APOLOGIES
Cllr. Ceri Griffiths, Wendy Williams, Gordon Howie, Mark Lewis, Simon Turner.
PRESENT
Cllrs. Christopher Braithwaite (Chairman), James Maxwell (Vice Chairman), Tegid John, Edwina Evans, Rhian Corps, Reg Chapman, Martin Hughes, and Cllr. Annwen Hughes and Gwynfor Owen (Gwynedd Council).
There were 7 members of the public present at the meeting
Questions by members of the public
Various questions were asked and comments made by some members of the public stating that it was nice to see that the local Eisteddfod committee had taken the time to send a letter of thanks, asked why recent correspondance asking for a slot to be made available on the agenda for puplic participlation was not included in the March correspondance and it was stataed that this had been addressed at the start of the March meeting. Asked why members of the public were excluded from the meeting when the grass cutting tenders were opened and it was explained that this was because of confidentiality, asked for names of Councilors who have undertaken training to be included in the payments section when the invoice is been paid, asked why there was not a fence around the gas tanks at Pant Mawr and it was explained that this piece of land was sold to the owners of Pant Mawr and therefore not the responsibility of the Community Council.
A question was asked with regards to the tennis courts and what upkeep was going to be done to them, stated that the town map in the lower Bron y Graig car park needed updating and voiced concern about the untidy state of the former TV shop.
CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman welcomed Cllr. Tegid John back as a Member of the Council and Cllr. John signed an Acceptance of Office form before the start of the meeting.
On behalf of the Council the Chairman sympathised with Cllr. Edwina Evans following the death of her brother
Stated that a freedom of information request was recently asked for and all information was given to the individual.
An update on the Way Forward progress document.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on March 3rd 2025 were found to be correct.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
It was agreed that correspondence received from Mrs Sue Travis regarding asking for a slot on the agenda for public participation should have been included in the March minutes.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Cllr. Edwina Evans declared an interest regarding the letter from Teulu Castell and she signed a personal Declaration of Interest form and she did not take part when the matter was discussed.
Cllr. Tegid John declared an interest regarding the planning application for Foel, Harlech and he signed a personal Declaration of Interest form and he did not take part when the matter was discussed.
Cllr. Christopher Braithwaite declared an interest regarding the planning application for Foel, Harlech and he signed a personal Declaration of Interest form and he did not take part when the matter was discussed.
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 in a meeting with the Police in Barmouth on the 7th of this month and a presentation was given by an Arrive Alive Officer and he explained that he was unable to come to the area at the
moment with the Arrive Alive vehicle because no traffic surveys have been carried out since the 20 m.y.a was put in place. He hoped the traffic survey would be carried out soon and then he would be able to come back to the area. It was also made known that it was now possible to report dog fouling problems to the Enforcement Officer on the Gwynedd Council app. The Police made it known that there was an increase in anti social behaviour crimes in the area last year between Harlech and Barmouth and also an increase in crimes during the same period. She had asked the Police once again if it would be possible for them to ask the Traffic Warden to visit the town as some park along the high street all day. She had also received complaints about the overgrown bushes in the lower Bron y Graig car park and had contacted Gwynedd Council with regards to this matter.
Cllr. Gwynfor Owen stated that he had attended the opening of the garden in King George playing field and wanted to congratulate Mr. Joe Patton, he had been choosen to sit on the committee to investigate safety in schools, he had received complaints about anti social behaviour in the woods of the nature trail.
MATTERS ARISING
Budget Plan
It was reported that the Council had spent £80,011.63 (which included bank charges) since the start of the new financial year and this was £37,545.37 less expenditure than what was earmarked in the budget for the year (This is after the budget has been revised). The Clerk distributed copies of the Council’s budget plan for the year 2024/25 to every Member and they went through this plan. It was agreed to adopt this plan for the year ahead.
Allotments
The Clerk reported that she had been informed that Mr. Meirion Evans had completed the work that he was suppose to carry out at the above site. Cllr. Reg Chapman stated that meetings will be held in the near future to create a sub-committee and it was agreed that allotment tenants would be able to be part of this sub-committee and that they would be able to bid for grants.
Council’s Website
The Clerk reported that she had been in a meeting with Mr. Owen Brown last Friday and that the website is looking good and hopefully will be alive before the next Council meeting. A picture of how the cover of the website would look was shown to all Members and it was agreed to aks if the agenda and minutes could be listed.
Nature trail management plan
The Clerk reported that Mr. Tom Edwards had contacted her to inform her that he had been up to the above site and had walked it and that there is quite a bit of work needed doing there and she had received a quote from Mr. Edwards to carry out the necessary work in accordance with the report that was received from the Nationa Park.
Everybody was in agreement to accept the quote of £5,750 as it was classed as emergency works. Also it was made known that the National Park had agreed to contribute up to £2,500 to carry out this work.
Penygraig Land
The Clerk reported further that she had sent the below e-mail to every Member after the March meeting and it was agreed to answer the following questions asked as follows:-
1.Will you instruct a surveyor to do the following?: It was agreed to ask Mr. Edwards if he knew of a suitable surveyor
i. To ascertain whether the land is physically safe to purchase;
ii. To make a risk assessment of the site;
iii. To ascertain whether the property endangers neighbouring properties;
iv. To report whether there is or will be necessary expenditure on the property in the future to keep it safe.
2. We attach a copy of TP1 which you will be asked to sign in due course. We refer specifically to the following clauses (but you should read it all carefully): 4.1.1; 4.1.2; 4.1.3; 4.1.4; and 4.1.4.
5. We refer to clause 5.4. Do you know of any ‘Notice’? No
6. The limits between this property and the property in the possession of the seller not sold to you shall be limits held jointly – clause 6.3. Yes
Harlech Beach (North Section) beach cleanup
In the absence of Cllr. Simon Turner the following report was read out on his behalf – that he was struggling to find a local person with tractor and trailer to drive into the beach and that Cllr. Mark Lewis was chasing a contact.
In anticipation of resolving this, he had arranged the following:
Harlech Recycling Centre will accept the tractor and trailer to dump the collected items. They will sort and recycle.
Beach access has been agreed with the Porthmadog beach officer at Gwynedd Council.
A company called ‘Waffle & Graze’ have agreed to meet the beach cleaning volunteers in the public car park after the clear up and ‘reward’ their efforts with a coffee and Belgium waffle at an approximate cost of £280.
Any help in finding a tractor/trailer owner would be greatly appreciated. It was agreed that a breakdown of the actual cost received from Waffle & Graze would be needed and also to suggest that he asks the golf if they would be able to help with a tractor and trailer.
Fence along the A496
As no reply had been received from the owner of the land regarding the above fence it was agreed to ask Mr. Meirion Evans for a quote to take the fence down.
King George playing field
The Clerk reported that she had receivede an e-mail from Mr. Joe Patton informing the Council that he had been talking with Gwenno Jones from the National Park regarding Eryri Communities Fund that is due to open once the total amount of available funds has been identified. This grant is for community groups wishing to improve access to leisure facilities. Mr. Patton was asking for the Council’s permission to submit an application to fund a wheelchair accessible roundabout at a cost of £21,120 within the fenced play area. The Clerk reported further that Mr. Patton had received a quote from G. L. Jones to carry this work out. It was agreed that permission would be given to Mr. Patton to apply for a grant and also the Council would like to thank Mr. Patton for all the hard work he does with regards to the King George playing field.
HAL
Cllr. Reg Chapman reported that continuing dialogue was going ahead with both parties and that the Board was waiting for financial reports from them and an update would be given at the next Council meeting.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Installation of 12 ground mounted solar panels (3.6kw) Foel, Harlech (NP5/61/608E)
Support this application
Erection of porch and balcony to existing dwelling and the replacement of an existing outdoor store to create a new external kitchen and covered car port Erinfa, High Street, Harlech (NP5/61/669)
Support this application
Installation of freestanding air-source heat pump within rear curtilage 27 Glan Gors, Harlech (NP5/61/673)
The Clerk reported that the above application had only been received this morning and therefore she would forward it to all Members tomorrow.
RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER
The Responsible Financial Officer reported that there was £12,078.16 in the current account and £84,098.41 in the reserve account.
Invoices needing payment since last meeting
Customs & Excise – £110.00 – tax on Clerk’s wages
One Voice Wales – £370.00 – membership for the year
One Voice Wales – £80.00 – Councillors training (Cllrs. James Maxwell and Mark Lewis)
Woodland Trust – £1.20 – rent for signage in Coed Llechwedd
Mr. G. J. Williams – £202.00 – cut grass in King George V playing field
Mr. Meirion Evans – £720.00 – create walkways around the allotments
Gwynedd Council – £960.86 – emptying of rubbish bins in play parks
Mr. M. J. Kerr – £470.00 – opening grave re the late Mrs Sarah Catherine Bridle
It was agreed that the invoice the Chairman had received from Mr. Lee Warwick for cleaning the public toilets near the castle would be paid once it had been forwarded to the Responsible Financial Officer.
Applications for financial contributions
Meirionnydd YFC – £500
Teulu Castell – £500
Ardudwy YFC – £500
It was agreed that the Finance sub-Committee develop clear procedures for considering future grant applications received for the Council to approve. In future applicants must state the purpose for which a grant is requested and to provide accounts and other background information. The Finance sub-Committee would carry out the initial assessment of grant applications and make appropriate recommendations to the Council for decision in future
The above payments were processed by Cllr. Tegid John and Cllr. James Maxwell 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.
The Responsible Financial Officer had sent a copy of the Council’s accounts for the year ending 31st March 2025 to every Member. The Members went through the accounts carefully and they all accepted the accounts. It was agreed by everybody that the accounts book be signed by the Chairman and the Clerk.
It was reported that the finance sub committee had met last Wednesday with also the Clerk present and Cllr. Martin Hughes showed the spreadsheet regarding how the income and expenditure would be kept in future to all Members.
Monies received since last meeting
Customs & Exscise – £540.31 – VAT repayment
Pritchard & Griffiths – £945.00 – burial of the late Mrs Sarah Catherine Bridle
Invoices paid since the last meeting
Catrin Soraya Williams – £145.00 – translation services
CORRESPONDENCE
Snowdonia National Park
Received a letter from the above informing the Council that a Public Consultation: Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance regarding the managing of dwellings as holiday homes (second homes and short-term holiday lets) is been held and any comments must be sent by the 14th of this month. The Clerk had already forwarded this e-mail to Members.
Eisteddfod Ardudwy
Received a letter from the above thanking the Council for the recent financial donation they received.
Teulu Castell
Received an e-mail from the above asking for a financial donation. It was agreed to donate £500 to them
Meirionnydd YFC
Received an e-mail from the above asking for a financial donation. It was agreed to donate £500 to them
Ardudwy YFC
Received an e-mail from the above asking for a financial donation. It was agreed to donate £500 to them
Gwynedd Council – Legal Department
Received a letter from the above informing the Council that Beach Road will be closed on the 30th of this month from Tan y Castell towards Trem y Wawr so as to connect new services on behalf of Welsh Water. The Clerk had already forwarded this e-mail to Members. Concern was voiced that this road was been shut at a busy time with tourists and the Chairman agreed to contact Gwynedd Council stating this.
Gwynedd Council – Highways Department
Received a letter from the above Department informing the Council that the Tidy Towns Team will be visiting the area between the 7th and the 18th of this month. The Clerk had already forwarded this e-mail to Members.
Gwynedd Council – Electroal Department
Received an e-mail from the above informing the Council that Gwynedd Council will be holding a community survey under sections 25 and 31 Local Government (Democratic) (Wales) Act 2013 and this involves considering changes to the boundaries of certain specific communities within Gwynedd and the wards of all communities. The report contains the Council’s draft proposals for changes, together with details of the review and a public consultation period on the draft proposals will take place between 28th of last month and 23rd of May this year. The Clerk had already forwarded this e-mail to Members.
One Voice Wales
Received and e-mail from the above informing the Council that a webinar is been held regarding Biodiversity and Ecosystems Resilience Duty. The Clerk reported further that she had already registered to attend the webinar on the 14th of this month.
Gwynedd Youth
Received an e-mail from Mrs Nia Ress, Youth Support Worker asking the Council’s permiossion to use Kng George playing field to do sports every Thursday evening from 6.30 to 8.00 p.m and starting after Easter. It was agreed to give them permission.
English (UK) 
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