DRAFT Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Aberdyfi Community Council held at the Literary Institute on Monday 16th February 2026
Present: Cllr Dewi Owen – Chair
Councillors:
Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis
Cllr Anna Grundy
Cllr Ian Hewins
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Sadie Porter
Cllr Megan Reynolds
Cllr Dave Williams
1 member of public were present
Public Participation session
Mike Riley gave a short presentation on the TAITH community transport scheme and asked everyone to spread the word that the scheme will be starting within the next month and is looking for volunteer drivers.
AGENDA ITEM 1 – To receive and accept apologies
CL/172/16.02.26
Apologies received and accepted from Cllrs Dunton and O’Neill
AGENDA ITEM 2 – Chair announcements
CL/173/16.02.26
The Chair welcomed everyone. He congratulated the Aberdyfi Players on their successful pantomime production of Pinocchio. He noted that there are no trains running for the next week due to work on the line North of Barmouth. There is a Network Rail meeting next week so he will be able to give a more detailed update next month, but it is hoped to have new trains running on the line in September. The playground has been full of children since it opened last week and it is fabulous to see so many children enjoying the space. He informed the council that he asked Gwynedd Council how much the Article 4 challenge had cost, but was not given a clear answer. He has asked for a figure by next meeting. It was noted that there are no plans for Parc Eryri to remove the Article 4 direction in the Parc, so it will still apply to everyone in the Parc.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – Declaration of financial, personal or prejudicial interest
CL/174/16.02.26
Cllr Kelly declared an interest in Agenda Item 8.
AGENDA ITEM 4 – To receive and confirm minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting on 19thJanuary 2026
CL/175/16.02.26
The minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting on 19th January 2026 were received and unanimouslyapproved.
Proposed: Cllr Reynolds Seconded: Cllr Kelly
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AGENDA ITEM 5 – To receive and approve the treasurer’s report
CL/176/16.02.26
The treasurer’s report for February was received and approved. The clerk informed the council that bank charges will be increasing from £6 to £7 per month as of this month.
Proposed: Cllr D. Williams Seconded: Cllr Hewins
AGENDA ITEM 6 – To receive a report from the Gwynedd Council representative
CL/177/16.02.26
Cllr Owen reported that there was an Economy committee meeting last week and the North Wales Growth Scheme was discussed. At the meeting it was stated that a lot of money has been put into North Wales as a result of the scheme, but when questioned further, it became apparent that not much had been done for Gwynedd and there had been complaints that there was too much red tape in order to receive the grants, so many people had given up part way through their application. Two projects are ongoing from the scheme – one at Trawsfynydd power station and one at Glynllifan, to milk sheep. It also became apparent that 49 people had been employed to administer the scheme, so it does not seem to have been a useful scheme for the people of Gwynedd. Cllr Owen asked how much connection there had been between the North Wales scheme and the mid-Wales scheme and they were unable to give him an answer.
The potential tourism tax was discussed and Gwynedd Council informed the councillors that it is estimated it would bring in between £2.5m and £3m per year. This estimate was done by a company based in Leeds. The tax would be 75p – £1.90 per night, plus VAT, as London Government has decreed it is not VAT exempt. Cllr Owen asked about motorhomes parking at the side of the road and people wild camping and the response was “there’s not a lot we can do about that”. He asked how much it will cost to run, how it will be policed, how it will be collected from eg. AirBnBs, but they couldn’t give him an answer. It is planned to be introduced in 2028 and there will be a lot of consultation before then, so there will be an opportunity for an open public meeting in Aberdyfi as part of this process.
AGENDA ITEM 7 – To receive and approve a report from the Clerk
CL/178/16.02.26
The Clerk reported on the following:
* Digital Noticeboard
The harbourmaster has offered for us to connect to the supply in the cupboard where we have just replaced the doors and he won’t charge for the electricity. Phil Pugh has checked the cupboard and says it will be much easier to connect to there than the toilets, so waiting for a quote for this.
* Meeting with Parc Eryri to discuss planting trees
Parc Eryri have not been in contact yet.
* Food Festival
Haven’t been able to research cost of hiring chairs and parasols yet.
Action: Clerk to research cost of parasols, tables and benches etc.
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* Pheasant problem
Tried to contact Cambrian Birds on several occasions but they have not responded
Action: Clerk to keep trying to contact them
* Allotment wall
Work to start 2nd March and take about 3 weeks
* Mobile kitchen
Still needs to be brought to Aberdyfi. Cllr Hewins spoke to Des, who requested it be done after panto had finished, so he will contact him again and organise the move
* Cupboard doors
Clerk was asked if we wanted contractor to put Osmo oil on the doors at a cost of £250 so she said we’d do it as we have oil in stock. One coat applied so far.
* Playground opening ceremony
The clerk reported the playground passed it’s safety inspection and she is doing the final report for the Lottery and asked for any quotes from councillors that could be included.
Swings are on order and will be installed as soon as received.
Clerk has bought some paint and the bottom black strip will be painted before opening ceremony
Flora & Bronwen agreed to cut ribbon. Council agreed to buy a bouquet of flowers for them.
Fire service agreed to use their compound and will take fire engine out
Tasty Truck, Pink Pod, Samba band and magician all confirmed
Sign has been bought, but needs put up.
Benches have all been put in one corner of the playground but need to be painted.
Clerk has ordered bunting and other promotional items from the National Lottery and the clerk has other bunting to add to it and will buy some ribbon
Competition posters have been designed and put up and distributed and Ruth Roberts Owen has agreed to be the judge. The council agreed to buy her a bouquet of flowers.
Someone is needed to make a speech.
Feedback so far. Everyone loves the playground but received an email telling us a 3 year-old nearly fell through one of the openings from the inside. Comments also received that the slide at the back facing the fire station compound is close to the wall and they are concerned a child may come off the bottom of the slide and hit the wall. The clerk explained that there is a safety zone around each piece of equipment and these zones are not allowed to overlap with any other zone. It was agreed to send these comments to Elevate Play for their consideration.
It was suggested a QR code be created with a link to the clerk’s email address for feedback to be displayed in the playground and it was agreed to do this.
Action: Clerk to purchase flowers, ribbon etc, for opening ceremony
Action: Clerk to send comments to Elevate Play
Action: Clerk to create and display a QR code in the playground
*Ardal Ni team
In Aberdyfi 16-20 February and the clerk has asked them to cut back the vegetation by the fire station and clean along the kerb edges in the main car park. It was noted that the trees by Craig y Don have been causing vehicles to lose their mirrors
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due to the narrow roadway as a result of the roadworks. It was agreed to write to the residents and ask them to cut them back when possible. It was suggested that Burma Road also needs cut back.
Action: Clerk to write to residents at Craig y Don
Action: Clerk to speak to Aled regarding Burma Road
* Dafad Goch Soap Box Racing
Event has been confirmed for 5th April after a SAG meeting.
* Caterham Car Club
They have informed us they will be coming on 16th May this year.
* NRW
They have informed us that they are doing a project to identify the amount and different types of rubbish that is being introduced into the Dyfi estuary. Cllrs Porter, H. Williams and Phil Morgan from Plastic Free Aberdyfi have been put in contact with the project manager.
* Gwynedd Council green & blue infrastructure feasibility study
Gwynedd Council have had a grant to do this study and wish to attend the next council meeting to explain more about it and how the council can help.
Action: Clerk to arrange
* Neuadd Dyfi car park
There has been some debate on Facebook as to whether the Neuadd Dyfi car park was left to the people of Aberdyfi. The clerk has looked through the paperwork in the office and can find no evidence that this is the case, though there is a lease agreement and we pay Gwynedd Council every year for this lease, as well as rates for the car park. The councillors do not recall it being left to the people of the village either. The debate on Facebook informed people that the council could not fine people for parking overnight in their motorhomes and the clerk fears there might be an increase in people breaking the rules as a result. She has contacted Gwynedd Council who have said they could put a Traffic Regulation Order on the land, which would allow us to enforce parking restrictions, though didn’t say how much it would cost. She will find out how much it would cost, how it would work and report back.
Action: Clerk to contact Gwynedd Council
* Welsh Blood donation service
At the Neuadd Dyfi Wednesday 18th February
* SIARC project
Event at Neuadd Dyfi Tuesday 17th February about research that has been carried out into the sharks, skates and rays that inhabit our local waters.
* Gwynedd Council upcoming grants
Email from Gwynedd Council received informing us that there will be grant opportunities coming up to support projects to improve community spaces and requesting attending a meeting. It was agreed to see if the digital noticeboard might be eligible for the funding and to ask them to attend the next meeting.
Action: Clerk to arrange
* Footpath No.14 behind Penhelig Arms
It has been brought to the attention of the clerk that the new railings are loose. She has informed the footpaths team and they will ask the contractors to repair it.
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* First Aid qualification
The clerk reported that she did a first aid course recently, so can now be the nominated first aider at events. Cllr Porter was also on the course, so could also possibly fulfil this role.
The clerk noted that defibrillators were discussed during the course and she asked if there was one at the Penhelig end of the village, as the one closest to the Penhelig Arms may be at the Institute. Cllr D. Williams offered to check that end of the village and report back. The clerk also noted that it was suggested that more signs are put up in the village, directing people to the nearest defibrillator. Cllr. Kelly suggested putting up more maps of defibrillator locations. It was agreed to discuss this at the next meeting.
Action: Cllr D. Williams to check if any defibrillators near the Penhelig Arms
Action: Clerk to add to agenda for next month
Cllr D. Williams thanked the clerk for moving so many projects forward
AGENDA ITEM 8 – To receive and consider planning applications
CL/179/16.02.26
NP5/50/626A Murmur y Don, Aberdyfi LL35 0NS
Engineering works, including the erection of retaining walls to construct a garage.
No objections raised
NP5/50/743B Braich Gwyn, Aberdyfi, LL35 0RD
Installation of water tank
No objections raised
AGENDA ITEM 9 – To consider purchase and installation of a wildlife camera in Neuadd Dyfi car park
CL/180/16.02.26
It was suggested that a camera with an SD card would run out of memory too quickly, so one linked to the existing system at the Neuadd Dyfi would be better, though running the wires to the camera might present a problem. It was suggested that better solar lights with motion sensors might be a better option in the far corner of the car park. It was agreed to research different options further.
Action: Clerk to research options
AGENDA ITEM 10 – To consider purchase of yellow rock-salt bins
CL/181/16.02.26
The clerk informed the council that these would have to be paid for by the Community Council and Gwynedd Council would need to approve the potential sites before installation. The clerk suggested together with a councillor, she walks round the village to establish where existing yellow bins are sited and look at potential new sites. Cllr Hewins offered to walk round with the clerk.
Action: Clerk and Cllr Hewins to look at sites for yellow bins
AGENDA ITEM 11 – To consider purchase of SIM card for digital noticeboard
CL/182/16.02.26
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The clerk presented a report on different SIM cards available that use the EE network, which has the most signal strength at the wharf. It was agreed to go with the cheapest option, Lyca, at £10 per month, though to check first that we would not be locked into a long contract.
Proposed: Cllr Porter Seconded: Cllr Reynolds
Action: Clerk to check contract before purchase
AGENDA ITEM 12– Correspondence which requires a response from the Council
CL/183/16.02.26
None received
AGENDA ITEM 13 – To note correspondence not requiring a decision from the Community Council which has already been circulated to Councillors
CL/184/16.02.26
* One Voice Wales – joint OVW & Planning Aid Wales event, March 19th
* Cambrian Railway Partnership – notice of event, February 24th
* Planning Aid wales – Flood Risk seminar, March 11th
* NRW – Borth to Ynyslas coastal adaptation project
* Cambrian Rail – rail closure, 14-23 February
AGENDA ITEM 14 – Items for consideration at future meetings
CL/185/16.02.26
* Presentation from Gwynedd Council on Green & Blue infrastructure feasibility study
* Presentation from Gwynedd Council on upcoming grant opportunities
AGENDA ITEM 15 – Items for release / Rushlight / Website / Facebook
CL/186/16.02.26
* Beach clean 1st March
* Community Lunch 13th March
* Congratulations to Aberdyfi Players
* TAITH call for volunteer drivers
AGENDA ITEM 16 – Date of next meeting
CL/187/16.02.26
Monday 16th March
There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 8.30pm
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