CYNGOR TREF ABERYSTWYTH TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL HELD IN THE MEETING ROOM

11 BAKER STREET, ABERYSTWYTH ON MONDAY 23^rd DECEMBER 2013 at 6.30pm.

 

Present:

Cllr Wendy Morris-Twiddy

Cllr Mererid Jones

Cllr Ceredig Davies

Cllr Steve Davies

Cllr Kevin Roy Price

Cllr Endaf Edwards

Cllr Alun Williams

Cllr Brian Davies

Cllr Lucy T. Huws

Cllr J. Aled Davies

Cllr Mark A. Strong

 

Apologies:               

Cllr Mair Benjamin

Cllr Dylan Lewis

Cllr Jeff Smith

Cllr Sue Jones-Davies

 

 

Minute  118 – Declarations of Interest.

None.

 

Minute  119 – Mayoral Activities.

Circulated to members.

 

Minute  120 – Minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 23^rd December 2013.

It was RESOLVED to accept and adopt the minutes of the above meeting.

Matters raised:

Minute 104 Planning Committee November 4^th 2013 incorrectly minuted as a General Purposes Meeting.

 

Matters arising from the minutes.

Cllr Steve Davies reported on a discussion with Ms Mercedes Mills who wished the Town Council to erect signs indicating the relationship between Aberystwyth and Esquel.

 

Minute  121 – Meeting of Planning Committee held on the 9^th of December 2013.

It was decided to accept and adopt the minutes of the above meeting with the following amendments.

CYNGOR TREF ABERYSTWYTH TOWN COUNCIL

 

11 BAKER STREET

ABERYSTWYTH

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE HELD IN THE MEETING ROOM, 11 BAKER STREET ABERYSTWYTH ON MONDAY 9^th DECEMBER 2013 AT 6.30PM

 

Present:

Councillor Steve Davies

Councillor Kevin Roy Price

Councillor Brenda Haines

Councillor Jeff Smith

Councillor Lucy T. Huws

Councillor Brian Davies

Councillor Ceredig Davies

Councillor Mark Strong

 

Apologies:

Councillor Mair Benjamin

Councillor Sue Jones-Davies

Councillor Endaf Edwards

Councillor Mererid Jones

Councillor Wendy Morris-Twiddy

Councillor Dylan Lewis

1. Planning Applications 

A130825 – Specsavers Opticians, 30 Great Darkgate Street. External air conditioning units to rear elevation at flat roof above ground floor.  NO OBJECTIONS

A130835LB – Retention of internal free standing cash paying in machine. NO OBJECTIONS.

A130845 – Change of use of former Methodist Church into a private storage and workshop facility. AGAINST.  The Town Council believes that it would be a loss of a community amenity by constructing what is a meeting place with appropriate facilities into a garage workshop. Residents have canvassed local members and expressed concerns over potential noise associated with workshop activities. Concerns over the use of private road.

A130502LB – Alterations and enlargement of existing flat on 54-56 Terrace Road.  APPROVAL SUBJECT TO RETENTION OF ALL HISTORICAL FEATURES.

A130447LB – Retention of concrete slab on Victoria Terrace.

Decision – NO OBJECTION but Town Council would want to safeguard the interest of residents along Crynfryn Row in the event that there was a proposal to develop the area within what was the Old Library.

2 .Consultation of Second Homes

Councillor Ceredig Davies and Alun Williams abstained from voting.

Town Council decided: -

Aberystwyth Town Council is very supportive of raising second homes levy in line with Ceredigion’s proposal. Local people find it very difficult to buy housing locally especially considering that the average incomes in Ceredigion are low in a UK context. We feel that raising the tax on second homes would reduce the effects of the economic inequality and increase the availability and affordability of houses to local people.

Cllr Endaf Edwards made reference to the fact that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on the 9^th December did not identify the properties associated with the relevant planning application number.

A130835LB Referred to HSBC Bank, Gt Darkgate Street.

A130845 Referred to Ty Cam, Methodist Chapel, Penparcau.

A130447LB Referred to Crynfryn Row and not Victoria Terrace.

Cllr Mark Strong stated that he had also abstained along with Cllr Ceredig Davies and Cllr Alun Williams on the matter of Second Homes consultation.

 

Minute 122 – Meeting of General Management Committee held on the 9^th December 2013.

It was RESOLVED to accept and adopt the minutes of the above meeting with the amendment that Cllr Brenda Haines name needed correcting with reference to Skateboard Park Report.

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT COMMITEE HELD IN THE MEETING ROOM, 11 BAKER STREET, ABERYSTWYTH ON MONDAY  9^th DECEMBER 2013 AT 7.00PM

Present:

Councillor Ceredig Wyn Davies

Councillor Kevin Roy Price

Councillor Wendy Morris-Twiddy

Councillor Jeff Smith

Councillor Mark Strong 

Councillor J. Aled Davies

Councillor Mererid Jones

Councillor Brian Davies

Councillor Steve Davies

Councillor Sarah Bowen

Councillor Lucy T. Huws

Councillor Alun Williams

Councillor Brenda Haines

 

Apologies:

Councillor Endaf Edwards

Councillor Sue Jones-Davies

Councillor Mair Benjamin

Councillor Dylan Lewis

 

1. Declarations of Interest

Councillor Aled Davies and Alun Williams declared an interest in item 6 – Bronglais Hospital.

 

1. Christmas Lights

1. It was noted that the turnout to the light switch on event was well supported. Menter Aberystwyth has a debrief meeting on Wednesday the 11^th of December. Any points to be raised to be e-mailed to Alun and Mark prior to the meeting. Need to review who are responsible for what next year.
2. Future Christmas liabilities

A vote of thanks was recorded to Tom Edwards for the emergency electrical work carried out in the final week. We need to ensure that the costs for next year are correctly budgeted.  Ceredigion are providing 10 breakout boxes for Llanbadarn Community Council – maybe as it is on a trunk road. It was RESOLVED to follow this up with Ceredigion County Council and the Road Trunk Agency.

 

1. Glass recycling

It was noted that the new facility provided is not being collected on a regular basis. It was noted that there is a lack of signage to explain how the bins can be used and who to contact if full. There are concerns that commercial business continue to use the facility. HPW did not have the capacity last week to do the planned collections and bins were full as a result.

It was RESOLVED to review where the bins are full and look for areas where other bins can be located. Fifth Avenue and Alexandra Hall were noted as two possible venues.  Aberystwyth Town Council to contact HPW.

 

1. Town Council furniture storage

Furniture is currently being stored in Ynyslas at a cost of £58 per week from September 2013. Councillors Mererid Jones and Kevin Price were tasked with finding out what was stored there are making a plan for everything to be moved by the end of January 2014.

 

1. Warm Neighbours/ Cymdogion Cynnes

Councillor Mererid Jones gave a presentation on Ceredigion County Council initiative to keep the elderly warm during the winter and to ensure nobody is isolated. There are good tips on how to minimise waste and packs were distributed to all councillors in attendance.

 

1. Bronglais Hospital

Councillor Alun Williams and Aled Davies declared an interest.

The item had been referred from the Full Council as a request to hold a further public meeting with Hywel Dda Health Trust to get an update on what is happening with the hospital.   It was RESOLVED to aim to organise the meeting in January, with chairing being provided jointly by Elin Jones AM and Mark Williams MP.  Need to contact Save Bronglais Group to get their involvement.  Update to be provided to the full council on the 23^rd of December 2013.

 

1. Report on new council accommodation 

No correspondence had been received from either solictors’ at this point.

 

1. Skateboard Park

The minutes of the meeting on the 27^th of November 2012 were circulated. It was clarified that Councillor Brenda Davies and Martin Shewring were not members of Skateboard Park Group, but were representatives on the Kronberg twinning committee.  The Skateboard Park Group is represented by Sue Jones-Davies and Mair Benjamin.

Concerns were raised that the current skateboard park is not being maintained and look after and who will be responsible for ongoing maintenance costs of the new park. It was RESOLVED that Councillor Aled Davies and Mererid Jones would be additional representatives on the group.  It was further RESOLVED that we need to have a detailed review at the end of Stage 1 (when planning has been approved).

 

1. Outstanding issues

Dates of meetings for 2014 were agreed and distributed

 

Cllr Ceredig Davies chair of GM reported his intention to ask Tom Edwards to attend a future GM meeting in order to report on the towns’ Christmas Light Infrastructure.

It was resolved to write to Aberystwyth Removals Ltd confirming that the Town Council was taking responsibility for the cost of storing furniture previously used in the Old Town Hall Chamber. There was a need to do this in order to be allowed access to the furniture.

Cllr Wendy Morris-Twiddy reported on the Town Council initiated public meeting that was to be held on the 10^th January 2014. Cllr Mererid Jones informed council that there would be publicity notices available within a day or so. Cllr Alun Williams and Cllr Aled Davies declared an interest in this matter and left the room.

 

Minute 123 – Meeting of the Finance Committee held on the 16^th December 2013.

It was resolved to accept and adopt the minutes of the above meeting.

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HELD IN THE MEETING ROOM, 11 BAKER STREET, ABERYSTWYTH ON MONDAY 16^th DECEMBER 2013 AT 6.30PM.

Present:

Councillor Mererid Jones

Councillor Wendy Morris-Twiddy

Councillor Dylan Lewis

Councillor Ceredig Davies

Councillor Kevin Roy Price

Councillor Endaf Edwards

Councillor Brenda Haines

Councillor Sue Jones Davies

Councillor Alun Williams

 

Apologies:

Councillor Brian Davies

 

1. Declarations of Interest.

    There were no declarations of interest.

 

2.  Correspondence.

      a. Does the council renew “Local Council Update” Resolved to unsubscribe for 12  

          months.

      b. £198.42 per quarterly invoice for internet access to be checked.

          Cost for plot of land at 5^th Avenue currently leased from Ceredigion County Council for 

          £300.00 per annum. Resolved to take to full council for discussion.

      c. Senior Citizens Dinner in Llety Park generated £404.00 income. £2000.00 allocated in 

          budget. Resolved to insert only one advert in the Cambrian News next year.

          Mayor’s raffle raised £150.00 for Aberystwyth and District Stroke Club.

          Recommend council to go out to tender for venue for the 2014 Senior Citizens Dinner.

      d. Received a Precept Application Arrangement from Ceredigion County Council which

          has to be completed and returned by 31^st January 2014.  

      e. Storage of Aberystwyth Town Council Furniture since 30^th September this year has 

          been the council’s responsibility. Need to contact Ceredigion County Council to gain 

          permission to access the storage container. The Mayor to draft a letter confirming 

          responsibility for the furniture and check the inventory with Mr Paul Arnold of CCC.

 

3.  Accounts for November.

        a. Cllr Brenda Haines invoices were for journeys whilst undertaking official duties.  

        b. Provisional Budget for 2014/15 discussed, but will require finalising following draft 

            presentation to Full Council on 23^rd December. The finance committee are currently

            recommending a 2% increase based on Band “D” properties. Cllr Alun Williams will

            update the Chair of Finance on Ceredigion’s  budget proposals.

        c. Aberystwyth Town Council may need to undertake additional responsibilities in the 

            next financial year to compensate for proposed cut-backs by Ceredigion County 

            Council.

 

 

        d. Allocated grants. A report and feedback on expenditure from all grant recipients 

            during 2013 is required. Applications for consideration for the next financial year 

            must be submitted to the council by April 2014.

        e. Street Furniture in Gt Darkgate Street was considered by the committee at the

            request of Cllr Brenda Haines.

        f.  A sub-committee selected by full council needs to be formed to prepare for 2014        

            Christmas arrangements.

        g. News letter on line – council web site. Cllr Kevin Price to view and investigate.

        h. CCC Night-Time Economy Team to be invited to deliver a presentation to full council.

 

4          It was resolved to approve all accounts for November.

            

 

Minute 124 – Planning Applications which are deemed time sensitive.

There were no Planning Applications to be considered.

 

Minute 125 – Correspondence.

Ceredigion County Council – Information on refuse collections over the Christmas Period.

Tracey Gilmartin-Ward – Revised model of Standing Orders.

Liza Rolbin, Half moon Inn,Llandysul – Requesting help to save Llandysul Swimming Pool. It was resolved to acknowledge the letter.

Rita Llwyd, Rheolwr Cynllun Gerddi Ffynnon. – Letter of appreciation for the Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch that had been held at Llety Parc.

Hywel Jones, Edgehill Road. – Requesting Town Council to nominate a councillor to sit on a group with the intention of organising a Brass Band Event in Aberystwyth. It was resolved to acknowledge Mr Jones’ letter and that Cllr Ceredig Davies would look into the matter.

Mr Brendon Summers – Letter requesting that the Town Council consider his request to be considered as a potential Town Council co-optee. Contents were noted and would be actioned following the closing date for such requests on the 31^st December 2013.

Ceredigion Night Time Economy – Letter notifying council that following the recent Purple-Flag week, £400.00 was to be donated to Friends of Bronglais.

Ben Sampson, Ceredigion Conservation Officer – Letter updating management plan for Pen Dinas and Tanybwlch.

Tai Ceredigion – Information on a charitable end to a busy year.

Ceredigion County Council, Katy Spain – Inviting Town Council to participate in Traffic Order Review, closing date Feb 14^th 2014.

Ceredigion County Council, Claire Jones – List of dates for Ethics and Standards Committee Meetings with an invitation for town councillors to apply for dispensation if they wished.

Hywel Dda Health Board – Letter from Mr Chris Martin stating that he would not be attending the public meeting on January 10^th 2014.

NatWest Bank – Notice of Banking Tariffs.

Kronberg – Wishing Aberystwyth Town Council compliments of the Season.

 

Minute 126 – Questions relating only to matters within the remit of the Town Council.

No questions were asked.

 

Minute 127 – Finance.

Payee	Details	Amount (£)
Anna Bullen	Consultancy regarding skateboard park	1,070.00
Cyngor Sir Ceredigion	Lease of land on Fifth Avenue	295.00
Vaughtons	Chair Repair	3,252.00
Afan Construction Ltd	Christmas Lights storage	312.00
Cyng Wendy Morris Twiddy	Mayor Christmas Card and gift to Elain	33.73
E Carl Williams	Wages November 2013	450.00
Cyngor Sir Caerfyrddin	Wages November 2013	5,303.84
Konica Minolta	Counter credit	87.88
Viking Direct	Black Toner	146.69
Llety Parc Aberystwyth	Senior Citizen Dinner x 120	2,400

Payments were approved

 

Minute 128 – Precept for 2014/15.

Recommendation from the Finance Committee that the precept for the forthcoming financial year should be raised by 2%.

Following a discussion during which time various views were expressed it was decided by a majority vote that the precept would be increased by 2%.

 

Minute 129 – County Councillors Reports.

Cllr Alun Williams drew attention to the new bus provision following the withdrawal of Arriva services. Cllr Williams also made reference to the impending Sir Paul Williams review of Local Government and the possible implications to Aberystwyth.

Cllr Ceredig Davies voiced his concerns that the police were not enforcing the 20 mph areas within the Aberystwyth Town Council area. It was a matter that he would bring up at the next Aberystwyth transport Management Meeting.

Cllr Mark Strong reported that the long standing issue with large refuse containers along Queens Road appeared to have been resolved.

 

Minute 130 – Report on Aberystwyth Railway Station Project by Cllr Jeff Smith.

A detailed and informative report was tabled by Cllr Jeff Smith following a meeting held by Network Rail at the “Morlan” on the 16^th December 2013. The report was accepted.

 

Minute 131 – Staffing Matters.

It was reported that both members of staff were currently on sick leave having presented the Town Council with the required medical certificates.