Download a PDF Copy: Draft Minutes 16.10.2025
Draft Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 16th October 2025 at the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach and via Zoom, commencing at 6.30 pm
Present: Councillors R Williams (Chair), P Rudd, M Mortimore, J Bulman, R A Williams. Councillors C Edwards, A Doherty and D Jones joined the meeting online.
Council Employees Present: Clerk/RFO Linda Evans
Members of the Public Present: Councillor H Davies and G Reynolds joined online.
95/25 Apologies: Councillors A Edwards and A Hippsley 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.
96/25 Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest at this meeting.
97/25 County Councillor`s Report:
Councillor H Davies’s request to discuss Agenda Item 7a) led the Chair to bring this item forward to the beginning of the meeting. The wooden footbridge connecting the bottom of Dunraven Street to Cefn Gelli over the Nant Gwrach, following a resident’s query (Mr G Reynolds) who is attending this meeting, the bridge is in disrepair and Cllr. Davies’s investigation revealed that neither the Borough Council nor NRW is responsible for the bridge. The resident, unable to secure funding as an individual, has requested that Cllr. Davies explored if the Community Council would consider taking on this project, given the bridge’s importance as a frequently used village route.
It is believed that residents own one side of the brook, while the other side is unadopted. The existing stone steps and wooden bridge replaced a concrete bridge through an unemployment scheme, meaning there is no clear owner for the current structure. A “Friends of” group for funding would take time to establish, which is why the issue was raised at tonight’s meeting
Members concurred with Cllr H Davies that safety was the primary concern. It was believed that an inspection by an NPTCBC officer might deem the area unsafe for use, but was needed.
Cllr. CE agreed that no party is responsible. This work was conducted as part of the same scheme as the rugby club wall as noted in earlier discussions. RESOLVED Cllr H Davies will firstly have the bridge (in its current state) inspected to ensure it is safe for pedestrians to use. Chair RW requested that this remains a topic for discussion.
Cllr CE wanted to bring to the attention of Cllr H Davies the dog mess around the School and High Street. Cllr H Davies will instruct the NPTCBC Streetcare Team to attend and deal with the clearing up.
PR notified Cllr H Davies and the members that the forest work had concluded for the winter season. The contractors had marked Heol y Graig for temporary repairs. PR also cautioned the meeting that the condition of Glannant Place Road had worsened over the summer and would require attention. Cllr H Davies reported concerns raised during her council surgery regarding unadopted roads and the general situation with local infrastructure. She questioned whether NPTCBC would handle the repairs on the corner or Glannant Place as the repair work in Heol y Graig, as Cllr P Rudd suggested. She plans to investigate further and take photographs.
98/25 Public Observations on Matters Arising and Agenda Items
Reynolds raised concerns Agenda Item 7 a) that the responsibility for the structure is unclear, leading to its deterioration and risk of falling into the river. He agreed an inspection is needed to assess potential repair costs. The plaque on the bridge indicates a date of 1998 as the date of construction.
Cllr AD asked about the current usage of the bridge. She highlighted that the regulatory landscape in 2025, with its numerous rules, regulations, and reporting obligations, differs significantly from that of 1998. She emphasised the need for the Community Council to be involved addressing the situation one step at a time. Replacing the bridge, she noted, could prove to be a challenging undertaking.
G Reynolds when asked did not believe the bridge was a public right of way.
Cllr JB remembers using the bridge when she was a child and confirmed it had always been a well-used route. G Reynolds was pleased that this was included in the meeting and said he wanted to identify potential funding sources and establish a constituted group with a possible bank account which will help with grant applications.
Councillor H Davies and G Reynolds left the meeting.
99/25 To Approve the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 18th September 2025
RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as true record of the meetings.
100/25 Matters Arising from the Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 18th September 2025
Further to Minute 83/25 b) Online Management System – Scribe. The Clerk has no update and will investigate further quotes for the next meeting.
Further to minute 86/25 Finance and Finance and Audit Committee Report – Q1. Quote for EE renewal. Clerk confirmed the yearly increase in Wi-Fi charges the contract renewal was approved £39.00 from April 2026/ £42.00 from April 2027/ £45 from April 2028. RESOLVED
Further to Minute 87/25 Correspondence – Item 2 – A465 Resolven to Glynneath Northbound Repairs. Cllr C Edwards commented that the complaints that the council had made have led to significate and positive improvements to the road. There have been problems with nighttime noise but this will resolve when the work is completed. All agreed the repairs and new road surface were a great improvement. Chair R Williams commented that the sink hole in Wenallt Road had been successfully repaired.
101/25 Agenda Items:
a) 2024 Remembrance Service, finalising arrangements – The service will be held at the Welfare Hall on Sunday 9th November – commencing at 10.30 am. Clerk will open the doors at 10.00 am for attendees to access the Hall. Clerk has still to contact the Pianist and the RBL Representative. All other parties have been contacted and invites sent. It was approved for the Clerk to purchase refreshments for the event. Several councillors will be available to help with preparing the refreshments. The Clerk has received the additional poppies. It was discussed where they will be placed. It was proposed and agreed that the poppies will be extended along the bus route and more placed around the bottom of Parish Road where the petrol and KFC are situated. RESOLVED Clerk will ask the Groundsperson to action.
b) Disabled Toilets Shower and Legionaries Risk Assessment Quote – Members discussed why and when the shower was installed, it was decided that this could be of use in the future and should remain. It is not regularly used so a plan is needed for the Caretaker to regularly check and run the shower to maintain it is safe. The Members could see the benefit of an external company to carry out the risk assessment; this will become part of the regular H&S checks carried out to ensure users safety. RESOLVED The quote of £195 +VAT was approved and the Clerk will arrange for the assessment to be completed.
c) Repairs to Footbridge (bottom of Dunraven Street) – Discussed in County Councillor Report.
102/25 Planning: There were no planning applications to discuss at this meeting.
103/25 Crime and Policing
RESOLVED The Local Police Website shows 21 Crimes reported in the Blaengwrach and Glynneath West Area for August 2025. Noted
104/25 Finance
RESOLVED the following payments were scrutinised and approved:
| Clerks Report – Monthly P&R 19th September to 16th October 2025 | ||
| Payments Made | 10/09/2025 – 16/10/2025 | Amounts |
| Nest | Staff Pension Scheme (4 weeks) | £67.76 |
| Council Staff Salaries | Grounds-Man`s, Caretaker and Clerk/RFO Wages (4 weeks) | £3071.10 |
| HMRC | Tax and NI 06/09/25 to 05/10/25 | £462.99 |
| J Herring | Garden Services | £293.04 |
| L Collins | Reinbursment – Petrol | £34.81 |
| L Collins | Reinbursment – Tools | £15.24 |
| NPTCBC | General Rates – Hall | £398.00 |
| NPTCBC | General Rates – Cemetery | £20.00 |
| Welsh Water | Water Rates for Welfare Hall | £170.00 |
| Welsh Water | Water Rates for Cemetery | £32.00 |
| Zoom.Com | Online meeting platform | £16.79 |
| Utility Warehouse Ltd | Electricity @ Welfare Hall | £203.68 |
| British Gas | Hall Usage | £86.62 |
| EE Ltd., | Hall Wi-Fi | £58.30 |
| Wired Up Wales | Yearly Website Fee | £130.00 |
| Currys Swansea | Extension lead and HDMI Cable | £38.98 |
| C Hamer | Defibrillator pads x 2 | £97.60 |
| Total Expenditure | £5,196.91 | |
| Income Received | 19/09/2025 – 16/10/2025 | |
| SRCC Stores Ltd | Monthly Rental of Shed in the Park | £35.00 |
| TSB Bank | Monthly Interest on “Reserve” Saver | £42.83 |
| NPTCBC | Flying Start – September Hall Hire | £168.00 |
| Celtic Archers | Hall Hire September | £140.00 |
| Empower | Singing for the Brain Hall Hire Sept | £84.00 |
| Glynneath Judo | Hall Hire August | £28.00 |
| Savage Danzfit | Zumba Hall Hire July Hall Hire | £42.00 |
| Glynneath VIEW | Yoga – Hall Hire Sept | £42.00 |
| Cwmgwrach Village Events | Party in the Park – Park and Hall Hire | £86.00 |
| A Daniels | Hall Hire – Childrens Party | £56.00 |
| H Lewis Funeral Directors | 1 x Cremation Plot | £150.00 |
| Total Income | £873.83 | |
| Account Balances | As at 16/10/2025 | |
| General Account | £1,893.65 | |
| Reserve/Saver Account | £46,622.52 | |
| Total Account Balances as at 16/10/2025 £ | £48,516.17 | |
Panto Tickets & Promotion – Proposed and Approved
- Performance Date: November 29th (one performance)
- Ticket Collection: To be confirmed.
- Pricing: Adults £3, Children £1
- Promotional Materials:
- Cllr. D. Jones will create posters.
- Distribution: Council website, notice boards, school, village shops (including pharmacy and Kumars).
The Centergreat Quote for repairs to the Christmas Banner was approved – £345. The F&A Committee have proposed £2000 should be added to the Christmas Budget to cover future repairs/replacement, due to the winter elements they can see significate wear and tear and a need for this to be planned for. This proposal was approved and the Clerk will include in the 2026/27 Budget Figures.
105/25 Correspondence & Section 137 Request:
- Request from Urdd Gobaith Cymru funding request – It was agreed that no funds were available this financial year.
- Hope Rescue – Save Our Strays – funding request – It was agreed that no funds were available this financial year.
106/25 Set Date, Time & Proposed Agenda Items for the next meeting; …
The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 20th November at 6.30 pm. No agenda items were put forward for this meeting
Notices for the meetings will be posted at least three working days before they are due to take place.
Meeting closed at 7.25 pm