MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF ABERDYFI COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE OFFICE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, LITERARY INSTITUTE, ABERDYFI ON MONDAY,
16th OCTOBER 2017
Present were :- Cllr B Lloyd Chairman
Councillors :- J Bradbury Willis
B Kelly
M O’Reilly
D Owen
M Reynolds
M Richards
B Tyrrell
D Williams
AGENDA ITEM 1- APOLOGIES
CL/87/16.10.17
Apologies received from Cllrs Jones and Pugh
AGENDA ITEM 2- GUEST SPEAKER, DYFRIG SIENCYN
GWYNEDD COUNCIL LEADER
CL/88/16.10.17
Postponed
Cllr Siencyn unfortunately had been called away to a meeting in London and was unable to attend. Another date would be arranged.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
CL/89/16.10.17
Cllr Lloyd recently attended the first of this season’s community lunches at the Neuadd Dyfi. He reported that the event was great success and that over 70 local ‘paying’ people attended.
AGENDA ITEM 4 – RECEIVE AND CONFIRM AMENDED MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING 25th SEPTEMBER
CL/90/16.10.17
It was agreed that the minutes were a true and accurate record of the ordinary meeting.
PROPOSED by Cllr Tyrrell and SECONDED by Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 5 – MATTERS ARISING
CL/91/16.10.17
- CL/32/16.05.17 Grass & hedge cutting
This matter is under discussion and Sion Wilkes is assisting with the process. Regarding overhanging hedges and tree branches he confirmed that if we provide names and addresses it is his responsibility to make contact and request cutting to be carried out by the land owners.
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- CL/71/19.09.17 Public toilets funding project
The Clerk has sent letters, copied to all councillors by e-mail, to Amanda Murray, Highways and Municipal, cc Dilwyn Williams CEO Gwynedd and Dyfrig Siencyn Cabinet Leader. No response yet.
- CL/67/16.05.17 Speeding
The Clerk has written, 5th October, to Meirion Williams, Senior Transport Manager
Gwynedd County Council, copy to PCSO Meirion Lloyd Jones C2970, copies of which were circulated to all councillors. No reply as yet. We have however received confirmation from Go Safe that the matter is going to be addressed. Cllr Owen noted that there had been a speed camera set up near the Trefeddion Hotel the day after the last Council meeting. Cllr O’Reilly confirmed that she had received confirmation from Go Safe that the matter was in hand.
- CL/75/(25.09.17) Dyfi Bridge
In the context of the recent open days at the Plas Machynlleth, attended by Councillors, should the Clerk now write on behalf of the council, and on what agreed basis? Cllr Lloyd had spoken with length with one of the senior engineers who gave plausible answers in the context of the worries over the proposed speed limits and the planned ‘T’ junction rather than the community preferred roundabout. Cllr Reynolds expressed concern over the additional time it would take emergency services to access, for example, Bronglais Hospital from Aberdyfi, and that the existing bridge should be open for restricted access. Cllr Williams maintained his previous view that the roundabout should have been a pre-requisite
It was agreed that the Clerk should respond in writing registering this Council’s strongly held reservations with regard to the current plans.
- CL/77/17.07.16 Cyclepath
Although we have been unsuccessful in our application for project funding, the Clerk has spoken with Phil Williams from Visit Wales and we can apply again next year. He has agreed to visit Aberdyfi for a site visit in the near future to get a clearer understanding of the strategic opportunities which we, as a community, identify as having importance for the future prosperity of both Aberdyfi and Tywyn.
- CL/85/29.07.17 Any Other Business – Fireworks
The village fireworks issue had been discussed at AA&I. The main problem appeared to be the lack of marshalls to police the vent from a health & safety point of view. Cllr O’Reilly had taken responsibility to organise village volunteers and she had received a positive response from the community and some of the businesses, enabling the organising of New Year’s Eve firework display to commence.
The bonfire night firework display will go ahead as normal, organised by the Aberdyfi fire brigade volunteers. Burgers will be sold, on the night, to help the funding of the display.
- CL/85/29.07.17 Any Other Business – Cemetery
Phil Cousins is to call the Clerk to discuss the issue of plaque space at Aberdyfi Cemetery, raised by Cllr Richards. Arvonia Price appears to be on long term sick leave.
- CL/85/29.07.17 Any Other Business – Village Map
Given that AA&I has approved the village map project, the Clerk has arranged to meet with designer Liz Fenwick to discuss the details and confirm costs.
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- CL/85/29.07.17 Any Other Business – Car park signing
Cllr Williams expressed concern over the poor state of the white road and car park signing in the village overall. All the traffic management signage for example in the car park is now non-existent. Cllr Tyrrell noted that the whole car park was in need of attention and maintenance. The Clerk is to write a letter accordingly.
AGENDA ITEM 6 – GWYNEDD COUNCIL REPORT
CL/92/16.10.17
Cllr Owen had attended the recent Economy and Education Committee meeting and the issue of Brexit was discussed in the context of concern regarding future levels of financial support from National Government after the exit from Europe.
The issue of business and holiday homes council taxation was raised but no consensus view was reached as there were diverging opinions on the way forward.
The Welsh Government is setting up six economic areas in Wales whose brief will be to apply for funding for the area they represent. Gwynedd and Anglesey will jointly represent this part of Wales.
Tourism in North Wales has been recognised as a prime economic driver and there is
widely held concern over the idea of a tourism tax, currently under consideration. It was
one of four ideas under consideration as seen having potential for revenue generation.
Cllr Williams noted how much effort had been invested in recent years in tourism and that
any such taxation would be very misguided. Cllr O’Reilly also felt that this was not a
sensible time for such consideration as there was so much concern over the impact of
Brexit.
Regarding education matters, Gwynedd pupils had been measured as the third best
achievers in Wales.
The full Gwynedd Council meeting had been held the previous week and 70 out of 75
councillors attended. Further cuts to Gwynedd Council budget of 2% were planned and
that more reductions in services were inevitable, and rate increases were also a prospect.
Leisure centres in the county were losing money and the possibility of utilising
independent providers to run the facilities as profit generating operations, and adopting
market driven strategies. Cllr Bradbury-Willis confirmed that he had observed at first hand
how inadequately the leisure centres had been marketed.
Cllr Williams noted that other councils had adopted the independent provider route, to
some success.
Cllr Kelly asked Cllr Owen if he was aware of any threat of Gwynedd having to pay back
any European funding post Brexit. Cllr Owen was confident that there was no
such threat.
Cllr Lloyd asked Cllr Owen what measures Gwynedd Council were taking to collect the
widely reported council tax arrears of between two and three millions pounds. Cllr Owen
said that the timing of the report was at a time when cash flow was at its worst, March,
and that by the end of April most of the outstanding arrears had been collected.
Cllr Lloyd also noted that 2018 had been designated by the Welsh assembly the year of
‘Waves’ and there was an opportunity for Aberdyfi to take advantage of the initiative and
promote accordingly.
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Cllr Lloyd enquired of Cllr Owen whether there had been any closures of schools in the
north of Gwynedd, as in his view Meirionydd had suffered disproportionately from the
school closure programme five years ago. Cllr Owen responded by confirming that
statistically the number of children entering the education system, at that time, was in
decline and it was this analysis that drove the school closure plan. However, he confirmed
that in fact the numbers were on the increase in some areas but that the picture was
not uniform across Gwynedd.
Cllr Williams confirmed that although the idea of ‘Waves’ was a sound marketing concept
he questioned who was responsible fo ‘doing the spadework’? As with other initiatives,
possibly no one. Cllr Richards confirmed that Visit Wales had visited his B&B, Cartref in
Aberdyfi and provided them with marketing material six weeks before the end of the
season – not good enough.
AGENDA ITEM 7 – PLANNING
Cl/93/16.09.17
NP5/50/720 1 – 6 Bryn Gwylan, Aberdyfi
Structural refurbishment including installation of external cladding
APPLICATION
AGENDA ITEM 8 – TREASURER’S REPORT
CL94/16.10.17
The Treasurer’s report for was accepted and minuted as a true record.
PROPOSED by Cllr O’Reilly SECONDED by Cllr Owen
AGENDA ITEM 9 – ANNUAL RETURN
CL95/16.10.17
Approval of final amendments to annual return
PROPOSED by Cllr Williams SECONDED by Cllr Bradbury-Willis
AGENDA ITEM 10 – COMMITTEE REPORTS
CL/96/16.10.17
Neuadd Dyfi
Cllr Owen reported that Neuadd Dyfi heating project has now been completed and the system will be on stream very shortly and the work was completed within budget. The calendar for next year is looking positive. Cllr Owen noted that Des was in fact doing all the work at the Neuadd Dyfi and asked whether this was something this council should be addressing for the future. Cllr Kelly confirmed that his partner Pat had offered to assist with the bookings situations. He noted that the existing systems showed room for improvement. Cllr Williams noted that it up to the Neuadd Dyfi Committee, not this council, to review the running of the operation itself, although Councillors were trustees.
He confirmed that Des was aware of the situation and was keen to see some new blood to assist him.
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Cllr Lloyd pointed out that the work Des carried out was voluntary and unpaid. Cllr Williams felt that the Council was taking a responsibility for something that was outside its remit. Cllr Williams suggested that the matter should be discussed with Des in the first instance. The Clerk is to have a word with Des to chat about how things might move forward.
AGENDA ITEM 11 – CORRESPONDENCE
CL/97/16.10.17
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Tywyn Council e-mail An offer to cooperate over Christmas Tree. I informed Fran Pridding that it was an AA&I matter and that I would pass on accordingly.
Gwynedd Council Confirmation of revised date for Harbour Consultative meeting – Thursday 23rd November, 10.30am
Gwynedd Council e-mail Copy of e-mail from Glynda O’Brien requesting written confirmation from organisations, as indicated, regarding status I believe. (Clerk not in possession of letter referred to.)
One Voice Wales For information – Welsh Government review of Community and Town Council sectors
Gwynedd Council Information pack – Welsh Language
Crime Prevention Customer record book for the CCTV system
Gwynedd Council Cemeteries letter (in Welsh only)
AGENDA ITEM 12 – PUBLICATIONS
CL/98/16.10.17
Clerk magazine September
Clerks and Council direct September
AGENDA ITEM 13 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS
CL/99/16.10.17
Nantiesyn car park Cllr Williams expressed concern over the continuing lack of maintenance of Nantiesyn car park
Tywyn Health Centre The health Centre in Tywyn do not give private prescriptions.
Aortic check up Cllr Reynolds suggested that all the male members of the community should take advantage of the free aortic check for the over 65s.
Network Rail Cllr Owen noted that the lighting at Penhelig Station was not working properly. Cllr Lloyd would check it out and report back.
Xmas Dinner Cllr Owen enquired about Xmas dinner. Cllr Lloyd confirmed that the dinner would be at the Sea Breeze on Thursday 14th December. It was agreed that the three recently retired Councillors and their partners should be invited.
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Public meeting Neuadd Dyfi Cllr Owen suggested we conduct a public meeting to update our community on matters around the village. The date of 23rd was suggested.
One Voice Wales seminar Cllr Bradbury-Willis attended the law seminar at Tywyn with the Clerk and found the evening very informative and the opportunity to meet Tywyn councillors made the evening even more useful.
Digital communication Cllr Bradbury-Willis suggested that the council examine further using digital technology to communicate with the community, perhaps Facebook live.
Fireworks Cllr Bradbury-Willis had received a communication from someone in the village regarding the apparent lack of New Year fireworks. He expressed concern over how to cope with sometimes aggressive communication. There was a general discussion amongst the councillors about how such situations may be managed.
Concrete bunkers Cllr Bradbury-Willis to know whether the remaining concrete bunker from WW2 could perhaps be preserved for future generations. Cllr Lloyd suggested that perhaps CADW might be interested.
Mileposts Cllr Tyrrell asked about the village sign on the entry from Tywyn. He felt it was in need of restoration. It was agreed and Cllr Tyrrell was volunteered to check the matter.
AGENDA ITEM 14 – ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN
CL/100/16.10.17
Cllr Richards had reluctantly decided to stand down as ACC Vice Chairman, with immediate effect, on the grounds of health. He stays on as Councillor.
Cllr Lloyd nominated Cllr Williams to take over the position and hence take over as Chairman at the 2018 May AGM.
Cllr Lloyd’s nomination received unanimous approval by Council, and Cllr Williams was therefore elected as Vice Chairman, with immediate effect, and will assume his position at the November Council meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 15 – ITEMS FOR RUSHLIGHT
CL/101/16.10.17
ITEMS FOR PRESS RELEASE
- Fireworks
- Dyfi Bridge
- Nandoras Ball
- Speeding issues
The meeting closed at 9.30
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