MINUTES OF HARLECH COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE OLD LIBRARY, HARLECH AT 7.30 P.M. ON 06.03.23
APOLOGIES
Cllr. Ceri Griffiths, Thomas Mort.
PRESENT
Cllrs. Edwina Evans (Chairman), Christopher Braithwaite (Vice Chairman), Huw Jones, Tegid John, Rhian Corps, Gordon Howie, Wendy Williams, Mark Armstrong, Emma Howie, Martin Hughes, and Cllrs. Annwen Hughes and Gwynfor Owen (Gwynedd Council).
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on February 6th 2023 were found to be correct.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Cllr Edwina Evans declared an interest in the financial application of The Old Library and Memorial Hall and signed a Personal Declaration of Interest document and did not take part in the discussion.
Cllr Rhian Corps declared an interest in the Ysgol Tanycastell financial application and signed a Personal Declaration of Interest document and did not take part in the discussion.
Cllr Martin Hughes declared an interest in the Old Library’s financial application and signed a Personal Declaration of Interest document and did not take part in the discussion.
GWYNEDD COUNCIL MATTERS
The following report was received from Cllrs. Gwynfor Owen and Annwen Hughes – Cllr. Annwen Hughes reported
that since the last meeting that she had asked the Our Area Tidying Team to carry out work on the path between Y Waun playground and houses and also had asked them to tidy up around the horse trough in the town and this work has now been done. She had been informed that Gwynedd Council had submitted a bid for funding to create a new crossing near the Ty Canol housing estate and the application had been submitted to the Welsh Government through the financial source of safe routes to school. She had been informed that around the post box on the Waun estate was getting muddy during wet weather and Gwynedd Council is going to install a slab then, the Highways Department is monitoring the situation on the A496 near Morfa Garage and there have been discussions with Welsh Water because there is concern that their pipe is losing water with it washing out from under the road. She has been told the Highways Inspector will arrange another visit this week to gather more evidence.
Cllr. Gwynfor Owen reported that Gwynedd Council at a meeting of the full Council on the 2nd of March raised Council tax by 5% for the next financial year. It was reported that he had received many complaints about rubbish on the beach and that NRW and Gwynedd Council were working together to clear it, also that the work of painting the double yellow lines on Ffordd Uchaf had been carried out.
MATTERS ARISING
Budget Plan
It was reported that the Council had spent £83,217.47 (which included bank charges) since the start of the new financial year and this was £4,891.51 more expenditure than what was earmarked in the budget for the year.
Ty Canol Signs
The Clerk reported that she had noticed that the poles for the signs had been up a while and that she had been informed by Iwan Ap Trevor that the signs have not yet reached the Highways Department workshop and due to this the work has not yet been programmed but they will ensure the signs are installed as soon as they have arrived.
King George V Playing Field
Cllr. Christopher Braithwaite reported that he has been informed by McVenture’s company that they will commence work in the above playing field on the 10th or 17th of April. It was also reported that he had ordered the bollards but had not yet received them.
745………………………………………….Chairman
HAL
The Clerk reported that she had contacted Mrs Donna Morris-Collins of HAL and the Chairman of the Community Council and that the date of the 21st of this month had been agreed to hold a public meeting. This meeting will be held at the Memorial Hall and starting at 7.30pm. The Clerk reported further that she had already sent an email to all Members informing them of this meeting and she had also placed an advertisement in Llais Ardudwy and on the notice boards.
Opening of Grass Cutting Tenders
The Clerk reported that she had received 1 tender to carry out the above work from Mr. Meirion Griffith, Islwyn Talsarnau for £13.50 per hour to cut the grass on the public footpaths and the public cemetery. It was agreed to accept this tender. It was also agreed to accept the price of Mr. Gareth John Williams to cut the grass in the king George playing field grass and the football pitch again this year which is £62 for cutting the football field, £38 for cutting around the swings and £90 to cut the rest of the field. It was agreed to accept this tender.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Two storey extension to rear, addition of external chimney and repositioning of existing chimney stack, new dormer and first floor balcony on front elevation. Engineering works to create new parking bay and retaining wall – Aelfor, Ffordd Isaf, Harlech (NP5/61/657)
Support this application
Demolition of conservatory and erection of single storey side extension (Revised application) – Ynys y Niwl (Buckland), Hen Ffordd Llanfair, Harlech (NP5/61/548B)
Support this application
Alterations to widen existing vehicular access by 1.3metres – Eryl Y Môr, Heol Y Bryn, Harlech (NP5/61/659)
Support this application.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer reported that there was £66,860.90 in the current account and £31,186.32 in the reserve account.
Invoices needing payment since last meeting
Mrs Annwen Hughes – £1,844.55 – wages and costs for 6 months
Gwynedd Council – £1,500.00 – put up and take down christmas lights
Mr. G. J. Williams – £56.00 – rolling football pitch
Travis Perkins – £109.20 – flushpipe for toilets by Memorial Hall
Monies received since last meeting
Pritchard & Griffiths – £1,726.50 – burial of the late Mr. Norman John Povey
Customs & Excise – £2,111.60 – reimbursement of V.A.T
Applications for financial assistance
Ysgol Ardudwy – £5,000
Friends of Tanycastell School – £3,000
Memorial Hall Committee – £1,000
Ysgol Hafod Lon – £1,000
Meirionnydd YFC – £250
Wales Air Ambulance – £1,000
Old Library Committee – £1,000
The Treasurer reported further that she had asked Ms Luned Fon Jones from the Finance Department, Gwynedd Council if she would be willing to act as the Council’s Interal Auditor again this year and that she had agreed to this.
746………………………………………..Chairman
CORRESPONDANCE
Gwynedd Council – Highways Department
Received a letter from the above department informing the Council that the Our Area Tidying Up Team will be visiting the area from the 27th until the 31st of this month
Gwynedd Council – Legal Department
Received a letter stating that the high street road opposite Byrdir will be closed on the 21st of this month so that restoration of a leaking communication pipe on behalf of Welsh Water can be carried out. The Clerk reported that she had already sent a copy of this letter to Members.
Gwynedd Council – Environment Department
Received a letter from the above with regard to charging points for electric vehicles and asking if there were opportunities to attract grant money in the future for installing additional charging points on land under the Community Council’s responsibility or the local community they would be very grateful if the Community Council could nominate these. It was agreed to give them the name of Harlech & Ardudwy Leisure.
Ms Rachel Heal
Received a letter from the above who is a parent of a child who is attending Ysgol Hafod Lon asking if the Council would be willing to provide a financial contribution towards buying a special bike for children at Ysgol Hafod Lon, Penrhyndeudraeth. It was agreed to donate £1,000.
Ms Lydia Pierce
Received an email from the above asking if the Council would consider re-painting the lines of the tennis court near the band room. She also stated that there is currently a company re-painting the golf car park lines and she has asked them if they will be willing to do the tennis court lines and they have stated that they are willing to do this at the price of £200. After a discussion it was agreed not to take up this proposal because tidying up work needs to be done on the tennis court and there isn’t enough time at the moment to do this work. It was agreed to tidy up and paint the lines by the summer and put this issue on next month’s agenda.
ANY OTHER MATTER
Cllr. Huw Jones said work is currently being carried out in the toilets near the Memorial Hall and he hopes they will be re-opened by easter.
Concern was declared that rubbish was coming up from the ditches around Ysgol Ardudwy during wet weather and the Clerk agreed to have a word with the Headteacher about this.
SIGNED……………………………………….Chairman
DATE……………………………………………… 747.