CYNGOR TREF ABERAERON
14th January 2014
At the monthly meeting of Cyngor Tref Aberaeron held this day, present the following members namely:-
Cllr David Jones - Mayor
County Cllr Elizabeth Evans - Deputy Mayor
Cllr Eleri Thomas
Cllr Meirion Jones
Cllr Philip Davies
Cllr Owenna James
Cllr Neris Lloyd
Cllr Michael Welham
Cllr Philip Gatehouse
Mr John D. Gwynne-Hughes - Clerk
1740. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillors Tom Williams, Meirion Jones, Rhys Davies and Mair Harrison.
1741. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
It was resolved that the Minutes of the monthly meeting held on 10th of December 2013 were taken as read. The Mayor signed the Minute Book.
1742. MATTERS ARISING OUT OF MONTHLY MEETING of 10TH DECEMBER 2013
Item 1729 The Mayor confirmed that the Community Christmas had been a very successful event. The balance on the account was now £2,000.00. They had had to buy a new Father Christmas outfit, some banners and put some money in for the mulled wine. They had also donated £300.00 to Tyglyn Aeron Trust. He wished to thank everyone involved.
Item 1734(iii) County Councillor Elizabeth Evans confirmed that the meeting yesterday had been postponed. Councillor Neris Lloyd was not happy that Ceredigion County Council had not informed those invited that the meeting had been cancelled and they should notify all involved.
Item 1734(vi) Councillor Philip Davies confirmed that rubbish had been out everywhere over Christmas. County Councillor Elizabeth Evans agreed and there was mess and confusion. There needs to be a clamp down on individuals who put out their bins early.
Item 1734(ix) The Clerk explained the meaning of the Section 137 expenditure limit to members.
Item 1734(x) The Mayor confirmed that he thought that the model standing orders should be adopted although Councillor Philip Davies asked whether there was any need to change our existing minutes. It was agreed that the Clerk would look into this matter and report back at the next meeting.
Item 1736 County Councillor Elizabeth Evans wished to express thanks to the community and Ceredigion County Council for their assistance during the recent flooding. She also confirmed that the Harbour Master Peter had been superb and also thanks should be given to John Lewis who had assisted with the clearing of stones from South Beach. She confirmed that engineers had been out in respect of the South Pier as it is crumbling and also with a view to re-profiling South Beach since this had been hollowed out by the recent storms. This work would now be undertaken. She confirmed that the Yacht Club had been completely flooded. She also mentioned that there was a responsibility on the owners of properties where there were holiday lets since very little information had been given to such individuals as to what to do in case of a flood. She also mentioned that the Police should be thanked since members of the public had not been acting properly during the storms and had put themselves in danger. It was resolved to write to Ceredigion County Council, the Police, Fire Station and John Lewis to thank them for their efforts during the storms.
Item 1737 The Clerk confirmed that the sum of £2,500.00 had not been paid in respect of the toilet SLA. Members confirmed that the Clerk could proceed with this and pay the sum from last year.
Item 1739 Councillor Philip Davies indicated that he personally did not want the paper bank back as this created a real rubbish problem.
1743. THE REPORT OF PC SHARON THOMAS OF DYFED POWYS POLICE
Unfortunately the Police were not present and therefore no report could be given.
1744. FINANCE
The following invoices were approved for payment and a cheque was later signed:-
(i) Afan Construction Limited – Transport Christmas Tree £498.00
(ii) Aberaeron Town Council – Clerk’s Salary £982.59
(iii) AaBbCc – Translation of Minutes Oct. Nov. & Dec 2013 £290.20
(iv) SWALEC – Electricity Lon Yr Hafan £29.78
(iv) SWALEC – Electricity Quay Parade £25.04
(v) Welsh Water – Square Field £39.63
It was agreed by Members that it might be an idea to purchase a Christmas Tree to place in the Square Field since this may in the long term save us costs rather than having the Tree transported down from Aberystwyth. The Mayor would look into this matter.
1745. NOTIFICATIONS
There were none to consider.
1746. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Mr Cerith Jones – Planning Application No. A130973 – Removal of Condition No. 3 (Application No. A120674) specification regarding roof tiles (to be changed from re-used Welsh Slate to HP10 Clay Tiles – Plot 1 (Gelli) Brynaeron, Aberaeron.
Members felt that the original Planning Condition had been put in there for a reason and to have Clay Tiles was not in keeping with that Development given that the other properties there all had Welsh Slate Tiles. The Clerk was instructed to object to the application as it was felt this would create a precedent given.
1747. TO READ ANY CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Letter from Ceredigion County Council regarding Toilet Service Level Agreement for South Beach – After a discussion on the costs it was agreed that this would have to be accepted otherwise the toilets on South Beach would close.
(ii) Email from Ceredigion County Council regarding recycling on North Beach – Received.
(iii) Letter from Ceredigion County Council regarding the Traffic Regulation Order Review (Parking) – County Councillor Elizabeth Evans confirmed that she had had a lengthy meeting with Highways. She had asked for the white lines around Dolaeron in South Road would be removed and yellow lines put on both sides of the road. Double yellow lines would also be placed near the roundabout from Lampeter Road to Panteg Road due to the fact that persons were parking near the roundabout which was preventing lorries accessing that area. There would also be yellow lines at the entrance to Darkgate Street near North Road and also double yellow lines on South Beach next to the slip way by Wellington Street due to the fact that people were parking near the bend which was causing problems for trailers trying to reverse boats onto the slipway.
(iv) Letter from Western Power Distribution regarding an invitation to stakeholder workshop in February 2014 – Noted.
(v) Bwcabus Newsletter December 2013 Noted.
(vi) Letter from Ceredigion County Council regarding Ethics and Standards Committee meeting dates – Noted.
(vii) Remittance Advice from Ceredigion County Council – Noted.
(viii) Report from the Development Control Committee – Noted.
(ix) Letter from Aberaeron Cricket Club confirming receipt of donation – Noted.
(x) Letter from One Voice Wales regarding Buckingham Palace Garden Parties – The invitation was passed to the Mayor to complete.
(xi) Email from Vision ICT Ltd regarding the website – The Mayor confirmed that the website would have to contain the minutes going back over the last 6 months and the new minutes. It was also suggested that details of the Allt Y Graig Woodland and photos of Aberaeron possibly members might be put in but no addresses, phone numbers or email addresses for the members as this might cause a security problem but the Clerk and the Mayor should have an email address. The Mayor and Clerk confirmed that they would meet up to discuss this matter.
(xii) Email from Information Commissioner’s Office regarding receipt of payment – Noted.
(xiii) Any other correspondence received since the preparation of the Agenda
Email received from Ceredigion County Council in respect of the Balchder Pentrefi Grant for the lighting. The Clerk read out the email and it was agreed that he would apply for any additional funds available under the Grant.
The Clerk read out an email from Councillor Philip Davies in respect of an invitation to attend a launch of Schoop which is an application for mobile devices giving information about the Primary and Secondary Schools. Members were encouraged to attend the event which was to be held this coming Friday in the Feathers Hotel.
1748. MATTERS RELATING TO ABERAERON TOWN COUNCIL WEBSITE
This was dealt with in 1747 (ix) above.
1749. TO RECEIVE A SHORT PRESENTATION FROM CYMDEITHAS ABERAERON SOCIETY ON THE CURRENT HERITAGE PROJECT
A presentation was given by members of Cymdeithas Aberaeron Society, namely, Claire Thomas (Project Manager), Pod Clare (Community Artist), Virginia Lowe and Rose Phillips (Community Co-ordinators). It was explained that there was a new project supported by Heritage Lottery. Claire Thomas wished to thank Aberaeron Town Council since their support in donating the £500.00 had proved invaluable as this was evidence of community support. They had received a Grant totalling the sum of £60,000.00 and this was to be used in two main areas:-
(i) Tourist Information Centre – it had been decided to build a heritage bench which would contain two interactive screens. A short film would be commissioned giving the history of Aberaeron. There would also be a game consisting of blocks and based on the 1884 plan of the town so that Children could construct streets and so on. There would also be an historic timeline. A mock-up of how the bench would look was also shown.
(ii) The County Hall was to be used to have blow-ups of photographs of Aberaeron in the foyer and also to have some photos in the library. Members of the public would be given the opportunity of choosing the photos to use. There is also going to be a display. Local volunteers would be trained in using the archive in Aberystwyth Museum. There would also be a corner of the library given over for a display. It had also been suggested that a mosaic could be placed in the community room in the library, however, Ceredigion County Council had indicated that this was not acceptable to CADW and as a result Pod Clare gave a presentation on the mosaic work which could be created in collaboration with community groups. A suggestion had been made to place a mural on the shelter at Lovers Bridge since this would prevent vandalism since members of the Youth Club had expressed an interest in being involved in this. A discussion took place on the subject matter of the mural. Councillor Neris Lloyd mentioned that it would be good to show the industrial buildings in that area since the riverside had been used for industrial purposes in the past. There was a period of 18 months within which to use the Grant and the time commenced from October 2013. The Mayor and members expressed their thanks to the members of Cymdeithas Aberaeron Society on giving the presentation and looked forward to receiving further input in the future.
1750. CONSIDER THE BUDGET OF 2014/2015
Members had received the Budget Report and the potential options available. County Councillor Elizabeth Evans expressed concern over the level of the cuts and how this would affect Aberaeron Town Council since it could be foreseen that Ceredigion County Council may refuse to cut the hedge in the Square Field. There was also the question of the flowers, the playgrounds and the toilets since these were non-statutory functions. After discussion of the various options available members unanimously agreed to accept option 2 of the Precept Options namely a 1% increase in the levy.
1751. REPORT OF COUNTY CLLR ELIZABETH EVANS
County Cllr Elizabeth Evans confirmed that the swimming pool had been given a Grant for pipes of £11,500.00. She suggested that a ‘Friends of Aberaeron Swimming Pool’ should be set up to try and give financial support to the Swimming Pool given the dire state of finances in Ceredigion. She said that before Christmas a ‘shop local’ campaign had been undertaken nationally and Aberaeron had been the only town in Ceredigion which had supported this. This had been a great success and it will take place again next year. She confirmed that she had called in the Budget since there had been a lack of public consultation since all public consultation meetings would have been due to take place after the Cabinet decision to cut and this was therefore a nonsense. She was particularly concerned about London House and as a result the matter had gone back to Cabinet however they had indicated that they were not going to consult on this matter. As a result London House will close in March. After discussion a resolution was put forward by Councillor Philip Davies and passed to object to the closing of London House and that London House covered a greater area than Aberaeron itself, that the SLA for the third sector would cost less and information needs to be supplied as to what the Council’s plans are to provide facilities and services in place of those provided at London House. The Clerk would write accordingly.
County Councillor Elizabeth Evans had requested that the bus shelter be put back in North Parade and at the top of Lampeter Road.
1752. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS
1. Councillor Philip Davies wished to thank County Councillor Elizabeth Evans for her work in having the steps re-done by the Youth Club. Councillor Neris Lloyd suggested that a letter be written to those involved in the production by Memorama thanking them for their production.
The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9:25pm
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