MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD, VIA ZOOM, ON THURSDAY 10th DECEMBER 2020, commencing at 6.30pm.
PRESENT: Councillors: Carolyn Edwards (Chair); Amanda Doherty (Vice Chair); Philippa Richards; Rhian Williams; Menna Mortimore.
ALSO PRESENT: Clive Baker – Clerk to Blaengwrach Community Council;
THERE WERE NO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT;
34/20 APOLOGIES: Councillors: Bethan Parry; Chris Kelly & Rhian Watts had sent their apologies;
35/20 DECLARATION(S) OF INTEREST: Councillor Carolyn Edwards declared her interest as a County Councillor of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council;
36/20 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AS A TRUE RECORD: The minutes of the monthly meeting scheduled for 19th November 2020 but held on 25th November 2020 were accepted as a true record of that meeting. NOTE: A QUORUM WAS NOT REACHED ON 19th November 2020;
37/20 MATTERS ARISING & AGENDA ITEMS:
a) The Local Democracy & Boundary Commission for Wales`s Recommendation to Reduce the Number of County Councillors – As there has been NO update received since October 2020 it has been decided to remove this item from the minutes until a definitive decision is received from the Wales Government. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED;
b) 2020 Christmas Celebrations – The children`s gifts were delivered to the local school on 27th November 2020; The Christmas Tree has been moved to the grass verge adjacent to KFC and Euro Garages Ltd kindly agreed to sponsor the cost of the tree and associated work for the tree lights up to £1,550.00 (see minute 40/20 below). THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO THANK EUROGARAGES LIMITED FOR THEIR KIND GESTURE and THANK COUNCILLOR AMANDA DOHERTY FOR LIAISING WITH EURO GARAGES IN THIS MATTER. NOTE; SANTA`S SLEIGH WAS NOT AVAILABLE THIS YEAR AS THE OWNERS/OPERATORS ARE NOT ALLOWING HIRE DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THERE WILL BE NO CELEBRATIONS HELD IN THE WELFARE HALL FOR THE SAME REASON. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED;
c) Welsh Government & Wales Audit Office Coronavirus/Covid-19 Guidelines to Town & Community Councils – All updates received since the November 2020 meeting have been examined & acted upon;
d) The Damaged Bridge near Chain Road – It was not possible for the work to be carried out in October 2020 but the work was started on 27th November 2020 and is expected to be completed by 13th December 2020;
e) Purchase of Honda Mower for Cemetery – The Clerk & Grounds-Man are still looking for a “best fit” mower for the cemetery;
f) On-Going Vandalism in the Welfare Park – The Local Police are and will continue to monitor the area. THE COUNCIL REQUEST THAT IF ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SEES ANY VANDALISM TAKING PLACE THAT THEY REPORT IT DIRECTLY TO THE POLICE (number 101) RATHER THAN CONTACT A COUNCILLOR, THE CLERK OR A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL STAFF;
g) The Council Lap-Top – The Clerk will research prices and purchase a new lap-top in January 2021;
h) Agenda Item 5a – The Setting of the 2021-2022 Precept (Local Rates) – After comparing the 2021-2022 Budget figures to the Local Tax Base it was decided to set the 2021-2022 Precept figure at £48,788.00 (forty eight thousand, seven hundred & eighty-eight pounds). The Clerk/RFO reminded the meeting that any item NOT included within the proposed budget will have to be paid for from the balance of the Council`s Reserves. The Clerk will inform the Principal Council Tax Officer of NPTCBC to inform them of the required Precept. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED;
38/20 PLANNING: There were no planning applications received for the Cwmgwrach/Blaengwrach area between 20th November 2020 & 10th December 2020;
39/20 CRIME & DISORDER: Due to the Pandemic The South Wales Police have suspended reporting local crime figures & holding PACT meetings until further notice;
40/20 FINANCE: For the Period 20th November 2020 to 10th December 2020:
PAYMENTS MADE:
Staff Pension Scheme (4 weeks) – £48.84;
NPTCBC – General Rates on Hall – £428.00;
NPTCBC – General Rates on Cemetery – £46.00;
Welsh Water – Water Rates on Hall – £104.00;
Welsh Water – Water Rates on Cemetery – £17.00;
HMRC – Tax & NI Payable (6.11.20 to 5.12.2020) – £83.56;
British Gas – Gas at Hall (1.10.20 to 16.11.20) – £333.13;
Tesco Stores – Extra 18 Selection Boxes (Children`s Christmas Gifts) – £18.00;
Cwmgwrach Stores – AAA Batteries for Hall Thermostat – £2.49;
Stay Safe Electricals – Replacement Floodlight at the Rear of the Hall – £114.00.
INCOME RECEIVED:
Hall Hire/Rental Fees – £30.00;
Monthly Interest on Reserve Account – £5.72;
Utility Warehouse Ltd- Refund of Overpayment of Electricity at the Welfare Hall – £25.81;
Euro Garages Ltd – Donation/Sponsorship of 2020 Christmas Celebrations- £1,550.00;
41/20 CORRESPONDENCE:
Various updates from the Welsh Government relating to the Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic;
26/11/2020 from the Welsh Government – Confirmation of the Appropriate Sum under Section 137(4)(A)of the Local Government Act 1972 – Section 137 Expenditure for Financial Year 2021-2022;
4/12/2020 from Councillor Andrew Hippsley & Councillor Julia Hippsley – Request to Council for an extension to the “Councillors Dispensation”, granted on 16th July 2020, for Councillor Andrew Hippsley until June 2021 & Councillor Julia Hippsley until April 2021. BOTH REQUESTS ARE AGREED BY THE COUNCIL;
NOTE: There were NO Section 137 Requests received between 20th November & 10th December 2020;
42/20 COUNTY COUNCILLOR`S REPORTS: Councillor Carolyn Edwards reported that the pedestrian crossing lights on the road near the Vale of Neath Health Centre were now operational;
43/20 SET DATE, TIME, VENUE & PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: The next scheduled meeting will take place at 6.30pm on Thursday 21st January 2021. It is proposed that IF Coronavirus/Covid-19 Guidelines allow that the meeting be held in the Welfare Hall which under present guidelines will allow four (4) members of the public to attend if they so wish. NOTE: ATTENDANCE WILL BE DONE ON A “FIRST COME” BASIS AND THOSE WISHING TO ATTEND WILL NEED TO EMAIL THE CLERK TO CONFIRM. (THE ABOVE WILL BE DEPENDANT ON TYHE PREVAILING GUIDELINES IN WALES IN JANUARY 2021). There are two proposed agenda items: 1) Christmas 2021 Celebrations & 2) A Review of the Council Hire Fees.
The Meeting closed at 7.10pm