Minutes of Llanbedr Community Council 7.12.17 held at Llanbedr Village hall at 7.00 pm.
Present were:-
GD, KT,CE,IJ,ETH,AH
Apologies
GP,RW,HJ
The Clerk apologised that the agenda was late this month.
Minutes of last meeting 7.12.17 were received via e mail, and were approved by ETH and seconded by CE.
Personal Interest
The Clerk showed personal interest in a Proposed Planning Application which was received, and dealt with under Planning. Although she did not have to do this, since she is not a Councillor.
Election of Vice Chairperson
Iolyn Jones proposed that Kevin Titley should be elected, and seconded by Caroline Evans. Kevin accepted the role.
Vacant Community Council seat – it was informed that 10 names were accepted in the Gwynedd Council Office supporting the need for an election on Llanbedr Community Council. Proceedings will take place in February. Notice of an election will be given out, and then prior documentations will have to be signed and sent to Caernarfon. If there is a contest for this one seat then there is a formal election and Llanbedr Community Council can expect a bill of £800. This covers ballot papers, postal votes, hiring of hall for venue. Wages of 2 for attending the election. This is for new names, and does not apply to the other Council Members. Their seats are safe.
The matter arose whether it was right to hold the election if it was on the same day/night as Community Council Meeting. IJ explained that he had gone through this procedure before and that there was nothing wrong with having both on the same evening, separate part of Hall in any case, and does not involve the rest of the Council Members.
It is a shame that the public have asked for an election, since the Clerk had already received 2 potential candidates for this vacant seats. This is positive and shows that people are interested in their community.
Financial Report by the Clerk
Noted that the balances from spread sheet of September and October balanced with bank statement. Unfortunately the balance for November is wrong, out of £17.00 cheque paid for memorial poppy wreath. IJ will rectify.
Payments for approval for December:-
£300 Cemetery
£90.00 Footpaths and War Memorial
£130 Henrique Costa – play area
£60.00 Christmas trees
Translation for December cost for Catrin Williams.
Financial Regulations – received through e mail from Iolyn and Morfudd. This is a template from Un Llais Cymru. There are numerous pointers that do not apply to Llanbedr Community Council at present, and that the highlighted pointers are most important. These will be included on the web page in due course. It was agreed to adopt these financial rules and put them to work. Need to translate to Welsh now.
Appoint an Internal Auditor for Llanbedr Council
A proposal from IJ that the Council should appoint Eluned Fôn for this work (Auditor for Gwynedd Council). That the Clerk has sent her a template of letter of appointment, for confirmation that this is the correct format. And this was confirmed to be correct.
It was agreed at the Council Meeting to go ahead with appointing Eluned Fôn as the Internal Auditor for the Council.
Since finance is of great importance and essential, it was agreed to have a separate meeting 4.1.18 to discuss the budget and precept needs for 2018/19 at 6.00 pm.
All Councillors who can make this time are welcome, then to continue at 7.00 with other Council issues.
Salt Bins
The Clerk has made some enquiries about this matter. It has come to light that the salt bins have been inspected recently. But Clerk had raised questions about this, since the bin by Hendre Waelod is still with a crack in it, thus has not been replaced or sealed. This is most likely true about the bin at Allt Goch also. Not good enough.
If the Council require a new bin in the area, then have to finance it, pay for the bin and for it to be located on site, and for the salt. Cost for re filling salt bins £45
5 bins in Llanbedr at present.
It looks likely that the Community Council will have to pay for any salt placed in the bins for this financial year. AH was not happy with the outcome.
It also looks like they have only put salt on top of the existing old supply left in the bins. This being of no apparent use, especially the one by Hendre Waelod, said the Clerk. Thus not right if we have to pay for a few spades full of salt.
If a member of the public makes a request to have a bin refilled, then the CC will incur the cost.
Planning Application
No. NP5/62/395 water turbine 20kw Hendre Waelod, Llanbedr
The Clerk and AH left the room whilst the Council were debating this application.
Comments made by Council Members – in favour of this proposal, creating green energy.
The Clerk noted that work had been made on erecting a mast 02 at Tal Artro, and further work in the coming week on a mast for EE supply.
Report from Cyngor Gwynedd – via AH
. She has contacted Gwynedd Council regarding the need for sweeping the leaves off the roads in the area, and that the leaves are blocking the gutters. The road sweeper lorry had broken down, but they will proceed to finish the work in due course.
. Regarding latest article in the Daily Post about the developments in the Airfield. That an investment of 25 million is due for Llanbedr. This is mainly to upgrade the existing airfield buildings, the access road and drones. It will be of benefit for the whole of Llanbedr.
. The proposed road – the Planning application will be in the hands of the SNPA by March 2018, the delay due to the flood risk questions that had been raised.
Footpaths/ pamphlet meeting
This matter is in progress. Looking for grant aid £25000 - £50000, for Woodlands. Have made an expression of interest to National Resources of Wales.
IJ mentioned that he had been in a seminar with NRW at Llanrwst recently, and from this meeting has produced a more substantial plan. There are now 4 Woodlands in the Llanbedr area that are included in this project and working together. Need also has arisen to include wheel chair paths – Coed Aber Artro (Garth Goch) a possible site. Thinking of parking cars etc also need to bear in mind.
Report from KT – recent meeting at Caernarfon
The need for ideas of how Local Councils see their responsibilities, what is the role of the Community Council?
He again noted that the presenter said that “the work of the Councillors is statutory and not voluntary”.
. Clustering – but see the loss of good Councillors.
. Hold surgeries so that the public can have easy access to their Councillors.
. To have photos of the Councillors on Council web page.
Need for all Councils to respond to this questionnaire.
The clustering of Councils is better than abolishing some Councils.
Could work like the Bala area – 5 Parishes of Penllyn working in partnership.
Harlech and Ardudwy Leisure
A Public Meeting was held on 1.12.17 regarding this. It was attended by 20 members of the Community. Minutes also available.
Now it is time for the Council to decide.
The Clerk noted that she has received 12 e mails in support for the Council to raise the precept in order to meet the HAL request.
Also that some e mails were received with scepticism! Such as:-
Mark Williams – noted he is in favour of the pool facilities, but oppose the fact that Gwynedd Council have done this, (referring to closing or leaving it in hands of the Board. How can they justify contributing towards the drones at airfield?
Other matters he raised were that water is running from the main road down towards his land, has raised matter with CG last year, but nothing has been made about the issue.
Need to reply to Mark, also send AH a copy of the e mail. AH noted she had previously contacted Adrian Williams, Highways, regarding leaves at Bryn Deiliog and on the roads at Llanbedr.
Also need to inform him that this financial boost is for work on upgrading the buildings and such at the airfield.
E Mail received from Richard Workman – through Eirwyn Thomas – referring to HAL as a Charity.
Need to inform him that the status is as a Community Enterprise.
E mail from RW – although would not wish to see the closure of the pool BUT his opinion is that he feels that the Council are flippant if they agree to this 5 year commitment + inflation cost without putting in place some conditions.. Need to see the financial report, and that they can prove a decrease in loss, that we support the pool, but needs to show separate accounts for the pool, the wall and cafe.
IJ proposed that we support the HAL for the 5 years + inflation.
GD with doubts if any other contracts are made in this way within local government?
IJ proposed again to give our support, and KT seconded it.
ETh – proposed an improvement on this, but with no support.
Bearing this in mind it went to a vote, and outcome was to support HAL with some alterations (see later in minutes)
CE noted that it is a very important service to the area, especially regarding the position of where we live, near to the sea and that it is important that our children have the opportunity to learn to swim. You cannot put a financial cost on this.
What will this extra money fund? Ability for them to go for larger grants, security. But need for them to be more transparent with their accounts. Maybe consider a news letter every month or 6 months. Be more accountable to the Community Council that are giving their support. Report back.
Kevin noted it would be beneficial if HAL could prove an increase in usage. Need to support but again to be more transparent.
IJ noted that he and RW should be more on hand to help and attend the HAL meetings.
This is the final decision:-
That Llanbedr Community Council will commit the funding for 5 years + inflation.
Need to be more transparent with finance. That a regular meeting is held with Council Members and HAL Board Members to discuss finance, occasionally.
Public Toilets
In receipt of e mail from Gwynedd Council regarding the public toilets. Asking whether our Council are going to make other arrangements regarding the public toilets, or staying with the same arrangements made last year. That is contributing £2000 to Gwynedd Council to keep the toilets open for part of the year from April to October. The cost would be £4000 to the Community Council if wanting toilets open throughout the year.
It was agreed to keep the partnership as it is.
Report from One Voice Wales forum by IJ
He noted that there will be improvements made to the Cambrian line railway – Pensarn Bridge has been improved, and work will be done on improving the line at Tywyn and Fairbourne.
Courses organised by One Voice Wales are few in the North, and only a few members attend, the fee may be an issue.
External Audit – complaint about the issue of the Welsh Language when trying to address the BDO service.
There is also an emphasis for learning through others – seeing what other Communities do e.g., like Tywyn Town Council taking charge of the Railway parking.
That there is a pilot scheme from Gwynedd Rural Projects - small electric cars.
Clustering reform of Councils – need to send views to One Voice Wales regarding this.
Next Meeting of One Voice Wales 20.2.18
GD thanked everyone for their commitment in attending these meetings on behalf of the Council.
Work on Play Field
Small gate needs replacing – on the path to the bridge – for child safety issues. Need to consult with Liz Haynes again regarding this issue. Footpath liaison officer Gwynedd Council.
Wooden gate – path by Bryn Deiliog – it was agreed that Euron Richards does the work in hand. Estimated cost of £193
The Bear rubbish bin - GD has the bin. Needs to be bolted in concrete so that people cannot move it from place to place. Eirwyn will observe the situation.
Solar Panel – this is ongoing for some time. It needs replacing by LED lights at a cost of £800. This has to be put in the budget for next financial year. Put on March agenda.
Play equipment examination – this has been done and some slight things needs to be put right. Need to know the cost, and to put in budget.
Defibrillator – still not received an adequate reply from Victoria Inn, have notified the family of the delay. It was agreed that the Clerk writes a formal letter to the Victoria asking for permission to place the defibrillator on the external wall of the Victoria buildings. It is after all the property of Robinsons.
E mail regarding 106 condition regarding the car park space between the Village Hall and School. The only reason that this can be formatted is if the original car park is used up for the road works at Llanbedr. Obviously some misunderstanding here.
Other Matters
. Burial Plot of late Mr Hartland 1960+. The Clerk has failed to find the grave, no headstone. But the family now wish to go ahead with placing a memorial plaque in memory on the Memorial Wall in the Cemetery.
. Burial fees for children aged 18 and less – this fee will be abolished, and that the Government will pay the fees.
. Change to County Boundaries is ongoing.
. CE noted that she is a member of Harlech Tourism Association – shortlisted for the next round for regeneration projects. Llanbedr Airfield are on the plans also.
The meeting closed, and GD thanked all for their comments and wished everyone a Happy Christmas.
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