MINUTES OF A MEETING OF CYNGOR TREF HELD ON TUESDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2020 at 7:00pm BY WAY OF REMOTE ATTENDANCE

PRESENT: Councillor Darryl Evans (Chairman); Councillors Phill Davies, Rhys Davies, Elizabeth Evans, Mair Harrison, Owenna James, Rhodri Jones, Neris Lloyd, Diana Mace and Roger March. Denfer Morgan – Clerk to the Council

605. APOLOGIES

Councillors Katrina James and Huw Thomas apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.

606. DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

The following Councillors disclosed a personal and prejudicial interest in the matters as listed and took no further part in the discussion or voting thereon.

Councillor Phill Davies Planning application A200924 referred to in Minute 612c) below Councillor Rhys Davies Planning applications A200799 and A200805 referred to in Minute 612a)&b) below Councillor Rhodri Jones Allygraig Woodland - Minute 623iv)

607. DYFED-POWYS POLICE REPORT

The clerk stated that the Police had been informed of the meeting but had not been able to be in attendance. However, information raised by Members and matters received from PCSO Shanice Thomas were reported.

The Clerk reported the following information received from PCSO Thomas:-

October 23rd – Feathers burglary and call about youths intimidating people along the river. The youths had left by the time officers arrived. Burglary investigation is still ongoing – 3 arrests made with full confessions. October 24th – Report of alarm going off at Costcutters – no suspicious circumstances. October 27th – Report of theft from fruit trees. No lines of enquiry. November 4th – Report of people fishing on the seafront late at night with loud music. No-one present when officers attended.

The information was noted.

608. CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON 13th OCTOBER 2020

It was RESOLVED to approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 13th October 2020, subject to noting that, with regard to Minute 590, all reimbursements were to the Clerk. 183

609 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

Minute 592 – Churchyard Apeal – accounts still awaited.

Minute 593b)i) – Former Hospital Planning Application – the Clerk reported that the Council’s comments have been sent.

Minute 598 – Christmas arrangements:

The Christmas tree for placing outside the County Hall had been ordered.

Square Field lights – the Clerk stated that Martin Williams was arranging a site visit to enable the Council to see how things are looking with the current number of lights.

Lighting of two trees at the top of Market Street. The Clerk stated that he had requested permission from the County Council to light these trees but, despite sending a reminder, no reply had been received. It was RESOLVED to proceed with the arrangements and discuss the type of lights with Martin Williams.

Minute 600 – introduction of 20mph speed restrictions in the town. This had now been implements by the Trunk Road Authority, but certain matters were being clarified with them.

Minute 601 – Harbour consultation – the Clerk confirmed that the comments had been sent. The next step would be for the County Council to proceed to consider the consultation responses.

Minute 604b) – Leisure Centres. It was agreed to make representations to the County Council querying the decision to keep leisure centres closed as it was believed that it was important for them to be opened in order to offer people the opportunity to undertake physical exercise during this period, which would also improve people’s mental well-being and would allow GP referrals to continue.

610. FINANCE MATTERS

It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments:

Invoice Sum Paul Hughes (2nd Footpath Cut) £432 Vision ICT (50% new Website Fee) £585 Plants and Flowers: 1st planting (includes cost of purchasing plants and a £75 contribution to Love Life Projects to reflect labour involved) £651.80* 2nd planting (includes cost of purchasing plants and a £75 contribution to Love Life Projects to reflect labour involved) £296.93* £43.98 (purchase of water jerry cans) £43.98*

*Clerk’s reimbursement 184

611. COMPLETION OF 2019-20 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

Consideration was given to the notification received from the Council’s external auditors, Grant Thornton, of an unqualified audit report in respect of the 2019-20 Annual Accounts.

It was RESOLVED to receive the Report.

612. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Consideration was given to three planning applications and it was RESOLVED as follows:

a) A200799 - 12 Penmaesglas, Aberaeron. Extension and alterations.

Decision: No objection.

b) A200805 - Hotel, 7 Market Street, Aberaeron. Proposed extension and alterations to existing hotel and to be used in conjunction with the Cellar Restaurant to include demolition of existing balcony terrace, and erection of bar and WC building.

Decision: No objection in principle but to seek clarification on the following matters:

• it is unclear where the waste and recycling bins will be located. The Council also wishes to receive clarification as to where the refuse and recycling material will be collected by the County Council vehicle.

• clarification is requested as to the ownership of the harbour wall.

• clarification is also sought as to the flood prevention measures will be taken e.g. whether a floodgate on the boundary of the beer garden will be provided. It notes that NRW have made recommendations in this regard.

c) A200924 - Stratheaton, 23 Tabernacle Street, Aberaeron. Proposed replacement garage.

Decision: No objection

(Item c) had been circulated to Members as it had been received after publication of the Agenda and it required urgent consideration in order to meet the 21 day consultation period deadline.)

613. COUNCIL INTERIM PLAN WORKING GROUP

Consideration was given to up-dates on the work undertaken to date as part of the Strategic Aims, Medium Term Actions / Projects and Short-Term Actions.

It was RESOLVED as follows:

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i) to approve the up-dated working document showing the position as at 4th October; ii) Parc-y-fro fence: It was noted that the estimate for repairs was still awaited. iii) Volunteering Policy: To approve the Policy as reported. iv) Alltygraig Woodland: To approve the report prepared by Councillors Phill Davies and Mair Harrison and agree the following action plan to be added to the Interim Work Plan:

• replace the structures at the entrance – namely the a length of the fence, main gate and kissing gate • to produce and erect a new interpretation board • install a rope handrail along the lengths of steep sloping footpath • to engage contractors to eradicate the rhododendron and control the bracken • the need to clear growth covering the ‘no cycling’ sign near the bridge leading onto Road • to produce a supplementary report on tree planting and providing bird boxes v) On-line banking: to note that the registration by the three authorised signatories had been completed and that information was awaited from NatWest bank. vi) Benches: To agree to proceed with the repairs identified in the Mayor’s report at Lampeter Road, Panteg and the Riverside footpath; subject to obtaining the permission of the County Council.

614. FLORAL DISPLAYS

Councillor Diana Mace reported the work that had been undertake since the last meeting by herself and volunteers of Love Life Projects CIC in planting perennial plants and preparing flower displays in the nine beds in the town for 2021 and following years.

Councillor Mace also stated that she had purchased two water jerry cans and would be arranging the watering the plants.

It was RESOLVED to record the Council appreciation for the excellent work undertaken by Councillor Diana Mace and the volunteers in arranging the planting.

615. AR DY FEIC PROJECT

Consideration was given to the request of the organisers for confirmation that the Council was still support of the project and that ii could proceed to draw up the contract.

It was RESOLVED to confirm that the Council wished to proceed with the Project and to authorise the signing of the contract.

616. NATIONAL FLOOD STRATEGY

It was RESOLVED to note the National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management in .

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617. COVID-19 MATTERS

a) Safe Zones: It was reported that there would be no change to the arrangements until January at the earliest. b) Town Centre Adaptations Grant: The Mayor stated that a number of businesses had expressed an interest in participating in the scheme and that he had spent a considerable time following up the possibility of providing uniform structures and obtaining quotes. Due to the interest received, he was in contact with the County Council as to whether an increased amount of money of up to £17,000 could be made available, with the Council contributing 20% of the total cost. Further information would be presented to the next meeting.

618. MATTER REFERRED TO COUNCIL UNDER STANDING ORDER 9

Consideration was given to the request of Councillor Mair Harrison that the Council considers the proliferation of Japanese Knotweed around town. Councillor Harrison had circulated the Natural Resources Wales Advice on the matter. Councillor Elizabeth Evans reported the advice she had received from the officers of the County Council and Natural Resources Wales on its control.

Following a discussion, it was RESOLVED to request the County Council for an up- date on the matter.

619. REPORT OF COUNTY COUNCILLOR ELIZABETH EVANS

Councillor Evans then proceeded to up-date the Members on the following matters:-

a) following repeated requests, a road sweeper had recently been sent to town but the County Council was still being pressed for it to be sent on a regular basis b) the swimming pool was preparing to open in accordance with Regulations / guidance c) the County Council recycling and refuse collections appeared to be operating normally d) a scheme to improve drainage and alleviate flooding at Panteg had been agreed.

620. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS

a) it was agreed to request the Aberaeron Town Improvements Committee to pursue the contractor responsible for renovation the turnstile at Square Field to complete the work and relocate it. b) It was agreed to request Natural Resources Wales to investigate tree trunks in the near the sewer pipe and in the Dolgwartheg area.

The meeting closed at 8:40pm

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