Minutes of the Meeting Held at 6.55pm on Thursday 20th May 2021 in the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach.
PRESENT: Councillor Carolyn Edwards (Chair of the Council); Councillor Menna Mortimore (Deputy/Vice Chair of the Council); Councillor Rhian Williams; Councillor Julia Hippsley & Councillor Philippa Richards;
Also Present: Clive Baker – Clerk to Blaengwrach Community Council;
Members of the Public Present: Mr. Kevin James (left the meeting @ 7.10pm);
01/21 Apologies for Absence: Councillors Rhian Watts & Bethan Parry had sent their apologies. No apologies had been received from Councillor Amanda Doherty;
02/21 Declaration(s) of Interest: Councillor Carolyn Edwards made her usual declaration as a County Councillor of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council;
03/21 Confirmation of the Minutes of the Last Meeting as a True Record: The minutes of the meeting held on 15th April 2021 were accepted as a true record;
04/21 Matters Arising from the Minutes of 15th April 201 and Agenda Items:
a) Wales Coronavirus Guidelines Updates – All updates received since 15th April 2021 have been noted and acted upon. IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO REMOVE THIS ITEM FROM THE MINUTES AS ANY/ALL FURTHER UPDATES FROM THE WALES GOVERNMENT WILL BE ACTED UPON;
b) Reopening of the Welfare Hall – All the regular hirers were contacted giving them information on what they would need to do to use the Hall. Out of the four contacted, one has decided NOT to return until all their members can attend; a second has agreed to the amended hire agreement and has given the Council the name and contact details of their appointed Covid Officer and have started to use the Hall. The remaining two have not responded;
c) Damage to the Bridge near Chain Road – All work on the “New Bridge” was completed in April 2021 and it can be safely used. The “Old Bridge” remains in place but cordoned off. IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO REMOVE THIS ITEMS FROM THE MINUTES;
d) Purchase of Mower for the Cemetery – IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO REMOVE THIS ITEM FROM THE MINUTES UNTIL A SUITABLE MOWER HAS BEEN PURCHASED;
e) Vandalism in the Welfare Park – Since the last meeting the “stone planters” in the park have been damaged. They have been repaired at a cost to the Council. The Head of the local school will carry out a “general” talk with pupils on “Looking after your Local Area”;
f) Christmas 2021 Celebrations – NPTCBC, Streetlighting have not attended re: lighting columns (Councillor Carolyn Edwards has “chased” and they have stated that they will attend in the week commencing 24th May 2021); Quotes will be sought for further lights for High Street and as soon as these are received and further information re: the afore-mentioned light columns is received, a complete costing will be put in place. NOTE: WITH THE PRESENT RULES ON THE CORONAVIRUS IN WALES, IT IS ENVISAGED THAT IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD A 2022 CHRISTMAS PARTY IN THE WELFARE HALL. HOWEVER, EVEN IF THE PARTY DOES NOT TAKE PLACE THE CHILDREN`S “GIFTS” WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL FOR DISTRIBUTION;
g) Council Hire Fees for Hall – The revised fees came into effect on 1st April 2021 and will be reviewed upon return of ALL regular hirers (at the end of the Pandemic). IT HAS THEREFORE BEEN DECIDED TO REMOVE THIS ITEM FROM THE MINUTES UNTIL THE REVIEW CAN TAKE PLACE;
h) The Upper Neath Valley Project Development Cluster Group – A Memorandum of Understanding setting out the Principles of Collaboration; Key Objectives: Role Responsibilities (including those of the proposed Project Manager duties); Governance; Duration of the Group & Option to Exit the Group had been received and examined. It was resolved to agree to all of the contents within the document (including the Council`s agreement to cover 13% of any unrecoverable costs the Group incurs) and Councillor Amanda Doherty was reappointed as the BCC representative on this group. The Clerk/RFO will sign and return the Memorandum to the Group Administrator as soon as possible. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED AND WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE MINUTES;
i) Proposed Litter Pick – IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO REMOVE THIS ITEM FROM THE MINUTES UNTIL THE LITTER PICK CAN TAKE PLACE;
j) The Effect of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 on this Community Council – Clarification on the “eligibility” relating to the General Power of Competence for Town/Community Councils is being sought;
k) Litter Bins for the Welfare Park – The 660L bin has been delivered by NPTCBC and put into use (the 330L bin has been removed by NPTCBC). Two “Osprey” 40L litter bins and all required fittings have been purchased and will be placed at the top of the park as soon as the weather allows;
l) Traffic “Calming” in High Street (from minute 82/20 of 15/4/2021) – NPTCBC carried out the survey between 17th & 23rd April 2021 and the survey summary states “The average 85th percentile traffic speed is 22/25 mph, which is below the legal speed limit of 30mph. Therefore, there is no actual evidence that the majority of traffic is exceeding the legal speed limit”. THIS ITEM WILL NOW BE REMOVED FROM THE MINUTES UNTIL FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE WALES GOVERNMENT “20 MPH SPEED LIMIT IN ALL “HIGH STREETS” IN WALES IS RECEIVED;
m) The Ceiling of the Shed in the Welfare Park – The “sample” was sent to Bridgend Asbestos Services for testing on 20th April 2021 and found to contain “Chrysotile Asbestos”. Sabre Services, Port Talbot were instructed to remove and dispose of the ceiling and this was carried out on 5th May 2021. It was decided NOT to put another ceiling in the shed at this time. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED AND WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE MINUTES;
n) Agenda Item 5a – Request by the Dunraven Arms to place an access gate in the wall of the Welfare Park – Mr. James addressed the Council and gave his reasons for the request. After noting these reasons, the Council resolved to agree to the request and a “Letter of Agreement and Conditions” will be sent to Mr. James within the next seven days;
o) Agenda Item 5b – Councillor Vacancy under Section 86 of the Local Government Act 1972 -Due to non-attendance for a consecutive period of six (6) months, Councillor Chris Kelly is no longer a member of the Blaengwrach Community Council. The Vacancy Notice has been posted, dated 20th May 2021, in both Council Noticeboards; the Council Facebook Page and Council Website. THIS WAS NOTED BY THE COUNCIL;
05/21 PLANNING:
16/4/2021 – Ref: P2021/0400 – Applicant: Miss Aimee Moran, Ty Maes Y Gwair, Heol Nedd, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5PL – One (1) detached dwelling with detached garage and creation of new vehicle access on Land to Rear of Heol Nedd, Cwmgwrach, Neath;
29/4/2021 – Ref: P2021/0360 – Applicant: Mr. Mark Challenger, 31 Cefn Gelli, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5PE – Detached garden room outbuilding at the applicant`s address;
06/21 CRIME & DISORDER: The reported crime figures are still NOT being published on the South Wales Police website & all future PACT meetings will take place via Zoom. details of how to join the PACT meeting will be publish on the South Wales Police website;
07/21 Finance – For the Period 16th April 2021 to 20th May 2021:
PAYMENTS MADE:
Staff Pension Scheme – £64.75 (5 weeks);
Welsh Water – Water Rates (Hall) – £104.00;
Welsh Water – Water Rates (Cemetery) – £17.00;
Welsh Water – Outstanding water rates for Cemetery for 15.10.20 to 14.4.21 – £16.09;
NPTCBC – General Rates (Hall) – £428.00;
NPTCBC – General Rates (Cemetery) – £46.00;
HMRC – Tax & NI on Staff Salaries/Wages (6.4.21 to 5.5.21) – £92.56;
British Gas – Gas (Hall) for period 17.3.21 to 16.5.21 – £457.58;
Utility Warehouse – Electricity (Hall) for March and April 2021 – £103.58;
Medisave – 30 x 500ml Hand Sanister Gel for Hall Reopening – £71.94;
Tumbleweed – Gardening Gloves for Use in Park & Cemetery – £6.74;
Mr. Flag – New flag to replace broken flag foe Welfare Park – £25.79;
The Bin Shop – 2 x 40l “Osprey” Litter Bins & all required fittings for Welfare Park – £381.55;
Viking Direct – Cleaning Materials for Hall – £115.01;
Eurogarages Ltd – Petrol for Machinery in Park – £13.24;
Civils & Lintels Builders Merchant – Sand & Cement to Repair “Stone Planters” in Welfare Park – £14.16;
The Works – 2021 “Booking” Diary for Welfare Hall – £1.00;
Wilko – LED Torch for Use in Park Shed – £10.00;
Tesco – 2 Printer Cartridges for Office – £44.00;
Councillor Rhian Williams – 2021-2022 Councillor Allowance – £150.00;
NPTCBC – Trade Waste Collection Fees – £265.21;
Bridgend Asbestos Services – Testing of Shed Ceiling & Issue of Required Certificate – £36.00;
Sabre Services – Removal/disposal of asbestos ceiling sheets from shed in Welfare Park – £576.00;
INCOME RECEIVED:
Hall Hire & Other Rental Fees – £86.00;
Monthly Interest on Reserve Saver – £3.54;
HMRC – Reclaimed VAT for Period 1.4.2020 to 31.3.2021 – £1,311.59;
NPTCBC – 1st Payment of 2021-2022 Precept – £16,262.68;
08/21 Correspondence: Various updates from the Wales Government relating to Coronavirus/Covid-19 Guidelines;
Section 137 Requests – 30/4/2021 – Request for Donation from Tenovus Cancer Care Wales – It was decided NOT to make a donation;
09/21 County Councillor`s Report(s): Councillor Carolyn Edwards had no further reports for this meeting;
10/21 Set Date, Time, Venue and Any Proposed Agenda Items for the Next Meeting: The next scheduled meeting will take place at 6.30pm on Thursday 24th June 2021. It is proposed that it will take place in the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach. The first item on the agenda will be “The Presentation/Agreement of the 2020-2021 Annual Return (Accounts). NOTE: PLEASE CHECK AGENDA NOTICE FOR ANY CHANGE OF VENUE FOR ANY FUTURE MEETINGS.
The meeting closed at 8pm.