Minutes of the Extraordinary Full Council Meeting – Thursday 28th May 2020
BRACKLA COMMUNITY COUNCIL
THE NEXT MEETING OF BRACKLA COMMUNITY COUNCIL
EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE FULL COUNCIL
Thursday 28th 2020
6.30pm via Video Link
Members Present
Cllr T Giffard – Chairperson
Cllr D Aston
Cllr J Brett
Cllr E Capparos
Cllr I Hibble
Cllr K Hughes
Cllr A Pucella
Cllr K Rowlands
Cllr J Spanswick
Cllr T Walsh
Mrs R Keepins – Clerk of the Council
Mr P Ley – Assistant Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer
Miss H May – Admin Officer
28 Apologies for Absence
None
29 Declarations of Interest
Cllr I Hibble declared a personal interest in that he is a Civil Servant working for the Welsh Government.
30 Report by the Clerk relating to matters from the previous Full Council Meeting
The Clerk informed members that all vendors booked for the Funday have been notified of the cancellation. We are waiting to hear back from two companies where deposits were paid.
31 Finance:
(a) Approval of the Schedule of Payments April 2020
Resolved:
The payments were approved, proposed by Cllr I Hibble and seconded by Cllr J Spanswick
(b) Bank Reconciliation as at 30 April 2020
Resolved:
The statement was noted.
(c) Monthly Budget Review April 2020
Resolved:
The budget review was approved, proposed by Cllr D Aston and seconded by Cllr K Hughes.
(d) Payments for Authorisation
Resolved:
The payments were approved, proposed by Cllr J Brett and seconded by Cllr J Spanswick.
32 Brackla Community Centre – Banana Moon
Members discussed the subject of the Community Centre being used by Banana Moon Nursery should they need to utilise another space for social distancing measures. The Clerk reassured Members that she had spoken with the insurance company and discussed what needed to be undertaken with regards managing the risk and creating reactionary responses. A risk assessment had been drawn up identifying actions that needed to be taken and how the cleaner and any other staff would be protected and quotes for PPE equipment for the cleaner had been sought. The nursery had agreed to provide a copy of their own risk assessment as well as their cleaning schedule so that it could be coordinated with the Centre’s one.
It was proposed that once Banana Moon did cease to use the Centre at any time, a gap was left of approximately 1.5 weeks after a deep clean before any other users entered in order to try and reduce the risk of any spread of Covid-19.
Other Members noted that if Banana Moon were permitted to use the Centre during the lockdown and then the situation returned to normal at any point whereby the hall could be opened to other users, the nursery would have to change their usage back to what it was before lockdown with minimum notice.
Resolved:
The Council agreed that Banana Moon Nursery could have use of the Community Centre should they need it during this lockdown period and that there would be no charge for this at this time. This would be reviewed at the Council’s July meeting and then on a monthly basis. Should the nursery return to normal for the summer period for example and be operating the summer holiday club on the same basis as last year, the fees would then return to normal. This was proposed by Cllr J Spanswick and seconded by Cllr I Hibble.
The Clerk agreed to contact One Voice Wales to ask them to notify us of any updates on procedures for community centres reopening so that we could prepare appropriately.
33 Brackla Community Council – Policies
Resolved:
The Council agreed to purchase the set of core policies from One Voice Wales at a cost of £300.00, proposed by Cllr J Spanswick and seconded by Cllr I Hibble.
34 Brackla In Bloom
Cllr K Rowlands suggested that as we don’t know what is due to happen between now and then, we should not discuss this item, this was seconded by Cllr I Hibble.
Cllr D Aston stated that we should still go ahead with the event as everything is being cancelled and it gives something to look forward to for people. Cllr J Spanswick agreed it would be good to still hold but it would need serious consideration.
Cllr T Walsh mentioned that the event could be done virtually if the public sends in pictures of their garden they can be entered into the competition. Judging will then take place virtually and prizes given out when everything is back to normal.
Cllr K Hughes proposed that as the Council’s baskets have gone up and the flowers have been planted it may be important to do something for the local residents. He also pointed out that the garden centres were now open so people were able to purchase plants and flowers for their gardens.
Resolved:
It was agreed that the Council would go ahead with Brackla in Bloom, with entrants self-nominating or Councillors nominating if they so wished, both by sending in photos to the Clerk via email. This was proposed by Cllr T Walsh and seconded by Cllr D Aston. It was also agreed to have a 4th category included in this year’s competition titled ‘ Best Wildflower/Biodiversity Garden’. Cllr D Aston also asked if the Clerk could look into whether Bryngarw Park offered vouchers associated with B Leaf which could be given as prizes.
35 Exclusion of the Public
Proposed by Cllr J Spanswick, seconded by Cllr T Walsh
Resolved: That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as set out in Paragraphs 12 of Part 4 and Paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007 following the application of the public interest test.
Signs on Roundabouts across Brackla
To consider the fees for the Roundabout Signs for 2020-21
It was proposed and agreed to return to open session.
36 Dog Waste Bags
Cllr J Spanswick proposed a new delivery scheme for the Dog Waste Bags the Community Council supplies for operation during lockdown and whilst the office was closed. This scheme would be advertised on the Website and Social Media pages and people would have to send their address to be added to the delivery list. Councillors would then delivery the bags during set dates, with locations and lists coordinated.
Cllr D Aston suggested that a box could be left outside the office for people to pick up however officers explained that if a box was left outside people may take more than allowed as there would be no monitoring. It was also mentioned that it may not be advisable to encourage an increased footfall in the Doctors surgery at this time.
Resolved:
Members agreed to set up a temporary delivery service for Dog Waste Bags while the office remains closed. This was proposed by Cllr J Spanswick and seconded by Cllr K Rowlands
37 To Receive Reports from Members
Cllr D Aston reported that he had been contacted by residents in Gwaun Coed regarding Japanese Knotweed that was encroaching into their garden. He also reported that there were contractors building flats near Trem-y-Mor and the Willows who were not undertaking social distancing or wearing PPE gear. Cllr J Spanswick stated that BCBC had been notified of the issue with the contractors and it was now down to their officers to deal with this. In relation to the Japanese Knotweed unfortunately this was on private land and needs to be referred through the Environmental Agency, Natural Resources Wales.
Cllr I Hibble reported that a resident had noticed that two of the hanging baskets that were usually by the skate park were missing this year. The Clerk agreed to look into it.
Cllr J Spanswick reported that there had been a proposal on social media to preserve the pebbles that had been painted by local people during lockdown and placed on a pathway near Channel View in recognition of the NHS and all key workers. Cllr J Spanswick proposed that the Community Council could consider creating a display of the them at the Community Centre to preserve them for all to see.
38 Date of the next Full Council Meeting – 18 June 2020
39 Agenda items for next Full Council Meeting
Members proposed the following items for the next meeting as well as further items for inclusion on the forward work programme.
o Fireworks – 18 June 2020
o NHS Pebble Pathway Display – 18 June 2020
o Roundabout Sponsorship Signs – 18 June 2020
o BCC Communication Strategy – add to FWP
o Brackla Scarecrow Competition – add to FWP
40 Planning Applications
To consider any planning applications
None
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