Draft Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 19th October 2023, at the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach and via Zoom, commencing at 6.30 pm
Present: Chair Cllr. C Edwards, Cllr. P Rudd, Cllr. J Bulman, Cllr. M Mortimore, Cllr. R Williams, Cllr. A Hippsley, Cllr. R A Williams
Council Employees Present: RFO Clive Baker, Clerk Linda Evans
Members of the Public Present: Cllr H Davies
82/23 Apologies: Cllr. A Edwards sent his apologies.
Cllr. C Edwards – Chair started the meeting. The meeting is held as a multi-hybrid meeting in accordance with The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021
83/23 Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.
84/23 County Councillor`s Report:
- H Davies reported that following the last meeting the Police Patrol Vehicle had been attending the roads around the school at busy drop off and pick up times. RESOLVED and noted. The Council thanked Cllr H D for following up on the original complaint.
- Cllr HD has received notice from NRW (National Recourses Wales) that harvesting of infected Larch Trees will begin “any time soon.” This will mean an increase in lorry activity on the forest roads. RESOLVED and noted. PR confirmed signage and warnings had been posted in the area.
- In relation to Agenda Item Crime and Disorder – Cllr HD informed the Council that after the vandalism to the Defibrillator at Vale of Neath Leisure Centre, replacement pads had been installed and the code reset. PCSO’s have made a visit to the local school to explain the importance of the deliberator in an emergency, it is hoped, the raised awareness will prevent any further vandalism. RESOLVED and noted.
85/23 Public Observations on Matters Arising and Agenda Items Being Discussed at this Meeting: There were no public observations on matters arising or agenda items.
86/23 Confirmation of the Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 21st September 2023– RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 21st September 2023 be confirmed as a correct record thereof.
87/23 Matters Arising from the meeting held on 20th July 2023-
Christmas Celebrations item 65/23 e) Final preparations agreed RESOLVED Clerk to design poster, to be posted on council website and FB page, and displayed in the local shop and notice boards. Clerk to produce tickets and make dates available for Cwmgwrach/Blaengwrach residents to collect/buy. Cllr. RAW and Cllr. RW offered to help with the ticket sale.
Budget 2024/25 item 66/23 b) Cllr’s will need to look at projects and maintenance that need prioritising before finalising the 24/25 Budget (November Meeting). Cllr CE and Cllr RW noted several issues to be prioritised – Concrete sill above entrance door, clearing of guttering and the outside lights that are not working. RESOLVED Clerk to organise urgent maintenance issues, and enquire about the repair of the concrete lintel.
88/23 Agenda Items:
a) Remembrance Sunday, 12 November 2023 – The service arrangements were discussed by the Councillors. RESOLVED the service will start at 10.30 a.m., Clerk will arrange the Last Post and Reveille to be played at the appropriate time. MM will lay the wreath on behalf of the Community Council, and Cllr RW will assist with the “welsh spoken” parts of the service. Clerk to buy the necessary items for the refreshments. Cllrs to help with refreshments. Clerk to contact those who will be taking part in the service with final details.
It was discussed that a donation of £50.00 to the Royal British Legion be made on behalf of the Community Council in lieu of wreath. It was proposed that a “Tommy” Memorial be purchased with a cost of £175.00 RESOLVED Clerk to contact Cimla Forge to arrange the purchase. RFO to process the donation to RBL.
b) Resignation of the Responsible Financial Officer – The Cllr’s acknowledged the resignation letter received from CB RFO, confirming the notice period, and finishing date of 17th The Chair and Cllr’s were grateful for the hard work and dedication give over the years, and the knowledge that he brought to the role of Clerk and RFO. It is with great sadness that they accepted the resignation and gave best wishes for his retirement. RESOLVED and noted.
The role of RFO and succession was discussed further in Closed Session.
89/23 Planning:
Application No: P2023/0755 – Details to be agreed in association with conditions 4 desktop assessment) & 6 (site investigations & remedial works) of planning application no. P2022/0230 granted 26/10/2022. Location: 35 Parish Road, Blaengwrach. Mr C Griffiths – same address.
Application No: P2023/0562 – Mr and Mrs Parry, 22 Parish Road, Blaengwrach. Site
Same address. Proposed Development – Proposed side canopy extension.
90/23 Crime and Disorder.
11 Crimes were reported in the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach area in August 2023 – 7
Violence and Sexual Offences, 3 Anti-Social Behaviour, 1 Public Order.
91/23 Finance
F&A Committee reported to the Full Council that they were satisfied with the Quarterly Budget figures, and recommended that they be approved by Full Council. Proposed and accepted RESOLVED.
The following payments were scrutinised and approved. RESOLVED
| Payments Made | 22/09/23 to 19/10/23 | £ Amounts |
| HMRC | Tax & NI (6.7.23-5.9.23) | 220.05 |
| Utility Warehouse Ltd | Electricity Welfare Hall – September 23 | 213.35 |
| Welsh Water | Welfare Hall | 125.00 |
| Welsh Water | Cemetery | 30.00 |
| Zoom Business | Monthly fee | 15.59 |
| EE Ltd | Monthly fee Wi-Fi | 50.78 |
| British Gas – Hall | 17/08/23 to 16/09/23 | 119.24 |
| NPTCBC | Monthly rates – Hall | 375.00 |
| NPTCBC | Monthly rates – Cemetery | 19.00 |
| Small Plant Machinery | Annual PAT Testing
Repair/Service Machinery |
319.00 |
| Euro Garages | Petrol for Park Machinery | 9.56 |
| NPTCBC | Trade Waste Collection Fee – 01/10/23 to 31/03/23 | 430.30 |
| Income Received | £ Amounts | |
| SRCC Stores Ltd | 1 months rental fee | 30.00 |
| TSB Bank | Monthly Interest – Saver | 8.61 |
| Celtic Archers | Hall Hire Sept | 120.00 |
| SFTB – Empower | Hall Hire Sept | 96.00 |
| Account Balances | As at Dated 19/10/2023 | £ Amounts |
| General Account | 11,085.37 | |
| Reserve/Saver Account | 10,027.24 | |
| Total Account Balances 21,112.61 | ||
RFO reported on unpaid lease and hall hire totaling £184.00 RESOLVED and noted
It was asked if the Council Gas and Electric Account was in credit due to direct debit payments. RFO reported that the Council pay for what is used each month, so no credit due. RESOLVED
92/23 Correspondence Section 137 Request: Wales Air Ambulance – Community Council Appeal 2023 –
It was noted by the Cllr’s that the Charity provides an essential and crucial role, and a great benefit to the community. they are currently unable to donate. Fundraising ideas were discussed, including a book swap with the proceeds going to the Charity. Also, a collection at the upcoming Christmas event. RESOLVED Clerk to contact Air Ambulance Wales with the decision and see what materials are available to support a collection. To arrange for a bookcase to start the book swap.
93/23 Review Budget Items and “5 Year Plan”
Stage Curtains – The grant application that was made to Aberpergwm Community Fund has been successful, waiting on the work to be completed.
94/23 Set Date, Time & Proposed Agenda Items for the next meeting; …
The next Ordinary Meeting of the Community Council will be held on Thursday 16th November 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.
The Council will resolve to enter Closed Session under Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972 & the Council Standing Order 3 c to Discuss Personnel Issues on the Agenda.