MINUTES OF
BRIDGEND TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY 18th. MAY 2015 at 7.00pm
at Carnegie House Council Chamber
PRESENT: Cllr R Burns Cllr D Burns Cllr E Hughes Cllr R Morgan Cllr C Lewis Cllr F Sykes Cllr M Lewis Cllr R Thomas Cllr H Morgan Cllr I Jones Cllr D White (Mayor) Cllr B Rees Cllr R Marsh Cllr D Unwin Cllr B Parish
Apologies: Cllr M Voisey, Cllr O Byrne, Cllr A John, Cllr M John
1.0 Members’ Declaration of Interest:
1.1 There were no Declarations on Interest
2.0 Minutes of the Last Meeting:
2.1 Minutes of the meeting of the 20th. April 2015 were confirmed as a true record and signed.
3.0 Matters Arising: 3.1 p.312: Point 3.3: Member asked what area was being cautioned against re- generation; if it is the Market Street/Wyndham Street area of Bridgend Town, he stated that it is in desperate need of re-generation. Member said that she was frustrated that this matter had come up once again at Council, and felt that she had fully explained her comments at the last Town Council Meeting; however, she did add that re-generation schemes do not often benefit traders during the period of re-generation works due to lack of consultation by the local authority with the traders affected by the works and due to loss of earnings by traders. Member commented that these issues are best dealt with at the Town Members Meetings and that he and Cllr Rees would raise the matter at the next Town Members Meeting. Members agreed with this course of action.
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4.0 Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s Announcements: 4.1 Out Going Mayor’s Attendances
Date Event Location
1 23/04/2015 Business Improvement District Steering Group Wilkinson’s Bridgend
Court Colman 2 27/04/2015 Court Colman Liaison Project Group (refer to report) Hotel
Carnegie 4 30/05/2015 Town Traders Meeting House
Tabernacle Choir Summer Concert
5 17/05/2015 A great evening of the Choir and a 40 piece Orchestra that Tabernacle, Derwen Road commemorated 1914 WWI and the sacrifice of men and women through to Broadway and Welsh songs.
2) Court Colman Liaison Project Group: Outgoing Mayor referred Members to report prepared on the Court Colman Liaison Project Group. A full and lengthy discussion took place on how the monies given by the company behind the project, to the three communities affected by the development, Newcastle Higher CC, Laleston CC and Morfa Ward (BTC), should be administered. Each community is set to receive £5,000 per annum over a fifteen year period. It was agreed in principle, at a Court Colman Liaison Project Group meeting, that BAVO could be the body used to handle and distribute the monies as the Financial Administrator. Member stated that if BAVO was to be used for this purpose the money should be put into a Trust as a precautionary measure against any possible future collapse of the organisation. Questions were also raised about residual amounts of money and interest accrued; would it be returned to the Communities involved? Cllr Burns, the outgoing Mayor, stated that BTC should consider carefully several considerations contained in the report. Member stated that he, and an elected BCBC Member, had been involved in the project for some 18 months.
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Member stated that she was surprised that Western Power Distribution as a major stakeholder in the project is not mentioned. Member asked how the other wards feel about Wildmill and BAVO being involved in the administration of the funds. Member denied that Wildmill would have any involvement in administering the funds. Member advised that information given by another Member was not in any Minutes of any of the Meetings of the Liaison Group that he had seen. After further debate and discussion, it was moved and seconded that a meeting would be arranged by BTC to meet with representatives from Newcastle Higher CC and Laleston CC ( the Mayor and immediate past Mayor to represent BTC) to discuss the financial administration of the funds and the way forward, to be convened prior to the next meeting of the Court Colman Liaison Project Group to be held on May 28th. Action: Clerk to arrange proposed meeting. 4) Town Traders’ Meeting: Outgoing Mayor reported that 22 people had attended the meeting; the majority of the attendees were local traders and business people. He added that it was a disappointing turnout in relation to the number of invitations sent out; however, it was a good, positive meeting. Member asked, what is the way forward as a result of the meeting ? Clerk advised that, as commented on by the outgoing Mayor, it was a very positive meeting which was well Chaired by Andrew Lloyd Hughes. The outcome of the meeting was a list of proposed events for the Town Centre that would encourage footfall but would not take business away from traders. They included a Town Carnival, Classic Car/Motorbike Show, Military re-enactment groups, Street Performers Festival etc. Rhiannon Kingsley, BCBC Town Centre Manager, to draw up the Minutes to include full list of suggested events to distribute to attendees and to schedule a further Meeting. Member commented that the Minutes should be distributed to all Town Centre Traders not just attendees. He added that whatever events are organised the traders must be fully involved and engaged and must not be left solely to BTC to organise. Mayor commented that we must move forward with this initiative and to get the message out that BTC has the traders’ best interest at heart. Member reiterated that this meeting must be positively followed up. Member commented that there is a new constituted Traders Group with an elected Chair; it will have funds available to it but must not be confused with the BID group; they are two separate groups.
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4.2 Out-going Deputy Mayors Announcements: Out-going Deputy Mayor had attended: Mayor’s Charity Gala Dinner on Friday 9th. May Pencoed Town Council Civic Service on Sunday 10th. May He congratulated Bridgend Ravens RFC on beating Pontypridd RFC in the SWALEC Cup Final held at the Millennium Stadium.
5.0 Correspondence: 1) BCBC- Temporary Closure; Un-named Lane situated at the side of 49 Park Street, Bridgend: Noted 2) Letter from Z. Shell, Head of Neighbourhood Services, BCBC, re- response to BTC’s Half Yearly Survey of Bridgend Town Centre. Z. Shell acknowledge report and stated that regarding the bus station there is no specific budget for the works suggested; however, he is mindful of the request & will take action should resources and priorities permit. Member suggested that the re-painting could be included in any future regeneration works in that part of the Town Centre. Chair of Finance & Personnel Committee listed the works recently carried out at the bus station that BTC had funded. Member stated that the matter will be raised at a future Town Members Meeting. 3) E-Mail from Karyl Carter, Stroke Association, re- parking problem at Evergreen Hall. Chair of Finance & Personnel Committee stated that this is a matter for the Evergreen Hall Committee to deal with; he urged the Chair of the Evergreen Hall Committee to take the matter up with whoever is responsible at BCBC. Town Clerk added that he had given his advice on signage to the Evergreen Hall Administrator. Member stated that the designated parking spaces for the Evergreen Hall had ben commandeered by BCBC whilst refurbishment works are being carried out. Clerk advised that this matter had been researched and the Evergreen Hall Lease makes no mention of designated parking spaces being allocated for users of the Evergreen Hall; it appears to be a “gentleman’s agreement”. 4) E-Mail from Liam Ronan, Communications Manager, BCBC, re-suicide film entitled ”Bridgend”. Member stated that he was disappointed that no response had been received from BTC’s letter to Robert D’Niro and that the correspondence from BCBC has been sent to interested parties some four weeks after the matter was originally discussed at Council and appeared in the local press. 5) BCBC- Temporary Traffic Order for Market Street/Quarella Road: Noted
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6) Letter from Nick Bennett, Ombudsman, re- “Revised Guidance on the Code of Conduct”: Matter dealt with during A.G.M. 7) BCBC- Bridgend Town Informal Consultation: Traffic Management Review/Residents Parking. Member stated that the correspondence sent out to the public regarding this Traffic Management Review is inadequate; the maps do not correspond with the streets listed. He also questioned the use of the term “informal consultation”. He concluded by asking why are BCBC trying to impose this scheme? Member stated that he had been bombarded with queries about this parking proposal from resident living near Coity Fields. Clerk read out two letters to Members from residents living in the Acland Road area and Grove Road area; both objected to the proposed Residents Parking scheme. It was moved and seconded that BTC should object to the proposals until such a time that Members are in receipt of BCBC’s rationale behind the scheme and that residents affected by the proposals have been fully consulted and BTC are in receipt of the collated residents views on the proposed scheme. 8) Letter from Darren Bracket, Drugs & Alcohol Unit, Home Office, re- response to BTC’s letter to Parliament on new psychoactive substances (NPS).Noted Member stated that a high profile prosecution of a trader on Nolton Street for selling NPS sends out a message to other traders in the area that the sales of these substances will not be tolerated. 9) Bridgend Carers Centre Newsletter: Noted 10) E-Mail acknowledgement from Welsh Government, re- BTC’s response to White Paper Consultation on Local Government Reform: Noted 11) E-Mail from Susan Vaulters, South Wales Police, re- suggested dates for BTC Members to visit Queen’s Road Police Station. Following discussion, Members agreed that the visit should take place on Monday 8th. June at 5:00 pm Clerk to arrange. 12) Letter from M. Shephard, Corporate Director Communities, BCBC, re-Transfer of Responsibilities to BTC. Chair of Finance & Personnel Committee commented that if BCBC are serious about devolving further responsibilities to BTC they need to be fully availed of the Council’s deadlines for making decisions regarding Finance and setting the Precept figure. 13) Valleys2Coast: Information re- Big Lottery Project “Space Saviours”: Noted 14) BAVO re- Volunteer Information Days: Noted
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6.0 Carnegie House Management Board Report: Arts Project Manager reported that : 6.1 The work to renovate the exterior of Carnegie House is well under way, however the proposed interior work to be carried out on the ground floor has had to be postponed until the exterior work has been completed. This is due to Health & Safety concerns having two separate contractors on the site at the same time. 6.2 The current events programme for Carnegie House ends at the end of July; a new programme of events to run from July through to the end of November has been put together and is currently with the printers.
7:0 Finance: 7.1 Accounts for Payment Accounts paid, read and approved.
8.0 Town Twinning: 8.1 Member reported that: Fashion Show held at Oldcastle Primary School on 8th. May was a great success raising £275.00 8.2 Forthcoming Events: A Fish & Chip Supper & Quiz Night, Wildmill Community Centre, 18th. September. Annual Meal, to held at Seasons Restaurant on Thursday 19th. November 2015. Possible bus trip to Cheltenham or Bath at a date to be decided. Next Town-Twinning Meeting to be held on Thursday 21st. May at Carnegie House at 7:00 pm. 8.3 Hechtel-Eksel Visit: Member reported that Bob Vranken from Hechtel-Eksel had been in contact with officers from the Town-Twinning Committee to request that delegates visit Bridgend during the first week of October for three days on either the 5th, 6th & 7th or 6th 7th. & 8th. Member will update Council when more details are available. 8.4 Langenau Links: Member reported that Langenau had been in contact with officers from the Town- Twinning Committee and would like to arrange a delegation from Bridgend to visit Langenau in March 2016. Member will update Council when more details are available.
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9:0 Military Matters: 9.1 Minutes of the Military Advisory Committee Meeting of the 7th. May 2015 had been circulated and were commended to Council and approved. 9.2 Mametz Wood Project Update: Chair of MAC updated Members on Mametz Wood Project. She explained that following advice from the Consultant appointed to the project, it would be unlikely that the project would be able to access grant monies due to the lack of numbers of Bridgend men involved in the conflict and the fact that the battle is not specific enough to Bridgend. Alternative ideas had been looked at and considered by the MAC with the result that the project the Committee wishes to take forward, with Council’s approval, is to proceed with an idea put forward by the Clerk to utilise the Angel Walkway in Bridgend Town to house audio/visual installations, with each installation related to Bridgend’s involvement in both wars e.g. Hut 9, the Arsenal, HMS Urge etc. The river walls opposite the Angel Walkway would be utilised to display appropriate art work to represent these aspects of Bridgend’s involvement; local artists could be commissioned for these works. The project would be educational, would be Bridgend specific and could be a potential tourist attraction. It was moved and seconded by Members to allow the Consultant, Mr R. Newton, to research the feasibility of this proposed alternative project and to report back to the MAC. 9.3 Armed Forces Day: 27th. June 2015: Chair reminded Members that they are invited to attend the Armed Forces Day Parade and Concert and that replies need to be sent to Mr T. Williams from the Bridgend Veterans Association.
10:0 Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting of 13th. May 2015: 10.1 Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting of the 13th May 2015 had been circulated and were commended to Council and approved.
11.0 Minutes of the Allotments Committee Meeting of 27th. April 2015: 11.1 Minutes of the Allotments Committee Meeting of the 27th. April 2015 had been circulated and were commended to Council and approved.
Meeting Closed at 10:20 p.m.
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