Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Laleston Community Council held at Blandy Hall on 19 September 2024 commencing at 7.00pm.

Present:. Cllr’s Z Blundell, JP Blundell, C Davies, V James, S Philpin, I Spiller, C Webster, S Richmond and A Berrow

In attendance:  Hayley Coburn

1.  19.1510 Council undertook a period of silent reflection.

2.  19.1511 Apologies for absence. Cllr’s C Smith and D Harrison

3.  19.1512 Representation from members of the public.  None

4.  19.1513 Items of business that the Chair deems urgent.

Members noted the resignation of Cllr J Cook and were informed that Electoral have prepared a notice of vacancy, which is being advertised publicly. Cllr JP Blundel extended thanks to Cllr J Cook for her service to the community.

5.  19.1514 Declarations of Interest. 

Cllr A Berrow – Item 18 – Prejudicial Interest as a Member of Bridgend County Borough Council Planning Committee.

Cllr I Spiller – Item 13 – Personal Interest as a Member of Broadlands Community Hub

6.  19.1515 Approval of Minutes.

Resolved:  The minutes of the annual meeting of Council that took place on 18 July 2024 were approved as a true and accurate record.  Proposed by Cllr I Spiller and seconded by Cllr A Berrow.

Matters Arising from 18 July 2024 Council Meeting:

Item 5 – Declarations of Interest.

Resolved:  Cllr A Berrow to be added to Item 5 – Prejudicial Interest as a Member

Bridgend County Borough Council Planning Committee.

Item 14 – To discuss writing a letter to the Chief Executive of Bridgend County

Borough Council to enquire if there are any plans for a youth club provision in

Bryntirion.

Resolved: Cllr S Philpin agreed to make contact in the absence of the clerk

Item 15 – To investigate obtaining the green space near Tai Arfyn, Broadlands.

Cllr I spiller notified members that he is awaiting a response from the corporate landlord

Matters Arising from 20 June 2024 Ordinary Meeting:

Item 11 – To agree on a date to hold the annual Firework Event

Cllr I Spiller confirmed that Crackerjack and Organised Chaos have both been booked for

the firework event, scheduled to take place on 2^nd November 2024

7.  19.1516 To receive quotations, if any.

	Quotations Received	Comment
	Compost for Gardening Club to maintain borders in Blandy Hall. £125	Resolved: Council agreed to progress
	For signage and installation for centre and private car park sign.   £1151.44 exc. VAT	Resolved:  Council agreed to progress

8.  19.1517 To approve annual report for 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.

Resolved: Council received and approved the annual reports for 2022/2023 and

2023/2024 and expressed their gratitude to the clerk for her time and level of work put into

the preparation of the reports.

9.  19.1518 To receive Energy Efficiency report from Severn Wye relating to

Bryntirion & Laleston Community Centre and consider the recommendation made.

Resolved:  Council agreed to defer this item until the next meeting of Council.

10. 19.1519 To consider employing a Community Maintenance Officer.

Cllr I Spiller, Chair of HR Committee provided a brief overview of why a community maintenance officer would be of benefit to the Council and to the community and stated that the current budget for facilities and maintenance management is not being fully utilised, therefore there is scope to employ a further maintenance person to perform duties within the wider community, beyond the two community Centres.

Resolved: Council agreed to proceed with employing a Community Maintenance Officer. HR Committee to discuss and agree finer details of the role including hours of work etc.

11. 19.1520 To consider installing a bench, bin, noticeboard and planter at Morgan’s Meadow in Cefn Glas.

Resolved:  Council agreed in principle to installing a bench, bin, noticeboard and planter as part of the 2025/2026 budget, providing a discussion takes place with the developer in advance of works to ascertain if plans of this nature in this location are already intended by them.

12. 19.1521 To consider committing to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community.

Resolved:  Members agreed to defer this item to the next meeting of Council.

13.  19.1522 Finance Update:

13.1  Members noted the bank reconciliation summary as at 1 July 2024, 1 August 2024 and 1 September 2024

13.2  Coucil approved a list of payments made during June 2024, which were presented with the agenda which included voucher numbers 79 – 103.

13.3  Council approved a list of payments made during July 2024, which were presented with the agenda which included voucher numbers 104 – 143

13.4  Council approved a list of payment made during August 2024, which were presented with the agenda which included voucher numbers 144 – 194

13.5  Council approved a list of receipts received during June 2024, which were presented with the agenda which included voucher numbers 42 – 61

13.6  Council approved a list of receipts received during July 2024, which were presented with the agenda which included voucher numbers 62 – 75

13.7  Council approved a list of receipts received during August 2024, which were presented with the agenda which included voucher numbers 76 – 89

13.8  Council approved a list of salary payments made in June 2024, which were presented with the agenda

13.9  Council approved a list of salary payments made in July 2024, which were presented with the agenda

13.10 Council approved a list of salary payments made in August 2024, which were presented with the agenda

A discussion took place regarding the tendering process for works carried on behalf of council, in particular where a supplier has been granted repeat contracts. Cllr I Spiller clarified that three quotes are sought and submitted in writing for all works. Councilors requested to add this item to the next finance agenda.

Cllr I Spiller informed members that the Broadlands Funday expenditure has now been fully repaid but needs to be reconciled by the finance committee before full costs are presented to council. Cllr C Davies requested to include in the minutes his concerns raised regarding the level of spending in relation to Broadlands Funday.

14.  19.1523 To note the resignation of Cllr P King

Councilors noted the resignation of Cllr P King and thanked her for her outstanding service as a councilor. Formal letter of appreciation to be sent to Cllr P King on behalf of council.

15.  19.1524  To receive any recommendations and or comments from Committees – a) Finance Committee b) HR & Personnel Committee c) Biodiversity & Allotment Committee

None received.

16.  19.1525 To receive the draft minutes of any Committee meetings held since the last meeting of Council and note any delegated decisions made – a) Finance Committee b) HR & Personnel Committee c) Biodiversity & Allotment Committee

Council received the draft minutes of the Biodiversity & Allotment Committee

17.  19.1526 To receive correspondence, if any.

Update from Broadlands Funday Committee – Councilors noted a Christmas event to be held on Saturday, 21^st December with Bridgend Male Choir leading a carol service, taking place at 6/6:30pm outside the shops at Broadlands. Any monies raised from entry to the snow globe to be donated to the Chairs charity.

18.  19.1527 To consider Planning Applications.

Planning Application	Comment
Planning Application No.: P/23/738/BCB Applicant: Bridgend County Borough Council Location: Trelales Primary School Well Street Laleston CF32 0LF Proposal: Single storey kitchen extension and associated works (including updated bat and nesting bird report) Date:  10 September 2024	Resolved: No Objection raised.
Planning Application No.: T/24/31/TPO Applicant: Mrs H Workman Location: 7 Laleston Court Laleston CF32 0HG Proposal: G1 – hornbeam hedge – re-reduce to height granted in 2022 and trim sides to maintain trees Date:  12 September 2024	Resolved: No Objection raised.
Planning Application No.: P/21/379/FUL Applicant: Mr H Navidi Location: Land at Ffordd Tirion Broadlands Bridgend CF31 5EJ Proposal: Construction of a two storey building comprising three retail units and community use at ground floor level and ten self-contained flats at first floor level with associated car parking and amenity space Date: 16 September 2024	Resolved: No objection in principle provided the community use aspect is strictly adhered to.
Planning Application No.: P/24/499/FUL Applicant: Mrs C Harris Location: 44 Dol Nant Dderwen Broadlands CF31 5AA Proposal: Change part of existing double garage/storage room into a granny annexe Date: 17 September 2024	Resolved: No Objection raised.

There being no further business, the meeting ended at 8.03pm.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 17 October 2024 and will commence at 7.00pm.