Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on
Thursday 18th May 2023 at 6.30pm in the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin,
Cwmgwrach, Neath
Present: Cllr. Carolyn Edwards, Cllr. Jennifer Bulman, Cllr. Peter Rudd, Cllr. Rhian Williams, Cllr. David Jones, Cllr. Andrew Hippsley and Cllr. Menna Mortimore
Council Employees Present: RFO Clive Baker, Clerk Linda Evans
Members of the Public Present: There were no members of the public present
RFO Clive Baker welcomed everyone to the meeting.
01/23 Apologies: Cllr. Rhian A Williams, Cllr. Amanda Doherty and Cllr. Alan Edwards sent their apologies.
02/23 Declarations of Interest: There were no declaration of interest.
03/23 Nomination(s) and Appointment of the Chair of the Council: Councillor Carolyn Edwards was nominated and seconded. There were no other nominations. Therefore, Councillor Carolyn Edwards is elected as Chairperson for 2023/2024.
04/23 Nomination(s) and Appointment of Vice Chair to the Council: Councillor Menna Mortimore was nominated and seconded. There were no other nominations. Therefore, Menna Mortimore is elected as Vice Chair for 2023/2024.
05/23 Appointment of Councillors to Council Internal Committees: It was decided that the Hall, Park, and Cemetery would not have separate committees and that would be look at as a full council at monthly meetings.
It had been decided that a Finance and Audit Committee be set up, recommendation of 3 Councillors be elected. Cllr. Menna Mortimore, Cllr. Peter Rudd and Cllr. Jennifer Bulman were elected as the Finance and Audit Committee. Cllr. David Jones, Cllr. Peter Rudd and Cllr Rhian Williams were elected as the Human Resources Committee.
06/23 Appointment of Councillors to External Committees:
Aberpergwm Site Liaison – Cllr. Menna Mortimore and Cllr David Jones
Blaengwrach Primary School Board of Governors – defer to a later date
CBC Community Liaison Committee – Cllr Carolyn Edwards
One Voice Wales Neath Area Committee – Cllr Carolyn Edwards, Cllr Rhian A Williams as the Deputy Representative.
Selar Community Benefits Fund – Cllr. Amanda Doherty and Cllr Menna Mortimore.
Trustees of the Council’s Open Space Charity – Cllr. Jennifer Bulman and Cllr Amanda Doherty
Upper Neath Valley Project Development Cluster – deter to a later date.
Vale of Neath Practice Patient Participation – Cllr. Peter Rudd and Cllr. Rhian Williams
07/23 Adoption of the Council’s Standing Orders: It was resolved to adopt the current Council’s Standard Orders without amendment and to consider the new Model Standing Orders 2023 (Wales) at the next meeting – 15/06/2023
08/23 Adoption of the Council’s Financial Regulations, including Bank Signotories: It was resolved to adopt the Council’s Financial Regulations as they presently stand for 2023/24.
Bank Account Officers and Signatories: Clerk Linda Evans, RFO Clive Baker
The Council’s Authorised Signatories: Cllr Menna Mortimore and Cllr. Carolyn Edwards
All Councillors have a copy of the Financial Regulations.
09/23 Adoption of all other Council Policies and Guidelines; It was resolved to adopt the current Social Media Policy. All new policies to be reviewed as and when.
10/23 Proposed Dates of the Monthly Meetings for 2023-2024: June 2023 – Thursday 15th, 6.30 pm, July 2023 – Thursday 20th, 6.30 pm, August 2023 – Thursday 17th, 6.30 pm, September 2023 – Thursday 21st, 6.30 pm, October 2023 – Thursday 19th, 6.30 pm, November 2023 – Thursday 16th, 6.30 pm, December 2023 – Thursday 21st, 6.30 pm, January 2024 – Thursday 18th, 6.30 pm, February 2024 – Thursday 15th, 6.30 pm, March 2024 – Thursday 21st, 6.30 pm, April 2024 – Thursday 18th, 6.30 pm, May 2024 – Thursday 16th, 6.00 pm (Annual General Meeting followed by the Monthly Meeting)
Meeting closed at 6.55 pm