The September 2020 Council meeting was held, via Zoom, at 6.30pm on Thursday 17th September 2020.
PRESENT: Councillors Carolyn Edwards (Chair); Amanda Doherty (Vice Chair); Menna Mortimore; Rhian Watts; Rhian Williams; Philippa Richards & Chris Kelly;
ALSO PRESENT: Clive Baker (Clerk to the Council)
THERE WERE NO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT.
04/20 APOLOGIES:
Councillor Bethan Parry had sent her apologies;
05/20 DECLARATION(S) OF INTEREST:
Councillor Carolyn Edwards declared her interest as a County Councillor of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (NPTCBC);
06/20 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING(S) AS A TRUE RECORD:
The minutes of the monthly meeting held on 16th July 2020, the Special Meeting (for Presentation of the Annual Return) and the Annual General Meeting (both held on Wednesday 19th August 2020) of the Blaengwrach Community Council were accepted as true records of those meetings;
07/20 MATTERS ARISING & AGENDA ITEMS:
a) Parking in Heol Y Felin – Agreed plans have been sent to the contractors by NPTCBC but no firm date for the work to start as been given. IT WAS DECIDED TO REMOVE THIS ITEM FROM THE MINUTES UNTIL A DATE FOR THE WORK TO START IS RECEIVED;
b) The Re-Opening of the Parish Road – No Planning Application has been submitted to date. IT WAS DECIDED TO REMOVE THIS ITEM FROM THE MINUTES UNTIL A FURTHER UPDATE IS AVAILABLE;
c) The Pedestrian Crossing on the B4242 Near the Health Centre – The “switch on” by western Power is still awaited and no firm date has been received by NPTCBC. IT WAS DECIDED TO REMOVE THIS ITEM FROM THE MINUTES UNTIL A DATE IS RECEIVED OR THE WORK IS COMPLETED;
d) Council Leases – No update available. IT WAS DECIDED TO REMOVE THIS ITEM FROM THE MINUTES AND REVISIT IT WHEN THE CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS ENDED;
e) Use of an Area of the Welfare Park & Rental of a Shed in the Park by the “Bistro” – Following a meeting with the owner of the bistro, keys have been issued and the agreed rental payments are being received. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED;
f) The Recommendations of the Local Democracy & Boundary Commission for Wales in Relation to Blaengwrach & Glynneath – A Final Recommendation Report, dated August 2020, has been received which recommends that the Blaengwrach Ward of NPTCBC be combined with the existing Glynneath West and Glynneath West Central Wards to form a new ward called Blaengwrach & Glynneath West. This “new” ward will be represented at County Council level by one County Councillor. The remaining Glynneath Wards, presently Glynneath Central & Glynneath East, will combine and also be represented at County Council level by one County Councillor. This effectively means that the existing County Councillors for Blaengwrach and Glynneath will be reduced from three to two. The Commission`s Report is being sent to the Welsh Government on 20th August 2020 for final consideration. If accepted, the Welsh Government will issue an order for the proposed changes to take place before the scheduled 2022 Local County Council Elections;
g) 2020 Christmas Celebrations – It was decided that Santa`s Sleigh will be in the village on Saturday 5th December 2020 and 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;
h) Coronavirus/Covid-19 Updates from the Wales Government – There have been various updates received since 16th July 2020 and these have been examined by and acted upon (where necessary) by the Council. The Annual Financial Return was presented to the Council on 19th August 2020 and has been sent to the External Auditor. As soon as their report is received it will be discussed in the next available monthly meeting. NOTE: THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE TO THE USE OF INDOOR FACILITIES BY GROUPS/CLUBS ETC. EXCEPT FOR EXERCISE, SPECIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES (INCLUDING CHILDREN`S SERVICES. (See agenda items 5c & 5e (minute m below);
i) Damage to the Bridge near Chain Road – The new bridge is scheduled to be put in place on Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th October 2020. On these dates IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO USE THE AREA. The “old” bridge will then be demolished;
j) The Council`s Dedicated Landline Telephone – The existing landline (01639 720731) has developed a fault and since the contract is not being renewed in early January 2020, a new “pay as you go” mobile has been purchased to use as the dedicated contact number with effect from 21st September 2020. The new number is 07856 675549. The details on the website & on the Council`s headed paper have been changed. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED;
k) Agenda item 5a – Request by a Local Business to Use an Area of the Welfare Park for Access – A letter of request was received on 24th July 2020 and after consideration the Councillors requested that the Clerk contact the business manager to ask them to meet with the Councillors, “on-site”, to discuss further;
l) Agenda item 5b – Discussion on Possible Future Development of the Welfare Park – Several possible projects were briefly discussed and it was decided to consult with everyone living in the village to ascertain their preferences for any future development of the Park before trying to contact Grant Providers to raise funds. Interim costs will be sought for some of the proposals put forward to gauge the overall costs should they “go ahead”. Whilst this item was being discussed, it was decided to put “anti-vandal paint” on the pergola/bandstand to discourage children/teenagers from climbing on it;
m) Agenda items 5c & 5e – Request of use of the Hall by Age Connect NPT (for a Nail Cutting Service) & VIEW (Glynneath) Ltd (for restart of Yoga Classes) – Both activities ARE premitted within Senedd Wales Guidelines and the requests were agreed, in principle, by the Council. The Clerk will contact both of the above mentioned organisations with details of what is required from/by them for their activities to take place;
n) Agenda Item 5d – Purchase of a Honda Mower for the Cemetery – It was agreed that a mower could be purchased (with a cost of up to £400.00) for use in the Cemetery;
08/20 PLANNING:
11/9/2020 – Ref. P2020/0788 – McDonald`s Restaurants nald`sLimited, 11-59 High Street, Finchley, London N2 8AW – Installation of three (3) Digital Freestanding Signs & one (1) 15 inch Digital Booth Sign @ McDonald`s Restaurant, Sewage Works Road, Blaengwrach, Neath SA11 5NZ;
09/20 CRIME & POLICING:
The Crime Figures will not be published and no PACT meetings will take place until the end of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic;
10/20 FINANCE:
For period 17th July 2020 to 17th September 2020:
Payments Made:
Staff Pension Scheme (9 weeks) – £109.89;
NPTCBC – General Rates (Hall) (2 months) – £856.00;
NPTCBC – General Rates (Cemetery) (2 months) – £92.00;
Welsh Water – Water Rates (Hall) (2 months) – £208.00;
Welsh Water – Water Rates (Cemetery) (2 months) – £34.00;
HMRC – Staff Tax & NI (6th July 2020 to 5th September 2020) – £165.10;
Utility Warehouse Ltd – Electricity at Hall (June & July 2020) – £130.39;
Neath Vale Builders Supplies – New Security Lock for Shed in Park – £8.99;
Gemma`s Plumbing Service – Leak in Pipe & Cistern at Hall – £75.00;
H R Harris & Partners – Internal Audit Fees (1.4.19 to 31.3.20) – £1,260.00;
Hartson Fire Ltd – Annual Servicing Testing of Fire Fighting Equipment at the Hall – £80.40;
Tesco Stores – Black Printer Cartridge for Office – £22.00;
Amazon UK – New Mobile for Council – £42.99;
Amazon UK – O2 Sim (with £15.00 Prepaid Credit) for above mobile – £12.99;
Euro Garages Ltd – Petrol for Council Machines – £19.50;
Neath Hardware – Sledge Hammer for Park (broken tree) – £17.99;
B & M – 1 pack of screws (broken tree) – £2.50;
Zoar`s Garden Centre – 2 Tree Stakes, Tree Ties & Tree Block (broken tree in Park) – £17.47;
Wired Up Wales – Annual Fee for “Hosting” Council Website – £90.00;
British Gas – Gas at Hall (20th May to 4th September 2020) – £90.52;
Income Received:
Monthly Interest on Reserve Account – £11.66;
NPTCBC – 2020-2021 2nd Precept Payment – £12,907.00;
Hall Hire/Rental Fees – £60.00;
11/20 CORRESPONDENCE:
Various Updates from NPTCBC, Senedd Wales & One Voice wales relating to the Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic;
NOTE: There were no Section 137 Requests received between 17th July & 16th September 2020
12/20 COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:
There were no further reports received from the County Councillor;
13/20 SET DATE, TIME, VENUE & PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING:
The next scheduled meeting will take place on Thursday 15th October 2020. The time & venue of the meeting will depend on further Coronavirus/Covid-19bgudilelines that may be received from Senedd Cymru. Notices for the meeting will be posted on this website and in the Council Noticeboards at least three (3) working days before it takes place.
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 7.09pm