CYNGOR TRÊF GORSEINON TOWN COUNCIL www.gorseinontowncouncil.gov.uk S E I R N O O N G 2011/2012 NEWSLETTER T L O I W C N N A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR C O U Happy New Year everyone! I would like to thank the people of Gorseinon for electing me as one of your 16 unpaid Town Councillors in 2008, and also my Councillor Colleagues for electing me as Mayor/Chairman for this municipal year. I am extremely privileged and proud to represent you and I will do my upmost to ensure that I carry out my duties to the highest possible level. Firstly a little about me. I have lived in Gorseinon most of my life and come from a well-known Gorseinon family. I am married to Emma and have two young children Lauren and Ben. I currently work full-time as a Line Manager within DVLA’s Drivers Medical Directorate. Previously, I have held various managerial positions with the Private Sector, after graduating with a BA (hons) Business Studies Degree. I am an active member of the Labour Party, recently serving as Chairman to Gorseinon Ward Labour Party. I am a Governor of Gorseinon Junior School and a keen supporter of local charities, my Mayoral Charity this year being Gorseinon Gateway Monday Club. On initially taking office, an essential part of my role was to create harmony within the Council. This would only be achieved by encouraging a fair and healthy debate from all Councillors, by being respectful, and by allowing everyone time to state their point of view. It has also been my aim to ensure that This municipal year, Gorseinon Town Council was one of a small members of the public have a fair opportunity to bring issues or number of Councils that had built up a limited amount of questions to our monthly meetings. For this reason, the Council resources for future projects and it gave me great pleasure to is now always prepared to increase the 15 minute public session announce that we were in a position to be able to award over if necessary, and I would encourage as many of you as possible £6000 to local voluntary organisations and good causes. We to attend at 7:00 pm on the first Wednesday of each month. will be looking to provide more grants during February, so if you We have recently re-vamped our website, so as well as the have not already done so please write to the Clerk if you feel monthly Council meetings, you can find out what's going on that your organisation would benefit. A new Council initiative within your community at www.gorseinontowncouncil.gov.uk. this year is the issuing of thank you letters to deserving members of the local community. So if you know anyone who As part of a successful re-generation of Gorseinon and deserves a personal letter of thanks or congratulations from Penyrheol, it is essential that the Town Council builds strong, your Mayor, then please get in touch with the Clerk. reliable working relationships with key local stakeholders. It is therefore not only my aim to ensure that these relationships Finally, this year is Local Government Election year. The continue throughout my term, but also to form new ones. I was Elections will take place on Thursday, 3rd May 2012 and it will therefore particularly pleased that the Headmaster of Penyrheol be up to you, the electorate, to decide who you want to serve Comprehensive school, Mr. Alan Tootill, attended our and represent you on your Council for the next four years. December meeting to give a presentation of how the Council Given the current economic climate, it is more important than and school can work together to improve the area and to ever that you use your vote wisely. provide essential opportunities for our young people. I wish you all happiness, peace and prosperity, together we can Last year, we saw the launch of the Welsh Assembly's Local make a difference to this great town we call home. Development Plan (LDP). These plans set out the key Thank you, components of future developments in Wales, forming a major part of the Planning process. One of the main benefits of this initiative is that Local Authorities now have to take in to account your views when considering the future development of where we all live. The Town Council is playing an important Cllr David J. Lewis part in ensuring that your views are supported through to the Gorseinon Town Mayor 2011/12 City and County of Swansea. 1 CYNGOR TRÊF GORSEINON TOWN COUNCIL www.gorseinontowncouncil.gov.uk WHAT YOUR TOWN COUNCIL You, the electorate have elected 16 UNPAID Town Councillors to Representing the removal of yellow lines for residents in Trinity give their time, to represent the interests of the community, in the Street, Securing traffic improvements within your local area - eg 4 wards of Gorseinon central, Gorseinon east, Gorseinon west and traffic calming, school crossing patrols, Speed cameras where Penyrheol. This is what is done for you by Gorseinon Town needed. Councillors to represent the community, for the precept of less than 50p week per household! 5. ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME Lobbying for improvements at Argyll Gardens / Parc y Werin/Melyn 1. MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETINGS AT THE Mynach parks on behalf of the community. INSTITUTE, LIME ST. Funding Summer & Winter hanging baskets in the main shopping On the first Wednesday of each month at 7pm, Councillors meet street to improve the appearance of our town. Bulb Planting in to deliver the statutory functions of the Town Council on behalf of parks / schools/ and residential streets where residents have asked the communities of Gorseinon and Penyrheol. Meetings are open for support. Providing facilities within the local parks - Dog bins, to the Public and a specific Public session allows residents to bring benches, seats bins, Sports equipment. forward any issue within the area of concern. Litter picking initiatives and keeping rural footpaths and cycleways open. 2. PLANNING CONSULTATIONS Monthly Public Meeting to offer observations to the Planning 6. COMMUNITY LEISURE Authority in Swansea Council upon development proposals within the local community (ranging in scale from new Asda store to Annual Christmas Lantern Parade / Sleigh and fireworks with local the household extension next to your house). They also raise schoolchildren enforcement matters where there are problems, and represent Supporting local Food festival at Canolfan centre individuals / community groups at Appeals and future land Use Assisting funding of the redevelopment of the Gorseinon Bus planning matters, that will influence the future developments station within the Gorseinon / Penyrheol areas. Christmas lights within the Town and Argyll Gardens 3. NEW PROJECTS Christmas school Poster competitions Organising “Best lit House” within the community competition Once a year the Council is asked to set the precept, to collect the funding it needs for the coming year. This must cover the capital Supporting “Tug of war competition” at Parc y Werin in July programme, training, grants and administration of the Town Supporting local Youth club / ATC / TA / Cubs / Guides / Arts Council for the next 12 months. Capital schemes reflect the Groups etc in future funding programmes that the community have asked for with 100% of the precept spent within our community. Schemes range in scale from Setting up a youth Council to represent the interests of youngsters a new Skateboard Park for youngsters, CCTV camera, new lighting locally along the access lane to the youth club, to a new street bench for elderly residents overlooking the river. 7. GRANTS / AWARDS For the last 25 years the Town Council has supported over 100 4. HIGHWAYS local clubs, schools PTAs, sports associations groups and societies Councillors spend much time addressing highway issues within within the Gorseinon and Penyrheol area catchment, by offering the Town, with the Highways department at Swansea Council, small grants and larger interest free loans where needed; including; Community recognition - Acknowledging worthy individuals Lobbying for the replacement of the new traffic phasing at the within the community who have given community service to the High St / West St cross roads. Town, and should be recognised!. Opposing the proposed introduction of parking charges within the Lime St and Brighton rd. car parks on behalf of Local Traders and residents alike. 2 CYNGOR TRÊF GORSEINON TOWN COUNCIL www.gorseinontowncouncil.gov.uk IS DOING FOR YOU 8. COMMUNITY The Mayor on behalf of the Town Council visits those residents that have reached 90 years of age, to present small medallions, and gifts to celebrate their birthdays. Supporting the Twinning Association with Ploemerl in Brittany. Representing the community at Remembrance Parade and other relevant functions.Supporting the wealth of local organisations the Town Mayor presence at their openings and functions each year. Meetings with local Police Officers to address community Policing matters on behalf of local residents, and attend Community Police PACT meetings to address anti social behaviour issues. Representing residents views at the Public Inquiry into previous licensing problems at the Lewis Jones Public House. 9. WEB SITE Last year saw the launch of the Town Councils website. It is being regularly updated and provides details of the Councils activities, Newsletters, Planning applications, Agendas and Committee Minutes. A new historical site is being developed and the website can provide an opportunity to voice your concern through the comments page. You can find the web site on www.gorseinontowncouncil.gov.uk So when in future the question of what do your Town Councillors do for us - Now you know - Don’t lose the voice representing your community! Local Community elections will be held next May 2012, to elect Town Councillors for the next 4 years.