Draft Minutes of the Meeting Held at 6.30pm on Thursday 11th April 2019 in the St. Mary`s Church Hall, Blaengwrach:
PRESENT:
Councillors: Carolyn Edwards (Chair); Menna Mortimore (Vice Chair); Philippa Richards; Julia Hippsley; Andrew Hippsley; Chris Kelly & Rhian Williams.
ALSO PRESENT: Clive Baker – Clerk to the Council.
164/18: APOLOGIES:
Councillors: Bethan Parry; Rhian Watts & Amanda Doherty.
165/18: DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Councillor Carolyn Edwards declared her interest as a County Councillor of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.
166/18: CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 14th MARCH 2019 AS A TRUE RECORD OF THAT MEETING:
The minutes of the meeting held on 14th March 2019 were accepted as a true record of that meeting. (Proposed by Councillor Menna Mortimore & seconded by Councillor Julia Hippsley).
167/18: MATTERS ARISING & AGENDA ITEMS:
a) PARKING IN HEOL Y FELIN – The NPTCBC Cabinet will be meeting within the next two months to decide what they propose to do in this street; b) THE WELFARE PARK PROJECT – The contractors will start their part of the project on Monday 29th April 2019. They hope to complete by early July 2019 (before the school holidays). NOTE: FOR HEALTH & SAFETY REASONS THE BOTTOM PART OF THE PARK WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE ACCESSED BY THE PUBLIC WHILST THE CONTRACTORS ARE CARRYING OUT THE REQUIRED WORK; c) “ADOPTING” THE LIGHT HIGHLIGHTING “THE WITCH” – The replacing of the cable will take place next week & after discussing quotes from three electricity suppliers for an Unmetered Supply, it was decided to instruct Eon to supply the electricity (the cost/supply provider will be reviewed annually); d) “DOG MESS” in The VILLAGE – The NPTCBC Dog Warden will attend on a regular basis in future & the School has given feedback that their initiative seems to be working as there seems to be less dog mess on the pavements around the village. The Council agreed to continue to supply the dog bags to the Premier Stores & School when their supplies “run low”. NOTE: DOG OWNERS CAN BE FINED UP TO £1,000.00 BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL FOR NOT CLEANING UP AFTER THEIR DOG. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED; e) CHRISTMAS 2019 CELEBRATIONS & ORGANISATION – Cllr. Rhian Williams reported that she had not had any contact about the entertainment but will “chase” this week & report back at the May meeting; f) THE REMEMBRANCE BOARD IN THE WELFARE HALL – The list of names missing from the board, with proof of Military Service etc. has been received from Mrs Ann Price (the Council would like to thank Mrs. Price, Mr. John Price & Mr. Glyn Davies for their hard work in obtaining the information) & the Clerk will now contact a representative of the Local Royal British Legion to progress this item; g) GRIT BOXES for USE by THE PUBLIC in SNOWY/FROSTY WEATHER (especially in Heol Wenallt & Fothergill Road) – Clarification was requested on the minute from last months meeting as follows: NPTCBC, Streetcare usually move “bins” if they are found to be in close proximity to each other. However, County Councillor Carolyn Edwards as requested that Streetcare DO NOT MOVE ANY “BINS” but provide two new grit bins for the village. NPTCBC have agreed to send the Streetcare Team to the village to carry out a survey. (IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE END DECISION WILL BE MADE BY NPTCBC AND NOT THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL, ALTHOUGH THIS COUNCIL FULLY SUPPORTS COUNCILLOR EDWARDS REQUEST FOR THE EXISTING BINS TO REMAIN WHERE THEY ARE & FOR TWO NEW BINS TO BE PROVIDED; h) THE 2019 ARMED FORCES DAY (Saturday 29th June 2019) – It was reported that the Local Veterans had been contacted but the majority of them have said that they attend their regiment`s celebration. It was decided to keep the day as close as possible to last years events but it should be noted that the “outside” events may not take place due to the contractors fitting the “new park” may still be “on site”; i) RENEWING THE LIGHTING IN THE WELFARE HALL KITCHEN – The work was carried out, to a very high standard, on the 4th April 2019. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED; j) THE VALE OF NEATH HEALTH CENTRE – The contractors are still “on track” for the Centre to open in late May 2019; k) IMPROVEMENTS TO CLUN Y BONT, HIGH STREET, CWMGWRACH – There was no update available on this item; l) AGENDA ITEM a) – CHANGE OF TRUSTEES of COUNCIL OPEN SPACE CHARITY – It was decided to defer any discussion on this matter until next month`s meeting.
168/18 PLANNING:
There were no Planning Applications received for the Blaengwrach Ward of NPTCBC between 15th March 2019 & 11th April 2019.
169/18 CRIME & POLICING:
The reported crime figures for Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach area for January & February 2019 were 9 & 11 respectively. They were broken down as follows:
JANUARY 2019 – 2 Public Order Offences; 3 Vehicle Crime & 4 Violent & Sexual Offences;
FEBRUARY 2019 – 1 Anti-Social Behaviour; 1 Burglary; 1 Public Disorder; 1 Vehicle Crime & 7 Violent & Sexual Offences.
THE NEXT PACT MEETING WILL BE HELD AT ST. MARY`S CHURCH HALL, 6.30pm ON WEDNESDAY 8th MAY 2019.
170/18 FINANCE
For the period 15th March 2019 to 11th April 2019.
PAYMENTS MADE:
HMRC – Tax on Clerk`s Salary – £91.20; Welsh Water – Monthly water rates on Welfare Hall – £126.00; Welsh Water – Monthly water rates on Cemetery – £30.50; Staff Pension Scheme Contributions – £36.48; NPTCBC – Monthly general rates on Welfare Hall – £419.00; NPTCBC – Monthly general rates on Cemetery – £47.36; SSE SWALEC – Quarterly Electricity @ Welfare Hall – £197.51; Amazon – 500 Dog Bags – £9.99; Viking Direct – Replace First Aid Boxes (existing supplies “out of date”) – £60.91; M Sleep Electricals – New lights in Welfare Hall Kitchen – £140.40; Tesco – Petrol for Machines (1/10/18 to 31/3/19) – £29.30; Vale of Neath Builders Supplies – Keys Cut for Park Project Contractors – £9.50.
INCOME RECEIVED:
Return of two Councillor Allowances for 2018-2019 – £300.00; Hall Hire – £130.00; Selar Community Benefit Fund (Blaengwrach) – Grant towards Park Project – £77,629.00.
171/18 CORRESPONDENCE:
31/3/2019 from the Swansea Bay University Health Board (formally Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board) – Notice of transfer (w.e.f. 1st April 2019) of the healthcare of people in the Bridgend County Borough Council Area to the Cwm Taf University Health Board; 8/4/2019 from Mr. S James – Request for Council support for an application for grant funding (not from this Council) – NOTE: this request was noted by the Council and will be placed on the agenda for discussion in a future meeting.
There were no requests for donations under Section 137 received between 15th March 2019 & 11th April 2019.
172/18 COMMITTEE REPORTS:
There were no Committee Reports.
173/18 MATTERS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS:
Councillor Carolyn Edwards reported that she will be attending a meeting in mid-May 2019 with NPTCBC & Selar relating to the re-opening of the Parish Road (in a Planning Approval to Selar, quite some time ago, a condition was made that when their activities covered in the application were completed they would restore & re-open the road).
174/18 SET DATE, TIME, VENUE & PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting will be the Annual General Meeting on the 9th May 2019, at 6.30pm, in St. Mary`s Church Hall, Blaengwrach. It will be followed by the Monthly meeting (if time allows).