RESOLVEN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
The Monthly Meeting of the Council was held on Thursday 11th January 2024 at 6pm at the Community Centre
Present/ Presennol
Mr. A. Jones – Chair/Cadeirydd
Councillors/Cynghorwy
Mr N. Francis, Mr T. Jones, Mr L Whomes, K. Sims
Clerk/Clerc
Mrs. C. Payne.
County Member/Aelod o’r Cyngor Sir – Mr Dean Lewis
Councillor Lewis reports that the funding bid for the feasibility study for the canal has been successful and will go ahead in due course. The canal is an important part of our heritage, and a local attraction and members are pleased that something is being done to improve and preserve this legacy.
The Welfare feasibility study has been completed and although the Welfare is now closed campaigns to re-open will continue.
Melyn Court Wind farm – The company Muirhall are still in negotiations with NRW and there is still no start date for the project.
Issues were raised by members about the state of the Glyncastle shortcut – Cllr Lewis will report.
01/24 Apologies for Absence/Ymddiheuriadau am absenoldeb
Mrs J. Llewellyn, Mr R. Coulter, Mr N. Place, Mr P. Thomas, Mrs R. Parfitt, Mr P. Martin
02/24 Declarations of Interest/Datganiad o ddiddordeb personol
None
03/24 Minutes of the previous Meeting/Cofnodion y Cyfarfod Diwethaf
The Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 7th December 2023 were accepted due as a true record.
04/24 Clerk’s report and Council Matters Arising/Materion yn codi o’r cofnodion
ac adroddiad y Clerc.
The Clerk gave a verbal report that there had been more vandalism in the children’s park with vape paraphernalia being left, and a rung from the disabled gate pulled off. Due to the increasing problem of vandalism and anti-social behaviour members stated that any equipment vandalised in future will not be replaced.
05/24 Removal of telephone box in Commercial Road.
The telephone box in Commercial Road has been designated for removal by BT due to lack of use.
The option to adopt the box is available and the Community Council will make a request for the box. `
06/24 CorrespondenceURGENT & REALLY IMPORTANT PLEASE – LAMP LIGHT OF PEACE
This is to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and will take place on
the 6th June 2024. Those who are unable to light a beacon can purchase a special lamp.
Member agreed to participate and we will purchase the lamp at a cost of £55
Community Speed Watch Initiative
Consultation on NPT Council’s Draft Budget proposals 2024-25
Nature Unearthed: A vision for Nature in NPT – Invitation to A Vision for Nature in Gwyn Hall on 28th February 12-30 – 3.30pm
Older People’s Commissioner for Wales December Newsletter
OVW – Examples of Biodiversity actions needed!
07/24 Sub-Committee Reports
Joint Park/Finance committees – No meetings this month
Next meeting 17th January 2024 at 6pm
08/24 Chairman’s Report.
No issues raised this month
09/24 Councillors Report
. A report on the Liaison Meeting with NPT on 4th January at Neath Civic Centre.
The meeting had been called owing to the fact that the budget was not available for discussion at the earlier meeting in December. It was held in person and online, though regrettably the attendance was not very high from community and Town councils despite the importance of the item.
The Council has a budget of £364 million, mainly from Welsh government and the rest from Council Tax receipts. Despite a rise of 2.9% on the previous year, this represented a large shortfall of some £30million. Some services are mandatory, but others are not and despite a further use of reserves, the budget was still short. This of course was based on inflation falling which was a further concern.
The Council Tax will rise by between 9.9 – 14%, which is unprecedented however, redundancies will be kept to a minimum and services maintained. The Council had intended bringing Leisure Services in house, but this will be delayed for another year owing to a shortfall of £1.3 million, and despite an investment of £2.8 million. No assets will be closed.
In conclusion, community councils should be careful when setting the precept, since the residents are in for a considerable shock. Consultation on the budget concluded on the 10th January.
Trefor Jones
