Draft Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 16th March, 2023, held at the Welfare Hall, Heol y Felin, Cwmgwrach commencing at 6.30 pm
Present: Cllr. Carolyn Edwards, Cllr. Andrew Hippsley, Cllr. Amanda Doherty, Cllr. Rhian Williams, Cllr. David Jones, Cllr. Jennifer Bulman.
Council Employees Present: Linda Evans Clerk to the Council, Clive Baker Responsible Financial Officer
Members of the Public Present: Cllr. Hayley Davies via Zoom
104/22 Apologies: Cllr. Menna Mortimore, Cllr. Alan Edwards and Cllr. Rhian A Williams had sent their apologies.
105/22 Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest.
106/22 County Councillor`s Report: Cllr. Hayley Davies reported the following:
- The High Street resurface is being looked at for next year, potholes have been repaired as a short-term fix.
- There has been a replacement bench placed in Church Crescent.
- Hayley Davies checked that BCC had received the email regarding the information on the “20 mile per hour” speed limit. New signage that has been put up will have the information greyed out until the limit comes into force.
Cllr. CE raised the concern over the motorbikes racing up and down the roads in the village as dangerous, and please can this be looked into.
107/22 Public Observations on Matters Arising and Agenda Items Being Discussed at this Meeting: There were no public observations made.
107/22 Confirmation of the Minutes of the Last Meeting as a True Record: – 0.3p difference reported in 98/22 Finance – Income and Expenditure.
108/22 Matters Arising from the meetings17/11/22 and 01/12/22:
a) Flat Roof & Kitchen Ceiling of the Welfare Hall – Clerk waited until the 1st April to commence work. Paint to be purchased (white) LC to complete, then to contact electrician to replace lights.
b) Leases of Council Owned Land – Councillors discussed in Closed Session.
c) The Coalfield Regeneration Trust Energy Efficiency Community Buildings Support Programme – to discuss findings at a later meeting, some of the ideas may form part of the “5 year plan” and future projects i.e. solar panels.
d) The use of the Welfare Hall as a Warm Hub – this item is now closed
e) Reiterations of New Council Projects and Non-Budget Items – This item is now closed and moved to Agenda Item Review Budget Items and “5 Year Plan” to be discussed at each meeting.
f) Payments by RFO (from personal bank account) – Mandate was returned, a change of signature was needed, waiting for further update.
g) Increase of Fees – Cemetery and Hall Hire – All Fees that were increasing have been adjusted accordingly and stakeholders informed by letter. New fees displayed on Website and Notice Boards.
Hall leaflet – all clubs have been contacted and happy to be included in the marketing of the Hall. Clerk to go ahead design leaflet.
h) Cinema Equipment – NPTBC have been contacted by the Clerk to clarify if an Entertainments License is required to show films. If a License is required then one off per event would be more cost effective. RW has been in further contact with Glynneath Library regarding the hire of films. Interest has been shown in organised Cinema Parties along with the local PTA.
j) Crisis in the NHS – Cllr’s showed disappointment with the original response, Chair also sent the letter to Mark Hackett CEO SBUHB who responded with a detailed reply. Chair will share with Patient Group.h) Paul Hinder – Community Council presentation for Concrete “Street Course” Skate Park at the Vale of Neath Leisure Centre Site – Selar Meeting scheduled for 30th March 2023 with both Cllr AM and Cllr MM attending as Panel Members. Clerk has agreed to take minutes.j) Christmas Celebrations 2023 – c/f to next meeting.
k) Coronation of King Charles III – 6th May 2023 – Clerk has purchased the ceremonial flag.
109/22 Agenda Items:
- Stage Curtains – As part of the “5 Year Plan” and future Projects the renovation and repairing of the mechanism of the Hall Stage Curtains has been put forward. Clerk has contacted 2 interested parties to supply a quote. One further quote will be needed.
110/22 Planning:
There were no planning applications.
111/22 Crime and Disorder.
The reported crime figures for the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach & Glynneath West area for January 2023 – 3 crimes were reported violence and sexual offences 2 Criminal damage and arson.
Note: Future Pact Meetings, hosted by The South Wales Police may well be on-line via Zoom and the South Wales Police will post all required details of the meetings on their web page. NOTE: The public can attend any local PACT meeting to ask questions & give their views re: local crime & policing.
112/22 Finance
| Payments Made | 24/02/23 to 16/03/23 | £ Amounts |
| HMRC | Tax and NI Due | 450.78 |
| Utility Warehouse Ltd | Electricity @ Welfare Hall | 198.38 |
| Welsh Water | Water Rates for Hall | 136.00 |
| Welsh Water | Water Rates for Cemetery | 10.50 |
| Zoom Business (C Baker) | Mthly Fee – Meetings | 14.39 |
| EE Ltd. | Mthly Fee – Hall WiFi | 44.40 |
| One Voice Wales | 2023-24 Membership Fee | 193.00 |
| Post Office (C Baker) | Postage | 1.45 |
| Special Branch | Tree Trimming – Park | 720.00 |
| Total Payments for this Period 3913.06 | ||
| Income Received | 24/02/2023 to 16/03/2023 | £ Amounts |
| SRCC Stores Ltd. | Mthly Rental | 30.00 |
| TSB Bank | Mthly Interest | 9.35 |
| VIEW (Glynneath) Ltd | Hall Hire Feb 23 | 30.00 |
| Celtic Archers | Hall Hire Feb 23 | 80.00 |
| Singing for the Brain | Hall Hire Feb 23 | 80.00 |
| Cwmgwrach Judo Club | Hall Hire Jan 23 | 40.00 |
| L Gearing | Hall Hire 24/02/23 | 20.00 |
| Pen y Cymoedd CIC | Hall Hire 30/01/23 | 60.00 |
| Total Credits in for this Period 349.35 | ||
| Account Balances | As at Date | £ Amounts |
| General Account | 16th March 2023 | 3428.67 |
| Reserve/Saver Account | 16th March 2023 | 10009.35 |
| Total Account Balances 16/03/23 13438.02 | ||
113/22 Correspondence:
- Invitation to Coronation Thanksgiving Service St David’s 30/04/23
- MacMillan Cancer Support – We need your help – Clerk to contact back offering to raise funds through a Coffee Morning Event – funding pack requested.
- Llamau – Clerk to contact for more information regarding this Charity
114/22 Review Budget Items and “5 Year Plan”: To add Stage Curtains as part of the “5 Year Plan”.
Section 137 Requests: See item 113/22 MacMillan Support and Llamau
115/22 Set Date, Time & Proposed Agenda Items for the next meeting;
The next meeting is scheduled will be held on Thursday 20th April at 6.30pm.The venue of the meeting will be the Welfare Hall, and available remotely on Zoom. The proposed agenda items are, at this time – None
Notices for the meetings will be posted at least three working days before they are due to take place.
Meeting closed at 7.30 pm
Accepted as a true record
Signed:
Councillor – Carolyn Edwards (Chair Person)
The Council resolved to enter Closed Session under Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972 & the Council Standing Order 1c to Discuss Personnel Issues.
NOTE: ANY DISCUSSIONS/ETC WHICH TAKE PLACE IN “CLOSED SESSION” MUST REMAIN IN “CLOSED SESSION” AND NOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE PUBLIC DOMAIN (MINUTES) UNLESS AGREED BY THE FULL COUNCIL AT A FUTURE MEETING.