At the ordinary General Meeting of Llanfihangel Aberbythych Community Council held on the           12 March 2018 in Carmel village hall at 7pm
PRESENT : Cllrs M Digby (Chairman) M Trevor (Vice Chairman), Ll. Thomas, J Roberts, A Thomas, E Hopkins, A James, B John, J Thomas, C Campbell
Also present: , M Jenkins (clerk)
137. CHAIRMAN'S OPENING REMARKS
Chairman Cllr M Digby welcomed members to the first meeting of 2018. Due to clerk illness the January meeting had been cancelled and the February meeting postponed to 12 March. March meeting will be held as per usual schedule.
Clerk thanked members present for the bouquet of flowers she had received during her recent illness.
138. 	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr J Walters
139. 	DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTERESTS None. 
140.	POLICING MATTERS – PCSO Roger Anthony not present, therefore no report received. Clerk stated that she would contact PSCSO Roger Anthony immediately asking him to report on this long outstanding matter. The car is unsightly and deteriorating, and something needs to be done by either Dyfed Powys Police of Carmarthenshire County Council.  Clerk was to request PCSO to attend the next meeting, and if not to forward a report.
141. MINUTES Minutes of the meeting held 18 December were confirmed as a correct record subject to addition of Bank balance of £6176.91
142.  MATTERS ARISING
Speed/Traffic Calming : The clerk had now received the data from the traffic counter at St Johns Terrace, this will be circulated to members in the next few days. Clerk has now written to Steve Pilllinger expressing disappointment at Mr McEvoy’s attitude and inappropriate wording in his email response, this was not the kind of response that was expected from this level  local authority staff.  At the meeting held in June 2017 Mr McEvoy had suggested that the way forward was to carry out engineering works in the area.  In the mail, there was no mention of this whatsoever.  Clerk to invite Steve Pillinger to a future meeting of the community council. 
Cllr Cefin Campbell requested a review of the A476 link road to the Square in Milo.  Residents are extremely concerned that the new link road will increase vehicle speeds through the area, and that consideration should be given to installation of islands, Speed bumps to slow traffic down.  Cllr Campell also mentioned that he had recently met with the chairman of the Parcmarlais Residents association, and after they carried out a recent speed survey, it was identified that 38 cars during a 1 hour period had been caught exceeding the speed limit.
Gelli Aur – No further information regarding works being carried out at this location.  Cllr J Roberts to monitor the position and to report to a future meeting should activity recommence.
Milo – Cllr T Stephens not present it was not known whether the vehicles are still in situ.  
Website  : Cllr C Campbell stated that he had received a cost estimate for translating the monthly minutes of approximately £65 for 1000 words.  Cllr Ll Thomas had received an estimate of £50, but was unsure whether that translator would be available to undertake the work.  It was resolved to discuss the matter in the next meeting. 
New Link Road :  No further information as to when works are due to commence. 
Annual Dinner –  It was reported that a sub committee met prior to the annual dinner to discuss the Annual Precept.  It was resolved that there was no unexpected major expense  foreseen except for translation services, and that only the usual costs of clerk, footway lighting and donations were expected.  Resolved to retain the precept for 2017/18 at £17,500. 
The annual dinner was very successful and well attended.  Chairman thanked Cllr J Walters (not present) for organizing.
FOI Request : Cllr Campbell had provided clerk with the statement in relation to the loan  given by Carmarthenshire CC to Scarlets, but clerk had forgotten to print the same, and would circulate to members for discussion at the next meeting. Clerk to provide Cllr J Walters with a  printed copy as he does not receive email.
Grass Verges : An acknowledgement had been received from Carmarthenshire CC regarding the query in relation to health and safety issues were bolders are placed on grass verges by residents.  A full response is awaited in due course. Clerk to chase
Dog Fouling – Clerk had written to Carmarthenshire CC in relation to the serious dog fouling problem in the Country Park Gorslas and in the Nature Reserve in Carmel. No further information
Bench – Clerk had reported the damaged bench near the mast in Maesybont.  It was not known whether it had been removed or replaced. Clerk to report to PCSO Roger Anthony asking for the costs of a new bench to be claimed from the driver.
No further information regarding the fencing had been erected and was obstructing the public footpath near the mast towards Llechowain Lake.  Clerk to chase.
143. COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS
BT – Nothing further to report on this matter, Cllr C Campbell would attend the meeting scheduled on 26th March 2018 and report back at that time. 
Council Tax- Cllr Campbell reported that there would be an increase of 4.45% in council tax. It was unfortunate, but compares well with other areas.
Carmarthenshire CC – Cllr Campbell circulated the recently published 5 year plan. 
144. CORRESPONDENCE 
Clerk and Councils direct Magazine – noted
One Voice Wales – Swansea training sessions – noted
Carmarthenshire CC – 5 year plan – noted
Mayor of Carmarthen – Invitation to St David’s Parade (cancelled) noted
Carmarthenshire YFC – Invitation to Rally – noted (2 tickets donated to Cllr B John) 
One Voice Wales – Carmarthenshire area committee – noted
Carmarthenshire CC – garden waste collection scheme leaflet – noted
Carmarthenshire CC – Notification of Footway Lighting Charges – reluctantly accepted, but clerk asked to write to Carms CC asking for breakdown of calculations and what “maintenance” is entailed.
145.	 PLANNING – E/36917 application for variation of conditions 7,8,15,22,23 and 29 of application no E/26450 Alltygarn Quarry Carmel
The clerk was requested to contact the Planning department asking for details of the conditions that were being varied and in particular to ask –
1.	Whether there a wheel wash was to be included?
2.	Are the lorries likely to move outside the site boundary?
3.	Was there blasting proposed?
4.	Will all lorries be covered?
5.	Will the road be swept regularly?
6.	What is the proposed timescale of the project?
A36918 – Application for a single storey domestic extension to Ty’r Garn Carmel – no objection
145.	 PAYMENT AND ACCOUNT
Current Account : £10,913.12 (after receipt of part Precept)
Payments : £107.28 HMRC (Jan)
£107.28 HMRC (Feb)
£107.28 HMRC (March)
£150.00 Vision ICT website maintenance
£353.57 Zurich Insurance
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that the statement of accounts was accepted.
It was agreed to accept the Standing Orders, and the Risk assessment in principle (subject to correction of typographicals/multiplcations) together with the appointment of Mr Bryn Smith to carry out next Audit (subject to his agreement to undertake the task)
The clerk mentioned that she had not received all applications for financial assistance.  No application had been received from Carmel Village Hall or PTA Maesybont or the Chapel.  Clerk was due to return the key for Camel Village hall to Tegwen later this evening and would mention it to her at that time.  It was resolved therefore to consider financial applications in the next meeting.
146.	 ANY OTHER BUSINESS/QUESTIONS
LITTER- Cllr Arwel James stated that he had noticed litter along the road from Temple to the square in Ffair Fach.   
Cllr J Thomas also mentioned there was litter in the layby in Carmel, and fly tipping in the layby near the Nature reserve  Clerk to contact Carmarthenshire CC asking them to deal with the issues and also to mention the fly tipping to PCSO Roger Anthony so that the area can be monitored.
Cllr M Trevor also reported that there were bags of rubbish left in the Layby near Gardinen.  This was an ongoing problem, Clerk requested to contact Carmarthenshire CC asking for the bin to be reinstated at this location.
MANHOLES – Cllr J Thomas reported that following recent works by Openreach/Welsh Water the manhole cover between Penlan ad Gardinen, Llandeilo were loose and needs urgent attention.  Clerk to contact Carmarthenshire CC.
A476 – Cllr E Hopkins reported that there is a significant dip in the road near Lether Garw.  Clerk to report the matter to Carmarthenshire CC asking them to investigate immediately
GELLI AUR PARK – Cllr J Roberts asked Cllr Cefin Campbell whether he could confirm that the park will be open to the public this Summer? Cllr Campbell responded that he had recently met with Mr Richard Salmon who had confirmed that the Park would re open after Easter with the view of opening the Café in May.
WI - Cllr B John mentioned that the WI meet in Carmel on a monthly basis, in addition to this there are two larger meetings held annually. Cllr L Thomas and Cllr M Trevor agreed to attend the meeting due to be held in Ammanford on the 19th of March, with Cllrs B John and Cllr J Roberts to attend the meeting in October.
CARAVAN – Cllr B John asked Cllr C Campbell whether he could ascertain the position in relation to the static caravan that is situated in the field belonging to (Bryngwman?) Bach on the road behind Temple Bar.  It does not appear that planning permission has been granted. Cllr Campbell to report back to next meeting.

NOTE - Meeting was held through the medium of Welsh
Next meeting to be held Monday 26 March 2018 at Gelli Aur Church Hall at7pm