CWMNI: ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING


MINUTES OF THE MEETING
May 5

MEETING AGENDA
June 2

NEWS

Bat Biodiversity Project
The Environment and Housing Group has funded a biodiversity project to monitor and protect the bat population. A single pipistrelle bat may consume about 3000 insects in a night – mostly midges and mosquitoes. The bat population may be in danger and therefore is important to preserve!

Blaen-y-cwm Steering Group Projects
The Environment and Housing Theme Group have assisted in funding some of the works being carried out in the village of Blaencwm such as new flower planters for the village square.

River Clean-up Plans
The Environment and Housing Group in consultation with the Steering Groups are planning a community wide river clean-up. This project will aim to include the community during the summer to encourage taking responsibility for our environment. Included in these plans are ideas for a similar kind of litter pick.

Environment & Housing Meeting. May 5, 6:30pm. Held at 156 Bute Street, Treherbert. .... Top

Present:
Rhys Burton CwmNi, Regeneration Manager
Barbara Doughty, Treherbert WI and Treherbert Resident
David Evans, Treherbert Residents Representative
Bernard Jones, Keep Wales Tidy
Ian Major, Groundwork MRCT
Roger Nott, Blaen-y-cwm Residents Representative (Chair)
Theresa Parsell, CwmNi Tenant Support Worker
Dorian Rees, Tynewydd Resident
Roger Roberts, NRA, RCT CBC
Tammy Smith, CwmNi Regeneration Administrator
Julie Spiller, Penyrenglyn Project

Apologies received from:
Bev Travess, Local Resident

1. Welcome and Introductions
Roger Nott (RN) opened the meeting and welcomed members

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting
Bernard Jones (BJ) asked that the minutes be amended to reflect that it will be Treherbert River Care Forum who will be undertaking the Health and Safety and insurance as well as equipment rather than Keep Wales Tidy on Minute 4.

3. Matters Arising
3.1 Newsletter Articles (Minute 7)
RB informed members that all articles are now in for the Summer Newsletter and that he and Bev Travess would be attending the Marketing and Publicity Theme Group on Tuesday to review the draft.

3.2 Tynewydd Park (Minute 9.3)
The Group heard that Tynewydd Steering Group were putting together a questionnaire to ask members of the local community what they think future money should be spent on following the rushed consultation regarding the Tynewydd Park.

3.3 Library Sign (Minute 10.1)
RB has written to Council and copied the letters to the local Councillors as per the request of this meeting, but has not yet had a response.

3.4 Treherbert Public Toilets (Minute 10.2)
RB has written to Council and copied the letters to the local Councillors as per the request of this meeting, but has not yet had a response.

4. Neighbourhood Renewal Area
Roger Roberts (RR) introduced himself and handed a copy of the Phase 1 information of the Treherbert Neighbourhood Renewal Area to all members. He explained that they are currently handling 10 houses at one time and there have been some talks about starting works in Tynewydd sooner rather than later. The group were interested to hear RR findings with regard the budgets and plans for the Environmental spends in the coming year as per the actions from the last meeting of the Environmental and Housing Theme Group. RR explained that this is not an area with which he deals, as he deals mainly with the housing side of things rather than the environmental which is predominately Alan Davies (AD) department and therefore had nothing to report. The Group were concerned that they were not aware of the funds for the current financial year, and that whilst actions have been named within the Environment and Housing Theme Group the details of these actions will need to be ironed out with residents through consultation as with Tynewydd Park for example. The Group heard that AD had attended the CwmNi Business and Economy Theme Group asking members to each put forward one idea for the spend of the environmental money for the area. The consensus of the Group was that they were very concerned and annoyed that these matters had been taken to the Business Theme Group instead of being raised at the Environment Theme Group. This Group should be aware of the funds available as well as being consulted on how works should be carried out. RN suggested that in order that local residents and CwmNi are aware of what funds are being spent on, CwmNi should be having regular meetings with the Council and reporting back to the relevant groups. RR explained from the £1.6 million assigned to this area, £160k would be allocated to undertake environmental works, as RR is not the correct officer to deal with these matters he agreed would forward all requests to AD.

RB asked RR then to update on the Environmental spend for last years budget. RR the handed round a copy of the commitments to spend from 2003/4 budget of £120k and mentioned some of the works being undertaken:
£23k has been spent on a development strategy with Highways for parking bays on station road, dropped curbs on the main shopping area, lighting columns;£7k on feasibility study at Tynewydd Chapel; £20k was been committed to the fencing, equipment and furniture for Tynewydd and Treherbert parks; Dog waste bins and bags; Cleaning up the bus shelters.
RB thanked RR for the paper and asked if it is possible to know what works had been taken and carried out from the wish list given to the Council from CwmNi as well as what projects from CwmNi’s wish list will be taken forward in the future.

RR noted that he has checked on the situation with the cabins on the roads for the contractors working with the NRA and he has found that the cabins are placed are within the safety regulations of Highways Department and that they are currently not looking for any other premises. Theresa Parsell (TP) and Barbara Doughty (BD) still felt that they are a danger and that many people have only just avoided accidents at in that area. RR agreed to look into the issue again.
Action: RB to follow up on the concerns raised at the meeting regarding environmental within NRA funding
RR forward all queries and concerns to AD and report back comments and details from AD. RR to look into the issue of cabins placed on the road

5. Loops & Links Project – Ian Major
Ian Major (IM) introduced himself and thanked the Group for agreeing to hear about the Loops and Links project, he then went on to present the project to the Group. He mentioned that we are the first Communities First Partnership to hear about the project. The Loops and Links project is run and funded by the Groundwork Trust Merthyr Tydfil and RCT. It is a flagship project and Treherbert, as the top end of the Rhondda Fawr is the start of the Loops and Links walks. These walks are aimed at walkers, cyclists and horse riders and each route will be categorised as ‘Multi-user’ (walkers, cyclists and horse riders), walkers and cyclists and walkers only. He explained that new paths have been cut to allow walkers to reach the top of Pen Pych. Other improvements the project will be looking to make will be clearing areas of rubbish to use for walks, bridal gates will be erected to aid horse riders and barriers to prevent vehicles from reaching areas designated for walking. The markers for the walks will be made from large stones with aluminium plates thereby making them as close to vandal proof as possible. Car parking facilities will be in place to allow people to reach the walks as well as catering for the disabled by improving paths for easy access. IM noted that the project would like to involve community groups try out the routes as well as involving the community in the marketing of the project. The project will be live from 2005 and it will be well publicised through the tourist board, glossy pamphlets and internet access. The group are also hoping for some interesting factual information about the different areas and walks through local knowledge and history. The Chair then asked if members had any questions/comments: Dorian Rees (DR) asked if the standing stones used for marking routes were expensive, IM explained it was inexpensive as the stones were obtained from a disused quarry. DR asked how horse riders would gain access through the gates. It was heard that keys for gates would be available from local riding schools etc therefore ensuing there is very little risk of the motor cycles/scramblers gaining access. BD noted that boulders along walks had not prevented scramblers from gaining access to areas, IM accepted that this is a continuing problem and that the project would hope to improve policing. RB informed members that one of CwmNi’s projects is the Equestrian project which would help in sharing information about different routes for horse trails.
RB noted that the Pen-yr-Englyn Project have done short films in the past and they may be interested doing some of the publicity, Julie Spiller (JS) also said that there are many talented local artists that may be happy to assist with publicity. It was suggested that the Treherbert Librarian may be happy assist with some information and local history.
Agreed: IM to come back to the Group with requests to survey routes and possible assistance with publicity and support
Action: CwmNi to ask Treherbert Librarian for assistance

Railway Station Sub-Group
The Group heard that the sub-group had met recently and the following points were discussed: The possibility of further funding needs to be explored with organisations such as Rail Heritage. The ambition of the Group is to restore the station to it’s former glory, however what is eligible needs to be agreed as well as what Network Rail will allow. Work is underway to confirm access to the area between the station platform and Station Terrace.
The Ecologist, Richard Wistow, will be asked to visit the site to ascertain the quality of soil and types of plants.
Improvements to the Railway Canteen are being reviewed by looking into applications to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Communities First Trust Fund. The group is chasing Richard Cole regarding free public access to the railway crossing. These pursuits tie in with the Loops and Links project as part of the routes will need to use the crossing, e.g. people leaving the station and these can not go ahead until free public access is gained.
Action: Group to continue with works
RB and IM to work towards crossing access as it would be beneficial to both Groups

River Clean-up
RB and Bernard Jones (BJ) gave a summary as to where the plans for the clean up are at present:
CwmNi staff had undergone a training session explaining the rules in relation to Health and Safety as well as Risk Assessments. The pig roast has been costed and provisionally booked for 3.00pm at the Treherbert Rugby Club, Cabbage Patch, Tynewydd. Tokens should be printed to hand to all volunteers ensuring them a free meal. Publicity must be agreed and sent out. All doors will be leafleted and local businesses will get posters as well as putting a publication in the Rhondda Leader. Participation from local groups such as the Boys and Girls Club should be encouraged. Health and Safety Risk Assessments should be carried out by RB/BJ
BJ has agreed to take a look at the river a few days before the clean up to check condition and potential problem areas
BJ/RB are looking at asking Baileys if they would be happy to supply the use of one of their trucks to collect rubbish from up and down the river and bring the collections to a central skip
Action: RB and BJ to take forward

Updates on the Blaencwm Environment Improvements
RN explained that he was having considerable difficulties in clearing the wood chippings from the trimming of the trees as well as the fencing that was dismantled by the workers and not replaced. BJ agreed to mention the clearance of the wood chippings in his meeting with the manager. Planters are on their way to Blaen-y-cwm from Scotland, however the lettering of the front of one of the planters was incorrect and it therefore had to be returned for correction, Alan Pickens has been asked to do the planting. The Build-it team will be painting the bin and four benches when the weather is fine.

Any Other Business
9.1 Bats Conservation Scheme
DL passed on to the group posters and leaflets advertising a meeting regarding the bats conservation programme asking members to encourage local residents to attend.
Action: All

9.2 Bernard Jones Funding
BJ reminded members that there is approximately £400.00 to be spent on each village and that steering groups should report back their ideas for spends.
Action: All

AGENDA
* Welcome & Introductions
* Minutes of the previous meeting
* Matters arising from the meeting
* Update on the River Cleanup weekend – Rhys Burton / Bernard Jones
* Update on Neighbourhood Renewal Area – Roger Roberts / Rhys Burton
* Update of the Blaencwm environment improvements – Roger Nott
* Review of activities carried out / to be carried out within the Action Plan
* Any Other Business

Date of Next Meeting: 7th July 2004