MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF ABERDYFI COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE OFFICE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, LITERARY INSTITUTE, ABERDYFI
ON MONDAY, 19th NOVEMBER 2018
Present were Councillors :-
Cllr D Williams Chairman
Cllr Bradbury Willis
Cllr Dewi Owen
Cllr S Bradbury Willis
Cllr B Kelly
Cllr David Owens
Cllr G Jones
Cllr B Lloyd
Cllr M Reynolds
Cllr B Tyrrell
AGENDA ITEM 1- APOLOGIES
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Cllr Richards
AGENDA ITEM 2- CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Cllr Williams observed that the public meeting at the Neuadd Dyfi was not as well attended as last year but suggested that this may not be a concern as this year there were no contentious issues to discuss. Also, the input from the floor was positive and constructive regarding the matters under discussion.
The 100th anniversary of the ending of the Great War was marked by special Remembrance Day service at St Peter’s Church and a ceremony at Penhelig Park. Cllr Williams thanked all those volunteers who assisted in organising and conductiing the service.
Although the bonfire night festivities had been postponed because of bad weather, the event eventually went ahead and was great success – many thanks to Aberdyfi’s volunteer fire crew who organised the evening.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – RECEIVE AND CONFIRM MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING 15th OCTOBER
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It was agreed that the minutes were a true and accurate record of ordinary meeting of 15th October. It was noted that some Councillors did not receive their pdf minutes of the October meeting.
PROPOSED by Cllr Gareth Jones and SECONDED by Cllr Brian Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 4 – MATTERS ARISING
CL/95/19.11.18
M/39 Affordable Housing Project
Contractors have been invited to tender for the affordable housing project on the old school site. The project naming process will be publicised in Rushlight.
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M/58 Treasurer’s report
Cllr Tyrrell expressed concern regarding the understanding of VAT issues on the part of the Clerk and the matter was to be followed up for clarification.
M/55 Speeding in the Village
Cllr Bradbury-Willis noted that other communities were using speed bumps and 20mph speed limits on trunk roads and asked why Gwynedd were not happy to consider these options in Aberdyfi. Cllr Tyrrell agreed that the issue was a problem and that 30mph is too fast for the village, whatever the conditions. Cllr Williams broadly agreed that traffic calming was a problem but that Gwynedd Highways were responsible. Cllr Owen also agreed but Gwynedd appeared intransigent in their attitude. Speed bumps had been installed in Pennal but the residents found that the noise issue was unacceptable and they had to be removed. Cllr Jones suggested that the advisory signs in the village should be made mandatory. The matter is clearly one that raises serious safety issues and Cllr Bradbury-Willis suggested perhaps that he might install a camera to record traffic movements.
Cllr Williams suggested that Highways Safety attend a Community Council meeting. The Clerk will make enquiries.
M/67 Wharf Gardens
Cllr Tyrrell noted that there are about five old wooden planters that needed removing. Could the Clerk liaise with Pennal Garden Services Aled Evans to, in turn, liaise with David Richardson regarding the matter.
Cllr Lloyd said that there were no new volunteers coming forward to help with the gardens around the village and suggested that Rushlight could be utilised to publicise further. The Clerk asked for guidance as to where people should respond, as this was an AA&I matter. Cllr Lloyd indicated that people should respond direct to himself. He confirmed that Council should run it and AA&I will fund it. Cllr Owen felt that the sub committee structure should be put in place ASAP. Cllr Lloyd is happy to chair the committee and Cllrs Sara Bradbury-Willis and David Owens agreed to join the committee.
M/75 Dog Poo bins
Cllr Tyrrell suggested that the new dog poo bin could be erected where the redundant Glasdon dispenser is situated at Pont y Brics. The Clerk will liaise with Gwynedd Streetscene.
M/75 Gwelfor Road sign
The Clerk has chased up Sion Wilkes on this matter and he will update at the next Council meeting.
M/81 Aberdyfi Community Council website
Cllr Lloyd confirmed that the tender brief is ready for distribution. Concerns were expressed by Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis and Cllr Tyrrell regarding the requirement to make public all contact details for all Councillors. The Clerk will contact he appropriate Welsh Government contacts for options regarding this sensitive issue and will report back accordingly.
M/82 Picnic Island bridge
Gwynedd Engineering is checking the situation with regard to liaising with Network Rail regarding solving the problem of the Picnic Island bridge closure. Will Stockdale is driving the process. The Clerk has called Griffith Engineering Steve Richardson but he has been difficult to contact since his early discussions.
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AGENDA ITEM 5
VILLAGE BENCHES
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Many people during the last few years had enquired of the Clerk whether they could install memorial benches in the village. Cllr Lloyd informed the meeting that the village benches were the responsibility of Gwynedd Maritime, as confirmed by Arthur Francis Jones.
All benches were to be supplied by a company in South Wales, and that they would be constructed in softwood. Anyone who wished to purchase a memorial bench would also have to sign a maintenance contract which would entail the application of preservative wood stain. Bench numbers were also controlled and that at this time there were,officially, no slots available on Aberdfy and all plaques must also be sourced from an approved provider.
It was clear that spaces were available in the village and that the criteria as set out were inappropriate. The Clerk has individuals on file who were happy to spend £500 on quality teak products which would last many years without maintenance.
Cllr Williams did point out that not all benches in the village came under Gwynedd control and asked for observations from the floor.
Cllr Tyrrell noted that Gwynedd Council had ruined a good oak bench with preservative and were clearly not up to the job at this moment in time. If this Council was to take over the responsibility, than strict guidelines must be laid down.
Cllr Williams agreed with Cllr Bradbury-Willis that the first thing to do was to discuss the matter with Gwynedd to establish some principals and that the Clerk and Cllr Lloyd should meet with the appropriate officers.
PROPOSED Cllr Tyrrell SECONDED Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 6 – GWYNEDD COUNCIL REPORT
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Cllr Owen had nothing to report from Gwynedd Council this month. Cllr Jones noted that the manhole covers on Copperhill Street, after the recent completion of maintenance work, have been very badly finished, and needed attention and asked Cllr Owen to discuss the matter with Gwynedd Highways.
Cllr Lloyd observed that the Copperhill Street storm drains required attention and Cllr Owen responded that the matter was already in hand.
Cllr Lloyd also noted that the refuse collection crews were mishandling the recycling bins and as a result they were getting badly damaged, with some now requiring replacement, at unnecessary cost to local tax payers. Clerk to contact Steffan Jones.
AGENDA ITEM 7 – PLANNING
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NP5/50/L517 2, Bryniau Uchaf, Aberdyfi
Construction of two storey extension
APPLICATION
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AGENDA ITEM 8 – TREASURER’S REPORT
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The Treasurer’s report for November was accepted and minuted as a true record.
Snowdonia Energy have taken over the car park space vacated by Eco Friendly.
The final revenue for the car park of £250.00 has been banked. Dwr Cymru have credited Council to the tune of £164.67. The Clerk confirmed that the poppy wreaths had in recent years been paid out of the current A/c rather than the Commando account. Cllr Williams suggested that in the future the wreaths should be paid out of the Commando account.
Responding to a question from Cllr Tyrrell, the Clerk explained that the reserve account was an historical leftover from when interest rates were high, and that although it was something of an anachronism currently, it was prudent to have some funds in reserve, especially in the context of continuing financial cuts from Gwynedd. Future audits will require a reserve account policy to be submitted.
PROPOSED by Cllr Lloyd SECONDED by Cllr Tyrrell
AGENDA ITEM 9 – COMMITTEE REPORTS
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Neuadd Dyfi
Cllr Reynolds informed the meeting that the Neuadd Dyfi was trading well, cash was in the bank, and that new chandeliers had been donated and the interior is going to be redecorated. A cleaner had now been appointed.
Harbour Committee
Cllr Owen had been re-appointed as Chair for the forthcoming year.
Will Stockdale presented the harbour report to the meeting in Barry Davies’ absence. The replacement of the boardwalk is under discussion and being costed. There is a shared concern over the problems presented by the erosion of the sand dunes at that location. Cllr Williams noted that the boardwalk has not been maintained properly in recent years and the winter storms will in all likelihood make the matter worse. The temporary sand ladders are exactly that, and are not a long term solution.
The Fishermens’ common land storage area beyond the running track is going to have a new high fence and gate installed and the flytipped rubbish is going to be removed in the hope that the area can look a little less scruffy.
The Wharf piling plan has been submitted to Snowdonia but the funding is still an issue.
There is ongoing concern over the number of lobster pots on the wharf and some have been moved to storage, and Cllr Williams noted that many have now been taken out of the water for the winter.
The Harbourmaster’s office may move to the office vacated by Saturn Innovations. Decision pending.
AGENDA ITEM 10 – CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
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The Pensions Regulator Aberdyfi Community Council has completed the declaration of compliance with the Pensions Regulator.
Gwynedd Council Public toilets survey request for information
Cllr Tyrrell suggested that this Council consider giving the public toilets a good steam clean at the beginning of the year (perhaps £300) and also decorate (perhaps £200). Discuss at January Council meeting
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Howard Huws Welsh languagee-mail about tourism in Wales
Boundary Commission Public notices for display in Council noticeboard
for Wales
Meirionnydd Area Committee 28th November meeting agenda
AGENDA ITEM 11 – PUBLICATIONS
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The Clerk magazine
Clerk & Councils Direct
AGENDA ITEM 12 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS
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Cllr Owen has arranged for a local contractor to trim some of the hedges at Outward Bound and also at Abertafol. He is willing to trim the hedges in the village that are encroaching onto the highway. The area opposite Picnic Island is an area of particular concern, and the homeowners will need to be billed accordingly.
Cllr Owen suggested that Council perhaps look at purchasing a storage container for the community, which could be placed on a space at Esgairgyfela. Costs will be sought for further discussion. There is material at the Old School which will require a home very soon after the new year. The cost could be covered by AA&I. Cllr Owen will liaise with the Clerk.
Cllr Jones raised concerns about sheep worrying on the golf course and is a matter with which Rushlight might help publicise.
The Clerk – FLAG Day on the Quay.
May Saturday or Sunday Bank Holiday OK with the village? Yes.
AGENDA ITEM 13 ITEMS FOR RUSHLIGHT
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ITEMS FOR PRESS RELEASE
Public toilet online survey
Affordable housing
Sheep worrying
Village planting volunteers
The meeting closed at 9.30
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