Select Page

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF ABERDYFI COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE OFFICE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, LITERARY INSTITUTE, ABERDYFI ON MONDAY,

15th OCTOBER 2018

Present were Councillors:-                      

Cllr D Williams Chairman        

J Bradbury Willis

Dewi Owen  

S Bradbury Willis

B Kelly

David Owens

G Jones

B Lloyd

AGENDA ITEM 1- APOLOGIES

CL/77/15.10.18

Cllrs Reynolds, Richards & Tyrrell

AGENDA ITEM 2- CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

CL/78/15.10.18

Cllr Williams informed the meeting that the Clerk will be attending a funeral the following day, 16th October, and that the Council office would be closed for the day.

It was felt that the adverse weather had not seriously impacted on the village and that, in fact, there were many visitors still frequenting the village.

AGENDA ITEM 3 – RECEIVE AND CONFIRM MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING 17th SEPTEMBER

CL/79/15.10.18

It was agreed that the minutes were a true and accurate record of ordinary meeting of 17th September

PROPOSED by Cllr Gareth Jones and SECONDED by Cllr Bryn Lloyd

AGENDA ITEM 4  – MATTERS ARISING

CL/80/15.10.18

M/39 Affordable Housing Project

The correspondence pertaining to the pedestrian crossing installation has been forwarded by Snowdonia Planning to Gwynedd for consideration.

M/41 Running Track

Nia Watkin, NRW Senior Conservation Officer has responded to Cllr Richards letter. Clerk is meeting on site to discuss the project October 25th. Cllr Richard will of course be kept in the picture and de-briefed on how the meeting progresses.

M/58 Treasurer’s report

The Clerk updated Council on the VAT situation regarding reclaim. Any expenditure with regard to income generating activity, such as maintenance on the pay & display car park, cannot have its VAT reclaimed. Other expenditure as per the Precept, can be reclaimed in the normal manner.

25

M/55 Speeding in the Village

Cllr Lloyd noted that the policer were maintaining their crackdown on speeding motorists, having seen the speed trap in the previous week on the main road into the village from Tywyn.

M/67 Wharf Gardens

Gwynedd Council have cleared the Wharf gardens of the summer planting. The Clerk advised that the old bedding had been cleared by Gwynedd Council. Cllr Owen had discussed the matter with David Richardson who had confirmed he would be delighted to assist in the planting foe the future. David was looking for volunteers to assist with moving the planters along the front.

M/68 Members’ Remuneration

All Aberdyfi Community Councillors advised the Clerk that they wished to decline acceptance of the remuneration as laid down by the Independent Remuneration Panel. Therefore, a ‘nil return’ was forwarded to the Panel, who have proved very helpful as advisors in this matter.

M/69 Gwynedd Council Report – Copperhill Street white lining

The Clerk has pursued this matter with Highways who indicated that the white lining will be re-done before the end of November.

Cllr Jones asked why Highways continue to repair the hole outside the Neuadd Dyfi, again, when it is clear that the problem is more deep seated than may be apparent. Cllr Owen clarified that the deep rooted problem was the responsibility of Dwr Cymru.

M/73 Concrete Blocks – Pont y Brics

The Clerk has been advised by Will Stockford that the concrete blocks await the erection of safety signage, to be installed in the Spring.

M/73 Snowdonia National Park meeting – Neuadd Dyfi

Cllr Williams thanked those councillors who managed to attend the meeting, but expressed some disappointment that more Councillors could not attend. The Clerk had been advised that the Powerpoint presentation would be made available.

M/75 Gwelfor Road sign

The Clerk has asked Highways to check this matter. Sion Wilkes to advise. Cllr Jones asked that the roadsign at the top of Mynedd Isaf also require attention.

M/75 Pont y Brics dog poo bins

The Clerk has received a donated, brand new, dog poo bin. He is liaising with Streetscene regarding its installation and emptying. Cllr Owen informed the meeting that Gwynedd Council has only one dog warden for the entire County. Cllr Williams noted how important it was that the local initiatives were encouraged.

M/75 Fireworks

Cllr Lloyd confirmed that the firework display would be taking place on November 3rd and would be managed by our local fire volunteers led by Louis Hiatt.

M/75 Penhelig Parc Events

Cllr Owen confirmed that the matter of events on Penhelig Park was being reviewed by Gwynedd Maritime, who have responsibility for events at the park. Cllr Jones noted that the spot was ideal for events such as weddings, but that with a sensible curfew time, such as 9.00 pm perhaps, the nuisance problem could be resolved. It was agreed by Council that sensible management and common sense should prevail, but that the facility should not be withdrawn.

26

AGENDA ITEM 5

ABERDYFI WEBSITE

CL/81/15.10.18

Cllr Lloyd and the Clerk had discussed the website and Cllr Lloyd took the opportunity to outline the broad principles of the proposed design. Details are available for Councillors to examine in the Council office.

The Clerk, in the context of other local council websites which were in some cases, up to seven years out of date, noted that all maintenance and updating must be carried out in house, and not be assigned to third party organisations. Cllr Williams agreed. Cllr James Bradbury-Willis declared an interest as his business incorporated web site origination, design and construction, but pointed out that great care must taken with website management and security.

It was agreed that a tendering process should be adopted for discussion at the next Council meeting. The Clerk pointed out that all Councillors must, by law, publicise their full contact details – a little invasive perhaps, but a legal obligation.

AGENDA ITEM 6

PICNIC ISLAND

CL/82/15.10.18

The Clerk had received a call from the Harbourmaster to confirm that the Picnic Island Bridge had been closed on health & safety grounds. He had discussed the matter with Al Crisp, who is very concerned about the safety of the youngsters who will now need to walk further along the main road to access the Outward Bound Centre on the wharf.

Contact had been made by the Clerk with Steve Richardson from Griffiths Engineering, Network Rail contractors, who promised to arrange attendance by engineers.

The Clerk had copied Will Stockford immediately regarding the matter. If the matter cannot be resolved, the proposed new access footpath opposite the current exit onto the main road will be under threat.

AGENDA ITEM 7

INDEPENDENT REVIEW PANEL REPORT

CL/83/15.10.18

The Clerk had examined the report and the main conclusion of relevance was that town and community councils in Wales must be retained as they are seen as important and essential elements of the democratic process. This suggests clearly that the future of councils such as Aberdyfi Community Council is secure.

It is clear that for the future, all Clerks will need to take CiLCA examinations.

AGENDA ITEM 8 – GWYNEDD COUNCIL REPORT

CL/84/15.10.18

Cllr Owen confirmed that more financial cuts are in the pipeline, with a further 5% reduction in budget planned.

At the full Gwynedd Council meeting the previous week, the North Wales Fire Service gave a presentation and confirmed that they were called to 2000 fires, 3800 incidents but that 1200 malicious callouts were made, at significant cost to the community.

27

There is an investment programme with a budget of £670m set aside, but there is concern that the bulk of this investment will be focussed on the A55 corridor, and very little in the southern parts of Gwynedd County.

Copperhill Street is due to be closed in November for work on the Chapel House.

Network Rail will be removing the traffic lights at Penhelig Station, and Arriva Trains have been replaced by KeoleyAmis, under the banner of Transport for Wales.

AGENDA ITEM 9 – PLANNING  

Cl/85/15.010.18

NP5/50/726                       Compton House, Glandyfi Terrace,  Aberdyfi

Extension to existing dormer (Rear) window and installation of Velux rooflight

APPLICATION

NP5/50/563B                     Affordable Housing,  Aberdyfi

Confirmation that ACC letter of concern regarding pedestrian safety has been forwarded to Gwynedd Council

CORRESPONDENCE

AGENDA ITEM 10 – TREASURER’S  REPORT

CL86/15.10.18

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

A Finance Committee meeting will be held before the next council meeting

PROPOSED by Cllr Lloyd  SECONDED by Cllr Kelly

AGENDA ITEM 11 – COMMITTEE  REPORTS

CL/87/15.10.18

Neuadd Dyfi

Cllr Kelly confirmed that the hall chandeliers are to installed shortly, the books are balancing, bookings are solid for the future and a cleaner has been employed.

Cllr Owen confirmed that Des George had started compiling an operating handbook/manual for the Neuadd Dyfi and commended him for his diligence.

AGENDA ITEM 12 – CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

CL/88/15.11.18

AVIVA Community Fund               Aviva have launched a fund for charities and not-for-profit organisations

HMRC                                                 Correspondence regarding the new online service to claim VAT refund

Brunton Solicitor                            Bill for legals regarding the Running Track

Mr & Mrs Edwards                          Donation to the community of new Dog poo bin

Harbour Consultative                   Next meeting 13th November, Neuadd Dyfi

Committee

Dwr Cymru                                       Advice of available credit of £164.87

The Pensions Regulator               Automatic enrolment duties

28

KEO Films                                         Looking for volunteers to take part in a documentary

CCG                                                    There are no garages available for ACC to rent as storage

Gwynedd Council                           Advice of Road Closure – Church Road Aberdyfi

Food & Drink Wales                       Events – Swansea and Wrexham, November

Gwynedd Municipal                       Letter to advise closure of Gwynedd paper and magazine recycling banks. With affect from November 5th 2018

North Wales Police                        Request for confirmation of Remembrance Day Service arrangements.

Outward Bound                               Copy of letter from Outward Bound to Barry Davies – Picnic Island bridge

Eric Richards                                   e-mail to Cambria Coast Rail

Jenny Tyrrell                                   Request to promote a volunteer litter pickup on Aberdyfi beach 28th October

Natural Resources Wales            Confirmation of receipt of Cllr Richards’ proposal for Running Track. Clerk to meet Nia Watkin next week.

Gay Richardson                              What to do about the planting, Winter bedding now or late Spring.

Gwynedd Council                           Vacancy for an Independent Member on the Council’s Standards Committee

AGENDA ITEM 12 – PUBLICATIONS

CL/89/15.10.18

None 

AGENDA ITEM 13 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS

CL/90/15.10.18

Cllr Lloyd expressed a shared concern that a number of allotment tenants were not maintaining and looking after their allotments adequately and that the site was not reflecting well on the village. The Clerk will correspond with all allotment holders to remind them of their contractual responsibilities.

Cllr Lloyd expressed concern that the allotments were not looking at their best and a plan for the future may need to be executed.

Cllr Bradbury-Willis suggested that the Trefeddion should be congratulated on its latest award.

Cllr Kelly requested that the Clerk forward Rushlight electronically to all Councillors with immediate effect.

AGENDA ITEM 14 ITEMS FOR RUSHLIGHT   

CL/91/15.10.14    

ITEMS FOR PRESS RELEASE

Picnic Island Bridge closure, Aviva community Fund

Public meeting – Neuadd Dyfi, litter collection Aberdyfi

Trefeddian Hotel of the year

The meeting closed at 9.45

29