APOLOGIES
Cllr. Margaret Roberts, Ann Jones Ffion Williams.
PRESENT
Cllrs. Lisa Birks (Chairman), Dewi Tudur Lewis (Vice Chairman), John Richards, Eluned Williams, Sian Mai Ephraim, , Eifion Williams, Owen Lloyd Roberts, Cllr. Annwen Hughes and Gwynfor Owen (Gwynedd Council).
Heledd Parri and Chloe Tudor Jones, Rural Housing Facilitators, were welcomed to the meeting to discuss the housing needs of the area. It was noted that they work with and on behalf of communities and partners developing affordable housing for local people in response to the shortage of affordable housing in various rural areas across North West Wales. There are nine partners supporting the work in North West Wales, within the counties of Gwynedd, Anglesey, and Conwy. They also recognize local housing needs to ensure a supply of affordable homes for local people in rural areas, which is the foundation of their work. The work is carried out in partnership with the local community and scheme partners. This is done through data analysis and by using various consultation techniques, including surveys and open days. They will hold an afternoon session, and the company Tai Teg and Snowdonia National Park will be present at the open afternoon to gather the opinions of local people. Snowdonia National Park has commissioned the service. Rural Housing Facilitators to create a housing needs report for Talsarnau, to see what the overall need is in the area.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST
No Member declared an interest on any matter
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on September 15th 2025 were found to be correct.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
There were no matters arising from the minutes
MATTERS ARISING
Budget Plan
It was reported that the Council had spent £9,956.03 (which included bank charges) since the start of the new financial year and this was £19.846.97 less expenditure than what was earmarked in the budget for the year.
Land near Bron Trefor
The Clerk reported that he had received a response from Lloyds buses regarding this matter, stating that it is not their responsibility and that he had contacted the Department of Transport and they had stated that no risk assessment of the site had been carried out. They also stated that they believe the width of the pavement is not sufficient for a shelter, but that they would be able to install a post and flag there. It was decided to ask another landowner if it would be possible to provide a bus shelter at that site, and Cllr Gwynfor Owen agreed to ask them.
Play Park
The Clerk reported that he had distributed the letter advertising the work that is going to be carried out on the above site to houses in the area and also stated that the rubbish bins had been placed on the site. It was noted that the work had started today.
Relocation of Benches
The Chairman reported that the two benches that had been placed near the Cilfor crossroads needed to be relocated because some new ones had been installed near the crossroads, and it had also been learned that the company Hochief had agreed to carry out the necessary work on the two benches and place them in other locations. After discussion, it was agreed to place one bench near Cynefin, Llandecwyn, and the other on the slope of Bryn Eithin, Llandecwyn.
A request for individuals to volunteer and create a ‘Talsarnau friends group’ as a committee to be able to apply for grants for the School, etc.
The above matter was discussed but it was agreed that the Council cannot do anything and it was agreed that the matter should be raised again at a meeting of the Governing Body.
GWYNEDD COUNCIL MATTERS
The following report was received by Cllr. Annwen Hughes – that she had received an email from an elector asking if it would be possible to contact the Highways Department to ask them to clear the drainage ditch along the side of the road between Rhosigor and Gefail y Cwm because the river is overflowing. She had forwarded this request to the Highways Department and had been informed that the river needs to be cleared, which is the reason why it is overflowing, and that they are aware of the situation and have been corresponding with the landlord’s agent and a letter has been sent notifying that the Land Drainage Act 1991, Section 25 allows them to enforce it; however, at present they are asking for his cooperation in undertaking and maintaining the necessary work to restore the watercourse to good working condition and prevent water from overflowing onto the highway. Appropriate action in this case would include removing silt and vegetation from the bed of the watercourse on the land. They have provided a reasonable timetable until the 1st of December to carry out the work, after which there will be no choice but to considerformal enforcement action, which can mean a legal notice, makes it necessary for the work to be completed. She had attended the Financial Strategy meeting held on the 22nd of last month, and the financial situation in Gwynedd does not look good, and it may be necessary to raise the Council tax by 13%, but the Council will have a better idea after the financial settlement is accepted. Another meeting of the financial plan briefing session will be held on the 10th of next month, but unfortunately he was unable to attend this meeting because there was a National Park Authority meeting on the same day.
Cllr. Gwynfor Owen reported that the late train continues on the Cambrian line throughout the winter and encouraged everyone to use it, ‘the CPR report had been released and it did not look good for Gwynedd Council and it is not a pleasant report to read.’
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Repair and renovation work, including replacing a corrugated sheet roof with slates, following extensive fire damage at Tyddyn Siôn Wyn, Talsarnau (NP5/77/LB67)
Support this application.
Listed Building Consent for repair and renovation work, including replacing a corrugated sheet roof with slates, following extensive fire damage at Tyddyn Siôn Wyn, Talsarnau (NP5/77/LB67A)
Support this application.
Listed Building Consent for repair and renovation work, including replacing a corrugated sheet roof with a black sheet roof, following extensive fire damage at Tyddyn Siôn Wyn, Talsarnau (NP5/77/LB67B)
Support this application.
Repair and renovation work, including replacing a corrugated sheet roof with a black sheet roof, following extensive fire damage at Tyddyn Siôn Wyn, Talsarnau (NP5/77/LB67C)
Support this application
TREAURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer reported that there was £20,887.19 in the current account and £27,996.73 in the reserve account.
Invoices needing payment since last meeting
Mr. Meirion Griffiths – £230.00 – cut grass in Llanfihangel cemetery
Mr. Meirion Griffiths – £210.00 – cut grass in Llandecwyn cemetery
Mr. Meirion Griffiths – £375.00 – cut grass on public footpaths
Mr. Wayne Farrell – £1,620.00 – complete restriation work in Cilfor
Royal British Legion – £40.00 – 2 poppy wreaths
It was agreed to pay the Creative Play invoice for the work carried out in the play park once it had been received and that the Clerk contact every Member first.
The above payments were processed by Cllr. Eifion Williams and Cllr Owen Lloyd Roberts approved the payments and permission was granted to the Clerk/Treasurer to make payment on line or by cheque at the end of the meeting.
Monies received since last meeting
Mr. K. Beale – £25.00 – Capel y Graig garage rent (October)
Mr. K. Beale – £25.00 – Capel y Graig garage rent (November)
CORRESPONDENCE
Snowdonia National Park
Received an email from the above regarding an update on the review process of the Snowdonia Local Development Plan and asking whether it would be possible for an informal survey to be completed by residents of the Park in order for them to hear the views of local people on key planning policy issues in the area. The deadline for completing the survey is December 12th. The Clerk had already forwarded this to all Members.
Gwynedd Council – Environment Department
Received an email from a Cabinet Member of the above Department askingthe Council whether it would be possible for them to take part in the consultation regarding a survey on the Gwynedd Council Waste Strategy by completing the survey by the 30th of this month. The Clerk had already forwarded this to all Members.
One Voice Wales
Received an email from the above notifying the Council that the annual general meeting of One Voice Wales will be held virtually on 21st January 2026 and that there is an invitation for only one Councillor to attend the meeting. They also requested the name of the attendee along with a substitute by 18th December. The Clerk had already forwarded this to all Members. Councillor Lisa Birks agreed to attend this meeting on behalf of the Council.
Snowdonia National Park
Received a response from an Officer at the Park regarding cabins on land above the Village Hall and stating that they would be in contact with an update soon. Disappointment was expressed that no further information had been received, and it was agreed that the Clerk would contact the Park once more.
Village Hall Committee
Received an email from the above asking if the Council would consider taking over the responsibility of the four defibrillators in the area. It was agreed that there was no problem with this in principle, and Councillor Dewi Tudur Lewis agreed to make further inquiries.
Betsan Emlyn
Received an email from the above asking for a financial contribution to enable the purchase of a Christmas tree for the village. The Clerk had already forwarded this email to the Members, and it was unfortunately agreed, much to the Members’ disappointment, that the Council could not make a financial contribution to an individual due to financial rules. It was agreed that the Council would need to do something about this matter by next Christmas
ANY OTHER MATTER
Concerns were expressed that the work has never been carried out near Pont y Glyn
Concerns were expressed that some people take their dogs to Rhiw Garden and it was agreed to request a sign to be put up there.
Concerns were expressed that the issue of putting double yellow lines on Soar Hill has never been resolved.
Concerns were expressed about speeding in Llandecwyn.
It was noted that the ANPR cameras in Llandecwyn need to be renewed and also disappointment was expressed that the line for the Maentwrog cameras had been broken. Cllr. John Richards agreed to deal with this matter and it was agreed that the necessary work on the cameras needs to be carried out.
Concerns were expressed that the condition of Cei Newydd road has never been sorted and it was agreed to contact the Highways Department once again.
Concerns were expressed that work carried out by the company Opus is taking time and Cllr. Lisa Birks agreed to make enquiries regarding this.
The Clerk stated that only a financial meeting of the Council will be held in January.
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