Category: Community Council News

Your Local Welsh Medium School

 

YSGOL GYMRAEG GWAUN Y NANT

Your Local Welsh Medium School

Eich Ysgol Gymraeg Lleol

Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun y Nant in Barry is your nearest Welsh medium school. It is about 10 minutes by car. The Vale of Glamorgan Local Authority will provide free school transport for those living beyond 2 miles.

Established on its current site in 2001 it has grown from strength to strength and now has over 250 pupils.

A few years ago the school had a major refurbishment to cope with the increased demand for Welsh Medium Education in the area. As a result we can now boast a wonderful learning environment; it is spacious and inspiring for our pupils and teachers.

Teachers and Governors are proud of the school’s ethos and continuously ensure it is maintained. Visitors have always told us that there is a very special ‘feeling’ to the school. We believe that this is created through the exceptionally strong emphasis we have on equality, diversity and respect for every child.

The Local Authority of Vale of Glamorgan continues to judge the school with the highest quality mark; the official classification is known as a ‘Green school’.

Our continuing excellent reputation was confirmed at our last Estyn inspection. The published report remarked that there is a ‘caring working relationship between adults and pupils and that the school is a caring community in which a high priority is given to pupils’ wellbeing’. The report added that ‘pupils are exceptionally well behaved during lessons and informal situations. They are welcoming, polite and treat each other, staff and visitors with genuine respect’.

As Head Teacher I would encourage all parents in Wenvoe to come and visit us before deciding on a school for your child or children. If you are interested in visiting the school please contact us on 01446 421723.

Head Teacher: Rhydian Lloyd.

 

 

Council News

 

Although no police were in attendance, members reported a couple of incitements. A car stolen from outside a property during the night and a ‘cold caller’ trying to extort additional money from a householder after carrying out agreed work.

New library – the Vale is about to publish the details seeking tenders for the work. At long last the Welsh Government has given clearance for the stage payment of the agreed grant.

The proposed design of the new playground for Twyn-yr-Odyn has been received. Comments are being sought from the public before the Council agree to the project proceeding.

Whitehall Quarry – the area is to be landscaped when the weather is drier; too muddy at present. Cemex are to be requested to regravel the footpath through the quarry which is becoming very muddy in areas.

During a recent storm one of the pine trees in Grange Park close to the school was blown over on a Sunday afternoon. This is the first known loss of one of the trees in a storm; branches have broken off trees in the past. The Council is seeking reassurance from the Vale that an up to date survey has been conducted on the state of all the trees in the park.

Fly tipping incidents are still occurring in the area. If seen, please report to the Clerk or direct to the Vale. It has been reported that football teams hiring the Station Road playing fields have left litter strewn around after a match, again please report such incidents to the Clerk.

Concern was raised about a growing pot hole on Port Road. The public can report potholes directly to the Vale by going to www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk web site and select report potholes. Leave your contact details and a description of where the hole is.

The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales, in their latest report, has made it mandatory that in future all Town and Community Council members must receive a payment of £150 a year towards their costs and expenses unless they inform the proper officer in writing that they decline the payment. The payment was previously available if a member submitted a claim.

 

 

March Planning Updates

The following planning applications have been approved:-

• 43, Gwern Close, St. Lythans. Rear single storey extension within residential curtilage

• Adjacent to Plot 43, St Lythans, Culverhouse Cross, Work to an oak tree covered by TPO

• Weycock Cross Sewage Treatment Works, A4426, Barry. Proposed works

• The Croft, Burdonshill, Wenvoe. Construction of garage

• The Hide Away, St. Lythans. New stables on the site of existing stables.

 

Planning application for Cwm Derwen Farm, Waycock Road, Nr. Barry for an extension to the existing farm building to accommodate in-door lambing and storage of machinery and fodder was refused. The proposed building was not considered to be permitted development given the proposed floor area and proximity to protected dwellings and therefore did not comply with conditions A.1 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995

 

 

March Planning Applications

 

Planning applications.

  • 9, Tarrws Close, Wenvoe. Loft conversion incorporating rear dormer with balcony and roof extension front elevation. Following a full discussion, no planning objections were raised.
  • Unit D, Valegate Retail Park, Culverhouse Cross. Variation of Condition 2 (sale of food or drink) of Planning Permission ref. 2010/00214/FUL. It was hoped this application could see better utilisation of the complex and hence the application was supported by the Council.
  • 10, Goldsland Walk, Wenvoe. Work to Oak tree covered by TPO No. 8 of 2012. The request followed a tree inspection after recent storm damage and the Council raised no objections.

 

 

Outrageous Proposal

 

We all know about the long queues and delays facing us when using Culverhouse Cross Roundabout. The Roundabout is already at 150% capacity (that is 50% more vehicles are using it than forecast). It is understood that capacity will rise to over 200% in the coming year. Our public transport system is woefully inadequate, and the current infrastructure has been left relatively unchanged despite the increasing number of homes in the area.

 

In an effort to ease the traffic problems a congestion charge of £1.00 is to be introduced for use of the Roundabout. It is anticipated that the charge will be for any vehicle using the roundabout weekdays between the hours of 7.00am – 10.00am and 3.00pm – 6.00pm. Blue Badge Holders will be exempt, but they will need to contact their local council to register. There will be a one-off administrative fee of £10.00 for this service.

Cameras already in place on Culverhouse Cross Roundabout have the technology to monitor non-payment of the charge through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). The penalty for non-payment will be £50.00, with a reduction if paid within 2 weeks of the notice issue date.

The Scheme will be self-financing, and any surplus monies will be used towards on-going road repairs, specifically potholes.

Mr Alf Polior (our source who has close links to the three organisations who have been involved in this decision – Cardiff City Council, the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Welsh Government) tells us that the proposed

Congestion Charge is likely to be made public on Monday 1st April and without any public consultation.

This is outrageous!

One of Polior’s associates living in Wenvoe and travelling to work at UHW Cardiff has said that he has looked at an alternative route through Dinas Powys to avoid this charge. Online Route Planners have shown that such a change of route will extend his journey to 20 miles per day, resulting in a cumulative increase of 1680 miles per year.

We are grateful to our resident for sharing the potential fuel cost increases with us, as well as the difference between paying the Congestion Charge and choosing an alternative route to work. He will be leading a focus group to calculate the increased journey time as well as to discuss the ONS Report which state that: ‘feelings of happiness, life satisfaction and the sense that one’s activities are worthwhile all decrease with every successive minute of travel to work’.

To continue reading and to see the link to the online petition, please turn to Page 4.

 

 

 

Scams – How to Stay Safe

STAY SAFE

SCAM – We have recently had a number of victims of a scam in the Penarth/Barry area. Each time these individuals were called and asked to withdraw large amounts of cash from the bank. Each time they alleged they were police officers and not to tell anyone. If the bank ask why you need the money they are giving the victims a number of excuses, e.g. new kitchen, new car.

Please let’s encourage everyone to talk openly about Scams. The police will never ask you to take money out. Always contact 101 or 999 but ensure the line is cleared before dialling. (Listen for a dial tone).

VISITORS – Please be vigilant when letting people into your homes.

There has recently been a theft in a Barry property, where by a man has alleged to be from the water board. He has entered the property to speak with the resident, whilst another male has entered the property and has stolen a handbag.

Do not let strangers into your home, ring companies to clarify and always check for ID.

 

 

February Planning Updates

Planning updates

The following applications have been approved

  • Valegate Retail Park, Culverhouse Cross. External refurbishment, including removal of existing entrance structures, with replacement entrances, new signage zones and with all other associated works
  • Countisbury, St. Lythans Road, St. Lythans. Proposed two storey side and rear extension
  • Front garden of 61, Walston Road, Wenvoe. Work to Ash tree covered by TPO, reduce due to proximity to cracked wall .
  • Land at Lydmore Mill Farm, Dyffryn. Construction of manege and fencing.
  • Weycock Waste Water Treatment Works. Request for EIA Screening Opinion Not Required

 

The Council had a discussion over the outstanding local highway issues with Mr M. Clogg, Operational Manager Highways. A number of issues are only going to be resolved when sufficient funds are available. Other issues will be examined for a possible solution.

A public consultation concerning improvements in the local play areas took place during the month and a number of constructive ideas were submitted. The Vale is at present drawing up plans and it is hoped the work can be completed later this year.

A marked increase in dog fouling has been noted around the village lately especially in the area of the school. The Vale is looking to increase its enforcement team. The public could do more by shaming those responsible for not clearing up after the dog.

Five mile lane work is slightly behind schedule due to the discovery of an unmapped water supply pipe; the road is expected to open on the 1st April. The road then from Sycamore Cross to Pendoylan will be totally closed for 6 weeks for road widening work connected with the new housing development site.

Representatives from the Council and the Library have met with the Vale planning department to resolve a few outstanding issues. The tender documents are expected to be issued in mid March. The proposed building will be attached to the present Community Centre and consist of two rooms joined by a fold-away screen and additional toilets and main entrance porch. The new library will permanently occupy one room and when open the two rooms will be joined and spill into the other room. When not in use the library can be shut away and the other room used by the public.

 

 

 

February Planning Applications

Planning applications.

• Cwm Derwen Farm, Waycock Road, Nr. Barry. Extension to existing farm building to accommodate in-door lambing and storage of machinery and fodder. No objections

• Waunwyrdd, Port Road, Wenvoe. Proposed alterations and extensions. The height of the present bungalow is not to be altered hence the Council raised no opjections to the proposed alterations

• Grange Park Wenvoe. Trees to the side of 34 Old Port Road, Wenvoe. Work to trees covered by TPO. To remove 3 Horse Chestnut trees. The application was supported by an arboriculturalist’s report commissioned by the Vale. The Council requested that the felled trees are replaced by appropriate large specimens.

• Weycock Cross Sewage Treatment Works, A4426, Barry. Proposed works including the installation of plant/machinery and 1no. kiosk upon operational land. No comment.

• 43, Gwern Close, St. Lythans. Rear single storey extension within residential curtilage. No objections were raised.

• 3, Hill Terrace, Twyn yr Odyn. Change of use of land to domestic use. The land in question is agricultural land and the council did not support the application.

 

 

January Planning Updates

Planning updates. The following planning application have been approved.

• 5, Old Port Road, Wenvoe. Proposed demolition of rear single storey flat roof extension and rear conservatory. Construction of rear, single storey flat roof extension, single storey front extension and rear flat roof dormer. Erection of rear store and enclosed courtyard with change to door and window arrangement throughout

• 3, Seaview Cottages, Twyn Yr Odyn. Free standing balcony.

• Dyffryn Springs, St. Lythans Road, Dyffryn. Construction of a two storey building with a wedding venue function. Conditions applied on the use of the building. 

The council received a local crime report update from the police at their January meeting. A new PCSO Sion Summers has been appointed for the community working out of Penarth. His duties include policing at Culverhouse Cross retail park but he will be seen around the area in future.

The finance committee’s recommendations for next year have been approved by the council. The local

precept will remain virtually unaltered but there will be an average 3% increase in charges.

The new library final design work continues and is expected to be completed by mid February when it will go for tendering.

Water main improvement work at Chapel Terrace, Twyn-yr-Odyn is expected to commence in the very near future. Permission has been granted for Dwr Cymru to use a small area of the playing field for a site office.

Report received of fly tipping of electrical equipment near the television mast. Discovery of any such dumped rubbish should be reported directly to the Vale or the council clerk. The restriction of two black bags per household has seen no increase in the level of such fly-tipping incidents.

The council agreed to co-opt Mrs K Jones, Port Road to fill the vacancy formed by the death of Cllr. E. Jervis.

 

 

January Planning Applications

Planning applications.

• The Croft, Burdons Hill Lane, Wenvoe. Construction of a garage adjacent to the road. No objection

• Poundfield Farm, Pound Lane, Wenvoe. Change of use of existing garage/store into proposed grannie annex. The council objected to this application. This construction is a separate building from the existing property and hence would constitute a new residential building in the countryside contrary to the present Vale’s policies.

• St Lythans Park, Culverhouse Cross. Adjacent to plot 43. Work to a mature oak tree covered by a TPO. No objection to the proposed work.

• Land at St. Lythans Road, Twyn Yr Odyn, Wenvoe. Proposed demolition of stables and outbuildings and erection of 7 new detached dwellings. This is greenbelt land in an area of special landscape value and was objected to by the council.

• The Hide Away, St. Lythans Road, St. Lythans. New stables on site of the existing. This being a replacement of an existing building there were no concerns.

• Countisbury, St. Lythans Road, St. Lythans. Proposed two storey side and rear extension. A very substantial extension but no objections were raised.

• Land at Lydmore Mill Farm, Dyffryn. Construction of a ménage and fencing. The council raised no objection.

• Valegate Retail Park, Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff. External refurbishment, including removal of existing entrance structures, with replacement entrances, new signage zones and with all other associated works. No objections.

 

 

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