Loading
The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held 11-03-2024 be approved.
RESOLVED that the club re-apply for the grant in the new football season when it is confirmed if they are back playing at the field. County Cllr Symonds will also reach out to the club to inform them of other grants that they can also apply for. Cllr Jago left the meeting.
RESOLVED that the appointment letter to the internal auditor be approved at a cost of £400.
RESOLVED that the purchase of ‘Decisions’ Agenda and Meeting Management Software be approved at a cost of £495.
RESOLVED that there are no objections to planning aplication P/24/0075.
RESOLVED that the payments and receipts for the period 08-03-2024 to 30-03-2024 be approved.
RESOLVED that the budget report for FY23-24 be noted.
RESOLVED that the Bank Reconciliation Dated 31-03-2024 be approved.
RESOLVED that the balance sheet for FY2023-24 be approved.
Apologies were received from Cllr Searl.
There were none.
A resident asked if the agenda item ‘To Receive Representations/Questions from the Public’ could be moved to the end of the meeting. The Clerk explained that this is a standard agenda item at Council meetings at the start, so that Community Councillors can take into consideration any public/press questions, representations or evidence when making decisions on agenda items. A resident asked if Council meetings will be held in person going forward. The Clerk explained that technlogy for hybrid meetings needs to be put in place as we have a legal requirement to allow any Cllr or member of the public/press to join public meetings remotely. The Council is applying for a grant to cover the cost of this so not to have to utilise any other budget which can be spent in the community and/or raise the precept to cover the cost. A resident congratulated the Community Council on the recent Environmental Award from One Voice Wales, and stated they would like to know more about what the award was for. This will be discussed at agenda item 591. A resident asked if the HR Committee and Events Committee meeting minutes will be published. The Clerk explained that these would be published, however, if the HR Committee is to discuss staff then this will not be published in the public domain. A resident commented on agenda item 586 confirming that they were pleased that there was no increase to the precept this financial year, and that no increases are always welcome.
The Police sent an email report covering the crime and ASB figures for Bedlinog and Trelewis, for the period 01/03/24 to 04/04/24. The Clerk confirmed that Cllrs Searl and Preston had a meeting with the Police on 13/03/24 to discuss attendance at meetings. It was suggested changing the day of Council metings after May, to the second Wednesday of every month, which will fall on the Police shift days. The Clerk will discuss the change of day with Cllrs. Cllr Dawson’s report from attending the last PACT meeting has also been shared with Cllrs and published on the website. Cllr Dawson commented that the PACT meeting was a very useful meeting. Feedback from the PCSO is that man-power is low. Cllr Preston said that she raised at the meeting to alternate the PACT meetings between Trelewis and Bedlinog. Also, that the Police should pop into the Warm Hub, and they could make themselves known as there is good attendance at the hub. To date, the Police have not attended. Cllr Jago stated that the Police have also had an invitation to attend the Youth Club on a Thursday evening, but there has not been attendance to date. Ryan write to them and warm hub and youth club invites should be made. It was stated that one of the PCSO’s left beginning at the beginning of April and is not going to be replaced, the other PCSO is leaving in September to join the Police and one PC will be left covering Treharris, Trelewis and Bedlinog. There will be no more recruitment for PCSO’s and this is a borough wide issue. We will be down to 2 PCs and 4 PCSO’s for Merthyr. County Cllr Symonds is having a meeting with the Police I the coming weeks to discuss the limited resources in the Borough. Cllr Jago commented that she is disappointed to hear about the reduced resource, especially when there has been an increase on the precept for the Police and Crime Commissioner. Cllr Thomas said that the precept is a small part of their funding and the majority should be coming from the Government. Cllr Preston commented that we are paying more towards the Police but we seem to be getting less of a service. It was suggested that the Clerk write to County Cllr Symonds with the concerns raised on behalf of the Community Council, to be presented at the forthcoming meeting, and County Cllr Symonds stated she would be happy to receive and raise these concerns.
Cllr Searl sent his thanks to Cllr Dawson for submitting the application about the Environmental work completed at Parc Nant Llwynog via grant funding from the Community Council. We were also commended for the allotment improvement work across Bedlinog and Trelewis – increasing the number of allotment beds for community growing significantly over the last year, and creating new allotment plots. The MP and MS for Merthyr Tydfil will also be informed of the award and we will update residents in the forthcoming newsletter as well as contacting the local press.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held 11-03-2024 be approved.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held 11-03-2024 be approved.
Item 565 – Cllr Dawson stated that a meeting will be held 09/04/24 to discuss the path issues at Nant Llwynog Park. Item 565 – a response was received from TfW about the works at Club Row Bridge. They advised that repair works will be carried out in early May with closure of the bridge on the 3rd, 4th and 5th May. We have been informed that issues have been raised regarding the closure of the bridge and the alternative route suggested by TfW, so discussions are taking place with MTCBC and we will be updated once dates are confirmed between both parties. Item 576 – this will be picked up under agenda item 594. Item 577 – the update has been made to the Grant Request Form in terms of how the grant from the Community Council will be publicised, and the updated form has been published on our website.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the club re-apply for the grant in the new football season when it is confirmed if they are back playing at the field. County Cllr Symonds will also reach out to the club to inform them of other grants that they can also apply for. Cllr Jago left the meeting.
At the last meeting, it was agreed that the grant application from Bedlinog AFC be deferred to this meeting, pending further information about the future of the club. The club has advised that the Bedlinog Football Club has no intention of folding and are thriving as a club in the Taff Ely Rhymney Valley League. They hope is that they return to their home pitch next season, and they are in the process of working with MTCBC to obtain a lease for the changing rooms at Nant Llwynog Parc to take on full responsibility and management of them. The grant request, if successful, will be used towards the cost of maintaining the Bedlinog home pitch in readiness for next season. A discussion took place between Cllrs regaridng the grant application. RESOLVED that the club re-apply for the grant in the new football season when it is confirmed if they are back playing at the field. County Cllr Symonds will also reach out to the club to inform them of other grants that they can also apply for. Cllr Jago left the meeting.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the appointment letter to the internal auditor be approved at a cost of £400.
Three quotes have been obtained of £400, £850, and £1200 for completion of the internal audit. RESOLVED that the appointment letter to the internal auditor be approved at a cost of £400.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the purchase of ‘Decisions’ Agenda and Meeting Management Software be approved at a cost of £495.
RESOLVED that the purchase of ‘Decisions’ Agenda and Meeting Management Software be approved at a cost of £495.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that there are no objections to planning aplication P/24/0075.
We have been made aware of application P/24/0075 today – Construction of garage at land adjacent to The Funeral Home, Park Terrace, High Street, Trelewis. The consultation period of 21 days will end before the next Council meeting so Councillors can make observations at this meeting, and should any be contacted by residents within 21 days, Councillors can inform the Clerk to send these to the Planning Department. RESOLVED that there are no objections to planning aplication P/24/0075.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the payments and receipts for the period 08-03-2024 to 30-03-2024 be approved.
RESOLVED that the payments and receipts for the period 08-03-2024 to 30-03-2024 be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the budget report for FY23-24 be noted.
The Clerk talked Cllrs through the budget report for financial year 23-24. Cllr Brown asked about the cost of running Bedlinog Community Centre on an annual basis. It was agreed for this to be added to the next agenda item for a further discussion. RESOLVED that the budget report for FY23-24 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the Bank Reconciliation Dated 31-03-2024 be approved.
RESOLVED that the Bank Reconciliation Dated 31-03-2024 be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the balance sheet for FY2023-24 be approved.
RESOLVED that the balance sheet for FY2023-24 be approved.
Cllr Preston reported the parking issues at Bedlinog on 07/04/24 during the home game that was taking place. Only nine cars were parked in the Community Centre car park. The Clerk will make an additional report on behalf of the Community Council Cllr Brown raised the rubbish outside Trelewis Post Office. Cllr Frayne also said that this is an issue in Bedlinog. During the inclement weather, rubbish outside is being blown through the streets. The Clerk will contact the Director of Neighbourhood Services for an update on the Enforcement Officers appointments.
Cllr Thomas advised that the main topic at the last meeting was in relation to Aberfan Community Centre. The decision was that the Council will continue discussions with MTLT to ensure that a leisure and library service will continue after the termination of the existing agreement. There will be a further report presented to Council as soon as possible. County Cllr Symonds added that it has been incredibly difficult and challenging when there is a lack of communication from Wellbeing Merthyr. All Cllrs are aligned that services should continue, and jobs should be protected. A pothole audit was carried out between the main route of Bedlinog and Trelewis – 15 pot-holes reported in total and requests were also made with the cleansing teams. Two community litter picks took place - Trelewis went well and there were a number of volunteers, but for Bedlinog, there was just Cllr Symonds and her husband. A number of bags were filled with litter. County Cllr Symonds joined Nant Llwynog for their Easter event. Information has also been cascaded on local grants that are available for local groups, and there has been community interest in these. Over the last month there have been issues dealt with in relation to social services, housing, abandoned cars, ASB and food bank referrals. In relation to parking on rugby home days – the Rugby Club have put out messages to teams about alternative places to work. Representations have been made to the health board to use the Doctor’s Surgery car park but there are insurance issues the health board have concerns about. In terms of litter outside business properties, Keep Wales Tidy will be supporting the businesses in the area and we should see an improvement shortly. An update on planning applications. The application for stables in Stormtown was refused. The change of use for outdoor skips near at Taf Bargoed Development Trust was refused. The HMO in Stormtown is being heard on 10/04/24 at Planning Committee.
The update on the One Voice Wales Conference has been shared with Cllrs. We have received confirmation to proceed with the allotment improvement work for the next financial year. Works to be completed over the forthcoming year include rendering of shed that we built at Bedlinog Allotments a couple of years ago for added protection and prevent damp within the shed. Fencing at the new allotment site in Manor View, Trelewis, as well as storage shed for plot holders. Raised planters at Parc Nant Llwynog for further increase of biodiversity. Enquiries were made at the last PACT meeting about whether the Community Council could fund a dog bin at the South End of Trelewis in the area from the Cenotaph South to the Nelson Boundary. The clerk has responded to say that we need permission from MTCBC to install a bin in the area and that they will add it to their collection route, this can then be considered at a Community council meeting. A resident has also queried with Cllr Colbran if a dog waste bin could be installed on the High Street in Bedlinog in the area between numbers 39 and 40 as this is the entrance of where most people walk their dogs, or possibly on the concrete island by the top bus stop where the defibrillator is. The resident was advised that the Community Council provide dog waste bins are provided by the Community Council rather than MTCBC – the Clerk has explained that Waste Services is the remit of MTCBC not the Community Council, but we have a power that allows us to consider supplying bins in the community if the County Council do not have funds for this. Again, we would need permission from MTCBC for installation and approval that they could add an additional bin to their collection route. An update from Welsh Water has been received today on works completed in Trelewis – this will be forwarded on to all Cllrs. MVH have invited the Community Council to the ‘Conversation Station’ event at Trelewis Community Centre on 24th April. An opportunity to share information with residents and complete paper versions of the consultation form and share the latest copy of the newsletter. The Clerk will contact Cllrs to check availability to attend.
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday 13th May. Cllr Preston advised that she would need to send apologies for the next meeting.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.