Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Aberdyfi Community Council held at the Literary Institute on Monday 20th January 2025
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 Megan Reynolds
Cllr Dave Williams
3 members of the public were present
During the public session, a presentation was received from Red Dragon Kites regarding the proposed kite festival.
AGENDA ITEM 1 – Apologies
CL/144/20.01.25
Apologies accepted from Cllr Tyrrell
AGENDA ITEM 2 – Chair announcements
CL/145/20.01.25
The Chair welcomed everyone and wished everyone a Happy New Year.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – Declaration of financial, personal or prejudicial interest
CL/146/20.01.25
No declarations were received
AGENDA ITEM 4 – To receive and confirm minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting on 16thDecember 2024
CL/147/20.01.25
The minutes of the ordinary council meeting on 16th December 2024 were received and approved.
Proposed: Cllr Kelly Seconded: Cllr Williams
AGENDA ITEM 5 – Matters arising
CL/148/20.01.25
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M/75/(16.09.24) To review training plan
The councillors agreed that the recent training session from Planning Aid Wales was very informative and useful. The Chair reminded the Council about other training sessions available to Councillors.
M/95/(21.10.24) Re-printing of walking guide
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Cllr Hackelsberger reported that the guide is ready for printing. The Clerk presented the two quotes that have been received for translating the guide and the Council agreed to ask Rhiannon Jones to do the work.
Proposed: Cllr Owen Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
M/99/(21.10.24) Digital noticeboard
The Chair reported that he had contacted Gwynedd Council but the person he spoke to was negative about the project and told him that he could not make a decision and would need to refer it to a senior official. The Chair is waiting for a response from the senior official
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M/100/(21.10.24)Maintenance of CCTV cameras
The work will be done in February, as the engineer is busy with pantomime at the moment.
M/115/(21.10.24) Maintenance of toilets Christmas and Boxing Day
The clerk reported that the street cleaner cleaned the toilets on both days and she checked them also. However, this is not sustainable going forward, so she is going to work with Tywyn Town Council to get the toilets in both Aberdyfi and Tywyn open on Christmas and Boxing Day this year, with the two councils sharing the cost of the work. She has spoken to the toilet cleaner and he is happy with this proposal
Action: Clerk to contact Tywyn council and Gwynedd Council
New junction near Machynlleth
The Clerk reported that she had a meeting with Andrew Gregson, Senior Highways Engineer for Gwynedd Council, and he will obtain traffic information for the junction for us. She encouraged all councillors to ask residents to send any evidence of accidents and near-misses to the Clerk. The Councillors reported that the large sign approaching the junction isn’t lit at night, the turn is actually much sharper than anticipated and in the dark, it is hard to see the kerb at the junction. Cllr Williams reported that if a roundabout was installed, it would need to be permanently lit at night and this might encroach onto the Dark Skies Area of Corris.
Action: Councillors to speak to residents and gather evidence
The Clerk reported that at this meeting, she also discussed the signage for the Neuadd Dyfi car park and was promised that new signs will be bought in this financial year, showing a car as well as a coach. She was also told that 20mph roundels will be painted on the road at each end of the village and Mr. Gregson will obtain traffic information for the area between the 20mph limit at the Golf Club end of the village and the traffic lights. If this information shows a significant number of cars going over the enforcement limit, they will then be able to gather more evidence and if this still shows a significant number, they will then be able to designate that area as an enforcement area and will allow small 20mph and camera signs to be installed.
Action: Clerk to liaise with Mr. Gregson in moving this forward
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AGENDA ITEM 6 – Treasurer’s report
CL/149/20.01.25
It was resolved to receive and approve the Treasurer’s report
Proposed: Cllr Williams Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
AGENDA ITEM 7 – Gwynedd Council report
CL/150/20.01.25
Cllr Owen reported that there haven’t been any meetings recently but noted that the proposal to introduce a tourism tax will be discussed in the near future.
AGENDA ITEM 8 – Planning
CL/151/20.01.25
No applications have been received
AGENDA ITEM 9 – To consider and adopt Aberdyfi Community Council Privacy & CCTV policy
CL/152/20.01.25
It was resolved to adopt the policy with the addition of a statement that the Council is registered with the ICO.
Proposed: Cllr O’Neill Seconded: Cllr Porter
Action: Clerk to make the change to the policy
AGENDA ITEM 10 – To consider and adopt Aberdyfi Community Council Social Media and Communication policy
CL/153/20.01.25
It was resolved to adopt the policy with the removal of the word ‘either’ in the fifth bullet point.
Proposed: Cllr Porter Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
AGENDA ITEM 11 – To consider and award grants
CL/154/20.01.25
The Council resolved to award grants of £100 each to Meirionnydd Young Farmers, Wales Air Ambulance, Dail Dysynni and the National Eisteddfod.
Proposed: Cllr Kelly Seconded: Cllr Williams
AGENDA ITEM 12 – To discuss allowing overnight camping on 18th and 19th July in the Neuadd Dyfi car park for GP14 national sailing event organised by the Yacht Club
CL/155/20.01.25
It was resolved to allow overnight camping on these nights.
Proposed: Cllr Bradbury-Willis Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
AGENDA ITEM 13 – To consider hosting a kite festival in Aberdyfi on 5th and 6th July
CL/156/20.01.25
Red Dragon Kites propose to hold a kite festival with professionally-flown kites in a fenced-off area of the beach on both days between 10am and 4pm, assuming
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favourable weather. They plan to visit the local schools and get the children involved in flying their own kites and a possibility of running kite-making workshops prior to the event. All the kite flyers have their own insurance and Red Dragon Kites will help with Risk Assessments and other requirements in order for the Council to host the event. It was resolved to host the kite festival this year.
Proposed: Cllr Owen Seconded: Cllr Williams
Action: Clerk to arrange to meet with Red Dragon Kites and the harbourmaster
Action: Clerk to arrange for the event to be covered by Council Insurance
Action: Clerk and Red Dragon Kites to agree what the Council’s involvement will be
AGENDA ITEM 14 – To consider organisation of the Food Festival on 17th August
CL/157/20.01.25
In response to the feedback from last year, the organisers of the event propose to only have small tents this year, with no marquee and no demonstrations, but with more food-to-go stalls. It will also remove the necessity of organising the mobile kitchen and chairs. The Council agreed to go ahead with the proposal.
Proposed: Cllr Owen Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
AGENDA ITEM 15 – To consider purchase of beacon for VE Day celebrations on 8th May
CL/158/20.01.25
It was agreed to revisit this item next month as a fire-bowl may be more appropriate and it was agreed for councillors and Clerk to research fire-bowls prior to meeting.
Action: Councillors and Clerk to research fire-bowls
Action: Clerk to include in February Agenda
AGENDA ITEM 16 – Correspondence which requires a response from the Council
CL/159/20.01.25
* Gwynedd Council – reply to our response regarding proposed changes to parking charges
It was agreed that a short-term area in the car park would not help the situation, as the road-side parking is short-term
Action: Clerk to reply to Gwynedd Council
* Gwynedd Council – problems with new road junction near Machynlleth & road in front of cottages
Action: Councillors and Clerk to gather evidence from residents.
Action: Clerk to liaise with Gwynedd Council about 20mph speed restrictions
* One Voice Wales – Survey regarding engagement with One Voice Wales Area Committees
Cllrs Owen and O’Neill reported that it is much more difficult to attend these meetings as they are now face to face in Dolgellau with no option of attending remotely.
Action: Clerk to respond to the survey with this information.
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AGENDA ITEM 17 – To note correspondence not requiring a decision from the Community Council which has already been circulated to Councillors
CL/160/20.01.25
* Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru – revised proposals of the Review of Senedd Constituencies
* One Voice Wales – Training dates for January – March
* Dwr Cymru – new water main to be installed between the bottom of Gwelfor Road and the Trefeddian Hotel along Morfa Gypsies
AGENDA ITEM 18 – Items for consideration at future meetings
CL/161/20.01.25
* VE celebrations
* Main car park maintenance
* Shelter at cemetery
* Community Action Plan
* Signage at Neuadd Dyfi car park
AGENDA ITEM 20 – Items for release / Rushlight / Website / Facebook
CL/162/20.01.25
* Panto at Neuadd Dyfi
* Clwb Sgwrsio 3rd February
* Food Festival 17th August
AGENDA ITEM 21 – Date of next meeting
CL/163/20.01.25
Monday 17th February 2025
There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 8.35pm
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