Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Aberdyfi Community Council held at the Literary Institute on Monday 14th April 2025
Present: Cllr Dewi Owen – Chair
Councillors: Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis
Cllr Roman Hackelsberger
Cllr Ian Hewins
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Catrin O’Neill
Cllr Sadie Porter
Cllr Megan Reynolds
Cllr Dave Williams
2 members of the public were present
AGENDA ITEM 1 – To receive and accept apologies
CL/202/14.04.25
Apologies received and accepted from Cllr Dunton
AGENDA ITEM 2 – Chair announcements
CL/203/14.04.25
The Chair welcomed everyone and commented how nice it was to have some rain after the long spell of dry weather recently, which has caused lots of problems for farmers and those who rely on springs for their water.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – Declaration of financial, personal or prejudicial interest
CL/204/14.04.25
No declarations were received
AGENDA ITEM 4 – To receive and confirm minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting on 17thMarch 2025
CL/205/14.04.25
The minutes of the ordinary council meeting on 17th March 2025 were received and approved.
Proposed: Cllr Kelly Seconded: Cllr Williams
AGENDA ITEM 5 – To receive and approve the treasurer’s report
CL/206/14.04.25
It was resolved to receive and approve the Treasurer’s report
Proposed: Cllr Reynolds Seconded: Cllr Kelly
The Clerk presented the Budget v Expenditure comparison for the year to end March 2025.
AGENDA ITEM 6 – To receive a report from the Gwynedd Council representative
CL/207/14.04.25
Cllr Owen reported that the election ward of Abertafol will be amalgamated with
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Aberdyfi Ward, but there will be no change in the number of councillors.
He reported that the toilets have been finished, but it was noted that the finish is not at all good with screws sticking out of the walls, holes in the walls and generally unsatisfactory. Cllr Hewins has photographs of the work and these will be passed onto the clerk and Gwynedd Council. The Clerk was asked to request a breakdown of costs, as Cllr Owen has been told that the final cost was over budget by a large amount.
Action: Clerk to contact Gwynedd Council
Cllr Owen reported that the road between the Macdonald Resort and the bridge in Pennal will be closed completely for one day towards the end of June, to allow for bridge inspection, he has been told. He will provide more information when it becomes available.
Action: Cllr Owen to report when more information becomes available
AGENDA ITEM 7 – To receive a report from the Clerk
CL/208/14.04.25
The Clerk report the following:
* Walking guide
The translation into Welsh has been received but one section was missing, so this has now been remedied and the text is now being typeset.
* Kite Festival
The Clerk met with the Beach Officer for Gwynedd Council, the Events Officer for Gwynedd Council and Red Dragon Kites for a site visit. She was informed that we need to apply for a Land Use Agreement and create an Event Management Plan and Risk Assessment. There is potential for a lot of visitors to the village, as historically many people book holidays in Barmouth to coincide with the Kite Festival, so they may well travel to Aberdyfi for this year’s festival as a consequence. It was suggested that the Council contacts Highways, Network Rail, bus services etc. to warn them of the event, as well as all the businesses. First Aid cover has been requested from St. John’s Ambulance. The Council’s Insurance company has confirmed that there will be no increase in premium for the event. The Neuadd Dyfi has been booked for workshops on the Thursday and Friday (4pm – 7pm) prior to the event and Red Dragon Kites will organise the workshops and contact the local schools. Donations will be requested from attendees to cover the cost of materials (provided by Red Dragon Kites) and any excess will go towards the event next year. Volunteers are needed for the workshops. There is need for a Council representative on each day of the event (5th & 6th July) to be a contact point for Red Dragon Kites and Emergency services, as the Clerk is not available on those dates.
Action: Councillors required to volunteer to help at workshops
Action: Councillor volunteers required to be contact point on the two days of the festival, 5th & 6th July
* Pay & Display machine
This has been installed and is working, although a month late. The Clerk is waiting for some training on how to use the Mi-office system to allow changes to tariffs etc. She asked if any councillors would also attend the training. She will request compensation for lost revenue.
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* Car Park maintenance
The maintenance day was successful with approximately 15 volunteers helping and the trees seem to have survived the recent dry weather. The Clerk has requested that the Ardal-Ni team clean the kerb edges in the car park, but has been told that this is the responsibility of the parking department, so David Charles of the Ardal-Ni team will ask the parking department to clean the kerbs on our behalf.
* Playground project
The Clerk shared four up-to-date quotes with the council and informed them that she will be submitting the grant application in the very near future.
* Councillor vacancy
No election has been requested to fill the current vacancy so the Council may now co-opt. It was agreed to co-opt at the June meeting, as there is not a lot of time until the May meeting.
Action: Clerk to advertise for applications for co-option
* Signs in lay-by on outskirts of Aberdyfi
The signs have been put up but Cllr Kelly reported that there is a problem with the way they are facing. It was noted that the abandoned boat has now been removed.
Action: Clerk to check and inform Gwynedd Council if required.
* Signs by main car park and Neuadd Dyfi car park
The parking signs have been changed but it was noted that the ones by the main car park show a towed caravan, which will encourage motorhome and caravan users to stay overnight. It was agreed to ask Gwynedd Council to change these to show just cars.
Action: Clerk to contact Gwynedd Council
* New Enforcement Officer
The Clerk reported she had been visited by the new enforcement officer for Gwynedd Council, who is responsible for things like dog poo, bins, fly-tipping etc. He is planning on being highly visible in the local area with a view to educating people and issuing fines as needed.
* Meeting with Police and GoSafe
The Clerk met with the Police and GoSafe to discuss issues and plans for the summer. The PCSOs plan to be highly visible in the area and residents are encouraged to report anything they deem suspicious, even if they don’t have the evidence they think they need, like a number-plate. This will allow the Police to build up a picture of behaviour.
GoSafe reported that speed lines will be placed in Aberdyfi to collect speed data and if this shows that a significant number of vehicles are speeding, it will allow them to designate it as a ‘permanent live enforcement site’, allowing camera repeater signs to be displayed and traffic enforcement cameras to be used.
* Hole in ground at Neuadd Dyfi car park
There is a hole in the ground at the Neuadd Dyfi car park, which could be dangerous. Cllr Hewins offered to repair the hole.
Action: Cllr Hewins to repair the hole.
* Fence in playing field broken
The fence around the playing field is broken in 2 places and needs repaired. It was agreed for the Clerk to find someone to repair the damage.
Action: Clerk to seek a quote for repairs
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* Little Book Stop
Penguin Books are looking for 90 places in the UK to site a small book exchange. It is free to apply and the Council will need to sign up to be a guardian of the book stop. It was agreed to apply for one, and possibly site it under the shelter by the main toilets, where the digital noticeboard is hoped to be sited.
AGENDA ITEM 8 – To receive and consider planning applications
CL/209/14.04.25
NP5/50/532J Unit 2, Wharf Gardens, Aberdyfi LL35 0EE
Removal of condition 3 (Restriction retailing hot food off premises) attached to planning permission NP5/50/532C dated 11/03/2016
No objections raised
AGENDA ITEM 9 – To consider asking local businesses not to sell plastic crabbing nets.
CL/210/14.04.25
A report was received from Plastic-free Aberdyfi outlining a significant problem with plastic crabbing lines and drop-nets being discarded and left around the wharf area and in the water and requesting that the Council ask local business to consider not selling plastic lines and drop-nets in the future. It was agreed to do this.
Proposed: Cllr Bradbury-Willis Seconded: Cllr Kelly
Action: Clerk to write to local businesses
AGENDA ITEM 10 – To consider purchase of a mobile phone for the clerk
CL/211/14.04.25
Cllr Kelly offered an unused phone for use by the clerk, though requested to be reimbursed the cost (£40) of the new battery recently installed. It was agreed that this was acceptable and agreed for the clerk to arrange a monthly SIM-only contract up to £7 per month.
Proposed: Cllr O’Neill Seconded: Cllr Porter
AGENDA ITEM 11 – To agree a date and format for the annual village community meeting
CL/212/14.04.25
It was agreed early June would be good and to ask the local PCSOs to attend and give a presentation. It was agreed to finalise the date and format at the next meeting.
Action: Clerk to check available dates at the Neuadd Dyfi
Action: Councillors to inform the Clerk of any ideas for inclusion at the community meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 12 – To consider paying for work on bin compound by fire station
CL/213/14.04.25
The Council resolved to pay for this work to be carried out.
The Clerk reported that she has asked for stickers to be put on the back side of the recycling bins on the promenade, and for them to be replaced by more specialised
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bins in the future. She reported that Gwynedd Council plan to move the glass recycling bins to Tywyn but the Council agreed this was not a good plan and wish them to remain where they are.
Proposed: Cllr Hackelsberger Seconded: Cllr Kelly
Action: Clerk to arrange the work on the compound
Action: Clerk to ask that the glass recycling is not moved to Tywyn
AGENDA ITEM 13 – To consider paying for replacement doors on meter cupboard next to main toilets when requesting to site a digital noticeboard in place of the white board next to the main toilets.
CL/214/14.04.25
It was agreed to offer to pay to have the doors replaced when contacting Gwynedd Council asking for a digital noticeboard to be put up in the shelter next to the main toilets.
Proposed: Cllr Hackelsberger Seconded: Cllr Kelly
Action: Clerk to contact Gwynedd Council
Action: Clerk to seek quotes for the work
AGENDA ITEM 14 – To agree format for VE Day Celebrations
CL/215/14.04.25
It was agreed to follow the following format on 8th May:
9am: Raise VE Day flag
6.30pm: David Richardson to play church bells, if possible
9.00pm: Gather on wharf and light brazier
9.30pm: Reading of the Tribute
9.30pm: Sing “I Vow to Thee My Country” followed by the Welsh National Anthem, followed with 15 minutes of war-time music and songs provided by Totaleigh Music. They will also accompany the singing.
Cllr Owen has had the agreement from the Harbourmaster to use the wharf.
Action: Clerk to do Risk Assessment for the event
Action: Clerk to liaise with Totaleigh Music
Action: Clerk to contact David Richardson
AGENDA ITEM 15 – Correspondence which requires a response from the Council
CL/216/14.04.25
* One Voice Wales – feedback on North Wales Regional Transport plan.
It was agreed that the plan is factually incorrect in several areas and it was agreed to respond to highlight this.
Action: Clerk to respond
AGENDA ITEM 16 – To note correspondence not requiring a decision from the Community Council which has already been circulated to Councillors
CL/217/14.04.25
* One Voice Wales – training dates for March – June
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AGENDA ITEM 17– Items for consideration at future meetings
CL/218/14.04.25
* Community Action Plan
* Problem of plastic cups being used by customers of the Britannia Inn not being recycled.
AGENDA ITEM 18 – Items for release / Rushlight / Website / Facebook
CL/219/14.04.25
* Kite festival 5th/6th July
* Food Festival 17th August
* VE Day celebrations
* Councillor vacancy
* Post Office workshops advert
AGENDA ITEM 20 – Date of next meeting
CL/220/14.04.25
Tuesday 13th May
There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 8.30pm
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