Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Aberdyfi Community Council held at the Literary Institute on Monday 15th September 2025
Present: Cllr Dewi Owen – Chair
Councillors:
Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis
Cllr Anna Grundy
Cllr Ian Hewins
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Catrin O’Neill
Cllr Megan Reynolds
Cllr Dave Williams
4 members of the public and 4 representatives from Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board were present
AGENDA ITEM 1 – To receive and accept apologies
CL/65/15.09.25
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs Dunton and Porter
AGENDA ITEM 2 – Chair announcements
CL/66/15.09.25
The Chair welcomed everyone and noted that in June everyone was hoping for rain and now everyone is hoping it will stop. He noted that after a slow start to the tourist season, August was very busy in the village.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – Declaration of financial, personal or prejudicial interest
CL/67/15.09.25
Cllr Kelly declared an interest in agenda item 15 and Cllr Grundy declared an interest in agenda item 10 regarding the planning application for To Glas.
AGENDA ITEM 4 – To co-opt a new councillor
CL/68/15.09.25
The clerk reported that she had advertised for an election as agreed, but as no request for an election had been received, the council were given permission to co-opt a councillor. She advertised for co-option and two applications had been received.
A motion was proposed to suspend Standing Orders for this item to allow a private vote. Motion was unanimously approved.
Proposed: Cllr Hewins Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
Mr Henry Williams was voted in as councillor and his declaration of acceptance of office was signed and received by the council. He participated as councillor for the remainder of the meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 5 – To receive a presentation from representatives of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board regarding Dyfi Ward in Tywyn hospital
CL/69/15.09.25
The representatives explained that the reason the ward was temporarily closed was
18
entirely down to staffing issues and not financial problems and they were now seeking a formal solution in consultation with the community. They explained that they have held workshops with representatives from the local community where a long list of different options was drawn up by those in attendance, then the list was measured against various criteria to produce a medium list and this is where the process is currently. They are keen to receive as much input from the community as possible to establish what the community wants. They reported that the minor injuries unit (MIU), Treatment Room and Tuag Adref (Towards Home) scheme that has been put in place since the ward closed have been really successful and well-used. They have been trying to recruit correctly qualified nurses, but there has been a problem both in recruiting and retaining nurses, as while the nurses have jobs, there are few job opportunities for their families in the local area and housing has also been an issue. However, the nurses working in MIU and the Treatment Room have been gaining further qualifications to allow them to treat a wider range of conditions which has been welcomed and successful.
They received feedback from the council that the community is very keen for the ward to reopen in some form so that people do not have to travel to Dolgellau or Aberystwyth to see ill or palliative patients and it was noted that re-enablement would be of great benefit if it could be incorporated.
They informed the council that the medium list will be reduced to a short list by the community representatives and BCUHB will then re-visit all the groups and councils to discuss the shortlist, hopefully in October / November. It is envisaged that the BCUHB Board will then make a final decision in January.
The BCUHB representatives and one member of the public left the meeting at this point.
AGENDA ITEM 6 – To receive and confirm minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting on 21st July2025
CL/70/15.09.25
The minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting on 21st July 2025 were received and unanimously approved.
Proposed: Cllr Reynolds Seconded: Cllr D. Williams
AGENDA ITEM 6 – To receive and approve the treasurer’s report
CL/71/15.09.25
The Treasurer’s report was received and unanimously approved.
Proposed: Cllr Kelly Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
AGENDA ITEM 8 – To receive a report from the Clerk
CL/72/15.09.25
The Clerk report the following:
* Digital Noticeboard
The clerk had a site visit with Gwynedd Council Buildings Maintenance Officer and he gave his approval for a digital noticeboard sited where the white noticeboard is currently. He gave his approval for Phil Pugh to do the electrical work, as he is an approved supplier for Gwynedd Council. The Clerk has tried to contact Phil Pugh to
19
have a site visit to confirm that the electricity supply is adequate and discuss how to connect to the noticeboard, but he was on holiday so she is waiting for him to contact her.
Action: Clerk to contact Phil Pugh again and meet with him and the toilet cleaner to gain access to the electricity supply which is in the men’s toilets.
* Kite festival
The clerk met with the organiser of the festival and it was agreed that both the council and the kite flyers are keen to have another festival next year.
For next year it was proposed:
*The harbourmaster should not be asked to supply a quad bike and trailer, instead we would ask someone else if they could help out with this.
* Matting is needed and the boardwalk needs to be cleared of sand prior to the event.
* The event should be advertised much more widely and banners should be bought to help with this.
* Workshops to be repeated but possibly one on Friday evening and one on Saturday morning.
* Ask if it is possible for the flyers to have a contribution towards expenses.
Action: Clerk to speak to harbourmaster to gain feedback and confirm their help will not be needed next year.
Action: Council to seek quad bike, trailer and driver
Action: Clerk to obtain quotes for matting
Action: Clerk to advertise event more widely and purchase banners
Action: Council to consider expenses closer to the time
* Food festival
The clerk is arranging to meet with the organisers to review this year’s festival. It was noted that some stall holders struggled to take card payments so a solution will need to be investigated.
* Playground refurbishment
The clerk reported that she has formally appointed Elevate Play as contractors and after receiving some of the funding from the National Lottery, paid the deposit. The equipment should be delivered mid-October but may take a week or two to clear customs, so work should start at the beginning of November. It was noted that the swings and toddler’s climbing frame will need to be painted before then
Action: Cllrs Hewins and Dunton to paint the two pieces of playground equipment
* Youth Club
Gwynedd Council have advertised for two youth worker posts but it is not known if anyone has been appointed.
* Gwynedd Council grants
The clerk reported that she applied for a grant from Gwynedd Council and was successful in obtaining £5,000 for bilingual interpretation boards for the playground.
She obtained two quotes.
Action: Clerk to obtain design from each applicant and take to council at next meeting.
* Handrail on path from Penhelig to Hillside Village
The railings have been replaced and that the steps will be repaired in the near future
20
* Path from Lover’s Lane to Gwelfor Road past Bryniau Uchaf
The path will be repaired this month
* New water main
Work has started on installing a new water main along the length of Morfa Gypsies
* Christmas Fair
The clerk has started organising the fair which will be on 22nd November in the Neuadd Dyfi, 10am-1pm. There are 2 stalls left.
* Osprey sculpture
A portion of the bird’s tail has broken off. The clerk has the missing piece and has emailed the sculptor to ask his advice on how best to reattach it.
* Suspicious behaviour
The clerk reported seeing three young men acting suspiciously outside the Neuadd Dyfi last week and reported it to the police. Two of the young men were seen sitting in the Neuadd Dyfi car park a few days later and when approached by a member of the public, they said they were smoking a spliff. The police again stressed the importance of reporting everything that looks suspicious, even if people don’t think they have any ‘evidence’ – it may be the link the police need to form a narrative and pattern of behaviour.
It was agreed to install the last CCTV camera at the Neuadd Dyfi and to have the work done on the cameras on the wharf as soon as possible.
Action: Clerk to arrange works
AGENDA ITEM 9 – To note new salary scales from NALC
CL/73/15.09.25
The new salary scales were noted
AGENDA ITEM 10 – To receive and consider planning applications
CL/74/15.09.25
NP5/50/400G Land to rear of Greenhill Bungalow, Aberdyfi LL35 0HF
Amended description and plans:
Construction of 1 detached shed to store equipment and machinery
No objections raised
NP5/50/629E Bryn Coed, Aberdyfi, LL35 0PU
Alterations, extensions and the formation of a parking and turning area, including associated building, retaining and landscaping operations in connection with short-term let (Use Class C6)
No objections raised
NP5/50/10Q Outward Bound Centre, Aberdyfi LL35 0RA
Formation of staff car park, minibus parking area, retaining structures, stairs, footpath, revised junction geometry, access road regrading, access road and car park surfacing, barriers, lighting, landscape and associated works
No objections raised
NP5/50/LB59G 14 Glandyfi Terrace, Aberdyfi LL35 0EB
Replacement of existing dormer windows, removal and replacement of existing 2 storey outrigger and new extension to rear
No objections raised
21
NP5/50/547A To Glas, Rhoslan, Aberdyfi LL35 0NS
Amended plans and description:
Engineering works including the erection of retaining walls, building to house a lift.
No objections raised
AGENDA ITEM 11 – To consider quote to replace cupboard doors in shelter by main toilets
CL/75/15.09.25
The council requested more quotes for the works and to specify accoya or hardwood.
Action: Clerk to seek more quotes
AGENDA ITEM 12 – To consider quote to repair fencing around the playing field
CL/76/15.09.25
It was noted that the quote is just for railings but some posts also need repaired, so it was agreed to ask for a revised quote.
Action: Clerk to request revised quote
AGENDA ITEM 13 – To consider quote for work to fence in and roof the bin compound by the fire station
CL/77/15.09.25
The council requested more quotes, based on using larch for the fencing work.
Action: Clerk to seek more quotes
AGENDA ITEM 14 – To consider approving more memorial benches on SeaView Terrace
CL/78/15.09.25
The council agreed that no more benches should be sited along SeaView Terrace but it was noted that some of them had been moved, so it was agreed to spread out the existing benches
Action: Councillors to spread out existing benches
AGENDA ITEM 15 – To consider funding for the proposed community transport scheme
CL/79/15.09.25
The clerk reported that a small amount of seed funding will be required initially for the scheme, for DBS checks for the drivers, mobile phones for the coordinators and to pay for dead mileage for drivers. The clerk is hoping that Gwynedd Council will provide this funding, as it is very keen to see the scheme succeed and be a pilot to enable it to be rolled out across the rest of Gwynedd. If Gwynedd is not able to fund it, the different councils may be asked to fund it amongst them. The council agreed to this in principle.
Proposed: Cllr Hewins Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
22
AGENDA ITEM 16– Correspondence which requires a response from the Council
CL/80/15.09.25
* Complaint from resident about fence on east side of allotments
It was noted that the contractors doing work on the allotment retaining wall have requested access through that area and it was agreed to ask if this was agreeable to the resident, with the reassurance that no heavy plant will be used and the fence will be reinstated in a better state once the work is completed. The clerk reported that the tree which had been cut down in the allotments has started growing again so she is waiting for a meeting and quote to clear that area of the allotments.
Action: Clerk to reply to resident.
Action: Clerk to arrange for the vegetation in that area of allotments to be cut back and cleared
AGENDA ITEM 17 – To note correspondence not requiring a decision from the Community Council which has already been circulated to Councillors
CL/81/15.09.25
* Awel y Mor Offshore Wind Farm newsletter
AGENDA ITEM 18– Items for consideration at future meetings
CL/82/15.09.25
* Review of Community Needs Survey
* Criteria for approving alcohol licences
* Quote for skip and set date
* Quote for replanting hedge on football field
* Design for interpretation boards
AGENDA ITEM 19 – Items for release / Rushlight / Website / Facebook
CL/83/15.09.25
* How to report to police
* Neuadd Dyfi upcoming events
* Christmas Fair
AGENDA ITEM 20 – Date of next meeting
CL/84/15.09.25
Monday 20th October
There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 9pm
23