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Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 14th February 2022 at 7pm in the Community Centre.
Draft minutes are published in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021, and are subject to approval at the next ordinary meeting of the Community Council.

Present:
Councillors: Eirwen James (Chair), Caryl Jones (vice chair), Emmanuel Kincaid, Lynet Pugh, Dafydd Lloyd Jones, Rhodri Evans, Pat Parry, Enfys Hatcher Davies, Beth Anthony.

1. Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr. John Griffiths.
2. Personal Matters
Councillors expressed their gratitude to Edwards Building Services for volunteering to clean gutters at the community centre, and to Councillors and residents for helping to clean the grounds on 12/02/2022. A great effort was made by everyone.
3. Declarations of interest
Lynet Pugh – Item 9 – declared interest.
4. Cambrian Mountains Society – presentation of proposal for AONB designation
A presentation was given by Lorna Brazell, on behalf of the Cambrian Mountains Society (CMS).
Emphasised that the ‘Cambrian Mountain Initiative’ is a separate entity that promotes development in uplands of Pumlumon, Elenydd, Mallaen and Llanllwni/ Brechhfa.
CMS are seeking designation as an AONB, not a National Park; looking to balance interests of agriculture, forestry and other rural industry with economic and social needs of communities. AONB would be managed by a partnership which would include Ceredigion, Powys and Carmarthen County Councils, NRW, land owners and managers, local communities, farming unions and charities – RSPB and National Trust, ensuring local accountability and specialist expertise. The management plan would be reviewed every 5 years, and would provide an area branding for the region’s products and services.
Costs would be shared between national and local government on a statutory basis; AONB partnerships can also access additional funds for projects e.g. Heritage Lottery Fund Landscape Partnership programme.
AONB would give greater influence over management of the area and its infrastructure.
AONB designation needs to demonstrate support from local communities; CMS are seeking a statement of support in principle, and input from the community – does it see value in AONB status, and what would it want to see delivered?

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5. Consultation on the proposed tree planting scheme at Brynglas by Tilhill Forestry.
Arwel Davies, Tilhill Forest Manager, Ben Lake MP, and Nathaniel James, representing the West Wales Rivers Trust (WWRT), were also present during the discussion.
AD explained that the Foresight group, private equity investment managers focussed on renewable energy and sustainable forestry, have recently purchased land at Brynglas, Frongoch, and Esgair Hir with a view to afforestation supported by grants from Welsh Government’s Glastir Woodland Creation Scheme.
Of the 250ha at Brynglas, almost half is in a SSSI designated area and under 124ha is available for planting. The current proposal is for 97ha blanket planting. Discussions with NRW are ongoing regarding habitat constraints and the deadline for submission of a final draft for screening assessment is 25th February.
The Community Council have twice requested a copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment report submitted to NRW, but to date have only received a copy of the response letter dated 8th October 2021 referring to the initial planting plan, which proposed only 7% mixed broadleaf and encroached on potential endangered species habitat and areas of deep peat. It was noted that the revised planting scheme avoids these areas, and increases the proportion of broadleaf species to 25%.
Prior to the meeting, a briefing document had been circulated to members and attendees, based on the revised planting map, stating that according to the Welsh Government Woodland Opportunity Map 2021 (WOM21), the proposed planting site appears to have a very low ‘woodland creation’ score based on data layers of ecosystem services or benefits arising from new woodland creation. Upland areas appear to be the least favoured under the scheme, and out of a potential 38 points, the overall score at the centre of the planting area is 2. Up to 28% of the proposed planting area lies within the buffer zones to the SSSI and Special Landscape area buffer zones, and outside the opportunities map area.
The whole of the site is in an ‘acid sensitive’ catchment area, and a large proportion is shown as “priority habitat – upland heathland”. Although noted as potentially plantable on WOM21, this is qualified by the statement that “Priority Habitat that is not upland acid grassland/upland marshy grassland must remain unplanted within these mosaic areas.” As it is designated “upland heathland” this suggests that it should remain unplanted.
It was noted by one attendee that the proposed planting area is within a sensitive catchment for both Pysgotwr streams/rivers, Doethie and Camddwr, which are Salmon and Sewin feeder streams. In response to concerns regarding increased water runoff as a result of ploughing, AD confirmed that a mounding planting process would be used, which would not create furrows.

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Ben Lake raised the following concerns:
a. It is acknowledged that Natural Resources Wales (NRW) stated in its letter dated 8 October 2021 that the proposal did not require consent under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry)(England and Wales) Regulations 1999, but would appreciate confirmation that this was on the basis of the applicant’s environmental impact assessment, and not an assessment undertaken by NRW itself.
i. If the former is confirmed, what consideration has been given to whether the application needed a Habitats Regulation Assessment under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017?
ii. NRW includes in its letter dated 8 October 2021 a provision that if “habitats or soils unsuitable for planting [or] that require protection are found these will be mapped out and left as open ground.” Clarification is sought as to who is responsible for determining whether a habitat or soil should be left as open ground, and subsequently who will monitor adherence to the same.
b. It would be useful to understand Tilhill’s management plan for the plantation, and in particular:
i. Their proposed planting plan. It was suggested that the entire area would be planted in one phase.
ii. How they propose to mitigate the risk of seeding from the coniferous trees, and ensure the integrity of the broadleaf sections of the plantation plan.
iii. Confirmation that the plan is for a continuous cover forestry, and details of how they intend to thin the forestry over the first 15 years.
c. It is understood that the owners of the proposed plantation, Foresight Group, intend to issue shares from the profits gained from it. It would be useful to understand how these profits will be generated, and clarification of intended end use of any timber felled.
Nathaniel James raised the following issues and concerns on behalf of WWRT:
d. Impact of afforestation on rivers and their biodiversity;
i. Acidity – base soil & geology
ii. Water Cycle – preventing precipitation reaching the ground in summer
iii. Temperatures – effect on winter & summer climate
iv. Further degradation –in addition to current pressures & issues
v. Cumulative impact – lessons learnt from poultry farming, Development, Dairy, etc.

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e. In any future development of planting plans, WWRT would like to see;
i. A larger proportion of broadleaf species
ii. Wider buffer
iii. Commitment to independent monitoring, riparian maintenance, removal of self-seeds & remedial measures if any of the monitored parameters fail standards set.
iv. Monitoring of;
• pH levels
• Fish, Bird & Invertebrate populations
• Soil loss
• Stream temperatures
• Flow rates.
v. Willingness to support wider catchment restoration in the catchments they operate in.
f. WWRT stressed that there is weak evidence of acidified streams recovering, even with reduced atmospheric emissions, as stated in “Managing Forests in Acid Sensitive Water Catchments – A Forestry Service Practical Guide”, with the consequences stretching across the entire Tywi & Teifi catchments & Welsh communities and businesses.
AD explained that buffers are promised to reduce seeding – management of this would be self-monitored by Tilhill but checked by Welsh Government. AD also mentioned that increasing the proportion of broadleaf species might be considered – this would be welcomed by all representatives.
The issue of access to the site for planting and future harvesting was raised, with concerns regarding the inadequate road infrastructure and impact of heavy traffic on the community, and queries as to how this would be mitigated. AD confirmed that access will be by the existing road network, and that bridge improvements may be required.
As the proposed woodland is to be supported by Glastir funding, questions were raised as to the sustainability of the project, since the future of Glastir is unsure.
AD explained that timber production is intended primarily for construction purposes, and that this supports long term retention of deciduous trees. In response to queries, AD confirmed that 60-70% of production from local managed woodland is construction grade timber for man-made boards (OSB etc.), the remainder being used for fencing and biomass. The intention is to employ locally based companies for planting and harvesting.

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As the consultation deadline was confirmed by AD as 18th February, it was agreed that the draft minutes for this agenda item would be submitted as a formal response.

6. To confirm temporary arrangements for the carrying out of the duties of the Clerk as Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer.
Resolved that Cllrs Rhodri Evans and Emmanuel Kincaid should continue in their current roles as Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer respectively, until 30/04/2022.
7. To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2022.
On the proposition of Cllr. Dafydd Lloyd Jones and seconded by Cllr. Pat Parry the Council authorised the Chair to sign the minutes of the Community Council meeting held on the 17th January 2022.
8. Matters arising from the minutes.
The footpath warden has carried out an inspection and the issue with Cysgod y Llan has been resolved.
The large tree in Tan yr Allt is to be cleared next week.
9. To consider a proposal for donation to Gogerddan Hunt
On the proposition of Cllr. Dafydd Lloyd Jones and seconded by Cllr. Caryl Haf Jones the Council resolved to support the hunt with a donation of £80.
10. Financial report
a. The bank reconciliation report for the period ending 31 January 2022 was presented by the RFO, approved by members, and signed by the Chair.

Bank balances at 18/01/2022:
Current A/c £250.00
Reserve A/c £1,611.69
Reserve A/c £10,872.54
An overpayment of reimbursement to one member was noted; due to the bank’s error in processing/ updating the signing mandate, the RFO was informed that cheque nr 101111 in the amount of £86.40 would be returned, however, on preparing the bank reconciliation it was noted as paid, and therefore a duplicate payment by cheque 101116 had been incorrectly made. Agreed that the overpaid amount of £86.40 would be deducted from the reimbursement to the same member for item b(ii) below.
b. The following payments were authorised:
i. Zoom – reimbursement of payments 06/12/2021-06/02/2022 (Local Government Act 1972, s.111) – £43.17
ii. Reimbursement of payments for heating programmer, ‘Keysafe’, skatepark repair screws, and goal pegs, for the Community Centre

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(Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 s.19) – £252.92. Less overpayment noted above – £86.40. Balance to be reimbursed – £166.52.
iii. Donations – Gogerddan Hunt (Local Government Act 2000, s.2) – £80.00
c. Recurring payments noted:
i. BT – Hall telephone & broadband (Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 s.19) – £47.94
ii. Bank charges (for the period 15/11/2021 – 12/12/2021) – £14.55
d. Payments received:
i. Bank loyalty payment – £0.99
It was agreed that professional advice would be sought regarding reclaiming VAT on purchases made by members on behalf of the Council.
The possibility of applying for a payment card will be included on the agenda for the next meeting.
11. Terms of engagement and responsibilities of the Internal Auditor.
The Council reviewed the Audit Wales certificate and report for the year ending March 2020 and, in accordance with its recommendations, agreed that a draft Internal Auditor engagement letter would be issued for approval with the agenda for the next meeting.
12. To consider applying for funding from the Cynnal Y Cardi LEADER Grant Scheme and CAVO Small Grants
Cynnal y Cardi Leader grant:
Cllr Rhodri Evans shared feedback from the Cynnal y Cardi Leader grant team regarding eligible projects and advice on other grants that could support some of the suggestions that were ineligible under this particular scheme.
After discussing all eligible suggestions from the community meeting, Council resolved to apply for a grant for new digital technology with video conferencing camera/ microphone/ speaker and display system to provide a standalone touchscreen computing/ hybrid meeting facility for local organisations to use in the hall. The application would also include a portable waterproof wide-angle video camera for groups to use for mentoring, training and recording content for meetings and presentations.
13. Correspondence (copies forwarded to members).
a. Belltown Power – Request for meeting regarding the emerging proposal for the Waun Maenllwyd Wind Farm
A zoom meeting was suggested to discuss proposals on 3rd March at 7pm.
b. A Briefing Session will be held for prospective Town / Community Council candidates on Wednesday, 2nd March 2022 at 6.00pm over Zoom.

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c. Invitation to contribute stories about developments, successes or meetings as a Community Council on Caron360, and to the Bro360 webinar, to be hosted by Bro360 on Zoom in March
d. Cambrian Mountains Newsletter
e. Royal British Legion – information regarding the Queen’s Green Canopy project; a tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
f. Play Sufficiency Assessment 2022 for Ceredigion – questionnaire
g. Hywel Dda Community Health Council newsletter
h. Invitation to attend the Cylch Meithrin Tregaron AGM on 28/02/2022 at 7pm in the new building at Ysgol Henry Richard.
i. Wales Air Ambulance 2021/22 Community Grant Appeal
14. Report regarding inaccuracies in the transcription of local information from the 1921 census on the ‘Find my Past’ website.
Failures of ‘Find my Past’ were reported in relation to digitising the 1921 census. Spelling of Welsh holdings are inaccurate and unrecognisable and dwellings recorded in the wrong parishes/parcels. Findmypast note on their website that transcription errors can be reported without purchasing the transcript by emailing transcriptsupport@findmypast.com. Error reports should include a link to the record and a brief description of the error, and use “1921 Census transcription update” as the email subject line.
15. Renewing member photos on the website
All council members were asked to provide a passport sized photo for the website.
16. Report from the PCSO
A request was made that the PCSO should attend our next meeting.
17. Report regarding damaged road signage
Councillors reviewed photographs of damage to signs in several locations – Cllr Rhodri Evans will discuss repairs or replacements with Highways.
18. County Councillor’s report on matters arising from Ceredigion
19. Planning applications
a. To note the following approvals:
i. A211053 – Peter’s Field, Llanddewi Brefi; temporary siting of a caravan for habitation whilst building a dwelling –Approved Subject to Conditions

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ii. A210950 – Land adj. to Bethlehem Chapel; temporary siting of a caravan for habitation whilst building a dwelling – Approved Subject to Conditions

20. Report from the Village Hall and Recreation Grounds Committee.
21. Ysgol Henry Richard.
22. AOB.
a. Bins have been collected from Pont Llanio after being missed last week.
b. 100 Club will be drawn in May.
23. Date of next meeting.
A special meeting will be held on 3rd March 2022, subject to confirmation by Belltown Power. The next ordinary meeting will be held on the 14th March 2022.

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