PACT Updates by Cllr Alana Davies

29^th June 2011

Issues I was asked to follow up from the May PACT  meeting:

Installation of ‘Dropped kerbs’ on Newton Nottage Road near Ynys Las

I have raised the issue funding dropped kerbs at this location with Porthcawl Town Council and the Clerk contacted BCBC for feasibility and costs.  I have local residents on site, and subsequently I arranged to meet an officer there. He informed me that the location is not suitable for dropped kerbs as it would present a safety hazard. However, he is investigating the possibility of a new-style central reservation, which would allow for dropped kerbs to be installed.

Condition of Speed Humps on New Road

Scheduled inspections of New Road are carried out once a month and the speed humps are formally inspected at these times. The condition of the humps are additionally monitored whenever the route is driven by our area staff between the formal inspections and repairs are carried out when necessary. Officers’ professional opinion is that the humps are not in a dangerous condition, and BCBC’s area inspector reports that no repairs are necessary at present.    

Update re Traffic Wardens

The Cabinet of BCBC has agreed to introduce new measures for tackling illegal car parking throughout the area. The council will now seek civil enforcement powers from the Welsh Government to allow the authority to establish a team of 11 full time officers for managing on and off street parking throughout the county borough. This will enable the authority to provide a co-ordinated enforcement service and maintain important levels of road safety.

Dirty Sign Opposite Fire Station, Porthcawl. Referral 256.          

An instruction has been issued to have the sign cleaned.

Waste/Litter bins in Heol-y-Goedwig play area are often full to overflowing. How often are they emptied?

The bins at this site are emptied a minimum of 3 times a week and occasionally, depending on the season, more often.  It is a well used site.  There is currently one bin short as one has been vandalised and removed.  We are seeking to replace this bin as resources allow.

The bench in the Heol-y-Goedwig play area is missing

The bench has been vandalised and removed.  Again we will be looking to replace as resources allow.

Some of the railings around Griffin Park are broken, bent and rusted – when will they be repaired?

A car collided with this fence a number of years ago and BCBC has been trying to obtain insurance compensation.  This has been unsuccessful.  As a stop gap measure at the time, the gap was covered with chain link fence.  Officers are arranging for the works required to be formally identified and costs obtained.  Hopefully available resources will allow the works needed to be carried out in due course.

Nearby residents are throwing rubbish into the lake at the Wilderness, and there are bags of dog mess hanging on the trees.

Officers are currently dealing with this matter.  A letter and a flyer will be hand-delivered to houses backing on to the Lake and allotment holders, where there is a similar problem. 

Enquiry as to whether the footpath from Esplanade to Rest Bay is a cycle track and what can be done about black tyre marks

The newly constructed route at Locks Common is a shared footpath/cycleway which was created as such after representations were made for a shared use link between Porthcawl and Rest Bay during a wide coastal access consultation at the start of the project in 2007.  It was created as a shared use path with the agreement of the landowner who also requested that the route was not finished in black tarmac so as to keep it more in keeping with its surroundings.  Therefore the buff coloured surface was agreed. 

With regard to the black marks from the cycle tyres on the surface of the new path, these are expected to wear off as the path weathers.  There is very little the Council can do whilst the path is very new other than to monitor the situation.

I am informed that there are 5 bail hostels in Porthcawl. Can I have an update and some information re management of these houses? The PACT meeting was told that the crime rate has risen since these houses have been used for young people on bail.

There are no Bail Hostels in Porthcawl, there is only one in the County Borough, being in Bridgend itself. There are, however, four Bed and Breakfast establishments in Porthcawl which the Council uses to discharge its duties in respect of temporary accommodation for homeless persons; some of the people accommodated will inevitably be ex-offenders discharged from prison. All persons discharged from Prison in Wales are automatically given “priority” status for housing –BCBC has no discretion. The Council manages these placements very carefully; any breaches of rules will result in termination of the arrangement, but inevitably we have no wish to have situations where homeless ex-offenders are left on the streets. The Council has no way of knowing whether the crime rate in the area has any connection with its duty towards homeless applicants

Request for “No Parking at Anytime” signs to be placed along the road near Griffin Park from the Fish shop to the Fire Station.

This section of road has a traffic order in place which prohibits no waiting at anytime 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. Following my referral, a Traffic Management Officer has visited the areas and found that at this location the road markings associated with the traffic orders are in a good state of repair and any required signing is in place.  It should be noted that a number of years ago the Department of Transport changed the requirement on signs for parking restrictions and as a result signs are no longer required where there is a traffic order for no waiting at anytime, the only requirement is the double yellow line road markings. There are in fact some signs there. Drivers who display a Blue Badge under this scheme may park on double yellow lines, but it does state in the Blue Badge Scheme literature that as part of the scheme users must NOT park where it would be obstructive or cause a danger to others. If offences of obstruction are committed by the blue badge users then the matter should be referred to the Police for them to attend and assess if any offences of obstruction are being committed and deal with the offending drivers as they see fit.

Request for a traffic order to prohibit overnight parking at Mackworth Road near the beach end of the road

At present there is a traffic order in place around the end of Mackworth Road which prohibits parking at any time; it extends on both sides of the road for a distance of approximately 15 metres and also across its cul-de-sac end, a distance of approximately 8 metres. This order would prevent caravans and campers from parking overnight and obstructing access to the beach.  If they are parking in this location or even further along Mackworth Road, where there are no parking restrictions, and are causing an obstruction then the matter should also be referred to the Police for them to investigate.

Regarding the request for a traffic order to prohibit them from parking overnight similar to what has been put in place along The Esplanade and Eastern Promenade, this would have significant financial implications for the Authority. The present cost for a traffic order is approximately £7,000 and at present the budget available to address road safety and traffic management concerns is very limited. As a result of complaints and safety concerns raised, the Traffic Management Section holds an ever increasing list of sites, currently between 300 and 400 over which concerns have been expressed, a great many related to speeding and traffic flow and pedestrian safety issues.  There is no funding available to introduce an order at this location at this time.  I would point out that even if finance was available the cost could increase as following the legal process further streets may be included to prevent offending vehicles migrating to these nearby streets as they have done since the introduction of the order on the Esplanade and Eastern Promenade.    

Request for traffic calming along Heol y Goedwig following the introduction of additional play facilities on the Wilderness

To introduce measures such as a 20 mph zone with traffic calming and a vehicle activated warning sign incorporating SLOW/ ARAF as requested would have a huge financial implication to the Authority. Following my referral, Traffic Management Officers have interrogated BCBC’s collision database for the period January 2000 until the 28^th February 2011, and during that period three injury collisions have occurred at this location, none of which involved pedestrians or had a causation factor involving speed. Therefore I trust you can appreciate that after taking into account the above policy and collision history it is considered that there are not currently any specific highway or road safety concerns at this location and your request for traffic calming cannot currently be considered as a priority. However, in view of the imminent introduction of the skateboard park we will monitor this area after opening.

Replacement bus shelter at Heol y Goedwig Porthcawl

The issue of relocating bus shelters located in New Road along which there are currently no bus services to Heol y Goedwig is a possibility. It should be borne in mind that there may be scope to reintroduce services along New Road, if practical, as part of the regeneration of Porthcawl.    

I have also  raised this matter with Porthcawl Town Council and the Clerk is requesting information from BCBC regarding costs as well as possible partnership  arrangement.

Mackworth Road / New Road Porthcawl – Phone Box is it to be moved?

and vandalised Phone Box at Pwll y Waun

I have not received replies to my letters to BT. I continue to follow this up.

Ongoing Issues:

Goalposts at Heol y Goedwig,

At the March Pact meeting, I gave the following information:

‘It was decided in the last PACT meeting that a working group from the Community would be responsible for ordering the Goalposts, and arranging installation with BCBC. An update on progress would be welcomed.

‘As a reminder, the costs quoted by BCBC were:

1. Supply of goal posts(pair of posts)           £636 for heavy duty posts
2. Installation of the goal posts(pair)            £352

Giving a total of £988.

‘Details are still required as to funding sources available. To date, a figure of £750 has been quoted by Mr Des Rees as a substantial contribution from Porthcawl Shout, but no written confirmation of this has been made available. This leaves a balance needed of £238. No request for funding has been received by Porthcawl Town Council.

‘In order to make progress, if not already resolved at the meeting, I recommend that we make a firm decision as to a named person responsible for taking this matter forward, which will include:

·        Contacting relevant bodies and businesses, including Porthcawl Town Council, requesting financial support

·        Providing written assurances that sufficient funds are in place to cover the purchase and the installation of the Goal posts

·        An undertaking to liaise with BCBC Parks department or another supplier for purchase of the Goal posts

·        Should an outside supplier be selected, an undertaking to liaise with BCBC Parks department re the specifications required

·        An undertaking to liaise with BCBC Parks department re installation of the Goal posts ‘

It was agreed in March that Brian Jones would be the named person to take forward these actions. However, Mr Jones did not attend the next meeting in May, and Mr Des Rees agreed to take on this role.

To date, Porthcawl Town Council has not received any application for funding for this project.

An update from Mr Rees would be welcome.

I would urge all those who were involved in organising the Fun Day and in raising funds to ensure that all paperwork, bank accounts etc are in order. A form of dispensation is generally given for charitable events taking place on Council land, which means that a license may not be required. However, any funds raised by the event must be shown to have been used for the charitable cause it was intended to support, and evidence may be sought to this effect.

Information to Pensioners

Bridgend County Borough Council is inviting local pensioners to apply for a special council tax discount. The council has been allocated money by the Welsh Assembly Government to help local pensioners with their payments. Successful applicants will have their council tax for 2010/11 reduced and will benefit from lower instalments. The actual amount of the reduction will depend on the total number of applicants; however no one will receive more than £75 in total.

To qualify, pensioners must be living in the borough, liable for council tax and be at least 65. Anyone receiving a discount because they live alone is still eligible to apply if they meet the criteria.

Anyone interested in applying should send a short letter with their full name, address and contact details and stating they would like to apply for the Pensioner Discount 2010

to: The Taxation Section, Pensioner Discount 2010, Level 1, Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend CF31 4WB. Proof of age must be supplied, but applicants should send copies and not original documents. All applications must be received by 31 August 2010.

PACT Updates by Cllr Alana Davies

10^th May 2011

Issues I was asked to follow up from previous meetings:

Part of the yellow lines opposite Beales fish bar on the Eastern Promenade have been covered over due to road works, and cars are parking there.

This has now been completed.

The sign for the hour waiting by the sandpiper is missing & it is difficult to enforce that at the moment - local businesses are asking for it to be policed.

The sign has now been replaced

Issues I was asked to follow up from the March meeting:

Bus shelter in Heol-y-Goedwig – concerns re condition

This has been reported previously to the PACT meeting. An officer report dated July 2010, entitled ‘Structural Inspection of the Concrete Bus Shelter at Heol-Y-Goedwig Porthcawl’, included the following statements:

·         The report comments upon the current condition of the shelter and its current overall stability

·         The survey was undertaken on 22 June 2010

·         The overall condition of the shelter is in a fair condition for its age and location.

·         There is no significant movement in the frame and no displacement or deflection and at present the frame is stable.

·         There are however a number of defects which are encountered with similar concrete structures of this age.

·         It is more probable due to the age of the structure and its coastal location that ….. further repairs will be required in the near future.

Following further concerns raised at the March PACT meeting, I have requested that this shelter be replaced by a modern cantilever shelter. As no BCBC funds are currently in place for this, I have asked officers to investigate possible sponsorship of a new shelter by advertising agencies, and I will be raising this matter with Porthcawl Town Council as a possible sponsorship/ partnership  arrangement.

Bus Shelter in Newton Nottage Road – vandalised. Query as to ownership

There are 2 shelter on Newton Nottage Road – one near the Hope Chapel, which is owned by BCBC, and one near Ynys Las, sponsored by AdShell who are responsible for its upkeep. Both shelters have been inspected, and no signs of vandalism have been found. Both are in good condition.

Litter Bins needed on Heol y Goedwig (The Wilderness area)

Officers are exploring potential for partnership working between the Town Council and BCBC to deliver physical improvements to the site which have been identified in the Management Plan such as signage, benches, litter bins etc

Rubbish Bins/Dog Fouling Bins – Does the County Borough Council conduct an audit on bins within the County Borough?

An audit is conducted on litter bins - one was completed in mid March this year. We have a few specific dog fouling bins, but as they were being used for general litter, it is accepted that litter bins can be used for suitably bagged dog fouling. There were 963 bins within the County Borough when the survey was completed earlier this year

Mackworth Road / New Road Porthcawl – Phone Box is it to be moved?

When BT plan to remove/move boxes, they consult with the Council; the last consultation was in the summer of 2008; I recommended that this box was removed, but it was not included in BT’s plans. I have again requested that BT removes it.

Caravan Club visit to Rest Bay – has this been approved, have they made an application to attend this year?

50 Motor homes, members of the Motor Caravanners, South and West Wales Group, used the ‘Rest Home’ site over the May Day Bank holiday weekend. They have been using the site for the past 15 years and have been informed that this is the last year that they can use the location. BCBC has this week received a formal application to use an area of the playing fields at the rear of the Rest Bay car park at the same time in 2012. We had been informed to expect this, and Council officers visited site over the Bank Holiday weekend and the gathering was well organised. I am obviously aware of the sensitivity of motor homes in Porthcawl and also that it is prohibited to park them overnight at the Rest Bay car park, which does cause a problem from time to time with the local residents. The application will be raised at the Rest Bay Management Group to gauge opinion in the first instance.

ISSUES UPDATE

Broken fence around Heol y Goedwig play area

Quotes were obtained in January for replacing the wooden panel fencing with steel bow top fencing which is a similar type of fencing used at the majority of our other plays.  An order was issued to the successful contractor in February.  We were anticipating that the work would be attended to before the end of the financial year, however, the contractor has experienced delays with his fencing supplier. Iin its current condition the fence is vulnerable to vandalism.

The contractor has informed us that he is anticipating having the fence delivered by Wednesday with the work on site then being scheduled for next Mon/Tues. The contractor has placed a container on site for storing the fence, on the grass between road and play area. Hopefully it will only be there until next Tuesday or Wednesday. Local residents may think that work is starting on the skatepark, but this is not the case.

Goalposts at Heol y Goedwig,

At the last Pact meeting (March) , the following information was given:

‘It was decided in the last PACT meeting that a working group from the Community would be responsible for ordering the Goalposts, and arranging installation with BCBC. An update on progress would be welcomed.

‘As a reminder, the costs quoted by BCBC were:

1. Supply of goal posts(pair of posts)           £636 for heavy duty posts
2. Installation of the goal posts(pair)            £352

Giving a total of £988.

‘Details are still required as to funding sources available. To date, a figure of £750 has been quoted by Mr Des Rees as a substantial contribution from Porthcawl Shout, but no written confirmation of this has been made available. This leaves a balance needed of £238. No request for funding has been received by Porthcawl Town Council.

‘In order to make progress, if not already resolved at the meeting, I recommend that we make a firm decision as to a named person responsible for taking this matter forward, which will include:

·         Contacting relevant bodies and businesses, including Porthcawl Town Council, requesting financial support

·         Providing written assurances that sufficient funds are in place to cover the purchase and the installation of the Goal posts

·         An undertaking to liaise with BCBC Parks department or another supplier for purchase of the Goal posts

·         Should an outside supplier be selected, an undertaking to liaise with BCBC Parks department re the specifications required

·         An undertaking to liaise with BCBC Parks department re installation of the Goal posts

It was then agreed that Brian Jones would be the named person to take forward these actions. An update to the PACT meeting by Mr Jones and others would be welcomed.

PACT Updates by Cllr Alana Davies

15^th March 2011

Issues I was asked to follow up from the January meeting:

Part of the yellow lines opposite Beales fish bar on the Eastern Promenade have been covered over due to road works, and cars are parking there.

This was reported to the September PACT meeting as:

 ‘Highways have been asked to reinstate the lines after the road works.  Please inform me if the parking continues after the legality of the Order is restored. 

In the January PACT meeting I was informed that there lines had not been replaced.

It is now clear that the lines were not reinstated because there was a possibility of additional drainage works required there. However, they will be reinstated in the very near future, hopefully within the next month, and I will be checking this on a regular basis!

Referral from PCSO Carl Westgate:

The sign for the hour waiting by the sandpiper is missing & it is difficult to enforce that at the moment - local businesses are asking for it to be policed.

An order has been placed and the sign will be replaced in the near future..

Referrals from PCSO Carl Westgate re The Wilderness:

·         Rubbish bags being placed on trees & not in waste bins, which have decreased by 2 or 3

·         Is it the council who supply the life rings? There is not 1 all around that area

An application has been submitted for Green Flag status for the Wilderness Lake site. There are proposals contained within the plan to address issues around litter/litter bins, dog fouling etc. Also identified in the Plan is the need to develop links with the Town Council and the Police. (see Action Plan below). There is a need to make progress on the actions identified in the Plan and it is proposed to set a up a meeting with the Town Council and PCSO Carl Westgate to identify and agree jointly what needs to be done to deliver on the targets identified in the plan ie replacement litter bins, additional dog bins, provision of signage etc., and explore what potential exists for partnership funding to deliver improvements on the ground.  There is currently no reference to life rings in the plan.  Historically they have been provided at this site but were a target for vandalism and abuse, and they have not been provided at the site for some time.  It is something that assessors for the Green Flag award are likely to query it would be sensible that we consider this in advance of judging in May/June. (See Action Plan below)

ISSUES UPDATE

1. Goalposts at Heol y Goedwig,

It was decided in the last PACT meeting that a working group from the Community would be responsible for ordering the Goalposts, and arranging installation with BCBC. An update on progress would be welcomed.

As a reminder, the costs quoted by BCBC were:

1. Supply of goal posts(pair of posts)           £636 for heavy duty posts
2. Installation of the goal posts(pair)            £352

Giving a total of £988.

Details are still required as to funding sources available. To date, a figure of £750 has been quoted by Mr Des Rees as a substantial contribution from Porthcawl Shout, but no written confirmation of this has been made available. This leaves a balance needed of £238. No request for funding has been received by Porthcawl Town Council.

In order to make progress, if not already resolved at the meeting, I recommend that we make a firm decision as to a named person responsible for taking this matter forward, which will include:

·         Contacting relevant bodies and businesses, including Porthcawl Town Council, requesting financial support

·         Providing written assurances that sufficient funds are in place to cover the purchase and the installation of the Goal posts

·         An undertaking to liaise with BCBC Parks department or another supplier for purchase of the Goal posts

·         Should an outside supplier be selected, an undertaking to liaise with BCBC Parks department re the specifications required

·         An undertaking to liaise with BCBC Parks department re installation of the Goal posts

1. Skateboard Park issues

Two Open Space notices have been advertised in the local press today, the closing date is 24^th March & any objections will be reported to Cabinet on 5^th April. In the meantime a licence has been forwarded to the Town Council for agreement.

(For more information, see note below)

PACT Updates by Cllr Alana Davies

18^th January 2011

There was one Priority I was to follow up from the November meeting:

Pedestrian crossing on Heol Y Goedwig.

I have requested that a road safety scheme be drawn up for Heol y Goedwig, and I will report back as soon as I have further information. However, I have been informed that funding for capital schemes such as this is severely restricted, and without additional funds being provided, it will be added to the list of outstanding schemes in the pipeline.

ISSUES UPDATE

1. Skateboard Park issues

Porthcawl Town Council is awaiting details of the land lease arrangements with BCBC. When this is in place, construction will begin.

2. Goalposts at Heol y Goedwig,

A decision needs to be made as to who will be responsible for ordering the Goalposts, and arranging installation with BCBC. To date, the options for this responsibility appear to be:

ÿ        Mr Des Rees

ÿ        A community group (details would be required)

ÿ        Cllr Alana Davies as Elected Member for Porthcawl East Central

The costs quoted by BCBC were:

1. Supply of goal posts(pair of posts)           £636 for heavy duty posts
2. Installation of the goal posts(pair)            £352

Giving a total of £988.

Details will also be required as to funding sources available. To date, a figure of £750 has been quoted as a substantial contribution from Porthcawl Shout. This leaves a balance needed of £238. No request for funding has been received by Porthcawl Town Council as yet.

PACT Updates by Cllr Alana Davies

23^rd November 2010

1. What is the role of the Beach Manager?

Adrian Roberts will attend the meeting if possible.

2. ‘No dog fouling’ signs at the Wilderness area

Officers will investigate the need for ‘no dog fouling’ signs as requested.  If additional signs are needed these will be provided but please note that these will be of the self adhesive type fixed to existing structures.

3. Request to replace/upgrade ‘no right turn’ signs at the exit of Wellfield Avenue onto Eastern Promenade

The sign plates at Wellfield Road are the correct size for this road. However the sign plate on the right is faded and the post is in a bad condition. We are making arrangements to replace the sign post and sign plate with new.

4. Fireworks at the Hi-Tide – excessive noise levels that shook windows over a mile away, particularly the first and last each time. Better controls need to be in place for next summer. Also, what arrangements are in place for collection & disposal of the debris from used fireworks?

The firework displays are held at Rych Point, Porthcawl with the proprietor of the Hi-Tide Inn organising and funding the events.  They comprise a total of 6 firework displays held between July and August, each one lasting for approximately 10 minutes. The Fireworks Regulations 2004 prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from possessing fireworks and anyone except professionals from possessing display fireworks in a public place. These Regulations prohibit the supply, purchase or possession of excessively loud fireworks for those which are used by the public (over 120 decibels). Unfortunately this does not apply to those fireworks used in professional displays. In addition to this, the Regulations also prohibit the use of fireworks at night between 11pm – 7am in England and Wales. The Fireworks Regulations 2004 are enforced by South Wales Police. Each year the summer displays are monitored by the Public Protection Department, who measure the impact noise from the fireworks. Should the fireworks exceed the guideline level of 120 decibels, the legislation available for taking formal action in relation to the noise is that contained in the statutory nuisance provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.  Under this legislation, the Local Authority can take action for noise from premises which amounts or is likely to amount to a statutory nuisance.  In assessing whether or not noise amounts to a nuisance, the frequency of occurrence, duration, time and level of noise all have to be taken into consideration.  The company contracted to carry out the firework displays provided much quieter fireworks than those used in displays in previous years.  In addition Public Protection specified the following:

(1)           there was only one event per week, with 6 events in total;

(2)           each event should last approximately 10 minutes;

(3)           that the proprietor of the Hi-Tide requested that the company contracted to carry out the displays used the quieter fireworks which are available; and

(4)           each firework display should be finished by 10.00 p.m., with the displays in August likely to be finishing around 9.30 p.m. (as soon as it got dark).

When taking into account the above criteria, the noise from the fireworks displays did not amount to a statutory noise nuisance actionable by this Department and on the occasions it was monitored by our officers, the noise levels were below the guideline value of 120decibels. This would appear to be reflected by the very small number of complaints we received over the summer period compared to previous years.  Nevertheless, even when the events have been monitored over previous years, the guideline value has not been exceeded. The level of monitoring that will be undertaken by the department next year will be reviewed prior to the start of the season and will be subject to sufficient resources being made available.

With regard to the disposal of debris, the fireworks are launched over the sea for health and safety reasons and any residual debris left on land is the responsibility of the operator in conjunction with the proprietor of the Hi Tide Inn.

5. Camper Van issues

Overnight Parking: request for a by-law covering the whole of the town

This would have the effect of prohibiting owners of camper vans from parking them outside their homes. This could potentially affect many residents of Porthcawl, and will need to be considered very carefully.

Richard Fletcher is leading on finding an appropriate location to incorporate a camper van facility within Sandy Bay car park. This would probably not be a free facility, but details as to location and payment are yet to be agreed.

6. Car Parking / Parking of Coaches and Buses

Some of the issues raised re parking of Coaches in Mackworth Road should be resolved when the existing Salt Lake Car Park takes up its temporary home in Sandy Bay, as a Coach Park will be provided as part of that arrangement.

The existing Hillsboro Place Car Park will be transferred temporarily to the Salt Lake site for part of the duration of the regeneration works.

7. Skateboard Park issues

Member/s of the User Group will attend the meeting if possible

8. Goalposts at Heol y Goedwig,

Following the suggestion made at the last PACT meeting, I requested that officers inspect any proposed Goal Posts at the same time as the children’s play area is inspected. This they have agreed to do. I have consulted with the residents of Heol y Goedwig on this matter, and the overwhelming response was positive, with a tiny number of people disagreeing with the proposal. Funding for the Goal Posts and their installation will need to be identified, as BCBC is not able to supply this, but the Parks unit can arrange the installations, and will then undertake the necessary inspections in future. A suitable location will need to be agreed – please see below.

Cllr Davies

Further to yesterday’s meeting please find attached an aerial view of the site on which is marked up with red stars agreed positions for the goal posts.  I’ve assumed that the intention is to provide a pair of posts.  Also marked up on the plan is an indication of the available playing area – approx 50m x 30m.  Just to confirm that this area will not be marked out – none of our kickabout areas are, nor will the area be cut anymore frequently than it currently is.  We will routinely inspect the posts.

With regards to cost:

1. Supply of goal posts(pair of posts)           £636 for heavy duty posts and £525 for standard posts(please see note below)
2. Installation of the goal posts(pair)            £352

These supply costs are for direct supply from manufacturers and the posts will carry a quality standard kitemark.  For use on playing fields ie those used formally by clubs and other organisations, then any new posts installed have to carry the appropriate kitemark. 

Gareth Evans

Parks & Playing Fields Manager

Thanks to all who sent me feedback following the last PACT meeting. I hope that most of the points raised have been covered in this update.

PACT Updates by Cllr Alana Davies

28^th September 2010

1. Part of the yellow lines opposite Beales fish bar on the Eastern Promenade have been covered over due to road works, and cars are parking there.

Highways have been asked to reinstate the lines after the road works.  Please inform me if the parking continues after the legality of the Order is restored. Highways can then raise it with SW Police at a Roads Policing Group meeting which takes place roughly once a month.

2. Request to install ‘no right turn’ signs at the exit of Wellfield Avenue onto Eastern Promenade

 The personal injury accident records at this junction have been examined and it can be confirmed that, thankfully, no such accidents have been reported. Unfortunately the introduction of a traffic order to allow the provision of no right turn signs would cost around £6000. Some months ago, each ward member was asked to submit their top priority schemes. I submitted the Newton Nottage Road pedestrian-crossing scheme, as this had been identified as such a priority for residents. The top ten priority schemes totalled far more than the budget available to address them, so there is currently no funding available. If another tranche of funding becomes available, I will put the Wellfield Avenue scheme forward if that is the wish of residents in East Central.

3. There are camper vans parked regularly at the sea-end of Mackworth Road. Is it possible to have yellow lines put there?

There are already double yellow lines covering the end of Mackworth Road - a check will be made to ensure that they are in place as per the Order and, if not, they will be reinstated. Parking continues to be a problem in this area; a proposal was put forward some time ago which may have provided a solution, but it was not supported by residents.

4. The beach at the end of Mackworth Road is very dirty with a lot of litter. Residents would like to know whether we can supply large bins as the Fairground owners do on their part of Coney beach. Also - how often are the bins between the Hi Tide and Trecco Bay emptied?

There are 4 existing litter bins on the pedestrian route from Trecco Bay to the Hi Tide car park. This area is cleaned daily Monday-Friday with additional visits by a mobile crew emptying the litter bins on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday and a weekend visit on a Sunday afternoon, as required. Other than the adopted highway, there is no land, including the beach area, at the end of Mackworth Road in Council ownership. The Council is not responsible for cleansing the beach and has no litter bins located on private land areas. A meeting is to be held between Council officers, the Evans family and other interested parties to establish whether a joined up approach can be developed to keep the whole of Sandy Bay/Coney Beach area free from litter.

5. Does BCBC still employ a Beach Manager?

Adrian Roberts is the Beach Management Assistant.

6. As the fireworks displays put on by the Hi Tide are now starting every Tuesday, is the noise being monitored?

The first one was held on July 27^th, which was monitored and no problems were identified.  The Council does not intend to monitor any others at this stage, apart from one near the end of the season, unless there is good evidence that the agreed conditions that have been discussed with the organisers are not being met. It was compliant all of last year and nothing has changed in terms of the operator and the fireworks being used. At present the Council would not have the resources to send an officer there every Tuesday evening.

7. Are the CCTV cameras in Rest Bay in operation? (a query about deployment of cameras)

There are now two cameras, both fully operational. An additional one was added following complaints regarding anti-social behaviour. They are not monitored specifically, but as part of normal arrangements.

8. Residents in Heol y Goedwig have apparently been advised to put their bins out for collection ‘after 7.30 at night’, but these are being kicked over and sometimes taken away, late at night.

Residents are requested to place their waste for collection no earlier than 7.00pm on the day before collection and no later than 7.00am on the day of collection. It is preferable that waste is placed in the morning, but it is recognised that for some residents this is inconvenient, so it is possible to place it the night before.     

9. We would like to install some temporary Goalposts at Heol y Goedwig, as we have discussed previously with Gareth Evans. I am working with the PCSO to ascertain residents’ views, but I need to be sure that there is still no problem with placing them there.

I had discussed this issue with Gareth Evans some time ago, and at that time there appeared not to be a problem in installing goalposts. However, following an accident at Newbridge Fields involving goalposts, the HSE served an Improvement Notice on the Council in October 2009. This was lifted in January 2010, following HSE agreement on the actions which had been put in place. The question of size of posts has been discussed - do we provide large posts which can only really be used properly by young adults, or small posts for young children? The general view is that an open area is better left open, and those using it can set up whatever shape or sized playing area they want to, to suit their age, size, ability and numbers playing.  This arrangement also reduces the potential for worn areas under posts which are a health and safety risk if left unrepaired. The Council has been removing goal posts from kick-about areas as we don’t have the resources to check them regularly, so we cannot agree to installing additional goalposts.

There is no problem with the use of temporary goal posts.

10. The PCSO and the local Scout group would like to hold a barbecue on the field at Heol y Goedwig some time during August. Will it also be possible for plastic goal-posts to be used into the evening/night?

There are no problems with the BBQ in principle.  The Council would need to be satisfied on safety – Risk Assessment needed on how the BBQ will be operated safely, and would want evidence of food hygiene and food preparation training of people involved with cooking the food.  Also there would be the standard   requirements relating to insurance, reinstatements and litter.