CWMAMAN TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES
Page Nos.
Council Meeting 25th October 2017 61 - 68
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CWMAMAN TOWN COUNCIL
A COUNCIL MEETING of CWMAMAN TOWN COUNCIL was held at The Community Education Centre, High Street, Glanaman on Wednesday 25th October 2017.
PRESENT: Councillor P Barker (Mayor) (Presiding)
Councillors
D Jenkins
M Walker
E Jenkins
D Wyn
N Jerrett
T Sparano
D Ware
E Williams
Also in attendance, the Clerk David Davies, Youth representative Geena Ware and the CDO Rob Venus.
132. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs A Davies, K Madge, D Williams, Y Evans and D Jenkins (arrived late).
133. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest received for matters on the agenda.
134. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor reported that she and Cllr Emyr Jenkins had attended the recent One Voice Wales Conference The issues raised at the conference included the following:
· It is recognised that there are significant added pressures affecting Community Councils and it is expected this trend will continue.
· There is a proposed restructuring of electoral boundaries affecting Wales.
· It is likely that there will be further extra works generated for Community Councils because of government cutbacks.
The Mayor announced that the Remembrance Day service will be held on the 12th November at 10.45.
135. QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
The Council received a query from a member of the public regarding the fact that a school bus is no longer available resulting in parents having to walk children a significant distance to get to school and the danger of accessing the school via the Riverside Walk.
Cllr E Jenkins raised a query as to whether the County Council has completed a learner transport assessment with regards to the needs of people in this community. It was agreed that he would put this matter to Cllr D Jenkins as the community council has no jurisdiction with this matter.
Cllr T Sparano suggested that there may be scope for support to be given by way of a community minibus which could assist this provision.
136. CDO REPORT - ROB VENUS
Resolved that the agenda item dealing with Community Development be brought forward on the agenda.
Community Centre
The CDO provided an overview of the position regarding the ordering of
equipment and materials with regard to the RCDF funding.
It was noted that the Cwm Environmental grant has been successful in the sum of £9570 and that this will pay for the following items within the centre.
· Curtains for the stage area.
· Public Address System and speakers for the hall.
· Development of the rear garden area to the Community Centre.
It was also noted that the Betws Windfarm grant has been approved which will provide funding for various purchases for the Community Centre.
Community Events
The CDO gave an overview of various activities planned in the next few weeks including the following events:
Halloween Party 31st October – A request was made for councillors to volunteer if possible in assisting with the management of the event.
Cosprops Makers Launch 21st October.
Tree Planting November - a request has been made for assistance for councillors to help in identifying members of the public to help in planting the trees.
Christmas Craft Market December.
Council IT Requirements
It was noted that Council staff are currently using laptops which are allocated for use by visitors to the Community Centre which limits the availability for courses etc. Resolved to approve the purchase of 2 laptops and 2 monitors for use by the staff at the centre in the sum of approximately £880.00.
Community Consultation
The CDO provided a report on the future requirements for the development of the community consultation exercise. This will consist of
· Follow up meetings with the groups of people who contributed in the survey and provision of capacity building training to enable them to make a presentation at a public meeting.
· Organisation of a public launch event.
· Development of a Community Action Group (Community Association).
· Community engagement training for councillors.
Resolved to approve the appointment of Derith Powell for up to 5 days work to assist the CDO where required in providing support and training.
Community Website
Work is proceeding well in the development of the website. It was agreed that the Council’s current website should be incorporated as part of the community website.
Marketing strategy
The CDO reported that he believes the Council needs to develop a marketing strategy in particular for the Community Centre at this time in order to maximise the business development opportunity.
Resolved to allocate the printing budget of £200 towards marketing costs.
Wellbeing Training
The CDO provided a report on future planning for this training.
137. VERIFICATION AND CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
RESOLVED – that the following minutes of the Town Council (prints of which having been previously circulated to members) be taken as read, and the same are hereby verified, received and confirmed respectively.
Page Nos.
Cwmaman Town Council September 27th, 2017 50 - 56
138. MENS SHEDS
The Clerk reported on progress of negotiations with Amman Valley Men’s Sheds and Men’s Sheds Wales regarding the future occupation of the Council’s workshop.
139. SPEEDING
Cllr Emyr Jenkins raised concerns regarding speeding at the following locations:
· Cwmaman Rd between Llwyncelyn Road and the Flats,
· Tabernacle Rd and Penybont,
· Tirycoed Road,
· Folland Rd.
There is also a need to address the issue of motorbikes riding on the Riverside walk.
Resolved that councillors will raise this issue in the next PACT meeting.
140. COMMUNITY CENTRE MANAGEMENT REPORT
The Clerk apologised as it appeared the incorrect report had been issued by the Centre Manager in relation to this agenda item. Councillor T Sparano provided a report on the relevant matters arising from the recent management committee meeting:
· The installation of the windows is progressing well.
· The mural in the art room is partially complete.
· There has been a delay in obtaining quotes with regard to the building works.
· The Café tables which are being produced by Rob Venus are nearing completion.
· Problems are being encountered with getting the fibre Wi-Fi installed at the centre. Staff are considering whether there are alternative options for this.
A review was provided of the variety of activities being organised at the centre.
An overview was also provided of the new classes being organised at the centre and the current financial position.
141. YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE
Geena Ware provided a report on the new Youth Parliament which is being established in Wales. This will give young people a democratic voice in Wales with 60 youths elected as members of the parliament, which would duplicate the Assembly structure. Elections will be every 2 years.
The Mayor thanked Geena for her informative presentation.
142. ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR RECEIPT OF AGENDAS AND MINUTES
There was a general discussion regarding the option to utilise new technology for councillors to communicate with the Council. It was noted that not all councillors have access to a computer. One option considered by members is the provision of ipads to councillors for receipt and reference to agendas and council minutes.
Resolved to defer consideration of this matter until the iBoard touch screen is installed in the board room when the Council can consider options for the transmission of data at meetings.
143. FINANCE REPORTS
The Council received a Finance Report consisting of the following elements:
· Bank Reconciliation Report;
· Report on Income Received;
· Report on proposed Expenditure;
· Report on receipts and payments by budget heading;
· Annual Budget by Centre.
It was resolved to approve the contents of the reports.
144. NOTICEBOARD GARNANT
It was reported that the notice board located at Raven Square has been vandalised. The Clerk was requested to organise the repair of the board by the Council’s caretaker.
145. PENYBONT LEASE
The Clerk reported that the County Council appears to have lost the signed lease for Penybont Park. Further, it was evident that the Council would have to suffer some further penalty regarding this matter even though this further delay was of no fault of the Council. Resolved to authorise the Mayor and the Clerk to sign the replacement lease.
146. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
It was resolved to offer the following organisations a donation in accordance with its powers under Section 137 of the LGA 1972, which in the opinion of the Council is in the interests of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure:
Toybox Appeal £100.00.
Councillor D Jenkins declared an interest and took no part in the discussion on this item.
147. PACT/POLICE REPORT
PC Steve Morris attended the meeting and gave a report on crimes within the community over the last month.
Community Speedwatch
PC Morris offered the community the opportunity to establish a community speedwatch. Resolved to pilot a scheme at Glynmoch with the residents.
148. REMUNERATION PANEL FOR WALES
The Council received a draft report as prepared by the above panel in relation to recommendations for the remuneration of councillors. Resolved to note the report.
149. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The Council received a report on the following planning applications:
Applications
Consents
None received.
Refusals
None received.
Appeals
None received.
b) Planning Applications dealt with under the Clerk’s delegated powers – to note the council’s response in respect of the following planning applications:
None received.
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150. OUTSIDE BODIES
League of Friends
Cllr P Barker reported on a recent meeting of the League of Friends with specific information on the progress of the provision of an X-ray machine at the hospital.
151. SUSPENDING STANDING ORDERS
Resolved to suspend standing orders in order to continue with the transaction of business at the meeting beyond 9pm.
152. CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES
Members considered arrangements for the celebration of Christmas festivities in the community. Resolved to organise the following events: -
· Provision of Christmas trees in the community as in previous years,
· Possible organisation of a Christmas Fair,
· Light switch on to take place on November 24/25th subject to the above matters being organised in time.
153. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
The Mayor reported that there is a need to arrange a date for a Personnel Committee. It was resolved to authorise the Mayor to proceed with arrangements as required.
154. MATTERS FOR INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE
The Council received and noted the following correspondence:
Boundary Commission for Wales / The 2018 review of Parliamentary Constituencies in Wales - revised proposals.Boundary Commission for Wales / Review of Electoral Arrangements for the County of Carmarthenshire
Meeting Concluded at 9.10 pm
Signed ...... Date ......
Mayor
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