DRAFT Minutes of the Meeting of the Blaengwrach Community Council held in the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5TB on Wednesday 16th March 2022, commencing at 6.30 p.m.
PRESENT: Councillor Carolyn Edwards (Chair); Councillor Amanda Doherty; Councillor Andrew Hippsley & Councillor Philippa Richards;
ALSO PRESENT: Clive Baker – Clerk to Blaengwrach Community Council;
THERE WERE NO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT;
71/21 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Councillor Menna Mortimore; Councillor Rhian Williams & Councillor Julia Hippsley had sent their apologies. No apologies had been received from Councillor Bethan Parry or Councillor Helen Williams;
72/21 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Councillor Carolyn Edwards declared her interest as a County Councillor of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council & Councillor Amanda Doherty declared her interest with regards to Minute 74/21(c) below;
73/21 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AS A TRUE RECORD: The minutes of the meeting held on 20th January 2022 were accepted as a true record of that meeting. NOTE: A quorum was NOT reached on 17th February 2022 and therefore, no meeting could take place in February 2022;
74/21 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETING AND AGENDA ITEMS:
a) Defibrillators for the Welfare Hall & High Street – It is hoped that the new defibrillators will be in place by 31st March 2022. When they are installed the existing defibrillator in the Welfare Hall will be updated and donated to where it is most needed;
b) Remote Meetings & Installation of Wi-Fi in the Welfare Hall – There was no update available on this item;
c) NOTE; COUNCILLOR AMANDA DOHERTY HAD DECLARED HER INTEREST IN THIS ITEM AND LEFT THE MEETING TAKING NO PART IN ANY DISCUSSION, OR VOTE, MADE RELATING TO IT. (THE ITEM WAS DISCUSSED AFTER ALL OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS TO ALLOW COUNCILLOR DOHERTY TO LEAVE THE MEETING ENTIRELY) – The Flat Roof of the Kitchen of the Welfare Hall – The scaffolding is now in place and the contractors have given a start date of Saturday 19th March 2022 with the work on the roof, hopefully, being completed by 28th March 2022. It is agreed that the Hall will reopen to all users with effect from Monday 28th March 2022;
d) Update on the Neath Valley Cluster Group – There was no update available on this item;
e) Christmas 2022 Celebrations – The invoice for the Christmas Lights for 2021 has now been received and paid. The agreement for use of the lamp-posts in High Street has still not been received from NPTCBC. For Christmas 2022, it is proposed that the “banner” and the lamp-post lights purchased by the Council will be put in place. The Christmas Tree will remain “in-situ” on the green space adjacent to KFC and the lighting contractors have requested contact in May 2022 to remind them that work (i.e. new posts to support the banner) is needed can be carried out before November 2022. Any Christmas Party will be discussed later in the year when it is hoped that further easing of Covid-19 Guidelines in relation to indoor events have been reviewed;
f) The Governance & Financial Toolkit for Town/Community Councils in Wales Pilot – The Chair and the Clerk took part in an “on-line” “Pilot Consultation” relating to the toolkit and it was learned that ALL Councils will be expected to adopt the “toolkit” as a “best practice” tool with effect from May 2022. several parts of the “kit” will become statutory and a “diary of events” for these statutory parts will need to be put into place after the May 2022 Local Elections;
g) Renewal of Leases for Council Owned Land – One of the Lessees has been in contact to say that they accept the contents of the draft lease without amendment and will sign and return it within the next few days. The other HAS NOT responded and will be sent another “reminder” letter in the week commencing 21st March 2022;
h) Agenda Item 5a – The Possible Employ of an Administrative Assistant – The Clerk has “voiced” his intension to retire from the role on 30th September 2022. Therefore, for sustainability and continuity it has been decided to employ an Administrative Assistant/Assistant Clerk for three (3) hours per week with a view to the successful candidate moving into the Clerk`s role from Monday 3rd October 2022. The relevant job description and application process will be prepared and posted (on the Council notice boards, Facebook page etc.) as soon as possible;
i) Agenda Item 5b – Discussion on the National Celebration of the Queen`s Platinum Jubilee – It was decided that as nothing had been budgeted for the celebration, that the Council WILL NOT hold/run any formal celebration (THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED);
j) Agenda Item 5c – Update on the Winter Programme of Works – 1) It is decided that the redecoration of the inside of the Hall will be postponed until ALL work relating to the flat roof has been completed;
2) That because the metal goal posts in the “kick about area” are old and rusting, that quotes be obtained with a view to replacing these completely and the existing posts remain in place for the time being. (Because of the rules relating to the Pre-Election Period the quotes will have to be discussed in “Matters Arising” after the “new Council” is elected);
3) That the “Worn Ground areas” at the top of the park be sanded and seeded in May/June 2022 (PLEASE NOTE: ANY TREATED AREAS WILL NEED TO BE CLOSED FOR USE FOR AT LEAST FOUR WEEKS AFTER THE WORK IS CARRIED OUT. THE REPAIR TO “WORN GROUND” IS A REQUIREMENT FROM THE ANNUAL ROSPA REPORT;
k) AGENDA ITEM 5d – The Gas Supply Contract for the Welfare Hall – It was decided that as Utility Warehouse Limited has NOT responded to the requests (several have been sent since 1st October 2021) from the Council to transfer the gas supply to them from British Gas that the Council will take up British Gas`s offer for a fixed rate/fixed term for the next three years and abandon the attempted transfer to Utility Warehouse Limited;
l) Agenda Item 5e – Renewal of One Voice Wales Membership for 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023 – The cost of membership for the Council for the above period is £178.00 (one hundred and seventy-eight pounds). This is an increase of £7.00 (seven pounds) on the 2021-2022 fee). It was agreed to renew the membership for the next 12 months. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED;
m) Agenda Item 5f – Update on the Required Actions from the New Town/Community Council Toolkit – See minutes 5f & 5h above;
75/21 PLANNING APPLICATIONS: Ref: P2022/0171 – Miss Marie Evans & Miss Laura Lewis, 52, Pentre Street, Glynneath, Neath SA11 5HA – Single storey rear extension at the same address;
76/21 CRIME AND DISORDER – The reported crime figures for Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach area for December 2021 & January 2022 were 6 (six) & 9 (nine) respectively. They were broken down as follows:
December 2021 – Anti-Social Behaviour – 1; Public Disorder – 1 & Violent & Sexual Offences – 4 (NOTE: 2 (two) were reported relating to the area between MacDonald`s and the B4242 near the Aberpergwm Colliery and the remaining 4 (four) were within the village area);
January 2022 – Anti-Social Behaviour – 5; Shoplifting – 1; Violent & Sexual Offences – 3 NOTE: 2 (two) relate to the area between MacDonald`s and the B4242 near Aberpergwm Colliery and the remain 7 (seven) were within the village area);
77/21 FINANCE (For the Period 21st January 2022 to 16th March 2022)
Payments Made:
Welsh Water – 2 months water rates for Welfare Hall – £211.00;
Welsh Water – 2 months water rates for Cemetery – £24.00;
Staff Pension Scheme – (8 weeks) – £103.60;
HMRC – Tax & NI on Staff Wages/Salaries paid between 6th January 2022 & 5th March 2022 – £207.51;
Utility Warehouse Ltd – Electricity in Welfare Hall (January & February 2022) – £166.99;
British Gas – Gas at Welfare Hall for period 17th December 2021 to 16th February 2022 – £992.62;
Home Bargains – Sanding Blocks for “Winter Programme of Works” – £2.97;
Mike`s Maintenance – Hose fitting set for Park – £9.49;
British Gas Services – Renewal of Annual Boiler/Heating System Maintenance Contract – £910.56;
Tumbleweed – Small maintenance items for “Winter Programme of Works” – £4.49;
Tesco – 2 Black Printer Cartridges & 1 Colour Printer Cartridge for Office – £78.00;
Norton UK – Platinum Security Cover for Council Laptops – £89.99;
Centregreat Limited – Christmas Lights 2021 (Including new fittings on lamp-posts in High Street) – £3,600.00;
Income Received:
Monthly Interest on Reserve Account (February & March 2022) – £10.53;
Burial Fees – £275.00;
Hall Hire/Rental Fees – £390.00;
78/21 CORRESPONDENCE:
16/2/2022 from the Boundary Commission for Wales – Reminder that “Face to Face” meetings are available for attendance to discuss the Proposed Reduction in the Number of MPs Representing Constituencies in Wales in the UK Parliament;
24/2/2022 from the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales – Their report and recommendations for the Financial Year 2022-2023;
8/3/2022 from One Voice Wales – “We are Seeking Views on the Auditor General`s Work Programme for 2022-2023 and Beyond”;
8/3/2022 from Utility Warehouse Limited – Notice of Increase in Electricity Unit Price Increase w.e.f. 1/4/2022;
11/3/2022 from Baobab Bach CIC – Request to discuss the implementation of a Community Pantry in the area; IT WAS DECIDED TO ASK JOHN of BAOBAB BACH to ATTEND THE JUNE 2022 MEETING to give the COUNCIL MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE SCHEME;
15/3/2022 from Building Blocks Family Centre – Notice that they are looking to employ two (2) Children`s Support Workers (FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE EMAIL: office@buildingblocksfamilycentre.co.uk; telephone: 01639 710076 or visit www.buildingblocksfamilycentre.co.uk;
15/3/2022 from the Wales Government via One Voice Wales – Information on the details sent to every Unitary Authority (County Council) in Wales relating to The Ukrainian Refugee Crisis;
SECTION 137 REQUESTS:
1/2/2022 from Wales Air Ambulance Charity – Request for Donation – REQUEST DECLINED;
18/2/2022 from The Chair of the 2022 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod – Request for Donation – REQUEST DECLINED;
15/3/2022 from Kids Cancer Charity UK – Request for Donation – REQUEST DECLINED;
79/21 COUNTY COUNCILLOR`S REPORTS: Councillor Carolyn Edwards as the Chair of the Blaengwrach Community Council expressed her thanks to all the existing Councillors for their help and hard work over the last five years;
80/21 SET DATE, TIME, VENUE & ANY PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING:
It was proposed and seconded that NO meeting to be held in April 2022 as the Pre-Election Guidelines state that with effect from 21st April 2022, NO new items relating to services, new proposed spending etc. should be discussed. IT WAS AGREED THAT NO MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN APRIL 2022. Therefore, the next scheduled meeting will be the Annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday 19th May 2022, commencing at 6.30 p.m. The proposed meeting venue is the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach Neath SA11 5TB. If time allows, the Annual General Meeting will be followed by an Ordinary Monthly Meeting.
The Meeting Closed at 7.35 p.m.