Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Aberdyfi Community Council held at the Literary Institute on Monday 18th November 2024
Present: Cllr Dewi Owen – Chair
Councillors:
Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis
Cllr Mark Dunton
Cllr Roman Hackelsberger
Cllr Ian Hewins
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Catrin O’Neill
Cllr Sadie Porter
Cllr Dave Williams
2 members of the public were present
AGENDA ITEM 1 – Apologies
CL/106/18.11.24
Apologies accepted from Cllrs Reynolds and Tyrrell
AGENDA ITEM 2 – Chair announcements
CL/107/18.11.24
The Chair welcomed everyone and commented that the recent good weather has helped boost visitor numbers and in particular, the bonfire and fireworks were extremely well attended, and he wished to thank the Fire Service for their hard work in organising this event. The rain also held off for the Remembrance Day services for which we fortunate to have the Lord Lieutenant in attendance. He was impressed by the number of people in attendance and how well it was organised and thanks also go to those involved in organising the Remembrance Services.
Action: Clerk to thank the Fire Service and organisers of the Remembrance services.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – To receive and confirm minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting on 21stOctober 2024.
CL/108/18.11.24
Proposed: Cllr Kelly Seconded: Cllr Williams
AGENDA ITEM 4 – Matters arising
CL/109/18.11.24
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M/75/(16.09.24) To review training plan
The clerk reported that Planning Aid Wales have given a final quote of £792.00 for a Face to Face training course of 2.5 hours, which includes travel and overnight costs. It was agreed to cover the extra cost and organise a date early next year.
Action: Clerk to arrange training event
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M/79/(16.09.24) Playground project
There was a good response to the survey with over 110 responses and they were overwhelmingly supportive of the project. The main points that came out of the survey was that new equipment is needed in the playground, more sheltered seating would be welcome and that there is not enough for children to do in the village. It was noted that the seating and other concerns can be addressed at a later date.
The clerk reported that she is now working with Resources 4 Change to complete the grant application. Cllr O’Neill reported that the shelter has had some substance thrown over the perspex backing and it was agreed to arrange for it to be cleaned
Action: Clerk to arrange cleaning of shelter
M/80/(16.09.24) Terrace Road shelter
Cllr Hewins reported that the work has now been completed and it is hoped this will solve the problem. It was noted that the AA&I pay for the shelter to be cleaned and they will arrange for it to be cleaned before the Spring season.
M/82/(16.09.24) Wi-fi at the Literary Institute
The clerk reported that she established that the Council internet has a setting for public use, which does not require a password but does not give access to the council router. She has enabled this function but the signal is not strong enough to reach the Reading Room. It was agreed that the Literary Institute would buy a repeater and it would be linked to the Council router and placed in the Reading Room.
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M/95/(21.10.24) Re-printing of Aberdyfi walking guide
Cllr Hackelsberger reported that the guide has now been finished and is ready to go to the publisher once an ISBN number has been purchased. The clerk has started this process. It was suggested that perhaps people could also pay to download a copy of the guide. It was agreed to research this further and to research the cost of translation.
Action: Clerk to chase purchase of ISBN number, research payable downloads and cost of translation.
M/99/(21.10.24) Digital noticeboard
The Chair reported that he had tried several times to contact Mr. Jones at Parc Eryri and left messages, but he had no reply. It was agreed that paying £3,000 more for a free-standing notice-board was unreasonable and makes the project unfeasible. It was suggested that a solution may be to place the noticeboard on the wall under the canopy next to the toilets, where the large noticeboard is currently sited. It was agreed to propose this to Gwynedd Council.
Action: Clerk / Chair to contact Gwynedd Council.
M/100/(21.10.24) Maintenance of CCTV cameras
The clerk reported that the list of tasks had been received from Cllr Kelly and it was
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agreed to get some quotes for the work.
Action: Clerk to seek quotes
AGENDA ITEM 5 – Treasurer’s report
CL/110/18.11.24
Proposed: Cllr Bradbury-Willis Seconded: Cllr Porter
AGENDA ITEM 6 – Gwynedd Council report
CL/111/18.11.24
Cllr Owen reported that Nia Jeffries has been nominated as the next leader of Gwynedd Council and there will be a vote at the full meeting of Gwynedd Council on 5th December to decide on the new leader and vice-leader.
He reported that between 16th and at least 22nd November, all trains from Shrewsbury to Birmingham will terminate at Wolverhampton and from 8th to 16th December, buses will replace trains between Machynlleth and Pwllheli.
Work has started on the gas pipe with traffic lights between Aberdyfi and Tywyn likely for some time.
He reported that at a recent extra-ordinary meeting of Gwynedd Council, it was decided not to move to a single transferable vote, the motion being defeated by just one vote.
AGENDA ITEM 7 – Planning
CL/112/18.11.24
No applications have been received
AGENDA ITEM 8 – To review and adopt the One Voice Wales Financial Regulations (2024)
CL/113/18.11.24
It was agreed to adopt the model Financial Regulations.
Proposed: Cllr Bradbury-Willis Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
AGENDA ITEM 9 – To note the new salary scales from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC)
CL/114/18.11.24
The new salary scales were noted
AGENDA ITEM 10 – To discuss maintenance of toilets on Christmas and Boxing Day
CL/115/18.11.24
The clerk reported that she had an email from Gwynedd Council, agreeing that if Aberdyfi Community Council takes responsibility for cleaning and maintenance of the toilets on Christmas and Boxing Day, they will leave the main toilets open, as a trial. It was agreed to go ahead with this and for the clerk to request a supply of toilet paper from Gwynedd Council and for the Community Council to buy cleaning supplies for the street cleaner to use.
Action: Clerk to arrange and reply to Gwynedd Council, accepting their proposal
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AGENDA ITEM 11 – To discuss proposals for lay-by on outskirts of Aberdyfi
CL/116/18.11.24
It was agreed that Option 1 is the preferred option and it was suggested that a sign warning of an upcoming parking area somewhere East of the lay-by would be useful and that the blue arrows would be better as P signs.
Action: Clerk to respond to the proposal with suggestions
AGENDA ITEM 12 – To discuss putting artificial turf in goal areas of playing field
CL/117/18.11.24
The Clerk reported that the grounds-maintenance contractor had sought advice from a turf maintenance company regarding the problem of lack of grass in the goal-mouths of the playing field. He had been told that it’s not worth re-seeding the areas and the only solution is to lay artificial turf. The Council was felt that artificial turf was not a suitable solution and it was agreed, as a trial, to try aerating the area and laying sand in the goal-mouths, in the hope of reducing the amount of mud.
Action: Clerk to inform ground-maintenance contractor
AGENDA ITEM 13 – To discuss VE celebrations 8th May 2025
CL/118/18.11.24
It was agreed to research buying a beacon and to speak to members of the church and British Legion, to establish any plans they have.
Action: Clerk to research purchase of a beacon and contact British Legion representative
AGENDA ITEM 14 – To discuss renewing printer lease
CL/119/18.11.24
The Clerk presented quotes from various suppliers and it was agreed to continue with the current supplier and take out a contract for a refurbished machine, which will reduce both lease and printing costs.
Proposed: Cllr Hackelsberger Seconded: Cllr Bradbury-Willis
Action: Clerk to arrange lease for new printer
AGENDA ITEM 15 – Correspondence which requires a response from the Council
CL/120/18.11.24
* Gwynedd Council – withdrawal of planning application for cycle path
Network Rail and Dwr Cymru objected to the planning application for the cycle path, so Gwynedd Council withdrew the application. The Clerk has been informed that they are still keen to complete the project and extend it to the village instead of finishing at the cemetery and wish to work with the Community Council to enable this. It was agreed to work with Gwynedd Council to ensure this happens.
Action: Clerk to respond to Gwynedd Council
* Gwynedd Council – consultation on car park charges.
It was felt that the proposal to charge for a minimum of 4 hours would negatively impact business, especially as the free parking is only 45 minutes. It may also lead
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to more people parking in inappropriate places, which could mean emergency
vehicles unable to get through smaller streets in the village.
Action: Clerk to respond highlighting these issues
* New junction near Machynlleth
It was noted that nothing has been done about this junction yet and it is difficult to see the kerb in the dark. It was agreed to speak to Machynlleth Town Council to find out if they have had similar complaints and to contact Gwynedd Council highways regarding the issues.
Action: Clerk to contact Machynlleth Town Council and highways.
AGENDA ITEM 16 – To note correspondence not requiring a decision from the Community Council which has already been circulated to Councillors
CL/121/18.11.24
* One Voice Wales – Joint One Voice Wales / SLCC event
* Email from Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning regarding proposed Pylons in Wales
* Independent Renumeration Panel – draft annual report meeting invite
* One Voice Wales – responses to consultation on role, governance & accountability of community and town councils
* Llais Cymru – invite to public forum regarding local health care provision
* One Voice Wales – training for November and December
* One Voice Wales – Local Places for Nature exhibition
AGENDA ITEM 19 – Items for consideration at future meetings
CL/122/18.11.24
* Shelter at cemetery
* Community Action Plan
* Decide parking charges for Neuadd car park and new signage
* VE Day – January meeting
AGENDA ITEM 20 – Items for release / Rushlight / Website / Facebook
CL/123/18.11.24
* Bike repair station
* Train disruptions
* Christmas tree
* Clwb sgwrsio 2nd Dec
* Advent windows
AGENDA ITEM 21 – Date of next meeting
CL/124/18.11.24
Monday 16th December 2024
There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 8.25pm
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