather next year, after the Christmas Season. The Town Council will offer financial or physical help. 5.6 A robbery had taken place on the fringes of the College and an assault in College Street. 6. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL & PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS None. 7. CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE 28 April These were agreed to be a correct record and were signed by the Chair apart from the following amendments: 7.1 Cllr Carter had been present; 7.2 The 20 year lease for the Victoria Hall has not yet been received (minute 9); & 7.3 10.1 – should read T Llew Jones and not T Law Jones. 8. MATTERS ARISING 8.1 Annual General Meeting Lampeter Town Council 6.05.2011: it was reported that the evening had been a success, when Cllr Hag Harris was made Mayor of Lampeter for the Municipal Year 2011-12 and Cllr Kistiah Ramaya will serve as Deputy-Mayor. 8.2 Harford Square: Cllr Rob Philips had contacted the CCC to ask if it is possible for them to undertake improvements to the Square: Response received from CCC: they are prepared to do so; the prices will not fluctuate from the prices quoted, last year. It was RESOLVED to ask them for a quote to: 8.2.1 Move the large bin from its present position to the College Street side of the main seat and fix to pavement. 8.2.2 Repaint both bins, bollards and posts and chain around fountain and ironwork on fountain in black and gold and “Not Drinking Water” signs in present colours; 8.2.3 Paint railings around flowerbed and galvanised flower hanging baskets in black; & 8.2.4 Clean down timberwork on the seats and restain and coat with appropriate varnish (this has been done in part) AND to ask whether grant funding is available this year. (Clerk) 8.3 Fundraising Walk: Help the Heroes: A few Cllrs had welcomed the walkers on Harford Square at 5pm on the 4th May. The photographer Mr Tim Jones could not be present. It was reported that the evening had been enjoyed by all. 8.4 Damaged Post on the Common: Mr Alec Page has installed a new post, but has not, as yet, completed the work. 8.5 Town Guide: work in progress by Cllr Elsie Dafis. 8.6 The Great Poppy Week-End: the British Legion, Lampeter: no further information. (DW) 3 8.7 The purchase of a lap-top computer: Cost £328.98: No developments. (RP) 8.8 The Mayor’s chain- repair: no developments. (HH & SW) 9. CORRESPONDENCE 9.1 Review of Electoral Arrangements Report and Proposals: Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales, County Of Ceredigion: for perusal. It was reported that 2 County Cllrs will remain to represent the Lampeter Ward during the next County Council Election. 9.2 Ffynnonbedr Primary School: thanking the TC for hosting the Disco at the school on the 14th April 2011. The School has received health and safety concerns from parents, when the Fair is held on the adjacent car-park. To inform the CCC. 9.3 New Treasurer for St Peter’s Church Lampeter: Mrs Jeanette Conti; New secretary Mrs Beryl Phillips. Mrs Pat Davies has resigned from her post as secretary. 9.4 Other correspondence: for information only. 10. PLANNING PERMISSION BY CCC 10.1 Applicant: Whitbread of Road: Proposal: Extension to existing steel framed building. Location: Lampeter Industrial Estate. Application No: A110233 PLANNING APPLICATIONS 10.2 Proposal: Internal alterations; External Alterations: new hanging sign: Lampeter PO, 5-6 College Street, Lampeter. Response submitted by delegation of TC: no objection. Application No: A110171. Applicant: Mr Alexander Very. 10.3 Proposal: Internal alterations to existing shop counter, external alteration to existing windows and new external hanging sign. Location: Lampeter PO, 5-6 College Street, Lampeter Application No: A110184LB. Response by delegation of TC: No objection. Applicant: Mr Alexander Very. 10.4 Ceredigion Local Development Plan (LDP): Site Allocation Representations Consultation: sub-committee to meet before the next meeting and will share their views with all members of the TC. (Mayor/ Deputy-Mayor; Immediate Past-Mayor; Cllrs Elsie Dafis; Selwyn Walters) 11. MENTER LLAMBED AND TRANSITION LLAMBED Nothing to report. 12. FINANCE 12.1 Donation £100 – Clonc – celebrating 30 years February 2012. 12.2 Cyfiaith – Translator Mrs Sian Jones: Mayoral Inauguration Ceremony 6 May 2011: £80; Vat £16 Total: £96.00 12.3 Thank you letter from the Beacon of Hope organisation, for the recent donation of £200.