DRAFT Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Aberdyfi Community Council held at the Literary Institute on Monday 20th October 2025
Present: Cllr Dewi Owen – Chair
Councillors:
Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis
Cllr Anna Grundy
Cllr Ian Hewins
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Catrin O’Neill
Cllr Sadie Porter
Cllr Megan Reynolds
Cllr Dave Williams
Cllr Henry Williams
3 members of the public were present
AGENDA ITEM 1 – To receive and accept apologies
CL/85/20.10.25
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Dunton
AGENDA ITEM 2 – Chair announcements
CL/86/20.10.25
The Chair welcomed everyone and commented that the weather has been kind recently.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – Declaration of financial, personal or prejudicial interest
CL/87/20.10.25
Cllr Bradbury-Willis declared an interest in the planning application of Hafan Deg.
AGENDA ITEM 4 – To receive and confirm minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting on 15thSeptember 2025
CL/88/20.10.25
The minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting on 15th September 2025 were received and unanimouslyapproved.
Proposed: Cllr Bradbury-Willis Seconded: Cllr Kelly
It was asked if Dŵr Cymru intend to replace the whole pipe between Aberdyfi and Tywyn, as there was another burst water main this week. It was also asked if Dŵr Cymru intend to re-seed Morfa Gypsies after the recent work there.
Action: Clerk to contact Dŵr Cymru
AGENDA ITEM 5 – To receive and approve the treasurer’s report
CL/89/20.10.25
The Treasurer’s report was received and unanimously approved.
Proposed: Cllr Reynolds Seconded: Cllr Hewins
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AGENDA ITEM 6 – To review budget and expenditure
CL/90/20.10.25
The expenditure and budget were reviewed and it was noted that there may be an underspend this year.
AGENDA ITEM 7 – To receive a report from the Gwynedd Council representative
CL/91/20.10.25
Cllr Owen reported on the following:
Harbour Consultative Committee meeting
* The harbour staff have all been working hard this summer and things have run very smoothly this year. From next year, they will all be wearing body-cameras, as they have been subjected to abusive behaviour this year.
* New CCTV cameras will be installed in the wharf area
Action: Clerk to liaise with them about location of CCTV cameras as the Council cameras cover some of the wharf
* The investigation into the jet-ski incident last year is still ongoing
* It is envisaged that the plans for the new harbour office will be available by March next year. Cllr Owen will bring them to the council meeting when they are available.
* The timbers on the jetty will be replaced over the winter at an estimated cost of £50k – £100k. It is thought a grant will be available to cover the cost.
* £2,000 was spent recently clearing the sand from the slipway area
* Some activities over the summer were cancelled due to the weather, which was disappointing
* Mooring numbers have been increasing over the last few years: 2023/24=73 moorings, 2024/25=79, 2025/26=83
* Number of launches of jet-skis and motorboats increased by 10% this year.
* Cllr Owen asked if information about water quality could be made available to the public on a regular basis. This is available on NRW website: https://environment.data.gov.uk/wales/bathing-waters/profiles/
Cllr O’Neill asked about the yellowish foam sometimes seen and it was noted that these are naturally occurring and are not dangerous. It was noted that there have been several incidents of dead animals being washed up on the beach this year.
Gwynedd Council Economy Committee
*The Welsh Government have been allocated £550 million for development of the economy, a portion of which will come to Gwynedd. It will be spent on helping businesses to expand and creation of new businesses, in the form of grants.
Action: Clerk to find more information about the grants and put in Rushlight.
* Trawsfynydd is being reduced in size by half and will employ another 100 people on top of the current 350 employed there. It is envisaged to be competed by 2028.
Cllr Owen expressed his concern about THG (formerly Halo, Brighter Foods), as he has been informed that they are employing people from Newtown to supplement the workers in Tywyn, which could jeopardise the future of the factory.
Action: Clerk / Chair to discuss with Tywyn Town Council
Cllr Owen reported that the Trefeddian Hotel has been sold.
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AGENDA ITEM 8 – To receive and approve a report from the Clerk
CL/92/20.10.25
The Clerk reported on the following:
* Voting procedures at council meetings
A complaint about the method of voting during the co-option at the last council meeting was received from a resident. The clerk researched the legislation but could find no reference to voting needing to be done by show of hands, so contacted One Voice Wales. They could not find any legislation either, but their lawyer recommended that voting should be by show of hands, so the clerk advised the council that all voting in future will be done by show of hands.
* Consultation on the future of Dyfi Ward
The clerk reported that she had been involved in the two balanced room meetings conducted by BCUHB as part of their public consultation on the future of Dyfi Ward and explained the process so far. She explained that the attendees were drawn from many different local organisations such as the local councils, Gwynedd Council, care and nursing homes, Carer’s Outreach Service, GPs and Tywyn hospital Action Group. She explained that the attendees were the ones who had made all the decisions and that BCUHB were not allowed to contribute, other than to facilitate and record the responses. At the first balanced room meeting, a long list of options was created and then measured against criteria such as efficiency and effectiveness, resulting in a medium list of 5 options. BCUHB then consulted with different groups such as the Community Council and other local groups. At the second balanced meeting the same attendees created a list of criteria they wanted to measure against the medium list, based on the community aspect. They ranked these criteria in order of importance, then measured the 5 options against the criteria, resulting in an order of preference of the 5 options. BCUHB have taken this information, will measure them against cost etc. and will return to the councils and community groups in November to gather more feedback. All the information, feedback and ranked options will be presented to the Board who will make a decision in January.
The clerk stressed that at no time was BCUHB involved in the decision-making and reported that the options which didn’t involve reopening of the ward included provision for people who need a step-down bed to be accommodated in local care and nursing homes.
The clerk also gave some information from the recent meeting:
* Treatment room was opened in July 2023 and has seen over 4876 people to July 2025 and has been staffed by nurses redeployed when the ward was temporarily closed. The treatment room provides services such as wound care, blood tests, catheter management, IV treatments etc. This facility has freed up District Nurses to concentrate on house-bound patients and other duties.
* Minor Injuries is currently open 8am-8pm 5 days a week and has seen 7680 people in the last 2 years.
* Tuag Adref provides support and rehab at home following discharge and supports patients to remain at home, avoiding hospital admissions. It has had 175 new referrals in the last 2 years and resulted in 72 patients remaining at home and not
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needing admission to hospital, with the other 103 being referred from Bronglais, BCUHB and social services. On average it has been supporting 11 patients with an average of 328 visits carried out per month.
* Both Bronglais and Ysbyty Gwynedd have a ward for people ready for discharge but who do not have a care package in place.
* When Dyfi Ward was open, it was occupied not only with patients from Tywyn, but also with people as far away as Bangor.
* Digital Noticeboard
The clerk is waiting for Phil Pugh to give a quote for connecting the digital noticeboard.
* Kite festival
Red Dragon Kites have confirmed they are very keen to come back next year but will need to charge £1500for their services.
It was agreed to ask the AA&I if they would cover this cost.
Action: Clerk to write to the AA&I
It was agreed the council would cover the other costs as previously agreed, such as matting, banners, hire of hall and sundries
* Food festival
The clerk met with the organisers to review this year’s festival and they are keen to run it next year, as it was much easier to manage this year. The music marquee worked well, the hay bales worked well and the provision of more bins meant there was minimal litter. It was agreed that parasols would be a good addition. The festival is now so popular that the organisers feel able to make it a by invitation events and not have any local shops there. Instead, leaflets could be made with details of local shops and outlets, encouraging people to visit them – maybe a food trail. It was agreed that food sellers should not sell drinks and vice-versa. It was suggested that local restaurants etc. could do a food festival special. It was noted some stall holders had trouble using their payment machines and it was agreed the clerk would look into this.
Spend this year: £4,134, income: £3,205
It was agreed to ask the AA&I for a donation to cover the shortfall.
Action: Clerk to request the council to buy parasols
Action: Clerk to research boosting wi-fi / connectivity of food festival field
Action: Create leaflet / food trail of local businesses
Action: Clerk to write to AA&I
* TAITH Community transport scheme
There is a public meeting at the Neuadd Dyfi on November 13th, 2pm-4pm for everyone to learn about the proposed community transport scheme and seek volunteers.
* Osprey sculpture
The clerk has not heard back from the sculptor. Cllr Hewins volunteered to see how it could be reattached.
Action: Cllr Hewins to research how to reattach the tail
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* CCTV
The fourth camera has been installed at the Neuadd Dyfi, covering the lane down the side of the Post Office building. The clerk advised the Community Project Group to install their own CCTV system. The area of the Neuadd Dyfi car park by the path to Rhos Dyfi is not covered by CCTV and it was agreed to add installing CCTV in this area to the agenda for next month.
Action: Clerk to research possibilities and add to agenda
* Alcohol licences
Clerk spoke to the licencing officer at Gwynedd Council and was advised that there is no limit on the number of alcohol licences that are able to be granted and that it is entirely up to the licencing committee whether to grant a licence. There are no criteria for deciding and even if the licencing officer recommends not granting a licence, the committee can still grant a licence. A licence would normally only be rejected if there is clear evidence of eg. a health and safety issue or if the applicant has a criminal record or similar.
* Angel Shark project
Charlie Bartlett has been taking researchers out over the summer to survey the local Angel Shark population and the researchers now plan to present their findings locally in the next few months.
* Equipment stored in Neuadd Dyfi car park
There is some equipment currently being stored in the Neuadd Dyfi car park by Wales & West Utility Services, who are replacing the gas main in the square. Earlier in the year they also used the Neuadd car park and the clerk has just signed an agreement for them to pay £1,500 to cover the storage for these two periods.
AGENDA ITEM 9 – To receive and consider planning applications
CL/93/20.10.25
NP5/50/776 7 Pen-y-Ffordd, Aberdyfi LL35 0PL
Creation of parking area, vehicular access and construction of retaining walls
No objections raised
NP5/50/781 Hafan Deg, Hopeland Road, Aberdyfi LL35 0NH
Alterations and extensions
No objections raised
AGENDA ITEM 10 – To consider and approve design for interpretation boards
CL/94/20.10.25
The design was approved
Action: Clerk to arrange for boards to be produced
AGENDA ITEM 11 – To review and approve Risk Management Policy and Risk Assessment Schedule
CL/95/20.10.25
The Risk Management Policy and Risk Assessment Schedule were approved with the
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qualifications mentioned below.
Cllr Hewins queried if the playground equipment needs to be inspected every week, especially once the new equipment is installed. It was agreed for the clerk to ask RoSPA for their recommendation.
Cllr H. Williams queried if there should be a section on the environment on the Risk Assessment Schedule. The clerk reported that the council is required to do a S6 Biodiversity Report every 3 years which is reviewed on a yearly basis and she will find out if there should be a section on the environment included in the schedule. Cllr H. Williams suggested the Council regularly review the water quality report of NRW.
Cllr Hewins queried if the playground should have disclaimer signs displayed. It was agreed for the clerk to research this and report.
Action: Clerk to find out if the environment needs to be included in the Risk Assessment Schedule
Action: Clerk to contact RoSPA
AGENDA ITEM 12 – To consider appointing a councillor to be a member of the Governors of Ysgol Penybryn
CL/96/20.10.25
Cllr Henry Williams volunteered to take up the position.
Action: Clerk to contact Ysgol Penybryn
AGENDA ITEM 13 – To consider and approve size of skip and date for installation for village use
CL/97/20.10.25
The council agreed that the largest size should be ordered at a cost of £518 and it should be placed in the Neuadd Dyfi car park on 6/7 December. It was agreed when advertising that the list of items not accepted be made very clear and a sign be placed on the skip itself. It should also be made clear that no commercial waste will be accepted. It should also be collected as soon as possible after the 7th December
Proposed: Cllr D. Williams Seconded: Cllr Bradbury-Willis
Action: Clerk to arrange.
AGENDA ITEM 14 – To consider quotes for hedging for football field
CL/98/20.10.25
It was agreed to purchase 100 mixed hedging 60/90cm bare root plants at a cost of £120. Cllr O’Neill asked if tree protectors should also be purchased. Cllr Porter responded that she may have some. It was agreed to purchase protectors if Cllr
Porter does not have any
Proposed: Cllr Porter Seconded: Cllr O’Neill
Action: Clerk to arrange
AGENDA ITEM 15– Correspondence which requires a response from the Council
CL/99/20.10.25
* Request from resident for meetings to be recorded and uploaded to the internet or live-streamed.
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Resident offered the use of a router to allow meetings to be streamed until the Institute has installed their own internet. It was agreed to take up the offer and live-stream meetings going forward
Action: Clerk to arrange
* Request from Network Rail to install signs at Picnic Island
It was agreed that signs need to be installed at Picnic island, informing people that they have reached it, though as Picnic Island comes under maritime control, it needs to be arranged by the harbourmaster.
Action: Clerk to liaise with the harbourmaster arrange
* Request from Digital Public Services researcher to attend a council meeting to discuss improving digital planning services in Wales.
It was agreed to ask him to attend a council meeting
Action: Clerk to arrange
AGENDA ITEM 16 – To note correspondence not requiring a decision from the Community Council which has already been circulated to Councillors
CL/100/20.10.25
* One Voice Wales – Biodiversity Action Plan webinars
* One Voice Wales – Training courses September – December 2025
* DBCC (Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru)– Draft Annual Remuneration Report 2026-27
* Parc Eryri – Information session about the work of the Parc, Betws y Coed
* One Voice Wales – Keep Wales Tidy webinars
* Bangor University – request for information for research project on intangible cultural heritage
* Cambrian Coast Railway Liaison meeting – request for discussion topics
* Gwynedd Council – notice of Event Safety webinar
* One Voice Wales – briefing paper on Making Wales a nation of Age-Friendly Communities
* Prifysgol Aberystwyth – Coastal Community Resilience open evening
AGENDA ITEM 17– Items for consideration at future meetings
CL/101/20.10.25
* BCUHB attending next meeting regarding future of Dyfi Ward
* Cambrian Coast Railway meeting -request for topics
* Speed monitoring in the village
AGENDA ITEM 18 – Items for release / Rushlight / Website / Facebook
CL/102/20.10.25
* How to report to police
* Neuadd Dyfi upcoming events
* Christmas Fair
* Remembrance Sunday
* Fireworks
* TAITH meeting
* Beach cleans
* Picnic Island warning
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* Time & Tide Bell audio trail launch
* Clwb Sgwrsio
* Gwynedd business grants
AGENDA ITEM 20 – Date of next meeting
CL/103/20.10.25
Monday 17th November
There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 8.50pm
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