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Minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on Monday 9th October 2023 at 7:30pm 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: Bethan Griffiths (Chairperson), Dafydd Lloyd-Jones (Vice Chairperson), Emmanuel Kincaid, Eirwen James, Pat Parry, Caryl Jones, Rhodri Evans, Angela Evans, Gareth Jones.
PCSO John Evans
1) Apologies received.
John Griffiths.
2) Personal Matters.
None.
3) Declarations of interest.
None.
4) Public Participation
Section 48 of The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 makes provision for public participation at full community council meetings or those part of meetings which are open to the public. The Chair will give members of the public in attendance reasonable opportunity to make representations about any items of business on the agenda. Specific matters for discussion are to be submitted to the Clerk 7 days in advance of scheduled ordinary meetings (usually the 2nd Monday of the month)
17 members of the public were present, including members of Llanfair Clydogau and Cellan Community Council and Councillor Dawn Smallwood from Pontypridd Town Council (remote attendance via Zoom).
5) To consider issues raised regarding the ‘Edible Forest’ development proposal.
The Chair presented a report by the Council providing a timeline of events and issues encountered by residents, regarding the ‘Edible Forest’ proposal on land near Esgair Garn. Councillor Evans (Llangeitho/Llanddewi Brefi ward) advised that two meetings had also been arranged to discuss the matter within Ceredigion County Council to assess options for enforcement measures concerning unauthorised development or access to the highway. Councillor Smallwood presented a timeline of events and issues within her Ward, concerning a similar proposal by the same owner, and gave an overview of the impacts felt by the community as a result of attempts to establish access to the development site (involving damage to a public right of way, disturbance to dormouse and skylark
habitat and tree felling occurring near to woodland corridors with TPO status) In addition it was reported that investors had not been able to recover funds on discovering the lack of access/ facilities. In summary she reported that conflict and confrontation between the applicant and the community had escalated but that the owner would be imminently subject to enforcement action to reinstate the damaged right of way, remove illegally parked vehicles and to make good damage resulting from the repeated attempts to expand access to land acquired on their behalf.
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Councillor Smallwood had to leave the meeting at this point but reiterated that she was happy to answer further queries from residents/community residents, by e-mail, following on from the meeting.
Councillor Evans confirmed that the LPA could not directly intervene with regard to disputed track/access ownership regarding the land already purchased; they could, however, bring in enforcement action within 48 hours should there be any impacts/infringements concerning access to highways.
Council agreed to forward copies of its report to Llanfair Clydogau and Cellan Community Council.
PCSO Evans reported that an Officer had spoken to all parties concerned and had been advised that disputes concerning access across land would be a civil, not a police matter. However, he added that should criminal damage, breaches of the peace, or destruction of property occur as a result of the owner attempting to gain access to their land, that this would be considered to be a police matter and that the best course of action would be to report incidents as soon as possible; likewise, any incident of perceived harassment, threatening behaviour or similar behaviour also be reported as soon as possible.
6) To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 11 September 2023.
Council approved the draft minutes.
Proposed by: Councillor Caryl Jones. Seconded by: Councillor Beth Griffiths.
7) Matters arising from the minutes.
Regarding item 18 d):
It was confirmed that the Remembrance Day Service would be held this year at Eglwys Dewi Sant, St David’s Church, on Sunday 12 November 2023 at 10:00 am, to be followed by the the laying of wreaths at the war memorial in the cemetery.
8)Financial report
a. To approve the bank reconciliation for the period ending 30th September 2023.
Council approved the bank reconciliation presented.
b. Authorisation of payments.
i. Staff and confidential payments;
pd £ 41.68 LG (Misc.Provisions) Act 1976 s.19
pd £ 247.64 Local Government Act (LGA) 1972, s.112
£ 1.40 LGA 1972, s.112
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ii. Burials
Beddfeini Hafod 2nd Interment in double grave (nr 277) £ 550.00 LGA 1972, s.214
Beddfeini Hafod Interment in single grave (nr 596) £ 550.00 LGA 1972, s.214
J Griffiths Interment of ashes + plot (nr 294) – Refund £ 160.00 LGA 1972, s.214
iii. ICO – Data Protection fee
£ 35.00 LGA 1972, s.111
c. Recurring payments – confirmation of ongoing variable direct debit instructions:
i. BT – Hall telephone & broadband.
Telephone and broadband – 30/09/2023 £ 52.74 LG (Misc.Provisions) Act 1976 s.19
ii. Water charges (cemetery)
Dŵr Cymru £ 6.59 LGA 1972, s.214
d. Payments received.
Barclays Bank Bank loyalty 13/7/23-13/8/23 £ 0.70
T E Jones Burial + plot (682) £ 550.00
J Griffiths Burial + plot (tbc) £ 120.00
Council approved the schedule of payments presented and noted a correction to the previous schedule of payments; a staff/ confidential payment of £247.64 had been noted, rather than the correct payment of £247.84. A burial of ashes had been cancelled, and a refund of fees already banked was approved. Following consideration of item 9, a transfer of funds to petty cash was approved in the amount of £150.00.
9) To review the Council’s Financial Regulations (regulation 6.21) to allow a cash float to support Youth drop-in sessions.
Council resolved to change the order of the agenda to consider item 9 before item 8, as this would allow transfer of funds to petty cash. Council resolved to approve the amendment to Financial regulations 6.21 and 6.22, issued to members prior to the meeting, to provide petty cash to support Youth Drop-In sessions.
Proposed by; Councillor Eirwen James Seconded by: Chair, Bethan Griffiths
10) To consider information regarding the following grant schemes:
i. Cynnal y Cardi UK Shared Prosperity Fund
ii. Community Ownership Fund
After further consideration, Council considered it would not be possible to issue notices and receive the required number of tenders within the timeframe for application to the Cynnal y Cardi scheme. However, it was reported that the Hall Committee had submitted an EOI with regard to the energy audit with Severn Wye in conjunction with CAVO and that Llanddewi Brefi Village Hall had been selected as one of 20 halls in Ceredigion to take part in the scheme.
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11) Cemetery Matters – to consider new arrangements for interment of ashes.
Council resolved that a formal area for interment of ashes would be agreed, after inspection of suitable areas in the cemetery, during the scheduled clean-up on 28/10/23.
12) To consider and set new rota for 23/24 for defibrillator.
A new rota was agreed; Clerk to circulate to all members of the Council.
13) Correspondence noted:
a. Boundary Commission – BCW: Lessons Learned
b. CAVO – Ceredigion Halls and Community Buildings energy audits.
c. Ceredigion WI – RE: Repair Café Wales and Community Ownership Fund
d. Ceredigion County Council
i. FW: Special and Community Events
ii. Ceredigion Council Tax Premium
iii. Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) Consultation
iv. Finance and Procurement: 2023-24 Precept
v. Cynnal y Cardi UK Shared Prosperity Fund
e. One Voice Wales
i. FW: Funding Update
ii. Audit Wales – September Newsletter.
iii. FW: Welsh Air Ambulance
iv. One Voice Wales Newsletter No.1
v. SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2023 TRAINING DATES
f. RE: Repair Cafe Wales and Community Ownership Fund
g. Slow Ways – Connect your community to the Slow Ways national walking network.
h. Y.F.C. Re: Fireworks night C.FF.I Llanddewi Brefi; letter thanking the Council and hall committee for their donation.
i. RE: Cyflwyno Parc Ynni Bryn Cadwgan | Introducing Bryn Cadwgan Energy Park
Council noted an extra item of correspondence received after publication of the agenda – a request from Grasshopper Communications to organise a stakeholder consultation with members of the Council to enable representatives from Galileo Energy UK to present initial details regarding their proposal for a wind turbine development of significance (DNS) at Bryn Cadwgan, part of which would involve land within Llanddewi Brefi community. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Grasshopper communications to confirm arrangements for a meeting to be held on 19 October 2023 from 6-7 pm.
14)To receive a report from the PCSO.
PCSO Evans reported that it had been relatively crime free during the month within the community. There had, however, been incidents of 20 mph signs being covered with paint, and supporting metal posts cut down, in addition to theft of a place sign for Llanddewi Brefi.
He also reported that there had been another incident of scam calls from persons impersonating Police officers and that members of the public should remain aware.
There had also been reports of a large harvester driving through the village without tax or numberplates enroute to the Ffarmers road; the PCSO has now registered this as a concern and
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would seek opinion from the traffic department regarding a way forward concerning these occurrences.
PCSO Evans also reported that he is now the Hate Crime Support Officer for the area and would send on further details of how to report incidents to the Clerk.
He also confirmed that he would continue to make regular visits to the village every Wednesday between 1:45-2:30 pm and would be spending half the time in the layby opposite the old school and the remaining time on the village square.
15) County Councillor’s report on matters arising from Ceredigion.
Councillor Evans reported that cabinet had been considering the County Council budget and anticipated a shortfall, requiring an injection of £2 million before Spring 2024.
It was noted that a local bus company was due to close, which would cause further pressure regarding ongoing public transport issues within the locality.
He also reported that plans were being considered at County level to create one or two college facilities in order to amalgamate existing 6th form provision within the County.
16) Planning applications.
None received.
17) To receive a report from the Village Hall and Recreation Grounds committee.
Council noted that the Annual General Meeting of the Hall Charity Committee would be held on the 23 October 2023, with ordinary matters of business to follow.
Following recent requests from committee members to clarify the position regarding volunteers undertaking activities such as operating machinery (in addition to cleaning and occasional painting/decorating already covered), a request had been made to the hall’s insurers to confirm what activities they could cover under the terms of the existing policy; reply pending – to be reported back at the next meeting.
18) Questions to the Chair.
a. The Council Christmas dinner would be held on Friday 1st December, venue to be confirmed.
b. Details of the proposed Christmas Event, due to be held on the 2nd of December, to be confirmed during the next meeting of the hall committee later in the month.
c. It was reported that the recently held Youth Drop-In session had been positively received by all children attending and that thanks were to be extended to all the volunteers in attendance. Additionally, it was noted that four DBS checks on new volunteers had been carried, and also a request made that volunteers subscribe to the update service within 30 days of receiving their certificates.
d. It was suggested to address redistribution of topsoil in the cemetery during the forthcoming clean-up on 28 October 2023. An announcement would be posted on the hall facebook page and Caffi Dewi would also be opening to support volunteers in the clean-up event.
e. Hedge cutting at the cemetery is to be carried out on 10 November 2023.
19) Date of next meeting.
13/11/2023
Meeting ended at 22:04 pm.
Mae'r dudalen hon hefyd ar gael yn: Cymraeg