Gorseinon and its Town Council

Gorseinon Town Council comprises sixteen unpaid volunteers, elected every four years, by the 6500 voters living in the Communities of Gorseinon and Penyrheol. The Town Council developed from the former Gorseinon Community Council in 1998, since when it has been able to annually appoint a Town Mayor.

SITUATION

Gorseinon is situated on the northern fringe of Gower, 6 miles north west of Swansea, close to the Loughor estuary and 2 miles from the M4 junction 47. It is a rapidly expanding Town with a proud historical background that was centred upon the heavy industries of coal, steel and tinplate production.

As those Industries have declined, the Town has diversified and major new employment is now found in the new Commercial areas such as Garngoch Industrial estate, making use of the excellent access to the M4 motorway.

The Town has an active retail focus based in the main High Street, with a new Asda and Aldi store recently receiving planning consent, excellent educational facilities, and has the benefit of a sub regional leisure facility at Penyrheol Leisure Centre with its Swimming pool, Sports and Theatre complex.

The community suffered from closures of the Bryngwyn steel works and Valeo plant in the late 1990s which was the trigger for the establishment by the National Assembly of the Gorseinon Regeneration Strategy. This Partnership's Action Plan has generated over £12m of investment in to the Community over the last decade, focussing upon physical, social and economic regeneration, and is held up as a model for Community regeneration.

The base for the Trust is the new Canolfan Gorseinon Centre, Millers Drive, Gorseinon (tel 01792 897657 www.gdt.org.uk)

TOWN COUNCIL INITIATIVES

Key Town Council initiatives for 2009/10 include ;

The development of a Town Plan for Gorseinon to establish a Blue Print for its future development and growth.
Investigating the feasibility of acquiring the former Lliw Valley Council buildings in West Street, as a focus for community activities.
Setting up and developing a new interactive Gorseinon Town Council Website to act as a focus for community discussion and debate
Annual Newsletter distributed to all households within the Community for public information.
Input into the Gorseinon Regeneration Action Plan run by the Gorseinon Development Trust.
Partnership in the £0.5m redevelopment of the Gorseinon Bus Station site, completed in 2008.
Environmental initiatives such as hanging baskets / floral displays and bulb planting within the community. If your street has an environmental project, please get in touch.
Commenting on planning applications and issues within the community.
Coordinating physical improvements to the local park at Argyll Gardens.
Extending CCTV camera coverage within the Town Centre.
Police and school liaison and support.
Exploring the setting up of a Youth Council within the Town Council to represent the views of the younger generation.
Coordination of Christmas lights and organising the annual Lantern Parade with our partners, involving up to 5000 people.
Sponsorship of Summer activities at Penyrheol Leisure Centre and promotion/support for community based initiatives within the Town, such as 'brass band' competition and 'food festival' at the Canolfan Centre.
Funding and sponsorship of local groups and clubs, culminating in an awards presentation evening every February. If your group needs support or wants to promote its activities, get in touch to use the Website to promote your activities.
Acknowledging local residents who reach 90 years of age, or residents who make significant contributions in the community and presentation of medallions to them by the Town Mayor.
Supporting historical, cultural and sporting initiatives within the community.
Maintaining local seats and notice boards.
Supporting twinning activities with Gorseinon/Loughor and Ploemarl in central Brittany and developing new cultural links.

We hope you enjoy looking at the Website, which is meant to be a sounding board for community activity and comment. If you wish to contribute in any way, and have an article of local interest to the residents of Gorseinon, Penyrheol and surrounding areas, please contact the Clerk, John Millard, tel 01792 895690 or e-mail: info@gorseinontowncouncil.gov.uk or any of the local Town Councillors.