APOLOGIES
Cllrs. Ffion Williams, Margaret Roberts, and Gwynfor Owen (Gwynedd Council)
PRESENT
Councillor Lisa Birks (Chair), Dewi Tudur Lewis (Vice-Chair), John Richards, Eluned Williams, Sian Mai Ephraim, Eifion Williams, Owen Lloyd Roberts, Ann Jones, and Councillor Annwen Hughes (Gwynedd Council)
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting on 18th November 2024 were received and accepted as correct.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
It was agreed to include the Llandecwyn Monument on the agenda for the next meeting.
It was agreed to include an inspection of the parking area and play area on the agenda for the next meeting.
It was agreed to contact Gwynedd Council regarding the lack of white lines in the middle of the road near Cei Newydd and ask them to carry out a survey of the cracks in the road opposite the National Grid works.
MATTERS ARISING
Independent Audit Panel
The Clerk reported that each Councillor needed to sign a form regarding the above once again this year. It is necessary to list every rule adopted in the Council minutes, and if a reimbursement rule for expenses is adopted, Councillors who do NOT wish to claim expenses must sign a form to declare this. After discussion, it was agreed to adopt the reimbursement rule for expenses again this year, and it was agreed that all those wishing to claim expenses should do so but that it is important for everyone to send the forms back to the Clerk after completing them. Of the members present, 6 Councillors decided to accept the allowance, and 2 Councillors decided not to accept the allowance.
Budget Plan
Copies of the budget plan were distributed, showing the differences in the expenditure made up to 31st December 2024, since the beginning of April 2024, and what had been allocated in the budget plan up to the end of December for each member present. It was reported that £11,804.01 (including bank charges) had been spent since the beginning of the financial year, and this was £9,672.99 less than was allocated in the budget for the year. The members went through the differences in expenditure and what was allocated in the budget item by item. It was agreed to accept the above.
Council Financial Risk Assessment Policy and Assest Register
Copies of the policy were distributed to all present, and each item on the policy was discussed separately. It was decided to accept these policies.
Council Projects for 2025/26
The Clerk reported that the above had been placed on the agenda to get an idea of the projects that would need attention during the new financial year and to include an estimate of the cost in the budget. It was agreed to plant flower beds around the villages.
Council Budget for the 2025/26 Year
The Treasurer distributed copies of the Council’s accounts up to 31st December 2024 to all members to allow them to see the financial situation. A discussion was held regarding the above, and it was decided on the following estimates for Council expenditure for the next financial year:
This made a total of £39,000.
It was forecast that the income for the financial year 2025/26 would be £4,580, and that the balance at the end of March would be £22,190, giving a total of £26,770. The precept was raised from £22,000 to £34,000 to ensure the Council would not face financial difficulties and to meet the budget that had been set.
Council Precept for the 2025/26 Year
A letter was received from Gwynedd Council regarding the above. After discussing the budget and forecasting the Council’s expenditure for the next financial year, it was decided to increase the precept from £22,000 to £34,000.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer reported that £9,278.05 was in the bank, and £17,721.86 was in the reserve account.
Invoices to be paid since the last meeting
HMRC – £115.60 – tax on Clerk’s salary
Audit Wales – £200.00 external audit 2023/24
Monies received since the last meeting
Mr. K. Beale – £25.00 (rent for Capel y Graig garage for December)
Gwynedd Council – £479.95 (reimbursement for cutting public footpath grass)
Mr. K. Beale – £25.00 (rent for Capel y Graig garage for January)
HMRC – £156.27 (VAT refund)
Invoices paid since the last meeting
Play Quest – £360.00 (playground inspection)
This inspection was carried out after the last Council meeting, and the invoice needed to be paid by the 11th of the previous month. After contacting the members, it was agreed to pay it, and this was done on the 20th of December.
The payments above were processed by the Chair, Cllr Lisa Birks, and Cllr Eluned Williams approved the payments. The Clerk/Treasurer was authorised to pay them online or by cheque at the end of the meeting.
The Treasurer reported that the external audit had been received, and no significant issues had been raised.
MATTERS DISCUSSED AFTER THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
PLANNING APPLICATION
None received since the last meeting
CORRESPONDENCE
Welsh Government
A letter was received informing the Council that the appropriate amount under Section 137(4)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972, Section 137 expenditure for 2025/26, would be £11.10 per elector. The Clerk reported that the most recent number of electors is 441, so the Council is entitled to contribute up to £4,895.10 to external bodies.
Post Office
An email was received from the Manager of External Affairs asking if the Council could consider a suitable location for the mobile post office parking in the village, as the postal service would no longer be held in the hall. The Clerk had forwarded this email to all members, suggesting outside the hall as a location, and had received a reply confirming that this was a good idea and they would follow up on the suggestion.
As only financial matters were discussed in this meeting, it was decided to hold another Council meeting on the 17th of next month at 7.30 pm in the village hall.
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