PRESENT: Councillor Menna Mortimore (Vice-Chair); Councillor Philippa Richards & Councillor Andrew Hippsley;
The Clerk, Mr Clive Baker, was also present;
There were no members of the public present;
120/18 – APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Councillors Carolyn Edwards, Rhian Watts & Amanda Doherty had given their apologies due to family commitments and Councillors Chris Kelly, Rhian Williams, Bethan Parry & Julia Hippsley had given their apologies due to work commitments;
121/18 – DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting;
122/18 – CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AS A TRUE RECORD OF THAT MEETING: The minutes of the meeting held on 8th November 2018 were accepted as a true record of that meeting. (Proposed by Cllr. Andrew Hippsley & seconded by Cllr.Menna Mortimore);
123/18 – MATTERS ARISING & AGENDA ITEMS: a) Litter/Dog Fouling Bin in Parish Road – NPTCBC have decided NOT TO discuss this further until their next Financial Year (April 2019). THIS ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE MINUTES UNTIL AN UPDATE IS AVAILABLE; b) Parking in Heol Y Felin – As Cllr. Carolyn Edwards was unable to attend the meeting, there was no update available on this item; c) The Felling of the Overhanging Tree in the Welfare Park – There was no update available on this item; d) Discussion on Honouring a Local Historian – A presentation was made to the gentleman on 26th November 2018. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED; e) Further Funding & Other Matters Relating to Phase 2 of the Park Project – Grants have been secured from Pen Y Cymoedd, Selar Community Benefit Fund & the NPTCBC Local Members Fund. The three offer letters have been signed and returned to the Grant Providers. The application for a small grant (1.5% of the total project cost) from the Aberpergwm Colliery Fund has been delayed as their scheduled panel meeting for November 2018 did not take place. They expect to meet in January 2019 and as soon as their decision is known, the contractors will be instructed to commence the work; f) Christmas 2018 – The celebration took place on Saturday 24th November 2018 and was very well received by all who attended. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED; g) The County Councillor for Cwmgwrach Ward – There has been no update from the Local Democracy & Boundary Commission foe Wales and it was decided TO REMOVE THIS ITEM FROM THE MINUTES UNTIL FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE; h) Discussion on the 2019-2020 Precept – As there were only three Councillors able to attend this meeting, it was decided that this item will be put on the agenda for the meeting scheduled for 10th January 2019; i) Agenda Item 5a – Further Discussion on “Adopting” the Light Highlighting the “Witch” – Am email had been received from Streetcare, NPTCBC stating that they will isolate the power source, fit a low energy bulb & appoint a new power supplier specifically for this light but only if the Community Council agree to pay any future energy bills (estimated at £50.00 per annum). THIS WAS AGREED BY THE COUNCIL.
124/18 – PLANNING APPLICATIONS: 3/12/2018 – REF: P2018/0975 – Mr Keith Gardner, 16, Empire Avenue, Blaengwrach, Neath SA11 5ST – Single storey rear extension at the same address.
125/18 – CRIME & DISORDER: The reported crime figures for the Blaengwrach/Cwmgwrach Area for October 2018 were 6. These were broken down as follows: Anti-Social Behaviour – 1; Criminal Damage & Arson – 2; Public Disorder – 1; & Violent & Sexual Offences – 2.
The next PACT meeting will take place at 6.30pm on Wednesday 16th January 2019 in St. Mary`s Church Hall. EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND.
126/18 – FINANCE:
For the period 8/11/2018 to 12/12/2018.
PAYMENTS MADE: NPTCBC – General Rates for Welfare Hall – £411.00; NPTCBC – General Rates for Cemetery – £44.00; Welsh Water – Water Rates for Cemetery – £30.50; Welsh Water – Water Rates for Welfare Hall – £126.00; HMRC – Tax on Clerk`s Salary – £91.20; Non-Stop Kids – Christmas Show 2018 – £129.00; Tesco – 2019 Booking Diary for Welfare Hall – £4.00; The Royal British Legion – Donation to 2018 Poppy Appeal – £50.00; St. Cadocs Church – Church Hall Hire for Oct, Nov & Dec 2018 – £36.00; Tesco – 108 Advent Calendars for Christmas Party – £108.00; Virtual College UK – Food Hygiene Course for H & S Certificate – £18.00; Tesco – 72 Advent Calendars for Christmas Party – £72.00; Co-Operative Stores – Biscuits for Remembrance Service – £10.00; Bookers Ltd – 2018 Christmas Party Supplies – £180.55; WAFERS – Hire of Santas Sleighfor Christmas Celebration – £200.00; British Gas – Gas at Welfare Hall 22/8/2018 to 20/11/2018 – £548.47.
INCOME RECEIVED:
Hall Hire Fees – £126.00; Burial fees – £110.00; Refreshments sold at Christmas Party – £138.25; Sale of 58 Advent Calendars – £29.00.
127/18 – Correspondence: 26/11/2018 – The Welsh Government – Notice of Allowable Amount for Section 137 Grants agreed in the Financial Year 2019-2020; 5/12/2018 – South Wales Police – Aims, roles of Officers, Command Structure for the Neath Port Talbot South Wales Police Team; 11/12/2018 – Glynneath & Cwmgwrach W I – Request for a Section 137 Grant towards future activities. It was decided to award the sum of £20.00 to the W.I.
128/18 – COMMITTEE REPORTS: There were no committee reports.
129/18 – MATTERS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS: There were no other matters raised by Councillors.
130/18 – DATE, TIME, VENUE of the NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will take place at 6,30pm on Thursday 10th January 2019 in the St. Mary`s Church Hall, Blaengwrach.
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 7.10pm.