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MINUTES OF THE THIRTY SECOND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABERDYFI COMMUNITY COUNCIL AND THEREAFTER THE MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE SAID COUNCIL HELD IN THE OFFICE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, LITERARY INSTITUTE, ABERDYFI ON MONDAY, 15TH MAY 2017

Present were :-          Cllr B Lloyd    Chairman        

Councillors :-             G Pugh

                                      D Owen

                                      B Tyrrell

                                      B Kelly          

                                      M Reynolds

AGENDA ITEM 1- APOLOGIES

CL1/AGM/15.05.17

Apologies received from Cllrs. G Jones and M Richards

AGENDA ITEM 2- CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

CL/2/AGM/15.05.17

The Chairman, Cllr Lloyd, welcomed Councillors Brian Kelly and Bob Tyrrell to their first Council meeting and welcomed new blood to the running of the Council for the next five years. Cllr Lloyd also wished to thank retiring Councillors Brian Bates and David Richardson who between them had served the community council for a combined 56 years. He noted that the village owed them both a debt of gratitude.

AGENDA ITEM 3 – ELECTION OF OFFICERS 2017/2018

CL/3/AGM/15.05.17

CHAIRMAN

Cllr Lloyd, assumed the position of Chairman for his second year as did Cllr Mike Richards as Vice Chairman.

CL/4/AGM/15.05.17

PLANNING COMMITTEE

The whole Council

CL/5/AGM/15.05.17

ABERDYFI ADVERTISING & IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE

The whole Council

CL/6/AGM/15.05.17

ABERDYFI LITERARY INSTITUTE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Cllr. G Jones (Chair)

Cllr G Jones to continue, agreed by all Councillors present

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CL/7/AGM/15.05.17

HARBOUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Cllr Lloyd proposed, on the retirement of Cllr Richardson that Cllr Tyrrell take over the position.

Proposed Cllr Lloyd      Seconded Cllr Reynolds

CL/8/AGM/15.05.17

ONE VOICE WALES

Cllr. D Owen with Cllr. B Lloyd as deputy

Cllrs Owen and Lloyd to continue, agreed by all Councillors present

CL/9/AGM/15.05.17

NEUADD DYFI MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE – COUNCILLORS WITH A VOTE

Cllrs. Lloyd, Owen, & Reynolds

Cllr Lloyd proposed that Cllr Kelly join this committee

Proposed Cllr Lloyd      Seconded Cllr Pugh

CL/10/AGM/15.05.17

RICHARD WILLIAMS AND RICHARD ROBERTS TRUST FUND

Cllrs Owen, Richards with Cllr Reynolds as trustee

The above are to continue, agreed by all Councillors present

CL/11/AGM/15.05.17

LEWIS LLOYD TRUST

Cllr Reynolds

Cllr Reynolds to continue, agreed by all Councillors present

CL/12/AGM/15.05.17

MEIRIONYDD ACCESS GROUP

This committee has not been represented since Cllr Bates stood down last year. It was decided to hold in obeyance until such time a permanent decision regarding its future can be made.

CL/13/AGM/15.05.17

TYWYN AND DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL APPEAL FUND

Cllr Reynolds

Cllr Reynolds to continue. It was suggested that Cllrs Lloyd and Tyrrell join this committee

Approved unanimously

CL/14/AGM/15.05.17

TYWYN HOSPITAL IMPLEMENTATION GROUP

In the context of the hospital project completion, this committee is disbanded

CL/15/AGM/15.05.17

COASTLINE AND CONSERVATION GROUP

This post will not be filled and if there are any meetings that require attendance, a Councillor may be nominated to attend.

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CL/16/AGM/15.05.17

ALLOTMENT SUB-COMMITTEE

Cllrs Pugh, Richards, and Jones

With Cllr Richardson’s retirement, it was suggested that Cllr Tyrrell join this committee

Proposal agreed by all Councillors present

CL/17/AGM/15.05.17

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Cllrs Lloyd (Chairman), Owen (County Councillor) & Richards, (Vice Chairman)

This committee remains as it is in the second year of this Chairmanship

CL/18/AGM/15.05.17

RE-APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDITOR

All councillors agreed to re-appoint Mr John Roberts, Caernarfon for the year 2017/18, assuming he remains in post pending suggested retirement.

CL/29/AGM/15.05.17

STANDING ORDERS AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

The Council agreed its willingness to adopt these documents.

THE BUSINESS OF THE ORDINARY MEETING IS NOW RECORDED

AGENDA ITEM 4 – CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

CL/20/16.05.17

Cllr Lloyd was happy to report that Des George has been successful in his application for external grant funding of £125,000 to complete the central heating installation at the Neuadd Dyfi, subject to match funding, possibly from AA&I.

The Clerk will be on holiday from May 19th to May 30th.

The gasworks conservation project now benefits from greatly improved access at Trefeddion Terrace, thanks to Gwynedd Council highways

Tomorrow night, after the AA&I meeting, there will be drinks at the Penhelyg Arms to welcome new councillors – 8.00pm.

AGENDA ITEM 5 – MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING 24TH APRIL

CL/21/16.05.17

It was agreed that the minutes were a true and accurate record of the April regular meeting, subject to page 71 amendment, – Standards Committee – ‘Councillor Lloyd agreed to have his name put forward’

PROPOSED by Cllr Pugh and SECONDED by Cllr Owen

AGENDA ITEM 6  – MATTERS ARISING

CL/22/16.05.17

A/M176(24.04.16)

Public toilets.

A meeting has been set up at Caernarfon with Gwyn M Jones, the Head of Highways & Municipal Department at Gwynedd. The Clerk, Cllr Lloyd and Cllr Owen will attend.

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The intention is to ensure that the public toilets in Aberdyfi are not on the closure list, and also to try and formulate a strategy and plan for the future. The initial standpoint with Gwynedd will be that they will be pushed to maintain the status quo and continue running and maintain the toilets as a Gwynedd Council responsibility, particularly in the context of revenues raised from the main car park.

B/M/99(18.10.15) School Building/Affordable Housing

The Clerk has received draft plans from CCG’s architects indicating eight dwellings on the school site. These plans are primarily for price negotiation with Gwynedd Council. If a price can be agreed then the project goes ‘live’ and CCG will discuss in detail with this community what it would like to see being built, in the context of market indicators. The process is ongoing.

C/M149/(20.02.17) Copperhill Street trees

The project has not yet been completed but the immediate danger of the trees falling down has been removed.

D/M153/(20.04.17) Village signposts

In the continuing saga of the fingerposts, Cllr Tyrrell has sourced a contactor from Tywyn, Stephen dale, who is confident he can sort out this problem.

E/M183/(20.04.17) Running Track

After a request from Cllr Richards, the Clerk has communicated with Ruth Edwards, Gwynedd Council Solicitor, requesting a copy of the plan and scheme of management. Cllr Owen wanted to know whether the Council insurance with AON covered all eventualities. The Clerk agreed that further specific checks with AON would be in order with regard to specifics, although it was understood that the existing policy covered all village assets and events.

F/M185/(20.04.17) Car park post and rails

The post and rails project is now complete. Cllr Lloyd would like to see the installation of goalposts when funds allow.

G/M185/(20.04.17) Co-option of Councillors

Dave Williams wishes to be co-opted onto Council and the matter will be addressed at the June Council meeting, along with any other applications. There are three vacancies which will be publicised in Rushlight. If we have more than three applicants, a secret ballot be take place.

G/M185/(20.04.17) Poop bins

Cllr Pugh asked about the Maesnewydd poop bins installation. The Clerk confirmed that council could have extra bins installed, at Aberdyfi’s cost, and could be emptied by Gwynedd Council at cost to this Council.

It was agreed that Council should purchase extra bins for Maesnewydd, Seaview Slipway and the Cemetery car park.

AGENDA ITEM 7 – CAR PARK & PLAYING FIELD LEASES

CL/23/16.05.17

After a wait of four years, the draft heads of terms have been forwarded by Gwynedd. There is a discrepancy in the car park lease in that it is for a 21 year term, and the lease for the playing field is for a 99 year term. The Clerk is to meet with Cllr Richards to discuss the details, before forwarding to Peter Brunton, the solicitor who advised on the freehold of the gasworks.

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AGENDA ITEM 8  – INVITATION TO GWYNEDD COUNCIL LEADER

CL/24/16.05.16

Council discussed the invitation of a Gwynedd Cabinet member to address Council in the Autumn. The Leader, confirmed by Cllr Owen, is Dyfryg Shincin, Plaid Cymru, resident in Dolgellau. The Clerk will issue an invitation in writing.

AGENDA ITEM 9  – CONFIRMATION OF REVISED DATES FOR JUNE AND JULY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CL/25/16.05.16

The Clerk is away for two weeks in June and also there is the Snowdonia Community Council’s meeting at the Neuadd Dyfi on Monday 19th to which councillors have been invited to attend. There is no clash with the Royal Welsh this year and the summer council meeting dates can be confirmed as follows:

Council meeting Monday June 26th

Council meeting Monday July 17th

There is no August meeting during the summer recess.

AGENDA ITEM 10  – GWYNEDD COUNCIL REPORT

CL/26/16.05.16

Cllr Owen was congratulated on his re-election. He confirmed there was a two day induction process to assist new councillors. The induction was well received by most councillors. There are currently 75 councillors but that number will decrease to 67. Also, there are plans to rationalise some of the constituency borders and that there is a possibility that part of Tywyn, Happy Valley, and Pennal might well be incorporated into one council with Aberdyfi.

Cllr Tyrrell raised the matter of council tax for second home owners, and how they might choose to vote in future elections. Cllr Owen noted that the matter needed clarification and that he would try to find out.

In context of County Council budget, further cuts are in the pipeline.

It was felt that out of 6800 employees, many are likely to be cut as part of the savings.

Cllr Owen had been given a rationale by the appropriate department, regarding the recent employment of contractors from Anglesey to sort out the Nantiesin car park.

AGENDA ITEM 11 – PLANNING

CL/27/16.05.16

PLANNING

          NP5/50/711A                      2 Trem y Leri, Aberdyfi

Part retrospective application. Retain wall, erect fencing and install external cladding

APPLICATION

          NP5/50/437B                      Ty Gwyn, Aberdyfi

Erection of three storey and two storey side extensions

APPLICATION

          NP5/50/LB63B                               Leadenhall, Aberdyfi

Internal and external alterations

APPLICATION

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          NP5/50/L423A                               The Old Vicarage, Aberdyfi

Widening of existing access

APPLICATION

          NP5/50/140C                      Lywyn, Aberdyfi

Installation of cladding and rooflights

APPLICATION

AGENDA ITEM 12 – TREASURER’S  REPORT

CL/28/16.05.17.

The Treasurer’s report for April was accepted and minuted as a true record

PROPOSED by Cllr Owen SECONDED by Cllr Reynolds

AGENDA ITEM 13  – COMMITTEE REPORTS     

CL/29/16.05.17

None

Cllr Owen was disappointed that no one from Aberdyfi attended the Dyfi Bridge meeting

AGENDA ITEM 14 – CORRESPONDENCE

CL/30/16.05.17

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

Snowdonia National Park            There are free apple trees if we are interested, contact the Clerk

Snowdonia National Park            Confirmation of Snowdonia Town and Community Council’s evening at the Neuadd Dyfi, Monday 19th June, 6.30 to 9.00.

One Voice Wales                             Confirmation of One Voice Wales membership

John Roberts                                   Confirmation of acceptance of Council’s Terms and Conditions for internal audit.

AGENDA ITEM 15 – PUBLICATIONS

CL/31/16.05.16

PUBLICATIONS

Clerks and Councils Direct

The Clerk magazine

AGENDA ITEM 16 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS

CL/32/16.05.16     

  • Cllr Pugh raised awareness of a car which has been parked long term in the car park without paying.
  • Cllr Pugh also raised the matter of Mrs Pearson’s tree which requires perhaps topping. Cllr Lloyd volunteered to talk with Mrs Pearson.
  • Cllr Owen has been made aware of the extractor fan nuisance at Coast Deli and Diner. The Environmental Health have been brought in to assess the situation. The Clerk had also met with John Rowlands to discuss the problem. Cllr Owen had met with the owner, Phil Thomas, to discuss the matter, whose response was not helpful.

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A general discussion followed and it was noted that this problemshad been encountered in the village before. It was agreed that higher authorities would assess and take action, as it was not in this Community Council’s remit to pursue the matter further

  • Cllr Lloyd raised the matter of grass cuttings being left on the children’s playground at Maesnewydd and suggested that this council should take over the job from Gwynedd. Cllr Owen queried whether the Morfa Gypsies grass cutting was being done sufficiently. It was debatable whether Aberdyfi would be well advised to take over this matter. The Clerk will check out the frequency of cutting.

AGENDA ITEM 17 – ITEMS FOR THE PRESS/RUSHLIGHT

CL/33/16.05.16

  • Council vacancies
  • Gull nuisance
  • Clerk on holiday
  • Commando Fun Run
  • Neuadd Dyfi good news

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.35pm

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