Draft Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 19th September 2024 at the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach and via Zoom, commencing at 6.30 pm
Present: Cllr R Williams (Chair), Cllr M Mortimore, Cllr A Hippsely, Cllr A Edwards, Cllr C Edwards, Cllr D Jones, Cllr R A Williams and Cllr A Doherty
Council Employees Present: Clerk/RFO Linda Evans
Members of the Public Present: There were no members of the public present
60/24 Apologies: Cllr P Rudd and Cllr J Bulman had sent their apologies. Cllr H Davies had sent her 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) No one attended online at this meeting.
61/24 Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest at this meeting.
62/24 County Councillor`s Report:
Councillor Hayley Davies had sent her apologies as she was unable to attend the meeting, but had provided an update for the meeting that she had shared with the Clerk to read at the meeting:
- Home to School Bus Operation – Cllr H Davies had contacted the NPTCBC Transport Manager. He confirmed that no further decision had been made by the bus contractors. The buses are still picking up pupils (attending Llangatwg Comprehensive and Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera) along the usual route through the Village. Councillors discussed the email shared by Cllr H Davies. Councillors at the meeting suggested if a mini-bus could collect pupils who catch the buses for Ystalafera and Llangatwg (the number of pupils would be needed) take them to the Vale of Neath Leisure Car Park where the larger buses would then collect the pupils for their onward journey to school. The following questions were asked – would the cost be acceptable; would the leisure center be agreeable? However, if the buses wish to collect from KFC area – then reverse past the turning to Empire Avenue and wait there? It may mean the double yellow lines would need to be removed. It was RESOLVED to ask Cllr H Davies if a H&S Audit/Engineer Survey/Road Survey that includes parking could be carried out by NPTCBC. Could areas in the Village be identified for residential parking and developed? Would traffic islands along the High Street and further yellow lines mean double parking is reduced. Councillors noted that the skip has returned outside the Chapel, can anything be done to make them remove it?
- Cllr H Davies had received an email from NPTCBC regarding the private building site on Wenallt Road. The email confirmed that the owner had received a letter requesting the clearance of overgrowth and unrelated building materials from the site, along with a request for improvements to condition of the land. Councillors were pleased to hear that this issue was being addressed. They raised concerns regarding running water that flows from the site during winter and then freezes across the road.
63/24 Public Observations on Matters Arising and Agenda Items
There were no observations made at this meeting.
64/24 To Approve the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 19th September 2024
It was RESOLVED that the minutes from the meeting be approved as a true record.
65/24 Matters Arising from the Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 19th September 2024
Further to minute 53/24 (42/24 a) Christmas Lighting 2024 – NPTCBC 5-year Street Lighting Agreement is due for renewal – Chair signed the agreement and Clerk witnessed the signature. RESOLVED Clerk to return the agreement to NPTCBC.
NPTCBC have completed the Christmas Lighting Survey for the lamppost lighting. It concluded that Chain Road column 19 was no longer suitable, Clerk requested column 17 was used instead. RESOLVED Councillors agreed this was a good alternative.
Switch-on by Centergreat has been confirmed as the 29th November 2024. And they have received all paperwork from the Clerk RESOLVED
Further to minute 53/24 Agenda Item a) Council Accessibility and Biodiversity Policy – Celtic Wildflowers, Swansea, supply Native Wildflower Perennial Mix that would be suitable to plant on the verges leading into the Village. Councillors would like to purchase the wildflowers and arrange for planting. RESOLVED permission given to the Clerk to purchase the seeds in preparation for planting in November.
Further to minute 54/24 b) – Hire of Conference Room – Co-ordinators of the Vale of Neath Baby Bank had visited the Hall to see if the conference room would be suitable and meet their needs. They would need single use of the room. If an agreement to lease the room was made, they would need some work done to the room. There is plaster missing from under the window and the bulge in the ceiling would need to be made good. Councillors agreed for this work to be carried out. They would possibly be using the room 2 mornings a week, so an hourly rate for the use of the room to be charged. Councillors are pleased the Hall facilities may be used by the Baby Bank as they can see a great community benefit from the scheme. RESOLVED Clerk will arrange for the work to be carried out in the conference room and discuss the hire further
Further to minute 54/24 c) Council Lease for Cwmgwrach Rugby Club – Councillors discussed the information obtained by the Clerk, and approved further negotiations to take place with Hutching and Thomas solicitors if required. Councillors discussed other options regarding Council Leases and instructed the Clerk to investigate these options with One Voice Wales. RESOLVED
66/24 Agenda Items:
a) Remembrance Service 2024 – Service will be held on Sunday 10th November 2024, commencing at 10.30 am. Clerk has produced the posters and will distribute, and post on the Council website and Notice Boards. Clerk has contacted several participants and will arrange a rehearsal before the service. Clerk has collected the Order of Service from the printers. Councillors discussed and agreed on what refreshments will be available after the Service. Permission was given for the Clerk to purchase the refreshments prior to the Service. RESOLVED
b) Christmas Panto 2024 – Clerk has booked the Christmas Panto (Rapunzel) for Saturday 30th Two performances, 11am and 2pm. Cost for the performances will be £850.00. It was decided that the council will not be selling refreshments and people should be advised to bring their own. Clerk will print tickets and advertise the event and where people can purchase the tickets. RESOLVED
c) ROSPA Report 2024 – Annual inspection took place on 3rd July 2024. All Councillors have received a copy of the report for their information. The Clerk and Groundsperson have produced a breakdown of work highlighted in the report. The report did not find any high-risk items that needed repair or removal, and no urgent tasks were identified. Groundsperson has attended to several tasks already, and will replace a bench. Some items that need replacing e.g. fencing around the MUGA are no longer available and alternatives will need to be sourced, and some play equipment replaced. Councillors discussed replacing items that are broken and ways to fund the costs. It was decided to discuss this further while looking at projects for the next financial year. Councillors were also pleased that there were no urgent repairs needed to any of the play equipment. RESOLVED
d) Council Projects for the next Financial Year – No Capital Spend was allocated for this current financial year. Councillors discussed future projects:
- Replacing broken play equipment
- Parking for users of the Hall and Park
- Improvement made to the lighting around the Hall and Park
RESOLVED To discuss further in the November Meeting.
e) NPTCBC/One Voice Wales Liaison Committee Meeting – Cllr C Edwards and the Clerk had attended the meeting held on Wednesday 25th September 2024 at Resolven Community Hall. Cllr C Edwards reported some of the agenda items discussed at the meeting: Cllr C Edwards had raised concerns previously the poor condition of the A465 stretch of road between Glynneath and Aberdulais, these concerns were to be taken to the next NPT Community Liaison Committee Meeting for discussion. Improvements were being made to the parking at Morriston Hospital, and the Maternity Unit at Neath Port Talbot Hospital had reopened. It was discussed at the meeting the importance for Councillors to attend regular training sessions and the importance for Councils to attend the One Voice Wales Conference. RESOLVED Councillors thanked Cllr C Edwards for the report on the meeting.
f) Aged Residents Cold Weather Projects – Cllr A Hippsley wished to draw attention to the withdrawal of cold weather payments to many pensioners, and had disseminated an email to all Councillors with suggestions of proactive approaches to the issue. Cllr A Hippsley suggestions included combining resources with neighbouring councils with the aim of benefitting older residents during the colder weather that will soon be upon us. Councillors discussed many of the points raised in the email. It was RESOLVED that Cllr C Edwards would speak to R Powell for options available to residents regarding this issue, and what organisations are doing to help the elderly during the winter months.
It was noted that the Council had attempted to open the Hall as a “Warm Hub” the previous year, and this had not been a success.
Councillors discussed the worry for Low Income Families at this time of year, and how the cold weather impacts their lives. Ideas such as food banks, clothes swaps and a warm hub were suggested as ways to help families.
67/24 Planning:
There were no planning applications at this meeting.
68/24 Crime and Policing
The Local Police Website shows 14 Crimes reported in the Blaengwrach Area Boundary: Violence and sexual offences 5, Anti-social behaviour 3, Criminal damage and arson 2, Public Order 2, All other crimes 2. 8 of those reported crimes were in the villages of Blaengwrach and Cwmgwrach: Anti- social behaviour 2, Public Order 2, Burglary 1, Criminal damage and arson 1, Violence and sexual offences 2.
69/24 Finance
RESOLVED the following payments were scrutinised and approved:
| Clerks Report – Monthly E&I 20/09/2024 to 17/10/2024 | ||
| Payments Made | 20/09/2024 to 17/10/2024 | Amounts £ |
| Nest | Staff Pension Scheme (5 weeks) | £79.55 |
| Staff Wages | £2626.14 | |
| HMRC | Tax and NI 06/09/24 to 05/10/24 | £398.57 |
| Utility Warehouse Ltd | Electricity @ Welfare Hall | £174.91 |
| 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 | £54.79 |
| British Gas | Hall Usage | £133.14 |
| Wired up Wales | Yearly Subscription – Council Website | £130.00 |
| Amazon | Wire Cableties and Cutter – Park net repairs | £16.98 |
| B&Q | Wheelbarrow, Brush and plastic cable ties – Cemetery | £82.47 |
| Viking | Mop heads, cleaning products, refuse sacks | £33.53 |
| Serol Print | Remembrance Booklets | £178.00 |
| NPTCBC | Trade Waste Charges – 6 Months until end of March 25 | £512.14 |
| £4,989.81 | ||
| Income Received | 20/09/2024 to 17/10/2024 | Amounts £ |
| SRCC Stores Ltd | Monthly Rental of Shed in the Park | £35.00 |
| TSB Bank | Monthly Interest on “Reserve” Saver | £34.49 |
| NPTCBC | Hall Hire Messy Play Aug/Sept | £168.00 |
| VIEW (Glynneath) Ltd | Hall Hire Yoga Sept | £56.00 |
| Zumba | Hall Hire July | £42.00 |
| Celtic Archers | Hall Hire Sept | £140.00 |
| Empower | Singing for the Brain Hall Hire Aug | £105.00 |
| Cwmgwrach Judo | Hall Hire July | £56.00 |
| NPTCBC | Flying Start & School Hire | £70.00 |
| Historical Society | Hall Hire July | £56.00 |
| A H Lewis Funeral Directors | Burial Fee | £250.00 |
| £1,012.49 | ||
| Account Balances | As at 17/10/2024 | |
| General Account | £1,461.41 | |
| Reserve/Saver Account | £25,604.91 | |
| Total Account Balances as at 17/10/2024 £ | £27,066.32 |
Clerk confirmed the receipt of the Wales Audit Completion for 2023/24. The Clerk was pleased to inform the Members that the return was Unqualified.
- Audit opinion: Unqualified with no matters to cause concern, and no matters to draw to the Councils attention.
- Clerk will display the Audit Notice in the Council Noice Boards for the Annual Return to be inspected. All details and the full report will be uploaded onto the Council Website.
Clerk informed the meeting that Cwmgwrach Infant and Junior School will be performing 7 Christmas Concerts in the Hall this year. Councillors discussed allowing the school to have 4 dress rehearsals when the hall was not in use at no charge. This was agreed by all Councillors. For all other regular hirer’s, it was decided to grant a free session during December if they wish to hold a Christmas Party in their usual time slot. It was RESOLVED that the Caretaker would inform all regular hall hirers of the decision.
70/24 Correspondence & Section 137 Request:
There was no correspondence at this meeting
71/24 Set Date, Time & Proposed Agenda Items for the next meeting; … The next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Thursday 21st November at 6.30 pm. No Agenda Items were proposed at this meeting. Cllr A Doherty sent her apologies as she will be unable to attend the November Meeting.
Notices for the meetings will be posted at least three working days before they are due to take place.
Meeting closed at 8.25 pm