Minutes of the Meeting of Llantwit Major Town Council held on Thursday 30th January 2020 at 7.05pm in the Council Chamber, Old School, Llantwit Major
PRESENT;
Chairman – Councillor Mr R Gant -Town Mayor
Councillors
Mr R Gant
Mr D Foster – Town Mayor
Mr E Williams Dr D Ellis
Dr P Dickson Mrs J Norman
Mr G Wilkie Mr G Thomas
Mr D Powell Mr G John
Mr J Evans
Mrs S Hanks
Mrs G Hughes
David Maughan – Llantwit Youth Council
Adley Curtis – Youth Leader for Llantwit Youth Council PC Jamie Williamson
Apologies received from
Councillor G Morgan – Prior Commitment Councillor G John – Arriving Late Prior Commitment
There were no Declaration of Interest Forms
Councillor Gant asked permission to bring forward Agenda Community Constable Item 1 To receive Community Constables Report and Youth Council Item 1 Youth Activity Progress.
ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD COMMUNITY CONSTABLE
To receive Community Constables report
PC Jamie Williamson introduced himself to Councillors and confirmed that for the month of December 2019 there had been 37 reported crimes. These included 8 Public Order Offences, 10 Assaults and 4 Shop Lifting Offences.
To date the unofficial reported crime figures for January 2020 is 35. These crimes include anti- social behaviour in the town by a group of teenagers, criminal damage and theft of meat from the local supermarkets.
PC Williamson informed Councillors that there was a batch of fake Scottish currency being circulated around the area and to note a new scam encouraging people to take out a free 30 day trial with Amazon. PC Williamson stated any incident should be reported via the 101 emergency phone number.
PC Williamson confirmed that in the Wick/Broughton area 180 gypsy horses had been successfully seized.
Councillor G John entered the Council Chamber.
Councillor Dr Dickson asked PC Williamson how the Police were settling into the new Station and Councillor Dr Ellis queried as to what the plans were for the old Police Station. PC Williamson stated that the Police were settling in well although the new station was small and there was a lack of storage space. There were no plans re the Old Police Station until a solution to the storage in the new property had been rectified.
PC Williamson informed Councillors that from May 2020 Llantwit Major Police would become part of the Cardiff Division rather than at present under the Central Division (Bridgend area).
PC Williamson vacated the Council Chamber.
YOUTH COUNCIL Youth Activity Progress
David Maughan updated Councillors that the Youth Council had held their first Meeting of the New Year, He informed Councillors that their remaining budget of £1200 needed to be spent by the end of the financial year. Therefore, they were intending to allocate some of the monies to the following projects:
Period Poverty – £500.00
Water Bottles for the Youth Council – £150.00
David stated they were planning to organise a social event and go out for a Meal.
Adley Curtis confirmed to Councillors he would send costings of the bin designs over to the Town Council.
The Youth Council vacated the Council Chamber.
MINUTES
Full Town Council Meeting held 16th December 2019
The minutes of the Full Town Council meeting held on 16th December 2019, had previously been circulated to the Council Members
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Full Town Council Meeting held on 16th December 2019 be adopted and accepted as a true record.
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
Planning Committee Meeting held on 19th December 2019
The minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 19th December 2019, had previously been circulated to the Council Members.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on the 19th December 2019 be accepted as a true record and all recommendations be actioned by the Town Clerk.
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising
Footpath Forum Meeting held on 13th January 2020
The minutes of the Footpath Forum Meeting held on 13th January 2020, had previously been circulated to the Council Members.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Footpath Forum Meeting held on the 13th January 2020 be accepted as a true record and all recommendations be actioned by the Town Clerk.
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising
Planning Committee Meeting held on 14th January 2020
The minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 14th January 2020, had previously been circulated to the Council Members.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on the 14th January 2020 be accepted as a true record and all recommendations be actioned by the Town Clerk.
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising
Finance & Policy Committee Meeting held on 14th January 2020
The minutes of the Finance & Policy Committee Meeting held on 14th January 2020, had previously been circulated to the Council Members.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Finance & Policy Committee Meeting held on the 14th January 2020 be accepted as a true record and all recommendations be actioned by the Town Clerk.
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising
Fair Trade Forum Meeting held on 16th January 2020
The minutes of the Fair-Trade Forum Meeting held on 16th January 2020, had previously been circulated to the Council Members.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Fair-Trade Forum Meeting held on the 16th January 2020 be accepted as a true record and all recommendations be actioned by the Town Clerk.
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising
SIGNING OF MINUTES
Signing of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Councillors noted that the Town Mayor would sign the Minutes at the end of the meeting.
TOWN MAYOR
Town Mayor report of events attended 1st January 2020 to 31st January 2020
Councillors had previously been circulated with a copy of events attended by the Town Mayor between 1st January 2020 and 31st January 2020. Noted.
Questions to the Town Mayor
Councillor R Gant informed Councillors he was continuing to monitor the coverage of Llantwit Major events in the Gem Newspaper and would bring findings back to a future Meeting.
YOUTH COUNCIL
To discuss Litter Bin design
Councillors had previously been circulated with a design for a new Litter bin to be placed in the Recreation Field. Councillors discussed the design of the Litter Bin.
RESOLVED: That the Town Council staff liaise with the Youth Council to discuss the purchase and installation of a Litter Bin(s).
To discuss Agenda Items as highlighted by the Youth Council
There were no Agenda Items for discussion by the Youth Council.
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Meetings for the Month of February 2020
Councillors had previously been circulated with a list of the Meetings for the Month of February 2020. Noted.
PROCEDURAL MATTERS
Members Announcements
Councillor Foster informed Councillors that he and three other Councillors had attended a Meeting with Welsh Government re the future plans for Bro Tathan. He confirmed various representatives from Consultancy Agencies (e.g. Planning, Engineering, Marketing) were present plus representatives from St Athan and Llanmaes Community Councils. Councillor Foster confirmed that the Welsh Government are looking at a 30 year plan which aimed to bring an additional 1000 jobs onto the site.
Councillor Foster stated it was proposed that the three Town and Community Council had quarterly meetings with the Welsh Government re the progress of the redevelopment of the Bro Tathan Site. Councillor Foster informed Councillors he had asked the Welsh Government if they had any spare land around this area, would consider for a future Cemetery site for Llantwit Major.
Councillor Thomas informed Councillors that he and Councillor Powell had attended a Meeting regarding the Charter between the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the Town and Community Councils. The Meeting was meant to discuss the Principles of the Charter however the Meeting concentrated on the specifics of Planning between Town and Community Councils and the Vale of Glamorgan Planning Department. Councillor Thomas confirmed that the request for Councillors/Residents to be able to speak at Site Visit had be declined as the Vale Council felt there was sufficient opportunity for Councillors/Residents to speak at the Vale Planning Meeting. Councillor John stated that he and Councillor Mrs Hanks, Councillor Mrs Norman and Councillor Williams had met with Vale representatives from Highways and Planning Departments (Mrs Victoria Robinson, Mr Miles Punter, Mr Michael Clogg, Mrs Emma Reed and Mr Marcus Goldsworthy). Councillor John confirmed discussions focused on communication issues between Councils and local resident’s complaints over the last 12 months.
Councillor Gant informed Councillors that he had attended a One Voice Wales Meeting where a presentation was given by the Cardiff Youth Offending Service. He stated that if the Town Council had a specific project that needed help, they could send out a supervised group to assist with it. Councillors discussed what costings and additional workload would be required if we were to undertake an initiative with the Cardiff Youth Offending Service.
Action Tracker
Councillors had previously been circulated with an up to date Action Tracker.
Councillor Mrs Hank asked if there had been any progress re tree planting in Seaview Park. The Town Clerk confirmed that Plant Llantwit were still in the process of reviewing consultations from the neighbours and would bring findings back to the Town Council in the near future.
Councillors queried if there had been any further response from the Vale of Glamorgan Council re the transfer of ownership of Stradling Park. The Town Clerk confirmed no further correspondence had been received.
FINANCE
Bank Reconciliation for period 1st December 2019 to 31st December 2019
Councillors had previously been circulated with a copy of the Bank Reconciliation for period 1st December 2019 to 31st December 2019. Noted.
Bank Reconciliation for period 1st October 2019 to 31st December 2019
Councillors had previously been circulated with a copy of the Bank Reconciliation for period 1st October 2019 to 31st December 2019. Noted.
Income for the period 20th December 2019 to 17th January 2020
Councillors had previously been circulated with a copy of the Income for the period 20th December 2019 to 17th January 2020. Noted.
Expenditure for the period 20th December 2019 to 17th January 2020
Councillors had previously been circulated with a copy of the Expenditure for the period 20th December 2019 to 17th January 2020. Noted.
To ratify Precept amount and proposed budget sheets for 2020/2021 as recommended by the Finance and Policy Committee
Councillors had previously been circulated with a copy of the Precept amount and proposed budget sheets for 2020/2021 as recommended by the Finance and Policy Committee.
RESOLVED: The Town Clerk to write a letter to the Vale of Glamorgan Council confirming the Precept request of £247,930 for financial year 2020/2021.
To receive retrospective permission to pay C James £3960.00 for replacement boiler in the Compass Building, Old School
Councillors had previously been circulated with a copy of the Invoice from C James Plumbing dated 23rd January 2020 re the cost for replacing the boiler in the Compass Building of the Old School at £3960.00.
RESOLVED: That retrospective permission be given to pay C James £3960.00 for replacement boiler in the Compass Building, Old School
To discuss Agenda Brief re lighting columns installed as part of the Boverton Road Regeneration Project
Councillors had previously been circulated with an Agenda Brief re the lighting columns installed as part of the Boverton Road Regeneration Project. The Town Council had handed back responsibility of the light columns to the landowners on completion of this project. One landowner had refused to take over their lighting column and the Town Council had continued to pay for the light, but the contract had now expired. Councillors discussed the contract and Councillor John expressed his disappointment re this matter.
RESOLVED: That the Town Council ask Western Power to speak to the landowner of the business. Request that if they do not take over the contract by the 28th February 2020 the Town Council will instruct Western Power to remove the ‘fuse’ so the Town Council are no longer liable for further costs for the lighting column.
DEVELOPMENT
To note Planning Application decisions by the Vale of Glamorgan Councils
Councillors had previously been circulated with a copy of the Vale of Glamorgan Councils Planning Application decisions. Noted.
CEMETERY
The following Burial matters were noted.
Burial of cremated remain Julia Ann Escott (reopen) F172 on 20th December 2019
Burial of Patrick O’Brian (reopen) E25 on 17th January 2020
Burial of Joshua Bradley Higgins (new plot) K3 on 17th January 2020
RESOLVED: That approval be granted for the Exclusive Right of Burial Certificate to be issued and sealed on behalf of the Town Council in respect of matters 3.
TOWN HALL
To discuss Agenda Brief re permission to apply for Listed Building Consent to replace roof Councillors had previously been circulated with an Agenda Brief re requesting permission to apply for Listed Building Consent to replace roof.
RESOLVED: That permission be granted to apply for Listed Building Consent to replace the Roof on the Town Hall.
VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL
To note letter re Llantwit Major Ambulance Station Site
Councillors had previously been circulated with a letter dated 16th December 2019 re the Vale of Glamorgan Council withdrawing its interest in acquiring and developing the site of the Ambulance Station. Noted.
To note Completions Certificate for Public Footpath No 62 Llantwit Major
Councillors had previously been circulated with a Completion Certificate dated 9th December 2019 for Public Footpath No 62 Trebeferad, Llantwit Major. Noted.
To discuss Agenda Brief re monies available from the economic stimulus fund
Councillors had previously been circulated with an Agenda Brief re monies available from the economic stimulus fund. The Town Clerk confirmed that following a Meeting with Nia Hollins from the Vale of Glamorgan Tourism and Marketing Department she had been advised that due to surplus money still being available from the economic stimulus fund additional signage was being purchased and installed for the town. A sign on the road leading to the beach, further signs leading back to the town centre from the beach and a new clearer sign along Boverton Road by the Recreation Field.
RESOLVED: That if additional monies remain from the economic stimulus fund that permission be granted to clean and refurbish the four Welcome to Llantwit Major Signs and purchase additional Llantwit Major flags.
ONE VOICE WALES
To discuss One Voice Wales Innovative and National Awards Conference 2020
Councillors had previously been circulated with an email dated 17th December 2019 re One Voice Wales Innovative and National Awards Conference 2020. Councillors discussed various categories including Best Annual Report and Best Youth Council.
RESOLVED: That Councillor Thomas and Councillor Mrs Hanks will enter Llantwit
Major Town Council into the category of Best Youth Council in the One Voice Wales Innovative and National Awards Conference 2020.
MISCELLANEOUS
To note Minutes of Llantwit Major Christmas Committee on the 5th December 2019 Councillors had previously been circulated with the Minutes of the Llantwit Major Christmas Committee on the 5th December 2019. Noted.
To note Minutes of the Informal Meeting of the Remembrance Day Committee on the 10th December 2019.
Councillors had previously been circulated with the Minutes of the Informal Meeting of the Remembrance Day Committee on the 10th December 2019. Noted.
To note letter from the Royal British Legion re the Poppy Appeal
Councillors had previously been circulated with a letter dated November 2019 from the Royal British Legion re the Poppy Appeal. Noted.