MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 10/12 ORCHARD STREET, ON THURSDAY, 5TH SEPTEMBER 2019 AT 6PM

PRESENT: CHAIRMAN: CLLR. R. PRICE

COUNCILLORS: A. CARTER MS T. DAVIES D. FLYNN MRS J. L. LOCKYER B. MACCATHAIL G. MORGAN A. MUSAIED MRS S.M.PENRY M. PROTHEROE A. SIMS J. WARMAN

IN ATTENDANCE: KATHRYN CHARLES SARA WHARMBY

6866 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. G. L. Evans, Cllr. J. Evans, Cllr. P. James, Cllr. Mrs L. Jones, Cllr. A. McGrath and Cllr. Mrs S. Miller.

6867 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS

Declarations of interest were received from Cllr. A. Carter in respect of item 3 on the Agenda and any decisions regarding One Voice , Cllr. Mrs S. M. Penry and Cllr. M. Protheroe in respect of correspondence under item 4 and item 6b regarding any decisions to do with Neath Consortium.

6868 TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE REGARDING THE OUTCOME OF THE RECENT STANDARDS COMMITTEE HEARING REGARDING A NEATH TOWN COUNCILLOR

The Town Clerk updated Members on the outcome and decision of the recent Standards Committee meeting and confirmed that the Councillor had been suspended for four months. RESOLVED: Town Clerk to write to Councillor outlining the process which would now take place.

6869 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE COUNCIL’S INTERNAL AUDITOR, LYN LLEWELLYN

The Town Clerk informed the Meeting that Mr Llewellyn was unable to attend, but would be attending the Full Council Meeting in October.

6870 TO APPROVE AS A TRUE AND CORRECT RECORD

A) MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL MEETINGS:

i. FULL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 4TH JULY 2019

It was proposed, seconded and agreed unanimously to accept the minutes of the Full Council Meeting.

Members discussed the proposed bus shelter at Pine Grove. A Member asked for a written response regarding the reasons it had been rejected.

ii. ESTATES COMMITTEE HELD ON 11H JULY 2019

It was proposed, seconded and agreed unanimously to accept the minutes of the Estates Committee Meeting.

Members discussed the NTC Café award for Best Community Café in Wales. RESOLVED: It was proposed, seconded and agreed to have a buffet in Neath Town Hall after the Full Council Meeting in October for all staff to attend as a thank you for their hard work and dedication in achieving this award.

iii. EVENTS SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 11TH JULY 2019

It was proposed, seconded and agreed unanimously to accept the minutes of the Events Sub-Committee Meeting.

iv. FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 18TH JULY 2019

It was proposed, seconded and agreed unanimously to accept the minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting.

B) RESOLUTIONS RECOMMENDED BY COMMITTEES AS SET OUT IN THE MINUTES

All Resolutions agreed.

6871 TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT

A. GENERAL MATTERS

Members had received the Clerks Report prior to the Meeting which covered the work undertaken during summer recess.

Members were provided with the outcome of the External Audit by BDO..

The Town Clerk gave an update on all the community centres.

Members were informed that there had been drug use behind the Council Offices. The Town Clerk stated that the gate at the side of the building would now be closed for safety reasons and suggested researching into the addition of an electronic side gate to avoid staff having to open the gate manually each time a visitor attended the offices..

The Town Clerk updated Members on ‘Operation London Bridge’, which is the process which NTC need to action at the ‘death of a sovereign.’ To be discussed in Policy & Personnel.

No other issues on the Clerk’s full report were queried.

B. CORRESPONDENCE Correspondence Received Actions Resolutions An email from NPTCBC attaching a link to the School Crossing Patrol For information. - Officer vacancy. An email from Swansea Bay Community Health Council For information. - attaching the May monthly briefing. An email from One Voice Wales Do Councillors wish to attaching the training programme attend any training listed - for September – December 2019. on the Training Schedule? Members discussed Do Council wish to the email. Members An email from NPTCBC regarding respond regarding the agreed to speak with the removal of phone boxes. phone boxes included? local residents before they make a decision. Members discussed the email. It was proposed seconded and agreed to confirm An email from Melin Community the situation with Trust regarding a donation for the To be discussed. NTC’s lights before Melin Christmas Lights. considering a donation by a vote of 8 for, 1 against and 2 abstentions. An email from Swansea Bay CHC For information. - attaching the June Monthly Briefing. Members discussed the email. A Member stated that they had visited schools and An email from Andrew Jenkins were hopeful that a regarding Youth Representatives For information. pupil would apply for and a Youth Council. the Youth Rep role. Cllr. Mrs J. L. Lockyer gave her apologies and left the meeting at 7.09pm. Members agreed that they did not wat to conflict with NPTCBC who already had a Youth Council. Cllr. Mrs S. M. Penry & Cllr. M. Protheroe declared an interest regarding the next item of correspondence and left the Meeting at 7.13pm. It was proposed, An email regarding the Ale & Cider Do Councillors wish to seconded and agreed Festival 2020. support the event? to support the event.

Cllr. Mrs S. M. Penry and Cllr. M. Protheroe returned to the Meeting at 7.15pm.

An email regarding the Citizenship Councillors to note the Awards and Allotment Awards - dates. Presentation evenings. The Weekly Footfall Report for Neath Town Centre from Neath For information. - Inspired. An email from One Voice Wales attaching the Impact and Reach For information. - Report 2018-19. An email from One Voice Wales attaching the Welsh Government For information. - National Development Framework Newsletter – August 2019. Members discussed An email from Andrew Jenkins the email. Members regarding utilising phone boxes that Councillors to discuss. agreed to speak with have been put forward for removal. local residents before they make a decision. An email from NPTCBC regarding the opportunity to lease and operate For information. - a café in . Cllr. Mrs S. M. Penry & Cllr. M. Protheroe declared an interest regarding the next items of correspondence and left the Meeting at 7.17pm. After discussion it Do Council wish to was proposed, An email from Neath Town Centre reconsider paying for the seconded and agreed Consortium regarding Portaloo Portaloos for the Ale & to pay for the costs for the Ale & Cider Festival Cider Festival? Portaloos by a vote of 7 for and 1 against. An email from Musical Do Councillors wish to Members agreed to Theatre Company attaching a letter sponsor a performance or place a full page asking if NTC would like to sponsor place an advert in their advert in the a performance or advertise in their programme? programme. programme. Cllr. Mrs S. M. Penry and Cllr. M. Protheroe returned to the Meeting at 7.21pm

An email from Daryl Turner Do Council wish to Members agreed to look regarding placing a shoe bank for support this? (Which into the idea and find a the Alzheimer’s Society in a Community Centre is suitable position for the Community Centre car park. to be confirmed) shoe bank. An email from One Voice Wales For information. Cllr. attaching the Agenda and papers Carter & Cllr. Miller to - for the NPT Area Committee attend. Meeting on 18th September. An email from Root66 Neath regarding hiring the NTC Café and For information. - kitchen to run vegan events, and the response from the Town Clerk. Do Councillors with to An email from One Voice Wales complete the survey? - regarding a planning survey. If so, please follow the link. An email from One Voice Wales regarding Our Valleys, Our For information. - Communities, Our Stations events. An email from One Voice Wales attaching the Age Friendly Wales For information. - Newsletter.

Additional Correspondence Actions Resolutions Received For information. Cllr. A An email from One Voice Wales Carter and Cllr. Mrs S. - regarding the OVW Conference. Miller to attend. An email from Stage 8 Theatre School inviting the Mayor and Councillors to confirm if Councillors to the opening event - they wish to attend. for The Stage Y Llwyfan on 5th October. The Rectorial Benefice of Neath Parish Magazine for September For information. - 2019. A letter from the Owain Glyndwr Society enclosing the Owain For information. - Glyndwr flag to be flown on 16th September. An email from Samira Tanabi asking whether they could use Members agreed to the flag poles on the Council support the event and Councillors to discuss. building to place Wales allow the flag poles to be International Film Festival used. banners.

6872 TO REVIEW INCOME & EXPENDITURE MOVEMENT FOR THE MONTH

a. BILLS AWAITING PAYMENT

Agreed.

b. BACS PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Agreed.

c. INTER BANK TRANSFERS (OVER 10K)

None.

d. PETTY CASH

None.

e. NEW SUPPLIER BACS AUTHORISATION

None.

Cllr. J. Warman gave his apologies and left the Meeting at 7.39pm.

f. ADDITIONAL ITEMS

Members were given a list of payments made during recess. Agreed.

6873 TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATIONS

There were no objections to the following planning application(s):-

P2019/5209

P2019/5204

P2019/5217

P2019/5218

P2019/5275

P2019/5274

P2019/5297

P2019/5235

P2019/5325

P2019/5327

Meeting: Date sent: Full Council Planning Schedule September 19.07.19 2019 No. of Planning Applicant Proposal Location Recommendation Application Officer Variation of condition 3 and 4 of planning permission P2012/0151 approved on 15/07/2016 Land At Eaglesbush Messrs Williams to extend the period to submit the reserved House, The Avenue, Steven P2019/5209 and Breach No objections matters for 3 years and to extend the time limit for Eaglesbush, Neath SA11 Jenkins C/o Agent the commencement of development for a further 5 2FD years

Meeting: Date sent: Full Council Planning Schedule 26.07.19 Sept 2019 No. of Planning Applicant Proposal Location Recommendation Application Officer 6 Ropewalk, Neath, SA11 P2019/5204 Mr Michael Lewis Garage. Jennifer Griffiths No objections 1EW

Meeting: Full Council Planning Schedule Date sent: 09.08.19 Sept 2019 No. of Planning Applicant Proposal Location Recommendation Application Officer Demolition of two storey and single storey rear extensions, temporary office building, and roofs to three storey extension. Mr Wayne The erection of a 3 storey rear extension incorporating a 8 Wind Street, Neath P2019/5217 Hopkins, The pitched roof over the existing 3 storey rear extension and Steven Jenkins No objections SA11 3EH Quays internal refurbishments works to the main building. The creation a new vehicle access and a parking area to the rear plus associated works for use as Offices. Demolition of two storey and single storey rear extensions, temporary office building, and roofs to three storey extension. The erection of a 3 storey rear extension incorporating a pitched roof over the existing 3 storey rear extension. Refurbishment of roof including roof vents and roof light within the new roof extension. External works including new access and parking area to the rear. Internal refurbishment of the existing building including the removal of the existing doorway in the entrance lobby and the creation of new Mr Wayne doorway, removal of two walls and two doors to create a 8 Wind Street, Neath P2019/5218 Hopkins, The No objections reception waiting area, removal of a partition wall and SA11 3EH Quays doorway in the hallway, and the removal of a wall and door near the rear staircase on the ground floor. On the first floor the removal of a wall in office 1 and a wall to create access to the new extension. On the second floor a wall and door near the stairs removed with a new wall and door created. New electrics and heating throughout, repairing existing damaged ceilings and fireproofing. refurbishment of existing windows to front and replacement of existing upvc windows to rear with traditional timber sash windows. Pitched roof with cladding to gable end to existing first floor 35 Glannant Way, Mr Simon P2019/5275 side extension and pitched roof to Cimla, Neath Tina Richards No objections Gilbert front porch SA11 3YA

Meeting: Date sent: Full Council Planning Schedule 16.08.19 Sept 2019 No. of Planning Applicant Proposal Location Recommendation Application Officer Installation of one replacement projecting 7 Windsor Road, Neath, Jennifer P2019/5274 Mr Menzer No objections banner sign. SA11 1LS Griffiths

Two storey rear extension with associated 22 Gnoll Crescent, P2019/5297 Mr Jackson Karen Collins No objections engineering / retaining works (walls). Neath, SA11 3TF

Meeting: Date sent: Full Council Planning Schedule 23.08.19 Sept 2019 No. of Planning Applicant Proposal Location Recommendation Application Officer Change of use of ground floor to 1 no. retail unit and 1 no. office unit, provision of 4 no. flats over 30 High Street, Neath Rhodri P2019/5235 Mr Oliver Dineen No objections first and second floors and demolition of SA11 3GA Griffiths outbuildings.

Meeting: Date sent: Full Council Planning Schedule 30.08.19 Sept 2019 No. of Planning Applicant Proposal Location Recommendation Application Officer Retention and completion of raising roof height Quarr Road, Neath Jennifer P2019/5325 Watkins Welding No objections by 1 metre and new roof SA11 1AE Griffiths Variation of Conditions 1 (approved plan list) of Hafod Residential Home Ms Kathryn Planning Permission P2018/0883 approved on Wenham Place Steven P2019/5327 No objections Evans 04/06/2018 to allow the retention of the roof Neath Jenkins cowls and stacks) SA11 3AH 6874 TO DISCUSSS AND REVIEW THE SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT FOR NEATH TOWN COUNCIL

A Member asked if information could be shared regarding the Wales International Film Festival. RESOLVED.

6875 TO DISCUSS COUNCILLOR ISSUES AND RECEIVE REPORTS ON MEETINGS ATTENDED ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL

There were no issues to report.

6876 TO RECEIVE ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA

Members were informed that Lyn Llewellyn would be attending the Full Council Meeting in October.

6877 CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS – TO CONSIDER PASSING A RESOLUTION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 1(2) OF THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960, IN VIEW OF THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE BUSINESS ABOUT TO BE TRANSACTED, IT IS ADVISABLE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST THAT THE PRESS AND PUBLIC ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE MEETING

The resolution was duly passed.

6878 TO DISCUSS INVESTMENT PROPERTY LEASING ISSUES AND COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS

Members were provided with a copy of the proposed gate for the side of the Burton Block. RESOLVED: Agreed.

Members were updated on the works at Neath Castle. Members were informed that the current stonemason had been delayed and they were looking to secure another stonemason to complete the work as soon as possible.

The Town Clerk informed the Meeting that some of the hanging baskets would be removed due to Neath Fair. Members were informed that quotes would be obtained for next year as part of the budget setting process. .

Members were updated on a lease that was due to end and the suggestion that a ‘TO LET board’ be installed. RESOLVED: Members agreed to discuss the installation of a board at the next Full Council meeting, at this point, a decision to extend the lease may have been reached.

Members were updated on the progress of the works taking place at the first floor of the Burton Block. The meeting was advised that there were water ingress issues with the skylight and front facing windows which would need replacing or repairing.

a) TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE CONCERNS OVER CHRISTMAS LIGHT PROVISION 2019 (UP TO AND INCLUDING 2020)

Members had received a report prior to the Meeting.

The Town Clerk stated that Neath BID were extremely unhappy with the company and wanted to withdrawn from the contract.

Members agreed to terminate the current contract based on the evidence of unsafe practice and the requested supporting documentation not being provided from the contractor, despite reminders.

RESOLVED: It was proposed, seconded and agreed to approach a new contractor for the Christmas Lights for 2019 onwards. Town Clerk to source new quotes and arrange a Special Full Council for Councillors to discuss the way forward.

6879 TO DISCUSS ANY STAFFING ISSUES

Members were updated on a staff member who was currently off sick.

Councillors were informed that statutory and mandatory training would be taking place via NPTCBC and the Clerk was awaiting dates of the next round of training.

6880 TO DISCUSS ANY HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES

The Town Clerk updated the Meeting on the Health & Safety Meeting that had taken place with Council staff.

6881 TO FIX A DATE AND AGREE AN AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING

The Chair advised that the next meeting would be held on Thursday, 3rd October 2019. An agenda would be circulated in due course.

There being no further business, the meeting was closed.