MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF ABERDYFI COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE OFFICE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, LITERARY INSTITUTE, ABERDYFI ON MONDAY, 21ST OCTOBER 2019
Councillors Present :-
Cllr D Williams – Chairman
Cllr Dewi Owen
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Megan Reynolds
Cllr G Jones
Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis
Cllr Dai Owens
AGENDA ITEM 1 – APOLOGIES
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Cllrs James Bradbury Willis, Bob Tyrrell, Bryn Lloyd and Mike Richards
AGENDA ITEM 2 – PRESENTATION – NIGEL UPTON, DIGITAL EGG
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Guest presentation from Nigel Upton – Digital Egg
AGENDA ITEM 3 – CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
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The Chairman announced the official resignation of Cllr Bryn Lloyd, with immediate effect.
After serving three terms on Aberdyfi Community Council, and twice as Chair, Bryn is, and will continue to be, a long term friend and enthusiastic supporter of the Village. Bryn, understandably at this time, wishes to devote more time to his family.
The Chair wished Bryn, Jan, and family all the very best on behalf of Council and wished it noted the importance of Bryn’s dedication to the community over the years, and not just as a Councillor.
Cllr Williams also confirmed that there was to be no village brochure, as it stands, for 2020, and that its future was to be a matter of continuing discussion. It is hoped that the new website will ‘fill the gap’ in the meantime. The Chair also confirmed the sad news that Margaret Cave has passed away. The Council registered its condolences.
AGENDA ITEM 4 – RECEIVE AND CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING 23RD SEPTEMBER
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Receive and confirm minutes of the ordinary Council meeting 23rd September, subject to amendments from Cllr Jones.
Proposed: Cllr B Kelly Seconded: Cllr M Reynolds
AGENDA ITEM 5 – MATTERS ARISING
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M/66 Xmas Dinner
The Penhelig Arms has been booked for the 19th December. Menu details and choices to follow.
M/66 Car Park Revenue
The clerk has e-mailed Amanda Murray to request clarification regarding the matter of revenues from season ticket holders.
Cllr Owen requested that the current toilet closure issue be addressed and pressure to be applied, through the Clerk, to try and ensure the closure period is minimised.
M/176 Aberdyfi Welcome Signs
The Clerk will deliver the signs to Leander in Buxton within the next 14 days. The restoration plans for the signs will feature in Rushlight.
M/29 Poo Bins
Clerk is in the process of ordering a new poo bin for installation by Paul Reeves and for emptying by Gwynedd Council, as per the Pont y Brics and cemetery bins.
M/56 Picnic Island Bridge
A meeting was held on 26th September with Outward Bound to discuss, on site, the cyclepath project and, more importantly, with Outward Bound, the closure of Picnic Island Bridge, attended by the Clerk.
With reference to the cyclepath project the Clerk requested the meeting to try and find a solution to the suggested access problem, adjacent to the railway pedestrian crossing by the Trefeddian Hotel. James O’ Gorman from Network Rail was very supportive and will try and find an equitable solution to the problem. We await his report.
We then met with Al Crisp and Will Stockford at Outward Bound to discuss the closure of Picnic Island Bridge. Also present was a specialist bridge engineer from Network Rail. We then walked the road to the bridge to illustrate the serious road safety issues, particularly for exuberant youngsters, along a busy road with a 40mph speed limit.
The dangers were acknowledged by James O’ Gorman and his colleague. They were able to confirm that the idea of a prefabricated bridge was the way forward, from both an engineering and a cost point of view.
Both meetings were positive and the James o’ Gorman will report back to Al Crisp and this Council in due course.
Gwynedd Council will be kept in the loop, via Will Stockford.
M/56 Bins
Cllr Jones reminded the meeting that the litter bin by the bus stop opposite the ‘ADRA’ housing was still missing. Cai Rees Jones from Gwynedd Municipal has been contacted.
In response to a question form Cllr Owen, the Clerk had requested ADRA to cut back the hedgerow frontage of the development as it was encroaching the pavement. The matter had been addressed with two days.
M/61 Snowdonia Meeting, Thursday 3rd October
Amongst other matters, Snowdonia were made aware of our concern in the long term over the Park’s policy regarding caravans and motorhomes, in the context of tourism representing one of the main economic drivers for this part of Wales. There was an indication that there may be a possibility of a review within the next four years.
Attended by the Clerk, the Chair, Cllr Kelly and Cllr Reynolds.
M/69 Clerk Vacancy
The initial response to the vacancy has been very poor, with zero enquiries from the Cambrian News. However, there have been two expressions of interest locally and they are being pursued.
M/70 Goalposts
Following Cllr Lloyd’s resignation, it is hoped that another councillor might see fit to fill the role in driving this matter, working with the Clerk. Cllr Jones volunteered.
M/71 Penhelig Park Events
The Clerk has forwarded to Barry Davies the draft proposal, as agreed with Council – we now await a response. The Clerk will be pro-active in seeking a response. Cllr Owen indicated he would chase up Barry Davies.
M/72 Storage Unit
The Clerk is in the process of obtaining two more quotes from potential suppliers.
M/73 Playing Field Tree Felling
The clerk has obtained further costing information for this project. Ian has sent the following message ‘With regards to just carving the one tree obviously I can reduce any cost and working out it would in area of £2000-£2350’.
The original cost was £3650.00. More information to follow regarding the revised felling costs
M/75 Station Road Corner Tidying Up
The Clerk has instructed Tom Jones to sort this matter.
M/75 Nantiesyn Car Park
The Clerk has requested that Gwynedd sort this matter ASAP. The Clerk indicated that Pennal Garden Services had been reported for illegal dumping of garden waste which may impact in the short term on the village ground maintenance.
Cllr Jones noted that the spread of wild clematis was seemingly out of control.
M/78 Online Banking Protocols
The Clerk has ordered the replacement debit card which should be with the Clerk in the next couple of days.
AGENDA ITEM 6 – GWYNEDD COUNCIL REPORT
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Cllr Owen reported that a planning permission for 401 dwellings, in the region of Balkan Hill in Aberdyfi, dating from 1967, cannot be implemented, as indicated in the latest Cambrian News. This decision is in the context of a High Court ruling.
Gwynedd have noted that tourism revenues for the current year are 10% up on last year, and is seen as indicative of future potential growth. There followed a discussion on the potential impact of Air B&B on loss of tax income.
AGENDA ITEM 7 – PLANNING
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NP5/50/679C Tir wrth Brg y Don, Aberdyfi
Construction of one dwelling and associated parking areas.
Cllr Sara Bradbury Willis declared an interest.
Council had no objections and Snowdonia would be advised as discussed
AGENDA ITEM 8 – TREASURER’S REPORT
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Proposed: Cllr Jones Seconded: Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 9 – ANNUAL RETURN APPROVAL
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The Clerk had received official notice of completion of audit to the satisfaction of Wales Audit Office. Record of receipt noted and minuted.
Proposed: Cllr Owens Seconded: Cllr Owen
AGENDA ITEM 10 – LEASES FOR NEUADD DYFI CAR PARK & PLAYING FIELD
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Clerk was able to confirm that the leases for the Playing Field and the Neuadd Dyfi car park had been returned, amended as requested. The two lease copies will be signed by the Clerk and the Chair, in the presence of a witness, and forwarded to Gwynedd Council Legal Department. One co-signed copy will be returned to this Council for retention.
AGENDA ITEM 11 – COMMITTEE REPORTS
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There were no Committee reports for discussion.
AGENDA ITEM 12 – CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
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Power for People – Request for support for campaign for more local, clean energy generation that would benefit local communities
Access – Request confirmation as forwarded by Cllr Kelly – Reference Angela Knox. For appropriate filing.
Gwynedd Council – Confirmation of Aberdyfi Harbour Consultative Committee meeting, 10.30am Tuesday 12th November 2019, Neuadd Dyfi
Community Health Association – Request to respond to questionnaire. Cllr Reynolds is to respond on behalf of Council.
Elaine Foote – Car park wild flower seeds
AGENDA ITEM 13 – PUBLICATIONS
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None
AGENDA ITEM 14 – ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AT FUTURE MEETINGS
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The maintenance of the rose bushes adjacent to the Neuadd Dyfi toilets Gwynedd’s Alun Wyn Jones has given this council permission to carry on to organise a volunteers.
Rights of way around the village There followed a discussion about the state of the footpaths and rights of way around the village, and whose responsibility it was, ultimately, to maintain them, particularly with regard to public liability issues.
AGENDA ITEM 15 – ITEMS FOR RUSHLIGHT
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Welcome Signs
Remembrance Sunday
Blood Transfusion Dates
Cllr Lloyd’s Resignation
No Aberdyfi Brochure
Leases
Bike Ride Figures