Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 24th June 2021 in the Welfare Hall, Cwmgwrach, commencing at 6.30pm.
PRESENT: Councillors: Carolyn Edwards (Chair); Menna Mortimore (Vice Chair); Andrew Hippsley; Julia Hippsley & Rhian Williams;
ALSO PRESENT: Clive Baker – Clerk to Blaengwrach Community Council;
There were no members of the public present;
11/21 – APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies for absence had been received from the following Councillors: Amanda Doherty; Philippa Richards & Rhian Watts. No apologies had been received from Councillor Bethan Parry;
12/21 – DECLARATION(S) OF INTEREST: Councillor Carolyn Edwards made her usual declaration as a County Councillor of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council;
13/21 – CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AS A TRUE RECORD: The minutes of both the monthly meeting and the Annual General Meeting, BOTH held on 20th May 2021, were accepted as true records of these meetings;
14/21 – MATTERS ARISING & AGENDA ITEMS:
a) The Re-Opening of the Welfare Hall – The Cwmgwrach Judo Club are attending each Monday evening and a yoga class, run by Glynneath Training Centre, are in the Hall between 9.15am & 10.30am each Friday. The two other “regular users” have not yet decided when they will return. NOTE: UNDER PRESENT COVID GUIDELINES IT IS STILL ONLY POSSIBLE FOR A MAXIMUM OF 15 (FIFTEEN) PEOPLE TO BE IN ATTENDENCE IN THE HALL;
b) On-Going Vandalism in the Welfare Park – The Head of the local school has given their “general” address to the pupils on “looking after your local area”. THIS ITEM WILL NOW BE REMOVED FROM THE MINUTES;
c) Christmas 2021 Celebrations – Following Councillor Edwards`s meeting with NPTCBC, Street-Lighting Engineers re: light columns, firm plans are now under discussion for the posts to support the “banner” and to place lights on the lamp posts in High Street. A Complete costing for all the work will be put in place and it has been decided to apply for grant funding to cover the costs. the preferred contractor has been contacted re: supply of the “banner”, associated work for posts/electrical work for the same and for the proposed “new lights” in the High Street, the storage of the “new” items and supplying and dressing a Christmas tree. It was also decided to contact the supplier of “Santa`s Sleigh” to book it for 2021 (it was not available in 2020 as the supplier did not feel that they could supply it under the prevailing Covid guidelines). The date set for the “switch-on” is Saturday 20th November 2021. NOTE; As stated in the May 2021 minutes that if present Welsh Government Guidelines DO NOT change then a Christmas Party in the Welfare Hall WILL NOT take place;
d) The Effect of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 on Town/Community Councils ( General Power of Competence for Town & Community Councils in Wales)- Councillor Carolyn Edwards reported that she had attended the Neath Area Committee meeting of One Voice Wales and tis item was discussed. The main discussion at the above-mentioned meeting was that clarification was being sort on what the Welsh Government class as “large or small councils” and if the “small councils” will be required to install “broadband etc.” for “remote meetings” under the guidelines as this would add to each council`s “spend” and would obviously not have been budgeted for within the 2021-2022 financial year. Updates will be given when further information is available;
e) Litter Bins in the Welfare Park – The two 40 litre Osprey outdoor bins & fittings have been purchased and will be put in place as soon as possible;
f) Request by the Dunraven Arms to Place an Access Gate in the Wall of the Welfare Park – The “Letter of Agreement & Conditions” was sent to Mr.James on 24th May 2021 and returned, signed, on 27th May 2021 together with a “method statement” for the work. The work on the wall/gate will commence in early July 2021;
g) Councillor Vacancy under Section 86 of the Local Government Act 1972 – The required “Co-Option” Notice was published on the Council`s website (under notices), Facebook page and in the notice boards on 14th June 2021. The expiry time/date for candidates to “declare their interest” is 5pm on Wednesday 30th June 2021. As of the date of this meeting, one (1) letter of interest has been received and if no others are received by the deadline then the person who has already “declared” WILL BE CO-OPTED;
h) Agenda item 5a – Presentation/Agreement of the Council`s 2020-2021 Annual Return (Accounts) – The Annual Return and all relevant paperwork, together with the Internal Auditor`s Report, were examined by the Councillors and accepted. The “return” was duly signed by the Chair and RFO (Responsible Financial Officer) and will now be forwarded to the External Auditor. Whilst this item was being discussed it was decided to try to change the internal auditor for future years, commencing year ending 31st March 2022. The Clerk/RFO will contact “local, qualified” Council Auditors and if they accept the work then the existing internal auditors will be contacted to notify them of the change;
i) Agenda Item 5b – Revisit of the Agreement for Use of an Area of the Welfare Park by The Mine – After examining the agreement the Councillors requested that the Clerk invite the owner of The Mine to the July 2021 meeting to review the agreement;
j) Agenda item 5c – Replacement for Councillor Doherty on the Council`s Human Resources Committee (AGM Minute 05/21) – Following the AGM held on 20th May 2021 where Councillor Doherty was, in her absence, voted onto the Human Resources Committee, she had informed the Clerk that she did not wish to remain as a member of this internal committee. However, although she was not present at this meeting, the Chair reported that Councillor Doherty had agreed to stay on the HR Committee for the time being. Two further options were put forward: 1) That should Councillor Doherty decide NOT to remain on this commitee then Councillor Menna Mortimore will be her replacement & 2) If Councillor Doherty DOES decide to remain on this committee that Councillor Menna Mortimore replace Councillor Rhian Williams. A CLOSED MEETING TO DISCUSS THE ABOVE AND OTHER ITEMS RELATING TO HR HAS BEEN REQUESTED/ARRANGED FOR 6pm ON THURSDAY 1st JULY 2021 AND THE FOLLOWING COUNCILLORS WILL BE REQUESTED TO ATTEND: Carolyn Edwards (as Chair of the Council); Amanda Doherty; Philippa Richards; Rhian Williams & Menna Mortimore;
15/21 PLANNING:
24.5.2021 – Ref: P2021/0544 – Applicant(s): Mr. & Mrs. Johnson, c/o, Prime Architecture Ltd, 3 Llandeilo Road, Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire SA14 6NA – Proposed build of a four (4) bedroom dwelling on Plot 1 at Glannant Place, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5TE;
4.6.2021 – Ref: P2021/0568 – Applicant(s): Mr. Robert Thompson (Celtic Energy), 9 Beddau Way, Caerphilly, CF83 2AX – Application for approval of varied details under condition 68 of planning permission P2013/0720 (previously approved under application P2014/1108) to change the status and construction of the highways known as the New Parish Road and Old Parish Road that cross the former Selar Surface Mine site located close to Cwmgwrach and to regularise proposed changes to the new bridleway and footpath links across the site which connect to the local rights of way network at Selar Opencast Mine, Parish Road, Blaengwrach CF44 9UR;
8.6.2021 – Ref: NPT17245 – Applicant(s): WHP Telecoms Ltd, Helena House, Troy Mills, Troy Road, Leeds LS18 5GN – Pre-Planning letter for proposed 5G Telecommunications Installation (for H3G UK) of an 18m Phase 8 monopole c/w wraparound cabinet at the base and associated works at High Street, Blaengwrach;
19.6.2021 – Ref: P2021/0636 – Applicant(s): C K Hutchinson Networks (UK) Ltd, Great Brighams Mead, Vastern Road, Reading RG1 8DJ – confirmation of the planning application relating to reference NPT17245 above;
22.6.2021 – Ref: P2021/0624 – Applicant(s):Mr. Q. Hussain, Clun Y Bont, High Street, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5RX – Creation of two (2) additional self-contained flats (one ground floor & one first floor), plus changes to fenestration at the same address;
16/21 CRIME & DISORDER: The reported crime figures for Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach for March 2021 were 11 & for April 2021 were 12. They are broken down as follows:
March 2021 – Anti-Social Behaviour – 1; Other Thefts – 1; Public Disorder – 2 & Violent and Sexual Offences – 6;
April 2021 – Anti-Social Behaviour – 2; Criminal Damage & Arson – 1; Other Theft -1 & Violent and Sexual Offences – 8;
17/21 FINANCE:
for the period 21st May 2021 to 24th June 2021:
Payments Made:
Staff Pension Scheme – £64.75 (5 weeks);
Welsh Water – Hall Water Rates – £104.00;
Welsh Water – Cemetery Water Rates – £12.00;
HMRC – Tax & NI (staff Salaries & Wages 6.5.21 to 5.6.21) – £94.95;
Utility Warehouse Ltd – Electricity at Welfare Hall (June 2021) – £55.76;
British Gas – Gas at Welfare Hall (17.5.21 to 16.6.21) – £48.02;
NPTCBC – General Rates (Welfare Hall) – £428.00;
NPTCBC – General Rates (Cemetery) – £46.00;
Zurich Municipal – Council`s General Insurance (16.6.21 to 15.6.22) – £2,803.63;
Councillor Julia Hippsley – 2021-2022 Councillor Allowance – £150.00;
Councillor Rhian Watts – 2021-2022 Councillor Allowance – £150.00;
Councillor Carolyn Edwards – 2021-2022 Councillor Allowance -£150.00;
Councillor Amanda Doherty – 2021-2022 Councillor Allowance – £150.00;
O2 – Council Mobile Top-Up – £30.00;
Tesco – Printer Cartridge for Office – £16.50;
Small Plant & Machinery – Repair & service of Kubota (ride-on mower) – £385.00;
H R Harris & Partners – Internal Audit Fees – £1,260.00;
INCOME RECEIVED:
Hall Hire & Other Rental Fees – £120.00;
Monthly Interest on Reserve Account – £3.96;
18/21 CORRESPONDENCE:
Various updates from the Welsh Government relating to the Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic;
16.6.2021 from One Voice Wales – The Welsh Government`s “Programme for Government and Associated Well-Being” Statement;
There were no Section 137 Requests received between 21st May & 24th June 2021;
19/21 COUNTY COUNCILLOR`S REPORT(S): Councillor Carolyn Edwards had no further reports for this meeting;
20/21 SET, DATE, TIME, VENUE & PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: The next scheduled meeting will take place at 6.30pm on Thursday 15th July 2021 in the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach (to allow up to four (4) members of the public to attend. The four will be on a “first-come basis” and anyone wishing to attend should email the Clerk on blaengwrach.clerk@gmail.com by 7th July 2021 to confirm their attendance). There were two agreed agenda items for the July meeting.
1) The Defibrillator in the Welfare Hall &
2) The 2021 Remembrance Service;
The meeting closed at 8.15pm.