Minutes of the Full Council Meeting – Thursday 17th October 2019
BRACKLA COMMUNITY COUNCIL
FULL COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 17 October 2019 at 6.30pm
Boardroom of Oak Tree Surgery
Members Present
Cllr J Spanswick – Chairperson
Cllr D Aston
Cllr J Brett
Cllr T Giffard
Cllr I Hibble
Cllr K Hughes
Cllr C Jackson
Cllr A Pucella
Mrs R Keepins – Clerk of the Council
Mr P Ley – Assistant Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer
Miss H May – Admin Officer
109 Public Address to Council (10 minutes only)
PSCO Steve Bowen gave Councillors a list of Crime Figures for the Brackla area. It was discussed that we could look into having them available on our website after it has been re-designed.
110 Apologies for Absence
Cllr A Johnstone
Cllr K Rowlands
Cllr T Walsh
111 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct (and section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992)
Cllr I Hibble – Civil servant working for Welsh Government – personal
Cllr T Giffard, personal interest, as a member of BCBC – item 133 Planning
Cllr K Hughes, personal interest – item 133 Planning
Cllr A Pucella, personal interest, as a member of BCBC – item 133 Planning
Cllr J Spanswick, prejudicial interest, as a Member of Bridgend CBC Development Control Committee – item 133 Planning
112 Ratification of Minutes of the Full Council Meeting 19th September 2019
Resolved: that the minutes were approved, proposed by Cllr D Aston and seconded by Cllr K Hughes
113 Report by the Clerk relating to matters from the previous Full Council Meeting
The Clerk reported that action had had to be taken to go ahead with the Japanese Knotweed treatment highlighted at the previous meeting due to the urgency relating to the timing of treatment. If treatment had been postponed the window would have bene missed for the knotweed to be sprayed to have maximum impact. The treatment has therefore commenced, and local residents have been notified. The treatment is based on a four-year plan with payments totalling £2250 spread out over three years.
A further update was provided in relation to the Apprenticeship.
114 To consider all Correspondence received by this Council since the last meeting
(no decisions to be made on correspondence)
The Clerk presented the correspondence report adding that there had been further training sessions from Once Voice Wales emailed to all Members since the agenda had been published. There were also emails relating to VE Day 75th Anniversary celebrations, the draft Remuneration panel report and an invite to the ‘Diversity in Democracy’ workshop. Further correspondence had been received from Power for People regarding a Council motion request relating to the national community energy campaign.
115 To discuss any matters concerning the Community Centre
The Clerk advised the Council that the new Fire Control panel had now been installed just inside the doorway. Fire safety training for all who wished to attend had been organised for 4 November 2019 at 2pm.
Councillors requested that the Clerk followed up on recovering the cost via a Small Claim application against a Community Centre user dating from 2017.
116 ‘Love Your Village, Don’t Trash It’ Campaign
To determine whether to financially support a campaign run with the schools in Brackla.
Appendix A – Introduction Letter for Headteachers
Appendix B – School Project Outline
John Rees, Operations Officer, Cleaner Streets, Street Scene Section, BCBC presented the ‘Love it don’t trash it’ campaign to the members at the request of Cllr K Hughes and asked the Council to consider assisting BCBC run campaign whose aim is to work with schools to tackle litter in local area.
Resolved: The Council decided to fully support the campaign to run in Brackla providing the £1200 funding towards the 4 primary schools. The RFO confirmed this funding would come from general reserves. Proposed by Cllr D Aston, seconded by Cllr T Giffard.
It was also agreed that the BCBC Officer would visit again in May to provide an update to the Community Council.
117 Exclusion of the Public
Proposed by Cllr D Aston, seconded by Cllr K Hughes
Resolved: That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following one 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.
Grass Cutting and Ground Maintenance Contract
To discuss and approve the Grounds Maintenance and Grass Cutting Contract
It was proposed and agreed to return to open session.
118 Appointments of Committees
To agree appointments to each Committee
Appeals Cllr June Brett
Cllr Andy Johnstone
Cllr Aniel Pucella
Cllr Kay Rowlands
Cllr John Spanswick
Complaints Cllr Keith Hughes
Cllr Ciaron Jackson
Cllr Andy Johnstone
Cllr Kay Rowlands
Cllr John Spanswick
Community Centre Cllr David Aston
Cllr Tom Giffard
Cllr Ciaron Jackson
Cllr Aniel Pucella
Cllr John Spanswick
Disciplinary/Grievance Cllr Tom Giffard
Cllr Ian Hibble
Cllr Keith Hughes
Cllr Ciaron Jackson
Cllr Tyler Walsh
Finance (quarterly) Cllr David Aston
Cllr Ian Hibble
Cllr Keith Hughes
Cllr John Spanswick
Cllr Tyler Walsh
Health & Safety Cllr David Aston
Cllr Keith Hughes
Cllr Kay Rowlands
Cllr John Spanswick
Cllr Tyler Walsh
Human Resources/Personnel Cllr Tom Giffard
Cllr Ciaron Jackson
Cllr Kay Rowlands
Cllr John Spanswick
Cllr Tyler Walsh
Planning Cllr David Aston
Cllr June Brett
Cllr Ian Hibble
Cllr Keith Hughes
Cllr Andy Johnstone
Youth Cllr June Brett
Cllr Tom Giffard
Cllr Kay Rowlands
Cllr John Spanswick
Cllr Tyler Walsh
Councillors approved the following Terms of Reference for the new Community Centre Committee;
a) To monitor the finance of the Community Centre;
b) To consider the marketing and promotion for the Centre;
c) To consider the health and safety matters relating to the Centre;
d) To consider matters relating to the maintenance and utilities for the Centre;
e) To consider any ad hoc item as referred to the Committee that relates to the Community Centre;
f) To make recommendations to Full Council on any matter concerning the Community Centre.
119 Repair to Archbishop McGrath School Fence
To consider the quotes and agree a way forward for the repair of the school playing field fence
The Council revised fence quote in light of further damage and details of reinforced fence comparison.
Members agreed to go ahead with the new quote using the twin wire fencing which would be placed horizontally in order to fit.
It was also requested that we ask the company to check and tighten all clips around the whole field on a frequent basis.
120 Single-Use Plastics
To consider the current campaign and local initiatives being undertaken to reduce single-use plastics
The Council stated that they wanted to support the initiative and reduce the amount of plastic used.
It was agreed that:
• the Clerk would look what actions other TCCS and BCBC were doing to assist with the campaign
• the Council would look to reduce plastic where possible in the Community Centre and the office;
• the Clerk would write to local business owners to see if they would register as ‘Refill stations’ as part of the Refill scheme for the public to refill water bottles.
121 Signage – Brackla Signs and Wales in Bloom Signs
Agreed to speak with Porthcawl Town Clerk as they have recently put up signs at entrances to Porthcawl.
Agreed to look at prices of signs and installations
Agreed to hold a competition for emblem to go on signs for Wales in Bloom.
Check for consistency welsh spelling of Brackla.
An update will be given at the next meeting.
122 Health and Safety Equipment
Resolved:
It was agreed to purchase more Hi-Vis Vests in various sizes to make each size up to a total of 8. If there are requests for more, the Council will consider purchasing in the relevant sizes.
123 Sponsorship and Donations
Members agreed to maybe ask the Co-op to sponsor the VE Day celebrations.
It was also agreed that Councillors go through the Clerk if they have contacts for sponsorship
124 To consider Wildflowers in Brackla
The Council agreed to trial wildflowers in one small area – possibly near the Crematorium roundabout.
It was also agreed that an informal meeting be held between groups within the community who might be willing to assist with this.
125 Staff security
It was agreed that the Clerk would speak with the manager of the doctor’s surgery to see what procedures they have in place for their staff.
It was also proposed to explore whether was any training available relating to conflict resolution.
126 To discuss and agree Christmas and New Year office opening times
Council agreed to close the office on Monday 23rd December, have a half day (10am-12pm) on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve and open as normal on Friday 27th December .
127 To consider Website Redesign
The Council agreed to get more quotes for redesigning the website with consideration given to the legislation around accessibility as well as Death of Royal Family protocol.
128 To confirm arrangements for the Annual Community Events:
(a) Fireworks
The Clerk asked who would be available to help at the Firework display, from around 5pm to marshal and help on the gates
(b) Seniors Christmas Tea
It was agreed the tea will be 2pm – 5pm this year on Wednesday 4th December
129 Finance:
(a) Approval of the Schedule of Payments September 2019
Resolved: that the payments were approved, proposed by Cllr A Pucella seconded by Cllr K Hughes
(b) Bank Reconciliation as at September
Cllr K Hughes signed the bank statement on behalf of the Council
Resolved: that the statement for September had been approved
(c) Monthly Budget Review September
Resolved: that the budget review was approved, proposed by Cllr D Aston seconded by Cllr A Pucella
130 To Receive Reports from Members
Cllr D Aston informed members that he had seen BCBC Grass Cutting contractors without high viz vests on and driving machines on the road. He also wished to note that they have been cutting areas of grass at different heights and leaving the areas messy.
Cllr D Aston also informed members that the subway near Brackla Primary School had flooded again in the recent rain.
131 Agenda items for October 2019 Full Council Meeting
Website redesign
Wildflowers
Section 137 – donations
Power for People – Council motion request regarding the national community energy campaign.
132 Date of the next Full Council Meeting –Thursday 21st November 2019
There will be a finance meeting at 6pm before the Full Council meeting at 7pm
133 To consider any Planning Applications by the Planning Committee
P/19/741/FUL – No objections
P/19/730/FUL – No objections
P/19/747/FUL – No objections
P/18/960/OUT
Appeal Reference: 1875
In relation to the above appeal, Brackla Community Council wish to reiterate their objections to the original application and add a further objection based on the fact that the Statement of Case appears to submit new plans which were not incorporated into the original application that was submitted.
P/19/738/FUL
In relation to the above application Brackla Community Council have no overall objections however their general observations regarding the proposal included concerns that there be no damage or blockage of the footpath near said property during the time when the work is undertaken. The Community Council request that the footpath be kept clear and tidy at all times.
Signed by the Chairperson 2019/20
Cllr John Spanswick ………………………………………………..
Dated: ………………………………………………
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