BRYNMAWR TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday, 25 January 2017 in the Council Chamber, Orchard Street, Brynmawr at 5.30pm.
Present:-CouncillorsM.I. Morgan(Presiding).
I.R.K. Jenkins
Mrs. O.M. Swales
H.J. Swales
W.K. Hodgins
D. Lyn Elias
B.M. Sutton
J.M. Gardner
B. I. Nash
P.G. Morgan
In Attendance:-Mrs. A.C. Davies(Town Clerk).
Miss N.J. Williams(Asst. Town Clerk).
------o0o------
7518Apologies:-T.S. Hughes, Miss. S.M. Morgan.
7519The Chair welcomed members to the January Meeting.
7520Declaration of Interest and Dispensations.
The Chair reminded members to make declarations of interest at appropriate points on the Agenda.
7521Corrections – None.
7522Matters Arising from the Minutes.
Item 7446 – Former Somerfield Building.
A member asked whether a response had been received regarding the proposal for a 1 bedroom flats being developed on the first floor of the former Somerfield building.
The Clerk informed members that no response had been received as yet.
Item 7452 – No. 1 Intermediate Road, Brynmawr.
The Asst. Clerk read out two emails. First email received from Ms. Steph Brown, Principle
Planning Officer – Environment and Regeneration.
The email stated that planning permission was initially granted in 2009 for the demolition of the building and construction of new care home for 7 young physically disabled residents,
this permission was renewed on 15 August 2014. The permission has not yet been implemented so authorised use is as residential. Their Compliance Officer, Paul Samuel will investigate whether there is an unauthorised change of use.
The second email was received from Mr. Paul Samuel, Compliance Officer, BGCBC.
The email stated that Mr. Samuel visited and inspected inside No. 1 Intermediate Road on Monday, 23 January 2017. Mr. Samuel checked all the rooms and stated there were only a few boxes of incontinence pads in one of the rooms and a storage cupboard which was very minimal and there was little evidence to suggest the property is being used for storage purposes. The property is very run down and not inhabitable. Mr. Samuel stated he was satisfied that no breach of planning control or change of use has occurred and as a result he
- 2 -
will now be closing the file on the matter.
A member said that a close eye should be kept on the water seeping on to the pavement
and this could cause a danger to the public, especially this time of year due to the inclement weather.
Letter noted.
Item 7495 – (Storm Academy) – Alarm and CCTV Cameras.
It was agreed to arrange a meeting with Mr. Shaun Brace (Storm Academy) together with the Mayor, Clerk and Asst. Clerk to discuss installing a door at the bottom of the stairs for extra security for the Town Council. The Town Council would pay for the cost of installation.
Item 7502 – Millennium Gardens – 25 Year Lease.
A member informed Council that the Brynmawr Community Millennium Garden (Terence Garden) has not been granted the 25 year lease as it is a Community Group and does not have charitable status.
7523The Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday, 14 December 2016, having been circulated, were accepted as a true record.
Orders & Requisitions.
7524Canon (UK) Ltd – Photocopier – Rental & Copies used.
The Council moved payment of £86.50.
7525Viking – Stationery.
The Council moved payment of £154.67.
Financial Correspondence.
7526The Council agreed to purchase a Memorial Bench for the Late Councillor J.J. Hopkins at a cost of £500.00.
The Clerk to contact Mrs. Maureen Hopkins seeking permission to purchase a bench in memory of her late husband and asking if there was anywhere in particular she would like the bench to be sited.
7527BRfm – Financial assistance.
Councillor J. Gardner declared an interest and left the Chamber.
Correspondence was received from BRfm asking Council to consider a substantial sum of money towards overheads.
A member stated that no Statement of Accounts had been received. It is the Town Council's policy to request a Statement of Accounts before considering any donations.
It was agreed to write to BRfm requesting a Statement of Accounts between 2015/2016.
Correspondence.
7528A thank you letter was received from the Brynmawr Interact Club for Council's kind donation.
Letter noted.
- 3 -
7529Each member was issued with a copy of the Play Sufficiency Seminar from the BGCBC.
BGCBC in partnership with Play Wales, is organising this seminar to explore how the Local Authority and Town and Community Councils can work together to make Blaenau Gwent a more play friendly county.
A member said it is a concern that money is not spent on play equipment to enable children to play in their communities.
Letter noted.
7530Correspondence received from the ABUHB – Health Talk.
The ABUHB are inviting Council Members to share their views on local health issues at an arranged event to be held in Newport on Friday, 17th February 2017.
A member suggested a letter be sent stating that not everyone has transport and would the ABUHB consider arranging a similar meeting in this area.
Letter noted.
7531Each member was issued with The Provision of Open Air Markets within Blaenau Gwent.
Blaenau Gwent CBC will shortly be looking to invite community based organisations, business forums, town centre partnerships etc. the tender for a provision of an open air market management service within Blaenau Gwent towns.
A member informed Council that Brynmawr Market is not being run as it should be. The Market is not being advertised. Money is being collected from the traders but the area is not being cleaned in readiness to sell their produce. The markets may go to the Private Sector.
Letter noted.
7532Each member was issued with the final outcome of the Police & Crime Commissioner meetings with Town & Community Council's.
Letter noted.
7533Each member was issued with Changed to Primary Care Services received from the ABUHB.
Members commented that the correspondence received arrived too late.
Letter noted.
7534Correspondence received from Mr. Frank Olding, Heritage Officer – Brynmawr Local Listing Meeting.
The first working group meeting took place and only two representatives attended, neither of them from Brynmawr Town Council.
Councillor Matthew Morgan apologised for not being able to attend the meeting due to ill health.
Councillor Mrs. M. Morris did not send her apologies.
Council moved to nominate two substitutes:-
Councillor H.J. Swales and Mrs. O. M. Swales.
7535Each member was issued with a copy of the Consultation on the Trade Union (Wales) Bill.
Letter noted.
7536Planning Application – Former NMC Factory, units 1-4 Lakeside, Blaina Road, Brynmawr NP23 4PS.
This is a hybrid planning application comprising of a full application for restaurant (unit 1
- 4 -
Class A3 McDonald's 415sqm); and outline application for retail units 2,3 and 4(unit 2 Class A1 Convenience food store 1,392sqm retail; unit 3 Class A1 Comparison 1631sqm, and a
flexible use for Unit 4 Classes A1/A2/A3 121SQM).
A member said that any development on this site would be welcomed.
Another member asked who is the owner of the Boiler House.
A member informed Council that the Boiler House is in the process of being transferred to a new company and will give an update to members in due course.
There was concerns raised that children had been seen playing on the roof of the Boiler House. The Clerk was asked to send a letter to Mr. Richard Crook, Environmental Health, BGCBC regarding this issue.
The Full Council had no objection to this Planning Application.
7537Reports – None.
7538Town & Country Planning.
(a)Chief Planner’s Report – noted.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS OF A CONFIDENTIAL OR PERSONAL NATURE AND IS THEREFORE EXCLUSIVE TO MEMBERS OF THE TOWN COUNCIL ONLY.
PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960.