MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF ABERDYFI COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE OFFICE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, LITERARY INSTITUTE, ABERDYFI ON MONDAY,
16th JULY 2018
Present were Councillors :-
Cllr D Williams Chairman
J Bradbury Willis
D Owen
M Reynolds
B Tyrrell
S Bradbury Willis
B Kelly
D Owens
AGENDA ITEM 1- APOLOGIES
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Cllrs Gareth Jones, Mike Richards & Bryn Lloyd
AGENDA ITEM 2- CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Cllr Williams welcomed Cllrs David Owens and Sara Bradbury-Willis to their first Council meeting as co-opted members. He took the opportunity to remind Council regarding the structure of Council meetings and the need to address each other as ‘Councillor’ as a matter of courtesy.
Confirmation of Council meeting dates for 2018 – August, no meeting, summer recess.
Monday September 17th, October 15th, November 19th and December 17th.
Lastly, Cllr Williams commented on the fantastic weather the village had enjoyed, and that it would continue for the summer at the benefit of the businesses in Aberdyfi
AGENDA ITEM 3 – RECEIVE AND CONFIRM MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING 18th JUNE
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It was agreed that the minutes were a true and accurate record of ordinary meeting of 18th June. See amended minutes page 12 at Cllr Tyrrell’s request.
PROPOSED by Cllr J Bradbury-Willis and SECONDED by Cllr Reynolds
AGENDA ITEM 4 – MATTERS ARISING
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M/39 Affordable Housing Project
The Clerk has responded, after consultation with Cllr Williams, on behalf of the community, requesting that serious consideration be given to the installation of a pedestrian crossing on the main Tywyn Road, in the vicinity of the Post Office. The draft was read out by Cllr Williams.
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The Public meeting was held at the school on Wednesday 4th June and was well attended. Cllr Tyrrell pointed out that the location of the crossing, if it was to materialise, was most important. Cllr Owen said that both Snowdonia National Park and CCG had voiced their approval of the plans as submitted.
He also had been asked whether the attendees were there as interested parties as prospective tenants or those who were unhappy with the development. Cllr Williams felt that the meeting was generally very positive. Cllr Owen also noted that CCG were impressed with the overall turnout on the night.
M/41 Running Track
Cllr Richards is unable to de-brief because of illness and will seek to do so very soon, possibly after meeting with NRW on site.
M/139/ (14.05.18) Commercial Bins
Cllr Owen said that the matter of the commercial bins was still a concern in that there was a view that the commercial bins opposite the chemist were a constant eyesore and nuisance.
AGENDA ITEM 5 – DELEGATION OF POWERS DURING SUMMER BREAK
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Delegation of powers to Clerk, Chair and Vice Chair during summer recess
PROPOSED Cllr. Kelly PROPOSED Cllr Tyrrell
AGENDA ITEM 6 – SPEEDING IN THE VILLAGE
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Cllr Williams read to Council an e-mail from Pauline Brown over concerns by Pauline Brown regarding the speed of traffic through the village and that a 20mph speed limit would be appropriate. He noted that there was an advisory 20mph limit but not statutory because the main road is a trunk road the minimum limit applicable is 30mph.
It was felt by Cllr Williams that further ongoing dialogue with Gwynedd was essential to maintain pressure on the decision-makers.
There was consensus that the matter was of increasing concern.
Cllr Williams wanted to start a dialogue with Gwynedd without delay, in the context of the correspondence with Snowdonia Planning regarding the old school development.
PROPOSED Cllr Kelly PROPOSED Cllr Reynolds
AGENDA ITEM 7 – GWYNEDD COUNCIL REPORT
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Cllr Owen reported that he had been appointed as Chairman of the Democratic Scrutiny Committee at Gwynedd Council. He attended the Annual Conference conference in Builth Wells which it was confirmed that any decision regarding the reduction in the number of Town and Community Councils in Gwynedd has been ‘put on the backburner’, as has the proposition to amalgamate some of the Community Councils. There were issues surrounding the difficulties facing some councils in filling the vacancies for councillors, and also the paucity of women councillors – 80% of councillors are men at this time.
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The full Gwynedd Council meeting held in early July and it was confirmed that around £26m of funding had been made available for investment in North Wales, which unfortunately was being focussed on the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ area comprising Wrexham and Deeside, potentially at the cost of the communities in Gwynedd.
Cllr Kelly noted the lack of Hi Tec industry in Gwynedd. Cllr Owen suggested opening discussions with Ewan Trevor Hughes from Gwynedd, who is also responsible for cyclepath developments.
AGENDA ITEM 8 – PLANNING
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NP5/50/716A Penhelig Uchaf, Aberdyfi
Demolish existing building and construction of replacement building, and conversion of outbuilding to garage/platform, sewage treatment plant, new driveway and landscaping
APPLICATION
No objection from Council
AGENDA ITEM 9 – TREASURER’S REPORT
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The Treasurer’s report for June was accepted and minuted as a true record.
The income from the car park is healthy with the weather has played a positive part in this income with increased visitor numbers.
Cllr Tyrrell raised some questions regarding the VAT position of Aberdyfi Community Council. The Clerk will seek professional clarification.
There followed, at Cllr Tyrrell’s instigation, a discussion on the management and financing of the maintenance by Pennal Garden Services. The matter will be clarified at the next AA&I meeting.
The clerk confirmed, following a query by Cllr Kelly regarding the Treasurer’s report, that the Lockinex payment was for GRP scaffolding purchase for the construction of a new mobile kitchen structure for the Aberdyfi Food Festival.
PROPOSED by Cllr Reynolds SECONDED by Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 10 – COMMITTEE REPORTS
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Shrewsbury & Aberystwyth Rail Liaison Committee
Cllr Owen attended a meeting of Shrewsbury & Aberystwyth Rail Liaison Committee on Friday 13th July in Machynlleth. Theer are concerns regarding the problem of some trains not running to timetable, caused by industrial dispute and timetable changes in England. Dyfi Junction shelter construction has been halted as the shelter to be installed was bigger than the existing platform. They are currently sitting in Machynlleth waiting a solution.
The new franchisees KeolisAmey are taking over the franchise from Arriva on 14th October, operating under the ‘Transport for Wales’ banner. They will be investing in a new workshop in Machynlleth which should create new jobs. The future appears very positive for rail users.
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Cllr Tyrrell asked what was happening with regard to the steps up to Penhelig Station. Cllr Williams confirmed that there was a Health and safety issue and that new steps were being fabricated for installation in September.
There was concern from some quarters that the fence/screening between Penhelig Station and the rear of the houses on Penhelig Terrace had been taken down. Cllr Tyrrell confirmed the land and the responsibility for the fencing is down to Network Rail and the residents have since started planting hedging.
AGENDA ITEM 11 – CORRESPONDENCE
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CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Caulmerts Notification of consultation process prior to planning application for affordable housing project
CCG Advising Council of public consultation event at the old school on Wednesday 4th July.
Snowdonia National Park Annual Town & Community Council evening, Tuesday 2nd October 2018
Welshblood Donor day Neuadd Dyfi, Wednesday 18th July
J & J Jones, Sedgley Request for action regarding the entrance to Penrhos Caravan Park (Sent to Cllr Reynolds)
Pauline Brown Concern over speeding
Dyfi Wildlife Centre (flyer) Appeal for funding assistance
AGENDA ITEM 12 – PUBLICATIONS
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The Clerk Magazine
Clerks & Councils Direct
AGENDA ITEM 13 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS
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Cllr Reynolds – Literary Institute
Cllr Reynolds asked why the work on the Literary Institute cladding had ceased. Cllr Williams informed the meeting that another contractor had been appointed to complete the work.
Cllr Tyrrell – Wharf Gardens planting
Cllr Tyrrell has reviewed the management of the Wharf Gardens by Gwynedd Council and how its future might develop. He was concerned over the nature of the planting, how it was presented, its management and its maintenance. The cost of annuals planting each year was considerable and perhaps it was time to appraise how the Wharf Gardens may be reviewed. In the context of implied Gwynedd cutbacks this Council could be facing an annual cost of over £5k per year to fund the planting as it stands currently.
Cllr Tyrrell felt that a fundamental re-appraisal was required, driven by the community, going down a route utilising perennials and other methods of creating visual appeal in a key part of the village.
Cllr Williams thanked Cllr Tyrrell for his work and agreed that a long term plan was an idea that needs to considered without delay. Cllr Owen agreed and also thanked Cllr Tyrrell.
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It was felt that the matter should be discussed at the Autumn public meeting as an agenda item.
Cllr Kelly – data management Saturn Communications
Cllr Kelly expressed concern over uninvited e-mails from Saturn Communications.
AGENDA ITEM 14 ITEMS FOR RUSHLIGHT
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ITEMS FOR PRESS RELEASE
Social Housing, school site
Doveyfest
Day on the Quay
Wolverhampton Bike Ride
Festival of Food
The meeting closed at 9.45
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