MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF ABERDYFI COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE OFFICE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, LITERARY INSTITUTE, ABERDYFI ON MONDAY,
19th MARCH 2018
Present were :- Cllr B Lloyd Chairman
Councillors :- G Jones
J Bradbury Willis
D Owen
M Reynolds
D Williams
B Tyrrell
B Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 1 – APOLOGIES
CL/161/19.03.18
Apologies received from Cllr. Richards
AGENDA ITEM 2 – GUEST SPEAKER
DYFRIG SIENCYN – Leader of Gwynedd Council
CL/162/19.03.18
Notes on Cllr Siencyn’s presentation and ensuing discussion are available from the Clerk on request.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – BOUNDARY COMMISSION REVIEW
CL/163/19.03.18
Open discussion, with Dyfrig Siencyn still in attendance.
Cllr Owen expressed his concerns regarding the Boundary Commission review and whether the proposed changes implied cloistering of Community Councils. Cllr Siencyn noted that the Boundary Commission reviews would not impact on the existing arrangements with regard to community council organisation. There was some confusion and lack of clarity which the Clerk would check with the Boundary Commission.
AGENDA ITEM 4 – CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
CL/164/19.03.18
Cllr Lloyd thanked Cllr Williams for chairing the last council meeting. Cllr Lloyd confirmed that he would be attending the induction of the village’s new vicar, Rev Dr Ruth Hansard at St Cadfans Church on Thursday 22nd.
AGENDA ITEM 5 – RECEIVE AND CONFIRM MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING 19th FEBRUARY
CL/165/19.03.18
It was agreed that the minutes were a true and accurate record of the ordinary meeting.
PROPOSED by Cllr Jones and SECONDED by Cllr Tyrrell
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AGENDA ITEM 6 – MATTERS ARISING
CL/166/19.03.18
CL/149 Cllr Miriam O’Reilly.
Cllr O’Reilly has confirmed her resignation from Council.
CL/149 Co-option process
The Clerk informs the Returning Officer, Raymond Harvey, of Resignations from Council. The Council is under no obligation to immediately seek to fill the vacancies unless the resignation(s) create quorum issues. In our case no such issues occur. The Council will be required to advertise, in due course, the vacancies open and invite the public to request a public ballot. If 10 or more requests are received, a public election will be conducted, through the auspices of the Returning Officer.
If no such requests are received, then all candidates will be requested to apply in writing to be co-opted onto Council, and each candidate will then be interviewed by Council and a private ballot will then take place. The ballot papers will be counted by the Clerk, and the successful candidates will be informed and they take up their seat at the next council meeting.
Cllr Lloyd suggested that the matter be discussed at April’s meeting with a view to an election or co-option in the month of June. The Clerk will advise progress.
CL/131 Penhelig Parc Shelter
Barry Davies has e-mailed an update. He is meeting with a specialist from Dulux and will advise.
CL/136 Internal accounts review
Two councillors are required to carry out the check. Cllrs Lloyd and Williams to carry this out, at the earliest opportunity.
CL/139 Commercial Bins
All objectors were invited to attend a meeting on March 1st in the Council Office to discuss the matter. Only Alun Stedman turned up. Also attended by the Clerk, Cllrs Lloyd and Williams. Alternative ideas were to be examined and Will Stockford has been requested to submit more detailed proposals/plans.
CL/152 Main Car park maintenance
The white lining crew have painted new lines and remover the doctor’s slot, but turned up before the kerb gutters had been cleared of sand, and they painted up to the accumulation of sand, instead of removing it! The car park still awaits clearance. A letter of complaint will be forwarded once the car park agreement matter had been concluded.
CL/155 Running Track
Cllr Richards report has been circulated to all Councillors. The Clerk has spoken with Libby regarding the proposal and requests that she be kept in the loop. The Clerk has requested a meeting with NRW on site – still awaiting a response.
Roger Lunt, Chartered Surveyor MMP, will be inspecting the site next Wednesday 28th March, and is aware of the nature of the proposal.
CL/159 Neuadd Dyfi car park
The clearance of the mud has been delayed by the bad weather. Clerk will advise accordingly.
CL/159 Underpass car park ‘tag’
Scrubadub has been advised, awaiting treatment.
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CL/159 Cemetery car park dog poo situation
A new dog poo bin has been installed at the cemetery car park and is now on the emptying rota.
AGENDA ITEM 7 – ELECTRONIC COUNTERS FOR PUBLIC TOILETS
CL/167/19.03.18
Cllr Tyrrell proposed that the Council consider the purchase of electronic counters for installation in the wharf toilets to assist in the planning of future of this vital amenity to support the village’s tourism drive.
He asked permission from Council to purchase the counters, at a cost not exceeding £1000.00, from AP Chambers of Scotland.
Proposed Cllr Reynolds Seconded Cllr Owen
There was unanimous agreement from Council to purchase the equipment as outlined by Cllr Tyrrell.
AGENDA ITEM 8 – GWYNEDD COUNCIL REPORT
CL/168/19.03.18
Cllr Owen updated Council on the sandshift in Aberdyfi, which was completed, even though this year it wasn’t strictly required, as a result of the unusual easterly winds.
Cllr Jones noted how dramatic the changes to the estuary have been in recent years.
Cllr Owen attended a Network Rail meeting and that the halt would be open on April 1st, and that the traffic lights would soon be removed.
The easterly storms had disrupted services with many trees down on the Cambrian Coast line. Network Rail were also planning extensive work on Tywyn Station.
Cllr Owen suggested that we invite Network Rail PR officer to present to Council. Cllr Owen will advise the Clerk of the contact details
AGENDA ITEM 9 – PLANNING
CL/169/19.03.18
No applications received
AGENDA ITEM 10 – TREASURERS REPORT
CL/170/19.03.18
The Clerk proposed that the existing arrangements with NatWest should be reviewed in the light of ongoing branch closures and the ensuing difficulties regarding simple matters such as changes to the mandates for signatures on cheques and standing orders. A case in point is the rental payments to Literary Institute via standing order. The required changes to documentation would require return trips to Aberystwyth – a time wasting exercise. After discussions with Avril Richards, the Clerk suggests that the office rent is paid by cheque up front, as cash flow does not represent a problem. Cllr Lloyd agreed that this was a sensible idea.
Proposed Cllr Tyrrell Seconded Cllr Kelly
The proposal was agreed unanimously.
The Clerk also confirmed that he had registered with HMRC for PAYE with regard to Clerk’s mandatory duties.
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AGENDA ITEM 11 – COMMITTEE REPORTS
CL/171/19.03.18
Cllrs Owen and Williams attended the One Voice Wales meeting in Dolgellau. Cllr Williams confirmed that it was a useful exercise to meet up with other councils and generally ‘catch up’ with matters. There were no specific issues of concern, only routine information sharing.
AGENDA ITEM 12 – CORRESPONDENCE
CL/172/19.03.18
Gwynedd Council Letter to advise of Small Business Rates Relief Wales
Welsh Blood Blood donor day 28th march, Neuadd dyfi
Snowdonia National Park Update information on Eryri Development Plan
Gwynedd Council Aberdovey Harbour Consultative Committee meeting, Tghursday 22nd March 10.30 Neuadd Dyfi
Josh Cooper e-mail supporting the proposal to re-site the rubbish bins, and Cllr Richard’s Running Track proposal
Gwynedd Council Works programme March – Maesnewydd Street lighting columns
Literary Institute Letter advising of rent increase 2018/19 and of the imminent commencement of exterior repair work
R.A.B.I Letter about supporting farming families
Air Ambulance Thank you letter for donation
Merionydd Young Farmers Thank you letter for donation
Kidney Wales Walk for Life details April 2018 – June 2018
AGENDA ITEM 13 – PUBLICATIONS
CL/173/19.03.18
None
AGENDA ITEM 12 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS
CL/174/19.03.18
Cllr Reynolds Cllr Reynolds expressed concern regarding the work being carried out on Leadenhall, a listed building on Seaview Terrace. They have installed a boiler outlet which has not been approved by planning. Noted by the Clerk for follow-up with Jane Jones
Cllr Bradbury-Willis Cllr Bradbury-Willis noted that there was an issue with fallen ivy on the old school footpath. There was another tree problem on Balkan Hill which has been followed up by Cllr Jones – the property owner is aware. Cllr Bradbury-Willis also noted that some of the public waste bins have been used for non-household waste and the matter needs watching.
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Cllr Tyrrell Cllr Tyrrell suggested that the Time & Tide Bell maintenance situation should be checked, and also the insurance. The Clerk confirmed that there was a meeting about the Time and Tide Bell in the Clerk’s office on the Wednesday 21st March, attended by Peter Gingold. The Clerk is unable to attend but Cllrs Lloyd and Williams will attend in his absence.
Cllr Tyrrell also noted the discrepancies between Welsh Government draft guidelines for local authorities regarding the provision for public toilets, and the actualities of how Gwynedd Council operates the service, seemingly contrary to official proposed guidelines.
Cllr Kelly Cllr Kelly, our DPO, confirmed that the data protection act comes into force shortly and that we must ensure that CCTV notices are on public display.
Cllr Kelly suggested that we register the web site domain name in time for the internal audit.
AGENDA ITEM 13 – ITEMS FOR RUSHLIGHT
CL/175/19.03.18
- Dyfi Bridge update public meeting on Thursday 22nd, 14.00 to 19.00
- Re-cycling news
- Time & Tide bell
- Trefeddion Hotel award
- Free fruit trees
- Planning Surgery
- The meeting closed at 21.25
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