The above meeting was held in St Marys Church Hall at 6.45pm (following the Council 2019 Annual General Meeting):
PRESENT – Councillors Carolyn Edwards (Chair); Menna Mortimore (Deputy Chair); Amanda Doherty; Bethan Parry; Philippa Richards; Andrew Hippsley & Julia Hippsley;
EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Clive Baker – Clerk to the Council;
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT – Mr Robert Smith (joined the meeting at 7pm & left the meeting at 7.25pm) & Mrs Michelle Smith (joined the meeting at 7pm & left the meeting at 7.25pm);
001/19 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Councillors Chris Kelly; Rhian Williams & Rhian Watts had given their apologies;
002/19 DECLARATION(S) of INTEREST: – Councillor Carolyn Edwards declared her interest as a County Councillor of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council;
003/19 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AS A TRUE RECORD – The minutes of the meeting held on 11th April 2019 were accepted as a true record. Proposed by Councillor Menna Mortimore & seconded by Councillor Philippa Richards;
004/19 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11th APRIL 2019 & NEW AGENDA ITEMS:
a) Parking in Heol Y Felin – A decision on what they intend to do is still awaited from the NPTCBC Cabinet;
b) The Welfare Park Project – The contractors started the project on Tuesday 30th April 2019 and hope to complete all the work required by early July 2019 (before the school summer holidays). NOTE: IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FOR HEALTH & SAFETY REASONS THE BOTTOM OF THE PARK WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE ACCESSED BY THE PUBLIC WHILST THE CONTRACTORS ARE CARRY OUT THE WORK;
c) “Adopting” the Light Highlighting the “Witch” – The replacing of the cable toi the light has been completed and the light should be illuminated with effect from 3rd June 2019;
d) Christmas 2019 Celebrations & Organisation – Councillor Rhian Williams was unable to attend the meeting so there was no update available on the entertainment for the 30th November 2019;
e) The Remembrance Board in the Welfare Hall – The Clerk has not had the opportunity to meet with the representative of the Local British Legion but will do so before the June 2019 meeting;
f) Grit Boxes in Cwmgwrach – There was no update available on this item at this meeting. (IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE END DECISION WILL BE MADE BY THE NPTCBC, NEIGHBOURHOOD MANAGER & NOT THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL, ALTHOUGH THIS COUNCIL FULLY SUPPORT COUNCILLOR EDWARD`S REQUEST FOR THE EXISTING BINS TO REMAIN WHERE THEY ARE AND TWO NEW BINS TO BE PROVIDED);
g) The 2019 Armed Forces Day (Saturday 29th June 2019) – It was decided to keep the day`s activities the same as last year except for any “outside based ” activities as the contractors may still be “on-site” in the Welfare Park. The local school has confirmed their attendance;
h) The Vale of Neath Health Centre – It was reported that there is a problem with the final contract for transfer of the building from the Swansea Bay Health Board to the Local Doctor`s Practice. It has been stated by the Health Board that this SHOULD be “sorted out” for the Centre to open in mid-July 2019;
i) Improvements to Clun Y Bont, High Street, Cwmgwrach – The owner of the site is still in discussion with several contractors in relation to any proposed improvements;
j) Change of Trustees of Council Open Space Charity – The two Trustees presently named in the agreement with the Charity Commission are away on holidays but the Clerk will contact them to discuss any proposed change of Trustees when they return & before new Trustees are decided upon;
k) The Re-opening of the Parish Road – Councillor Carolyn Edwards reported that she had attended a meeting on 8th May 2019 with NPTCBC & Selar relating to this item and that it had been decided that NPTCBC will consult with the public, probably in July or August 2019, before a final decision on how the existing road & surrounding verges should be improved;
l) From Correspondence (Minute 171/18 – 11/4/2019) – It was decided that the Council would support, in principle, Mr. James`s Grant Application for Funding of a Bistro in High Street, Cwmgwrach. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED;
m) Agenda Item 5a – Renewal of the Council`s General Insurance for the Period 16th June 2019 to 15th June 2020 – It was agreed to renew the Insurance with Zurich Municipal at a premium of £1,361.33. The Clerk will contact the insurer when the Park Project is complete to update cover on the “new items” in the park. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED;
n) Agenda Item 5b – Possible “After School Club at the Welfare Hall – Two local people addressed the meeting & informed the Council of their plan to set up an activity based After School Club in the Welfare Hall (preferred hours were quoted). They stated that they have spoken to the local school, who “like” the idea, and canvassed local opinion but have had very little feedback. They fully informed the Council of all other aspects of their plan. after noting the information, the Council agreed, in principle, to support the scheme.
005/19 PLANNING – 17/4/2019 – Ref: P2019/0378 – Mr. P Lloyd of 54, Maes Y Dre, Glynneath, Neath SA11 5HH – Ground floor (kitchen) extension as part of a disabled facilities grant at the same address. NOTE: APPLICATION AGREED BY NPTCBC BY DELEGATED DECISION ON 24th April 2019.
006/19 CRIME & DISORDER – The reported crime figures for the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach area for March 2019 were 11. They were broken down as follows:
1 Anti-Social Behaviour; 1 Burglary; 1 Criminal Damage & Arson; 1 Other Crime; 1 Other Theft; 1 Public Disorder & 5 Violent & Sexual Offences.
Councillor Edwards reported that she had attended a PACT meeting on 8th May 2019 & stated that it was very poorly attended. The only priority agreed with the Local Police was that they would monitor parking and movement of traffic in Heol Y Felin, especially whilst the improvements are taking place in the Welfare Park.
The next PACT meeting will take place in the Bethania Community Centre, High Street, Glynneath at 6.30pm on Wednesday 3rd July 2019.
007/19 FINANCE
For period 12/4/2019 to 9/5/2019:
PAYMENTS MADE:
HMRC – Tax on Clerk`s Salary – £79.80;
Welsh Water – Monthly Water Rates on Hall – £126.00;
Welsh Water – Monthly Water Rates on Cemetery – £30.50;
Welsh Water – Outstanding Water Rates for 2018-2019 at Cemetery – £13.86;
Staff Pension Scheme – £46.48;
Tesco – Printer Cartridge – £17.00;
B & Q plc – New Weed Killer Sprayer – £16.99;
NPTCBC – Monthly General rates on Hall – £421.00;
NPTCBC – Monthly General Rates on Cemetery – £45.00;
Small Plant & Machinery – Repair to Strimmer – £66.00.
INCOME RECEIVED:
Hall Hire Fees – £474.00;
Return of 1 Councillor`s Allowance for 2018-2019 – £150.00;
HMRC – VAT Reclaimed for 1/7/18 to 31/3/2019 – £6,885.30;
NPTCBC – 1st Payment in Respect of 2019-2020 Precept – £12,176.67.
008/19 CORRESPONDENCE;
24/4/2019 from Natural Resource Wales – Details of a 4 month programme to fell & remove P.ramorum infected Larch trees from the Glyncastle Forest;
1/5/2019 from NPTCBC, Highways Department – Response to Councillor Carolyn Edwards`s telephone call relating to Debris on the Highway & Indiscriminate Parking of Site Vehicles on High Street, Blaengwrach.
There were no requests for donations under Section 137 Grants between 12th April 2019 & 9th May 2019.
009/19 COMMITTEE REPORTS – It had been decided in the Annual General Meeting earlier this evening that the only Internal Council Committee will be the Human Resources Committee (PLEASE NOTE: ANY REPORT FROM THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE MUST BE HEARD IN “CLOSED SESSION”). All other items relating the the Welfare Hall, Welfare Park & Cemetery will be discussed by the full Council. This item (Committee Reports) will be removed from future agendas & minutes.
010/19 MATTERS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS – There were no other matters raised by Councillors at this meeting.
011/19 SET DATE, TIME, VENUE & ANY PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING – The next meeting will be held in St. Mary`s Church Hall, Blaengwrach at 6.30pm on Thursday 20th June 2019. There were no proposed agenda items suggested at this time.
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8.15pm