DRAFT minutes 21st September 2026

by Sandy Andrews | Sep 22, 2026 | ** COUNCIL, MINUTES LATEST

DRAFT Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Aberdyfi Community Council held at the Literary Institute on Monday 21^st September 2026

Present: Cllr Ian Hewins – Chair

Councillors: Cllr Mark Dunton

Cllr Anna Grundy

Cllr Brian Kelly

Cllr Catrin O’Neill

Cllr Dewi Owen

Cllr Sadie Porter

Cllr Megan Reynolds

Cllr Dave Williams

Cllr Henry Williams

Cllr Nigel Willis

4 members of the public were present

AGENDA ITEM 1 – To receive and accept apologies

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None received

AGENDA ITEM 2 – Chair announcements

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The Chair welcomed everyone and welcomed Cllr Willis to the council, and offered help from any of the other councillors should he need it. He noted it has been a busy summer in the village and that both the Food Festival and DyfiFest were very successful and thanked the organisers and councillors who helped with the events. He noted the weather has now changed with rain and even a tornado in the caravan park over the bank holiday, which damaged several caravans.

The Council gave their condolences to Cllr Kelly on the passing of his partner, who came to every meeting with him. 

AGENDA ITEM 3 – Declaration of financial, personal or prejudicial interest

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None declared

AGENDA ITEM 4 – To receive and confirm minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council on 20^th July 2026

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The minutes were approved unanimously as seen.

Proposed: Cllr Reynolds Seconded: Cllr Kelly

AGENDA ITEM 5 – To receive and approve the treasurer’s report

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The treasurer’s report for September was received and approved. The clerk

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informed the council that the pay award for local Government employees had been recently agreed at 3.3%, back dated to April 2026, and it had been applied to the clerk’s salary. She informed the council that the payment to Digital Systems was a deposit for the digital noticeboard and that it is in stock and ready to be installed as soon as Phil Pugh has connected the electrical supply. She informed the council that she will present a 6-month review of the budget next month.

Proposed: Cllr Reynolds Seconded: Cllr D. Williams

AGENDA ITEM 6 – To receive a report from the Gwynedd Council representative

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Cllr Owen reported that Gwynedd Council had been in recess in August, but on Thursday there is a meeting of the full council, at which the proposed Visitor Levy was to be discussed. It has now been withdrawn from the agenda, as solicitors acting for objectors to the scheme have challenged that the process has not been done lawfully. It is anticipated it will be on the agenda for discussion sometime next year. 

He had a lot of feedback regarding how good the Food Festival was and noted that several stalls had sold out by lunch-time, proving how popular the event is. 

He informed the Council that there are currently grants up to £12,000 available for small businesses and information can be found on their website. It was agreed to add this to Rushlight.

He noted that last week the Welsh Government announced a cut in small business rates of 30% which will be welcomed by many businesses in Aberdyfi. Cllr Dunton asked about the criteria for eligible businesses and Cllr Porter informed him businesses with a rateable value of less than £15,000 will be eligible.

Action: Clerk to include small business grant information in Rushlight

AGENDA ITEM 7 – To receive and approve a report from the Clerk

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The Clerk reported on the following:

* Tree planting project with Gwynedd Council

The changes to the planting scheme were given to Jack Walmsley, Planning Ecologist for Gwynedd Council, and he has ordered the trees and plants required. Jack noted that the trees will require to be watered for at least the first year, especially if we have the drought conditions we have had this year. However, he said that there is a bit more money in the budget than previously thought, so it may be possible to buy a water bowser and use this on site to make it easier to water in places such as the football field. The clerk explained that the volunteers who do the planters have offered to help with watering and Jack suggested we / he asks the Ardal Ni team to water as well. Cllr H. Williams reminded the Council that when they are planted, the trees will need a pipe leading to the roots to help with watering. 

It was also agreed to purchase self-watering planters and water buts to be installed at various places in the village, such as the Neuadd Dyfi, Fire station and main toilet block. The clerk agreed to identify sites for these and obtain permission. 

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Jack informed the clerk that the two trees to be planted in front of the Neuadd Dyfi should be planted at the same time, but that it would be possible to cultivate a cutting from the existing tree and plant this perhaps in the small playing field. Des

George has agreed to this proposal and soft-wood cuttings have been already sent with hard wood cuttings being sent to Bangor University for propagation next month.

Cllr O’Neill requested the formation of a working group to look at possible additions to the area between the football field and the railway cottages, which was confirmed will be a well-being wildflower meadow with specimen trees. It was agreed to do this.

Action: Clerk to send hard wood cuttings to Bangor October / November

Action: Working group to be formed to look at possible additions to the plans

* RoSPA report

The clerk was advised by Elevate Play that the safety zone for the spinner should be measured from the centre of the spinner, as per the specification, and not the edge, as shown in the RoSPA report photo. The clerk contacted RoSPA with this information and they have now amended the report to show that the spinner is indeed compliant. 

* Playground

Two of the bolts on the basket swing have come slightly undone so Elevate Play have said they will ask the manufacturers what to do to stop this happening again and are coming this week to fix it and to install the swing seats. The clerk will closely monitor the swing seat going forward.

Action: Clerk to monitor basket swing 

* Food Festival

The organisers wish to thank all the councillors who helped on the day and thanked the Council for the flowers. Some of the stalls have given feedback, all of which is extremely positive, with the main points of note being the size was good, the music was good but at times the wi-fi / phone signal wasn’t good enough for online payments and signs with directions to toilets would be useful. The clerk has arranged to meet with the organisers early October for a full review.

Costs: Income: £3,560, Expenditure: £4,548 + VAT (£430) = £4,978

Therefore shortfall of £988 (not inc. VAT)

It was agreed to ask the AA&I for a grant to cover the shortfall. It was queried if the Food Festival should not be self-funding, but it was agreed that one of the functions of the AA&I is to facilitate bringing visitors to the village and providing grants for events like this was why it exists.

The organisers would like to run the festival on 22 August next year, to coincide with Race the Train, which is planned for 21^st August.

Action: Clerk to request a grants from the AA&I

Action: Clerk / Council to research better wi-fi options for next year

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* CCTV cameras

The clerk has had several requests recently from the police for CCTV footage and while she was looking for the footage she noticed that one camera at the Neuadd Dyfi is now blurred and unusable and the mount for another one has broken so it now points to the ground. She also found that none of the cameras at the Institute are working. There is still one blurry camera at the traffic lights. It was agreed to ask Mr. Simkiss to have a look at the cameras and repair them or the clerk to purchase new ones. 

Action: Clerk to contact Mr. Simkiss

* Planned Event dates:

Remembrance Sunday 8^th November

Christmas Fair 12 December

Soapbox Racing 28 March (Easter Sunday)

Aberdyfi Bike Ride 18 June

Kite Festival 17/18 July

Race the Train 21 August

Food Festival 22 August

DyfiFest 28/29 August (Bank holiday)

AGENDA ITEM 8 – To receive and consider planning applications

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NP5/50/12N Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdyfi LL35 0SB

Change of use from dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a short term let as an ancillary part of the hotel (Use Class C1) (Amended Description)

No objections raised

AGENDA ITEM 9 – To receive and consider grant applications from Cerebral Palsy Cymru and Radio Ysbyty Gwynedd

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It was agreed that grants should only be given when there is a direct benefit to the community of Aberdyfi and while all organisations are deserving of support, Aberdyfi Community Council’s priority has to be the people and community of Aberdyfi. It was therefore agreed not to give grants to the organisations on this occasion.

AGENDA ITEM 10 – To receive a report on Plas y Coed woodland

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Cllr H. Williams reported that the working group had a constructive meeting with Mr. Tony Davies and Mike Williams of MMP Estate Agents last week. Mr. Davies explained the background to the proposal to gift the woodland which is currently owned by a Trust established by his father, known as Dr. Tom locally. The main house, Plas y Coed, had been sold several years ago and before that, part of it was sold to establish 4 dwellings. Therefore all that remained of the estate was the woodland and the access road, which is what is being offered to the Council now. Dr. Tom desired that if no commercial buyer could be found, then it should be given

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to the Community Council for the community that he had served as a GP for many years. Mr Davies stated that there were two stipulations: 

1. That there should be plaque commemorating Dr. Tom and

2. That the Council should cover the Trust’s sale costs including conveyancing, which MMP estimated at £1,000 – £1,500.

The working group asked various questions, eg. whether there was a plan showing the exact location of the copper mines. Mr. Davies did not think so. MMP said they would send the Council the Auction pack that would hopefully answer the questions.

Mr. Davies confirmed that the plot is still for sale as no sale has resulted from the auction or from reaching out to the owners of the dwellings. If the Council wanted to proceed with the gift the Trust would offer the owners of the properties one last chance to purchase the woodland. If they decide not to do this, then the Council will be given a period of exclusivity to obtain answers to questions, obtain surveys and take legal advice before making any decision as to whether to accept the gift.

Cllr Owen noted that there was a rockfall onto the access road and he was told it has been estimated it will cost in the region of £20,000 to make the embankment safe. He asked if the Council would be responsible for these costs if it accepted the gift and Cllr H. Williams responded this would be one of the things the Council would need to take legal advice on. It was noted that there are likely to be grants available to Councils to manage and conserve the woodland.

It was agreed for the Council to reply that it was in principle, in favour of proceeding with the gift, putting in place solicitors and tree surveyors, so that it is possible to move quickly should the residents not wish to purchase the land, though it was noted that no money should be spent until the exclusivity arrangement had been confirmed.

It was agreed to ask Gwynedd Council if their solicitors would act on behalf of the Community Council and if not, for the clerk to seek quotes from private solicitors.

Proposed: Cllr Hewins Seconded: Cllr Porter

Action: Clerk to contact Mr. Davies and inform him the Council wish to proceed in principle

Action: Clerk to contact Gwynedd Council and obtain quotes for solicitors

AGENDA ITEM 11 – To receive and consider quotes to survey Plas y Coed woodland

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It was agreed to accept the quote from StillGreen, with the proviso that they confirm they will adhere to BS 3998, map the trees with GIS and confirm any TPOs in the woodland. It was agreed not to proceed with the survey immediately, instead to wait for confirmation that the residents at Plas y Coed are not purchasing the woodland before any work is done. 

Proposed: Cllr H. Williams Seconded: Cllr O’Neill

Action: Clerk to contact surveyors to inform them of the decision

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AGENDA ITEM 12 – To receive the survey report on trees on North Side of football field and decide actions required

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It was noted that one tree is required to be felled with the others being in good condition. The clerk informed the council she has already asked Rhydian Roberts at Parc Eryri for permission to cut down the tree, but has had no response. It was noted that we should inform Gwynedd Council that the tree will be felled. 

It was agreed to arrange for the dangerous tree to be felled as soon as possible and it was agreed for the Chair and the Clerk to do this on behalf of the Council. 

Quotes to clear the debris from the rest of the area would be obtained. 

Proposed: Cllr Owen Seconded: Cllr O’Neill

Action: Clerk and Chair to arrange felling of the tree

Action: Clerk to inform Gwynedd Council of the work

Action: Clerk to obtain quotes for clearing the debris

AGENDA ITEM 13 – To receive an update on the Blue Green Infrastructure project

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It was agreed that there is still confusion about what is planned and what the

benefits will be. It was felt there needs to be more understanding of the problems with sand accumulation in Aberdyfi for the plan to be effective and it was agreed to ask them to attend a Council meeting in order to discuss the plans further. 

Action: Clerk to request the report authors to attend a council meeting.

AGENDA ITEM 14 – To discuss proposal from MenterMon to continue with SMART Town Project in Aberdyfi

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It was agreed this had not worked in Aberdyfi as the wi-fi covered only the wharf gardens and the main car park and no-one knew about it, so don’t use it. It was agreed it might work if it covered the whole of the village, but as it stands, it has not been a successful project. It was agreed to give this feedback and not to commit to funding.

Action: Clerk to send feedback

AGENDA ITEM 15 – To discuss possible refurbishment of noticeboards at the Institute

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It was agreed that this is a project for the AA&I and Cllr Grundy requested details of anyone the Council knows who could do the work to pass onto the AA&I.

Action: Councillors and Clerk to pass on details of tradespeople 

AGENDA ITEM 16 – Correspondence which requires a response from the Council

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* letter from resident regarding Article 4

It was agreed to discuss the monitoring report when it is published and decide any actions as a result

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* Facebook post regarding dog incident on the beach

It was agreed it is not a matter for the Council

AGENDA ITEM 17 – To note correspondence not requiring a decision from the Community Council which has already been circulated to Councillors

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* One Voice Wales – Welsh Government Anti-racist Wales Action Plan and Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for Public Appointments

* Ambition North Wales – newsletter

* One Voice Wales – Public Appointment adverts

* BCUHB – confirmation of public consultation for future services at Tywyn hospital

* One voice Wales – Training dates July – September

* Planning Aid Wales – Implementation of the Planning (Wales) Act 2026

* Democracy & Boundary Commission – Guide to the 2030 review of Senedd Constituencies

AGENDA ITEM 18 – Items for consideration at future meetings

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* Event to switch on Christmas lights

* Fence repair at Pont y Brics needed (by the cattle grid) – clerk to find out who is responsible for this fence

AGENDA ITEM 19 – Items for release / Rushlight / Website / Facebook

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* Small business grants

AGENDA ITEM 20 – Date of next meeting

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Monday 19^th October

There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 9.20pm

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