PRESENT: Councillors Carolyn Edwards (Chair); Menna Mortimore (Deputy Chair); Philippa Richards; Amanda Doherty; Rhian Watts; Rhian Williams; Chris Kelly & Bethan Parry.
Also Present: Clive Baker – Clerk to the Council.
There were on members of the public present.
131/18 – APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Councillors Andrew Hippsley & Julia Hippsley had sent their apologies due to a family bereavement;
132/18 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Councillor Carolyn Edwards declared her interest as a County Councillor of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council;
133/18 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD on 13th DECEMBER 2018 AS A TRUE RECORD: The minutes of the meeting held on 13th December 2018 were accepted as a true record of the meeting (proposed by Councillor Menna Mortimore & seconded by Councillor Philippa Richards);
134/18 MATTERS ARISING & AGENDA ITEMS:
a) Parking in Heol Y Felin – NPTCBC will decide on what their propose to do in this street in April 2019;
b) The Felling of the Tree Overhanging the Shed in the Welfare Park – This will take place in the Summer months;
c) Further Funding & Other Matters Relating to Phase 2 of the Park Project – Following the securing of the Grants from Pen Y Cymoedd, Selar Community Benefit Fund and the Neath Port Talbot County Council`s Members Fund for the project it was reported that the application for a small grant (£3,000,00 – 1.5% of the total project cost) has been submitted to the Aberpergwm Colliery Fund. Councillor Edwards reported that she & the Clerk had met with the Director of Finance & Corporate Affairs at Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council on 8th January 2019 and he had agreed to recommend to the NPTCBC Cabinet Board that a loan of £37,000.00 (the VAT element of the Project) be granted to the Community Council. (It was agreed that the loan would be charged at 1% per annum & could be drawn down in “tranches” to minimise the interest payable). This was agreed by the full Council. The Clerk then reported that he had been in contact with the preferred Contractors and they had stated that they would be able to start the project in late April 2019 (after the school Easter break) with a view to completing the project by mid-July 2019 (before the school summer holidays). NOTE: IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT 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;
d) “Adopting” the Light Highlighting the Witch – The relevant agreement has been completed, signed and sent back to Western Power for them to supply electricity to the light. The Clerk spoke to NPTCBC, Streetcare (Lighting) on 9th January 2019 and they are going to speak to the NPTCBC, Legal Department to draw up an agreement for the Community Council to take “ownership” of the light. They stated that it will probably be after April 2019 when the work required & transfer to the Community Council will take place;
e) Agenda item 5a – The 2019-2020 Precept – The Clerk had prepared figures showing the effect of any increase in the Precept from 0% to 10% (this included a figure at 2.8% for the Average Inflation Figure for 2018 & 3.2% for the Annual Retail Price Index for 2018). After some discussion it was decided by the Council to increase the Precept figure by 2.8% for the Financial Year 2019-2020. The Clerk will confirm the increase with the NPTCBC, Council Tax Section;
135/18 PLANNING: There were no planning applications for the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach Ward received by the NPTCBC, Planning Department between the 14th December 2018 & the 10th January 2019;
136/18 CRIME & DISORDER: The reported crime figures for Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach area for November 2018 were 7. There were: 1 burglary; 2 criminal damage & arson; 1 other theft & 3 violent & sexual offences;
The next PACT meeting will take place on Wednesday 16th January 2019 (starting at 6.30pm) in the St. Mary`s Church Hall, Blaengwrach. Members of the public are invited to attend;
137/18 FINANCE: For period 14th December 2018 to 9th January 2019:
Payments Made:
NPTCBC – Rates on Welfare Hall – £411.00;
NPTCBC – Rates on Cemetery – £44.00;
Welsh Water – Water rates at Cemetery – £30.50;
Welsh Water – water rates at Welfare Hall – £126.00;
HMRC – Tax on Clerk`s Salary – £91.20;
Cwmgwrach W.I. – Section 137 Grant – £20.00;
SSE/SWALEC – Electricity at Welfare Hall – £185.72;
4 x Councillor`s Allowance for 2018-2019 – £600.00;
Centregreat Ltd – Christmas Lights 2018 – £624.00.
INCOME RECEIVED:
Hall Hire – £56.00;
2018-2019 Precept Payment – £11,845.00.
The final report on the 2017-2018 Annual Return was given to the Council and agreed. It was signed by the Chair and RFO (Responsible Financial Officer);
138/18 CORRESPONDENCE:
21/12/2018 from Jeremy Miles A.M. – Christmas Card to the Council;
24/12/2018 from the Welsh Government – Written Statement on the Future Role of Town & Community Councils in Wales;
139/18 COMMITTEE REPORTS: There were no committee reports received at this meeting;
140/18 MATTERS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS: Councillor R Williams reported that there seemed to be much more evidence of “dog mess” throughout the village. County Councillor Carolyn Edwards will contact the NPTCBC, Streetcare Team asking them to come to clear the mess and will request that the NPTCBC Dog Warden attend thew village. NOTE: OWNERS CAN BE FINED UP TO £1,000.00 BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL FOR NEXT CLAENING UP AFTER THEIR DOG;
141/18 SET DATE, TIME, VENUE & PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting will take place in the St. Mary`s Church Hall at 6.30pm on Thursday 14th February 2019. Proposed agenda item – The 2019 Christmas Celebrations.
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 7.45pm.