APOLOGIES
Councillor Dewi Tudur Lewis, Margaret Roberts
PRESENT
Councillor Owen Lloyd Roberts (Chair), Lisa Birks (Vice-Chair), John Richards, Eluned Williams, Ffion Williams, Sian Mai Ephraim, Eifion Williams, Ann Jones, Councillor Annwen Hughes, and Councillor Gwynfor Owen (Gwynedd Council)
The Chair welcomed Councillor Sian Mai Ephraim to her first meeting of the Council and wished her the best for the future.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST
No declarations of interest were made on any matter.
MINUTES
The minutes from the meeting on September 18, 2023, were accepted as correct.
MATTERS ARISING
Budget Plan
It was reported that £7,564.59 (including bank costs) had been spent since the start of the new financial year, which is £12,061.52 less than the allocated budget for the year.
CCTV Cameras
Councillor John Richards and the Clerk reported issues with BT invoices. Although the cameras are working, it is not possible to transfer information to the Police due to the BT hub not functioning. The Clerk further reported receiving a letter from Advantis regarding the BT invoices and had responded, including recent discussions with BT. She had contacted BT again last week and today, hoping the problem is now resolved. It was agreed to inform that the Council had ordered these cameras from Llais Ardudwy.
Play Area at the Village
Councillor Lisa Birks reported that Play Quest had carried out an inspection of the play equipment, and the installation of “wet pour” by Creative Play had been completed at the beginning of this month. It was agreed to pay both attached invoices regarding these matters. It was also agreed to inform that the Council had carried out this work in the play area from Llais Ardudwy and to maintain the trees annually, requesting Mr. Meirion Griffith to carry out this work.
Yellow Lines
Councillor Gwynfor Owen reported that he had arranged a meeting with a Gwynedd Council Officer to discuss this matter on the 12th of next month and had invited Councillor Dewi Tudur Lewis to the meeting.
Public Seats
The Clerk reported that she had asked Mr. Gwiion Roberts for a price to repair the seats in Cilfor and had been informed that he would do this work in the spring. She also noted that Mr. Meirion Griffith had agreed to remove the seat near Gwyndy, Ynys, and replace it with the one in the garage.
Land near Bron Trefor
Councillor John Richards reported discussions with Mr. Harri Pugh, who had agreed to build a wall one and a half meters along the main road. Councillor Richards also stated that Mr. Pugh was willing to sell the piece of land in question to the Council for £7,000. After discussion, it was agreed unanimously, and it was also agreed to cover Mr. Pugh’s legal costs. Councillor Gwynfor Owen mentioned that a PACT grant is available, and the Council could apply for this grant to purchase a bus shelter. It was agreed to leave this matter for now until the purchase of the land is completed.
HAL
It was reported that a meeting was held at the village hall, Llanbedr on the 11th of last month to discuss the way forward between Community Councils in the area and HAL. Each Council had decided to pay the precept monthly until the end of March 2024 unless something unexpected occurs. Everyone agreed that a business plan is needed, and HAL should send this out by mid-December. They will continue to send regular accounts to the Community Councils, and the Councils want to see any survey report received. The Clerk reported that she had received a copy of the email sent by the Clerk of Llanbedr Council to HAL and had forwarded this to all Members. She further reported receiving an email from HAL regarding issues raised in the Llanbedr meeting and had forwarded this to all Members. It was noted that a meeting between the Councils and HAL will be held on Thursday the 23rd of this month, and Councillor John Richards agreed to attend. Another meeting has also been scheduled by Llanbedr Community Council between the Councils in the area on the 18th of next month, and Councillor John Richards agreed to attend this meeting.
Gwynedd Council Matters
The following report was received from Councillor Annwen Hughes: she had received an email from Mr. Blow of Ty Crossing Ty Gwyn along with pictures showing rubbish that had fallen from a waste collection vehicle. She had contacted the relevant department immediately, and the rubbish in question was collected promptly. She also attended a meeting where Gwynedd Council must find savings/cuts of £6.5 million in 2024/25 if inflation remains at 6.7%. She has received several recent calls regarding signs placed around the area indicating that the A496 is closed near St. David’s Church. Although this refers to the road in Bermo, which will be closed for 8 weeks, she contacted the Highways Department due to the signs being poorly positioned at multiple junctions. She was informed that an Inspector would go around the area to check the placement of these signs and try to move them to safer locations for road users if necessary. Starting from the 6th of this month, the bus service has changed. Instead of T38 and T39, the bus will be re-routed to G23, running hourly from Monday to Saturday, increasing from 7 to 11 services. Councillor Gwynfor Owen reported that he had been informed that officers from Gwynedd Council had lost the papers regarding the “no parking” sign near the former Soar Chapel. He also attended a meeting to discuss savings/cuts facing Gwynedd Council and mentioned that the Authority must raise the amount of Council Tax, as well as attending a meeting at Trawsfynydd Power Station as part of his work as a translator.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
None had been received since the last meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer reported that there is £12,679.31 in the current account, and £39,250.14 in the savings account.
Payments during the month
B.T. – £39.59 – phone line for CCTV cameras (11.10.23)
B.T. – £39.59 – phone line for CCTV cameras (10.11.23)
Tree Fella – £1,800.00 – tree trimming at Llanfihangel y Traethau cemetery
Play Quest – £360.00 – play equipment inspection
Mr. Meirion Griffiths – £225.00 – grass cutting at Llanfihangel y Traethau cemetery
Mr. Meirion Griffiths – £395.00 – grass cutting of public paths in the area
Mr. Meirion Griffiths – £70.00 – petrol contribution for cutting grass in the play area
Mr. Meirion Griffiths – £347.00 – ordering and installing new sleepers in the play area
The British Legion – £40.00 – 2 poppy wreaths
Creative Play – £10,308.01 – refurbishment work at Gwynfor John’s play area
The above payments were processed by Councillor Eluned Williams, and Councillor Eifion Williams approved the payments. Permission was granted for the Clerk/Treasurer to pay them online or by cheque at the end of the meeting. It was agreed to transfer a sum of money from the savings account to the current account.
The Treasurer reported that the External Audit for the financial year 2022/23 has been completed, indicating a full audit with some significant issues raised, which were discussed.
The Clerk suggested it would be better to have a financial-only agenda for the January meeting to discuss financial matters in more detail, and everyone agreed. It was agreed to hold an additional meeting of the Council on February 19.
Receipts during the month
Mr. K. Beale – £25.00 – rent for Capel y Graig garage (October)
Mr. K. Beale – £25.00 – rent for Capel y Graig garage (November)
Requests for financial assistance
Harlech and Ardudwy Leisure – £357.00 (monthly contribution)
CORRESPONDENCE
Gwynedd Council – Highways Department
A letter was received from the above notifying the Council that the following works will be carried out next month: vegetation cutting, drainage work, hedging, and the installation of 3 horse gates on public footpath number 16/23.
Gwynedd Council – Environment Department
A response was received regarding the collection of garden waste from Llanfihangel y Traethau cemetery, stating this is not an issue but the Council will need to pay for this service, which amounts to £37. It was agreed to proceed with this.
Gwynedd Council – Highways Department
A response was received regarding repainting the “slow” at the entrance of Cilfor Estate, stating that the work is on the workforce program and will be done when dry weather permits. Additionally, due to the nature of the work, white lines along the center of the road near Cei Newydd have been sent to an external contractor when they are in the next area.
Gwynedd Council – Highways Department
An email was received with images regarding placing signs to reduce traffic through the village of Maentwrog and asking for the Council’s comments on this. The Clerk had already forwarded this email to all Members. It was agreed that this plan is a good one and to also ask them to ensure that large lorries do not travel on the road from Llandecwyn to Maentwrog.
Gwynedd Council – Environment Department
An email was received notifying the Council that the road from Ty Mawr from the point near the crossroads to the south of Christ Church will be closed from December 1 on health and safety grounds during work on overhead cables.
Talsarnau Village Hall Committee
An email was received from the above committee regarding renewing the village noticeboard and asking for details about the one held by Harlech Community Council. The Clerk had already forwarded details of this noticeboard to the committee. The village hall committee also asked if the Council could contribute towards ordering such a noticeboard. It was agreed that the Council would inform the hall committee that they are ready to order this noticeboard on behalf of the committee and also agreed to ask Mr. Meirion Evans to install it.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
It was reported that Owain Aeron will carry out the fencing work around Llandecwyn cemetery.
It was reported that the land at Rhiw Derwydd has not been cleared. It is requested that Mr. Meirion Griffiths be asked to do this work.
It is requested to contact Mabon Ap Gwynfor to inform him that people in the County are finding it difficult to obtain a blue badge from Gwynedd Council.
SIGNED……………………………………….Chair
DATE………………………………………………
English (UK) 
Cymraeg