MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF ABERDYFI COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE OFFICE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, LITERARY INSTITUTE, ABERDYFI
ON MONDAY, 18th MARCH 2019
Present were :-
Cllr D Williams Chairman
Cllr S Bradbury Willis
Cllr J Bradbury-Willis
Cllr B Kelly
Cllr David Owens
Cllr B Tyrrell
Cllr Mike Richards
AGENDA ITEM 1- APOLOGIES
CL/150/18.03.19
Cllrs Dewi Owen, Megan Reynolds, Gareth Jones & Bryn Lloyd
AGENDA ITEM 2- CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
CL/151/18.03.19
The Chairman noted that the village had been very busy for half term in the context of good weather, with our beaches busier than ever before, for March.
Retired Councillor Brian Bates had this morning been admitted to Bronglais Hospital with a chest infection. Council wished him well.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – RECEIVE AND CONFIRM MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING 18th FEBRUARY
CL/152/18.03.19
It was agreed that the minutes were a true and accurate record of ordinary meeting of 18th February.
Subject to amendment to Minute 141. This amendment has been agreed and updated as per this written copy of the minutes.
PROPOSED by Cllr Brian Kelly and SECONDED by Cllr Bob Tyrrell
AGENDA ITEM 4 – MATTERS ARISING
CL/153/18.03.19
M/138 Michael Barnes replacement
The clerk is in discussion with Paul Reeves, from the village, who has expressed interest in fulfilling some, if not all, Michael Barnes duties in the village. Michael Barnes has agreed to pop in the Council office to detail his work duties as an aide memoir for the Clerk to discuss with Paul Reeves. Cllr Tyrrell suggested that Aled Evans be approached with regard to grass cutting. The Clerk will follow up. The matter of disposing of garden waste must also be addressed.
M/117 Leases
The Clerk awaits a response from Arwel Williams in Gwynedd legal department to ascertain whether the remaining outstanding issues can be addressed directly by his department without recourse to Estates Department.
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M/127 Toilets steam cleaning and painting
The Clerk has submitted the insurances and work plans to Alun Wyn Jones for written approval, after which the contractors can be briefed and work dates arranged.
M/135 Memorial benches
Cllr Tyrrell has requested an e-mail of from Alun Wyn Jones confirming his agreement with regard to ACC taking over the memorial bench responsibility along Seaview Terrace. It is felt that this is a prerequisite before considerable time is spent on the draft legal agreement which will clarify how such an arrangement will work with interested parties.
There was a discussion on the best way to operate the scheme. It was agreed that that any discount negotiated with the provider should be passed on in full to the purchaser, and that a nominal one off fee of £50.00 for annual cleaning should be charged, for a period of ten years from date of installation.
M/141 ACC website
The Clerk and Cllr Kelly have met with Nigel Upton and the project is now underway.
M/144 NatWest
The clerk, after discussing the matter of electronic banking directly with NatWest Business Banking, has been informed, in direct contradiction of previous conversations, that a service as indicated, for this Council, is not available.
The Clerk has spoken with One Voice Wales Paul Egan regarding the matter and a lengthy e-mail has resulted. There are protocols in place for Clerks to adopt which are not straightforward.
The Clerk indicated that the protocols suggested were clumsy and that for the time being the he suggested that the existing processes should stay in place until such time that the matter can be resolved easily. Cllr Kelly outlined his experiences, through Barclays Bank, with several community accounts, whereby the treasurer can commence the payment process but required a counter signing process. The Clerk agreed that electronic banking was an inevitability but felt that by waiting a little longer a simple process might become available. The Clerk will pursue the matter further after the Annual Return has been completed, in the Autumn.
M/145 Wharf Gardens Committee
Work on the village planting has moved on rapidly and the project is well underway. Cllr Lloyd reports that the community has responded very positively to the initiative with everyone most supportive. It appears that the project will not only save the community some money but that we will achieve a higher standard of work from the volunteers.
Penhelig Park is now planted, thanks to Clare and Emma. He requests that the Clerk write to Al Crisp at Outward Bound thanking him for loan of van to collect the plants from Derwen, who have agreed to come to Aberdyfi to give advice on the planting.
Also, Mark from the Dovey Inn is approaching his bosses at Brains with a view to sponsoring to some degree the planting on the wharf gardens and also Penhelig Park.
Cllr Tyrrell advised the meeting that there was a volunteers’ day on Saturday March 23rd 0900 to 1300. To be publicised on Facebook and Rushlight.
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AGENDA ITEM 5
SCHOOL HONOURS BOARD
CL/154/18.03.19
The school honours board has been rescued from the demolition crew at the old school building and will be renovated by Sam Parry from Pennal. The initiative has been driven by Doris O’Keefe. AA&I has agreed to cover the cost of renovation and it will be stored appropriately until such time a display location can be identified. Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis also wanted to know the whereabouts of the school frieze and the ‘shell picture’. The Clerk will follow this up and check with Des George at the Neuadd Dyfi.
AGENDA ITEM 6
CONTACTLESS PAY & DISPLAY TICKET MACHINES
CL/155/18.03.19
Gwynedd have installed a card reader ticket machine, as a one of six in the county, in the main car park. The clerk has followed this up with Metric and we can have such a machine on the Neuadd Dyfi car park. Assuming there is internet connection, via roaming, where the machine is located. Assuming there are no technical barriers, we could have an installation within six weeks of placing an order. Installation would cost in the region of £1800.00. The Suggested payment service provider is Capita.
The Clerk awaits further information from Capita. The contact Dave Damson is on annual leave at this moment.
Cllr Tyrrell suggested that a sign could be erected in the main car park to direct people to the cashless option machine.
There followed a discussion regarding the revenues from the main car park. Cllr Williams noted Cllr Tyrrell’s observations and requested the Clerk to add the matter to the April meeting agenda.
AGENDA ITEM 7 – GWYNEDD COUNCIL REPORT
CL/156/18.03.19
Cllr Owen was unable to attend this Council meeting because of ill health. Therefore no Gwynedd Council report. However, it was confirmed by the Chairman that Cllr Owen had attended the Gwynedd Council meeting which ratified the Council tax increase for the 2019 year was 5.8%. Not welcome but not as high as many councils in Wales.
It was noted that the hedge cutting organised by Cllr Owen between Phillip Avenue and Abertafol had made a huge difference to the visibility along that stretch of road and Council wished to note its thanks to Cllr Owen for getting the job done.
AGENDA ITEM 8 – PLANNING
CL157/18.03.19
NP5/50/718A Hafan, Aberdyfi
Construction of single storey extensions, floodlights, patio area
Some concern regarding the scale of the project – does this conform to regulations. Clerk to seek clarification from Planning Authority.
APPLICATION
NP5/50/L417 17a Copperhill Street, Aberdyfi
Erection of dormer at second floor
APPLICATION
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NP5/50/647A Land adjacent to A493, Aberdyfi
Formation of new cycle path and construction of bridge
APPLICATION
NP5/50/717A 53 Maesnewydd, Aberdyfi
Construction of dormer to rear of property
Request plans for this application, not sent with original e-mail.
APPLICATION
AGENDA ITEM 9 – TREASURER’S REPORT
CL158/18.03.19
PROPOSED by Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis SECONDED by Cllr Mike Richards
Cllr Richards noted the high cost of telephone contract and usage and suggested that the tariff may need checking to see whether cost savings might be possible.
AGENDA ITEM 10 – COMMITTEE REPORTS
CL/159/18.03.19
Harbour Committee Cllr Williams reported that the anticipated income for the 2019 year was set to equate with the 2018 year and that the dues had been increased in line with inflation. It was also confirmed that a permanent assistant harbourmaster for Aberdyfi was to be appointed.
There is ongoing discussion regarding the tidying of the wharf and also the storage area on the Tywyn Road. The planned high fencing is due to be completed by mid April, after which the area will be organised appropriately by the Harbourmaster Will Stockford. Cllr Williams noted that the matter has been of concern for some time but it was hoped that at last the area might soon be less of an eyesore for the village.
Although the sand shift had been cancelled for this year Gwynedd were to maintain a watching brief as the season develops.
There was a brief update on the Wharf redevelopment and that the ongoing stumbling block of funding still prevailed.
Concerns over the erosion of the sand dunes had not abated. The Clerk was to meet with Gareth Pritchard and would ask whether he could shed light regarding the existence of correspondence which may confirm the details of the original agreement regarding the long term maintenance of the boardwalk, and whether Gwynedd Council bore any responsibility.
There was discussion regarding the empty office on the Wharf and why there was no resolve regarding the matter.
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AGENDA ITEM 11 – CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
CL/160/18.03.19
Gwynedd Council Works programme for March. Change safety barrier beyond Trefeddian Terrace
Gwynedd Council Aberdovey Harbour Consultative Committee meeting 15th March
Robert Nickless E-mail of concern regarding the state of the main car park
Wales Air Ambulance Request for financial support
Liam Brown E-mail. Local business looking for storage in the village
Snowdonia National Park E-mail in response to Cllr Richards letter which outlined the proposal for a motorhome facility in Aberdyfi.
Cllr Richards disputed some of the assertions in the Local Development Plan. For example the points that they make regarding the intention to make constructive use of redundant land, and also their full support of rural businesses that are sustainable – surely both of which would be satisfied by the motorhome proposal. Cllr Richards will, initially, respond to Aled Llloyd’s correspondence, acknowledging receipt. He felt strongly that the proposal represented an opportunity to respond to market demand and was very short-sighted. It was also noted that the definition of a caravan had been adopted to include motorhomes, for questionable reasons. It was agreed that the idea should not be disregarded and the initiative to remain energised.
Cllr Kelly suggested that perhaps some illustrative presentations might be of value. Cllr Williams agreed that the matter should not be ignored.
CCG E-mail correspondence regarding names for the affordable housing.
AGENDA ITEM 12 – PUBLICATIONS
CL/161/18.03.18
Clerk and Councils direct
The Clerk Magazine
AGENDA ITEM 13 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS
CL/162/18.03.18
Cllr Richards The playground gate is on the ground, could the Clark check it out. The post appears broken.
Could the Clerk ensure that the sand on the slipway will be cleared.
Burma Road has been cleared by Network Rail but a mess has been left behind. Cllr Richards expressed concern that the parking of vehicles is likely to get worse. The area was also rutted.
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Cllr Richards is still concerned about the way the tree opposite Cartref has been trimmed and crowned. He awaits response correspondence from Gwynedd Highways Adrian Williams.
Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis Vascular services correspondence. Cllr Kelly was able to respond to this matter which was a discussion document about distances and time taken to access vascular services in Wales. There is a threat to close Ysbyty Gwynedd. Cllr Williams suggested a letter/e-mail supporting the principle and pointing out that closing one vascular unit would create significant extra pressures on the remaining four hospitals.
Cllr Dai Owens Cllr Owens asked whether there was deadline for people applying to CCG for dwelling on the new development on the site of the old school. The Clerk confirmed that he believed that that was no problem at this time as there were waiting list vacancies.
Cllr Tyrrell Cllr Tyrrell wanted to thank Emma and Clare for their exemplary work on the wharf cklearing
AGENDA ITEM 14 – ITEMS FOR RUSHLIGHT
CL/163/18.03.18
ITEMS FOR PRESS RELEASE
Bowling Club promotion
Update on village planting. Thanks you to Al Crisp and Outward Bound.
Next community effort is on 23rd March – More preparation on wharf, bring your own spades, 09.00 to 13.00
Meeting closed at 21.10
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