Draft Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 19th January 2023
held at the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach
commencing at 6.30 pm
Present: Cllr, Carolyn Edwards, Cllr Alan Edwards, Cllr Rhian A Williams, Cllr Rhian Williams, Cllr Peter Rudd, Cllr, David Jones, Cllr, Jennifer Bulman
Cllr, Amanda Doherty joined via Zoom
Council Employees Present: Clerk to the Council Linda Evans, RFO Clive Baker
Members of the Public Present: No members of the public present
75/22 Apologies: Cllr, Menna Mortimore, Cllr, Andrew Hippsley
A minutes silence was observed in respect for Cllr, A Hipsley’s recent bereavement, the passing of his Father.
76/22 Declarations of Interest. Cllr., David Jones – current member of Cwmgwrach Rugby Club in relation to 80/22 Matters Arising from the meetings17/11/22 -item (d) – Leases for Council Owned Land. (This is an indirect interest as Cllr., David Jones is not a committee member at the Rugby Club.
77/22 County Councillor`s Report: Cllr, Hayley Davies sent her apologies as unable to attend the meeting. She sent information regarding Agenda Item (e)
78/22 Public Observations on Matters Arising and Agenda Items Being Discussed at this Meeting – There were no Public Observations.
79/22 Confirmation of the Minutes of the Last Meeting as a True Record – the minutes of the Ordinary meeting 17/11/22 and Special Finance Meeting 01/12/22 were passed.
80/22 Matters Arising from the meetings17/11/22
a.Flat Roof & Kitchen Ceiling of the Welfare Hall – The quote for the Kitchen and Gents Toilet Ceiling, M/F metal to joists, plasterboard and skim finish. Total £1382.40. Quote was approved and work due to start 20th January, 2023.
b.Christmas 2022 Celebrations – Item closed
c.The Governance & Financial Management Toolkit for Community & Town Councils in Wales – Item closed
d.Leases for Council Owned Land – Item moved to Closed Session
e.The Repair of the Wall between The Dunraven Arms and the Welfare Hall – When work commenced it was reported by Stone Mason that the condition of the Wall was far worse and completely water damaged than the first estimated covered and would take longer to repair – this was due to the coping stone needing to be removed and replaced. To compete the job an extra £800 – £1000 was needed. Cllr’s agreed this was unfortunate as funds are limited but saw the need to have the repairs done to a high standard. Clerk to speak to Stone Mason and explain the need to keep the cost to the new estimate.
f.The Coalfield Regeneration Trust Energy Efficiency Community Buildings Support Program – Report received and Clerk will share with the Cllr’s
g.Unruly Children in the Area – Item closed
h.The Use of the Welfare Hall to Support the Local Community in the Present Energy Crisis – Warm Hub – Started 17th One customer so far, so there is a need to advertise on Facebook.
i.The 2022 Remembrance Service – Item closed
Matters Arising from the Meeting 01/12/2022
a. Reiterations of New Council Projects and Non-Budget Items – Clerk reported that the person responsible for the apparatus to get back to get back to the email enquiry. Tree survey arranged for 25th
b. 5 Year Plan – added to Agenda for monthly discussion
c. Reiteration Discussion – Precept 2023/24 – Letter confirming Precept sent to Principal Revenues Manager – letter dated 12/12/2022.
d. Payments by RFO (from personal bank account) – RFO and Clerk completed the bank mandate Monday 16th January 2023 – Clerk added to the bank account and Debit Card requested. Confirmation will take up to 3-4 weeks Cllr’s Menna Mortimore and Carolyn Edwards will receive notification.
AOB
- Aberpergwm Colliery – Clerk to confirm Cllr Menna Mortimore and Cllr Amanda Doherty membership so that invites can be sent to the correct Councilors. Clerk to email and confirm contact details with NP at Aberpergwm.
81/22 Agenda Items:
a. Cremation Memorials – Councillor’s discussed the email received 17th November 2022, regarding a request for an upright memorial for a cremation plot. Guidelines state that memorials will be black granite sloping tablet measuring 20”x20”x4”x2”. Though there was sympathy for the request it was decided that the guidelines (March 22) were set in place for continuity and in line with County Borough Guidelines and that the request was refused. Clerk to respond via letter of outcome and decision. Another matter was raised, a concerned constituent felt that the recent burial at the cemetery was not the required distance from the neighboring plot. Clerk to check and discuss with funeral director if there is an issue.
b. Increase of Fees – Cemetery and Hall Hire – Councillor’s discussed the realistic increase in running costs of the Hall and that it cannot be run at a loss. This will mean an inevitable increase in the hire costs. There was agreement that costs of hire should be reasonable and kept as low as possible so that we remain competitive and in line with similar facilities. With the addition of the recent Wi-Fi and TV screen installation the Hall should be an attractive venue for parties and corporate meetings. Clerk and RFO to look at Marketing options and bring to the next meeting. From April 1st Fees for the Hall will be renewed:
| Current Welfare Hall Fees | ||
| Residents & Groups Based in Cwmgwrach | ||
| Current Fees | Fees from 01/04/23 | |
| Monday to Friday | £10.00 – per hour | £12.00 |
| Monday to Friday | £25.00 – half day/four hours | £30.00 |
| Monday to Friday | £50.00 – full day 4-8+ hours | £70.00 |
| Saturday and Sunday | £12.00 – per hour | £14.00 |
| Saturday and Sunday | £30.00 – half day/four hours | £40.00 |
| Saturday and Sunday | £60.00 – full day/4-8+ hours | £70.00 |
| Non Residents and Groups Outside Cwmgwrach | ||
| Monday to Friday | £12.00 – per hour | £14.00 |
| Monday to Friday | £36.00 – half day/four hours | £40.00 |
| Monday to Friday | £60.00 – full day 4-8+ hours | £80.00 |
| Saturday and Sunday | £17.50 – per hour | £19.50 |
| Saturday and Sunday | £30.00 – half day/four hours | £50.00 |
| Saturday and Sunday | £60.00 – full day/4-8+ hours | £80.00 |
Cemetery Fees will be reviewed at next meeting
c. CM Forward – Cinema – The use of the Cinema equipment before Christmas was a great success. And with the disbandment of the CM Forward Group the Clerk will email RH to find out the future plans for the equipment.
d. Crisis in the NHS – Chair has composed a letter to the First Minister with concerns about the patient care in the NHS especially in the SBUHB Area. All agreed with the content of the letter. Clerk to send to Rt. Hon. Mark Drakeford MS, First Minister and C.C. Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Health and Social Services.
e. Underpass – swearwords – Cllr Hayley Davies reported to the meeting that Streetcare would be cleaning the underpass. The underpass would be pressure washed and any offensive material on the walls removed. Cllr’s are concerned that a drain/culvert next to the new walkway bridge was blocked and needed reviewing for damage. Clerk to pass on the concerns to Cllr Hayley Davies for her attention.
f. RFO Examination of Quarterly Budget Figures (01.10.22 to 31.12.22)
g, RFO Salary Report – Discussed in Closed Session
h. Centergreat Invoice – RFO explained the breakdown of the invoice and all agreed that it should be paid in full.
82/22 Planning:
P2022/0959 – Applicant Ceri Owen – 11 Parish Road, Blaengwrach, Neath. SA11 5SW – Site location same address. Proposed development – single storey side extension.
P2022/0990 – Applicant Aimee Moran – Ty Mae Y Gwair, Heol Nedd, Cwmgwrach. SA11
83/22 Crime and Disorder.
The reported crime figures for the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach & Glynneath West area for November 2022 11 Crimes – 1 Criminal damage and arson, 2 Other theft, 2 Public Order, 1 Shoplifting, 2 Vehicle crime, 3 Violence and sexual offences. (From the “Crime Map” the reported crime figures show that with the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach area for November 2022 3 reported crimes – 2 Public Order, 1 Shoplifting.
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.
84/22 Finance
18/11/22 to 19/01/23
Income and Expenditure Report
Payments Made
Nest – Staff Pension Scheme £ 119.97
HMRC -Tax and NI Due 364.26
NPTCBC – General Rates for Welfare Hall 956.00
NPTCBC – General Rates for Cemetery 92.00
British Gas – Welfare Hall 928.50
Utility Warehouse Ltd., – Electricity Welfare Hall 443.71
Welsh Water – Welfare Hall 272.00
Welsh Water – Cemetery 21.00
Zoom Business – 2 months fees 28.78
EE Limited – 2 months fees wi-fi Hall 88.80
Tesco Mobile – Council Mobile Phone 30.00
Morrisons – Christmas lights and decorations – Hall 40.50
Viking Direct – Cleaning materials/stationary/ alarms 238.52
Tesco – 139 selection boxes – Children’s Christmas Gift 208.00
The Post Office – Postage 3.45
Tumbleweed – Gardening items 17.46
Centergreat Limited – Christmas Light Installation 6,114.00
One Voice Wales – Training Nov & Dec 2022 52.50
Total Payments (Debits) for this Period £15036.25
Income Received
SRCC Stores Ltd., – 2 Months’ Rent – shed in park £ 60.00
Mrs R Jenkins – Fee search Cemetery/Burial Records 10.00
NPTCBC – Final Payment for 2022-2023 Precept 16262.66
TSB Bank – 2 months interest on Reserve Saver 23.28
Energybuild – Christmas Grant Monies 500.00
E Pike – Hall Hire Fee 02/10/22 30.00
View(Glynneath) Ltd., – Hall Hire Nov 22 30.00
Celtic Archers – Hall Hire Nov 22 120.00
R Powell – Hall Hire Fee 26/11/22 30.00
Cwmgwrach RBL – half payment for Order of Service 82.50
Alun Lewis Funeral – Burial Plot 255 500.00
Cwmgwrach Judo Club – Hall Hire Nov/Dec 22 60.00
Trem y Mor Day Centre – Christmas Party 16/12/22 20.00
Total Credits in for this Period £17728.44
Account Balances
General Account- 19/01/23 £14213.97
Reserve/Saver Account – 19/01/23 £18278.65
Total Account Balances – 19/01/23 £32492.62
85/22 Correspondence
- Appropriate Sum under Section 137(4)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 – Section 137 Expenditure Limit for 2023-24
- Letter and Card from Buckingham Palace – In thanks for the Book of Condolence sent from the Blaengwrach Community Council.
86/22 Review Budget Items and “5 Year Plan”- No discussion, adjourned to next meeting. Proposed and seconded.
Section 137 Requests:
There were no 137 requests made at this meeting.
87/22 Set Date, Time & Proposed Agenda Items for the next meeting;
The next meeting is scheduled will be held on Thursday 16th February at 6.30pm, due to the Clerk’s annual leave the next meeting has been agreed as Thursday 23rd February 2023 at 6.30 pm. 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 8.23 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.