MEETING OF COUNCIL – 16TH JANUARY 2017 GARW VALLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL CYNGOR CYMUNED CWM GARW MINUTES OF AN ORDINARY MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD AT THE BETTWS LIFE CENTRE ON MONDAY 16TH JANUARY 2017 AT 7.00 PM Present: Councillor Mrs H Griffiths (Vice-Chair) Councillors: Mr C G Andrews Mr G Davies Mr W Hillier Mr M Jones R Shaw R Stirman Cllr J Szeliegiewicz Mrs M Thomas Mr G Walters Apologies were received from: Cllr D T Griffiths (Chair) and Cllr Mrs D Griffiths Also Present: Mrs A C Harris, Clerk & RFO PCSO M Rees 1 Chairman ……………………………………. Date ………………. MEETING OF COUNCIL – 16TH JANUARY 2017 102/17 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST The following interests were declared: Councillor Item Interest Mr M Jones All Matters Concerning BCBC Member Mrs R Stirman The New Street Gang & Community Member Furniture Aid Mr J Szeliegiewicz Vestry, Meadow Street Knows the owners of the property Mrs M Thomas All Matters Concerning BCBC incl Member Planning 103/17 TO READ, CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 2016 MEETING Resolved: The Minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record; with this, the Chairman duly signed the Minute Book. 104/17 TO READ, CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 2016 PRECEPT MEETING Resolved: The Minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record; with this, the Chairman duly signed the Minute Book. 105/17 TO RECEIVE REPRESENTATIVES OF SOUTH WALES POLICE RESOLVED: The crime figures for November and December 2016 were tabled in a new format which included a comparison graph and are attached to the back of these minutes for information. Many points and comments were made: the name of the new Inspector was noted, the fact that a relationship is formed with staff and then they seem to move on to other posts quickly, the problem with motorbikes going up and down Meadow Street and then up to Garw Fechan was a cause for concern and the question was asked that if there is a shortage of PCSOs why are they working in pairs? 2 Chairman ……………………………………. Date ………………. MEETING OF COUNCIL – 16TH JANUARY 2017 It was noted that the next PACT meetings would be held in Llangeinor on 18th January 2017, Garw on 24th January 2017 and Bettws on 16th February 2017. 106/17 TO CONSIDER MATTERS ARISING FROM THE SEPTEMBER 2016 MINUTES RESOLVED: Miners’ Lamp Pontycymer It was noted that the lights in the lamp have worked consistently since the Christmas tree lights were switched on next to it and that indicated where the problem might lie. It would be interesting to note if removing the Christmas lights will affect the lamp. Pontycymer Cemetery A response to the Clerk’s calls and correspondence has now been raised urgently at a higher level at BCBC. Camera Pontycymer Square The Bridgend Camera Control Centre have informed the Council that there has been major issues with this camera over the past year due to the age of the camera and the difficulty in obtaining parts to repair it. It has been reported to their maintenance contractor, who advised that there is now also an issue with the video bridge that is located in the primary school which the camera is connected to. They are awaiting quotes for the repair of the camera, but would advise that currently there is no maintenance contract in place for it and BCBC would not be able to meet the cost as it was funded by Garw Valley Community Council. As soon as they receive quotes for repair they will inform the Clerk. There were concerns from Members regarding the importance of the camera working to record crime in particular if a serious crime was to occur and one Member suggested that Sony, who specialise in producing cameras, may be able to help with the repair. It was also noted that if a camera is out of use it should be bagged and this is not the case. Wind Turbines It was noted that Huw Irranca-Davies, AM, is hoping to have an update soon on how the community could benefit from the windfarms that are visible from the valley. In addition there is a Llynfi Afan Renewable Energy Park Community Benefit Fund. There are two funds available one for the 3 wards affected by the component deliveries of the plant and another for Cymmer, Gwynfi, Blaengarw and Caerau. This is a Community Benefit Fund which is an annual fund of £96,000 for the local communities. It is available throughout the life span of the wind farm and looks to provide for and promote projects within the following areas: 3 Chairman ……………………………………. Date ………………. MEETING OF COUNCIL – 16TH JANUARY 2017 Charity, Environment, Education, Renewable Energy, Community, Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Development and Community Amenity Schemes and Projects. The fund will become available once the park is energised and generating electricity. The Clerk had made several attempts to contact the scheme for further information but their phone is diverted instantly to voicemail and no response to messages have been received to date. Resolved: The action and updates of the Clerk were noted. In addition the Clerk was asked to supply Councillor M Jones with details regarding the camera repair and he would take the matter further and the Clerk was asked to write to the Wind Turbine Community Benefit Fund. 107/17 AGENDA ITEMS RESOLVED The following items were not discussed due to the absence of Councillors D T and D Griffiths: Management of Parc Calon Lan, Benches Park Calon Lan, and Attendance at Events. The Vestry at Meadow Street was not discussed as the planning application is now on hold Garw Fechan Forestry (RS) Councillor R Stirman updated Members on recent problems with motorbikes in the Forestry and the damage and nuisance being caused. Councillor Stirman suggested that the Council should write to Natural Resources Wales and request they put a kissing gate off Bridgend Road, between Pontycymmer and Pontyrhyl. It was suggested that this had been a problem in the past and that motorbikes will get in anywhere but that if nothing is done soon they may start entering Parc Calon Lan. It was suggested that problems should be reported each time they happened. Resolved: The Clerk was asked to write to NRW to request a gate as suggested above. 108/17 FINANCE & ACCOUNTS RESOLVED: That the report of the Clerk be accepted. 1. The Clerk presented accounts for approval totalling £9,935.00 and it was resolved that the accounts presented were approved after an initial discussion about the purchase of a Log Splitter and whether the purchase had been approved by the full council. It was reiterated that only the Clerk had the authority to make purchases after approval of the full council. 4 Chairman ……………………………………. Date ………………. MEETING OF COUNCIL – 16TH JANUARY 2017 2. The Clerk had presented Members with an up-to-date Receipts and Payments Account and explained the expenditure to date, the balance carried forward to February 2017 was noted. The various cost headings were discussed and Members resolved that the accounts were noted. Resolved: That the action of the Clerk be noted. That the Receipts and Payments be authorised and accepted 109/17 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT RESOLVED: There was nothing to report this month due to the Chair’s absence. 110/17 WARD REPORTS RESOLVED: Bettws Ward Councillor M Jones updated the Members on matters relating to the ward including a ward donation of £400 towards a Pantomime in Bettws Community Club that the Bettws School children had attended. 110/17 BOROUGH COUNCIL UPDATE Borough and Community Councillors M Jones and M Thomas updated the Members on matters such as the start of the new schools being built in Bettws, the waste management briefing taking place shortly at BCBC and a funding day being held in Pencoed Rugby Club on 10th February 2017 which Councillor Jones was attending. It was suggested and agreed that the Clerk should attend this day too. Councillor M Thomas updated the Members on the horse box causing restrictions at Heol Pandy and the damage to the grass verge caused by refuse and delivery lorries having to drive over the verge to navigate the road, the calls received regarding the safety of New Road in Llangeinor and the monitoring taking place of the fly tipping north of Pontyrhyl on the banking on the right hand side travelling up the valley. Resolved: The Clerk to contact Chris Elmore’s office to register for the funding event. 5 Chairman ……………………………………. Date ………………. MEETING OF COUNCIL – 16TH JANUARY 2017 111/17CLERK’S REPORT Lakes Huw Irranca-Davies, AM, has confirmed that he’s in the process of contacting the relevant agencies to meet with Council Members regarding the silting up of the lakes. Vice-Chair’s Chain of Office Further to Minute no 64/17 and the agreement to purchase a Vice-Chair Chain at the cost of £1,173 excl. vat plus carriage a written quotation has now been obtained following the completion of the design, which is much higher than the original verbal quote. The new quotation is for £2,112.93 excl. vat and carriage and the Clerk asked the Members if they were still in agreement to go ahead with the purchase at the higher cost? The reasons for the increases are: An increase in costs generally £ 24.93 The addition of the cost of a velvet collar £190.00 The addition of a bespoke carrying case £350.00 The cost of a one-off die charge £375.00 I have written to the supplier to ask why the cost of the case and the die charge was not mentioned in the original quotation and they have offered to look at the design to try and bring the cost down i.e.