DRAFT Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Blaengwrach Community Council held in St. Mary`s Church Hall, Blaengwrach at 6.30pm on Thursday 18th July 2019.
PRESENT:
Councillors Carolyn Edwards (Chair), Menna Mortimore (Vice Chair), Rhain Williams, Philippa Richards & Andrew Hippsley.
ALSO PRESENT: Clive Baker, Clerk to Blaengwrach Community Council.
There were no members of the public present.
025/19 APOLOGIES:
Apologies had been received from Councillors Chris Kelly, Julia Hippsley, Rhian Watts, Bethan Parry & Amanda Doherty;
026/19 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Councillor Carolyn Edwards declared her interest as a County Councillor of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council;
027/19 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING(S) HAS A TRUE RECORD OF THOSE MEETINGS:
The minutes of both the monthly meeting held on 13th June 2019 & the finance meeting held on the 27th June 2019 were accepted as true records of those meetings. Proposed by Councillor Philippa Richards & seconded by Councillor Menna Mortimore;
028/19 MATTERS ARISING & AGENDA ITEMS:
a) Parking in Heol Y Felin – Following Councillor Carolyn Edwards`s meeting with NPTCBC< Streetcare on Friday 14th June 2019, the report is still awaited;
b) The Welfare Park Project – The children`s play area was completed on Wednesday 17th July 2019 and opened to the public on Thursday 18th July 2019. The lights along the path in the lower part of the park should be completed within the next two weeks but should not restrict access to the play area. The proposed landscaping will take place over the next two months;
c) Christmas 2019 Celebration & Organisation – Councillor Rhian Williams will book the children`s entertainer for 30th November 2019 at a quoted price of £135.00 for two hours (5pm to 7pm in the Welfare Hall;
d) The 2019 Armed Force Day (Saturday 29th June 2019) – Despite a disappointing attendance, those that did attend had a very enjoyable time. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED BUT WILL BE REVISITED IN JANUARY 2020 TO DISCUSS ANY FUTURE CELEBRATION;
e) The Vale of Neath Health Centre – The opening date has once more been delayed and the date now given is Monday 19th August 2019;
f) Change of Trustees of the Council Open Space Charity – No response has been received from the two existing trustees;
g) The Re-Opening of the Parish Road – There was no update available on this item;
h) “After School Club in the Welfare Hall” – There has been a problem with the Club being ready to commence at the moment and it is now expected to go ahead sometime in September 2019;
i) The Possibility of a Display Cabinet in the Welfare Hall for Cwmgwrach/Blaengwrach Historical Memorabilia – This item will be discussed in a future meeting when all invoices have been received and paid in relation to the “Park Project”. THIS ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE MINUTES FOR THE TIME BEING;
j) Discussion on Review of Energy Prices/Suppliers – Utility Aid Ltd, who contacted offering a Free, no obligation quote service for gas & electricity had only sent quotes for the electricity, so the Clerk has asked them to supply a quote for gas prices/suppliers. A quote had been received from Utiliy Warehouse & both quotes will be examined before the next meeting;
k) The Pedestrian Crossing near the Vale of Neath Health Centre – Councillor Carolyn Edwards reported that she had received confirmation that the WILL BE a crossing and that a “pelican crossing” is being designed by NPTCBC;
l) The DANSA Community Car Scheme for People to Access the New Health Centre – The Swansea Bay Health Board have agreed to put £25,000.00 aside for the pilot scheme but no further details were available at this time;
m) One Voice Wales “On-Line” Training Courses for Councillors – OVW had confirmed that there was no fees for any “on-line” distance learning courses for Councillors. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED;
n) NPTCBC, Legal Department Examination of Community Council Leases – it was decided to contact the lessors with a view to discussing certain aspects of any proposed leases before instructing the NPTCBC, Legal Department;
o) Glynneath Town Council Skip Project – This was discussed and the Council asked the Clerk to contact Glynneath Town Council to see if the skip could be placed bi-monthly in the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach area;
029/19 PLANNING:
18/6/2019 – Ref: P2019/5039 – Mr P Tresize, 5 High Street, Cwmgwrach SA11 5SY – Two storey rear & side extension at the same address; 28/6/2019 – Ref: P2019/5135 – Euro Garages Ltd – Application relating to Condition 19 (Waste Management Scheme) of Planning Application P2017/0112, granted on 8th June 2017, on the development of new roadside services on land between the A465 & High Street, Blaengwrach, Neath; 3/7/2019 – Ref: P2019/5157 – Mr R Mathias, Can Gwilym House, Cilsanns Lane, Cefn Coed, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 2NU – Reserved matters (house type, drainage layout, landscaping & means of enclosure) following outline planning approval for Ref: P2016/0135, granted on 18th August 2016), for four (4) detached dwellings on land between 2 & 10a, Heol Wenallt, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5PS;
030/19 CRIME & DISORDER:
The reported crime figures for Cwmgwrach/Blaengwrach for May 2019 were nine (9). They were as follows: Anti-Social Behaviour – 3; Criminal Damage & Arson – 1; Other Theft – 1 & Violent and Sexual Offences -4.
Police Inspector Matt Otteson has agreed to attend the October 2019 meeting for a short question & answer session (questions from Councillors only). NOTE: THE PUBLIC CAN ATTEND ANY LOCAL PACT MEETING TO ASK QUESTIONS AND GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON LOCAL CRIME AND POLICING.
The next PACT meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 25th September 2019, 6.30pm in the St Mary`s Church Hall, Church Crescent, Blaengwrach.
031/19 FINANCE:
For period 14th June 2019 to 18th July 2019:
PAYMENTS MADE:
HMRC – Tax on Clerks Salary – £79.80; Welsh Water – Monthly water rates on Welfare Hall – £104.00; Welsh Water – Monthly water rates on Cemetery – £38.00; Staff Pension Scheme (5 weeks) – £58.10; NPTCBC – Monthly General Rates on Welfare Hall – £421.00; NPTCBC – Monthly General Rates on Cemetery – £45.00; SSE/SWALEC – Electricity at Welfare Hall (28/3/19 to 21/6/19) – £159.77; H R Harris & Partners – Fee for Internal Audit (2018-219) – £1,260.00; Viking Direct – Stationery, cleaning materials & kitchen crockery – £168.92; Amazon – Locking Thermostat Cover for Welfare Hall – £29.05; Screwfix – Metal Paint for “Dram” at Welfare Park – £15.98; Screwfix – Safety Wear for Groundsman – £32.47.
INCOME RECEIVED:
Hall Hire – £213.50; NPTCBC – Short Term Loan for VAT element of Welfare Park Project – £37,000.00.
032/19 CORRESPONDENCE:
2/7/2019 from the Welsh Government – Notice of a “Drop in” Stateholder Preview Event on 17th July 2019 at the Onllwyn Welfare Hall (10am to 12 noon), subject – Global Centre of Rail Excellance in Wales;
Section 137 Requests – Daffodil School Club – £600.00 towards projects/items – It was decided that the Council would ask the applicant(s) to attend the September meeting to discuss this request.
033/19 MATTERS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS:
There were no matters relating to Community Council business raised by Councillores;
034/19 SET DATE, TIME, VENUE & PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting will be held in the St. Mary`s Church Hall, Blaengwrach at 6.30pm on Thursday 19th September 2019. There were no proposed agenda items at this time.
NOTE: THE COUNCIL WILL NOT MEET IN AUGUST 2019.
The meeting closed at 7.30pm.