Draft Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 17th April 2025 at the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach and via Zoom, commencing at 6.30 pm
Present: Chair Councillor R Williams, Councillors A Hippsley, M Mortimore, J Bulman, C Edwards, A Edwards, P Rudd and D Jones.
Council Employees Present: Clerk/RFO Linda Evans
Members of the Public Present: Councillor H Davies, M Winter, N Channing, and Ma Winter.
01/25 Apologies: Councillors D Doherty and R A Williams had sent their apologies.
The meeting started at 6.30 pm, with the Chair welcoming everyone to the meeting. The meeting is held as a multi-hybrid meeting in accordance with The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. No attendees joined online.
02/25 Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest at this meeting.
03/25 County Councillor`s Report:
- H Davies relayed a request from the Primary School Headteacher regarding the Urdd Margam Park event. The school wishes to enhance the Park, Hall exterior, “Witch” area’s appearance with children’s art work and bunting prepared for the occasion. Councillors discussed the proposal and suggested other organisations that may wish to be involved, along with considering the rental of decorations used to celebrate past Urdd events. Cllr. H Davies will follow up with NPTCBC to secure permission for decorating the “Witch” area. Furthermore, all Councillors present unanimously agreed to authorise the placement of bunting and artwork within the Park and Hall. RESOLVED
- It was noted, the repairs on the A465, which commenced at the start of March, have been halted, possibly due to a lack of funding. However, work on the A465 slip road is ongoing.
04/25 Public Observations on Matters Arising and Agenda Items
M Winter and N Channing attended this evening’s meeting to share with the council their planned event for the VE 80th Celebrations, which is on the agenda for this meeting. They recalled fond childhood memories of street parties, and they aim to recreate a similar community event. They provided the school with the materials for the bunting previously mentioned. This is a non-profit event featuring free activities and food centred around a WW11 theme. The event to be held on the 4th May is scheduled to take place both inside the Hall and outside in the Park. The councillors supported using the Park in conjunction with hiring the Hall, but asked the Clerk to verify if extra licensing would be required. RESOLVED Clerk will check with NPTCBC Licencing Department and current liability insurance, no alcohol will be available, and they estimate around 150-200 will attend.
The Scouts and local history Timeline Team will be collaborating at the event. Residents are invited to bring along interesting historical items to showcase. A donated Cherry Blossom tree has been donated and permission was requested to plant this, with the help of the Scouts, by the memorial bench. RESOLVED all councillors agreed to this request to plant the tree.
Members at the meeting agreed that the event sounded excellent and acknowledged the significant effort and consideration put into the event, and the council will address the Section 137 funding request submitted by the organisers later in the meeting in accordance with the agenda.
05/25 To Approve the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 20th March 2025
RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as true record of the meeting.
06/25 Matters Arising from the Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 20th March 2025
Further to minute 117/24 Finance – Celtic Wildflowers (agenda item 53/24) – NPTCBC has been asked to include the roundabout grass verge in the Bee-Friendly Scheme. The Street Care Team will review the proposal and their capacity to manage it. If they approve, the local member will also need to agree. RESOLVED Once an outcome has been received, the Clerk will inform the Council. Cllr C Edwards reported that the wildflower planter has been tidied, and an invoice for the work is expected. RESOLVED Clerk will arrange for the invoice to be paid when received.
Further to minute 126/24 Christmas Panto – This year’s panto options include either Snow White or the Little Mermaid. Regarding dates, if wanting the 29th then a morning and afternoon slot is available, the option of an afternoon and evening would be the 22nd only. The Members discussed how the morning show last year had a lower attendance, while the afternoon was much busier. Just an afternoon showing was considered, but if the cost difference was minimal then book the same again and focus on improving ticket sales. RESOLVED It was decided that the Clerk will determine the costs and make the most cost-effective booking. The booking to be made is for the Little Mermaid.
07/25 Agenda Items:
a) VE 80th Celebrations – This was discussed as part of Item 4 Public Observations.
b) Critical Bleed Kits – Members had reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting regarding the Critical Bleed Kits and were all in agreement that a kit should be placed in the Defibrillator Cabinet. Clerk will contact Mrs M James JP to arrange RESOLVED
c) 2025/26 Membership to One Voice Wales – The membership fee of £216 was approved, the council see value in advice and training provided. Clerk will complete the renewal document and make the payment RESOLVED
d) Damage to the Astro-Turf – Damage to the football area astro-turf was reported by the groundsperson, including the date and time of the incident. Electric scooters are the suspected cause, leaving rips and tears and raising concerns about residents tripping. Cllr R Williams visited the site that day, spoke with young people about the damage, and took photographs. The area was secured for Health and Safety reasons and posters placed with the explanation to why. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk and Cllr R Williams would review the CCTV footage for the specific time. If evidence of criminal damage is found, the matter will be reported to the Police.
e) Dog Fouling – Dog fouling in the village has increased, prompting concerned residents to contact councillors or voicing their complaints on Facebook. Councillors discussed and wished to clarify that the reporting channel for dog fouling is Neath Port Talbot Council, which is responsible for investigating and addressing such issues. RESOLVED Clerk will add the council link for such reporting on the Council Facebook page and Website.
08/25 Planning: There were no planning applications to discuss at this meeting.
09/25 Crime and Policing
The Clerk informed the meeting of the changes that had been made to the Local Police Website. RESOLVED and the following noted:
The Local Police Website shows 9 Crimes reported in the Blaengwrach and Glynneath West Area for February 2025: 15 Crimes were reported – 4 Anti-Social behaviour; 1 Drugs; 1 Burglary; 1 Criminal Damage and Arson; 1 Other Theft; 1 Public Order; 6 Violence and Sexual Offences. 6 of these were reported in the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach Area alone – 3 Violence and Sexual Offences; 1 Other Theft; 1 Public Order and 1 Anti-Social Behaviour.
10/25 Finance
RESOLVED the following payments were scrutinised and approved:
| Clerks Report – Monthly P&R 21st March to 17th April 2025 | ||
| Payments Made | 21/03/2025 to 17/04/2025 | Amounts |
| Nest | Staff Pension Scheme (5 weeks) | £81.61 |
| Council Staff Salaries | Grounds-Man’s, Caretaker and Clerk/RFO Wages (4 weeks) | £2675.93 |
| HMRC | Tax and NI 06/03/25 to 05/04/25 | £389.53 |
| NPTCBC | General Rates – Hall | £394.00 |
| NPTCBC | General Rates – Cemetery | £24.48 |
| Utility Warehouse Ltd | Electricity @ Welfare Hall | £225.53 |
| Welsh Water | Water Rates for Welfare Hall | £151.00 |
| Welsh Water | Water Rates for Cemetery | £21.50 |
| British Gas | Hall Usage | £651.64 |
| EE | Hall Wi-Fi | £54.79 |
| Total Expenditure | £4,670.01 | |
| Income Received | 21/03/2025 to 17/04/2025 | |
| SRCC Stores Ltd | Monthly Rental of Shed in the Park | £35.00 |
| TSB Bank | Monthly Interest on “Reserve” Saver | £32.00 |
| VIEW (Glynneath) Ltd | Hall Hire Yoga March | £42.00 |
| Celtic Archers | Hall Hire March | £140.00 |
| Empower | Singing for the Brain Hall Hire March | £63.00 |
| Cwmgwrach Judo Club | Hall Hire Jan and Feb | £84.00 |
| Private Party | Hall Hire Feb | £42.00 |
| NPTCBC | Flying Start Hall Hire March | £112.00 |
| NPTCBC | Messy Play – Hall Hire March | £42.00 |
| Tea Rooms | Hall Hire Jan and Feb | £140.00 |
| Total Income | £732.00 | |
| Account Balances | As at 20/03/2025 | |
| General Account | £3,735.00 | |
| Reserve/Saver
Account |
£21,851.84 | |
| Total Account Balances as at 20/03/2025 £ | £25,586.84 | |
- Tea Rooms and Thursday Messy Play session are ceasing hire of the Hall in April. NOTED
- There is a possibility of a Judo/Karate Club hiring the Hall on a Friday from June. No confirmation yet received. NOTED
- The Wales Audit Office has confirmed a full audit for 2024/25. The Clerk has contacted the appointed internal auditor, who will schedule their portion of the audit work once the Clerk has completed their parts. RESOLVED The members expressed their disappointment with the high audit fees from the previous full audit and had felt it necessary to complain. It was requested that The Clerk distribute the document containing this year’s audit fee charges that has been received from the Wales Audit Office for their review. RESOLVED
11/25 Correspondence & Section 137 Request:
- Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal donation 2025 – Request for a financial donation – Council would be happy to display a donation box in the Welfare Hall, but did not agree on a financial donation RESOLVED Clerk will arrange.
- Kids Cancer Charity – the members were asked to consider financial help to the charity, as not directly involved in the community they were unable to grant financial help. RESOLVED
- Email from M Winter member of the group organising the VE 80th Celebration community event – Section 137 request totalling £182.00 towards event. Councillors discussed the request in closed session. Request granted with all councillors in agreement RESOLVED Clerk will arrange for the amount to be paid.
The Council resolved to enter Closed Session under Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972 & the Council Standing Order 3c 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
12/25 Set Date, Time & Proposed Agenda Items for the next meeting; …
The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 22nd May 2025 the Members RESOLVED to change the date due to a significant number unable to attend the 15th May 2025. The Annual General Meeting will commence at 6.15 pm, followed by the Ordinary Meeting. Town and Community Standards Committee Chairs Meeting is an Agenda Item put forward so far for this meeting.
Notices for the meetings will be posted at least three working days before they are due to take place.