Laleston Community Council

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Laleston Community Council held remotely on 21 January 2021 commencing at 7.00pm.

Present: Cllr’s A Berrow, JP Blundell, B Davies, C Davies, P Davies, M Fouracre, C Green, T Green, C Smith and D Wooldridge

In attendance: Clerk – Gail Jewell

1 19.324 Council undertook a period of silent reflection.

2. 19.325 Apologies for Absence: Cllr I Spiller

3. 19.326 Declarations of Interest

Cllr J P Blundell – Item 15 – Prejudicial Interest as Member of the Planning Committee at Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC). Cllr J P Blundell left the meeting during the discussion and decision on this item.

4. 19.327 Approval of Minutes

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of Council on 17 December 2020 be approved as a true and accurate record. Proposed by Cllr C Green and seconded by Cllr J P Blundell.

Matters arising from minutes:

· Pound: The Clerk explained that contact had been made with the Conservation Officer regarding the proposed works at the Pound. The Conservation Officer confirmed that although the Pound was not nationally listed it was locally listed and therefore materials used for any works would need authorisation prior to works are carried out. Council was keen to progress with obtaining quotations for Japanese Knotweed removal as it would need to be carried out as soon as possible.

Resolved: Members agreed that a meeting be arranged between contractor and Conservation Officer as outlined above and that quotations to carry out the works be sought.

5. 19.328 List of actions carried out since the last meeting.

The Clerk presented a list of actions, which were as follows:

List of Actions	Comments
Met with BCBC Compliance Officer to discuss the community centre. She was impressed with the changes made although did make a few recommendations mostly relating to required paper-work and services.	Noted.
Met with H Smith Building Services to discuss proposals for the exterior of the Community Centre. Update to be provided at meeting.	Noted.
Advice has been received from Planning regarding the outside exercise equipment and has confirmed that planning would not be required for extra equipment in an existing play park.	Noted.
Contact has been made with Guy Smith regarding our proposal for Barnes Avenue play park and he has advised that Town and Community Council Fund applications are prioritised if they are CAT related. Do we want to start the CAT process for Barnes Avenue?	Members were keen to complete an EOI for Barnes Avenue to start the CAT process, although were mindful that LCC were yet to receive documentation for the Community Centre and were cautious about taking on another asset without any confirmation from BCBC. Resolved: Clerk to add delayed documentation to the list of outstanding works with BCBC.
A repayment claim has been initiated against a debtor using a government claim portal – a response is required by 8 February 2021.	Noted.

6. 19.329 Quotations

Quotations Received	Comment
Contract and lease hire quotations were provided for a van for Facilities Officer to undertake his role with LCC. Contract hire – £234.66 Lease hire – £222.22	Resolved: Members agreed that a budget be supplied for ad hoc van hire which will be reviewed prior to making a long-term hire decision.
2 quotations were presented for a magnetic door lock for the room into the nursery. Contractor 1 – £900 + VAT Contractor 2 – £700 – zero VAT	Resolved: Members noted the quotations but agreed to await the results of a Fire Risk Assessment, which would outline if the door into the nursery was still a required fire exit.

7. 19.330 Bat Boxes

Following discussions regarding how and if to progress with the installation of bat boxes around the local area, Members made the following resolution.

Resolved:

· Council agreed to look for suitable areas to site bat boxes throughout the ward areas whilst compiling the Biodiversity Plan.

8. 19.331 Laleston Stone Trail

Resolved:

· Following a failed attempt to gain assistance from Welsh Government – Business Wales to market the Laleston Stone Trail, Members requested that a quotation be sourced from the IT company used by LCC to produce a website for the trail. Clerk to obtain quotation.

9. 19.332 Bridgend Town Centre Masterplan

The Clerk outlined that Bridgend County Borough Council had conducted a stakeholder engagement process to record issues in the town centre, along with potential sites for redevelopment. The findings of which were represented in the masterplan. A Member stated that a presentation on the Bridgend Town Centre Masterplan (BTCM) was due to be provided to the Town and Community Council on 15 February 2021.

Resolved:

· Council requested that the Clerk contact Delyth Webb from Bridgend County Borough Council to investigate the possibility of LCC Members observing the remote presentation as outlined above or if Delyth could attend a meeting of LCC to provide the presentation to assist Members with completing the BTCM consultation.

10. 19.333 Bryntirion Community Centre

The Clerk provided an update to explain that Clych Meithrin had suspended their hire contract until after the February half term. The reason being that Meithrin currently had extremely low numbers due to the current pandemic.

The Clerk clarified that a quotation had been sought and received to insulate and clad the exterior of the centre and Members raised queries that required resolution prior to a decision being made.

Resolved:

• Members noted the fact that Clych Meithrin had suspended hire of the hall until after the February half term.
• Council agreed that advice be sought on the safety of the proposed cladding along with additional proposals for changing the exterior of the building. Finalised proposals to be submitted to Council for deliberation.

11. 19.334 Blandy Hall

The Clerk stated that both nurseries had now concluded use of the hall and that the agreed repair works to the exterior would take place in March 2021.

12. 19.335 Laleston Allotments

Council had previously requested that photographic evidence be submitted showing the pedestrian access into the allotment area, which was provided to Members. Council agreed that the current access was not a safe way to enter the site and discussion ensued on how to rectify.

With reference to previous discussions between the Allotment Site Representative and Chair of LCC regarding possible assistance from LCC for the clearance of the entrance to the site and the car park area, Members requested that proposals be received from the Site Representative.

Resolved:

· Members were doubtful that the presented replacement gate would be approved by planning, the Clerk was requested to investigate the gates suitability with the Planning department in the first instance.

· Council requested that the Clerk contact the Allotment Site Representative to obtain proposals for clearing the entrance to site and the car park area to enable Council to create a plan of action.

13. 19. 336 Finance Update:

In addition to presenting the monthly financial information to Members, the Clerk confirmed that the audit for 2019/20 had concluded and that BDO had confirmed that no matters had been identified as a cause for concern, although they had raised three issues. Members were asked to note the issues and agree a resolution.

Council continued discussions regarding how the current pandemic might be affecting foundation phase aged children and considered ideas on how community councils could assist with restoring young children’s mental health and wellbeing.

Resolved:

· Members noted the Bank Reconciliation as of 1 January 2021.

· Council approved payments which were presented with the agenda.  To view the list of payments click here.

· Council approved receipts which were presented with the agenda.  To view the list of payments click here.

· Council noted the summary of receipts and payments as of 1 January 2021.

· The approval of ear marked reserves was deferred to the following meeting of Council to allocate more time for deliberation.

· Council noted the conclusion of audit and the issues raised and made the following resolutions:

1. Council agreed that the first issue raised was due to the set-up options on the financial package used by LCC and that the issue would not be repeated in future years.

2. In response to the second issue, Members agreed that more through internal review be undertaken of the AGAR prior to submission to audit.

3. Council stated that following receipt of the internal auditor’s recommendation, a resolution was sought immediately and had been implemented.

· Cllr Smith agreed to inquire with the Director of Education and headteachers on how LCC could assist with restoring young children’s mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic.

14. 19.337 Personnel Issues

The Clerk presented an application received from Gail Richards-Hemming relating to the co-opted vacancy at Laleston Community Council and confirmed that the applicant had completed the eligibility form that defined that they were entitled to apply.

In addition, as raised at previous a Council meeting, Members requested that all staff produce a copy of their driving licence and business car insurance policy which will be held on file and reviewed annually.

Resolved:

· Council duly agreed to co-opt Gail Richards-Hemming and instructed the Clerk to contact the applicant to provide all required forms and information.

· Council agreed that during the appraisal process, all staff are to produce a copy of their driver licence and business car insurance policy to be held on file.

19.338 Correspondence

Although correspondence was not included on the agenda, the Clerk presented information that was received following the agenda send out. The information related to a freedom of information request from a resident from Banc Yr Allt with reference to the speed bumps.

Discussions ensued regarding the lack of communication and amount of outstanding works requested by LCC from BCBC.

Resolved:

· Council agreed that the best plan of action would be to compile a list of outstanding works with BCBC which would be presented as a joint Member referral to BCBC.

15. 19.339 To consider Planning Applications received:

Planning Application No.: P/20/821/FUL Applicant: Mr Tim Rees Location: 1 Llys y Fran Llangewydd Court Bridgend CF31 4TU Proposal: Single storey side/rear extension; new fence 2.0m high to replace wall/hedge/existing fence Date: 15 December 2020	No objection
Planning Application No.: P/20/879/FUL Applicant: Mr N Enoch Location: 67 Banc y Allt Bryntirion Bridgend CF31 4RH Proposal: 2 storey side extension & inclusion of land within curtilage of property by the erection of close boarded fencing (2m high). Date: 22 December 2020	No objection
Planning Application No.: P/20/963/FUL Applicant: Mr H Thomas Location: 9 Magpie Place Broadlands Bridgend CF31 5FJ Proposal: Front porch Date: 22 December	No objection
Planning Application No.: P/20/916/FUL Applicant: Mr Steven Sloan Location: 26 Blaen y Cwm Broadlands Bridgend CF31 5AG Proposal: Single storey front extension. Date: 29 December 2020	No objection
Planning Application No.: T/20/81/TPO Applicant: Evangelical Movement of Wales Location: Bryntirion House Laleston Road Bridgend CF31 4DX Proposal: The removal of one sycamore adjacent to 18 Ffridd Las and one ash tree adjacent to 4 Ffynnon Groyw. Date: 29 December 2020	No objection
Planning Application No.: P/20/855/FUL Applicant: D Thomas & A Walker Location: 21 Nant Yr Adar Cefn Glas CF31 4TY Proposal: Two storey side extension with first floor element extending partly over existing single storey rear extension; single storey front extension; internal and elevational changes Date: 4 January 2021	No objection
Planning Application No.: P/20/994/FUL Applicant: Mr W McAllister Location: Rhosla Laleston CF32 0HH Proposal: Conversion of existing attached garage, store and garden and extension to rear to form living area and facilities for elderly relative; first floor extension over part Date: 8 January 2021	No objection
Planning Application No.: P/20/1014/FUL Applicant: Mr J Campbell Location: Ty Du Farm Stormy Down Lane from A48 to Waun Bant Road Lane Laleston Bridgend CF32 0NR Proposal: Conversion of detached gym/pool building to living accommodation and construction of single storey link building to provide ancillary domestic accommodation to existing dwelling Date: 11 January 2021	No objection
Planning Application No.: P/20/1010/FUL Applicant: Mr & Mrs Daniel & Lisa Preece Location: 12 Parc Bronhaul Broadlands Bridgend CF31 5EP Proposal: Proposed loft conversion, rear dormer extension and x 3 front rooflights Date: 13 January 2021	No objection

There being no further business, the meeting ended at 09.10pm.

The next meeting will be held remotely on Thursday 18 February 2021.