Minutes of the fortieth annual meeting of Aberdyfi Community Council held at the Literary Institute on Tuesday 13th May 2025
Present:
Cllr Bradbury-Willis
Cllr Mark Dunton
Cllr Roman Hackelsberger
Cllr Ian Hewins
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Sadie Porter
Cllr Dewi Owen
Cllr Dave Williams
3 members of the public were present
At the commencement of the meeting, Cllr Hackelsberger tendered his resignation and left the meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 1 – Election of Chair of Aberdyfi Community Council for the year 2025-26
CL/1/13.05.25
Cllr Dewi Owen was elected Chair
Proposed: Cllr Porter Seconded: Cllr Hewins
AGENDA ITEM 2 – To receive the Chair’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office
CL/2/13.05.25
The Declaration of Acceptance of the role of Chair was received.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – Election of Vice Chair of Aberdyfi Community Council for the year 2025-26
CL/3/13.05.25
Cllr Hewins was elected Vice Chair
Proposed: Cllr Dunton Seconded: Cllr Porter
AGENDA ITEM 4 – To receive the Vice Chair’s declaration of Acceptance of Office
CL/4/13.05.25
The Declaration of Acceptance of the role of Vice Chair was received
AGENDA ITEM 5 – To receive and accept apologies
CL/5/13.05.25
Apologies accepted from Cllrs O’Neill and Reynolds
AGENDA ITEM 6 – To review the Terms of Reference for the Finance committee
CL/6/13.05.25
The Terms of reference for the Finance Committee were reviewed and accepted
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AGENDA ITEM 7 – Appointment of members to the Finance committee
CL/7/13.05.25
Cllrs Bradbury-Willis, Porter and Williams were elected to the Finance Committee
AGENDA ITEM 8 – Appointment of members to outside bodies
CL/8/13.05.25
Members were appointed to the following outside bodies:
8.1 Aberdyfi Advertising and Improvements Committee
All councillors
8.2 Aberdyfi Literary Institute
Cllr Porter
8.3 Harbour Advisory Committee
Cllr Dunton
8.4 Neuadd Dyfi Management Committee – councillors with a vote
Cllrs Hewins, Kelly, Owen, Reynolds and Williams
8.5 Caravan Site Committee
Cllrs Bradbury-Willis, Kelly, Owen, Reynolds and Williams
8.6 Richard Williams and Richards Roberts Trust Fund
Cllr Reynolds, Bradbury-Willis, Owen, Porter with Cllr Williams as Trustee
8.7 Lewis Lloyd Trust
Cllr Bradbury-Willis
8.8 Tywyn and District memorial hospital Appeal Fund
Cllr Kelly with Cllr Williams as deputy
8.9 One Voice Wales
Cllrs O’Neill and Owen, with Cllr Williams as deputy
8.10 Meirionnydd Access Group
Cllr O’Neill
8.11 Plastic-free Aberdyfi
It was agreed that Plastic-free Aberdyfi should be added to the list, with Cllr Porter as Council representative.
AGENDA ITEM 9 – To approve dates of Council meetings 2024-25
CL/9/13.05.25
It was agreed to continue to hold meetings every third Monday in the month, with the exception of August.
2025: 16th June, 21st July, 15th September, 20th October, 17th November, 15th December 2026: 19thJanuary, 16th February, 16th March, 20th April, 18th May (Annual meeting)
AGENDA ITEM 10 – To review and adopt Standing Orders
CL/10/13.05.25
The Standing Orders were reviewed and adopted without any changes.
Proposed: Cllr Williams Seconded: Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 11 – To review and adopt Financial Regulations
CL/11/13.05.25
The changes to the Financial Regulations were noted and accepted
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Proposed: Cllr Kelly Seconded: Cllr Porter
AGENDA ITEM 12 – To review list of Council Assets
CL/12/13.05.25
The asset list was reviewed and accepted
Proposed: Cllr Williams Seconded: Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 13 – Appointment of Internal Auditor for 2025/26
CL/13/13.05.25
It was agreed to appoint Steve Lister as Internal Auditor
Proposed: Cllr Bradbury-Willis Seconded: Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 14 – To receive and confirm minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 14th April 2025
CL/14/13.05.25
Proposed: Cllr Kelly Seconded: Cllr Dunton
AGENDA ITEM 15 – To receive Treasurer’s report
CL/15/13.05.25
It was agreed in future to show all card transactions made through the Windcave system for the P&D machine in Neuadd Dyfi car park as one transaction.
Proposed: Cllr Williams Seconded: Cllr Bradbury-Willis
AGENDA ITEM 16 – To receive a report from the Gwynedd Council representative
CL/16/13.05.25
Cllr Owen reported that Ioan Thomas has been appointed as Chair and Mrs Elin Walker-Jones as Vice Chair of Gwynedd Council.
At the recent meeting of the full council, Article 4 was discussed with many councillors expressing opinions that it will damage the economy of many areas and if the economy is not robust, local people will not be able work locally and purchase homes. Cllr Owen reported to Gwynedd Council that there are 70 homes for sale in Aberdyfi alone and the economy is already suffering as a result of Article 4. Cllr Owen asked Gwynedd Council why Article 4 was passed by the cabinet and not brought to full council but received no clear answer. A judicial review is now underway.
It was noted that when properties are put up for sale, they do not have to pay council tax and Cllr Owen asked Gwynedd Council who checks that the properties that claim to be uninhabited are indeed uninhabited. No clear answer was forthcoming. Cllr Owen reported that figures will be released at the end of the year on the impact of the different levels of council tax.
Cllr Dunton asked Cllr Owen to look into and report on why the kitchen at Tywyn hospital has been closed and the beds moved to Dolgellau.
Cllr Owen reported that the VE Day celebrations last week were very successful and well-attended and proposed a letter of thanks be sent to Totaleigh Music for their performance on the evening.
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Action: Cllr Owen to find out what is happening at Tywyn hospital
Action: Clerk to write to Totaleigh Music
Cllr Owen reported that the Wales Air Ambulance fundraising event was very successful with may people taking part and over £2,000 already raised. There was very little disruption on the day and the litter waste was well-managed. He congratulated the Britannia Inn on a successful event and proposed a letter of thanks be sent to them.
Action: Clerk to write to the Britannia Inn
Cllr Owen reported that the new chemotherapy treatment unit has recently opened at Bronglais hospital and noted this is the result of a long period of fundraising by locals and is a very welcome addition to local services. He proposed the Council write a letter of congratulations to the hospital.
Action: Clerk to write to Bronglais
AGENDA ITEM 17 – To receive a report from the clerk
CL/17/13.05.25
The clerk reported the following:
Walking Guide – the Welsh version is now being typeset. Various shops have offered to stock the guide.
Kite Festival – In the last hour, the clerk has been told that the Land Use Agreement has been approved. She has informed the police, ambulance, highways, Network Rail, Bus operators and all the businesses in the village of the event. She is waiting for confirmation of First Aid cover and has a meeting with the police on Thursday to discuss issues such as parking. Cllr Porter will ask Plastic-free Aberdyfi if they will do a beach clean later in the day on the Sunday of the festival instead of their normal morning time.
Playground project – the grant application has been submitted and it will be up to 15 weeks (end of July) before a decision is made.
Broken fence in playing field – Clerk is waiting for a quote
Sustainable crabbing equipment – the clerk has sent a letter to all businesses asking them to stock sustainable equipment going forward.
Compound by fire station – this work should be completed next week
Digital noticeboard – Gwynedd Council have agreed in principle to the noticeboard being situated on the wall of the shelter next to the main toilets. They have asked for a plan of works to be sent to them and once their properties department have approved the works, we can go ahead with the installation. Gwynedd Council have agreed to pay for the ongoing electricity costs and have stipulated that everything displayed is bilingual. The clerk received a new quote for the noticeboard and it is the same as two years ago – £13,993.44 ex-VAT. The Council agreed that the noticeboard should be in a landscape format. The clerk has asked for a quote for the cupboard doors.
Toilets – Gwynedd Council are unhappy with the standard of the work and are taking it up with the contractors. They may be able to do a small refurbishment of the Neuadd Dyfi toilets next winter, using Gwynedd Council employees. Cllr Kelly pointed out that the timer on the lights in the gents toilet at the Neuadd Dyfi is far too short and asked if this could be passed onto Gwynedd Council
Action: Clerk to contact Gwynedd Council
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Ardal Ni – the clerk reminded the councillors to let her know if there is any work needing done by the Ardal Ni team. Cllr Williams noted that the vegetation in Penhelig car park needs cutting back and Cllr Bradbury-Willis noted that the kerbs in the main car park still need to be cleaned.
Action: Clerk to contact Gwynedd Council.
AGENDA ITEM 18 – To receive and consider planning applications and any additional applications received after publication of the agenda, where the consultation period expires before the next scheduled council meeting
CL/18/13.05.25
NP5/50/647D Land forming part of existing highway verge adjoining A943 between Aberdyfi & Tywyn
Formation of footpath (Active Travel Route) (Re-submission)
No objections raised
NP5/50/622C Chalet 63, Plas Panteidal Holiday Village, Aberdyfi LL35 0RF
Demolition of a storage building and the construction of a residential chalet (C3) with associated access and parking and drainage works (re-submission)
Cllr Kelly declared an interest in this application
Objection raised on grounds of no services available at this location, and an 11KV electricity pole and cables within the plot. Trees would have to be removed to allow the electricity pole to be moved and a channel cut through the surrounding forest to allow associated overhead cables to be moved. There are buildings which require access missing from the application
Action: Clerk to submit objections
Gwynedd Council Isabel’s Fine Foods Ltd
Application for a premises licence
No objections raised
AGENDA ITEM 19 – To consider problems caused by plastic cups being used for takeaways from pubs not being recycled
CL/19/13.05.25
It was suggested that Gwynedd Council could possibly put a plastic recycling bin in the centre of the village somewhere but it was agreed that recycling of the plastic glasses lies with the business as they have a legal responsibility to recycle their waste.
AGENDA ITEM 20 – To consider supplying a skip for the village to help ease rubbish problems
CL/20/13.05.25
It was agreed to hire a skip for a weekend twice a year, out of season, so that residents can put in items they no longer need. It was agreed to hire an 8 yard skip initially, at a cost of £360 for a weekend in late Autumn, and review after to determine whether a larger one is required going forwards.
Proposed: Cllr Owen Seconded: Cllr Williams
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AGENDA ITEM 21 – To confirm date and format for annual village community meeting
CL/21/13.05.25
9th June at the Neuadd Dyfi was set as the date of the meeting, with items such as council achievements, who is responsible for various events and things in the village and a presentation from the local police.
Action: Clerk to book Neuadd Dyfi and arrange meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 22 – Correspondence which requires a response from the Council
CL/22/13.05.25
* Heritage in your hands – request for letter of support for grant application
It was agreed to support this initiative
Action: Clerk to write letter of support
* Resident requesting more lampposts be decorated with Christmas lights
It was agreed that there are issues with some lampposts not being able to have lights attached. It was noted that the current lights cost approximately £2,900 which is organised and paid for by the AA&I, so the resident should address their query to the AA&I.
Action: Clerk to contact resident
AGENDA ITEM 23 – To note correspondence not requiring a decision from the Community Council which has already been circulated to councillors
CL/23/13.05.25
* One Voice Wales – ebulletin
* One Voice Wales – training dates March – June
* Protect Bronglais Services – notice of public meeting 10th June, 7pm, in Aberystwyth Arts Centre
* One Voice Wales – Chair vacancy of Betsi Cadwaldr Stakeholder Group
AGENDA ITEM 24 – Items for consideration at future meetings
CL/24/13.05.25
* To discuss issues with motorhomes parking on Morfa Gypsies
* To discuss long-term rail timetable changes
* To discuss future of Tywyn hospital
* To discuss possibility of installing new type of benches similar to those in Tywyn
* To discuss damage to Pen y Bryn shelter
AGENDA ITEM 25 – Items for release / Rushlight / website / Facebook
CL/25/13.05.25
* Community meeting
* Councillor vacancies
* Food Festival
* Kite Festival
* Bike Ride
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AGENDA ITEM 26 – Date of next meeting
CL/26/13.05.25
Monday 16th June 2025
There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 8.45pm
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