Oakdale and Penmaen Community Partnership Meeting held at
6.30pm on Wednesday 7th June, 2006 At Oakdale Community Centre

1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks

Chairman Roger Evans welcomed all those present. He welcomed Lisa Davies from the Community College and there was a hand over from Jamie to Christian (Police)

2.Apologies:

Dean Tucker, Irene James AM , Don Touhig MP, Doreen Brown, Tina Cllr Tudor Davies, Tina McMahen

3. United Reform church

Bryn Griffiths gave an update on Jerusalem Graveyard. the memorial masonry has been inspected and a list has been compiled of unsafe memorials. This list will be publicised to allow relatives to see if their Memorials require making safe. The site remains closed and is dangerous. It will cost between £12-20,000 to repair drainage. the new drainage will run down to the road. Bryn has requested that we set up a Community body to raise funds and also for us to come forward with ideas.

4. Minutes of last meeting

Passed as a true record. with the exception of point 17 : Only Community First Partnership and should read Office not officer.

Matters Arising

On May 22nd, 2006 Irene James gave a talk on what part she plays in the Welsh Assembly. A visit was then paid to the Assembly and Irene James was very helpful and informative. Irene specialises in Special Needs and Education. We should invite her for a talk. Street Lighting:- Still have not had a follow up from Irene James. Howard Rees - Community Safety telephoned to say there was no money available. It should be paid through the Council’s budget. The lighting needs to be improved in the Square in order to improve the imaging on CCTV camera in the village. Money may be available for this from Safety Committee to improve lighting where CCTV is used. Quotes are to be supplied for lighting in car park. Roundabout Project:- To be kick started.

5. Election Of Vice-Chairman

Mrs Mair Gwyn has been nominated 1.Financial Statement Unavailable

7. Centenary Committee

Meeting to be held at 4.30pm on the 13th June, 2006. This will be discussed at the next meeting.

8. Village Square

Cleared for planting, plans have been put forward of what is required. The tubs are about to be places as soon as possible. Help would be appreciated to water plants. Glyn has asked for evidence of an agreement of using the water from Village Court. Jeff has requested that an Administrator help him with the paperwork. The questionnaires have been returned and the majority of people have requested that the toilets be demolished. We will write to Paul Ford with the results of the questionnaire.

9. Skate park

A Meeting was held with Nigel Powell (CCBC) . The base is now down. the youngsters had a large input into what Units are required. It is progressing well and should be completed by the 30th June, 2006. We will have an Official opening by Don Touhig , demonstrations by the Country’s leading Skaters, Hanger and of course our own Boys and Girls. This is to celebrate the Partnership and Council working together. The gates should be repaired- Cllr Allan Pritchard has already requested this.

10. Common Access Route (Bridleway)

The British Horse Society it to Inspect in June. Emma will liase with June.

11. Penmaen Woods

A Forestry Commission application has been made with the help of Groundwork.. Mr Lewis and his Solicitor have been contacted. A bid for £50,000 has been put in. this is for constructing pathways, benches, sculptures, Disable access etc., Letters of support are to be sent to Roger- these will then be forwarded on. Concrete Planters looked lovely and will be replanted with Summer Planting

12. Penmaen graveyard

Overgrown with Japanese Knotweed. A company called IDC Contract Services have quoted £558.12 to remove the Knotweed and then monitor. The side steps are very unsafe. The project is ongoing. Keep Wales Tidy Campaign is starting week commencing 26th June. Oakdale Comprehensive are involved- there are different areas recommended for cleaning.

13. The Forum

(Copied from the website) I just thought you would like to know that this website has reached the grand old age of three. Since it went on line in June 2003 it has grown from a dozen or so pages then, to nearly 200 now. We are currently getting around 1,000 visitors a month who look at an average of 5 pages each visit. (These are actual figures, not the inflated ones you’ll find on some sites). As the site is becoming more popular each day I anticipate that these figures will double by the end of year.

A few statistics: The most popular part of the site is, not unexpectedly, this Forum. The vast majority of visitors are using XP (84%) with a large screen monitor. (Over 75%) While most are local, or come from other parts of the UK, we also have numerous visits from the United States, Canada, The Netherlands and Australia. (In that Order). In the past month we have also been visited by people in Germany, France, Ireland, Spain, China, New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Mexico, Sweden, El Salvador, Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey. (Why anyone in El Salvador wants to know about Oakdale is a bit of a mystery). Thanks to all of you who contribute regularly to the Forum and to other parts of the site. It’s the participation of the whole village that has made it the success it undoubtedly is. Glyn

14. Other Business

(i) New feedback on areas of different levels of depravation. In-depth research was carried out. The good news is that the Penmaen Ward is second in the less deprived areas. The bad news is that due to this we will not get the same level of funding. We were 4th in the list for Employment, Health and Housing- which is excellent news. (ii) There will be improved drop off/pick up points at the New School. 300 letters are to be given to the Parents of Rhiw Syr Dafydd School and Oakdale Infants regarding parking. (iii) The new school is planned to be finished by the end of December. They have experienced difficulties due to the rock face that has been discovered. Maintenance free Solar System is to be installed. They are unsure about the use of Grey water at the moment due to rising costs. (i)The new Landlord of the Oakdale Hotel has offered help for the Centurian. (ii)On the 6th-8th July there will be a performance of Annie in Oakdale Comprehensive School. Tickets are availble