At a recent meeting of Whitland Town Council, members met with WPC Paula Smith,of Dyfed-Powys Police.
WPC Smith outlined the crime figures for the month which included two thefts and a drugs possession. The anti-social figures were unavailable. She reported that Hallowe'en passed quietly and that she had held a surgery in the town earlier that evening, of which there had only been one attendee. No problems were reported.
WPC Smith asked whether there were any priorities? Members were informed that the shopkeepers were still parking their vehicles outside the shops all day. WPC Smith said that Carmarthenshire County Council normally dealt with parking issues and suggested that the town council asked the traffic warden to visit. All agreed. The clerk was asked to contact CCC regarding this item. It was also reiterated that the town council did not want to lose custom into the town.
The question was asked as to how old you must be to let off fireworks last year youngsters who had been drinking alcohol let off fireworks and it was felt that this was a problem. WPC Smith said she would look into this.
A request was made for Dyfed-Powys Police to publicise the weekly surgery throughout the town as not many knew about it. WPC Smith would make the necessary arrangements.
Also at the the meeting was Helen Morgan, the development manager with the West Wales European Centre, based at Trinity College. She explained that the department was part of the Carmarthenshire County Council (CCC) regeneration and leisure department.
Also in attendance was Mr. John Wilson who headed the community regeneration team. He explained that the team was trying to ensure the county was 'fit for purpose' in respect of the facilities people would like for the area.
Mr. Wilson explained that the Department provided a service to Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion and offered an advisory service in european matters and european funding programmes. Mr. Wilson explained about the two major European programmes running in Wales, the second being a Rural Development Plan which would target rural areas, for example Whitland.
He went on to explain that in Carmarthenshire, a business plan was put together in 2007 stating funding ideas. The assembly took one year to assess this plan and approvals started to come through approximately three weeks ago. There may be a couple of opportunities under these pots of money that Whitland, in the future, may benefit from.
Mr. Wilson explained that his job was to try and make available funding for communities. Income generation and creation of jobs was now a big factor in gaining these grants and this would make the projects 'sustainable'.
Mr. Wilson reported that the Town Hall, Hywel Dda and Pocket Park had all received grants from CCC.
He also explained that a significant amount of money had been given to halls and multi-function centres and now they wanted to encourage any money/investment coming back towards those halls/centres, e.g. halls should be open all day with all sorts of services being offered.
The second aspect was about encouraging communities to make the most of the tourism in the area, e.g. a key aspect in the area that could be marketed or create a tourism aspect.
It was explained to Mr. Wilson that the sports hall at Dyffryn Taf School had now been completed. However, there was no money to finish off the fitness suite. The question was raised as to whether there could be money available to complete this for the community. Mr Wilson confirmed that, if this was community-run, then it could become a project.
Another question raised was whether this was a shared practice and a two-way commitment. Mr. Wilson confirmed that it was. They were particularly interested in working with the education department so there was a link with the community.
Members were interested as to how the funds can be accessed. Mr. Wilson explained that they would be contacting all the people they have previously invested in (e.g. Town Hall) and there were five of six elements for moving forward. If the organisation was improving access for service and the business plan showed this then you can become suitable for this type of project.
A final question raised, was there was any literature available for these grants? Mr. Wilson replied that the literature is in print. However, they should be complete soon. Mr. Wilson was informed that the councillors serving Whitland would discuss this item and if they had any ideas, they would contact them again.
Clr. Mrs D. Evans thanked Miss Morgan and Mr. Wilson for attending the meeting.
Car parking: Thanks were extended to County Councillor Mrs. S. Allen for her site meeting regarding car parking signs. It was suggested there should be a sign at the end of Cross Street for people entering Whitland from Haverfordwest. There was also a suggestion to erect a sign outside the old Farmers Arms.
Clr. Mrs Allen explained that she also attended a site meeting at Lewis Coaches Garage. There was a facility there to park approximately 30 cars. She wondered whether it would be feasible to ask Mr. Lewis if that area could be used as a car park for the short term. Clr. Mrs. Allen said she was happy to discuss this with Mr. Lewis if Whitland Town Council agreed. It was also suggested that if Mr. Lewis was not happy with the general public using that area as a car park, then maybe the shopkeepers could use this area. However, the question was raised as to whether the insurance would be an issue. Clr. Mrs. Allen replied that a licence for a car parking area could be included under CCC.
Trees in St. John Street: The clerk confirmed that she had received an e-mail from CCC stating that they were responsible for trimming/pruning the trees, not Whitland Town Council. Members were informed that the CCTV cameras were useless when the trees were in leaf. It was agreed that the trees were a nice feature in the town and should be maintained and that if the trees were properly pruned then there should not be a problem. All agreed.
Bryngwenllian Park/Section 106: The clerk read out an e-mail from CCC regarding work that would be carried out at Bryngwenllian Park. The question was raised again as to whether CCC was going to put a safe crossing between Maes Abaty to Bryngwenllian Park?
Clr. Mrs. Allen stated that she had to ask for dispensation as she was on the fund-raising committee for Parc Dr. Owen, which had been granted. She stated that with regard to whether Bryngwenllian or Parc Dr. Owen should be upgraded first, the process had already been agreed. She also explained that with regard to Parc Dr. Owen, it would be quite some time before a project was agreed and costings were discussed with members of the public and a survey carried out. Therefore, it would be approximately one year before any projects would be agreed. Clr. Mrs. Allen also explained that Parc Dr. Owen had an issue with flooding and a problem with the ditch.
Clr. Mrs. Allen stated that with regard to Bryngwenllian Park, CCC had stated that the standard had been bad for three years. She also explained that, as suggested, the maintenance reports for Bryngwenllian Park would be moved to the customer centre at CCC, Spilman Street, for the town council to view.
The planning and costings had been carried out for Bryngwenllian and the project was ready to start and CCC was going to cater for older children as well as younger children (e.g. football pitch, seating, etc).
Members were curious as to whether CCC would maintain the park or would they let it run into disrepair as had happened previously. Clr. Mrs. Allen said that the play equipment that was previously erected in the park was now inadequate for safety as the standards for children had changed and, therefore, the equipment was no longer safe. Clr. Mrs. Allen explained that she had spoken to the children in Bryngwenllian and they had confirmed that they use the area regularly.
It was explained to the meeting that last year members were informed that it was going to cost £10,000 to upgrade the facilities, but now it has increased to £80,000.
Concern was raised that CCC were not keeping Whitland Town Council informed as to what was happening. It was suggested that the town council ask for a breakdown of costs for the park and also ask how soon CCC were going to install a zebra crossing for the area. All agreed.
Daffodil bulbs in Pocket Park: Members were informed that there was an article on the internet regarding the grant awarded to Pocket Park.
Christmas decorations: Members were informed that there was free electricity available from Western Power to shops owners/home occupiers if they used their own electricity to light up decorations on behalf of the town council. The clerk was asked to contact Western Power for some documentation.
Bench in Spring Gardens: The clerk reported to the town councillors that she had been informed by CCC that they did not own the land. However, they suggested she contact the Trunk Road Agency. It was agreed that this issue was still unresolved and the question was asked as to whom gave permission for the bench to be moved to the other side of the road.
Bus shelter in North Road car park: The clerk read out a letter from CCC stating that in 2005 a bus shelter was removed from North Road car park due to persistent vandalism. However, CCC had agreed to add the request to the list for due consideration.
Whitland Green Park (Dairy Site): CCC officers were still involved in organising a licence for the temporary car park. However, Clr. Mrs. Allen had been informed that it had passed through their office.
Farmers Arms: Clr. Mrs. Allen reported that she met the owner of the site and that erecting directional signs outside the property was discussed. However, the owner informed Clr. Mrs. Allen that the wall would soon be removed. It was also confirmed that the first owners would be in residence by April, hopefully.
Community area outside Hywel Dda (next to the police station): Clr. Mrs. Allen reported that this area was going to be adopted and Dovey Enterprises would like to know if Whitland Town Council would like to adopt the piece of land. Clr. Mrs. Allen said she would like some views on this item as she was meeting with Dovey Estates in the immediate future, along with two potential interested parties for the Dairies site.
Members asked who would maintain the area if it were adopted by Whitland Town Council and were informed that it would be their responsibility. It was agreed by all present that the town council adopt the area. Clr. Mrs. Allen said she would request that CCC tidy up the land before it was adopted. It was also requested that legal documentation be drawn up for the piece of land. All agreed.
Clr. Mrs. Allen said work had started on the gardens in the old Dairies site. This would take place between now and Christmas. Clr. Mrs. Allen would be discussing the rubble in the area with Dovey Estates at their planned meeting.
Bwlchgwynt: Members were informed that there was a planning application due soon for Bwlchgwynt Chapel. There were gravestones next to the chapel and people are concerned that they will lose access to the graves. Any gravestone over 50 years of age can potentially be moved to the side of the graveyard. However, members were informed that the new owners were very amenable and would be obliged to keep the area strimmed and tidy
Planning: Land next to the cemetery, North Road - it was noted that this planning application was not within the boundaries of Whitland Town Council; Grosvenor House - members were informed that Grosvenor House was for sale once again; wall next to Whitland Railway Station - members were informed that the disrepair of the wall had been reported three weeks previously. Clr. Mrs. Allen would contact Network Rail regarding the issue. The concrete posts next to Penderi Pine are also owned by Network Rail and the fence was in disrepair.
The next meeting of Whitland Town Council will be held on Monday, January 5, in the Mayor's Parlour at the Town Hall.