Draft Minutes of the Meeting of the Blaengwrach Community Council held in St. Mary`s Church Hall, Blaengwrach at 6.30pm on Thursday 11th October 2018.
PRESENT: Councillor Carolyn Edwards (Chair); Councillor Rhian Watts; Councillor Rhian Williams; Councillor Philippa Richards; Councillor Julia Hippsley:
ALSO PRESENT: Clive Baker – Clerk to Blaengwrach Community Council.
098/18 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Councillors Chris Kelly, Bethan Parry, Amanda Doherty & Menna Mortimore had sent their apologies due to work commitments and Councillor Andrew Hippsley had sent his apologies due to illness;
099/18 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Councillor Carolyn Edwards declared her interest as a County Councillor of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council;
100/18 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES of the Meeting Held on 13th September 2018 AS A TRUE RECORD: The minutes of the above meeting were confirmed as a true record of that meeting;
101/18 MATTERS ARISING & AGENDA ITEMS: a) Quotes for Fire Alarm System – The third quote had now been received and was very near to one other of the quotes. It was decided to discuss the three quotes in the November meeting as part of the preliminary discussions for 2019-2020 discussions; b) Charities Commission – The Clerk had contacted the Charity Commission once again and they have promised to send a new password for the Clerk to access their services. They also confirmed that the returns were up to date to 31/3/2017 and that the return for the year ending 31/3/2018 should be completed & submitted by 31st January 2019; c) Litter/Dog Bins – Councillor Edwards reported that NPTCBC had stated that they believed that there were enough bins/dog bins in the area but she will continue to “lobby” them for more; d) Update of Hire Agreements – All existing hirers have been sent to new Standard Hire Agreement & list of fees payable for hire of the Council facilities. They have been asked to sign page one of the agreement & return it to the Clerk by 31st October 2018; e) Parking in Heol Y Felin – Councillor Edwards is meeting with the NPTCBC Officer for an update on 30th November 2018; f) Leases – NPTCBC, Legal Department have agreed to examine the existing Leases & advise the Council. Their fees are £100.00 per hour. It was agreed that the Leases could be copied & sent to NPTCBC Legal Department with a view to renewing the leases from 2019; g) The Missing Gate near McDonalds – As Mrs. Herbert is contacting the Canal Society, THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED; h) The Felling of an Overhanging Tree at the Welfare Park – There was no update available on this item; i) The Honouring of a Local Historian – There was no update available on this item; j) Phase Two of the Park Project – The Council discussed a “Maintenance Fund” for on-going maintenance of the proposed “New Park” & it was agreed to set aside a sum of £2,000.00 per year for any maintenance which may be needed; k) Age Connect – They are now using the Welfare Hall for their weekly activities (EVERY TUESDAY MORNING) & have agreed, by signing the Standard Hire Agreement, to pay the required £7.00 per hour hire fee; l) Y Herbert`s Environmental Project – There was no update available on this item. IT WAS AGREED TO REMOVE THIS ITEM FROM THE MINUTES UNTIL NEW UPDATES ARE AVAILABLE; m) Agenda Item 5a – Christmas 2018 – It was decided that the date for the celebration will be Saturday 24th November 2018 & that the Magician Show will commence at 5.15pm. The Clerk will co-ordinate the set-up of the day with support )obtaining prices, supplies etc) from the Councillors;
102/18 PLANNING: P2018/0798 – Mr Adam Jenkins of 48 Neath Road, Resolven, Neath SA11 4AH – Certificate of Lawful Development (Existing) for the Use of an Access Track for a Continuous Period of 10 Years or More in Breach of Condition 5 of Planning Permission P1996/1400, Granted on 3oth September 1996 @ Land to Side & Rear of 22 Parish Road, Blaengwrach, Neath SA11 5SW;
103/018 CRIME & DISORDER: The reported crime figures for the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach area for August 2018 was 12. These were broken down as follows: Anti-Social Behaviour – 3; Criminal Damage & Arson – 1; Drug Related Crime – 1; Other Theft – 1; Public Disorder – 2; Violent & Sexual Offences – 4;
104/18 FINANCE: For period 13/9/2018 to 10/10/2018: 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 – £130.00; St. Cadoc`s Church – Hire of Hall for Meetings – £24.00; British Gas – Gas @ Welfare Hall – £62.39; PPL/PRS – Music Licence for Welfare Hall – £141.62; Playsafety Limited – 2018 ROSPA Report – £109.20; Wired Up Wales – Council Website Hosting – £90.00; Gas Service Wales – Repair to Heating Controls @ Welfare Hall – £60.00; SSE/SWALEC – Electricity @ Welfare Hall – £148.89; Small Plant & Machinery Ltd – Service/Repair to Honda Tractor & Mowers – £433.44; Julian Mousley Ltd – New Drainage/Resurfacing of Pitch – £25,074.00 (Phase One of Park Project);
INCOME RECEIVED: Hall Hire – £14.00; Burial Fees – £175.00; NPTCBC (Minor Projects Grant) – £14,000.00 (Phase One of Park Project):
105/18 CORRESPONDENCE: 14/9/2018 – One Voice Wales – List of Training Courses for Councillors for the Period 1/10/2018 to 25/3/2019; 27/9/2018 – One Voice Wales – September 2018 News Bulletin; 1/10/2018 – Regenerate Neath Port Talbot – Notice that NPT Local Action Group are looking to recruit new members of the Regenerate Neath Port Talbot Group (ANYONE INTERESTED SHOULD TELEPHONE 01639 686077; email: rdp@npt.gov.uk or visit www.regenerate.npt.gov.uk) NOTE: LOCAL COUNCILLORS CANNOT APPLY; 1/10/2018 – Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service – Notice that their Draft Corporate Consultation Plan 2019-2024 can be viewed & commented on @ http://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/ 5/10/2018 – The Vale of Neath Practice – Minutes of the Patient Participation Group meeting held on 16th April 2018;
106/18 COMMITTEE REPORTS: There were no committee reports;
107/18 MATTERS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS: Councillor Carolyn Edwards reported that she had learned from a meeting in NPTCBC that the Unitary Authority were reviewing Town & Community Council Boundaries & that it had been stated that Glynneath/Blaengwrach wards could, after the review, only have two County Councillors representing them with the Cwmgwrach/Blaengwrach area being “merged” with Glynneath as to representation of County Councillors. The Clerk will write to NPTCBC & One Voice Wales stating this Council`s objection to any such proposed “merger”.
108/18 DATE, TIME, VENUE of the NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will take place at 6.30pm on Thursday 8th November 2018 in the St. Mary`s Church Hall, Blaengwrach.
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8.15pm.