APOLOGIES
Cllrs. Rhian Corps, Ceri Griffiths, Gordon Howie.
PRESENT
Cllrs. Christopher Braithwaite (Chairman), Edwina Evans, Martin Hughes, Giles Bentham, Reg Chapman, James Maxwell, Wendy Williams, and Cllr. Annwen Hughes and Gwynfor Owen (Gwynedd Council).
There were 10 members of the public present at the meeting
The Chairman welcomed Mr. Simon Dawson and Ms. Jodie Pritchard, two of HAL’s Board Directors to the meeting to discuss the future of the centre now that the site has closed. They thanked the contribution they had received for August and September from the Council and asked if the Community Council would carry on to contribute in order to keep the centre solvent because Gwynedd Council has three months to make a decision to let them know if they are willing to take over the centre. Volunteers were keeping an eye on the site and they made sure the place was kept tidy. ‘They needed to hire a Solicitor to make sure everything was done properly. The Chairman stated that the Clerk had contacted the Internal Auditor and One Voice Wales at the request of one of the other Councils to ask whether it was right to carry on contributing the precept money to HAL now that the place had closed and she had received a reply from the Internal Auditor stating that “if the site is closed, and the place is not expected to re-open again, then the nature of the relationship has changed, i.e the original intention of contributing money “to keep the swimming pool open” is no longer there, and therefore there are no grounds to continue the contributions as the Council has a duty to protect public funds” and One Voice Wales supported this. Cllr. Martin Hughes objected to this and pointed out that this advice was not relevant to Harlech Community Council as the swimming pool was within the boundaries of the Council and an asset for the community including the access road. It was a strategic location whether or not it continued to be used as a swimming pool. If HAL was allowed to become insolvent then the community would have no influence over what happened to it. Other Members were also not happy with this reply and stated that this email had not been sent on behalf of Harlech Community Council and suggested that the Clerk contact the Internal Auditor and One Voice Wales once more and ask the following questions – Does Harlech Community Council currently have the power to continue to fund HAL to ensure the facilities remain in the best interests of the community” and “Is it acceptable now to be paying the precept money despite no services being provided”. It was also agreed that the HAL Board include a statement to be sent to the Internal Auditor and One Voice Wales.
CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Urgent work had to be carried out on one of the leaking toilets in the public toilets near the memorial hall and also the electrical work is currently being carried out in the toilets by A1 Electrical. ‘Mr. Martin Hanks apologized that he was unable to attend tonight’s meeting but was going to send him and the Clerk a copy of his report and hopes to attend the Council meeting in November. The Harlech Art Project is progressing well but they have had to put in a planning application as well as having to have a tree survey carried out and have received letters of support from those involved. Meetings need to be kept to a time of not more than 2 hours as has been stated in the Standing Orders. ‘The Chairman asked everyone to abide by the Code of Conduct especially some Members
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on September 2nd 2024 were found to be correct.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Cllr. Martin Hughes stated that he had heard nothing about the booking regarding the One Voice Wales annual conference on the 16th of this month and the Clerk stated that his place has been booked and the invoice will be paid this evening.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST
No Member declared an interest on any matters.
GWYNEDD COUNCIL MATTERS
The following report was received from Cllr. Annwen Hughes and Gwynfor Owen. Cllr. Annwen Hughes reported that since the last meeting that she had been briefed on Home Care in the Penrhyndeudraeth and Harlech area and they have been working very closely with the care provider, ‘Respite Care’ due to challenging times for the company in failing to recruit. Unfortunately because of this it appears that the service will not be able to continue and a “Respite Care” agreement will expire over the next few months. To ensure that care provision is still available in the area they are supported by “Meddygcare” care company and some cases in the area have already been transferred to them. Bus passes can be used on local trains until next March but not on school trains. She had visited the Min y Don car park and had noticed that the tar surrounding one of the bollards had broken up and because of this making the bollard loose and also a piece of the fence that runs from the entrance gate to the beach towards the bins had been damaged and she had sent pictures of these on to Gwynedd Council. Following a day of interviews to appoint a new Chief Executive for the National Park Authority last week, at the end of the day Mr. Jonathan Cawley, Director of Planning and Land Management, was appointed as the Authority’s new Chief Executive. Cllr. Gwynfor Owen stated that he was not happy in the way the Chairman responded to him tonight and also not happy with the article in Llais Ardudwy about HAL. ‘He had received an email about a type of fence needed down at King George playing field, had attended the meeting with Cyfeillion Ellis Wynne. During last week’s Council meeting a’notice of a motion had been made regarding the crown estate and that Gwynedd Council was going to write to them asking not to pay them. ‘A notice of motion had been made regarding fuel poverty asking Gwynedd Council to write to the Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer opposing this.
MATTERS ARISING
Budget Plan
It was reported that the Council had spent £33,793.42 (which included bank charges) since the start of the new financial year and this was £28,414.18 less expenditure than what was earmarked in the budget for the year (This is after the budget has been revised). It was agreed to add Cllr. James Maxwell onto the finance sub-committee
Election of Councillor
The Clerk reported that the notice which had been put up on both the notice boards and the Council’s website advertising the vacant seat existing on the Council had expired on the 9th of last month and she had been informed by the Electoral Officer that he had received no name declaring an interest and so another notice will be prepared by him in the near future and he will let the Clerk know when this needs to be put up. The Clerk had also received an advert regarding the other vacancy that persists on the Council following the resignation of Mr. Tegid John and this notice will expire on the 25th of this month. Like the other vacant seat in existence if an application for an election is received by the Electoral Officer an election for the two vacant seats in existence on the Council would be held on the 12th of December. It was agreed to put election of Vice Chairman on next month’s agenda.
Public Benches
Cllr. Wendy Williams reported that she had spoken to Mr. Lee Warwick about painting some of the benches and he couldn’t do anything at the moment and agreed to leave the painting the benches until the spring. Cllr. Reg Chapman reported that he had prices for seats made of recycled material and it was agreed to order 3 of these at a price of around £370.89 each and the Chairman agreed to deal with the matter of having a place to keep them until they are needed.
Christmas Lights
It was made known that the lights were still in the scouts building and that an electrician needed to come and test them. The Chairman stated that Mr. Tegid John was willing to store these lights and it was agreed to pay him for doing this and it was agreed for the Clerk to contact Mr. Tomos Slattery about erecting these lights up on the lamp poles and asking him to contact Cllr. Reg Chapman about this.
Cyfeillion Ellis Wynne
The Chairman reported that a meeting with the above had taken place on the 17th of last month and the Chairman stated that the Cyfeillion had asked if the Council would be willing support them. The place cost £5,000 to run annually and they had £35,000 in the bank, that the Cyfeillion were Managing Trustees and that the Community Council were Custodian Trustees. ‘There was no formal agreement in place and there were three options available which were to carry on as they are, sell the lease or be supported by the Community Council. ‘The Chairman had obtained the document regarding Land Registration and it was agreed to take this document to the Council Solicitor.
King George playing field noticeboard
The Clerk reported that she received an email from Mr. Joe Patton along with a plan of the above in order to place it in King George playing field and this noticeboard will explain the use of the site along with its history. Everyone agreed that it was right for Mr. Patton to carry on ordering this noticeboard. It was agreed that new nets needed to be purchased for the goals in this playing field.
Allotments
It was made known by Cllr. Giles Bentham that work is suppose to be started on the above sometime this month.
Nature trail management plan
The Chairman reported that a meeting of the sub committee of the above which included himself, Cllrs. James Maxwell and Reg Chapman was taking place this Friday the 11th of this month to discuss the above site.
Car Parks
It was agreed to contact Gwynedd Council asking what the income of the car parks in the town was for the last financial year and wanted to ask one of the Officers to come to a Council meeting to discuss the plans regarding Bron y Graig Uchaf car park. It was agreed that it was necessary to contact Gwynedd Council about the untidy condition of Parc Bron y Graig.
Council’s Assets Register
It was agreed to establish a task and finish sub- committee and Cllrs. James Maxwell and Giles Bentham agreed to be part of this sub-committee.
Council’s Training Plan
It was agreed there was a need to draw up a Council training plan and place it on the Council’s web page.
Remote access at Council meetings
It was reported that items had been purchased by the Old Library committee towards being able to do this and it was agreed to ask what else was necessary to enable its use.
Financial Regulations
It was agreed that the finance sub-committee discuss the above when they meet.
Various Reports
Because there was not enough time to discuss the above issue tonight, that the issue is moved to next month’s agenda.
Translator
Because there was not enough time to discuss the above issue tonight, that the issue is moved to next month’s agenda.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Change of use of an existing garage to a winery Llanllwyni, Harlech (NP5/61/92C)
Support this application.
Installation of external air source heat pump on the west elevation 32 Y Waun, Harlech, (NP5/61/668)
Support this application.
Advertisement Consent for replacement signage – 1 entrance pillar & 1 totem (both illuminated) and 1 directional sign (non-illuminated) Harlech Toyota, Ffordd Newydd, Harlech (NP5/61/AD20J)
Support this application.
RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER
The Responsible Financial Officer reported that there was £29,104.26 in the current account and £103,146.71 in the reserve account.
Invoices needing payment since last meeting
Mrs Kim Howie – £55.99 – monthly payment for administration of Council website and additional work
Custom & Excise – £110.00 – tax on Clerk’s wages
Mr. Joe Patton – £30.55 – repayment for items to the community wildflower garden
Cameron May – £80.00 – change broken flusher in public toilets by Memorial Hall
One Voice Wales – £95.00 – attend One Voice Wales annual conference
Gwynedd Council – £99.00 – rent for the public toilets near the Memorial Hall
J. B. Pest Control – £50.00 – eradicate wasp nest in public cemtery
Mr. G. J. Williams – £260.00 – cut grass in King George & football field
Mr. M. J. Kerr – £480.00 – opening grave re the late Mrs Melanie Amber Griffiths
Mr. M. J. Kerr – £90.00 – opening grave re the late Ms Rhian Wyn Roberts (ashes)
Applications for financial contributions
Harlech & Ardudwy Leisure – £1,824.75 – precept proposal (monthly payment)*
*It was agreed to wait for a reply from the Internal Auditor and One Voice Wales before making a decision regarding paying the above.
Memorial Hall Committee – £1,000
Old Library Committee – £1,000
Eisteddfod Ardudwy – £500
Tan y Castell School – £500
The above payments were processed by Cllr. Edwina Evans and Cllr. Wendy Williams 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
Travel Chapter £1,000.00 – grant for community garden
Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri – £500.00 – grant for community garden
Pritchard a Griffiths – £945.00 – burial re the late Mrs Melanie Amber Griffiths
Customs & Excise – £182.36 – V.A.T. repayment
Invoices paid since the last meeting
Catrin Soraya Williams – £145.00 – translation services
CORRESPONDENCE
Gwynedd Council –Environment Department
Received an email from the above informing the Council that the road near Bron y Graig bollards, Harlech up to Pant Mawr, Harlech will be closed on the 7th of this month on health and safety grounds for the public during works on behalf of Welsh Water.
Gwynedd Council – Highways Department
Received a letter from the above regarding the programme of works for October and stating the Area Tidying Up Team will visit the area between the 28th of this month and the 1st of November.
Gwynedd Council –Environment Department
Received an email from the above informing the Council the A496, Harlech road from a point near the junction of the Lower Road (B4573) to a point opposite Aldburie, Harlech will be closed on the 16th of this month on health and safety grounds for the public during works on behalf of Scottish Power.
English (UK) 
Cymraeg