Draft Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 20th April, 2023
held at the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach
commencing at 6.30 pm
Present: Cllr. Carolyn Edwards (Chair), Cllr. Alan Edwards, Cllr Peter Rudd and Cllr. Jennifer Bulman.
Council Employees Present: Linda Evans Clerk to the Community Council.
Members of the Public Present: Cllr Hayley Davies joined via Zoom.
This meeting is a Hybrid Meeting, and open to the public, held both in person and on line in accordance to Section 47 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.
123/22 Apologies: Cllr. Menna Mortimore, Cllr. Amanda Doherty and Cllr. Andrew Hipsley sent their apologies.
124/22 Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest.
125/22 County Councillor`s Report: Cllr Hayley Davies reported to the meeting:
- The crack that has appeared in the road at Heol y Graig has been investigated by engineers and is a probable result of the excavation at the building plot site, the owners and planning agent have been informed of the seriousness of the situation and Cllr Davies will update the Councillors of any progress.
- PCSO AJ and Cllr Hayley Davies have this evening put up posters around the Village and left leaflets in the Village Shop – “See it and Report it” – Information for members of the public on how to report incidents and concerns. The posters also have a QR code that can be scanned and links directly to a report that can be filled in online.
126/22 Public Observations on Matters Arising and Agenda Items Being Discussed at this Meeting – There were no public observations on matters arising or agenda items.
127/22 Confirmation of the Minutes of the Last Meeting 16th March 2023 as a True Record: Amendments to item 104/22 Cllr. Peter Rudd has sent his apologies. Cllr. Alan Edwards had attempted to join via Zoom, but had technical difficulties and was unable to connect to the meeting. The minutes were passed and seconded.
128/22 Matters Arising from the meetings 16th March 2023:
a)Flat roof and kitchen ceiling of the Welfare Hall – Still not completed. Paint and roller purchased; LC will commence with the decoration. Clerk to contact contractor to complete the work in the kitchen area so that the electrics can be filled back.
b) Leases of Council Owned Land – to discuss in closed session
c) Coal Field Regeneration Trust Energy Efficiency Community Building Support Program – Chair and Clerk to arrange a time to look at the report.
d) Payments by RFO (from personal bank account) – no further update.
e) Cinema Equipment – Clerk has contacted the council regarding temporary entertainment license, form has been saved in readiness if needed. Leaflet promoting the Hall as a venue to be completed.
f) Paul Hinder – Community Council Presentation for Concrete “Street Course” Skate Park at the Vale of Neath Leisure Centre Site – See agenda item a)
g) Christmas Celebrations 2023 – c/f to next meeting.
129/22 Agenda Items:
a) Selar and Maesgwyn Funds: A letter has been shared with the Blaengwrach Community Councillors – containing the boundary details of the Selar Glynneath Fund, Selar Cwmgwrach Fund and Maesgwyn Fund (from the Trustees of the Funds). This letter has confirmed and given clarification for future applications. Cwmgwrach/Blaengwrach is only able to apply for funding from the Selar Cwmgwrach Fund. All Glynneath Wards will come under the funding for Selar Glynneath and Maesgwyn Funds.
b)Standards Committee – Code of Conduct: Cllr. Carolyn Edwards has taken a place on the Neath Port Talbot Standards Committee. All Cllr are strongly encouraged to complete the Code of Conduct training. Records of Councillor and Employee training are currently reported on the Council Website. Members of the Standards Committee may also come and observe future meetings.
130/22 Planning Applications:
P2023/0165 – Mrs Sarah Hotson, 17 Cefn Gelli, Cwmgwrach, Neath. SA11 5PD – Site same address. Proposed Development – first floor rear extension.
P2023/0191 – Mrs Lowri Griffiths, 7 Heol y Felin, Cwmgwrach, Neath. SA11 5TB – Site same address. Proposed Development – single storey rear extension and rear dormer to facilitate loft conversion.
P2023/0187 – Mr Joseph Lyall, 31 Empire Avenue, Blaengwrach, Neath. SA11 5SU – Site same address. Proposed Development – Single storey side/rear extension.
P2023/0194 – Mr Q Hassain, Clun y Bont, High Street, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5RX – Site same address. Proposed Development – proposed construction of single storey garage with store and WC.
131/22 Crime and Disorder.
The reported crime figures for the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach & Glynneath West area for February 2023 – 7 (From the “Crime Map” the reported crime figures show that with the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach area for February 2023 there were 5 reported crimes: 2 x violence and sexual offences, 1 x public order, 1 x shoplifting and 1 x anti-social behaviour.
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.
132/22 Finance:
| Blaengwrach Community Council Income/Expenditure 17/03/23 to 20/04/23 | ||
| Payments Made | £ Amounts | |
| HMRC | Tax and NI due 6/3/23 to 5/4/23 | 203.84 |
| Utility Warehouse Ltd | Electricity (Hall) March 23 | 211.87 |
| Welsh Water | Rates (Hall) | 136.00 |
| Welsh Water | Rates (Cemetery) | 10.50 |
| Zoom Business (CB) | Monthly Fee | 31.18 |
| EE Ltd | Monthly Wi-Fi Fee | 50.78 |
| British Gas | Gas (Hall) 17/02/23 to 16/03/23 | 714.87 |
| Cwmgwrach Stores (JR) | Batteries – thermostat (Hall) | 4.79 |
| Reach Publishing Ltd | Notice of Public Meeting – Evening Post | 181.92 |
| nPower | Annual Non-Metered – Witch | 25.03 |
| Mr Flag (LE) | Coronation Flag | 26.40 |
| NPTCBC | Trade Waste Collection Fees 01/04/23 to 30/09/23 | 490.30 |
| Income Received | £ Amounts | |
| SRCC Stores Ltd | Monthly rental – shed in Park | 30.00 |
| TSB Bank | Monthly interest on Reserve Saver | 7.60 |
| Cwmgwrach Judo Club | Hall Hire (Feb 23) | 40.00 |
| View (Glynneath Training) | Hall Hire (March 23) | 50.00 |
| Singing for the Brain | Hall Hire (March 23) | 80.00 |
| Celtic Archers | Hall Hire (March 23) | 100.00 |
| Account Balances | As Date | £Amounts |
| General Account | 20th April 2023 | 646.16 |
| Reserve/Saver Account | 20th April 2023 | 9016.95 |
| Total Balances as at 20/04/23 | 9663.11 | |
133/22 Correspondence:
- NPT CVS – Volunteering list
- Model Standing Orders – information for Councils on changes in governance law.
- EE – increase in charges
- Open Space Society – guild to help councils protect precious green spaces and paths
- Electoral administration and reform – White Paper
134/22 Review Budget Items and “5 Year Plan” –
a) Quote received for the repair of the 2 apparatus – £4.629.30. They are not dangerous and have been made safe. No longer under guarantee. To look at replacing, this will need to be discussed and a grant application sought to help fund. RoSPA – inspection due in June and booked for the park area and equipment. The report may make recommendations that will need actioned.
b) Stage Curtains – the mechanism needs replacing, the curtains themselves are moth eaten. Clerk to chase up quotes.
Section 137 Requests: Llangollen Eisteddfod/Music Festival – not a local concern, or in a financial position to donate.
135/22 Set Date, Time & Proposed Agenda Items for the next meeting;
The next meeting is scheduled will be held on Thursday 18th May 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.
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.
Meeting closed at 7.22 pm