MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD at 6.30pm on THURSDAY 12th April 2018 at St. Mary`s Church Hall, Blaengwrach:
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
Philippa Richards (Chair); Carolyn Edwards (Vice Chair); Andrew Hippsley; Rhian Watts; Chris Kelly; Menna Mortimore
EMPLOYEES PRESENT:
Clive Baker (Clerk w.e.f. 16/4/2018);
043/18 – APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Rhian Williams, Amanda Doherty, Bethan Rosser & Julia Hippsley;
044/18 – DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Councillor Carolyn Edwards declared her interest as a County Councillor of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council;
045/18 – CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AS A TRUE RECORD OF THAT MEETING: Councillor Carolyn Edwards proposed to accept the minutes of the meeting of the 8th March 2018 as a true record of that meeting. This was seconded by Councillor Menna Mortimore and the Council resolved to accept the minutes;
046/18 – MATTERS ARISING & AGENDA ITEMS: a) Quotes for the Fire Alarm System – Still awaiting further quotes. Councillors decided to contact Barry Hughes of Glynneath Fire Station to give an overview of what exactly is needed then quotations can be arranged accordingly; b) Charities Commission – A call back is still awaited; c) Removal of the Telephone Box – as the box still has a dialing tone, it was decided NOT to “chase” BT in case they then decided to remove the box. THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED; d) Wild Flowers by the Roundabout – The Councillors are looking to purchase wild flower seeds and to sow them on the roundabout. Councillor Edwards will contact the County prior to this being done to check there will be no ongoing obstacles (see agenda item 6); e) Litter Bin/Dog Bin on Parish Road – There was no update available on this item. Councillor Carolyn Edwards will chase the County Council; f) Update of Hire Agreements – Councillor Philippa Richards will liaise with the Clerk over the next few months to review the arrangements (H&S, Insurance Liability etc); g) Parking in Heol Y Felin – The County Traffic Officer has NOT attended as of the date of this meeting; h) Appointment of the New Clerk – At a Special Meeting held on 29th March 2018, it was decided that the Council will appoint Mr Clive Baker as the new Clerk. He will take up the role from Monday 16th April 2018; i) Cwmgwrach Moving Foward (agenda item 3) – A representative of the group was in attendance & requested that they hold an event in the park on Sunday 27th May 2018 (on the tennis courts) between 1pm & 9pm, with music being played between 3pm & 8pm. (The Hall will ge used for toilet facilities). The Group will remove all litter & clean the hall (if necessary) before they leave on 27th May. This was agreed & it was also agreed that if the weather was wet, the group could use the Hall on the day. It was then agreed that the group could use the Hall on the 31st May 2018 for a “film afternoon”; j) It was reported that NPT Playscheme had requested that they hold a summer play scheme at the park during the schools summer holidays. This was agreed in principle. The Clerk will liaise with the Scheme Leaders for times, dates etc; k) The Office Ceiling – A quote had been received to repair both the roof & the office ceiling (£1,416.00 plus VAT of £283.20 – total £1,699.20). However, it was agreed that the Clerk would work from home as much as possible & would be spending very little time in the office. Therefore, it was decided to only get the roof repaired at the moment; l) Leases – The Clerk & Chair and/or Vice Chair will review over the next few months:
047/18 – PLANNING APPLICATIONS: There had been no notices of planning applications received since the last meeting;
048/18 – CRIME & POLICING: No update available. The Clerk will obtain up dated figures in readiness for the May 2018 meeting;
049/18 – FINANCE: This item was not reviewed as the new Clerk will officially commence the role on 16th April 2018;
050/18 – CORRESPONDENCE: As minute 049/18 above;
051/18 – COMMITTEE REPORTS: No reports presented;
052/18- MATTERS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS: There were no matters raised by Councillors at this meeting;
053/18 – SET DATE, TIME, VENUE & PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on Thursday 10th May 2018 in the St. Mary`s Church Hall, Blaengwrach. The Annual General Meeting will commence at 6.30pm and the monthly meeting will follow the Annual General Meeting.
There were no proposed agenda items at this time.
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 7.50pm.