Minutes of the Meeting of the Blaengwrach Community Council held at 6.30pm on Thursday 20th January 2022 in the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5TB.
PRESENT: Councillor Carolyn Edwards (Chair); Councillor Menna Mortimore (Deputy Chair); Councillor Amanda Doherty & Councillor Rhian Williams;
ALSO PRESENT: Clive Baker – Clerk to Blaengwrach Community Council;
There were NO members of the public present;
61/21 APOLOGIES: Councillors Andrew Hippsley, Julia Hippsley and Philippa Richards had sent their apologies. No apologies had been received from Councillor Bethan Parry or Councillor Helen Williams;
62/21 DECLARATION(S) OF INTEREST: Councillor Carolyn Edwards gave her usual declaration as a County Councillor of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Councillor Amanda Doherty made a declaration of interest relating to Minute 64/21(c) below;
63/21 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 25th NOVEMBER 2021 AS A TRUE RECORD: The minutes of the meeting held on 25th November 2021 were accepted as a true record of that meeting;
64/21 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 25th NOVEMBER 2021 and AGENDA ITEMS:
a) Defibrillators in the Village – The grant application made to NPTCBC to cover the cost of installation has been agreed and the “outdoor model” defibrillators should be in place by the 31st March 2022. When they are installed the “indoor” defibrillator from the Welfare Hall will be updated and donated to where it is needed;
b) Remote Meetings and Installation of Wi-Fi in the Welfare Hall – The Upper Neath Valley Group Project Manager is obtaining “best prices” for the Wi-Fi. As soon as it is installed “remote meetings” as required by the Wales Government will be able to be held;
c) COUNCILLOR AMANDA DOHERTY HAD DECLARED HER INTEREST IN THIS ITEM AND LEFT THE MEETING, TAKING NO PART IN THE DISCUSSION. (NOTE: THIS ITEM WAS DISCUSSED AFTER ALL OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS TO ALLOW COUNCILLOR DOHERTY TO LEAVE THE MEETING ENTIRELY) – The Flat Roof of the Welfare Hall – An application for a Community Council Minor Projects Grant was agreed by NPTCBC on 29th December 2021. The amount agreed was £10,850.00 (ten thousand, eight hundred & fifty pounds), which is 70% of the the net figure of the cost of the work (70% is the maximum that can be applied for this type of work under this grant scheme), The “preferred” contractors were instructed on 4th January 2022 but NO firm date for the work as yet been received, although, it has been indicated that the work will be completed by the end of March 2022;
d) Update on the Upper Neath Valley Cluster Group – A second grant application to cover the cost of the Project Manager for the next two years and is due to be discussed by the Grant Panel in March 2022. The project manager has asked each of the four Councils in the group to consider and inform him of six (6) projects they would like to see undertaken within the next two years. NOTE: ANY COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATION WITHIN THE AREA CAN MEET WITH THE PROJECT MANAGER (Andrew Pughsley – tel: 07875 599583, email: unvprojects@outlook.com) TO DISCUSS/SEEK HELP FOR ANY PROPOSED PROJECT);
e) Agenda Item 5a – Christmas 2022 – With regards to Christmas 2021 Celebrations, the agreement for use of the lamp-posts in High Street has STILL NOT been received from NPTCBC, although the “lights” were lit on the lamp-posts from 19th November 2021. The suppliers reported on 17th December 2021 that the “banner” had been received but they had made an error regarding the supporting posts and that they would NOT be able to rectify the error in 2021 (THIS CONCLUDES ANY NOTES/MINUTES ON CHRISTMAS 2021) – Christmas 2022 – It is proposed that the “banner” and the Christmas lights purchased by this Council will be used in 2022 and that the Christmas Tree will remain in-situ on the green space adjacent to KFC. Any decision on a Christmas Party being held will be discussed later in the year when further reviews of “indoor events” has been made by the Wales Government;
f) Agenda item 5b – Examination & Agreement of the Council`s Quarterly Budget Figures for the Period 1st October 2021 to 31st December 2021 – The figures were examined by the Council and all explanations relating to any “shortfalls etc” were accepted. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED;
g) Agenda item 5c – Discussion on Renewal of the British Gas Business Service Contract for 2022 – After a discussion it was decided to renew the contract at a cost of £910.56 (£758.80 plus “recoverable” VAT of £151.76) for the period 24th January 2022 to 23rd January 2023. (THE SERVICE CONTRACT COVERS AN ANNUAL SERVICE OF BOTH THE BOILER AND HEATING SYSTEM; NO COST REPAIRS TO BOILER AND HEATING SYSTEM; UNLIMITED CALL-OUTS AND ALL OTHER PARTS AND LABOUR COSTS); THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED;
h) Agenda item 5d – The Governance and Financial Management Toolkit Pilot for Town/Community Councils in Wales – It was agreed that the Chair and the Clerk would take part in the “Pilot Consultation” on the production of the “toolkit” and that the Clerk be reimbursed, at his existing hourly rate, for any extra hours worked in relation to this item;
i) Agenda item 5e – Renewal of Leases for Council Owned Properties – Contact has been made with both lessees and “draft” leases have been prepared. A copy of the draft lease has been sent/delivered to both of them and one has been in contact saying that they will examine the “draft lease” and when they have done so will arrange a meeting with the Clerk/Councillors to discuss. The other will be sent a “reminder” letter in the week commencing 24th January 2022. During the discussion it was decided to set the “annual rent” at £100.00 (one hundred pounds) to be reviewed with the lessees annually on the date of the lease;
65/21 PLANNING:
29/11/2021 – Ref: P2021/1166 – InstaVolt Limited, 6 Cedarwood, Crockford Lane, Basingstoke, Hants, RG24 8ND – Installation of two (2) Electronic Vehicle Charging Points and Associated Work at MacDonald`s Restaurant Car Park on the Glynneath Business Park near the roundabout on the A465 between Cwmgwrach and Glynneath;
14/12/2021 – Ref: P2021/1206 – Mr. & Mrs. Johnson, c/o, Prime Architecture Ltd, 3 Llandeilo Road, Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire SA14 6NA – Proposed build of a four (4) bedroom dwelling, with associated works and parking, on Plot 1 at Glannant Place, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5TE (This replaces application number P2021/0544, dated 24th May 2021, which was withdrawn on 6th December 2021;
3/1/2022 – Ref: P2021/1221 – Mr. & Mrs. Williams, 1 Cedar Street, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5PF – Part two storey, part first floor side, rear extensions and single storey rear extension at 1 Cedar Street, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5PF;
66/21 CRIME & DISORDER: The reported crime figures for Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach area for October 2021 were 15 and for November 2021 were 8. They were broken down as follows:
October 2021 – Anti-Social Behaviour – 2; Public Disorder – 2; Other Theft – 1; & Violent & Sexual Offences – 10;
November 2021 – Anti-Social Behaviour – 1; Public Disorder – 1 & Violent & Sexual Offences – 6; NOTE: ALL OF THE “REPORTED CRIME” FOR BOTH MONTHS WERE REPORTED RELATING TO THE AREA BETWEEN MACDONALD`S AND THE A4242 NEAR THE ABERPERGWM COLLIERY. THERE WAS NO REPORTED CRIME WITHIN THE VILLAGE. (SWP CRIME MAP CHECKED FOR BOTH MONTHS);
67/21 FINANCE: For the Period 26th November 2021 and 20th January 2022:
PAYMENTS MADE:
Staff Pension Scheme (8 weeks) – £103.60;
Welsh Water (2 months) – Water Rates foe Cemetery – £24.00;
Welsh Water (2 months) – Water Rates for Welfare Hall – £211.00;
HMRC – Staff Tax & NI (6th November 2021 to 5th January 2022) – £185.52;
Utility Warehouse Ltd (November & December 2021) – Electricity at Welfare Hall – £189.43;
NPTCBC – General Rates for Welfare Hall (2 months) – £856.00;
NPTCBC – General Rates for Cemetery (2 months) – £92.00′;
British Gas – Gas Used at Welfare Hall (17th September 2021 to 16th January 2022) – £1,539.71;
Tesco – Black Printer Cartridge for Office Printer – £26.00;
M Sleep Electrical Services – New Electrical Switch for Shutters on Welfare Hall Doors – £102.00;
E.On – Unmetered Electricity Supply to “Witch Light” for 2021 – £36.34;
INCOME RECEIVED:
Hall Hire & Other Rental Fees – £470.00;
Burial Fees – £625.00;
Monthly Interest on Reserve Account (2 months) – £10.88;
NPTCBC – 3rd & Final 2021-2022 Precept Payment – £16,262.66;
68/21 CORRESPONDENCE:
26/11/2021 from the Welsh Government – Notice of “Permitted, Appropriate Sum for Section 137 Grants for the Financial Year 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023;
30/11/2021 from the Electoral Services Manager, NPTCBC – Notice that a “Revised Register of Electors” will be based on the NEWLY CREATED PRINCIPAL AREA & COMMUNITY WARD BOUNDARIES;
13/12/2021 from Rebecca Evans A.S., Minister for Finance and Local Government, Welsh Government – Update on Clerk`s Qualifications in Relation to the General Power of Competence (Qualifications of Clerks) (Wales) Regulations 2021;
14/12/2021 from the Welsh Government via One Voice Wales – “Shaping the Future – National Stakeholder Forum” – Future Trends Information;
17/12/2021 from The Boundary Commission for Wales – Published Responses to the Consultation on Reducing the Number of MPs in the UK Parliament Representing Constituencies in Wales;
4/1/2022 from the Welsh Government via One Voice Wales – Electronic Copy of the Wales Government Budget for 2022-2023;
13/1/2022 from the Play Development Manager, NPTCBC – Notice that the County Council have Secured “Funding” to Supply “Children`s Play Area Bilingual Communication Boards” for every children`s park in the County. THE COUNCIL HAVE REQUESTED TWO BOARDS FOR THE WELFARE PARK;
17/1/2022 from the Welsh Government via One Voice Wales – Consultation on an Updated National Strategy to Stop Violence Against Women (Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence) in Wales;
SECTION 137 REQUESTS:
26/11/2021 from Urdd Gobaith Cymru – Request for Donation Towards the Denbighshire National Urdd Gobaith Cymru National Eisteddfod 2022 – REQUEST DECLINED;
29/11/2021 from Ciss (Cancer Information & Support Services) – Request for Donation – REQUEST DECLINED;
69/21 COUNTY COUNCILLOR`S REPORT:
Councillor Carolyn Edwards reported that she had attended the One Voice Wales Neath Area Committee Meeting and that most of the discussion at the meeting had been on the Governance and Financial Management of Town & Community Councils, including “Remote Access to Meetings”. She also reported that she had been approached by a dance group asking to use the Welfare Hall for their classes (the Standard Hire Agreement, a note of fees payable and details of the available times for the Hall will be sent to the group);
70/21 SET DATE, TIME, VENUE & PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 17th February 2022, commencing at 6.30pm. It is proposed that the meeting be held in the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5TB. There were two new agenda items proposed for the February meeting – 1) Discussion on the Possibility of Employ of an Administration Assistant/Assistant Clerk; & 2) Discussion on the National Celebration of the Queen`s Platinum Jubilee.
DUE TO THE PREVAILING CORNAVISUS GUIDELINES IN WALES AT THE PUBLICATION OF THIS POST, ANYONE WISHING TO ATTEND THE MEETING WILL NEED TO EMAIL THE CLERK (blaengwrach.clerk@gmail.com) BY 5pm ON WEDNESDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2022 TO CONFIRM THEIR ATTENDANCE.
The Meeting Closed at 7.50 p.m.