APOLOGIES
Cllr. Gwynfor Owen (Gwynedd Council)
PRESENT
Cllrs. Eurig Hughes (Chairman), Russell Sharp (Vice Chairman), Robert G. Owen, David J. Roberts , Hywel Jones, Mair Thomas, Osian Edwards, Guy Slater and Cllr. Annwen Hughes (Gwynedd Council).
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on December 6th 2023 were found to be correct.
MATTERS ARISING
Budget Plan
Copies showing the differences between the expenditure that had been made up to the 31st December 2023 since the beginning of April 2023 and what had been earmarked on the budget plan up to the end of December was given to every member. It was reported that the Council had spent £17,201.98 (which included bank charges) since the start of the new financial year and this was £5,982.40 less expenditure than what was earmarked in the budget for the year. The members went through the different expenditures that had been made and the differences that were on the business plan individually. It was agreed to accept the above.
Wi-Fi in the Hall
The Clerk reported that there was nothing more to report about above just that Mr. Rob Lewis was working to get a system In its place in the hall and hopefully it will be completed in the next month.
Review Clerk’s Salary
‘The Council at their meeting last April had agreed to review the Clerk’s salary when discussing the precept for this financial year so agreed to raise the Clerk’s salary to £2,500 a year.
The Clerk was not present when the above matter was discussed.
HAL
It was reported that a meeting had been held between the area’s Community Councils at Llanbedr village hall on the 18th of last month. There had been discussion about the payment of a financial contribution to HAL after the end of March this year and a statement had been created and Councillors had agreed that the Clerk of each Council send this out to all Councillors and ask them to vote by Thursday evening the 21st with their decision, the email sent to all Councillors was confidential and stated that members of the other Councils expressed disappointment that this information had been disclosed to a HAL Board member and because of this they believed that this Councillor had breached the Council’s Code of Conduct and also the Members were not happy that this had been added to social media pages. The Clerk had sent copies of HAL’s accounts up to the end of November to all Members and also reported that another meeting was being held between the area’s Community Councils at Llanbedr village hall on the 14th of February and also a meeting between the Community Councils and HAL was been held on the 18th of this month. After a discussion it was agreed to carry on to contribute financially to HAL for the financial year 2024/25 and it was agreed to pay the same amount as the 2023/24 financial year and not the new amount because Members were not happy that there was no discussion held between HAL and the Council to raise the contribution by 4.7%.
Council’s Budget for 2024/25
The Treasurer gave each member a copy of the Council’s accounts up to the year ending 31st December 2023 so that they could see what the financial situation was like. A discussion took place and it was decided that an estimate of the following costs were going to be with the Council during the next financial year – Council’s insurance £450, Clerk’s wages £2,500, Clerk’s expenses £300, tax on Clerk’s wages £500.04, Clerk’s Accountant £216,
donations £1,000, Harlech & Ardudwy Leisure £8,564.38, village hall committee £1,000, grass cutting of the cemetery £2,100, grass cutting of the footpaths £1,000, salt bins £300, welsh water £40, cemetery expenses £1,800, One Voice Wales £120, sundries £1,000, hire of hall £500, contribution to keep Llandanwg toilets open £4,000, hire of meeting room £200, auditors £600, sunderies £1,000, up keep of various items £1,200, bank charges £100.
Council’s Precept for 2024/25
A letter was received from Gwynedd Council with regard to the above. After disgussing the budget and foreseeing what the Council’s expenditure will be for the forthcoming financial year, it was decided to raise the precept from £17,000 to £18,000.
Independant Renumeration Panel
The Clerk reported that a form had to be signed by every Councillor again this year with regard to the above. There is a need to list every rule that is been adopted in the Council minutes and if a payment rule regarding costs is been adopted the Councillors that DO NOT claim expenses sign the form declaring this. After a discussion it was agreed to adopt the payments rule regarding costs again this year and it was agreed that everybody that wanted to claim costs would do so but it was important that everybody return the form back to the Clerk once it was completed.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Erection of a new guest accommodation building, with alterations and renovations of retained buildings to create a new community hall, dining and kitchen facilities and other ancillary spaces and facilities – Pensarn Quay, Llanbedr (NP5/66/8J)
Support this application.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer reported that there was £9,841.93 in the bank, £5,610.97 in the reserve account .
Invoices needing payment since last meeting
Revenue & Customs – £95.00 – tax on Clerk’s wages
Welsh Water – £7.29 – cemetery tap
Mrs W, Wigglesworth – £37.00 – cemetery brown bin sticker
Applications for financial support
Harlech & Ardudwy Leisure – £714.00 – precept proposal (monthly payment).
The above payments were processesed by the Chairman, Cllr. Eurig Hughes and Cllr. Robert G. Owen approved the payments and permission was granted to the Clerk/Treasurer to make payment on line or by cheque at the end of the meeting.
Monies received since last meeting
Mr. M. Downey – £40.00 – rent hearse hut (January)
CORRESPONDANCE
Welsh Government
Received a letter from the above informing the Council that the appropriate sum under Section 137(4)(a) of Local Government Act 1972, Section 137 Expenditure Limit for 2024/25 will be £10.81 per elector. The Clerk reported that the latest number of electors she has is 328 and therefore the Council have the right to contribute up to £3,545.68 to outside bodies.
Gwynedd Council – Highways Department
Received a letter from the above Department informing the Council they will be replacing street light columns at the junction of A496 Llandanwg and Sarn Hir during this mont
ANY OTHER MATTER
The Counci was informed that the bank details information of the memorial hall committee all need to be changed to be the same as what is on the charity register.
It was reported that a wall had fallen near Groes Las.
It was stated that a gravestone needed attention in the cemetery and it was agreed to go and have a look at it soon.
Date of Next Meeing
It was agreed to hold the next Council on 21st February 2024 at 7.30 p.m.
English (UK) 
Cymraeg