Draft Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 18th July 2024 at the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach and via Zoom, commencing at 6.30 pm
Present: Cllr R Williams (Chair), Cllr C Edwards, Cllr P Rudd, Cllr M Mortimore, Cllr A Hipsley and Cllr D Jones
Council Employees Present: Clerk/RFO Linda Evans
Members of the Public Present: Cllr H Davies
36/24 Apologies: Cllr J Bulman, Cllr A Doherty, Cllr R A Williams and Cllr A Edwards had sent their apologies.
Chair Cllr R Williams started the meeting at 6.30 pm by welcoming all present. The meeting is held as a multi-hybrid meeting in accordance with The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. Council Standing Order 3b(i)
37/24 Declarations of Interest: Cllr R Williams declared an interest in Item – Further to Minute 17/24 (d) Parking on the Cwmgwrach High Street – being a coordinator of a children’s creche group.
38/24 County Councillor`s Report:
- Cllr H Davies informed the meeting that she had contacted NPTCBC Head of Housing and Planning Department regarding the lack of parking in relation to the number of flats at Clyn y Bont, and has also raised the need for fencing around the bin area at the entrance to the flats, she is awaiting replies and will update the Councillors of any developments.
- Cllr H Davies informed the meeting that the resurfacing of the High Street has been completed up to the shop. Due to skips outside the Calfaria Chapel they were unable to complete up to the bridge. It has been arranged for the highways team to return to complete this part of the road in the coming week, and the builders had been informed that the skips will need to be removed for the work to be done. A full resurfacing has not been done, but the areas that needed repairing have been done with a Hotbox Machine that cuts out and repairs to a depth of 40mm.
- Cllr H Davies, along with the Clerk had met with NPTCBC Passenger Transport Manager on 12th July 2024, to discuss the ongoing issues of the large school buses collecting and dropping off pupils. The meeting had been productive and time was spent in the Village observing where the pupils were catching the bus, and the difficulties the bus had while collecting the pupils and then travelling through the Village. The Chair brought forward 42/24 Agenda item 7 c) Home to School Bus Operation – so the Council could discuss the meeting with Cllr H Davies.
During the meeting with the Transport Manager, it was suggested that pupils from both Comprehensive Schools, Ystalyfera and Llangatwg, wait and catch their bus at the bus stop at the mini roundabout. This would mean the buses would not need to travel through the Village. During this meeting the Clerk and Cllr H Davies were made aware that the Service and School Bus operators had raised concerns, with his department, the difficulties they were experiencing travelling through the Village, and the possibility of a withdrawal of service through the Village. The suggestion of smaller buses was not a viable option probably due to cost and passenger numbers. It was discussed at the meeting if the Council would consider supporting the change of pick/drop up at the mini roundabout bus stop or arrange a public meeting to gauge resident’s views on the change. The number of pupils that would be affected will be communicated to Cllr H Davies by the Transport Manager, and any changes would be communicated to parents by the Transport Manager.
Councillors discussed and debated the suggestions and had the following concerns – Though the bus stop would provide a pull in for the school buses, and shelter for the pupils, the traffic in and out of the village is busy at this location, and close to the dual carriageway. Would Parents agree with the changes, and finally the probable need for the bus to reverse at the roundabout to swing around into the bus stop, the Councillors wanted to know if this had been investigated and risk assessed. If the changes were to go ahead, is there a need for a pelican crossing or a Crossing Warden for safety at the roundabout, it was concluded that the employment of a Warden would need to be funded by the Community Council, this was not budgeted for in 2024/25 Financial Year, so the introduction of a crossing would be the best option. It was RESOLVED that Cllr H Davies take these concerns to the NPTCBC Transport Manager for a response, so the Council can consider this issue further.
39/24 Public Observations on Matters Arising and Agenda Items
There were no observations made at this meeting.
40/24 To Approve the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Wednesday 19th June 2024
Proposed and seconded that the minutes from the Ordinary Meeting held on 19/06/24 are a correct record thereof. RESOLVED
41/24 Matters Arising from the Annual General Meeting and Ordinary Meeting held on Wednesday 19th June 2024
Further to minute 17/24 d) Parking on the Cwmgwrach High Street – The Clerk had contacted the NPTCBC Planning Department for clarity on the question of if planning permission had been given for the change of use for the Calfaria Chapel; The Clerk shared the following with the Meeting; The change of use of the building from a chapel to a creche/day nursery would not require a change of use application as both uses are classed as D1.
42/24 Agenda Items:
a) Christmas Lighting 2024 – The Clerk has received a request from NPTCBC Lighting & Building Services requesting the councils plans for Christmas lighting decoration/lighting. The proposals will need to be submitted by 30th September 2024. Clerk informed the meeting that the Festive Lights budget for 2024/25 is £3000, the cost of the Festive Lights for 2023 totalled 2310. The Council had bought lamp post lights previously which have not been used, it was discussed whether these would be used this year. They are smaller in width than those provided. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk investigate using the Council’s lights this year, and if this would incur a higher cost due to additional fittings. The Council will continue to engage Centergreat to facilitate Festive Lights for the Community Council. RESOLVED a decision on what lamppost lights to be used will be made at the September Meeting so the Clerk will be able to submit the Council proposal before the deadline.
b) Councillor Allowances, Homeworking Arrangements and Consumables 2024/25 – A letter from the Clerk was given to each Councillor in relation to The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales setting out details of Payments to Members of Community & Town Councils and Contribution towards Cost of Care and Personal Assistance. Councillor Allowance for 2024/25 will be £156, the meeting agreed a flat rate of £52 payment for Consumables. This will be paid to each Councillor in December 2024 unless the Councillor provides the Clerk with an opt-out form before the September Meeting. RESOLVED
43/24 Planning:
There were no planning applications at this meeting.
A pre-planning application has been received – Pre-app at Bwllch Ffos Q2024/0157 – The completion of the restoration of Bwlch ffos Quarry to include the extraction of approx. 250,000 tonnes of high-quality sandstone, processing of the sandstone, haulage to the Cwmgwrach Railhead using existing foresty roads, and the storage and distribution of the material from that location. Relevant documents that were provided were examined by the Councillors at the Meeting. Councillors were interested to know if the stone will be removed by rail, and therefore reintroducing the rail link. Councillors discussed how desirable a passenger service for the Community of Blaengwrach, Cwmgwrach and Glynneath would be. Councillors were interested to know if the reopening of the Quarry would provide local jobs and how long the company estimates it will take to complete the proposed extraction. The Councillors considered the environmental impact report provided within the attachments. RESOLVED The Clerk will respond to the application with the questions raised and bring any information received back to the next meeting.
44/24 Crime and Policing
Clerk reported on the May 2024 – Crime Map and Figures as reported on the Police UK website:
8 Crimes were reported in the Blaengwrach Area – Violence and sexual offences 5, Drugs 1, Vehicle crime 1 and All other crime 1. 2 crimes were in the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach Village – 1 Violence and sexual offences, 1 All other crime. RESOLVED and noted
45/24 Finance
RESOLVED the following payments were scrutinised and approved:
Clerks Report – Monthly E&I 20/06/2024 to 18/07/2024 | ||
Payments Made | 20/06/24 to 18/07/24 | Amounts £ |
Nest | Staff Pension Scheme (5 weeks) | £79.55 |
Staff Wages | Groundsperson/Caretaker (5 Weeks) Clerk/RFO (4 weeks) | £3030.84 |
HMRC | Tax and NI 06/06/24 to 05/07/24 | £789.99 |
Utility Warehouse Ltd | Electricity @ Welfare Hall March 2024 | £209.08 |
Welsh Water | Water Rates for Welfare Hall | £151.00 |
Welsh Water | Water Rates for Cemetery | £21.50 |
NPTCBC | Rates Welfare Hall | £393.00 |
NPTCBC | Rates Cemetery | £20.00 |
EE | Hall Wi-Fi | £54.99 |
British Gas | Hall Usage 17/04/24-17/05/24 | £239.80 |
Post Office Ltd., | Postage – Audit Wales Paperwork | £8.95 |
Small Plant and Machinery Ltd., | Sit on Honda Service and Repair | £366.00 |
Small Plant and Machinery Ltd., | Push Along Honda Service and Repair | £175.00 |
Viking | Hall and Office Supplies – Ink/Disenfectant and Hand Rolls | £93.70 |
L Evans | Reimbursment for No Nails purchase – Repair Hall Chairs | £12.00 |
Playsafe Ltd | ROSPA Park Inspection and Report | £156.00 |
Total | £5,801.40 | |
Income Received | 20/06/2024 to 18/07/2024 | Amounts £ |
SRCC Stores Ltd | Monthly Rental of Shed in the Park | £30.00 |
TSB Bank | Monthly Interest on “Reserve” Saver | £17.26 |
NPTCBC | Hall Hire Messy Play | £56.00 |
VIEW (Glynneath) Ltd | Hall Hire Yoga – May 24 | £42.00 |
Zumba | Hall Hire April/May24 | £70.00 |
Cwmgwrach OAP | Halll Hire April and May | £112.00 |
H Lewis Funeral Director | New Cremation Plot Fee | £250.00 |
£577.26 | ||
Account Balances | As at 18/07/2024 | |
General Account | £2,680.05 | |
Reserve/Saver Account | £9,643.71 | |
Total Account Balances as at 18/07/24 £ | £12,323.76 | |
Unpaid Leases 2023/24-£100 |
Clerk confirmed that she has written to SRCC Stores Ltd to request an increase in the monthly rental fee to £35.00 per month. RESOLVED
Clerk has been in contact with British Gas with a request for an energy supply quote, the current fixed rate expires in March 2025. Clerk has been contacted by several energy brokers with offers. RESOLVED the Council tasked the Clerk to compare quotes and renew with the most favourable company.
Clerk discussed with the Council approval for her to commence training for the CILCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration) Qualification. The cost for the full training will be £450.00. This will be within budget set for training for 2024/25. RESOLVED Clerk will find out the next intake date and discuss further with Council.
46/24 Correspondence & Section 137 Request:
- Safety of Lithium-ion Batteries – Campaign supported by NALC and SLCC – email received on 17/07/2024 asking the Council to support the campaign to improve safety of lithium batteries(used in e-bike and e-scooters) and their disposal. The email was from the researcher for Lord (Don) Foster. The email contained spreadsheets with details of incidents and a poster to support the campaign. The Councillors discussed the correspondence and agreed to support the campaign. RESOLVED Clerk to inform the campaign researcher and display the poster within the notice boards and website.
- Regional Transport in South West Wales – Clerk has shared with each Councillor the invite to participate in the consultation on new Regional Transport Plan for South West Wales. RESOLVED
- Third Sector Culture & Heritage Forum – Feedback form Proposed Merger – All Councillors have received the information RESOLVED and noted.
47/24 Set Date, Time & Proposed Agenda Items for the next meeting; …
The next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Thursday 19th September 2024 at 6.30 pm. THERE WILL BE NO ORDINARY MEETING IN AUGUST.
Notices for the meetings will be posted at least three working days before they are due to take place.
Meeting closed at 8.10 pm