WPC Paula Smith attended a recent Whitland Town Council meeting on behalf of Dyfed Powys Police and presented the crime figures for December.
They were: one assault (domestic related); five thefts of car badges in North Road (four) and Trevaughan Lodge (one). WPC Smith reported that that investigation was ongoing.
She also informed members that she worked on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day and there were no disturbances reported.
Following WPC Smith's report, the clerk read out an e-mail from County Councillor Mrs. S. Allen who stated: "Until the issue of process is resolved, I am not prepared to continue to attend a public meeting of the Whitland Town Council and be asked again to leave. I will of course continue to deal with ward matters directly for residents and on behalf of Whitland Town Council by e-mail or telephone."
Councillors were shocked to hear this as it was felt that it is part of Clr. Mrs. Allen's duty as a County Councillor to attend town council meetings.
Members were informed that Clr. Mrs. Allen had a moral obligation to attend and that she was in office to represent Whitland Town Council at County Hall and that she did need to attend the meetings to carry out that duty.
Other matters discussed included the following.
Section 106: The question was raised as to who had been working on the Bryngwenllian plans for the past 18 months as members from the original meeting with Carmarthenshire County Council had not been asked to be involved with any plans whatsoever. It was suggested that a representative from Whitland Town Council should attend these meetings and sit on the appropriate committee. It was also suggested the county council had used the Section 106 money as if it was their own and Whitland Town Council had not been able to give any input at all. Councillors felt it was scandalous that there would only be £1,500 remaining from the £80,000 and that £78,500 would be spent to upgrade the facilities.
Members agreed that the children should have been spoken to before the plans were finalised and that the facilities in the centre of Whitland should have been upgraded for all the children of Whitland.
Members were also informed that Whitland Town Council was originally given a quote of £10,000 from the county council for work to be carried out on Bryngwenllian Park and that a quotation had been received from a private company for £30,000. Members questioned how the amount had suddenly more than doubled to £80,000.
Zebra crossing, Spring Gardens: It was suggested that the zebra crossing from Maes Abaty to Bryngwenllian should take priority and that Clr. Mrs. Allen should be speaking on behalf of the residents of Whitland and Whitland Town Council stating that a safe crossing should be erected before work on the park was started. Concern was raised for the younger children crossing the road into Bryngwenllian and that children could still be knocked over on a zebra crossing. A suggestion was made for the road to be narrowed to one lane.
Bench in Spring Gardens: A request was made for confirmation on the background to the misunderstanding regarding the bench in Spring Gardens. It is understood that the bench was originally sited on land reputed to be owned by county council. However, the bench was removed by Mr. and Mrs. Allen as they said they owned the land. The matter has been under discussion for some time until confirmation as to the ownership of the land has been resolved. It was agreed that this matter be resolved very quickly as it is causing a very bad, unpleasant feeling in the meetings.
It was stated that Whitland Town Council could not effectively operate without a County Councillor attending the meeting. Members agreed that they were elected onto Whitland Town Council to represent the people of Whitland on a voluntary basis and once a month they could speak to the County Councillor and she/he can then act on behalf of the town council. Clr. Mrs. Allen is the conduit to the county council.
Again, concern was raised as to how Clr. Mrs. Allen intended to carry out her role as County Councillor and how she was going to represent the town council at the county council without attending the town council meetings. The clerk was asked to send a letter to Mr. Mark James, Carmarthenshire County Council's chief executive, and the authority's legal department.
Recycling Centre: Members agreed that the sign was still too small and if driven past at night, you could not actually see the wording. The workforce at the site were fantastic and such a small sign for a wonderful facility was ridiculous. It was also suggested that hoardings might be an idea on either side of the entrance to the recycling centre.
Rivers sub-committee: It was agreed that the rivers sub-committee would walk the river banks when the weather was better.
Flooding: Members were informed that a number of homes at the bottom of Velfrey Road had been flooded approximately five times in the past year. The FloodGate System was discussed and the availability of grants had been sought. One resident informed town councillors that she was shocked when she asked the county council for sandbags and was informed that she would only be given sandbags in the event that her home was flooded. She was also informed that she should purchase her own from Jewsons.
It was agreed by all present that the town council write a letter to the county council and ask them to survey the drains in Velfrey Road. It was also proposed and agreed that the town council contact Pembrokeshire County Council and request they survey the drains at the top of Velfrey Road.
Farmers Arms Development: Whitland Town Council was informed that work was to be completed during 2009.
Gelli Aur: Clr. Mrs. Allen informed the town council, via e-mail, that the health and safety department had informed her that that there were no rats at Gelli Aur.
Planning applications: Bethany, North Road, Whitland - variation of a planning condition (passed); Bethania Chapel, Whitland - conversion of chapel into dwelling (passed).
Audit for the Year Ending March 31, 2008: The clerk informed the town council that notice of conclusion for the annual audit had been received and there were no issues arising.
Footpath next to the railway: The style had been repaired.
Dog fouling in North Road: It had been reported that there was lot of dog mess in North Road and along the by-way to Whitland Abbey. A request was made for an environmental enforcement officer to carry out a patrol. The clerk was asked to contact the county council to expedite this request.
Functions attended by the Mayor: Members were informed that comment had been made regarding protocol when the Mayor attended events for and on behalf of Whitland. The Mayor should be the first to be mentioned on the list of dignitaries at any event attended as a respected member of the community. However, the Mayor attended an event recently and she was not even recognised in the audience. This was seen to be very rude and disrespectful.
Dyffryn Taf School Christmas Production: Whitland Town Council acknowledged the excellent Christmas production at Dyffryn Taf School and it was suggested that a request be made for the school to invite the Mayor to attend the next production. All agreed. The clerk was also asked to write to Mr. Newsome and congratulate him on being awarded an OBE.
The next meeting of Whitland Town Council will take place on Monday, March 2, at 7 pm. This will take place in the Mayor's Parlour.