GARW VALLEY COUNCIL CYNGOR CYMUNED CWM GARW

Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held at the Bettws Life Centre Monday 17th March 2014

Members Present:- Councillor T M Jenkins (Chairperson) Councillors: C G Andrews; G Davies; D T Griffiths; Mrs D Griffiths; H Griffiths; W J Hillier; F Hughes; M Jones; S Maclaren and M Thomas.

Police: PCSOs M Rees and D Hamilton.

The meeting commenced at 7.00pm and was chaired by Councillor T M Jenkins.

No. Minute

144/14 Apologies for Absence The Members resolved to note the apology received from Cllr G Walters

145/14 Declarations of Interest Cllrs M Thomas and M Jones – all BCBC matters Cllr D Griffiths – all GVAA matters Cllr S Maclaren – all Social Services matters

146/14 Presentation from the Garw Valley Youth Club

Two Youth Leaders and several of the Club Members attended and highlighted to the Council that the Youth Club is closing at the end of March after many years due to the withdrawal of funding by BCBC. The Leaders/children discussed the activities that take place and the benefits of the Club. The Councillors discussed the situation after the Leaders and children had left the meeting.

Resolution 1: the Youth Leaders need to contact BAVO to find out what support is available to them. Resolution 2: the Community Council is willing to meet the cost of hiring the Leisure Centre up to the value of £600 as a short term measure. The Council is willing to meet again with the Youth Club in a few months to assess their situation at that point.

147/14 Presentation from the Garw Valley First Responders

Mr Graham Pound and Mr Don Sage attended and gave a presentation about the work of the First Responders and their expanding role in the community. The team are now offering the “Heart Start Scheme” training to the community and are also offering support to the Ambulance Service based in . To date this year, the team have responded to 25 Code Red calls. The First Responders team requested a donation from the Community Council for the purchase of a fully-guaranteed refurbished second-hand defibrillator. Resolved: that the Council in accordance with its powers under s137 LGA 1972 should incur the expenditure of £600 to cover the cost of the defibrillator, which, in the opinion of

Page 1 of 6 the Council, is in the interests of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure

148/14 Police Matters PCSOs Rees and Hamilton attended and gave the Police statistics for the four wards - available on request from the Clerk. The Cllrs raised their strong concerns about the increase in crimes in the area and the fact that what was once anti-social behaviour is now turning into crime. Cllr G Davies highlighted that the Calfaria Chapel, has never been broken into before and now twice in March and requested to know why. Cllr M Jones voiced his concern over the damage being caused to the Flying Start building in Bettws Primary School and enquired whether Scenes of Crimes Officers had attended the Chapel or School. The Members requested feedback on these crimes at the next Full Council Meeting on 14/4/14. Cllr M Jones requested that PCSO Rees arranges for his Sergeant to give him a ring to discuss the latest crimes. Resolved: the Clerk is to write a letter to the Inspector to highlight the Council’s urgent concerns about the increasing crime levels in the valley and that what was once anti-social behaviour is now turning into crime. The Clerk is also to request that more meaningful information is presented to the Council by the Police so that not only the incident is reported but more importantly the Police actions that have been taken and any results obtained.

149/14 Minutes of the February 2014 Full Council Meeting Resolved: that the Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 17th February 2014 are a true record

150/14 Matters arising from the February 2014 Minutes None

151/14 Minutes of the Christmas Lighting Meeting Resolved: that the Minutes of the Christmas Lighting Meeting held on 24th February 2014 are a true record

152/14 Clerk’s Report

1. Pontycymmer Steps – work is progressing well on the steps. The first run of concrete and steel went in on Friday 7th March. The builder is hoping to complete the works by the end of March. The fencing will need to remain in place for about a fortnight after the steps are complete to allow the concrete to harden off. The Building Control Department at BCBC has given conditional approval to the steps. There are two additional requirements that were not part of the planning application. The first is a requirement to have nosing of permanently contrasting material 55mm wide on both tread and riser and the second is the requirement for a handrail on either side of the steps. There is an ongoing issue with a blocked drain in the corner of the car park which is resulting in rainwater running down the banking where the steps are being constructed. On 17th March, it was discovered that the pipework under the drain was broken and BCBC are going to repair it on 18th March. Hopefully this problem will be eradicated.

2. Fencing of Darren Fawr – this is nearing completion. The grant has been applied for.

Page 2 of 6

3. Re-planting of top plateau of Darren Fawr – this work started on 3rd March. The grant has been applied for.

4. Sale of timber from Darren Fawr – the Clerk is still waiting to hear back from Jeremy Liley on this.

5. Tree causing a danger to 4 Garw Fechan Road, Pontyrhyl – the resident of this property has contacted their Councillor about a dangerous branch from a tree on land adjoining her property overhanging the house. The Councillor has gone the Property Department at BCBC to trace the land-ownership which has drawn a blank. The land in question is not registered with the Land Registry. The Clerk has asked Jeremy Liley if he can trace the owner. He’s contacted NRW and the land in question is just outside of their ownership interest. He’s also found out that Dunraven Estates has no interest in it either. Until the resident can trace the land-owner, nothing further can be done. Cllr M Thomas thanked the Clerk for her assistance on this matter.

6. NRW Meeting re: Legal Forest Riders – a meeting was held on 12/3/14 but the representatives from NRW didn’t turn up as they got the time of the meeting confused. An informal discussion took place between the representatives of the Community Council, Borough Council, Angling Association and Police. Minutes of this informal meeting are available. The Clerk and Mr Harries, Senior Surveyor at BCBC have separately written to NRW outlining the Community and Borough Councils’ concerns. This matter will be progressed when a reply is received.

7. Missing ornamental metal barrier, Bettws Village Green – one of the bespoke 12 barriers has gone missing. The Clerk received a quotation of £297 to have a new one manufactured (plus £30 delivery). Resolved: the Council agreed unanimously to replace this barrier at a cost of £297 plus £30 delivery.

8. Extra area of land to be included in lease – in the October 2013 Full Council Meeting, the inclusion of the extra area of land be included into the existing lease with BCBC was discussed. BCBC have now said they are happy to include it on the basis the security of tenure is not offered. Resolved: the Council does not wish to pursue including this extra area of land into the lease.

153/14 Correspondence

1. One Voice – renewal of membership for 2014-15 for £918.00 Resolved: the Council unanimously agreed to renew the membership for 2014/15. 2. Animal Welfare Society – request for financial assistance Resolved: that the Council in accordance with its powers under s137 LGA 1972 should incur the expenditure of £25, which, in the opinion of the Council, is in the interests of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure 3. Clerk to BCBC – submitting the application to the Fund for Town and Community Council Projects for the brown MTB tourist signage scheme. BCBC have sent the Clerk the designed brown MTB tourism signage scheme.

Page 3 of 6

4. Clerk to BCBC (Rights of Way) – submitting the claim for £3,225.00 for the Public Rights of Way Agency Agreement. BCBC have acknowledged the claim and payment has been received. 5. Post Office – proposed move to new premises and branch modernisation in Bettws. Consultation document sent to all Bettws Members. 6. Maesteg Gleemen MVC – invitation for Chair and Consort to the finals of the Welsh Young Singer of the Year. The Chair has accepted this invitation. 7. Kidney Wales Foundation – thanking for the donation. 8. County Borough Citizens Advice Bureau – thanking for the donation. 9. Bridgend Carers Centre – thanking for the donation. 10. Teenage Cancer Trust – thanking for the donation. 11. Silver Band – thanking for the donation. 12. Marie Curie – thanking for the donation. 13. Clerk to Mr A Furley – thanking him for informing the Council of the motorbike rides in the Garw Forestry. 14. Mr ‘Dixie’ Dean – enquiring about the proposed plaque being placed on the house where ‘Calon Lan’ was written. The Clerk has made enquiries but has drawn a blank. 15. Cllr M Jones – informing that the damage street furniture in Bettws will be straightened and repaired by BCBC. However, BCBC will not replace the missing barrier by the Filling Station in Bettws. 16. Clerk to BCBC – chasing about the removal of graffiti in . This has now been done. 17. BCBC – Public Notice re: proposal to cease MLD provision at Blaengarw Primary School 18. BCBC – Public Notice re: proposal to amalgamate Betws and Tynyrheol Primary Schools. 19. Land Registry – requesting an update on the ongoing easement application. The Clerk is still waiting to hear back about her request for a site meeting. 20. OVW – enclosing training programme. 21. OVW – informing of consultation on Disposal of Local Authority Playing Fields Items 3 to 21 are noted. 22. OVW – informing of the repeal of s150 LGA1972 – requirement to have two Members’ signatures on cheques. Resolved: the requirement to have more than one person involved in a payment remains, therefore, there will be no change made to the existing rule by the Council 23. BAVO – enclosing the ‘Involve’ magazine 24. OVW – informing that the Police Crime Commissioner will be attending the next Area Committee meeting and asking if there are any questions. 25. BCBC – informing of a temporary road closure on Abergarw Road. 26. Kayleigh Irish Dance Group – thanking for donation 27. NSPCC – thanking for donation 28. The Bridge Mentoring Plus Scheme – thanking for donation 29. BCBC – update on the Town and Community Council website grant. The Clerk informed the Members that the costs incurred since April 2012 can be reclaimed. 30. BCBC – informing that the next T&CC Forum is on 8/4/14 and requesting any item for discussion by 25/3/14 31. BCBC – informing that the consultation on the relocation of YGG Cwm Garw is now closed 32. Mari Major – charity event on 22/3/14 33. Cllr M Jones – telephone scam warning Items 23 to 33 are noted

Page 4 of 6

154/14 Planning Matters

BETTWS

Applications None

Decisions None

LLANGEINOR

Applications P/14/163/FUL – application to demolish existing garage, rebuild new detached garage with pitched roof, incorporating a study within the roof space. Install outdoor swimming pool – no objections

Decisions P/13/893/FUL – permission granted for development of 2 dwelling housing from an extension to a private driveway at Waun Wen, Bettws Road, Llangeinor/

PONTYCYMMER

Applications None

Decisions P/14/15/FUL – permission granted for a first floor bedroom extension at 24 High Street

BLAENGARW

Applications P/13/789/DPN – application to demolish Mount Zion Chapel, King Edward Street – no objections

Decisions None

155/14 Youth Club Activities See Minute 146/14

156/14 Abolition of Standing 41(b) Resolved: The Clerk is to seek legal advice on this matter from One Voice Wales (OVW). If OVW agree that this requirement can be removed from the Standing Orders, the requirement will be abolished.

157/14 Replacement of metal barrier, Bettws See Minute 152/14 (7)

158/14 Legal Forest Riders See Minute 152/14 (6)

Page 5 of 6

159/14 Finance & Accounts 1. The Clerk presented accounts for approval totalling £11,720.04 Resolved: That the accounts were approved for payment

2. Members resolved to note the Receipts and Payments Account prepared for the period 01/04/13 to 10/3/2014.

160/14 Items for the April Meeting 1. Concerns re: increasing crime levels (MJ) 2. Parc Calon Lan pathways/terracotta slabs (HG) 3. Daffodil bulbs (GD)

161/14 Date of the next Meeting Resolved: That the Council will next meet at 7pm on Monday 14th April 2014 at the Bettws Life Centre

With business concluded the Chairman closed the Meeting at 8.40pm

Chairman______Date______

Page 6 of 6