APOLOGIES
Cllr. Dewi Tudur Lewis, Ann Jones.
PRESENT
Cllr. Owen Lloyd Roberts (Chair), Lisa Birks (Vice-Chair), John Richards, Eluned Williams, Ffion Williams, Sian Mai Ephraim, Eifion Williams, Margaret Roberts, and Cllr. Annwen Hughes and Gwynfor Owen (Gwynedd Council).
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
No one declared an interest in any matter.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting on February 19, 2024, were accepted as correct.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
No matters arose from the minutes.
MATTERS ARISING
Budget Plan
It was reported that £50,794.83 (including bank costs) had been spent since the start of the new financial year, which is £22,154.61 more than the budgeted expenditure for the year.
Land near Bron Trefor
Cllr. John Richards reported that he had been discussing the above matter with Mr. Harri Pugh and that prices were needed for bus shelters; it was agreed that the Clerk would look for these. It was also noted that a bus shelter was needed opposite an existing one in Llandecwyn.
Opening Tenders for Grass Cutting
The Clerk reported that she had received one tender for carrying out the above work from Mr. Meirion Griffith, Islwyn, Talsarnau at £14.00 per hour for cutting grass on public paths and one at £14.00 per hour for cutting grass in cemeteries in Llanfihangel y Traethau and Llandecwyn. It was agreed to accept Mr. Meirion Griffith’s tender.
Reviewing the Clerk’s Salary
The Council had agreed at their March 2021 meeting to review the Clerk’s salary annually, and it was agreed to raise the Clerk’s salary to £2,310 per year while keeping costs at £1,500 and office costs at £400. The Clerk was not present when this matter was discussed.
GWYNEDD COUNCIL MATTERS
The following report was received from Cllr. Annwen Hughes – she reported that she had received information along with photos showing that the resurfacing work at Llandecwyn crossroads was defective and that she had forwarded this information to the Highways Department. She received a response stating that they had forwarded this matter to Street Works in Caernarfon, informing them that they were very disappointed with the condition of the work and expected Street Works to ensure that the company redo the work to standard. She received a complaint that the road up to St. Michael’s Church needed cleaning and had contacted the Highways Department to ask if this work could be done as several funerals were being held there during this month. She received a letter from the Environment Department informing the Council that they intended to trial the use of hessian bags instead of blue recycling bins and wanted the Council’s opinion on this. After discussion, it was agreed that these bags were unsuitable and that it would be better to continue with the blue recycling bins as they were easier for the elderly to use and the hessian bags would not be suitable for keeping outside in all weather due to a lack of indoor space. It was also necessary to draw the Department’s attention to the reason that the blue recycling bins were being damaged was because they were not being treated properly by the workers when collected and they were being left everywhere.
Cllr. Gwynfor Owen reported that council tax had risen to 9.54% with £4 million in cuts and that he had been informed that Gwynedd Council had £10 million in balances and £100 million in reserves. He had been told that there were many potholes around the area due to work by Welsh Water and that significant work would be done on the road near Stabl Mail. It was also noted that the sign for the hall needed to be moved closer to the Gelli.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
None received since the last meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer reported that there was £3,441.18 in the current account and £9,537.16 in the reserve account.
Payments during the month
B.T – £333.59 – CCTV phone line (12.3.24)
HMRC – £105.00 – tax on the Clerk’s salary
Mrs. Annwen Hughes – £1,376.40 – salary and costs for 6 months
Mr. Meirion Griffiths – £200.00 – maintenance of Gardd y Rhiw
Mr. M. J. Kerr – £580.00 – reopening of the grave of the late Mrs. Beryl Price Pugh (new grave)
Mr. M. J. Kerr – £460.00 – reopening of the grave of the late Dr. John Jones-Morris (second reopening)
Requests for financial assistance
Village Hall Committee – £2,000.00
CFFI Meirionnydd – £200.00
The above payments were processed by Cllr. Lisa Birks, who was approved by Cllr. John Richards, and permission was granted to the Clerk/Treasurer to pay them online or by cheque at the end of the meeting. It was agreed to transfer an amount of money from the reserve account to the current account.
The above payments had to be made in 2 transactions because the maximum the Council can make for online payments at one time is £4,000.
Receipts during the month
Mr. K. Beale – £25.00 – rent for the Capel y Graig garage (March)
HMRC – £476.01 – VAT refund.
CORRESPONDENCE
Gwynedd Council – Highways Department
Received a response from the above regarding matters raised at the last Council meeting.
Gwynedd Council – Highways Department
Received a response from the Pathways Officer regarding a complaint that had been sent to him regarding the Wern Path, stating that he had discussed the condition of this path with the engineers at the Council, and as some Councillors are aware, significant work was done to improve this path several years ago. The situation is further complicated because the land where the path stands has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its boggy nature and the plants that grow there. He also stated that he had contacted Natural Resources Wales to discuss what work could be done to try to restore the situation and he would update us when he received a response from them. He also stated for the Council’s information that new gates had been installed in collaboration with the landowners on paths in the area, namely public paths numbers 18, 21, 33, 35, 36, and 42, and a gate had been installed on public path number 27 (near Llyn Adar) in place of the derelict stile.
Natural Resources Wales
Received a response regarding a fence running along the side of the road between the hall and the Maes Trefor housing estate, stating that it is not their responsibility, but perhaps it is the responsibility of Gwynedd Council. The Clerk reported that she had forwarded her response to Gwynedd Council and had been informed by them that it was the responsibility of the hall committee to maintain the boundary fence. She had sent a copy of this email along with a copy of the Lease to every Member.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
It was noted that the land near Rhiw Derwydd had been cleared, and the Council thanked those who had done this work.
It was noted that the site near Soar had been cleared, but a vehicle full of litter was still there.
It was noted that the manhole on the road to Pont Briwet needed attention, as well as the path from Isfryn to Pendle.
It was noted that the bus shelter in Llandecwyn needed cleaning.
The Llandecwyn noticeboard needed attention, and Cllr. John Richards agreed to deal with this matter.
The cemetery gate at Llanfihangel y Traethau needed attention.
It was noted that a new parking space had been created beside the Gelli near the old hall.
It was noted that the kerbs near 1 Cilfor and number 3 Bryn Eithin estate needed attention.
Concerns were raised that a vehicle had been parked in the playground parking area for some time.
English (UK) 
Cymraeg