Penygroes Community News

Present
Julian Tandy (Chairman), Derek Rourke, M Rees, L Davanay, Lynnette Reynolds, Nicola Davies, Llinos Hindley, John Davies, Phil Owen, Cllr. Siân Thomas, Mark Waygood (Secretary), Huw Evans (Menter Cwm Gwendraeth)

Apologies
Yvonne Kelly, Marie Hughes-Jones, Alun Lewis, Rhian Dawson

Minutes of last meeting
Previous minutes approved, proposed by Llinos Hindley, seconded by Phil Owen.

Matters Arising
* Games Evening cannot be held before Christmas, now planned for the end of January 2007

Talk by Rhian Dawson – Health Update

* Rhian unfortunately cannot be present tonight but hopes to be available for January’s meeting.
* She has asked if there are any specific areas of health that the Forum would like to discuss, for instance the health issues surrounding long term developments like the Emlyn Project for example, with the large number of houses planned and the huge influx of people, it can affect the well-being of the local population.
* This is still a pilot scheme for the upper part of the Gwendraeth and is supported by Penygroes Surgery, although it is unclear whether the chemist is involved.
* It might be worth re-explaining the purpose of the project to the Forum.
* The local walks scheme needs to be looked at again as nothing has happened to move this forward and Rhian might be in a position to help.
* A new walk leader needs to be brought in.  Brian James of Llandybie CC might be able to assist.
* Penygroes School should be involved but insurance situation needs to be clarified.  Can parents sign a disclaimer stating that they are responsible for their own children, as they will be walking with them?
* On the Boxing Day Walk, the parents will be with the group.

Updates

Emlyn Site
* There wasn’t anything to discuss at the recent meeting, but Alun Lewis tonight presented a DVD and photographs from a recent Dyno-rod investigation, at the cement works, into flooding problems.
* John Davies has been asked to look at this information and report at the next sub-committee meeting.
* MA report has also reached the Forum that John Taylor is in consultation with the Penygroes Welfare & Memorial Hall committee to purchase the hall (and rebuilding) for an access road onto the site.
* This information was given to Eifion Bowen by John Taylor.
* No such discussions are currently under way.
* This claim will be looked into ready for the next meeting.

Apostolic Application

* Siân Thomas and Peter Roberts attended a meeting with Jonathan Fearn the Councils Asset Manager, whose job it is to sell off council land.
* The application is in the hands of the Legal Dept. because the lease to the park states that it is for ‘open air recreation use’ only.’  It depends on the definition of ‘Recreational Use’ whether walking along a road through the park can be considered recreational use.
* This could take many months before the legal dept. will make a decision on this.
* If it goes against us then it will go to the solicitors who look after miner’s welfare halls.  The trustees are the miner’s welfare committee.
* The Apostolics have also put in another application on Caerbryn Road where the old caravan site was for another 25 houses.
* This will cause problems with traffic, parking, additional lollipop ladies and there is also a crèche close by so this application will also be contested.
* There are also some trees in that location that the Forum will need to put in a preservation order to protect them.
* Julian to speak to the preservation officer on behalf of the forum or the gardening club but it is worth consulting with Alun Lewis first.
* This application hasn’t reached planning yet but time is of the essence.  However, the preservation order can be imposed almost immediately.
* Jonathan Fearn has assured Siân that the moment he hears from the legal dept., he will email her with the decision.  At that point a public meeting will be called.

Community Garden

* All applications have been sent to Alun Lewis at the One Fund.
* The only action awaiting completion is the letter from the bank confirming that the money can be borrowed from somewhere to pay the bills before the grant is given.  Unfortunately the bank wants to be paid £100 for this service.  Yvonne is currently dealing with the bank.

Pavilion Meeting

* A meeting is planned tomorrow evening at the pavilion between, the youth project, Penygroes RFC, Forum members who attended the previous meeting, Siân Thomas and Gerwyn Thomas from the parks dept.
* We are going to propose that other local groups including the forum could meet there on a regular basis and make better use of the building.
* This will not be a public meeting and has not been advertised as such.

Christmas Fayre Arrangements

* To be held this coming Friday 15th December at 6.30pm.
* Raffle prizes are required and some volunteers to help set it up at 5.30pm.
* Being opened by the Mayor of Llandybie Council, but this is to be confirmed.

A.O.B.

* At the request of Alun Lewis, Siân has been rewarding the house with the best Christmas lights.  If there are any that stand out please let Siân know, there are already a few names from Caerbryn and one from Blaenau.  There are also some further down Waterloo Road.  Julian to look at a few prospective houses. The reward may be given after Christmas.
* Siân is in the middle of a dog fouling ‘name and shame’ campaign, so contact Siân with any relevant information.  Once the council have the name they can prosecute.  Signs are on order.  
* Dog walkers tend to keep routines but these people are doing it after dark and the rugby club has stopped games because of fouling on the field.
* There isn’t much point the forum putting up posters because they can be pulled down and we might be prosecuted for fly posting.
* Llinos Hindley has to walk in the road with the pushchair because there is so much on the pavement.  Photos have been taken and sent to ‘Streetscene’.  Penygroes is on the list for action to be carried out regarding dog fouling.
* The ‘One Fund’ is now virtually closed as almost all of the funding has been provisionally earmarked.


Meeting Closed
Next Meeting 7pm 16th January at Caerbryn Hall

Present
Sal Armstrong, Kevin Kelly, Marie Hughes Jones, Howard Watkins, Yvonne Watkins, Lynnette Reynolds, John Davies, Siân Thomas, Mair Griffiths, Yvonne Kelly, Julian Tandy, Mark Waygood, Huw Evans, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth

Apologies
Alun Lewis, Peter Roberts

Annual Reports

* No report from the Chair owing to ill health, but he is in discussion with the mothers & toddlers group regarding facilities.
* Treasurer – Yvonne Kelly, Awaiting a bank statement but as there hasn’t been any movement, they won’t send one out.  Balance £1,987.13, £500 of which is for the Youth Project.  Money raised from events is going towards the Urdd Eisteddfod.
* To Action – Update bank account as information is out of date.  

Election of Committee:  

* This year there will be two co-chairs; first co-chair, Alun Lewis, proposed by Julian Tandy, seconded by Yvonne Watkins.  Second co-chair, Julian Tandy, proposed Siân Thomas, seconded by Marie Hughes Jones. No objections
* Treasurer; Yvonne Kelly proposed by Julian Tandy, seconded by Howard Watkins.  No objections.
* Secretary; Mark Waygood proposed by Kevin Kelly, seconded by Yvonne Watkins.  No vice-secretary proposed, position vacant and to be requested again at the next meeting.
* Phil Owen & Alun Lewis are resigning as account signatories, Mark Waygood to replace them.

Minutes of last meeting

Previous meeting minutes approved, proposed by Lynnette Reynolds, seconded by Siân Thomas.

Matters Arising From Minutes

Pavilion Project

* Elwyn Roderick from the Rugby Club is prepared to go along with anything that we organise for the opening ceremony.  
* The keys were handed to one of the coaches – Neil Armstrong, last week, because they have games starting from Saturday.
* Mark Waygood to attend meeting (to represent Forum) with Elwyn and Youth Project Monday 16th October at the Rugby club.  Can we fit this opening in with a home match?  The fixtures should be available by next Monday.
* We should try and get Carmarthenshire radio and local papers to promote and cover the event.  There may be a possibility to get a Llanelli player to open the project.
* The Chief Executive is responsible for getting us the grant.
* There are concerns that the rugby match might dominate the opening but we need to make it a joint occasion.  This is a community effort and event.
* Could it be arranged around Halloween, or on a Sunday - perhaps the 5th November after a youth game?  Perhaps a firework display could be arranged?


Notice Board

* Yvonne has received a letter from The Memorial Hall Secretary, which states that the land has a 999-year lease and is available for viewing.

Apostolic Development

* Welsh Water is opposing the Apostolic Church’s request because there is a problem with the water supply.  However, the owners have said that they won’t join the houses to the water system until 2010-12.  Welsh Water are happy with this providing they don’t connect any of the houses to the mains before they have finished their work.
* Siân has contacted Jonathan Fearn in asset management and read out an in-depth e-mail reply from him.
* In brief, the council has a 999-year lease on the park for recreation purposes.  No terms have been agreed for any sale or grant of rights over the land and the Apostolic Church have not approached them regarding this.  They would need to advertise for two consecutive weeks, and then consider any objections.
* If the Apostolic Church fails on planning they will have to approach the Assets Department.  They will have to then advertise the proposal.
* There is a rumour that a local developer is interested in Plant-y-Blodau, and this would be a large development, which would require a roundabout along Waterloo Road.  
* The planning officer has said he will suggest the Pant-y-Blodau development to the Apostolic Church as it would cause them fewer problems.
* John Protheroe Thomas would have the information regarding the ‘gifting’ of this land to the Apostolics.  He may be waiting to see if the Apostolic Church gets planning permission, so he can use this for his own ends.
* Proof of ownership is not required to apply for planning permission, but the lawyers for the Apostolics have decided that they own the land and they have a strong enough case.
* There is no guarantee that John Protheroe Thomas’s family will challenge the planning application in any event.
* Could something be done with the land by the gardening club, like an allotment?
* Section 106 states that any development with over 20 houses must sign up to section 106 which is worth £1,000 per house.
* Money has been offered for the development for local parks including Penygroes & Gors-Ddu Park.  A local developer who has signed up to section 106 has agreed to provide more equipment for the youth including a ‘half pipe’ for skateboarders.
* Lighting is to be installed and there is money to fund this from Llandybie Council.
* The Apostolics don’t want to put a road through their graveyard but are happy to put a road through where our children play.
* We can put plants etc., in the park, all the council needs t know about is the maintenance situation.  Why not let the Youth Project create a garden to look after.

Notice Board

* The council does not own any land in Bryn Road.  It would be best for local residents to contact Land Registry and try to determine the owner of any land they believe could be used for a notice board.

Emlyn Site Update

* There hasn’t been any movement for 3 weeks.
* Complaints have been made about the water at the back of Norton Road, between No.60 to No.100.  
* The problem has not been solved and this week, because of the rain, there has been nothing but complaints.  The rain has tested the system and it has proved faulty.
* Another problem is in Gors Ddu Road, where water has carried debris out onto the road.
* There is speculation that the development may be delayed for 3 or more years.  There may be a time limit on how long they can delay before laying foundations.
* Penygroes is on a hill and the water flows down to Gorslas, Blaenau, Cymgwili, Cross Hands, The Industrial Park and two amounts go down Waterloo Road.  The water is supposed to drain in different directions.  It is not supposed drain into Waterloo Road but it does.
* The detailed planning for the houses has not been submitted so Welsh Water cannot do anything yet.

Dog Fouling

* Siân has sent samples from Penygroes Square to Penygroes Hall.  
* The Council have said they have been out cleaning the area.
* There have also been horses fouling the area, but that is ok and isn’t harmful, dog fouling however, is illegal as they pass viruses and disease in their faeces.
* The dog-fouling signs are on order and we will have them as soon as they are available.

Forthcoming Events

* Dates for the Christmas Fayre and the Games Evening need to be set.
* There is a Craft Fayre in the Memorial Hall on the 10th November, probably starting at 7pm.
* There is also a Modern Hymn Singing Festival on the 29th October at the Hall at 7pm, all in Welsh
* The Craft Fayre raises money for the Urdd but the Christmas Fayre raises money for the Forum.  
* There’s no date set yet for the school Christmas Fayre, but we need to make sure they don’t clash.
* Mark Waygood to report back with a date by the next meeting.
* Games evening date to be set, could it be on the pavilion opening day?  Might be better to plan for New Year.
* The games evening could do with being more organized with competitions and training on the games for the volunteers so they can teach the people who want to play.
* Yvonne Kelly volunteered to teach people how to play the games so the evening would be better organized.
* Saturday would seem to be the best day as there is very little else going on then.  Saturday 2nd or 9th December.
* Between four & six people are needed as volunteers to man the games on the day.  We cannot just let the children to play on their own without instruction.
* We also a need for more games for younger children.
* Mark Waygood introduced the information card and let everyone see the example.  This could be delivered to every household to be retained with information on meetings, organisations, numbers & events.  Really needs to be ready for January.

A.O.B

* Open offer for anyone interested to attend training sessions to learn how to be a Chairperson, secretary etc.
* Marie Hughes Jones asked if there be a new Emlyn site sub-committee?   This is something that would have to be discussed amongst members.
* General question from the chair asking for information about Pendragon developers.
* Siân Thomas said that they are the company she is in discussion with about the section 106 donation to the parks.
* If they are going to build, we may need septic tanks because of the water problem.
* The problem is they are taking away land that the water used to soak into and replacing it with concrete.  
* Siân is seeing the developer on Thursday and could make an ‘incognito’ complaint about the water.  
* There is a large hole in the road (that is continually being repaired) at the bottom of Waterloo Road where you turn right after Capel Hendre towards Coopers.  Siân is seeing the county councillor for Capel Hendre tomorrow and speak to him about it.
* A reminder for suggestions at next year’s events at the next meeting please.
* There is a 100% grant available for events. Huw will ask someone to come to the next meeting and talk to the Forum about it.  These events must be aimed at the whole community and not sections of it.
* A suggestion was made about having a singing festival through the ages.  
* The plan must be in by the end of March to apply for this grant.  A number of local communities are having events with celebrities.  This grant could enable us to have a large event and some money may be raised for the Forum.
* Llanddarog had a show, where 1,000 people paid £7.50 each so there is some money to be made here for the Forum.
* We cannot have too large an event in Penygroes, but we could spread the events amongst the villages.  However, parking will be a problem for larger events.
* Time is of the essence and we need to have ideas as soon as possible.  
* We will arrange a meeting for Friday 20th 7.30pm at the Rugby Club to discuss possible events.


Meeting Closed

Next Meeting – Tuesday 14th November at 7pm, Calfaria Chapel

Present
John Davies, Colin Whitelaw, L R Reynolds, Yvonne Watkins, Llinos Hindley, Nicola Davies, Julian Tandy (Vice-Chair), Mark Waygood (Secretary), Huw Evans, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth

Apologies
Mair Griffiths, Yvonne Kelly, Alun Lewis

Minutes of last meeting
It was agreed that the minutes were a true record of the last meeting.

Matters Arising from the Minutes

* Nothing to report on the newsletter yet, may have to put on hold until after the AGM.
* Mark Durdin wasn’t at the meeting so there was nothing to report on the proposed walking club.
* We may be able to have another games evening in a months time.
* Local concrete bus shelters are being pulled down because the condition of the concrete is poor.  They are to be replaced with the new Anti-Vandal type.  There may be grants available to have village signs/notice boards placed next to bus shelters.
* Cllr. Thomas apologised for not being at the last meeting.
* The first aid training session to be conducted by Craig Pennel is free to attend as it only involves life saving and isn’t a complete first aid training course.

Pavilion Update

* Looks like an October opening now, perhaps a grand (official) opening could be arranged, possibly in the half term.
* £300 has been allocated from Sports Aid and the Forum has money available for the Youth Project.
* The size of the rooms has caused concern and the switches for the outside lights are in the room allocated for the youth project.  These switches may have to be moved.
* Would like to get the RFC involved with the opening and try to have a radio announcement to try and make it a large event.
* The forum would like the Youth project and representatives from Penygroes RFC to attend the next meeting if possible.
* Could Yvonne Kelly speak with the Chairman of Penygroes RFC Elwyn Roderick about a joint opening of the pavilion?

Emlyn Site Update

* Although water is draining away from the site now it seems to be flooding gardens in the opposite direction.
* The Highways Agency has been out to the site now (thanks to Llinos Hindley), they have seen the problem first hand and from the photos taken when the flooding occurs.
* Siân Thomas said she is getting 2/3 complaints by email per week and has over 1,000 emails on her disk regarding the problem.
* It seems that Protex tapped into the drainage system without authority.  The council had to be called out on Sunday 10th September to free a blocked outlet in the field on the other side of Waterloo Road which was causing bad smells inside a number of houses opposite the Library.

Could Peter Roberts supply the deeds for the Notice Board outside the hall that Yvonne Watkins has applied for?

Gardening Club

* No quotes received for the community garden outside the Library, despite a number of companies being contacted.
* If the quote is under £5,000 then we could probably receive 100% funding.
* Two quotes are required, one for the building work and the other for the plants etc.
* The Garden Show was a success with more money being raised this year.

Forthcoming Events

* Newsletter – could we include information or calendar of forthcoming events?
* Suggestion made that we could have an information card printed (to be kept) and distributed locally with dates of forum meetings for the coming year with details of committee and local groups with contact details plus any other useful information.
* Could we place leaflets into the local schools and get letters from them informing parents of the Pavilion Youth project opening and of the Games Evening.
* It would be a good idea to try and hold a meeting with committee members of all local groups, associations and clubs so we can work together on projects for the benefit of the community.
* Perhaps a social event with everyone attending would be a good place to start.
* Can we put a notice in the Guardian?  The problem is there isn’t a correspondent for Penygroes and because they only pay 50pence per item of news, no-one is interested.
* Llandybie has the largest non-town community council in Carmarthenshire, with 8 villages and a population of almost 9,000, but Penygroes does not seem to get the support it needs.  Perhaps this will change when Yvonne Watkins takes over as Chairperson of Llandybie Community Council.

Games Evening

* A date needs to be set.
* Arrange more games for the smaller children.
* Would it be possible to have a games evening arrange just for adults?

A.O.B.

* The apostolic Church has reapplied for planning permission and still wants a piece of the park land for access.  Although they were refused planning permission by the C.C. and Welsh Assembly, they appealed at the Assembly and adjusted their plans to incorporate social housing.
* This revised planning application is imminent.  It seems they can just keep adjusting their plans and resubmit them irrespective of how many times they are refused planning.
* Over £100,000 from grants has already been spent on the park, play areas and pavilion.
* Peter Roberts to be informed of events and to get the deeds for this land then liaise with Siân Thomas.
* Llinos Hindley said she would pursue the ‘press article’ avenue.
* On another matter relating to local development, Pendragon have applied for to build another 35 homes at their site at the Capel Hendre end of the village.  This situation needs to be addressed because the original 15 homes built there avoided the Section 106 ‘clawback’.
* We are still having speeding problems along Waterloo Road.  Siân Thomas has had the mobile speed camera unit out but they haven’t had any success so far as they set up at the wrong times.
* Dog fouling is becoming a problem again along Waterloo Road.  Can we get the council to put up more signs?
* The signs supplied by the council earlier this year have been removed.


Meeting Closed

Next meeting is the AGM on Tuesday 10th October at Caerbryn Hall.

Present
Alun Lewis (Chair), Julian Tandy, Mark Waygood, Siân Thomas, John Davies, Nicola Davies, Llinos Hindley, Lynnette Reynolds, Phil Owen, Huw Evans

Apologies
Mark Durdin, M. Griffiths, Sal Armstrong, Yvonne Kelly, Marie Hughes-Jones, Julie Owen

Matters Arising
* Games Evening – Climbing Wall will be booked from the council in late May.
* Forms have been filed for business grant.
* Newsletter completed, 500 copies done, volunteers to deliver.
* Dog-Fouling – More complaints at Maesglas.  Request for special bin and more signs.  There have been 60 prosecutions for dog-fouling.  We need to follow dog to the owner and issue a ticket.  Situation has worsened since last meeting.  First prosecution will go in the local paper.
* Gardening Club – Bank Account opened.

The Young Peoples Project – Pavilion Update

* Work should be finished in 2-3 weeks.  So far £83,000 has been spent; this is far in excess of the £8,000 promised two years ago.
* The Pavilion has been refurbished twice in the last 20 years; let us hope it will last longer this time to enable greater use.
* Local developers, Clos y Cwm & Gilfach y Gôg have promised sums to help replace the park equipment and The Emlyn site developer is to provide a football goal.  These additional amounts will mean £100,000 will have been invested in the village’s playground facilities.
* There will be places for parents to sit and the play area will be split between the older and younger children.
* The children are to be consulted on what equipment they would like to see in the park.
* The youth club has had a further £300 for resources.

* There was a public meeting on the 27th April in Llandeilo regarding the Apostolic Church development.  We should hear the result in about 1 month’s time

* We cannot have a road and more traffic in front of the park. If toilets were to be built in the park, there might be safety concerns such as syringe needles being discarded.

* Money for the youth has been promised by the Forum.

Gardening Club Update

* Spring day out on the 15th April at Cwm Deri & Colby Woodland Garden was a great success.
* Lynnette Reynolds is coordinating the stand for the Penygroes Park Fun Day.  We expect to sell plants and compost and inform people about the hanging basket competition on July 22nd.
* Mr Morgan has been approached about some of the children growing plants for the flower show, if all goes well the same offer will be made to Blaenau School.
* A meeting was held with Carms. Council Disability Access about the Community Garden Plans.  In short, we will only have to move the path access down a few feet.  Eleri Davies is progressing with the grant options and the GC is continuing the design process (accurate costing from mid-May).
* Wherever possible, the children will be involved, including the RFC and the Flower Show.

Building Development – A Brief Update

* The large rubbish pile in Norton Road has not been cleared yet.
* An oily substance has been seen on the ground surface at the rear of properties in Norton road.  Could Phil Owen talk this over with Cllr. Siân Thomas with the view that the Environment Agency should look into it.
* There are still concerns about the condition of Waterloo Road and Caerbryn Road after the recent works.  The committee feels they need assurances regarding the road repair as the developers have not yet repaired Gors-Ddu Road after they put in a public footpath alongside the Emlyn site.  This road is now in very poor condition and littered with potholes.
* Update is still required regarding the Landscaping and Holding Tanks.
*  Further development proposals for the site are; Community School (converting to Community Centre after School hours), A Pub/Club, Phase 1  - 250 homes, a new surgery, dentist and O.A.P. home.
* If a new school is proposed, it needs to be built before the new homes are ready as there isn’t any room for more pupils in Penygroes School.
* The County Council’s Unitary Development Plan (very complex document) 15 years ago proposed to create a built-up area from Cross Hands to Ammanford, but this simply doesn’t match local needs and is likely to prove an unbearable strain on the local infrastructure.  There is already gridlock at Gorslas Square and this will get worse if every home has 2/3 cars (you are only required to allow for 2 cars per house)

* There is currently room for an additional 700 homes in Penygroes

* Fortunately, the Community Council are taking an aggressive stance toward local planning propositions, as these planning issues affect lives.

* The Apostolic development (if allowed to go ahead) will cause further problems around the school.

A Local Forum Marketing Campaign

* Cllr. Siân Thomas has created a leaflet informing the local residents on what the Forum is and what it does.  These are to be distributed to Penygroes and Blaenau Post Offices and placed in the local notice boards.

Ward Newsletter – The Way Forward

* This project was initiated by Marie Hughes-Jones and will have to be discussed at the next meeting, as she was unable to attend this one.

Any Other Business

* Many local public footpaths are blocked.  Should we close off the least used and concentrate on the remaining better ones, especially if they lead to picnic sites? Costs for clearing and or closing down footpaths can be prohibitive.
* Birds of prey have started to come back into Penygroes.  We need a Preservation Order for the only mature trees left, at the Annexe site.  Require someone to carry out survey, this could cut down the number of houses, if not, we will lose what trees we have left.
* Large Refrigerated Lorries are using Waterloo and Gors Ddu Road.  There is poor turning (because of the island) at the junction Waterloo / Gors Ddu Road making it a safety issue.  Could we have someone look into traffic calming along Waterloo Road.
* Poor parking has been noted along Waterloo Road.  Cllr. Siân Thomas asked for the registration numbers of poorly parked cars.
* Games Night – Ideas please, games, cards, and skittles etc.  The W.I. are going to bring things along including outside games e.g. bowls (weather permitting).
* Noisy Dog Barking – A dog barking constantly has been heard at the rear of No. 12 Norton Road.
* Local Hero (Penygroes Ward Volunteer of the Year)  – Cannot vote for paid or elected officials e.g. Siân, Huw, meals on wheels etc.  Closing date 25th May.  Need to contact the local paper (or send a press release) to have someone come down and cover the Local Hero story.
* There is a meeting at the RFC on Thursday 11th May at 6.30pm regarding the setting up of a second Forum.  This could cause problems and undo all the work hat has been done.  As many people as possible try to attend.

Meeting Closed
Next Meeting – Calfaria Chapel Tuesday, 13th June 2006

Present
Eleri Davies, Yvonne Watkins, John Davies, Mark Durdin, Mair Griffiths, Lynnette Reynolds, Mark Waygood (secretary), Julian Tandy (Vice Chair), Yvonne Kelly (Treasurer), Huw Evans, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth

Apologies
Alun Lewis, Marie Hughes-Jones, Julie Owen, Phil Owen

Point from the floor about late arrival of minutes, could they be sent out earlier so they aren’t received the day of the meeting.  Attendees assured that they were sent out in plenty of time although some people still hadn’t received them.

Minutes of last meeting

It was agreed that minutes were a true record of last meeting.

Matters Arising

Young Peoples Pavilion Update

* The letter to Mr Sutton’s group declining acceptance to attend his group has been written and is awaiting a signature.
* Eleri Davies said she hadn’t contacted Alana & Cindy at Menter Cwm Gwendraeth, if Huw could speak to them and if they need anything to let her know.
* The pavilion opening (youth project) has been put back until September.

Grant Application Situation

* Meeting attended by 2 members of MCG, Eleri, Yvonne, Julian and Cllr. Thomas.  Menter were very helpful.
* There are possibilities for the gardening club, there are currently quotes waiting to come in.
* The notice board in front of the hall is moving ahead as it has had letters of support.
* All projects need 6 letters of support from other organisations or community groups within the village.
* The gardening club has letters of support from Cllr. Thomas.
* Local groups may be getting letters asking for their support shortly.

Newsletter

* The community newsletter is being looked into, possibly an A4 size colour, dual language partly funded by local businesses.
* Before it proceeds, a mock example of how it could look will be produced.   There is the possibility of a grant being available to help fund it.
* It is likely that the local youth will be able to help out with the production of this publication.
* Currently, it can take anything from to 2 days to a week to prepare and print out our newsletter.
* In the early stages we are looking at a bi-monthly or quarterly publication, which may, at some point, become monthly, depending on support etc.
* It would be helpful if other groups were also included (RFC etc.), to help make it more successful as a general community magazine as opposed just the Forum.

Walking Club

* Mark Durdin reported that he is still waiting for the training course to be arranged before any ‘official’ organised walks can go ahead.
* We can only go ahead if they are informal walks because there won’t be anyone organising them or any insurance.
* We won’t be able to advertise these informal walks, as then they won’t be informal.

Protex Development

* If anyone has any information regarding the development, could they phone someone on the sub-committee, or go along to a meeting and speak to him or her directly.  At the last meeting the committee didn’t have much information but there was a long discussion from the floor regarding events the sub-committee was unaware of.
* The meetings are at Marie’s house the last Thursday before the Forum meeting.
* Notices of forthcoming meetings, etc. will soon be placed on the local notice boards so everyone will know when they are.

Games Evening

* The evening went very well although it wasn’t on for very long.  The climbing wall was especially successful, even Alun had a go.
* It might have been better if the children using it were called out in groups according to age as the wall dominated the evening.
* Some mothers said there wasn’t very much for the very young children.
* Where it worked well was when one person took charge of a game to teach and encourage the children.
* It was suggested that we need to have lessons on how to play the games in advance.
* There were more older people there last year, but more children this year, as the climbing wall was being talked about in advance of the evening.
* As many as 100 people may have attended.  Many mothers said they would like to see these evenings organised more often.
* The bowling was very popular with all age groups and the bowling club members who were helping out enjoyed teaching the children.
* It was suggested from the floor that we have another games evening before the end of summer, but there were concerns about letting the children know about it.
* Can Huw find out if it’s possible to arrange another evening (or Saturday afternoon).  Need to arrange before the next newsletter, if not when the children start back at school.

Emlyn Development (brief update)

* There’s not much happening at the moment other than levelling the land.
* The recent rain didn’t cause any problems as the water went straight to the holding pond.
* We are hoping to get John Taylor along to the next sub-committee meeting.
* There’s note that the Chair is to write to John Taylor but there is no further news on that.
* The Environmental Agency has said the site is clear.
* Samples have been sent off to a test centre in Cross Hands but this is run by the EA, there’s an independent centre in Pontypridd.
* The heavy equipment is still operating from early in the morning.  They had a 7-week contract but are now into their 10th week.  Victoria Keen was supposed to come down if the noise continued.  Some local residents are keeping diaries of noise and dust pollution.
* Noise baffles weren’t placed around the site because that was only a condition if there was coal extraction.

Gardening Club

* There was a garden club stand at the Strawberry Tea Day.  The stand was in a good position outside the entrance, which showed people there something was on at the hall.
* The flower show is on the 22nd July at the RFC.  Volunteers are needed to post the show leaflet through all the local doors.
* Hanging baskets will be judged one week before the show; notices have placed on the notice boards.  
* There are prizes for best entries.

A.O.B.

Strawberry Tea Day

* Good turnout again.  The Urdd Appeal Committee raised almost £600 to help towards the Eisteddfod.

Village Notice Boards

* There are residents of Penygroes who are almost a mile away down Waterloo Road that don’t have access to a notice board.
* Is there any community land down that area and what sort of cost is it for a notice board?
* At the bottom end of Waterloo Road just passed the new housing development, there appears to be what’s left of a ‘you are entering Penygroes’ sign.  Could this area be used for a new notice board?
* Does this piece of land belong to the council and is it on the boundary of Penygroes / Capel Hendre?
* Would it be better placed at the bus shelter by Spïen Road?  More people are likely to see it there.
* There is another bus stop a bit further down by Bryn Glas.
* If there’s a concrete bus shelter, a community board could be attached to it.


Training

* A letter was read out from Craig Pennel regarding supplying first aid training to teenagers at £120 per session.
* Was this something Alun was looking into for the youth club?
* This is expensive for one session; could St. Johns Ambulance do this for less?
* Can we get funding for this elsewhere, we would need more than one session.  How many people are included in that £120?  A. Ten people.
* There will have to be more than one session’s training to complete the course.  
* Can we get enough young people to agree to this course, if there isn’t enough it won’t be worth doing.
* Copy of training letter to Huw.
* Perhaps we could try getting the St. John’s Ambulance back, as they used to carry out training here.

Translation Training Courses

* Bulletins to be placed on notice boards for anyone interested in learning how to do simultaneous translation.

Meeting closed

Next forum meeting 12th September 2006 at Calfaria Chapel Vestry.

AGM 10th October 2006.