DRAFT Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting Held at 6.30pm on Thursday, 14th June 2018 at St. Mary`s Church Hall, Blaengwrach.
PRESENT: Councillor Carolyn Edwards (Chairperson); Councillor Andrew Hippsley; Councillor Bethan Rosser; Councillor Rhian Williams; Councillor Philippa Richards & the Clerk – Clive Baker.
APOLOGIES: Councillors Rhian Watts, Chris Kelly, Amanda Doherty, Julia Hippsley & Menna Mortimore had sent their apologies.
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AS A TRUE RECORD: The minutes of both the Annual General Meeting & the Ordinary Meeting, both held on 10th May 2018 were accepted as a true record – Proposed by Councillor Philippa Richards & seconded by Councillor Andrew Hippsley.
MATTERS ARISING & AGENDA ITEMS: a) The Fire Alarm System – Still no contact with Glynneath Fire Station. The Clerk will recontact & will arrange a suitable time to meet the Fire Brigade representation at the Hall; b) Charities Commission – No update; c) Wild Flowers by Roundabout – It is now too late to sow seeds for this year but Councillor Edwards will speak to the County Officer to request that the Council can plant Daffodil bulbs to bloom early next year; d) Litter Bin/Dog Fouling Bin in Parish Road – Still no update. Councillor Edwards will “chase” NPTCBC; e) Update of Hire Agreements – They have been updated & the Clerk has written to hirers asking when he can meet with them to run through the new agreements; f) Parking in Heol Y Felin – The County Officer has not attended to date but the Local PCSO has attended & does not believe that there is a problem. However, the Local Police will continue to monitor parking on this road; g) NPT Play-Scheme – The Clerk has emailed the organisers stating that the first phase of the Park Project has started & that the football field will not be available throughout the summer. He has offered them the lower part of the Park as the Council are very keen for the play-scheme to take place; h) The Repair of the Flat Roof at Welfare Hall – The Contractor has been away on holidays & the Clerk will arrange for the repair to take place before the winter months; i) Leases – The NPTCBC Legal Department have not been back in contact. Councillor Edwards will again speak to the relevant officer; j) Celebrating Armed Forces Day (30th June 2018) – The Celebration Flag & bunting has been received. Councillor Andrew Hippsley reported that Help the Heroes have agreed that two jeeps will be present at the celebration. Posters have been produced and will be put up around the village. It was decided that if the celebration held this year is a success, then it will continue to be held annually. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND ON 30th JUNE 2018; k) “Holiday cover” for the Hall – The Clerk reported that Leighton Collins had agreed to open/close the Hall when Julie Raine was absent with “time off in lieu” being given; l) The Missing Gate near McDonalds – It was clarified that the gate is near the canal & not at McDonalds & that it is believed that the Canal Society own the land in question. The Clerk will contact the Society for them to come to replace the gate if possible; m) Agenda Item a – To Allow the clerk to Use Internet Banking – It was decided that the Clerk will be allowed to register for Internet Banking for full access to all accounts. The relevant form has been completed & signed and will be returned to the Bank; n) Agenda Item b – The Closure of the Wages Account – It was agreed that this account be closed, to merge with the General Account, before the “free” charges period expired at the Bank; o) Agenda Item c – The Felling of the Tree Overhanging the Shed in the Welfare Park -The Clerk reported that Leighton had been approached by the gentleman in whose garden some of the tree has started to grow from, requesting that he be allowed to cut the tree down has it has started to collapse. This was agreed.
PLANNING: 11th May 2018 – Ref: P2018/0272 – David Atkins, 15A Church Crescent, Blaengwrach, Neath SA11 5SL – Proposed change of use of former Post Office (Class A1) to residential accomodation (Class C3) @ 15, High Street, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5TA; 11th June 2018 – Ref: P2018/0479 – Euro Garages Ltd, c/o, Asbri Planning Ltd, Unit 9, Oak Tree Court, Mulberry Drive, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff CF23 8RS – Proposed change to Conditions 3 (Boundary Treatment) & 15 (Lighting Plan) of Planning Permission P2017/0112 granted on 8/6/2017 for a Petrol Station & associated works on Land between the A465 & High Street, Blaengwarch. NOTE: COUNCILLOR CAROLYN EDWARDS REPORTED THAT SHE HAD CONTACTED NPTCBC, PLANNING DEPARTMENT STATING HER & RESIDENTS CONTINUING CONCERNS RELATING TO THIS DEVELOPMENT; 13th June 2018 – Ref: P2018/0478 – Preston Tresize, 5, High Street, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5SY – Two storey rear & side extension to dwelling and detached garage at same address.
The Clerk reported that he had notified NPTCBC, Planning Department of the Council`s support for the Waterstone Estate planning proposal for a Lawful Development Certificate for a Petrol Station & Restaurant on the Glynneath Business Park, Blaengwrach as opposed to the Euro Garages development as the Council & those residents who attended the public meeting believe that the Waterstone Estate development makes more sense with regards to transport (vehicles) gaining easier access to the Waterstone proposed garage.
CRIME & DISORDER: The reported crime figures for April 2018 for Blaengwarch/Cwmgwrach were 13. They were: 7 Anti-Social Behaviour; 1 Criminal Damage & Arson; 1 Shoplifting & 3 Violent & Sexual Offences.
The next PACT meeting will take place in the Bethania Community Centre, High Street, Glynneath at 6.30pm on Wednesday 25th July 2018.
The Council will invite the Local Police to attend the next meeting to discuss the crime figures. If an officer is not able to attend the July meeting, they will be invited to the September meeting (there is no meeting in August).
FINANCE: (10/5/2018 to 13/6/2018): Payments Made: NPTCBC – Rates on Hall – £411.00; NPTCBC – Rates on Cemetery – £44.00; Welsh Water – Water rates @ Cemetery – £22.50; Welsh Water – Water rates @ Hall – £119.00; Viking Direct – Outstanding bill from January 2018 – £17.22; Cleaning Materials – £5.00; Zurich Municipal – Annual Insurance Premium – £1,329.82; Western Power – Removal of Power Line (Park Project) – £1,212.82; NPTCBC – 6 months Trade Waste Collection from Park – £225.42; HMRC – Tax & NI due 6/5/18 to 5/6/18 – £91.20; MSS Services – Asbestos Survey (Park Project) – £396.00; Pioneer Maintenance Services – Removal of pump, pipework etc (Park Project) – £1,152.00; British Gas – Gas @ Hall (29/3/18 to 30/5/18) – £247.19; Tesco – Petrol for Machines @ Park (April, May & June 2018) – £43.69; B & M – Cable Ties – £5.00; Tesco – Printer Cartridge – £15.00; The Flag Shop – Bunting & Flag for Armed Forces Day Celebrations.
Income Recieved: Selar Community Benefit Fund Grant (Park Project) – £15,070.68; Hall Hire – £441.00; Burial Fees – £250.00; Other – £17.22.
CORRESPONDENCE: 11th May 2018 from NALC – Update on GDPR & Data Protection Bill; 15th May 2018 from the Vale of Neath Practice – Minutes of the Patient Participation Group Meeting held on 16th April 2018; 21st May 2018 from Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Community Health Council – Spring 2018 Newsletter; 29th May 2018 from One Voice Wales – May 2018 Newsletter; 29th May 2018 from Ystradfellte Community Council – Copy of a letter to the Vale of Neath Medical Practice voicing their concerns about the lack of public transport to the New Health Centre. NOTE: This Council fully supports Ystradfellte Community Council in relations to their concerns.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Clerk reported that he had attended the One Voice Wales Neath Area Committee meeting on 13th June 2018 and gave a summary of the topics discussed which included GDPR & Data Protection, The Welsh Government Local Authority Review & the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO).
MATTERS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS: There were no matters raised by Councillors.
DATE, TIME, VENUE of NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will take place on 12th July 2018 at 6.30pm in St.Mary`s Church Hall, Blaengwrach.
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8.10pm.