Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Aberdyfi Community Council held at the Literary Institute on Monday 17th February 2025
Present: Cllr Dewi Owen – Chair
Councillors:
Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis
Cllr Mark Dunton
Cllr Roman Hackelsberger
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Catrin O’Neill
Cllr Dave Williams
2 members of the public were present
AGENDA ITEM 1 – To receive and accept apologies
CL/164/17.02.25
Apologies received and accepted from Cllrs Hewins, Porter, Reynolds and Tyrrell
AGENDA ITEM 2 – Chair announcements
CL/165/17.02.25
The Chair welcomed everyone and commented how confusing and disruptive the situation regarding the recent road closure in the square has been for everyone. He informed the Council that the work has now been cancelled and will take place in October.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – Declaration of financial, personal or prejudicial interest
CL/166/17.02.25
No declarations were received
AGENDA ITEM 4 – To receive and confirm minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting on 20thJanuary 2025
CL/167/17.02.25
The minutes of the ordinary council meeting on 20th January 2025 were received and approved.
Proposed: Cllr Hackelsberger Seconded: Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 5 – Matters arising
CL/168/17.02.25
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M/95/(21.10.24) Re-printing of walking guide
The Clerk reported that the guide has been submitted for printing and hard copies should be delivered next week. The translation will be completed by mid-March and will need type-set and printed. The web developer has confirmed that digital copies should be able to be sold through the website. It was agreed to charge £2.50 per copy to businesses, which will cover the Council’s costs.
The Chair thanked Cllr Hackelsberger and Mrs. Meinir Owen for all their work on the walking guide.
Proposed: Cllr O’Neill Seconded: Cllr Hackelsberger
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M/99/(21.10.24) Digital noticeboard
The Chair reported that he is still waiting for a response from the senior official of Gwynedd Council regarding permission.
M/100/(21.10.24)Maintenance of CCTV cameras
The clerk is still waiting for the engineer to do the work.
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M/156/(20.01.25) Aberdyfi Kite Festival
The clerk reported that she had a site visit with the Harbourmaster, Beach Officer and Red Dragon Kites and an operational area of beach was agreed. They need to buy some fencing equipment and signs, which should come to no more than £300. Strings for the kite-making workshops will also need to be purchased but will be included in the £300 limit. The Neuadd Dyfi is free in the afternoon and evening of the two days leading up to the festival and the clerk will confirm the workshop dates and times closer to the time. She will send a list of local school contact details to Red Dragon Kites so they can approach the schools about the workshops. Children attending the workshops will be asked for donations towards the cost of the workshops. Red Dragon Kites have asked for Welsh support at the workshops and Cllr O’Neill offered her services for the Thursday. Other councillors offered their help on the day. It was agreed to purchase the equipment required.
Proposed: Cllr Bradbury-Willis Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
Action: Clerk to purchase equipment, book Neuadd Dyfi and arrange workshops
Action: Clerk to arrange insurance cover
Action: Cllr O’Neill to provide Welsh support on 3rd July
Action: Councillors to support event on the 5th and 6th July.
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M/158/(20.01.25) Purchase of beacon for VE Day celebrations on 8th May
The Clerk reported that a 90cm fire-bowl is approximately £225 and the Chair reported that he has a suitable container which can be used as a fire-pit and he will provide hurdles as safety barriers. It was agreed to take Cllr Owen up on his generous offer. Details for the event will be discussed at the next meeting
Action: Clerk to include in agenda for March
AGENDA ITEM 6 – To receive and approve the treasurer’s report
CL/169/17.02.25
It was resolved to receive and approve the Treasurer’s report
Proposed: Cllr Hackelsberger Seconded: Cllr Kelly
It was proposed to add two more councillors as signatories on the bank account to authorise payments as there are only two signatories at present. Cllrs Bradbury-Willis and Kelly agreed to take on the role.
Proposed: Cllr Owen Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
Action: Clerk to arrange for signatories to be added to the bank account
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AGENDA ITEM 7 – To receive a report from the Gwynedd Council representative
CL/170/17.02.25
Cllr Owen reported that he has had several meeting recently:
* with Highways department of Gwynedd Council.
The junction at Machynlleth was discussed and Gwynedd Council have been monitoring the situation over the last few months and will continue to do so. Gwynedd Council have asked for a copy of the report done by the Welsh Government at the end of last year, but the Welsh Government won’t give it to them. They will continue to push to have sight of the report. The farmer of the land around the junction has reported seeing several bumps of cars going into the back of others turning left towards Aberdyfi.
The pinch point by the cottages was also discussed and it was agreed that something needs to change here as well. Pennal and Tywyn Councils have also written to complain about this issue.
Gwynedd Council shared with Cllr Owen that Gwynedd has a total of 3862km of roads, the third highest in Wales and they aim to inspect them every month if possible. There are increasing issues with water run-off from roads flowing onto land that is not owned by Gwynedd Council and the landowners have been complaining at the increase in water run-off onto their land, which is causing issues such as flooding.
Work to repair road-side wall and barriers at Friog Hill has started and the road will be closed overnight with light during the day, although emergency services will still have access. Gwynedd Council reported that part of the problem has been people taking stones from the wall for rockeries at home.
* with Adra Housing Association.
They currently have 7000 homes in Gwynedd with 340 staff. They plan to take on more staff and they will be taking on more homes in the near future. In Aberdyfi, they confirmed that they have recently bought 17 Maes Newydd, giving a total of 3 or 4 houses in Aberdyfi. However, no-one has moved in to any of the houses yet. They confirmed they will be building 5 new houses in Pennal in the near future.
* with new Chief Executive of Parc Eryri – Jonathan Crawley.
He confirmed that Plas Tan y Bwlch is for sale. It is not known who his replacement in the planning department will be. He has offered to attend one of our meetings later in the year.
* with Gwynedd Council
The conduct of Town and Community Councillors was discussed and it was confirmed that there will be training provided on Code of Conduct for Councillors in the near future.
AGENDA ITEM 8 – To receive and consider planning applications
CL/171/17.02.25
NP5/50/314H Morlan, Cwm Safnast, Aberdyfi LL35 0SE
Alterations to the roof and external walls of dwellinghouse, the installation of a log burning flue on an outbuilding and the construction of natural swimming pool within the residential curtilage
No objections raised
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NP5/50/L443F Balkan Hill House, Aberdyfi LL35 0LB
Retrospective application for a Variation of Conditions 2 (Approved plans), 3 (External finishes) and 4 (biodiversity enhancements) attached to planning permission NP5/50/L443 dated 22/09/2020
No objections raised
AGENDA ITEM 9 – To consider and adopt the NALC model Equality & Diversity policy
CL/172/17.02.25
It was resolved to adopt the NALC model Equality & Diversity policy without any changes
Proposed: Cllr O’Neill Seconded: Cllr Hackelsberger
AGENDA ITEM 10 – To consider and adopt an Environmental policy
CL/173/17.02.25
It was resolved to adopt the policy without any changes
Proposed: Cllr Hackelsberger Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
AGENDA ITEM 11 – To consider and adopt an Access Plan for the playground
CL/174/17.02.25
The Council resolved to adopt the Access Plan for the playground without any changes
Proposed: Cllr Kelly Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
AGENDA ITEM 12 – To discuss possible locations for signs for the Time & Tide Bell stories project
CL/175/17.02.25
Cllr O’Neill asked for feedback on the proposed locations for the signs and QR codes for the Time & Tide Bell stories project. Various locations were discussed and suggested. Cllr O’Neill confirmed that the project is being funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
AGENDA ITEM 13 – To consider supporting the campaign to establish a dental school in Bangor
CL/176/17.02.25
It was agreed to write in support of the campaign to establish a dental school in Bangor.
Proposed: Cllr Hackelsberger Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
AGENDA ITEM 14 – Correspondence which requires a response from the Council
CL/177/17.02.25
* One Voice Wales – request for attendance at Annual General Meeting on 11th March 2025. Cllr Owen agreed to attend
Action: Cllr Owen to attend on 11th March 2025
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* Gwynedd Council – proposed changes to parking signs at both the main and Neuadd Dyfi car park and road markings at 20mph limit.
Supported unanimously
Action: Clerk to inform Gwynedd Council of support for the propose changes
* Time & Tide Bell repairs – the Clerk reported that the grating above the bell needs to be repaired and is in talks with the Harbourmaster about how this can be achieved. Cllr O’Neill offered to speak to the Time & Tide Bell project coordinator and ask who repairs the other Time & Tide bells.
Action: Clerk to liaise with harbourmaster to effect repairs
Action: Cllr O’Neill to research who maintains other Time & Tide bells.
AGENDA ITEM 15– To note correspondence not requiring a decision from the Community Council which has already been circulated to Councillors
CL/178/17.02.25
* One Voice Wales – vacancy for Chair to Natural Resources Wales
* One Voice Wales – Asbestos Awareness Training dates
* Gwynedd Council – notice of Gwynedd and Eryri Visitor Economy conference 2025
* One Voice Wales – Training dates January – March
* One Voice Wales – consultation on draft policy and practice on electoral review programme by the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru
AGENDA ITEM 16– Items for consideration at future meetings
CL/179/17.02.25
* VE celebrations
* Community Action Plan
* Time & Tide bell maintenance
AGENDA ITEM 17 – Items for release / Rushlight / Website / Facebook
CL/180/17.02.25
* Clwb Sgwrsio 3rd March
* Kite festval 5th/6th July
* Food Festival 17th August
* Walking Guide
* Community lunch
AGENDA ITEM 18 – Date of next meeting
CL/181/17.02.25
Monday 17th March 2025
There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 8.30pm
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