20-21 April 2020

by nigel@digitalegg.net | May 22, 2020 | ** COUNCIL, MINUTES ARCHIVE

MINUTES OF THE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS, AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE MONTHLY MEETING IN THE LITERARY INSTITUTE, MADE TO CONDUCT COUNCIL MATTERS VIA EMAIL AND TELEPHONE ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY 20TH AND 21ST APRIL, FOLLOWING THE AGENDA AS PUBLISHED

Councillors Present :-
Cllr D Williams – Chairman
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Dewi Owen
Cllr Megan Reynolds
Cllr Sara Bradbury Willis
Cllr James Bradbury Willis
Cllr Dai Owens
Cllr Mike Richards
Cllr Gareth Jones

AGENDA ITEM 1- APOLOGIES
CL/172/20.04.20

None

AGENDA ITEM 2 – CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
CL/173/20.04.20

Chairman Cllr Williams wished to take this opportunity to thank Cllr Mike Richards, on his retirement from Council, for his valuable contribution to Aberdyfi Community Council, in particular his work on the old running track, a project very much ‘work in progress’. We all wish he and Linda all the best for the future.

AGENDA ITEM 3 – APPROVE MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING 16TH MARCH
CL/174/20.04.20

Approve minutes of the ordinary Council meeting 16th March.
Proposed: Cllr M Reynolds Seconded: Cllr B Kelly

AGENDA ITEM 4 – MATTERS ARISING
CL/175/20.04.20

M/165 Treasurer’s Report
Cllr Sara Bradbury Willis enquired about Rushlight printing costs. The Clerk explained the cost as indicated in the Treasurer’s Report was for the printing of the Rushlight mastheads at Y Lolfa, which are then overprinted each month in the office after Council meetings.
Regarding Cllr Bradbury Willis request for further clarification on another matter, the Clerk informed her that agreed minutes are printed on special printed minute sheets, signed off by the Chair, and then archived as a permanent record, for the lifetime of this Community Council.

M/85 Website
The website is up and running and has been well received. The Clerk would like to thank Nigel Upton for his total commitment to the project resulting in a successful outcome. Work is ongoing – a website is a dynamic medium – and a solution to the Google translate inaccuracies seems to have been found. The Clerk will advise over the next couple of weeks or so.

M/158 Coronavirus
The Clerk is liaising with Steve Lister and Clerk in waiting Sandy Andrews over the forthcoming Internal Audit and completion of the Annual Return. Arrangements for the AGM will be confirmed once he coronavirus situation has settled – or otherwise. It is the intention to adhere to published audit deadlines, even though there is some flexibility in the current scenario.

M/107 Childrens’ Playground
Cllr Sara Bradbury Willis informed the meeting that one of the companies quoting for the playground project had managed to carry out a site visit before lockdown is continuing to work on design suggestions. The other companies pitching for the business are not visiting until after lockdown is lifted. The lottery funding people have been approached as there was a deadline for application before the end of March. I did ask that one of the committee members to confirm what the COVID-19 pandemic would mean for applications but I haven’t heard back. I’m sure things will be able to be reviewed and applied for at a later date. Watch this space.

M/158 Councillor Vacancy Interviews
The result of the secret ballot resulted in Catrin O’Neill and Nigel Pearson being voted onto Council. They will assume their positions at the Council AGM in May.

M/108 Picnic Island Bridge
Although the Picnic Island Bridge project has stalled, it is still very much alive. The Clerk has been liaising with Network Rail and understands that the engineering solution is a work in progress. They have requested the plans of the cyclepath and an aerial photograph of the start of the route, in order to help find a solution to the access issues. In the meantime Network Rail have confirmed they are able to offer a number of ownership, lease or legal access options allowing the project to progress across Network Rail land.

M/151 Tree Sculpture
This project is now, inevitably, on hold.

M/155 Blocked drains by Old Catholic Church
After further conversations with Gwynedd Council Highways Inspector, all drain gully work is in abeyance.

M/167 Allotments
The Clerk can confirm that the allotment plot vacated by Gareth Pugh has been snapped up by a village local.

M/167 Application for Wild Flower Seed Planting
The Clerk has received confirmation that ACC has been successful in its application for a wildflower planting package for the village. Details to follow.

AGENDA ITEM 5 – GWYNEDD COUNCIL REPORT
CL/176/20.40.20

Cllr Owen confirmed that, given the coronavirus situation, all Gwynedd Council meetings have been cancelled until further notice, or until video/conference facilities are set up.

AGENDA ITEM 6 – PLANNING
CL/177/20.04.20

NP5/50/469D 5 Penhelig Terrace, Aberdyfi
External alterations

AGENDA ITEM 7 – TREASURER’S REPORT
CL/178/20.04.20

Proposed: Cllr B Kelly Seconded: Cllr S Bradbury Willis

AGENDA ITEM 8 – COMMITTEE REPORTS
CL/179/20.04.20

There were no committee reports

AGENDA ITEM 9 – CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
CL/180/20.04.20

Wales Air Ambulance – Thank you letter for ACC donation of £200.00
Liz Saville Roberts – Email to this Council about the coronavirus situation. Observe wherever possible the restrictions imposed by Government, but – ‘Please think twice before rushing to judge other people’s situations. This is a difficult time for everyone, and we need to hold true to values of tolerance and humanity more now than ever.’
Cllr Sara Bradbury Willis – Email 22/03/20 to inform Council that she and another GP from the Machynlleth practice have posted an open letter on Dyfi Valley Health Facebook page.
Cllr Sara Bradbury Willis – Email 23/03/20 observing that the biggest enemy during the coronavirus situation is complacency.
Cllr Sara Bradbury Willis – Email 07/04/20 expressing concern over the number of visitors in the village during lockdown.

AGENDA ITEM 10 – PUBLICATIONS
CL/181/20.04.20

None

AGENDA ITEM 11 – ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AT FUTURE MEETINGS
CL/182/20.04.20

Cllr Brian Kelly noted that the overhanging trees at the Old Catholic Church constitute a serious problem for those walking along Burma Road.
He also noted, whilst walking the beach, that the amount of plastic washed up on the beach was considerable and suggested that anyone also taking exercise along the stretch of beach may consider taking a bag with them to collect rubbish.
He noted that the closure of Penrhos Caravan Park and the necessity to refund owners will impact severely on village income and hence AA&I. This in turn will impact on community investment for the foreseeable future.

Cllr Reynolds Penrhos caravan park remains closed as instructed by WAG. We regularly communicate with the owners who are extremely observant regarding the existing Coronavirus restrictions.
Following a request from Cllr Owen she met with the police and supplied them with the contact details of the letting agents in the village. They intended to visit the properties to ensure they were not being occupied contrary to the regulations stipulated by WAG on 26 March at 16.00. Anyone who sees a violation should report it to the police on 101. I think the local population should be aware of this perhaps you could put it in Rushlight.

Cllr Sara Bradbury Willis requests an electronic copy of the constitution before the AGM and thinks a communication solution needs to be found ASAP in order to be able to meet via telephone or video etc. She notes the matter is under discussion and asks who is part of the discussion process as we just seem to be told that the options raised don’t satisfy one counsellor and many other counsellors are happy with the options. She suppose it’s down to the chairman to decide. However if she can have meetings with health board members and medical directors and heads of nursing, ward sisters, GPs and patients alike, then she felt sure a solution can be found for an open council meeting.

Cllr Sara Bradbury Willis raised the issue of the Clerk working from the Council office and also that she had received reports, from an unnamed source, that individuals had visited the office during lockdown. The Clerk informed Cllr Sara Bradbury Willis that the Clerk had not received visitors and requested the source of the allegations. No such information has been forthcoming. Regarding working from the Council office, in isolation, this is entirely acceptable in the context of requiring access to Council records in order to carry out Clerk’s duties.

Cllr David Owens endorsed Liz Saville Roberts sentiments in the context of Coronavirus and her plea to maintain our humanity in difficult times.

AGENDA ITEM 12 – ITEMS FOR RUSHLIGHT
CL/183/20.04.20

Coronavirus General Update and thank you to local residents who are helping.
How to liaise with the police regarding any contraventions of the Coronavirus Regulations.
Wild Flower Seed Planting

16 March 2020

by nigel@digitalegg.net | May 22, 2020 | ** COUNCIL, MINUTES ARCHIVE

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF ABERDYFI COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE OFFICE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, LITERARY INSTITUTE, ABERDYFI ON MONDAY, 16TH MARCH 2020

Councillors Present :-
Cllr D Williams – Chairman
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Dewi Owen
Cllr Megan Reynolds
Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis
Cllr Dai Owens

AGENDA ITEM 1- APOLOGIES
CL/157/16.03.20

Cllrs Bob Tyrrell, Mike Richards, Gareth Jones & James Bradbury-Willis

AGENDA ITEM 2 – COUNCILLOR VACANCY INTERVIEWS
CL/158/16.03.20

With the retirement from Council last October of Bryn Lloyd, and the more recent retirement from Council of Mike Richards, the two vacant posts were advertised. There was a very good response resulting in four candidates being interviewed, all of whom would have made excellent councillors. Councillors were advised to complete the ballot papers at this meeting or by email (for those unable to attend tonight, see agenda ITEM 13).

AGENDA ITEM 3– CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
CL/159/16.03.20

The Chairman noted that the westerly winds had once again created a sand drift problem in the village. It was understood that a sandshift might be scheduled by Gwynedd Council, but confirmation was awaited.
He expressed surprise at the number of visitors to Aberdyfi, with many second home owners apparently expressing the intention to stay in the village during the coronavirus threat.

AGENDA ITEM 4 – CORONAVIRUS SITUATION
CL/160/16.03.20

One Voice Wales had advised all Councils to adopt delegated powers if the coronavirus situation gets worse. In the same way that this council operates during the August break.
If the situation worsens, council meetings might not take place, including May’s AGM & ordinary meeting.
In the meantime, Council matters will continue, through Council Office in the normal way.
The Clerk suggested that, although there was some flexibility from Wales Audit Office, this Council should be able to meet existing deadlines for internal and external audit as currently advised.

AGENDA ITEM 5 – RECEIVE AND CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING 17TH FEBRUARY
CL/161/16.03.20

Receive and confirm minutes of the ordinary Council meeting 17th February.
Proposed: Cllr M Reynolds Seconded: Cllr B Kelly

AGENDA ITEM 6 – MATTERS ARISING
CL/162/16.03.20

M/85 Website
The website was declared for launch ready within the next few days. The Clerk will advise Council in due course and also confirmed the web address as www.aberdyfi-council.wales

M/72 Storage Unit
Geri Davies has been briefed regarding ground preparation and once everything has been agreed with Will Stockford and Gwynedd Maritime regarding exact location, the unit can be ordered.

M/107 Childrens’ Playground
An update from Cllr. Sara Bradbury Willis. Quotes were awaited and the project was processing.

M/108 Picnic Island Bridge
A conference call was held on 24th February at Outward Bound. Representing Aberdyfi was ACC Clerk Neil Storkey, Outward Bound Head of Centre Al Crisp, Outward Bound Jim Lee, ACC Cllr Dewi Owen and Gwynedd Maritime Barry Davies. Representing Network Rail (from Cardiff) was James O’Gorman and Alice Clements.
The conference call was arranged to move the Picnic Island Bridge project forward. The meeting resulted in a consensus view in the context of promised funding as follows:
ACC – Cllr Owen – pledged £20k (15k from AA&I and 5k from ACC)
Outward Bound pledged £30k
Gwynedd Maritime pledged £50k
Network Rail acknowledged that the bridge was used by their own maintenance staff and that a financial ’consideration’ would be appropriate. No detail, but perhaps a cost reduction in engineering. Details to follow.
In the light of the consensus and positive view regarding the installation, possibly a modular plastic construction, the meeting agreed to target October 2020 for completion of new bridge installation.

M/121 Village Welcome Signs
Installed and looking smart. Cllr David Owens suggested that the undergrowth around the sign by the Trefeddion needs cutting back.

M/151 Tree Sculpture
Jon Townsend contacted and awaiting confirmation of date to carry out felling on playing field

M/155 Blocked drains by Old Catholic Church
After a conversation with the Clerk Sean Wilkes has arranged for the gulley crew to attend to all sand blocked drains in the village – he has identified all that require attention. No date of confirmation as yet. Cllr Kelly noted that the church garden trees were overhanging the perimeter fence.

M/155 Neuadd Dyfi Toilets
The Clerk has spoken with Alun Wyn Jones who confirmed that the cost of keeping the toilets open for the winter period would be £2k. No negotiations have been opened, this is a simple calculation based on current costings.

AGENDA ITEM 7 – GWYNEDD COUNCIL REPORT
CL/163/16.03.20

Cllr Owen confirmed that, given the coronavirus situation, all Gwynedd Council meetings have been cancelled until further notice, or until video/conference facilities are set up.

AGENDA ITEM 8 – PLANNING
CL/164/16.03.20

NP5/50/LB59 14 Glandyfi Terrace, Aberdyfi
Internal and external alterations

NP5/50/629/B Bryn Coed, Aberdyfi
Construction of single storey extension

NP5/50/299/L Golf Club, Aberdyfi
Change of use of existing store to B&B accommodation

NP5/50/678/E 60 Maesnewydd, Aberdyfi
Construction of side extension and side port

AGENDA ITEM 9 – TREASURER’S REPORT
CL/165/16.03.20

Proposed: Cllr B Kelly Seconded: Cllr S Bradbury Willis
Responding to a question from Cllr Owen, the Clerk confirmed that Gareth Pugh has vacated his allotment and that the vacant plot will be advertised in Rushlight. The Clerk also confirmed that Diane Osborn is taking over Ian McCutchions plot.

AGENDA ITEM 10 – COMMITTEE REPORTS
CL/166/16.03.20

Cllr Owen attended a tourist workshop at which it was confirmed that in 2018 6.16 million tourists visited Gwynedd, generating income of £907 million. There had been a visitor increase of 15% in the three years up to 2018. However, there had been a decrease in B&B rooms.

AGENDA ITEM 11 – CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
CL/167/16.03.20

Gareth Pugh – Letter to relinquish his allotment plot with immediate effect.
Network Rail – Advice of work on Dyfi Junction Bridge. 4 April to 12 April.
Creative Play – For Cllr Sara Bradbury Willis.
Gay Richardson – Email outlining tree planting ideas. (ACC representative required?)
Anna Grundy – Letter of farewell and thanks.
Gay Richardson – Email objecting to the widespread use of weed killer by Gwynedd Council.
Gwynedd Housing Statement – Advice of changes in the way social housing in Gwynedd is changing.
Gwynedd Highways – Notification of April works on the public footpaths in Aberdyfi.
One Voice Wales – Coronavirus Briefing Note.

AGENDA ITEM 12 – PUBLICATIONS
CL/168/16.03.20

Clerk Magazine
Clerk & Council Direct

AGENDA ITEM 13 – BALLOT VOTING

Council was requested to fill in the ballot papers and return them ASAP. The new Councillors would assume their positions officially at the AGM in May.

AGENDA ITEM 14 – ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AT FUTURE MEETINGS

The Clerk confirmed that the Day on the Quay event in Aberdyfi had been cancelled because of Coronavirus.

AGENDA ITEM 15 – ITEMS FOR RUSHLIGHT

Anna Grundy farewell thank you to the community
Appointment of New Clerk
Picnic Island Bridge
Coronavirus