DRAFT Minutes of the forty-first Annual Meeting of Aberdyfi Community Council held at the Literary Institute on Monday 18th May 2026
Present:
Cllr Mark Dunton
Cllr Anna Grundy
Cllr Ian Hewins
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Catrin O’Neill
Cllr Dewi Owen
Cllr Megan Reynolds
Cllr Dave Williams
Cllr Henry Williams
2 members of public were present
AGENDA ITEM 1 – Election of Chair of Aberdyfi Community Council for the year 2026-27
CL/1/18.05.26
Cllr Ian Hewins was elected Chair of Aberdyfi Community Council for the year 2026-27.
Proposed: Cllr Owen Seconded: Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 2 – To receive the Chair’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office
CL/2/18.05.26
The Declaration of Acceptance of Office for the role of Chair was received
AGENDA ITEM 3 – Election of Vice-Chair of Aberdyfi Community Council for the year 2026-27
CL/3/18.05.26
Cllr Anna Grundy was elected Vice-Chair of Aberdyfi Community Council for the year 2026-27
Proposed: Cllr Kelly Seconded: Cllr Reynolds
AGENDA ITEM 4 – To received the Vice Chair’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office
CL/4/18.05.26
The Declaration of Acceptance of Office for the role of Vice-Chair was received
AGENDA ITEM 5 – To receive and accept apologies
CL/5/18.05.26
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Porter
AGENDA ITEM 6 – To review the Terms of Reference for the Finance Committee
CL/6/18.05.26
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The Terms of Reference for the Finance Committee were reviewed and accepted as seen
Proposed: Cllr D. Williams Seconded: Cllr Owen
AGENDA ITEM 7 – Appointment of members to the Finance Committee
CL/7/18.05.26
Cllrs Porter, D. Williams and Kelly were appointed members of the Finance Committee
AGENDA ITEM 8 – Appointment of members to outside bodies
CL/8/18.05.26
Members were appointed to the following outside bodies:
8.1 Aberdyfi Advertising & Improvements Committee
All councillors
8.2 Aberdyfi Literary Institute Committee
Cllr Sadie Porter
8.3 Harbour Advisory Committee
Cllr Mark Dunton
8.4 Neuadd Dyfi Management Committee – Councillors with a vote
Cllrs Ian Hewins, Brian Kelly, Dewi Owen, Sadie Porter, Megan Reynolds and Dave Williams
8.5 Caravan Site Committee
Cllrs Ian Hewins, Brian Kelly, Megan Reynolds and Dave Williams
8.6 Richard Williams and Richard Roberts Trust Fund
Cllrs Ian Hewins, Dewi Owens, Sadie Porter and Henry Williams, with Dave Williams as Trustee.
8.7 Lewis Lloyd Trust
Cllr Catrin O’Neill
8.8 Tywyn and District Memorial Hospital Appeal Fund
Cllrs Brian Kelly with Cllr Dave Williams as deputy
8.9 One Voice Wales
Cllrs Catrin O’Neil and Dewi Owen with Cllr Dave Williams as deputy
8.10 Meirionnydd Access Group
Cllr Catrin O’Neill
8.11 Plastic-Free Aberdyfi
Cllr Sadie Porter
It was noted that there had been no activity of the Tywyn & District Memorial Appeal Fund and Meirionnydd Access Group in the past year and it was queried if these groups still exist. The clerk was asked to look into this.
Action: Clerk to find out if the two groups are still active
AGENDA ITEM 9 – To approve dates of Council meetings for the year 2026-27
CL/9/18.05.26
It was agreed to continue to hold meetings on the third Monday of the month, with the exception of August.
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2026: 15th June, 20th July, 21st September, 19th October, 16th November, 21st December 2027: 18thJanuary, 15th February, 15th March, 19th April, 17th May (Annual Meeting)
AGENDA ITEM 10 – To review and adopt Standing Orders
CL/10/18.05.26
The Standing Orders were reviewed and adopted without any changes
Proposed: Cllr Kelly Seconded: Cllr H. Williams
AGENDA ITEM 11 – To review and adopt Financial Regulations
CL/11/18.05.26
The Financial regulations were reviewed and adopted without any changes
Proposed: Cllr H. Williams Seconded: Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 12 – To review list of Council Assets
CL/12/18.05.26
The asset register was reviewed and accepted
AGENDA ITEM 13 – To appoint an Internal Auditor for 2026/27
CL/13/18.05.26
It was agreed to appoint Steve Lister as Internal Auditor
Proposed: Cllr D. Williams Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
AGENDA ITEM 14 – To review the Risk Management Schedule
CL/14/18.05.26
The Risk Management Schedule reviewed and accepted without any changes
AGENDA ITEM 15 – To review the Council’s banking arrangements
CL/15/18.05.26
The clerk recommended that two more councillors become signatories on the Unity Trust bank account account with the ability to authorise payments, resulting in a total of four councillors with this ability. The clerk reminded the council that two councillors are required to authorise any payments.
This was agreed by the council.
Proposed: Cllr Owen Seconded: Cllr H. Williams
Cllrs Ian Hewins and Anna Grundy agreed to become signatories.
Action: Clerk to add Cllrs Hewins and Grundy as bank signatories
AGENDA ITEM 16 – To receive and confirm minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting on 20thApril 2026
CL/16/18.05.26
The minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting on 20th April 2026 were received. Proposed: Cllr H. WilliamsSeconded: Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 17 – To receive and approve the treasurer’s report
CL/17/18.05.26
The treasurer’s report for April was received and approved.
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Proposed: Cllr D. Williams Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
AGENDA ITEM 18 – To receive a report from the Gwynedd Council representative
CL/18/18.05.26
Cllr Owen reported that Gwynedd Council has elected Cllr Elin Walker Jones (Plaid Cymru and previous Vice-Chair) as Chair and Cllr Delyth Lloyd Griffiths (Plaid Cymru) as Vice Chair. There was a discussion about how the Chair and Vice-Chair were elected and it is being proposed that gwynedd Council should follow the same procedure as the Senedd, to ensure that all parties are fairly represented.
Gwynedd Council was asked how much the Article 4 legal process had cost and informed the council that it had cost £0.5 million in legal fees. These fees are now being paid for by rate-payers in Gwynedd. The Council were asked who had made the decisions about Article 4 but no names were forthcoming.
A discussion was held on economic growth in Gwynedd and the Council plan to spend £3million in helping create business and jobs to help young people stay in the area. The money given to Gwynedd from central government has mainly been spent in North Wales with very little if any spent in the southern region of the county. Wylfa, Trawsfynydd and Llanbedr are all receiving funding, but planning constraints may need to be reviewed to make it easier to develop businesses.
The proposed Tourism Tax was discussed and it is currently out for consultation. Cllr Owen urged everyone to respond to the consultation as it has divide opinion at Gwynedd Council. Gwynedd Council project that it would initially bring in £2 – £4 million, rising to £12 million in about 10 years. It is proposed to charge between 75p and £1.30 per night, depending on the type of accommodation, but there are questions about how it will be administered and how much administration of the scheme will cost versus the income generated. Cllr Owen was asked if the income generated from Aberdyfi would be ring-fenced to be spent on projects in Aberdyfi, but he said he has not had a satisfactory answer to this and again urged everyone to respond to the survey, asking these type of questions. Cllr Owen reported that other Independent Gwynedd councillors like himself had all agreed that the tourism hot-spots of Gwynedd have been much quieter so far this year and many of them are concerned that small businesses may go out of business in the next year.
Cllr Owen informed the council that he is now Chair of the Democracy Committee of Gwynedd Council.
He reported that he will be attending the Network Rail Liaison Committee this week and asked for any issues that he needs to bring up at the meeting.
Action: Councillors to respond to the consultation
Action: Clerk to advertise consultation in Rushlight and social media
AGENDA ITEM 19 – To receive and approve a report from the Clerk
CL/19/18.05.26
The Clerk reported on the following:
* Councillor Vacancy
The clerk has received the notice from the election officer and the notice for a call for an election has been published today. The closing date for a call for an election
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is 8th June. If no election is called by then, the Council will be able to co-opt a new councillor.
* Digital noticeboard grants
The clerk has applied for grants from Gwynedd Council and Parc Eryri but has had to request updated quotes from other suppliers as these have been requested by the grant funders.
* Playing field fence
Cllr Hewins has undertaken the work and it has come in under budget. He has also repaired the tail of the osprey sculpture.
* Kite festival
Preparations are progressing well. 10 metres of rubber matting has been bought and the banners have been ordered. The clerk reported that approximately £100 will be needed every year to change the dates on the banners and the council committed to paying for this. The clerk requested she be allowed to spend approximately £100 on window clings which will be used for advertising the festival. She will sell them at a price to cover the cost of manufacture. The council agreed to her doing this.
She is waiting to hear whether Tywyn cadets will be able to help with the festival.
She has started posting on Instagram about the festival and it seems to be working very well, with a lot of engagement so far.
She explained that the workshops will be on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning with no need to book, to allow children from further afield to attend the workshops and she requested help from the council in advertising the festival with posters and word-of-mouth.
The councillors were reminded that they will need to help clear the boardwalk during the week before the festival
* Dovey Inn
The clerk has written to Marstons but has had no reply. Cllr Owen suggested contacting Gwynedd Council licencing department as well
Action: Clerk to contact Gwynedd Council licencing department
* Main car park
Gwynedd Council Ardal Ni team have cleared some of the kerbs in the main car park, but were unable to completely clear the whole car park due to cars being in the way. Cllr Hewins reported that he only saw one worker there, not a team and proposed that the Council writes to Gwynedd Council to complain about the state of the main car park, as the railings and steps down to the beach are also in a state of disrepair and need attention.
Action: Clerk to write to Gwynedd Council
* Police meeting
The clerk reported that there is a pre-summer meeting with the Police on Monday 1st June at 3pm at the police station to discuss issues and plans for the summer. All councillors are invited to attend, but need to inform the clerk if they wish to do so, so she can give numbers to the police. She confirmed she will be attending.
Action: Councillors to inform the clerk if they wish to attend by Thursday 28th May.
Action: Clerk to attend meeting on 1st June
* TAITH community transport scheme
The scheme is now up and running but is in desperate need of more drivers
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Action: Councillors to spread the word that drivers are needed
* Playground swings
The new swing seats should be installed this week
* BCUHB meeting
The 4th balance room meeting will be held on 4th June and the clerk and Cllr Owen have been invited to attend.
* Audit
The audit report for 2025-26 has just been received and the clerk will report fully next month, but informed the council that it is a qualified audit. One point she has noticed in the report states that the minutes state the percentage of increase in the precept and a final figure of the precept. It seems it is required that a figure as well as a percentage is needed for full transparency. It was questioned if this is a valid reason for the audit to be qualified.
* Ongoing
The following are outstanding actions:
* Research parasols for food festival
* Pheasant problems
* Mobile kitchen hire / sell cost
* Research lights for Neuadd Dyfi car park
* Research suitable new sites for yellow salt bins
* Defibrillator location stickers to purchase and display
* Research system to cordon off area of Neuadd Dyfi car park
AGENDA ITEM 20 – To receive and consider planning applications
CL/20/18.05.26
NP5/50/LB59G 14 Glandyfi, Aberdyfi LL35 0EB
Replacement of existing dormer windows
No objections raised
NP5/50/700B 29 Mynydd Isaf, Aberdyfi LL35 0PH
Extensions and alterations
No objections raised
NP5/50/427E Crows Nest, Aberdyfi LL35 0NG
Erection of staircase linking the garden
No objections raised
NP5/50/743C Braich Gwyn, Aberdyfi LL35 0RD
Variation of condition 3 attached to planning permission NP5/50/743 dated 20/07/2023 to allow submission of a landscaping scheme following site clearance
No objections raised
AGENDA ITEM 21 – To discuss and approve allocation of additional parking permits for Penrhos Garage
CL/21/18.05.26
Cllrs Kelly and O’Neill declared an interest in this item.
The clerk reported that Penrhos Garage have purchased 2 permits for Neuadd Dyfi car park but there is still a lot of congestion at the Post Office with cars parked down the side of the building waiting for repairs and people are unable to use the post office at times because the car park in front of the building is completely full.
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Aberdyfi Community Projects have requested that Penrhos Garage be allowed to
have two free permits as well as the two already paid for. The Council agreed this was not acceptable and agreed instead to allow them to purchase two more permits at a discounted rate of £124 instead of £174 and on the condition that the cars stored in the car park are roadworthy and in good repair.
Proposed: Cllr H. Williams Seconded: Cllr Dunton
Action: Clerk to inform Aberdyfi Community Project of the decision
Action: Clerk to issue invoice and permits if Penrhos Garage agree to the proposal
AGENDA ITEM 22 – To date and format of annual village community meeting
CL/22/18.05.26
The clerk reported that she has booked the Neuadd Dyfi for 8th June, 7pm-9pm. It was suggested that the format be changed to a drop-in so that each group has a display / table and residents can talk and ask questions individually to the groups. The clerk will arrange refreshments.
Organisations to be asked to attend:
Aberdyfi Community Council
AA&I
Literary Institute
Neuadd Dyfi
TAITH
Police
Yacht Club
Rowing club
RNLI
Fire service
Louis Hiatt – Dafad Goch, Carnival, Pantomime etc
Richard Mayou (has written a book on Aberdyfi)
New Senedd members
Action: Clerk to ask organisations to attend
Action: Clerk to arrange refreshments
AGENDA ITEM 23 – To discuss green infrastructure report from Gwynedd Council following meeting with council representatives
CL/23/18.05.26
It was agreed to create a working party to look at the report in more detail and report back. Cllrs Hewins, O’Neill and H. Williams volunteered to be in the working group.
The clerk informed the council that the report recommends that the trees along the road side of the football field be surveyed as soon as possible as at leats one looks dangerous. The clerk has emailed Rhydian Roberts, Tree Officer for Parc Eryri, to ask for his recommendations for suitable companies to carry out a survey.
It was suggested that the working party could look at the woodland at Penhelig and create a list of information required in order for the council to make an informed decision about whether to accept the offer of a gift of the woodland.
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Action: Working party to look at report in more detail and report back to the council
Action: Clerk to obtain quotes for a tree survey along the side of the football field
Action: Clerk to add working party report to agenda next month
Action: Working party to create list of information required before making a decision to accept a gift of woodland
AGENDA ITEM 24– Correspondence which requires a response from the Council
CL/24/18.05.26
Cllr Grundy declared an interest in this item
* Email from residents of Rhoslan regarding problems with road and bank in front of properties
It was agreed that the Council has no powers to help or intervene in their situation but that the council are sympathetic to and supportive of their cause.
Action: Clerk to reply in this manner
AGENDA ITEM 25 – To note correspondence not requiring a decision from the Community Council which has already been circulated to Councillors
CL/25/18.05.26
* Letter from Aberdovey English Chapel to Dafad Goch Soapbox Racing
* Notice of nature recovery webinars
* One Voice Wales- training dates May – June
* One Voice Wales – notice of Criccieth Council interview on BBC Radio 4
* Email from GoSafe regarding speeding in Aberdyfi
AGENDA ITEM 26 – Items for consideration at future meetings
CL/26/18.05.26
* Offer to council of woodland above Penhelig
* Shelter in Penhelig Park requires repairs to roof
* Japanese Knotweed at Gasworks
AGENDA ITEM 27 – Items for release / Rushlight / Website / Facebook
CL/27/18.05.26
* Sgwrsio 1st June
* Kite festival
* Annual village community meeting 8th June
* Tourism Tax consultation
AGENDA ITEM 28 – Date of next meeting
CL/28/18.05.26
Monday 15th June
There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 9.10pm
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