MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BLAENGWRACH COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD VIA ZOOM AT 6.30pm ON THURSDAY 15th OCTOBER 2020.
PRESENT: Councillors Carolyn Edwards (Chair); Rhian Williams; Bethan Parry; Menna Mortimore & Philippa Richards;
ALSO PRESENT: Clive Baker – Clerk to the Council;
THERE WERE NO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT;
14/20 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Councillors Amanda Doherty, Chris Kelly & Rhian Watts had sent their apologies;
15/20 DECLARATION(S) OF INTEREST: Councillor Carolyn Edwards declared her interest as a County Councillor of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (NPTCBC);
16/20 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AS A TRUE RECORD: The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 17th September 2020 were accepted as a true record of that meeting;
17/20 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17th SEPTEMBER 2020 & AGENDA ITEMS:
a) Discussion on the Local Boundary Commission for Wales`s Recommendations Relating to County Council Representation for Blaengwrach & Glynneath – There has been no update on this item since the September meeting except for a Notice of Consultation from Senedd Cymru on the Commission`s Final Recommendation;
b) 2020 Christmas Celebrations – Santa`s Sleigh has been ordered and will travel through the village, on its normal route, between 4.30pm & 5pm on Saturday 5th December 2020 (PEOPLE ARE ASKED TO OBSERVE ALL THE USUAL SOCIAL DISTANCING, MASK WEARING GUIDELINES DURING THE EVENT). The Christmas tree will be lit from the same date. The “children`s gifts” will be delivered to the local school for distribution by Friday 4th December 2020. NOTE: DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 PANDEMIC, NO CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS WILL BE HELD IN THE WELFARE HALL THIS YEAR AND IF GUIDELINES CHANGE SANTA TRAVELLING THROUGH THE VILLAGE MAY HAVE TO BE CANCELLED;
c) Wales Guidelines Updates on Coronavirus/Covid-19 from Senedd Cymru – The changes to the guidelines received since the last meeting have been noted by the Council. There has been no update received from the External Auditors on the 2019-2020 Annual Return;
d) Damage to the Bridge near Chain Road – The new bridge was due to be put into place last weekend (10th & 11th October 2020). However, the suppliers/contractors were unable to attend and no firm date has been given for the work to be carried out although NPTCBC hope that the work will be completed by mid-November 2020;
e) Request by a Local Business to Use an Area of the Park for Access – A letter was sent to the business manager on 21st September 2020 asking them for a date for an “on-site” meeting with the Councillors but, to date, no reply has been received. IT WAS DECIDED TO REMOVE THIS ITEM FROM THE MINUTES UNTIL THE MEETING HAS TAKEN PLACE;
f) The Possible Future Development of the Welfare Park – Several possible projects were put forward. It was decided to obtain “costings” for the projects before discussing further (the Council would need to “Match Fund” any request for Grant Funding by up to 33% of the cost of the project). Once the “costings” have been received and examined, the Council intend to consult with the residents on the projects. NOTE: The Anti-Vandal Paint was put on the Bandstand on 1st October 2020 and the required signs are in place;
g) Use of the Hall by Age Connect NPT for a Nail Cutting Service & by VIEW (Glynneath) to Re-Start Yoga Classes – The lady who takes the Yoga Class has decided NOT to re-start them at the moment. She will let the Clerk know when she is ready to go ahead. Age Connect NPT have “booked” the Hall for the Nail Cutting Service between 10am & 3pm on the first Friday of each month, commencing 7th December 2020 (They WILL NOT HOLD THE SERVICE IN JANUARY 2021 BUT IT WILL RECOMMENCE ON 1st FEBRUARY 2021). They have return the completed “standard hire agreement” with a copy of their specific risk assessment relating to Coronavirus/Covid-19. They will complete “Track & Trace” forms at each use of the Hall and will review the service monthly in relation to any changes in the Guidelines from Senedd Cymru;
h) Purchase of a Mower for the Cemetery – The Clerk & Ground`s Man are looking at the “best fit” mower for the Cemetery;
i) Agenda Item 5a – The 2020 Remembrance Service – After consultation with the Local Royal British Legion & Local Church Ministers it has been decided NOT to hold the 2020 Remembrance Service due to the on-going Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED;
j) Agenda Item 5b – On-Going Vandalism in the Welfare Park – The bollard lights have been vandalised several times in the past four weeks. The Council ask anyone who sees any vandalism to report it to the police, via 101, immediately rather than to try to contact the Clerk or the Councillors. Quotes were examined for repair and/or replacement of the lights but it has been decided NOT to proceed with either at the moment as there are no organisations in the Hall “after dark”. THIS ITEM WILL BE REVIEWED MONTHLY;
k) Agenda Item 5c – The Entrance to the Village – The Council have been approached by a resident asking if they can help to improve the verges between the traffic roundabout on the A465 & High Street. However, this land is owned by NPTCBC. Councillor Carolyn Edwards will speak to NPTCBC Officers to see what could be allowed on this land;
l) Agenda Item 5d – The Council Lap-Top – The Lap-Top is now over five years old and the Council will look at the possibility of “up dating” the lap-top (purchase of a more up to date one) in the 2021-2022 Financial Year. Any possible purchase will be built into the Council Budget for that Financial Year;
18/20 PLANNING:
21.9.2020 – Ref: P2020/0821 – Mr Eric Nye, 38, Tan Y Allt, Abercrave, Powys SA9 1FX – Construction of one (1) detached dwelling on a plot of land adjacent to 15, Fothergill Road, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5PH;
28.9.2020 – Ref: P2020/0823 – Mr Kevin Doherty, Tudor Lodge, High Street, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5SY – Lawful Development Certificate (Existing) to ascertain extant planning permission for two (2) residential properties within the grounds of Tudor Lodge, High Street, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5SY;
19/20 CRIME & DISORDER: There will be NO crime figures available or PACT meeting held until further notice due to the Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic;
20/20 Finance:
for period 18th September 2020 to 15th October 2020:
PAYMENTS MADE:
Staff Pension Scheme – £48.84;
NPTCBC – General Rate for Welfare Hall/Park – £428.00;
NPTCBC – General Rates for Cemetery – £46.00;
Welsh Water – Water Rates for Welfare Hall/Park – £104.00;
Welsh Water – water Rates for Cemetery – £17.00;
HMRC – Tax & NI on Staff Wages/Salaries (6.9.20 to 5.10.20) – £83.76;
Utility Warehouse – Electricity for Welfare Hall (August 2020) – £60.94;
British Gas – Gas at Welfare Hall (September 2020) – £55.24;
C Baker – Clerk`s Mileage (1.4.20 to 30.9.20) – £45.90;
C Baker – Reimbursement for Telephone Costs for Calls Made on Behalf of the Council (16.3.20 to 15.9.20) – £59.38;
ICO (Information Commissioner`s Office) – Annual Registration of CCTV at Welfare Park – £35.00;
British Gas Services – New Flue & CO2 Alarm for Boiler Room – £173.99;
Small Plant & Machinery Ltd – 2020 Electrical Testing & New Strimmer Line – £99.50;
02 – Top Up of Council Mobile – £30.00;
Viking Signs – Anti-Vandal Paint Signs for Bandstand – £6.77;
Amazon UK – PPE for Staff (disposable gloves, masks & aprons) – £48.62;
INCOME RECEIVED:
Hire/Rental Fees – £30.00;
Monthly Interest on Reserve Account – £5.65;
21/20 CORRESPODENCE:
Various Updates relating to the Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic from Senedd Cymru & NPTCBC;
18.9.20 from Swansea Bay University Health Board (in Partnership with NPTCBC & Swansea City Council) – Leaflet giving Covid-19 Advice & Information for Autumn/Winter 2020/2021;
18.9.2020 from Powys County Council – Notice of a Pre-Application for a Global Centre of Rail Excellence in Wales (consultation runs from 17th September 2020 to 14th October 2020);
25.9.2020 from Swansea Bay CHC (Community Health Council) – Invitation for “New Members” to Join the Community Health Council Panel;
SECTION 137 REQUESTS: There were no Section 137 Requests received between 17th September & 15th October 2020;
22/20 COUNTY COUNCILLOR`S REPORTS:
There were no other reports received from the County Councillor;
23/20 SET DATE, TIME & PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting will take place on Thursday 19th November 2020. The time & venue for the meeting will depend on further Coronavirus/Covid-19 Guidelines received from Senedd Cymru. Notices for the meeting will be posted at least three working days before the meeting takes place.
There are, so far, two agenda items proposed:
1) 2021-2022 Budget Setting; &
2) The Possible Use of STARLEAF as the Media for Future Council Meetings;
The meeting closed at 7pm.