Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Aberdyfi Community Council held at the Literary Institute on Monday 17th June 2024
Present: Cllr Dewi Owen – Chair
Councillors:
Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis
Cllr Mark Dunton
Cllr Roman Hackelsberger
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Sadie Porter
Cllr Megan Reynolds
Cllr Bob Tyrrell
Cllr Dave Williams
3 members of the public were present
AGENDA ITEM 1 – Apologies
CL/29/17.06.24
Apologies accepted from Cllrs Hewins and O’Neill
AGENDA ITEM 2 – Chair announcements
CL/30/17.06.24
The Chair welcomed everyone and noted that the sun is shining and he hopes it continues, which will hopefully increase visitor numbers, as business has been slow so far due to the bad weather.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – To receive and confirm minutes of the Annual Council meeting on 20th May2024.
CL/31/17.06.24
Proposed: Cllr Kelly Seconded: Cllr Hackelsberger
AGENDA ITEM 4 – Matters arising
CL/32/17.06.24
Page 3
M/158/(18.03.24) Playground RoSPA report
Cllrs Hewins, Owen and the Clerk have agreed on colours and Cllrs Dunton & Hewins will paint the playground equipment when the paint is delivered. The Clerk will order paint and has obtained signs and barrier tape.
The Clerk reported that the wet pour has been mended.
The Clerk reported that Cllr O’Neill and herself recently had a meeting with Resources4Change, as they are able to help with writing grant applications. Cllr O’Neill proposed that we employ them to help with a National Lottery grant application, with a view to the Clerk writing a draft application before giving it to R4C to review. R4C will charge £425 per day and envisage one to two weeks of work if writing the application from scratch so this will hopefully be less if the clerk does an initial draft first.
Proposed: Cllr O’Neill Seconded: Cllr Porter
7
Page 4
M/172/(16.04.24) Remedial work to compass feature in wharf gardens
The clerk reported that this work has now been completed.
AGENDA ITEM 5 – Treasurer’s report
CL/33/17.06.24
Proposed: Cllr Reynolds Seconded: Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 6 – Gwynedd Council report
CL/34/17.06.24
Cllr Owen reported that there had been a meeting with the Chief Executive recently and Gwynedd Council have estimated they will have a £36 million shortfall over the next 3 years. The Chief Executive noted that there will be a need for many cuts, probably including streamlining staff at Headquarters, amalgamating departments and passing work and costs down to Town and Community Councils.
Head of Highways for Gwynedd Council met with Welsh Government officials last week at Dyfi Bridge to discuss the issues raised regarding safety. The Government officials couldn’t understand why it was a junction and not a roundabout and they noted that the signs are too close to the junction. They were shocked at how wide the pavement was outside the cottages and an accident actually happened while they were there. Cllr Owen is confident changes will be made both at the junction and by the cottages.
He reported that Transport for Wales have reconsidered the proposed cancellation of train services on the Cambrian Coast line. He noted that the guards have reported several trains recently have been extremely full, with passengers standing and blocking the aisles. This has meant that the guards have been unable to take payment as they couldn’t reach people in the carriages before they left the train. This has resulted in user numbers becoming skewed and looking as if the trains aren’t being used when in fact the opposite is true. Cllr Owen has asked Transport for Wales to look into this issue.
He reported that Gwynedd Council cabinet met last week and he understands that funding for a new Harbourmaster’s office has been agreed. It will house an office, toilet and kitchen and as soon as plans have been drawn up, he will bring them to the Community Council. It was asked for Cllr Owen to request that a dedicated area for business bins be incorporated into the plans for the harbourmaster’s office.
Action: Cllr Owen to request dedicated area for business bins
Cllrs Owen, O’Neill and the Clerk attended a meeting last week of the Ardal Ni 2035 project. The meeting was attended by representatives from Aberdyfi, Bryncrug and Tywyn Councils, Tywyn Tourism Group and the Community Hub. Gwynedd Council noted that funding for individual projects is going to become more scarce and larger scale projects will be more successful, so suggested the group look at joint projects going forward. It was agreed to meet every 6 months to review current projects and look at possible joint projects.
8
AGENDA ITEM 7 – Planning
CL/35/17.06.24
NP5/50/159B 3 Melin Ardudwy, Aberdyfi LL35 0RY
Amended plans for demolition of garage and the erection of a two storey side extension
No objections raised
NP5/50/562U Chalet N, Plas Panteidal, Aberdyfi. LL35 0RF
Variation of condition No. 6 attached to planning permission NP5/42/160A dated 21/04/1976 to extend the occupation period from 8 up to 11 months in any calendar year.
It was agreed to write in support of this application
Action: Clerk to write to Parc Eryri
AGENDA ITEM 8 – To discuss and approve Councillor’s renumeration for 2023-24
CL/36/17.06.24
It was agreed that Councillors will be able to claim reimbursement from the clerk for any consumables used during the course of their work, up to £52.
Proposed: Cllr Tyrrell Seconded: Cllr Williams
Councillors completed forms regarding the £156 home working allowance.
AGENDA ITEM 9 – To discuss taking out a maintenance contract for P&D machine for Neuadd Dyfi car park and the possibility of purchasing a new machine
CL/37/17.06.24
This item was not able to be discussed as a quote had not been received.
Action: Clerk to add to July agenda
AGENDA ITEM 10 – To review 20mph limits in Aberdyfi
CL/38/17.06.24
It was agreed to put this in Rushlight, on Facebook and a sheet in the Reading Room to ask for people’s opinions, before submitting comments from the Community Council
Action: Clerk to arrange
AGENDA ITEM 11 – To discuss recycling facilities and waste bins in Aberdyfi
CL/39/17.06.24
It was agreed to write to Gwynedd Council to request that they closely monitor and enforce the recycling and waste rules for holiday lets, as there are a lot of visitors staying in the village saying they have been told to put their waste in the bins on the car park. It was agreed to request that the promised improvements to the recycling bins in the car park be done urgently, with new labels and more bins put in place. It was agreed to buy two CCTV signs and place them by the bins at the Fire Station end of the car park.
Action: Clerk to contact Gwynedd Council and buy two CCTV signs.
9
AGENDA ITEM 12 – To discuss remedial work to Terrace Road shelter
CL/40/17.06.24
Cllr Tyrrell reported that he and Cllr Hewins had visited the shelter and identified several things that needed repair. He proposed that the Council approve spending up to £500 for the repairs, which will be overseen by Cllr Hewins and himself. Quotes will be requested prior to making a decision and if more than £500 is required, it will be brought back to the full council for a decision.
Proposed: Cllr Tyrrell Seconded: Cllr Hackelsberger
Action: Cllrs Tyrrell & Hewins to obtain quotes and arrange repairs
AGENDA ITEM 13 – To receive a verbal report and discuss the possibility of pylons being built throughout Wales
CL/41/17.06.24
Kathy Gale gave a short report on the research she has done on the plans by National Grid ESO and the Welsh Government to build a double line of pylons from Bangor to Swansea, passing close to Dolgellau and Machynlleth. She reported that until November 2023 it was proposed to go under the sea, but the Welsh Government decided to bring the project forward so changed the plan to pylons. Kathy reported that there are also plans for pylons to be built in the Towy Valley and there is an action group already fighting this, so she would like to make this a Wales-wide action group and asked for the support of the Community Council in doing this. It was agreed to support Kathy in her efforts and to keep the topic as a rolling agenda item. It was agreed for Cllr Owen to talk to Parc Eryri about the issue.
Action: Council to support and Clerk to put in Rushlight and on Facebook
Action: Cllr Owen to contact Parc Eryri
AGENDA ITEM 14 – Correspondence which requires a response from the Council
CL/42/17.06.24
* Email regarding a Bike Repair Station
The clerk reported that Gwynedd Council have some bike repair stations to give away for free so she has expressed an interest in having one in Aberdyfi. She has spoken to the Neuadd Dyfi about siting it there.
It was agreed that this is a good idea and it is hoped we are successful.
Action: Clerk to arrange
* Email from Aberdyfi Ice Cream Shop
The clerk confirmed that the comments made by the Council regarding the original Canolfan Dyfi lease was accurate, as she was the first tenant of one of the business units and there was a clause in the lease preventing her from having a cafe. It was agreed to retract the comments made on the planning application.
The clerk reported that the Council are currently unable to stream meetings as there is no wi-fi in the meeting room to facilitate this.
Action: Clerk to contact Parc Eryri
10
AGENDA ITEM 15 – To note correspondence not requiring a decision from the Community Council which has already been circulated to Councillors
CL/43/17.06.24
* Email regarding BBC article on X-Troop
* Email regarding portacabin on the wharf
AGENDA ITEM 16 – Items for consideration at future meetings
CL/44/17.06.24
* Creation and adoption of new operating policies
* Purchase of new P&D machine
* Training plan review
* Digital noticeboard
* Food Festival organisation & help
AGENDA ITEM 19 – Items for release / Rushlight / Website / Facebook
CL/45/17.06.24
* Pylons
AGENDA ITEM 20 – Date of next meeting
CL/46/17.06.24
Monday15th July 2024
There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 9.05pm
11