CYNGOR CYMUNED LLANFYNYDD COUNCIL Minutes of the Meeting held Monday 16th March, 2020 at Community Centre for 6.30pm

1. CHAIRMAN : Cllr. L. Williams

2. PRESENT : Cllrs. D. Hughes, C.W.J Rhodes, J. Jones. A. Partridge, R. Edwards & C. Thomas

3. APOLOGIES : Cllrs. J.M Barber & A. Roberts (Vice-Chair)

4. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Two members of the public present. Mr Stephen Owen has attended this evening to express an interest in the Councillor vacancy for the Cefn- y- Bedd Ward.

5. LCC COMMUNITY CARETAKER Mr Mark Fisher (Community Caretaker) attended the meeting this evening to discuss work over the winter period and a general update with members. It was raised by a member of the public if the caretaker could generally keep grids cleared of debris and clean the footpaths. The general discussion: The caretaker would not to be lifting grid covers but to clear blockages from the top of the grids such as leaves and debris. Mr Fisher stated he would be happy to clear the top of grids and keep footpaths tidy. Action: The Clerk to contact FCC Highways if LCC Caretaker could help out clearing the tops of the grids. Health and Safety would need to be discussed if FCC gives permission. Planting of bulbs is carried out in the Autumn – It was agreed that at present there are enough daffodils in the area. Work required doing:- 1. To sweep infront of School tidy – sweep leaves etc and litter pick. 2. Cymau Community Centre – Keep the front tidy. 3. Remove the rotted flower tubs from Pontybodkin (off the village green) new tubs will be made. 4. Litter picking – Mr Fisher litter picks in all villages and playing fields. 5. To re-paint all notice boards. 6. To report to the Clerk dog bins that require emptying.

It was also discussed the painting of the railings of the Memorial Gardens, Ffrith. Cllr. L. Williams – applying for the Brown Bin sticker from FCC.

Matters reported to LCC by Mr M. Fisher. 1. There are a few rotted steps on the footpath from Petite Close, Cefn-Bedd to Plas Maen. Action: The Clerk to report the matter to FCC Rights of Way Dept. 2. Ditch silted up – passing the Cymau sign towards the village (travelling up Cymau Hill). Action: The Clerk to report the issue to FCC Streetscene.

The Chair thanked Mr Mark Fisher for attending this evening and LCC thanked him for his work keeping the villages tidy.

6. PCSO REPORT No report received. The Chair informed members that Ffrith Community Centre had been broken into. It was also reported a grey vehicle speeding through the villages. Action: The Clerk to report the vehicle (description/type of vehicle given) to the PSCO.

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7. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None declared.

8. MINUTES OF THE MEETING – 17th February, 2020 The Minutes were adopted as a true and correct record Proposed : Cllr. R. Edwards Seconded: Cllr. C.W.J Rhodes 8a. Matters raised from the minutes No matters arising

The Chair adjourned the Meeting at 7.00pm for the Public Annual meeting to commence. Two members of the public present.

The Public Meeting was closed at 7.45pm, the Chair re-opened the Community Council meeting for Council business to resume.

9. FFRITH MEMORIAL GARDENS Update on repair work to the curtilage walls. The Chair gave the following update (report prepared by Cllr. A. Roberts) The brickies should be back on site over Easter as they are currently committed to works elsewhere at present. The remaining works should only take a couple more days. All railings have been refixed and the gate has been straightened that was damaged by a council vehicle, so in affect not having to rebuild the pillar. Prior to the next meeting confirmed overall costs will be presented to the council.

10. MONTHLY ACTION PLAN Matters raised with FCC Streetscene: The monthly Action Plan was discussed and updated. 1. Ffrith – Footpath towards Ffrith on the B5101 – Requires clearing of leaves. The footpath has been cleared in areas. 2. Ffordd Las, Cymau. The lane had been swept – unfortunately after the very wet weather; further debris has been washed down. The remaining issues on the report sheet have not been done. Other issues raised. 1. Cymau Lane – The concrete apron in the ford has broken. 2. Ffrwd Road – Since the road has been re-surfaced it is constantly wet just before the entrance to Plas Maen. Cllr. R. Edwards informed members; the heavy rain of late could be a cause to the water draining down off the land onto the highway. 3. The land soil cleared off Coed-y-Felin will be used as bund for Ffrwd layby on the B5102

Cllr. C. Thomas gave the following report:- 1. Cefn-y-Bedd railway bridge. Due to the number of high vehicles colliding with the bridge FCC are looking how the height restriction signage can be improved/ made more visible. 2. A5104 Pontybodkin – Resurfacing work may be put back for 2020 and patching work carried out.

11. LCC WEBSITE – Llanfynydd.org.uk – update given by Clerk. The Clerk met with Lynne Jones the designer of LCC Website on the 10th March at St. Asaph Business Park. Tutoring advice was given to the Clerk how to load LCC information onto the Website, further Tutoring will be required.

12. PLANNING APPLICATIONS None received. Planning Applications determined: None received. Page 427 13. LLANFYNYDD PLAYING FIELD Report prepared by Cllr. A. Roberts The community group dealing with the field has had the community asset transfer request approved and is now progressing to stage 2. This involves submission of a business case that is currently under development. The group is keen to involve the community again and explain the business case process; it is proposed that this is under a group called “Maes Offa”. Due to the onset of the Coronavirus this process is likely to be delayed.

14. CORRESPONDENCE 1. LCC Notice of Co-Option. An e-mail received from Mr. Stephen Owen expressing an interest with reference to the vacancy for Councillor serving the Cefn-y-Bedd Ward. The Clerk has replied and spoken to Mr. Owen explaining the process. The deadline date for applicants is the 26th March 2020. 2. Mr Richard Roberts – Play Design Officer. Quote from CPAT to supervise the excavation works of the play equipment installation at Ffrith play area. (To be discussed under Item – Ffrith Play Area)

15. COMMUNITY COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS 1. Pontybodkin village notice board – Wording requires re-painting ( Clerk to speak to the Caretaker) 2. Ditches – Land owners to receive enforcement notices from FCC to clear their ditches if causing flooding issues onto the highways. 3. Maes Teg Cymau. The abandoned car and scooter has been removed, debris has also been taken away and gardens tidied up. 4. Maes Teg Cymau. A resident may possibly come forward to ask LCC if a small piece of Cymau playing field could be used for parking. Note: LCC are the Trustees of Cymau playing field and are governed by ‘Fields In Trust’. 5. The hedge at the bottom of Wyndam drive, Cefn-y-Bedd has been cut and visibility for motorists has improved. 6. Cllr. A. Partridge informed LCC of Improvement works at Cymau Community Centre. A handrail is to be installed coming up the ramp and new larger windows are to be installed. 7. Cllr. R. Edwards – Serving Governor for Abermorddu Primary School – updated LCC with reference to the Estyn report. An improvement plan has gone into Estyn and the Governors are working closely with the staff. 8. Garden Club meetings have been suspended until further notice due to Covid 19. 9. Sign pointing to Cymau from the Ffrith Junction is hanging off.

COVID 19 Support the elderly in our communities - The Chair has wrote to the elderly constituents in the Ffrith area if they require any assistance. The younger people to be approached to volunteer to walk dogs for the elderly or those self isolating due to health concerns. It will be important to work/communicate with groups in our area who will be asking for volunteers to deliver essentials such as shopping and prescriptions or you may know someone you can help. A ‘Note for Helping’ has been emailed to LCC members to download and post through doors of residents who may require help, giving their contact details and what they can help with.

16. FFRITH PLAY AREA – PLAY EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION UPDATE To confirm the additional cost from CPAT to supervise the excavation works for the play equipment. Correspondence received from Mr Richard Roberts. It is envisaged the supervision will be for one day only. The costs for the supply of the play equipment, installation and safer surfacing amounts to £21,000.00, along with the costs from CPAT - quotation attached = £710.00. Work cannot proceed until a signed copy of the quotation / document is returned. The total figure is likely to be £21,710.00. The additional £1,710.00 above the £20k budget requires confirmation this can be met by LCC. Cllr. D. Hughes proposed the additional £1710.00 Seconded: Cllr. J. Jones The Chair asked for a show of hands on the proposal. All in favour. Page 428

16. STREET LIGHTING The street light opposite ‘Barnhills’, Cymau was a white light, is now an orange light. To report the following Street Lights out:- 1. Wyndham Drive, Cefn-y-Bedd. FCC street Light. (Gas board had dug up road) 2. Street Light bottom of Cymau Road - Street Light knocked down by a car - still waiting connection – FCC are aware of the incident a new street light column has been erected but to date no light. 3. Ffrith – Cymau Lane Junction/ near the old chapel – Street light out 4. Car incident near the property ‘Voelas’ Pontybodkin. Street light and gas box knocked.

17. BILLS FOR PAYMENT Cheque Number 1297 Cancelled Mr M. Fisher for £345 … Paid on chq No. 1293 1298 Canda Copying Ltd (photocopier) £81.94 1299 One Voice Membership 2020/21 £274.00 1300 C.J Thomas Salary February & March £788.72 1301 HMRC Tax/NI February payment £4.80 1302 HMRC Tax/NI March payment £4.80 1303 C.J Thomas Expenses Jan/Feb & March £84.43 1304 Cymau Community Centre – Hire of hall (meetings) £150.00 1305 Mr M. Fisher February Invoice £250.00

Agenda April meeting – Discussion of paying invoices by Bacs payment.

18. COUNTY COUNCILLR’S REPORT Cllr. Dave Hughes gave the following reports:- 1. Coed-y-Felin. The access road to the site is to be blocked by FCC. Due to the heavy rainfall rubble and rocks came over the top of the blocked culvert, photo evidence was shown to members. 2. Part of Nant y Ffrith is to be resurfaced. 3. FCC is the 19th lowest funded Council in Wales. School Transport – 16 to 18year olds will not have to pay for transport. 4. Covid 19 - FCC are waiting for guidance from Central Government. FCC will feed information down to Town/Community Councils. Any urgent Highway issues to email FCC.

It was proposed by Cllr. Bill Rhodes the Chair, Vice-Chair and Clerk authorise future payments. Seconded: Cllr. R. Edwards. Motion carried. The Clerk will keep members updated via e-mail.

The Chair closed the meeting at 8.47pm

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