MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF ABERDYFI COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE OFFICE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, LITERARY INSTITUTE, ABERDYFI ON MONDAY, 19TH NOVEMBER 2019
Councillors Present :-
Cllr D Williams – Chairman
Cllr Bob Tyrrell
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Megan Reynolds
Cllr G Jones
Cllr James Bradbury-Willis
Cllr Dai Owens
AGENDA ITEM 1 – APOLOGIES
CL/98/18.11.19
Cllrs Sara Bradbury Willis, Dewi Owen and Mike Richards
AGENDA ITEM 2 – CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
CL/99/18.11.19
The Chairman wished to thank David Richardson and his team for the smooth running of the Remembrance Sunday public service outside St Peter’s Church. Special mention to Terry Loftus and Colin Grainger for the new sound system.
The Tree in the garden at rear of Rhos Dyfi, overlooking the playing field, is being felled on Thursday 21st November, improving the outlook for residents.
Council has received confirmation that the Aberdyfi wharf piling / re-construction project has been confirmed, timetable as follows:
– Tenders for the contract posted in January 2020
– Contractors appointed March 2020
– Public meeting to be arranged, in conjunction with ACC, during the summer 2020
– Work commences September 2020
– Completion March 2021
– Budget £3m
It was noted that the project, as part of the Aberdyfi’s flood defence, represented a significant and welcome investment. Its contribution to the long term future of Aberdyfi as key tourist attraction was also recognised.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – CLERK VACANCY
CL/100/18.11.19
The Clerk will stay on until the replacement clerk situation can be resolved, in the light of his replacement pulling out at the last minute, having previously accepted the position. A request has been lodged with Fran Pridding, Tywyn Clerk, to keep an eye open for potential candidates. The position will be re-advertised in the New Year. Cllr Tyrrell suggested, in the light of the current situation, that Neil Storkey should be paid at the newly advertised rate until such time as the vacancy has been filled. The proposal was passed unanimously by Council.
AGENDA ITEM 4 – PENHELIG PARK EVENTS CONTRACT
CL/101/18.11.19
A counter-proposal has been received from Gwynedd Maritime Barry Davies, regarding the Penhelig Park events contract as proposed by this Council. The matter was discussed at length. Cllr Bob Tyrrell declared an interest.
Barry Davies had changed ACC’s original proposal in three areas as follows:
a) The number of events per annum should be increased from three to four
b) That Gwynedd would be ‘informing’ ACC rather than ‘liaising’ with ACC over events
c) The finishing time for events should be 10.00pm rather than 9.00pm
It was agreed that none of the above suggestions are acceptable and that the original proposal from this council should form the basis of any contract. The clerk is to inform Barry Davis accordingly.
Proposed: Cllr B Kelly Seconded: Cllr G Jones
The course of action was unanimously carried and the Clerk will respond accordingly to Barry Davies.
AGENDA ITEM 5 – RECEIVE AND CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING 21ST OCTOBER
CL/102/19.11.19
Receive and confirm minutes of the ordinary Council meeting 21st October
Proposed: Cllr G Jones Seconded: Cllr B Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 6 – MATTERS ARISING
CL/103/19.11.19
M/85 Website
The site is looking very good and the Welsh/English translation issue has been resolved very well. Further updates next Council meeting
M/66 Car Park Revenue
Cllr Jones requested an update on the matter of Gwynedd car park revenues from season tickets. The Clerk confirmed that the season ticket revenues were not eligible for 10% commission, mainly because of the problem of Gwynedd not being able to identify which car parks were being used where and at what time, by season ticket holders country-wide.
M/176 Aberdyfi Welcome Signs
The Clerk will deliver the signs to Leander in Buxton on Monday 25th November and will be ready for installation in January. The restoration plans for the signs will feature in Rushlight.
M/72 Storage Unit
The Clerk is in the process of obtaining one more quote from potential suppliers.
M/92 Leases
The signed leases for the Playing Field and Neuadd Dyfi car park have been forwarded to Gwynedd for official stamping and subsequent return to our council office.
Cllr Tyrrell observed that perhaps the playing field was an under-utilised asset for the village and that there was an opportunity for raising revenues for the community.
M/94 Power for People
Cllr Kelly had requested information on this initiative but had received no reply.
M/94 Toilet Rose Beds
Cllr Tyrrell asked about the rose beds by the Neuadd Dyfi public toilets and it was confirmed that permission had been granted for the village to take over their maintenance. It was hoped that the many volunteers currently in place might add the project to their portfolio with the help of extra bodies.
AGENDA ITEM 7 – GWYNEDD COUNCIL REPORT
CL/104/19.11.19
Cllr Owen is absent following his hip operation. The Clerk has checked with Cllr Owen and there are no Gwynedd Council updates.
AGENDA ITEM – 8 PLANNING
CL/105/19.11.19
NP5/50/T483F Hafod, 13a Glandyfi Terrace, Aberdyfi
Retrospective application for alteration to roof store room/workshop and alter ground floor layout from approval NP/50/T482C
AGENDA ITEM 9 – TREASURER’S REPORT
CL/106/19.11.19
The Clerk noted that the investment in the mobile kitchen had been sound, having generated rental net returns of approximately £800.00 and saved £2000 in hire costs for the two most recent Aberdyfi food Festivals. He wished it noted that thanks were in order to Terry Loftus, who designed and built the modular unit.
The Clerk will draft a reserves policy for the New Year January Council Meeting agenda in the context of the positive cash position in which ACC finds itself.
The Clerk was able to confirm that the Neuadd Dyfi car park had generated over £28k since its inception. Cllr Kelly observed that we should continue discussions regarding cashless payment.
Cllr Williams took the opportunity to note that now was the time to make a preliminary business case for the installation of re-charging points for electric vehicles.
Proposed: Cllr Reynolds Seconded: Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 10 – CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA
CL/107/19.11.19
Aberdyfi children’s playground areas. Proposal from Lisa Gardner to invest in new playground equipment on the fire station play area.
The current equipment is in well maintained condition but is perhaps rather old-fashioned and a new installation in sustainable timber would be more ‘on trend’ and broaden appeal with visitors to the village.
The proposal was discussed in the context of a draft consideration for further exploration.
The plans and costings were to be as a guideline for any future decisions. The matter will be further discussed at the December Council meeting.
Cllr James Bradbury Willis suggested that local parents should be consulted and maybe co-opted to assist if a decision to facilitate such a project was taken. Cllr Williams thought this was a sensible suggestion.
Cllr Jones left the meeting to attend to other matters.
AGENDA ITEM 11 – COMMITTEE REPORTS
CL/108/19.11.19
Harbour Consultative Committee
Cllr Tyrrell confirmed that there was now a full time Assistant Harbourmaster in place, Ollie Simmons. The boardwalk over the dunes from cemetery car park has been officially closed, but the sandladders are in place, acting as a defence against erosion by walkers. There is still a great deal of concern over long term erosion impact of ‘no boardwalk’.
The Picnic Island Bridge has been kicked into the ‘long grass’ by Gwynedd Council who, in the context of further budget cuts, have no plans to replace the bridge.
However, there is a local initiative driven by ACC and Outward Bound, to try to find a solution, aided by Network Rail. The possibility of seeking Lottery Funding will be pursued.
Cllr Tyrrell wondered whether the Roman Road could be recognised as a registered footpath and whether this matter could better be resolved by pursuing this. The consensus was that finding a solution from an engineering point of view, with costings, was the first objective, and that the matter could then move on to the next stage – funding.
Cllr Tyrrell confirmed that the fishermens’ compound is still in the process of being cleared, and that the harbour Office would not be moving to the Canolfan and that the existing structure would be developed/upgraded, possibly at the same time as the Wharf redevelopment programme, commencing next year.
Cllr Williams confirmed that most of the lobster pots would be removed from the wharf over the winter period, and that vehicle movements on the quay will be restricted in the future.
AGENDA ITEM 12 – CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
CL/109/19.11.19
Patricia – Letter of thanks for arranging the ceremony on Remembrance Sunday for 3 Troop on Penhelig Park
Cath Lloyd – Letter requesting support from Council with regard to the adding the name of William James Morris to the village War Memorial. The Clerk outlined the war story of William Morris, who was a merchant seamen in the Great War, lost his life as a prisoner of war and is buried in a war grave in Alexandria. The Clerk contacted the War Graves Commission and the War Memorial Trust who supported the principle.
There was general support to move forward with this proposal. More discussion to follow.
Gwynedd Council – Letter informing ACC that further cuts to the Council budget of £12m for 2019/20 and as much as £16m for 2020/21 will result in Gwynedd seeking to ascertain whether this council would wish to take over some or all responsibility for two playgrounds in the village.
Cllr Tyrrell suggested that more information and clarification is required before any response is actioned.
AGENDA ITEM 13 – PUBLICATIONS
CL/110/19.11.19
SLCC
The Clerk
AGENDA ITEM 14 – ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AT FUTURE MEETINGS
CL/111/19.11.19
Cllr Reynolds expressed concern over the coastal path steps up to Hillside Park, past the Old School. The Clerk will contact Liz Haynes to discuss the matter and try to find a solution.
There are also serious problems with regard to the drainage of storm water, which is likely to create health and safety issues in freezing conditions.
AGENDA ITEM 15 – ITEMS FOR RUSHLIGHT
CL/112/19.11.19
Wharf Reconstruction Project / Flood Defence
Blood Transfusion Dates
No Aberdyfi brochure