Aberystwyth Council

 

Cyngor Tref Aberystwyth Town Council

 

Cofnodion cyfarfod y Pwyllgor Rheolaeth Cyffredinol a gynhaliwyd o bell ac yn Siambr y Cyngor, 11 Stryd y Popty

Minutes of the General Management Committee meeting held remotely and at the Council Chambers, 11 Baker Street

 

  1. 7.2024

 

 

 

COFNODION / MINUTES

 

1

Presennol

 

Cyng. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands (Cadeirydd)

  1. Cyng. Mair Benjamin
  2. Cyng. Kerry Ferguson
  3. Cyng. Emlyn Jones
  4. Cyng. Talat Chaudhri
  5. Cyng. Gwion Jones
  6. Cyng. Lucy Huws
  7. Cyng. Brian Davies
  8. Cyng. Owain Hughes
  9. Cyng. Alun Williams
  10. Cyng. Maldwyn Pryse
  11. Cyng. Jeff Smith

 

Yn mynychu:

Cyng. Carl Worrall

Cyng. Shelley Childs (Cyngor Sir Ceredigion)

Will Rowlands (Clerc)

Steve Williams (Rheolwr Cyfleusterau ac Asedau)

Wendy Hughes (Swyddog Digwyddiadau a Phartneriaethau)

Carol Thomas (Cyfieithydd)

Chris Simpson (Gefeillio Aberystwyth a Kronberg)

 

Present

 

Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands (Chair)

Cllr. Mair Benjamin

Cllr. Kerry Ferguson

Cllr. Emlyn Jones

Cllr. Talat Chaudhri

Cllr. Gwion Jones

Cllr. Lucy Huws

Cllr. Brian Davies

Cllr. Owain Hughes

Cllr. Alun Williams

Cllr. Maldwyn Pryse

Cllr. Jeff Smith

 

In attendance:

Cllr. Carl Worrall

Cllr. Shelley Childs (Ceredigion County Council)

Will Rowlands (Clerk)

Steve Williams (Facilities & Assets Manager)

Wendy Hughes (Events & Partnerships Officer)

Carol Thomas (Translator)

Chris Simpson (Aberystwyth Kronberg Twinning)

 

 

2

Ymddiheuriadau ac absenoldeb

 

Yn absennol efo ymddiheuriadau:

Cyng. Mark Strong

 

Yn absennol heb ymddiheuriadau:

Dim

 

Apologies & asbsences

 

Absent with apologies:

Cllr. Mark Strong

 

Absent without apologies:

None

 

 

3

Datgan Diddordeb:

 

  1. Ymgynghoriad promenâd y de: Datganodd y Cyng. Alun Williams diddordeb fel aelod cabinet Cyngor Sir Ceredigion.

Declarations of interest:

 

  1. South promenade consultation: Cllr. Alun Williams declared an interest as a Ceredigion County Council cabinet member.

 

 

4

Cyfeiriadau personol:

 

  • Llongyfarchwyd Ben Lake ar gael ei ail-ethol yn Aelod Seneddol ar gyfer Ceredigion Preseli.
  • Roedd grŵp o ymwelwyr o gefeilldref Aberystwyth yn yr Almaen, Kronberg im Taunus wedi ymweld ag Aberystwyth dros y penwythnos. Ymhlith yr ymwelwyr roedd Mr Fritz Pratchke, a oedd wedi derbyn Rhyddid y Dref am ei waith yn adeiladu'r berthynas gefeillio.

Personal references:

 

  • Congratulations were extended to Ben Lake on being re-elected as Member of Parliament for Ceredigion Preseli.
  • A group of visitors from Aberystwyth’s twin town in Germany, Kronberg im Taunus had visited Aberystwyth over the weekend. Visitors included Mr Fritz Pratschke, who had received the Freedom of the Town for his work building the twinning relationship.

 

5

2027

2027

 

5.1

30 Mlwyddiant gefeillio Kronberg (1997-2027)

 

Anerchodd Chris Simpson, ysgrifennydd grŵp Gefeillio Kronberg Aberystwyth, y cyfarfod, gan egluro ei bod yn debygol na fyddai dathliad mawr yn Kronberg ar gyfer y pen-blwydd.

 

ARGYMHELLWYD cynnwys y dathliadau hyn fel rhan o ddathliadau ehangach gyda 750 mlynedd ers siarter Aberystwyth.

Kronberg twinning 30 year anniversary (1997-2027)

 

Chris Simpson, secretary of the Aberystwyth Kronberg Twinning group, addressed the meeting, explaining that there would likely not be a major celebration in Kronberg for the anniversary.

 

It was RECOMMENDED that these celebrations be included as part of wider celebrations with the 750 year anniversary of the Aberystwyth charter.

 

 

5.2

750 Mlwyddiant siarter Aberystwyth (1277-2027)

 

Nodwyd y byddai hon yn garreg filltir hanesyddol i'r dref, ac o'r herwydd byddai angen iddo fod yn ehangach na'r Cyngor Tref yn unig a chynnwys y gymuned ehangach, rhanddeiliaid a phartneriaid gefeillio.

 

ARGYMHELLWYD sefydlu gweithgor ‘galwad agored’ i ddechrau paratoadau ar gyfer y pen-blwydd, gan roi cyfle i’r gymuned a rhanddeiliaid gymryd rhan.

 

Gadawodd Chris Simpson y cyfarfod.

Aberystwyth charter 750 year anniversary (1277-2027)

 

It was noted that this would be an historic milestone for the town, and as such would need to be wider than just the Town Council and include the wider community, stakeholders and twinning partners.

 

It was RECOMMENDED to set up an ‘open-call’ working group to begin preparations for the anniversary, giving an opportunity for the community and stakeholders to be involved.

 

Chris Simpson left the meeting.

 

6

Chwynnu strydoedd

Street weeding

 

6.1

Rôl y Cyngor Tref

 

Nodwyd bod Cyngor Sir Ceredigion wedi rhoi’r gorau i chwynnu trefi ar draws Ceredigion, gan gynnwys Aberystwyth. Ni dderbyniwyd unrhyw hysbysiad ymlaen llaw ynglŷn â hyn, gan nad oedd Cyngor Sir Ceredigion wedi hysbysu unrhyw randdeiliaid.

 

Tra nad oedd yn gyfrifoldeb y Cyngor Tref, cydnabuwyd bod angen chwynnu o fewn y dref a bod yn rhaid gwneud rhywbeth. Nodwyd bod cymhorthydd amgylcheddol y Cyngor Tref eisoes yn chwynnu fel rhan o’i ddyletswyddau, ond byddai’r Pwyllgor Cyllid yn ystyried opsiynau a chostau ar gyfer y ffordd ymlaen.

 

ARGYMHELLWYD ysgrifennu at Gyngor Sir Ceredigion yn mynegi siom ynghylch y diffyg cyfathrebu a'r modd yr ymdriniwyd â'r mater hwn. Nodwyd y byddai angen i'r llythyr hwn fod yn adeiladol, nid yn gŵyn yn unig.

The Town Council’s role

 

It was noted that Ceredigion County Council had stopped weeding towns across Ceredigion, including Aberystwyth. No prior notification had been received regarding this, as Ceredigion County Council had not informed any stakeholders.

 

Whilst it was not the responsibility of the Town Council, it was recognised that weeding within the town was necessary and something must be done. It was noted that the Town Council’s environmental assistant already weeds as part of his duties, but the Finance Committee would consider options and costs of a way forward.

 

It was RECOMMENDED to write to Ceredigion County Council expressing disappointment with the lack of communication and manner that this matter had been handled. It was noted that this letter would need to be constructive, not just a complaint.

 

Agenda Cyllid

Finance Agenda

6.2

Ystyriaethau amgylcheddol

 

Pe bai'r Cyngor Tref yn cymryd mwy o rôl i chwynnu'r dref, nodwyd y byddai angen rhoi ystyriaeth ddigonol i effaith amgylcheddol hyn. Cynghorodd grwpiau fel Grŵp Aberystwyth Gwyrddach yn erbyn defnyddio plaladdwyr neu chwynladdwyr a all fod yn niweidiol i fywyd gwyllt neu’r amgylchedd, ac roedd yn well ganddynt dynnu chwyn â llaw er bod hyn yn debygol o fod â mwy o gostau oherwydd y gweithlu sydd ei angen a gwaredu chwyn wedi’i dynnu. I'w ystyried fel rhan o ystyriaeth y Pwyllgor Cyllid o'r opsiynau a'r costau.

Environmental considerations

 

It was noted that if the Town Council was to take on a greater role in weeding the town, that adequate consideration would need to be given to the environmental impact of this. Groups such as the Greener Aberystwyth Group advised against using pesticides or herbicides that can be harmful to wildlife or the environment, and preferred manual pulling of weeds although this was likely to have greater costs due to the manpower needed and the disposal of pulled weeds. To be considered as part of Finance Committee consideration of options and costs.

Agenda Cyllid

Finance Agenda

7

Ymgynghoriad promenâd y De

 

Ni chymerodd Cyng. Alun Williams ran yn y trafodaethau ac ymatalodd rhag pleidleisio.

 

ARGYMHELLWYD codi cwyn ffurfiol drwy Ombwdsmon Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus Cymru ynghylch safon wael ac annigonolrwydd ymgynghoriad Cyngor Sir Ceredigion ar ei gynigion ar gyfer promenâd y De.

South promenade consultation

 

Cllr. Alun Williams did not participate in discussions and abstained from voting.

 

It was RECOMMENDED to raise a formal complaint through the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales regarding the poor standard and insufficiency of Ceredigion County Council’s consultation on its proposals for South promenade traffic regulation chages.

 

8

Grŵp Aberystwyth Gwyrddach – Coedlan Plascrug

 

Roedd y grŵp wedi ysgrifennu at rai cynghorwyr yn gofyn i'r Cyngor Tref ariannu gosod bwrdd gwybodaeth yn Coedlan Plascrug i ddarparu gwybodaeth am fywyd gwyllt a ffawna'r safle. Roedd rhan o Brosiect Aber eisoes yn cynnwys cyllid ar gyfer byrddau gwybodaeth felly byddai hyn yn cael ei ymchwilio dan Brosiect Aber i ddechrau. Os nad oedd sgôp o fewn cyllideb Prosiect Aber, byddai'r costau'n cael eu hystyried gan y Pwyllgor Cyllid.

Greener Aberystwyth Group – Plascrug Avenue

 

The group had written to some councillors requesting the Town Council to fund installing an information board in Plascrug Avenue to provide information about the wildlife and fauna of the site. Part of Prosiect Aber already included funding for information boards so this would be investigated under Prosiect Aber initially. If there was no scope within the Prosiect Aber budget, costs would be considered by the Finance Committee.

 

 

9

Safon peintio meinciau’r promenâd

 

Nodwyd bod ansawdd paentio'r meinciau ar hyd y promenâd, yn enwedig promenâd y De, yn wael iawn. Roedd meinciau wedi'u peintio â pharatoi annigonol, sy'n golygu bod paent eisoes yn plicio ac mewn rhai achosion roedd baw adar hyd yn oed wedi'i baentio drosodd.

 

Roedd y meinciau hyn yn eiddo i Gyngor Sir Ceredigion a nhw oedd yn gyfrifol am eu cynnal. ARGYMHELLWYD ysgrifennu at Gyngor Sir Ceredigion yn mynegi siom gydag ansawdd y gwaith ac yn gofyn iddo gael ei gywiro. Awgrymwyd hefyd bod pob Cynghorydd yn ysgrifennu i mewn ar y mater hwn yn unigol.

Quality of painting of promenade benches

 

It was noted that the quality of painting the benches along the promenade, particularly South promenade, was very poor. Benches had been painted with inadequate preparation, meaning paint was already peeling and in some case bird droppings had even been painted over.

 

These benches were owned by Ceredigion County Council and they were responsible for their upkeep. It was RECOMMENDED to write to Ceredigion County Council expressing disappointment with the quality of the work and requesting it to be rectified. It was also suggested that Councillors each write in regarding this matter individually.

 

 

10

Adroddiad blynyddol 2023-24

 

ARGYMHELLWYD drafftio Adroddiad Blynyddol newydd, yn seiliedig ar benawdau y gyllideb er mwyn caniatáu gosodiad a darlleniad symlach. Roedd y ffocws allweddol a awgrymwyd yn cynnwys gwaith y Cyngor Tref yn y meysydd canlynol:

  • Digwyddiadau
  • Golygfa strydoedd
  • Prosiectau grant llwyddiannus
  • Neuadd Gwenfrewi
  • Prosiect Aber

 

Byddai adroddiad newydd yn cael ei ddrafftio gan staff dros fis Awst.

Annual report 2023-24

 

It was RECOMMENDED that a new Annual Report be drafted, based on budget headings to allow a simplified layout and reading. Key focuses suggested included the Town Council’s work in the following areas:

  • Events
  • Street scene
  • Successful grant projects
  • Neuadd Gwenfrewi
  • Prosiect Aber

 

A new report would be drafted by staff over August.

 

11

Newidiadau i amserlenni trenau

 

Roedd llythyr drafft i Trafnidiaeth Cymru wedi'i baratoi gan y Cyng. Jeff Smith, yn mynegi anghytundeb â lleihau gwasanaethau trên i bob dwy awr. ARGYMHELLWYD cymeradwyo'r llythyr hwn, ynghyd ag ychwanegiad ynghylch y diffyg cyhoeddiadau dwyieithog ar reilffordd y Cambrian; mae gwasanaethau trên eraill ledled Cymru yn darparu cyhoeddiadau dwyieithog, gan gynnwys Caerdydd i Gaergybi, y mae’r mwyafrif yn mynd trwy Loegr.

Changes to train timetables

 

A draft letter to Transport for Wales had been prepared by Cllr. Jeff Smith, expressing disagreement with the reduction of train services to two-hourly. It was RECOMMENDED to approve this letter, with an addition regarding the lack of bilingual announcements on the Cambrian line; other train services across Wales provided bilingual annoucements, including Cardiff to Holyhead, the majority of which goes through England.

 

 

12

Gardd goffa rhoddwr organau Penparcau – biniau (Cyng. Carl Worrall)

 

Roedd y bin gwastraff yn yr ardd goffa ar gornel Heol y Wern a Ffordd Penparcau yn cael ei wasanaethu ar hyn o bryd gan wirfoddolwyr nad oeddent bellach yn gallu parhau. Roedd y Cyng. Carl Worrall eisoes wedi gofyn i Gyngor Sir Ceredigion fabwysiadu'r bin hwn, a oedd wedi'i wrthod, ac felly roedd yn gofyn i'r Cyngor Tref ei ystyried.

 

Roedd cefnogaeth i hyn mewn egwyddor a byddai'r costau'n cael eu hystyried gan y Pwyllgor Cyllid.

Penparcau organ donor memorial garden – bins (Cllr. Carl Worrall)

 

The waste bin in the memorial garden on the corner of Heol y Wern and Penparcau Road was currently being serviced by volunteers who were no longer able to continue. Cllr. Carl Worrall had already requested Ceredigion County Council to adopt this bin, which had been refused, and so was requesting the Town Council consider it.

 

There was support for this in principle and costs would be considered by the Finance Committee.

 

Agenda Cyllid

Finance Agenda

13

Top y dre – Neuadd y Farchnad (Cyng. Mair Benjamin)

Top of town – Market Hall (Cllr. Mair Benjamin)

 

13.1

Mynediad a pharcio

 

Cynigiwyd bod y Cyngor Tref yn ymchwilio i'r ardal y tu allan i Neuadd y Farchnad a'r sefyllfa barcio yno. Deallwyd bod yr ardal wedi'i pedestreiddio a pharcio ddim yn cael ei ganiatáu, ond mae hyn yn anorfodadwy oherwydd natur y cyfyngiad parcio mewn rhyw ffordd.

 

Cyng. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands a'r clerc i gwrdd â masnachwyr Neuadd y Farchnad i ddeall y sefyllfa yn well.

Access & parking

 

It was proposed that the Town Council investigate the area outside of the Market Hall and the parking situation there. It was understood that the area was pedestrianised and parking not permitted, but this unenforceable due to the nature of the parking restriction in some way.

 

Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands and the clerk to meet with Market Hall traders to better understand the situation. 

 

13.2

Arwyddion

 

Cynigiwyd bod y Cyngor Tref yn ymchwilio i ariannu baner newydd ar ben y Stryd Fawr i arwain pobl tuag at Neuadd y Farchnad, fel y bu rhai blynyddoedd yn ôl.

 

Cefnogwyd hyn mewn egwyddor, er yr awgrymwyd y dylai hyn gael cwmpas ehangach na hyrwyddo Neuadd y Farchnad yn unig, ac y dylai hyrwyddo'r Hen Dref yn ei chyfanrwydd. Awgrymwyd hefyd efallai y gellid defnyddio arwydd metel mwy parhaol o ansawdd yn lle baner.

 

Opsiynau a chostau ar gyfer baner ac arwydd mwy addurnol i'w hystyried gan y Pwyllgor Cyllid.

 

Gadawodd y Cyng. Carl Worrall y cyfarfod.

Signage

 

It was proposed that the Town Council investigate funding a new banner at the top of Great Darkgate Street to lead people towards the Market Hall, as there had previously been some years ago.

 

This was supported in principle, although it was suggested that this should have wider scope than just promoting the Market Hall, and should promote the Old Town as a whole. It was also suggested that perhaps a more permanent, quality metal sign could be used instead of a banner.

 

Options and costs for a banner and for a more ornate sign to be considered by the Finance Committee.

 

Cllr. Carl Worrall left the meeting.

Agenda Cyllid

Finance Agenda

13.3

Blodau a phlanwyr

 

Cynigiwyd bod y Cyngor Tref yn prynu dau plannwr blodau ar gyfer y tu allan i fynedfa Neuadd y Farchnad. Roedd pryder y byddai hyn yn rhoi ffafriaeth i fasnachwyr Neuadd y Farchnad dros fusnesau eraill ac ARGYMHELLWYD ystyried hyn fel rhan o gynllun blodau tref eang gyda phlanhigion yn cael eu darparu mewn mannau eraill hefyd. Byddai staff yn paratoi cynllun ac yn darparu costau i'r Cyngor Llawn.

Flowers & planters

 

It was proposed the Town Council purchase two flower planters for outside the entrance to the Market Hall. There was concern that this would be giving favour to Market Hall traders over other businesses and it was instead RECOMMENDED that this be considered as part of a wide town flowers scheme with planters provided elsewhere too. Staff would prepare a scheme and provide with costings to Full Council.

Agenda Cyngor Llawn

Full Council Agenda

14

Gohebiaeth

Correspondence

 

 

14.1

Cerflun Americanaidd Brodorol Ffordd y Môr: Roedd Cyng. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands wedi siarad â'r achwynydd ac roedd y mater wedi'i ddatrys; roedd y siopwyr bellach yn cadw'r cerflun y tu mewn. Roedd yr achwynydd, Dr Guillaume Candela, wedi cynnig hyfforddiant ar hanes Brodorol America a gwrth-hiliaeth i'r Cyngor.

Native American statue Terrace Road: Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands had spoken to the complainant and the issue had been resolved; the shopkeepers were now keeping the statue inside. The complainant, Dr Guillaume Candela, had offered training in Native American history and anti-racism to the Council.

 

14.2

Diwrnod agored rhandiroedd: Cynhaliwyd diwrnod agored ddydd Sul 7 Gorffennaf ac roedd yn llwyddiant ysgubol, gyda 96 yn bresennol a thros £500 wedi’i godi ar gyfer elusennau’r Cynllun Gerddi Cenedlaethol.

Allotments open day: An open day was held on Sunday 7 July and was a great success, with 96 attendees and over £500 raised for National Garden Scheme charities.

 

14.3

Tân rhandiroedd: Roedd tân wedi cychwyn yn rhandiroedd Coedlan Pump ar nos Sul 7 Gorffennaf. Ychydig iawn o ddifrod a wnaed i'r safle, er bod y sied ar plot 17B a'i chynnwys wedi'u dinistrio. Roedd tudalen ariannu torfol wedi'i sefydlu i helpu tenantiaid 17B i brynu sied ac offer newydd, a oedd eisoes wedi codi dros £450.

Allotments fire: A fire had started at the Fifth Avenue allotments on the evening of Sunday 7 July. Damage to the site was minimal, although the shed on plot 17B and its contents had been destroyed. A crowdfunding page had been set up to help the tenants of 17B purchase a new shed and tools, which had already raised over £450.

 

14.4

Gŵyl Archeoleg Pendinas: Gŵyl i’w chynnal ddydd Sadwrn 27 Gorffennaf fel diweddglo i brosiect archaeolegol bryngaer Pendias.

Pendinas Archaeology Festival: Festival to be held on Saturday 27 July as a finale to the Pendinas hillfort archaeological project.

 

14.5

Cyfethol: Ni ofynnwyd am is-etholiad ar gyfer y ddwy sedd wag ar y Cyngor Tref (wardiau Rheidol a Chanolog), felly byddai cyfetholiad i lenwi'r seddau gweigion hyn.

Co-option: A by-election had not been requested for the two vacant seats on the Town Council (Rheidol and Central wards), therefore there would be a co-option to fill these vacancies.

 

14.6

Gŵyl serameg ryngwladol: Cais i gefnogi gŵyl ym mis Mehefin 2025. I'w gyfeirio at Grantiau Cymunedol ar gyfer 2025-26.

International ceramics festival: Request to support festival in June 2025. To be referred to Community Grants for 2025-26.