Blaengwrach Community Council

Draft Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 17th November 2022, held at the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach

Present: Cllr Carolyn Edwards, Cllr Alan Edwards, Cllr Rhian Williams, Cllr Menna Mortimore, Cllr Peter Rudd, Cllr Jennifer Bulman, Cllr David Jones

Council Employees Present:– Linda Evans – Clerk to The Council; Clive Baker – Responsible Financial Officer of the Council (via Zoom)

Members of the Public Present: 

County Councillor Hayley Davies (via zoom)

56/22 Apologies:

Cllr Rhian A Williams, Cllr Amanda Doherty had sent their apologies

57/22 Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this meeting

58/22 County Councillor`s Report:  

County Councillor Hayley Davies reported the following:

  1. After being approached by Cllr RAW at the end of the meeting dated 22nd September 2022, Agenda item unruly children. Cllr Hayley Davies discussed the raised issues with PCSO.
  2. Traffic survey in High Steet, Cwmgwrach has gone ahead and Cllr Hayley Davies will feedback and share with the Community Council the findings when she receives the report.

59/22  Public Observations on Matters Arising and Agenda Items Being Discussed at this Meeting –

There were no public observations on matters arising and agenda items.

60/22 Confirmation of the Minutes of the Last Meeting as a True Record.

  • The minutes of the monthly meeting held on the 20th October 2022 were accepted as a true record of that meeting with the following amendment: County Councillor report to read – County Councillor Hayley Davies was not in attendance at the October meeting so therefore no update on the traffic survey.
  • See item 44/22 For update on Aberpergwm Liaison Committee
  • 50/22 item c – Chair and NPT Highways met Friday 30th October to request permission to move one lamppost and hang banner across road.
  • 50/22 e Renewal of Leases for Council Owned Land – should read – Cllr Jones is liaising with one leaser.

61/22 Matters Arising & Agenda Items:

  1. Flat Roof & Kitchen Ceiling of the Welfare Hall – Repair of kitchen ceiling and male toilets.  Clerk is meeting contractor/s for quotes and will report back to Council.
  2. Christmas 2022 Celebrations – Chair has purchased the selection boxes for the local school. Receipt handed to RFO.  NPT Highways have started work on erecting the post and support across the entrance road to Village so that the Christmas banner can be installed.  Date given for completion 25th November 2022.
  3. The Governance & Financial Management Toolkit for Community & Town Councils in Wales – The details of courses booked/completed have been uploaded onto the Council Website. December timetable to be sent out by Clerk along with January’s timetable when received.
  4. Leases for Council Owned Land – Cllr DJ will continue to discuss the current Lease with one Leaser, Cllr DJ has a copy of the original agreement and will attend the next meeting that the Leacer is holding. Cllr MM offered to accompany.
  5. The Repairing of the Wall between The Dunraven Arms and the Welfare Park – Work has not commenced due to wet weather conditions.
  6. The Coalfield Regeneration Trust Energy Efficiency Community Buildings Support Programme – Energy Efficiency Inspection went ahead on 8th November 2022. Awaiting report.
  7. Unruly Children in the Area – If Cllr’s are approached by a member of the public regarding a criminal incident or concern they should encourage “them” to contact the police. Cllr’s concerned about a crime can request information from local constabulary if they wish to.
  8. The Use of the Welfare Hall to Support the Local Community in the Present Energy Crisis – Warm Hub – Meeting with Ioan Richards Local Area Co-Ordinator went ahead as planned with the  possibility of the hub starting 6th December 2022, Ioan has agreed to help with the project. Due to the Hall being used for School Christmas Concert rehearsals and concerts if was decided to start the Warm Hub project in January to coincide with the new start up “Singing for the Brain! Group (Empower Inspire Wellbeing) Thursday’s starting date 8th January 2023. Proposed date to start Warm Hub 6th January 2023.  Clerk to inform Ioan Richards of changes and continue to source funding and donations.
  9. The 2022 Remembrance Service – The service went well with a good turnout, 70-80 attendees. Chair thanked everyone involved. The order of service will need to be reprinted for next year. Cost of printing was shared between Royal British Legion and Blaengwrach Community Council.  Clerk to arrange for the poppies to be removed from Lampposts and stored for use next year.

62/22 Agenda Items:

  1. Preliminary Discussion on any Possible Council Projects/Non-Budget Items Required for financial year 2023/24 – Ideas put forward for possible projects. The repair of paths and wall around the Welfare Hall to be estimated.  Clerk to source possible funding (Pen y Cymoedd or loan (Local Authority Lending – PWLB) once an estimate is made.  Date for Special Financial Meeting 01.12.2022 6.30 pm.
  2. Preliminary Discussion on Precept 2023/24 – RFO prepared Preliminary Figures for 2023/24 Budget for consideration and discussion. A summary and advice given on possible % increase to precept. Decision made to carry this item to Special Financial Meeting 01.12.22 for further discussion.

63/22 Planning: 

No planning applications received.

64/22 Crime and Disorder.

The reported crime figures for the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach & Glynneath West area for September 2022 were 11in total.  This is broken down as Violence and sexual offences 5, Anti Social Behaviour 4, Burglary 1, Vehicle Crime 1; (From the “Crime Map” the reported crime figures show that with the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach area for September 2022 1 reported crimes. This was Anti-Social Behaviour 1

Note: Future Pact Meetings, hosted by The South Wales Police may well be on-line via Zoom and the South Wales Police will post all required details of the meetings on their web page. NOTE: The public can attend any local PACT meeting to ask questions & give their views re: local crime & policing.

Clerk to invite PSCO’s to future meetings.

65/22 Finance

Payments Made:

Nest – Staff pension Scheme 4 Weeks)                              £53.32

EE Limited – Monthly wi-fi rental (Hall)                          £303.26

British Gas – @Welfare Hall (17.10.22 – 16.11.22)                 0.00

NPTCBC – General Rates for Hall                                    £428.00

NPTCBC – General Rates for Cemetery                              £46.00

Utility Warehouse – Electricity @ Hall (October 2022)      £69.13

Welsh Water – Rates for Hall                                             £136.00

Welsh Water – Rates for Cemetery                                      £10.50

Zoom Business (C Baker) – Monthly Fee                            £14.39

Amazon UK (L Evans) – Wall bracket for TV                    £24.99

Mr Flag (C Baker) – Draig Goch for flag pole                    £26.40

NPTCBC – Admin fee for 2022 Local Elections             £1601.05

Welsh Water – Extra Rates @ Cemetery – meter reading   £16.03

RVS (L Evans) – 4 first class postage stamps                       £3.80

 

Income received

Monthly rental/hall hire etc –                                              £220.00

Monthly interest on reserve account                                       £8.27

Burial Fees                                                                          £250.00

 

66/22 Correspondence

24.10.22

  • Revised Proposals – email
  • Invitation to Tender – NPT Councils Commissioning of Families First Services- email
  • Invite – The importance of Community and Town Councils in building resilient spaces for nature -email

27.10.22

  • PSE365: Housing Invite – email
  • South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Annual Community Survey email
  • Decarbonisation Masterclass Series – email

09.11.22

  • Welsh Government Workshop Events – email
  • License Agreement received for signature in relation to Wildlife Garden on land adjacent to High Street, Cwmgwrach – letter
  • Clerks and Councils Direct – newsletter

 

16.11.22

  • Welsh Government – Notification of Permissible Section 137 Rate for 2023-2024

17.11.22

  • Preparation and Publication of Statutory Financial Accounts for 2021-22 – letter
  • Chair received – Invite All Blaengwrach Councillors to Old Age Concert – 6.30 pm Wednesday 7th December, 2022. Welfare Hall.

 

Section 137 Requests:

 

67/22 Set Date, Time & Proposed Agenda Items for the next meeting;

The next meeting is scheduled will be held on Thursday 1st December 2022 at 6.30pm. The  venue of the meeting will be the Welfare Hall, and available remotely on Zoom.  The proposed agenda items are, at this time –  None

Notices for the meetings will be posted at least three working days before they are due to take place.

 

Meeting closed at 7.36 pm

 

Accepted as a true record

 

Signed:

 

Councillor – Carolyn Edwards   (Chair Person)

 

 

The Council resolved to enter Closed Session under Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972 & the Council Standing Order 1c to Discuss Personnel Issues.

 

NOTE: ANY DISCUSSIONS/ETC WHICH TAKE PLACE IN “CLOSED SESSION” MUST REMAIN IN “CLOSED SESSION” AND NOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE PUBLIC DOMAIN (MINUTES) UNLESS AGREED BY THE FULL COUNCIL AT A FUTURE MEETING.

 

Any Closed Session Item  (Review of Staff Practices etc) will be held in Closed Session. All HR meetings must be “Closed Meetings” without the public being in attendance.