MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF ABERDYFI COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE OFFICE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, LITERARY INSTITUTE, ABERDYFI ON MONDAY,
18th JUNE 2018
Present were :- Cllr D Williams Chairman
Councillors :- J Bradbury Willis
B Lloyd
D Owen
M Reynolds
M Richards
B Tyrrell
Immediately prior to commencement of the ordinary meeting, Councillors received presentations from Dr Sara Bradbury-Willis and Mr David Owens regarding their interest in the current vacancies on Aberdyfi Community Council, as co-opted Community Councillors.
Council voted unanimously to invite both candidates to assume their positions as Community Councillors, with effect from and including the next Council ordinary meeting on Monday 14th July. They were both invited to stay for tonight’s meeting as observers.
AGENDA ITEM 1- APOLOGIES
CL/34/18.06.18
Cllrs Gareth Jones & Brian Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 2 – PRESENTATION, ANDREW RICHARDS
ARCHITECT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT
CL/35/18.06.18
Andrew Richards was able to confirm that the affordable housing project on the site of the old primary school was going to plan. The school is to be demolished and 11 dwellings are to be constructed, as per the plans presented. The old stone front wall will be retained, as well as many of the mature trees on site as possible. The consultation process commences for 28 days, and the Council will promote the web details in Rushlight. Aberdyfi Community Council will respond as a council on behalf of the community.
There was discussion to clarify the details and there was a Q&A session, as noted following:
Cllr Lloyd asked whether the homes would be suitable for the disabled. Mr Richards confirmed that this would be the case.
Cllr Reynolds asked about car parking and Mr Richards confirmed there would be two spaces per dwelling.
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Cllr Owen asked about the future of Penrhos Garage, adjacent to the site. Mr Richards felt that there would be some accommodation to ensure the future of the business regarding the boundaries and that discussions were to be held with the proprietor.
Mr Richards said the design of the development will be contemporary in fitting with the immediate environment, featuring rendered finish and grey doors and windows.
Cllr Bradbury-Willis asked what the levels of rent would be. They would be section 106 restricted and that the rents would be fixed by Gwynedd. Cllr Bradbury-Willis brought up the issue of pedestrian access to the village, with the inherent dangers represented by pedestrians needing to cross the main road to access the village via the subway at the rail bridge. This was a matter to be brought up in the consultation response.
Cllr Owen asked about whether local contractors would be given the opportunity to pitch for the contract work. He also pointed out that sometimes the cheapest way was not always the best way, as has been clear in the past. Mr Richards assured that matters of quality were of utmost importance, regardless of cost, and that local contractors would be given full opportunity. The construction will be concrete raft foundation and timber frame construction with external render. Full sprinkler systems will be fitted.
Once consultation process is complete, the work should commence, assuming no problems, early next year. A public meeting was planned at the Neuadd Dyfi. Date to be confirmed.
Cllr Williams thanked Mr Richards for his time and felt that the community would broadly support the project in its entirety.
The ordinary meeting now commenced.
AGENDA ITEM 3- CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
CL/36/18.06.18
Cllr Williams asked the Clerk to outline the ‘Day on the Quay’ event on 21st July. The Clerk said that event will feature a number of activities promoting the Welsh fishing industry, and will be totally funded via FLAG action group by European funding.
The next FLAG meeting will be in Aberdyfi on the 18th July, in the Neuadd Dyfi.
The weather has played a significant part in the level of visitors to the village, along with ladies Open Golf Championship at Aberdovey Golf Club
AGENDA ITEM 4 – RECEIVE AND CONFIRM AMENDED MINUTES OF AGM AND ORDINARY MEETING 14th MAY
CL/37/18.06.18
It was agreed that the minutes were a true and accurate record of the AGM and ordinary meeting of 18th May.
PROPOSED by Cllr Reynolds and SECONDED by Cllr Richards
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AGENDA ITEM 5 – MATTERS ARISING
CL/38/18.06.18
M/139/ (14.05.18) Commercial Bins
Still no detailed plans have been received from the harbourmaster to date. It is understood that prices and specification details from Dylan Jones have still not materialised
M/183/(19.02.18) Running Track
See agenda item 8, report/update from Cllr Richards
M/159/(19.02.18) Rhos Dyfi drain cover
The Clerk has asked Sion Wilkes to check the drain status, as raised by Cllr Richards.
M/29/14/(14/05/18) Dog poo bins
The overflowing dog bins area are still an issue.
AGENDA ITEM 6 – AFFORDABLE HOUSING
CL/39/18.06.18
The Clerk noted that ACC should approach the pedestrian crossing request as part of the ‘planning gain’. It was agreed that this matter was of serious concern.
AGENDA ITEM 7 – ABERDYFI TO TYWYN CYCLEPATH
CL/40/18.06.18
Cllr Lloyd attended a recent meeting with Gwynedd Council in Tywyn to discuss the Aberdyfi to Tywyn cyclepath. It was also attended by Fran Pridding, Clerk to Tywyn Council, and Tywyn County Cllr Mike Stephens and Ewan ap Trevor from Gwynedd Council.
There is budget available to ‘kick start’ this project after some years dormant. There is budget to conduct a feasilbility study in the context of the Welsh Government’s allocation of £60m funding for Active Travel. Ken Skates is a keen supporter but his position but his position is in some doubt given the recent resignation of Carwen Jones. The strong community support and involvement in recent public meetings, from both Aberdyfi and Tywyn, for the cyclepath has impressed Gwynedd.
The study should be in place by September, and his been observed that the two communities will benefit from working in joint enterprise.
Aberdyfi should re-apply to the TAIS fund for its amenity cyclepath at the next opportunity.
Cllr Lloyd said that he was happy to lead this project on behalf of the community.
AGENDA ITEM 8 – RUNNING TRACK
CL/41/18.06.18
Cllr Richards read our verbatim his report and update on the Running Track project. The content was in detail and a copy is available for examination in the Council office.
The land does have a Scheme of Regulation which still applies from its inception in 1925.
The land has been subject to a great deal of change over the years, which complicates any process of possible development for the future, as defined in Cllr Richards document.
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However, all problems are surmountable, the land is leased to Aberdyfi community Council, is common land, and there are many interested parties who need to be ‘brought on board’.
The Aberdyfi Partnership had put together an ambitious plan some 20 years ago, which fell by the wayside for a number of reasons, including exterior funding.
There are also a number of reports regarding the presence of otters and the impact of any development on their habitat. Cllr Richards suggested that some elements of these reports were misguided and needed to be re-assessed.
Cllr Williams thanked Cllr Richards for his detailed appraisal and noted how politics impacted on common sense approaches to problem solving.
Cllr Richards felt that adopting an inclusive view and negotiating with all interested parties is most likely going to result in a positive outcome. Gwynedd, NRW, Snowdonia and this Community Council would be the lead players in any future development.
The Clerk noted that with land already under ACC ownership, Gasworks, the community could easily designate said land as otter sanctuary, plus the offer of a further 28 acres adjacent to the Gasworks.
It was proposed that the Council should start discussions with NRW, led by Cllr Richards.
Proposed Cllr Reynolds Seconded Cllr Tyrrell
Unanimously agreed by Council
AGENDA ITEM 9 – GWYNEDD COUNCIL REPORT
CL/42/18.06.18
Cllr Owen had nothing to report.
AGENDA ITEM 10 – PLANNING
Cl/43/18.06.18
NP5/50/724 Vista Sol, Rhoslain, Aberdyfi
Loft conversion, decking and new garage
APPLICATION
NP5/50/337 29 Seaview Terrace, Aberdyfi
Replacement & alterations to 1st floor windows
APPLICATION
NP5/50/LB63L Leadenhall, 19, Seaview Terrace, Aberdyfi
Application variance, rebuilding of rear extension
APPLICATION
AGENDA ITEM 11 – TREASURER’S REPORT
CL44/18.06.18
The Treasurer’s report for June was accepted and minuted as a true record
PROPOSED by Cllr Lloyd SECONDED by Cllr D Owen
Unanimous approval
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AGENDA ITEM 12 – COMMITTEE REPORTS
CL/45/18.06.18
Training
Cllr Lloyd attended, with the Clerk, a conference at Llandrindod Wells on 18th May, a One Voice Wales promotion. There was a notable presentation from the Clerk for Newtown regarding asset transfer projects.
Meirionydd Area meeting
Cllr Lloyd attended the Meirionydd Area meeting. Next meeting on 26th September in Dolgellau.
AGENDA ITEM 13 – CORRESPONDENCE
CL/46/18.06.18
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Neuadd Pendre Tywyn Event, November 10th From Hayley Bankowski
Dail Sysynni Accounts
Gwynedd Council e-mail Correspondence regarding the closure of Neuadd Dyfi toilets
One Voice Wales Minutes of 20th February meeting
Seafarers UK Red Ensign, Merchant Navy day 3rd September
Snowdonia/Outward Bound Outward Bound to Picnic Island access route
Simon Morgan Dyfi Bridge correspondence with Welsh Government
Community Health Council Press statement
AGENDA ITEM 14 – PUBLICATIONS
CL/47/18.06.18
None
AGENDA ITEM 15 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS
CL/48/18.06.18
Cllr Bradbury-Willis had received negative observations regarding drinkers from the Britannia drinking well beyond the curtilage of its licence, including encroaching on St Peter’s Church. There were increasing numbers drinking on Seaview Terrace opposite the Britannia. Cllr Lloyd suggested that the matter was to be pursued by liaising with Gwynedd Licensing Authority, asking for them to request all licensed premises in the village to abide with their licence obligations. He also raised the matter of whether there should be a de-fibrillator in the vicinity of Penhelyg. To be explored.
Cllr Lloyd had received complaints about Gwelfor Road hedge and the Playing field hedgerows. He also asked for the Penhelyg Shelter matter to be included in the next harbour meeting. Cllr Williams will also mention the matter to our harbourmaster.
Cllr Tyrrell felt that the Wharf Garden could be much improved, and maintenance made easier by our Community working more closely with Gwynedd Council in the design and maintenance of the garden. Cllr Owen would follow up initially with Gwynedd, after which Cllr Tyrrell would follow up by discussing ideas with members of the local gardening community.
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AGENDA ITEM 16 ITEMS FOR RUSHLIGHT
CL/49/18.06.18
ITEMS FOR PRESS RELEASE
Social Housing, school site
Day on the Quay
Food Festival
New Councillors
Clerk on Holiday
The meeting closed at 9.45
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