RESOLVEN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
The Monthly Meeting of the Council was held on Thursday 12th October 2023 at 6pm at the Community Centre
Present/ Presennol
Mr. T. Jones – Chair/Cadeirydd
Councillors/Cynghorwy
Mrs. R. Parfitt, Mr. P. Thomas – Virtual – Mr. N Francis, Mr. P. Martin
Clerk/Clerc
Mrs. C. Payne.
County Member/Aelod o’r Cyngor Sir – Not present
77/23 Apologies for Absence/Ymddiheuriadau am absenoldeb
Mr K. Sims, Mr R. Coulter, Mr N. Place, Mrs J. Llewelyn, Mr A. Jones, Cllr D. Lewis
78/23 Declarations of Interest/Datganiad o ddiddordeb personol
None
79/23 Minutes of the previous Meeting/Cofnodion y Cyfarfod Diwethaf
The Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 7th September 2023 were accepted due as a true record.
80/23 Clerk’s report and Council Matters Arising/Materion yn codi o’r cofnodion
ac adroddiad y Clerc.
The Clerk’s report was presented and approved.
81/23. Options for the precept for the next financial year
Due to the low turnout of members, it was agreed to hold a special precept meeting on Thursday 19th October 2023 at 6pm
82/23. To approve report from Wales Audit
The external auditor Wales Audit had completed a full transaction audit for the Community Council
and given a qualified report. Local electors have the right to examine the accounts by contacting the Clerk.
83/23. Correspondence
OVW and D-Day 80 event 6th June 2024
NPT Active Travel Network maps
NPT Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations 2023
All electors should note that proof of identity will be required when the next elections are held.
84/23 Sub-Committee Reports
Joint Park/ Finance committees – The minutes of the meeting 21st September 2023 were accepted as a true record.
Finance
As previously agreed, a portion of the reserve account will be placed into a high interest account. Following research the Redwood bank has been chosen as the recipient of reserves.
85/23 Chairman’s Report.
A Report on the Round table event held at Coed y Cymoedd, Resolfen, by the NPT PSB 19/9/23
Karen Jones the CEO of NPT had signalled her intention was that the PSB would adopt a more positive approach to its work, hence the new format of meeting. Four different presentations formed the menu of different investment opportunities in the Borough, indeed instead of managing decline a “just transition” to a more prosperous economy could be in the offing. A prospect , which, needed forward planning, especially, the raising of the level of technical skills in the area. This in turn would place a strain on infra structure and the need for more housing since it would make the area attractive to new workers. The role of Neath College was crucial.
- Celtic Freeport – the first presentation was by Associated British Ports who said the Celtic Freeport had floating wind at its heart and an investment of £1.9 billion. This was augmented by a detailed explanation of the project by Dr Mark Picton of RWE who went into detail on the first tranche of 4GW of power, with the masts the equivalent of the Eiffel Tower in height and the base of 24,000 tons of concrete should they be solid for EACH one. He discussed the changes at TATA steel and stated that the works could adapt to the grade of steel needed. The second phase of the project would be in the 2030s when 24GW of power would mean a development on a vast scale out at sea where the wind was consistently higher and more dependable. The biggest problem were the skilled technical workers needed which could be measured in their 10s of thousands. The “problem” was likened to that of Hinckley Point C construction in scale.
- Afan Valley Adventure Resort – a detailed presentation was given by the company Wildfox of the development of a high-quality self-contained development based on health and well-being, including sport. It would employ around 1000 workers and use local produce. Despite the presentation being very professional, some doubts were expressed whether it would actually be beneficial to the communities of the Afan Valley because it was isolated from it.
- Global Centre of Railway Excellence – this huge and unique scheme at the abandoned Nant Helen site in the Dulais valley, was intended as a centre for testing railway equipment on a 7km electrified loop. Mr Simon Jones said that the planning stage was well underway, but some funding issues remained. This in turn would create employment and a huge supply chain.
The meeting concluded with an item on the UK Government’s shared prosperity fund. Several schemes had been successful especially, at the Gnoll Estate which would have substantial development.
Trefor Jones.
86/23 Councillors Report
No issues raised.
