MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF ABERDYFI COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE OFFICE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, LITERARY INSTITUTE, ABERDYFI ON MONDAY, 16TH DECEMBER 2019
Councillors Present :-
Cllr D Williams – Chairman
Cllr Bob Tyrrell
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Megan Reynolds
Cllr G Jones
Cllr James Bradbury-Willis
Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis
Cllr Dai Owens
AGENDA ITEM 1 – APOLOGIES
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Cllrs Dewi Owen and Mike Richards
AGENDA ITEM 2 – CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
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The Chairman noted that the village had been generally quiet but that the Christmas festivities were well under way. The lights were up and running, the Christmas tree on the wharf was lit up, and despite the best efforts of strong winds was still standing, and the carol services had been well attended.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – RECEIVE AND CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING 18TH NOVEMBER
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Receive and confirm minutes of the ordinary Council meeting 18st November.
Proposed: Cllr M Reynolds Seconded: Cllr G Jones
AGENDA ITEM 4 – MATTERS ARISING
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M/100 Clerk Vacancy
The clerk vacancy will be advertised in the New Year, using social media. The ad copy will be written by Neil and will endeavour to sell the ‘sizzle’ not the ‘sausage’. Someone in the village in the village has indicated interest, via e-mail, After a brief discussion on the phone the clerk has suggested that the she pops on for an informal chat sometime this week. She is aware of the fact that we will be advertising again in the New Year and is going to email the Clerk and follow up by meeting Tuesday 17th.
M/101 Penhelig Park Events
There has been no response as yet from Barry Davies regarding the Penhelig Park events correspondence.
M/85 Website
The Clerk is finalising the copy for Digital Egg, extra items are to be included. The delay is not the fault of Digital Egg. The Clerk will be working on final detail over Christmas.
M/72 Storage Unit
The Clerk has three price quotes for discussion. If there is a price acceptable by Council, the matter will be confirmed as an agenda item in January and the procurement process can commence. Confirmation for permission to install on the compound will also need to be confirmed with the Harbour Authority.
M/92 Leases
The two leases for car park and playing field have been returned and signed by Gwynedd Council. It has been agreed that ACC will pay the £1.00 per year rentals for both car park and playing fields as one payment, in advance. 99 years for playing field and 21 years for the car park. Council agreed to this proposal.
M/94 Public Toilets Rose Beds
Cllr Sara Bradbury Willis confirmed that she had commenced work on the rose beds adjacent to the public toilets at the Neuadd Dyfi.
M/107 Childrens’ Playground
The Clerk and Chair attended a meeting with the Lottery Grants officers Catrin Jones and Nia Hughes, at Mantell Gwynedd Office in Dolgellau, to discuss three ACC projects for possible funding – Cyclepath, Penhelig Shelter, and the village Playground facility. We were advised that the playground could apply for funding as it falls under the ‘well-being’ requirements for communities. Up to £100,000 can be applied for. The Cyclepath and shelter were outside the remit. Any application must be driven by the community, not ACC, although ACC could act as facilitators. The issue can be discussed at the February public meeting.
M/108 Picnic Island Bridge
The Clerk has received confirmation from Network Rail that the matter of the new Picnic Island bridge is being pursued from an engineering and cost point of view and has met with Outward Bound Head of Centre Al Crisp for an encouraging de-brief meeting. The matter is ongoing. Network Rail are also adopting an advisory role with regard to the cyclepath project.
M/108 Lobster Pots
Cllr Sara Bradbury Willis noted that the lobster pots on the wharf had been tidied up a little. M/111 Coastal Path footpath
The Clerk has pursued the matter with of the poor condition of the Coastal path connecting Seaview Terrace with Hillside with Gwynedd Council and a dialogue has commenced. He has a meeting with Rob Jones of Gwynedd Council on 18th December to discuss the problem of the storm water not draining away at the bottom of the steps and also the dangerous state of the footpath steps. Cllr James Bradbury Willis raised the matter of the buddleia growth on the path which is also a considerable nuisance. The Clerk will raise all these issues at the site meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 5 – ABERDYFI VILLAGE ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING
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Council agreed to date for the village public meeting – February Thursday 13th, 6.30pm. The event will need to be publicised to maximise attendance. Previous years’ events have been well received. Topics for discussion will be finalised at the next Community Council meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 6 – GWYNEDD COUNCIL REPORT
CL/118/16.12.19
Cllr Owen is absent following his hip operation. The Clerk has checked with Cllr Owen and there are no Gwynedd Council updates.
Cllr Jones wished to note his concerns about the new stone barrier and that the road beyond still poses safety issues because of the lack of safety barrier.
AGENDA ITEM 7 – PLANNING
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NP5/50/T37F 1a Seaview Terrace, Aberdyfi
Change of use of rear storage space to form part of existing café together with external alterations to windows and doors
NP5/50/542E Bryn Golau, Gwelfor Road, Aberdyfi
Construction of wood store
NP5/50/415E Ty Bach, Aberdyfi
Alterations and two storey extension to former public toilets to create a dwelling.
The Council agreed unanimously to object to this application as previous two applications, “inappropriate development”
NP5/50/678D 60 Maesnewydd, Aberdyfi
Construction of side extension
AGENDA ITEM 8 – TREASURER’S REPORT
CL/120/16.12.19
The Clerk informed Council that the new protocols regarding payment of bills online are now firmly in place and the system works well. Payment by cheque has now ceased and will be only used as backup when and if required.
The Clerk confirmed that the memorial bench programme is up and running and that the first bench purchase, following the newly established contract system, has run very smoothly. Gratifying to note that the family concerned have been very complimentary about the how the process has worked for them.
The Clerk informed Council that the Commando Monument Current A/c is going to be closed, by NatWest through lack of regular use. The ring-fenced funds could be transferred to another account online or the Reserve A/c.
Proposed: Cllr Reynolds Seconded: Cllr J Bradbury Willis
AGENDA ITEM 9 – COMMITTEE REPORTS
CL/120/16.12.19
Neuadd Dyfi Committee
Cllr Kelly reported that all was well with the finances of the Neuadd Dyfi, trading was steady. It was noted that Des George has health problems and Council wished him well. The matter of a replacement for Bryn Lloyd, who stepped down earlier this Autumn, was noted and the matter will be discussed at the next Neuadd Dyfi Committee meeting.
The Clerk took the opportunity to advise Council that a member of the community had expressed an interest in being considered for a place on Council, ad had been advised that the matter would be considered.
AGENDA ITEM 10 – CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Robert Wyn Jones – Coastal Path email regarding the coastal path past the Old School.
Gwynedd Council – Car park lease.
Gwynedd Council – Playing Field lease.
TV licensing – Annual letter of reminder.
BT – Advising of shut down of ‘Mozy’ backup.
Leander – Confirmation of village sign refurbishment costs.
Urdd – Request for funding.
Time and Tide Bell – Time and Tide Bell get together in Brixham, July 11/12 next year.
BT – Price increases for PC Security.
Gwynedd Council – Precept request for 2020/21. For inclusion as an agenda item in January.
Community Health Council – Vascular Health Services drop-in event, Tywyn 14th January 2020.
AGENDA ITEM 11 – PUBLICATIONS
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None
AGENDA ITEM 12 – ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AT FUTURE MEETINGS
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Cllr Sara Bradbury Willis asked whether the Neuadd Dydi public toilets could be open throughout the year. Liaise with Gwynedd Council to ascertain the possibilities.
Cllr Reynolds had heard that a group of volunteers in the village are looking at an A4 ‘Life’ style magazine. The project is in its early stages and Council looks forward to receiving more information.
Cllr James Bradbury Willis offered the facility for businesses in the village to utilise his Facebook service. For further discussion.
Cllr Tyrrell asked that the clock window on the public toilets should be cleaned.
Cllr Richards, in his absence, asked for the following points to be addressed;
- Clear the brash from the Neuadd Dyfi car park
- Remove the logs from the playing field
- Damaged tree branch on the bowling green needs attention, responsibility of Recreation ground
- Old Catholic Church overhanging branches need attention
- The fence weeds by the old phonebox still have not been cleared, although Tom ‘Trefeddian’ has been instructed to attend to the matter
The matter of the Penhelig slipway sale was discussed for future discussion
The Clerk has arranged to meet Edward Parkes tree sculptor at the playing field to discuss the project in order that the matter can be further discussed. Cllr james Bradbury Willis suggested that perhaps the idea can be discussed at the public meeting
The Clerk informed Council that Council insurance will henceforth be subject to a tender process.
AGENDA ITEM 13 – ITEMS FOR RUSHLIGHT
CL/112/19.11.19
Christmas greetings
Annual Village public meeting
Clerk vacancy
Health meeting
Pantomime