ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025

The Community Council currently has 8 Councillors – Anjuli Davies (Chair), Emyr Morgan, Ann Davies, C. Moses, E. Rees, Beryl Jones, Owain Gruffydd and Angela Hughes, who was co-opted in March 2024. 

Cllr Hefin Jones continues as County Councillor for Llanfihangel Aberbythych.  Mairwen Rees remains as Responsible Financial Officer and Clerk.  Council@llangathen.org.uk  David Morris is the Internal Auditor and Osian Williams the PAYE accountant.

All Councillors chose to op-out of receiving the available allowance thereby ensuring that the annual precept was kept to a minimum,

Meetings were held face to face in the Reading Room, Court Henry.  A telephone service was available to those unable to attend in person.

There were eight Declarations of Interest – Court Henry Short Mat Bowls Club (donation), Trywydd (invoices), Rhieni ac Athrawon Parents and Teachers Ysgol Cwrt Henri (donation), Neuadd Llangathen Hall (donation), Ystafell Ddarllen (donation) and a Planning matter.

The precept for 2024/2025 remained at £9,000

The Footway Lighting invoice was for £1253.74 (net) and the LED invoice for the eight year loan was £573.38 (net). The loan runs to 2028/2029.

The clerk appraisal was carried out annually and the clerks salary was increased to £3475.12. The Training Plan – for Councillors and Clerk is updated when need be. Cllrs. Ann Davies and Eiryl Rees have attended training sessions.

We Dig Media continue to manage the website www.llangathen.org.uk

Communication between Councillors and Clerk is via e-mail, telephone, in person and post.

Communication between the community and Community Council is via Notice Boards, Website, face to face communication including via clubs and organisations.

The Council is complying with The Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems duty and will be updating their plan.

The village green in Broad Oak is cut during the summer months with the number of cuts reduced as part of the biodiversity duty.  Cllrs and local residents volunteer to look after the flower boxes.

Wales Audit – The Council received a successful full audit 2023/2024

The 2024/2025 Audit has been completed and approved by the internal auditor.

Annual membership is paid to One Voice Wales and Society of Local Council Clerks.

The A40 at Dryslwyn Square and Broad Oak remains a concern and Councillors continue to lobby SWTRA regarding the speed of traffic.  Go-Safe / Dyfed Powys Police have not provided information regarding speed at these areas.

Donations amounting to £1200.00 were given to good causes.

Defibrillator – the three Defibrillators, sited in Broad Oak, Dryslwyn Community Shop and Felindre, are registered on The Circuit.  The Dryslwyn Community Shop Defibrillator now has paediatric pads.

Members continued to monitor the Green Gen Towy Usk Project. Some applied to CCC for dispensation and are also considering applying for a group dispensation.

Following several storms, the bus shelter at Dryslwyn Square was badly damaged and repaired.  

.Dryslwyn Bridge had been damaged and members monitor and remind CCC for its repair.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024

The Community Council currently has 7 Councillors – Cled Moses (chair), Anjuli Davies (Vice Chair) Emyr Morgan, Ann Davies, E. Rees and Beryl Jones.  Owain Gruffydd was co-opted in May 2023 and after over 40 years of service, Linda Hughes resigned in November 2023. A vacancy was advertised.

Cllr Hefin Jones continues as County Councillor for Llanfihangel Aberbythych.  Mairwen Rees remains as Responsible Financial Officer and Clerk.  Council@llangathen.org.uk  David Morris, accountant,  is the Internal Auditor.

All Councillors chose to op-out of receiving the available allowance thereby ensuring that the annual precept remains unchanged.

Meetings were held face to face in the Reading Room, Court Henry.  A telephone service available to those unable to attend in person.

There were two Declarations of Interest. Cllr Ann Davies – Court Henry Short Mat Bowls Club and Cllr O Gruffydd – Trywydd.

The precept for 2024/2025 has remained at £9,000

The Footway Lighting invoice was for £1183.83 (net) and the LED invoice for the eight year loan was £573.38 (net). The loan runs to 2028/2029.

The clerk appraisal is carried out annually. The clerks salary was increased to £3322.66. The Training Plan – for Councillors and Clerk is updated when need be. Cllrs. Ann Davies, Eiryl Rees, Anjuli Davies and the clerk M. Rees have attended training sessions.

We Dig Media continue to manage the website www.llangathen.org.uk

Communication between Councillors and Clerk is via e-mail, telephone and post.

Communication between the community and Community Council is via Notice Boards, Website, face to face communication including via clubs and organisations.

The Council is complying with The Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems duty.

The village green in Broad Oak is cut during the summer months with the number of cuts reduced as part of the biodiversity duty.  Cllrs and local residents volunteer to look after the flower boxes.

Wales Audit – The Council received a successful full audit 2022/2023

Annual membership is paid to One Voice Wales and Society of Local Council Clerks.

The A40 at Dryslwyn Square and Broad Oak remains a concern.

The application made to Carmarthenshire County Council to unward Llangathen Community Council was successful. There will no longer be a South Ward and a North Ward. The council will retain their membership of 8 members and this will take effect as from 2027.

Donations amounting to £1150.00 were given to good causes.

Defibrillator – the parish now has three Defibrillators, sited in Broad Oak, Dryslwyn Community Shop and Felindre.

Members will continue to monitor the Green Gen Towy Usk Project.

LLANGATHEN COMMUNITY COUNCIL

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023

The Community Council currently has 7 Councillors – Eiryl Rees (chair), Cled Moses (vice-chair),

Ann Davies, Beryl Jones, Emyr Morgan, Linda Hughes and Anjuli Davies. Following the May 2022 elections, Mark Williams made the decision not to stand for re-election. Councillors were most disappointed as he was a valued member of the community.  There is now a vacancy.  Councillor Hefin Jones was duly elected as County Councillor for Llanfihangel Aberbythych.  Mairwen Rees remains as Responsible Financial Officer and Clerk.  Council@llangathen.org.uk  David Morris, accountant,  is the Internal Auditor.

All Councillors chose to Opt Out of receiving the annual £150 Councillors Allowance.

Meetings were held face to face in the Reading Room, Court Henry for May, July, September, November and March with the January 2023 meeting being conducted over Zoom.

The precept for 2023/2024 is £9,000

The Footway Lighting invoice was for £846.39 (net) and the LED invoice for the eight year loan was £573.38 (net). Street lighting issues have been resolved.

The clerk appraisal is carried out annually and the Training Plan – for Councillors and Clerk is updated when need be.

We Dig Media continue to manage the website www.llangathen.org.uk

Communication between Councillors and Clerk is via e-mail, telephone and post.

Communication between the community and Community Council is via Notice Boards, Website, face to face communication including via clubs and organisations.

The village green in Broad Oak is cut during the summer months and Cllrs and local residents volunteer to look after the flower boxes.

Wales Audit have now caught up with the backlog of audits and the accounts for Llangathen Community Council have been approved for 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022.

Annual membership is paid to One Voice Wales and Society of Local Council Clerks.

The A40 at Dryslwyn Square and Broad Oak remains a concern – Cllr H Jones has discussed matters with Jonathan Edwards MP and recently a report from WG was made available. 

Litter and Dog Fouling within the parish have been addressed and continue to be monitored. 

Issues regarding BT Exchange building and paths/parking in Broad Oak remain ongoing.  Fly Tipping concerns have recently been brought to the attention of Councillors. 

An application to Carmarthenshire County Council has recently been made to de-ward the parish.

A successful application for a free Defibrillator was made to WG.  This was approved and subject to the purchase of a cabinet.  

Donations amounting to £1190.00 to good causes have been made and largely to local organisations.

£70 to each of the halls – Reading Room and Llangathen – was donated in order to purchase Shrubs/Bulbs in recognition of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

It was decided to oppose the proposed over head pylons being erected in the Towy Valley and requested that they be underground.

CYNGOR CYMUNED LLANGATHEN

Ar hyn o bryd mae gan y Cyngor Cymuned saith Cynghorydd – Eiryl Rees (cadeirydd), Cled Moses (is-gadeirydd), Ann Davies, Beryl Jones, Emyr Morgan, Linda Hughes ac Anjuli Davies. Yn dilyn etholiadau mis Mai 2022, penderfynodd Mark Williams beidio â sefyll i gael ei ailethol. Roedd y cynghorwyr yn siomedig iawn gan ei fod yn aelod gwerthfawr o’r gymuned.  Mae yna le gwag bellach.  Etholwyd y Cynghorydd Hefin Jones yn Gynghorydd Sir dros Lanfihangel Aberbythych.  Mae Mairwen Rees yn parhau’n Swyddog Ariannol Cyfrifol a Chlerc.  Council@llangathen.org.uk David Morris, cyfrifydd, yw’r Archwilydd Mewnol.

Dewisodd pob Cynghorydd optio allan o gael y Lwfans Cynghorwyr blynyddol o £150.

Cynhaliwyd y cyfarfodydd wyneb yn wyneb yn yr Ystafell Ddarllen, Cwrt-henri ar gyfer misoedd Mai, Gorffennaf, Medi, Tachwedd a Mawrth a chynhaliwyd cyfarfod mis Ionawr 2023 dros Zoom.

Y praesept ar gyfer 2023-2024 yw £9,000

Roedd yr anfoneb ar gyfer Goleuo’r Droedffordd yn £846.39 (net) a’r anfoneb LED ar gyfer y benthyciad wyth mlynedd yn £573.38 (net). Roedd y materion ynglyn â’r goleuadau stryd wedi’u datrys.

Cynhelir gwerthusiad y clerc yn flynyddol ac mae’r Cynllun Hyfforddi – ar gyfer Cynghorwyr a’r Clerc – yn cael ei ddiweddaru yn ôl y gofyn.

We Dig Media sy’n dal i reoli’r wefan www.llangathen.org.uk

Mae cyfathrebu rhwng y Cynghorwyr a’r Clerc yn digwydd trwy e-bost, dros y ffôn a thrwy’r post.

Mae cyfathrebu rhwng y gymuned a’r Cyngor Cymuned yn digwydd trwy hysbysfyrddau, y wefan ac wyneb yn wyneb, gan gynnwys trwy glybiau a mudiadau.

Mae maes y pentref yn Nerwen-fawr yn cael ei dorri yn ystod misoedd yr haf ac mae Cynghorwyr a thrigolion lleol yn gwirfoddoli i ofalu am y blychau blodau.

Mae Archwilio Cymru bellach wedi dal i fyny â’r ôl-groniad o archwiliadau, a chymeradwywyd cyfrifon Cyngor Cymuned Llangathen ar gyfer 2019-2020, 2020-2021 a 2021-2022.

Telir aelodaeth flynyddol i Un Llais Cymru a’r Gymdeithas Clercod Cynghorau Lleol.

Mae’r A40 yn Sgwâr Dryslwyn a Derwen-fawr yn parhau i fod yn bryder – mae’r Cynghorydd H Jones wedi trafod materion â Jonathan Edwards AS, ac yn ddiweddar daeth adroddiad gan LlC ar gael. 

Mae Sbwriel a Baw Cwn yn y plwyf wedi cael sylw ac yn parhau i gael eu monitro. 

Mae materion yn ymwneud ag Adeilad Cyfnewidfa BT a llwybrau/parcio yn Nerwen-fawr yn parhau i fynd rhagddynt.  Mae pryderon ynghylch Tipio Anghyfreithlon wedi’u dwyn i sylw’r Cynghorwyr yn ddiweddar. 

Yn ddiweddar gwnaed cais i Gyngor Sir Caerfyrddin er mwyn dad-wardio’r plwyf.

Gwnaed cais llwyddiannus am ddiffibriliwr am ddim i LlC.  Cymeradwywyd hyn ac yn amodol ar brynu cabinet.  

Rhoddwyd cyfanswm o £1190.00 at achosion da ac yn bennaf i fudiadau lleol.

Rhoddwyd £70 i bob un o’r neuaddau – Yr Ystafell Ddarllen a Llangathen – er mwyn prynu llwyni/bylbiau i gydnabod Jiwbilî Platinwm y Frenhines.

Penderfynwyd gwrthwynebu’r peilonau arfaethedig sydd i’w codi yn Nyffryn Tywi a gofyn am i’r ceblau gael eu gosod o dan y ddaear.

Cofnodion Cyfarfod Blynyddol Cyngor Cymuned Llangathen a gynhaliwyd ddydd Mawrth  Mai 17, 2022 yn Yr Ystafell Ddarllen, Cwrt Henri.

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Llangathen Community Council held on Tuesday, 17^th May 2022 in The Reading Room, Court Henry.

Presennol / Present:  Cyng/Cllrs.: B. Jones (chair) Ann Davies, C. Moses, E. Morgan, L. Hughes, E. Rees and A. Davies.

Hefyd yn presennol / In attendance  Cllr. Hefin Jones and Mrs M.Rees (clerc / clerk)

22/01  YMDDIHEURIADAU / APOLOGIES

There were no apologies for absence. 

22/02 DATGANIADAU O FUDDIANT / DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Dros y flwyddyn flaenorol  cofrestrwyd y datganiadau o fuddiant canlynol:  

Datganodd y Cyng. Ann Davies ddiddordeb yn eitem 21/38 (8) – Cyfrifon i’w talu – Y Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol.

Datganodd y Cyng. A. Davies ddiddordeb yn eitem 21/51 (12) – Gwefan

Datganodd y Cyng. L. Hughes ddiddordeb yn eitem 21/63 (10) – Cyfrifon i’w talu – Ysgol Cwrt Henri

Datganodd y Cyng. B. Jones ddiddordeb yn eitem 21/63 (10) – Cyfrifion i’w talu – Neuadd Llangathen

Over the previous year, the following declarations of interest were registered:

Cllr. Ann Davies declared an interest in item 21/38 (8) – Accounts for payment – The Royal British Legion.

Cllr. A. Davies declared an interest in item 21/51 – Website

Cllr. L. Hughes declared an interest in item 21/63 (10) – Accounts for payment – Court Henry School

Cllr. B. Jones declared an interest in item 21/63 (10) – Accounts for payment – Llangathen Hall

22/03 COFNODION / MINUTES

Cynigiwyd gan Cyng. L. Hughes ac eiliwyd gan Cyng. B. Jones fod cofnodion y Cyfarfod  Blynyddol a gynhaliwyd ddydd Mawrth 18 Mai 2021 yn cael eu derbyn fel cofnod cywir o’r trafodion.

It was proposed by Cllr. L. Hughes  and seconded by Cllr. B. Jones that the minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 17^thNovember 2020 be accepted as a correct record of the proceedings.

22/04  DATGANIAD O GYFRIFON / STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

Roedd copïau o’r cyfrifon ar gael i’r Cynghorwyr ar gyfer y flwyddyn a ddaeth i ben 31 Mawrth 2022.

Roedd y rhain wedi’u harchwilio gan Mr D. G. Morris. Yn dilyn trafodaeth am y cyfrifon, cynigiodd y  Cyng. C. Moses, ac eiliwyd gan y Cyng. E. Morgan y dylid derbyn bod y datganiad o gyfrifon yn gywir.  

Llofnododd y cadeirydd a’r clerc/SAC y Datganiad Blynyddol.

Copies of the accounts were made available to Cllrs  for the year ended 31^st March 2022.  These had been audited by Mr D.G.Morris.  Following a discussion regarding the accounts, it was proposed by Cllr. C. Moses and seconded by Cllr. E. Morgan that the statement of accounts be accepted as correct.  

The chair and clerk/RFO signed the Annual Return.

22/05 ASESIAD RISG / RISK ASSESSMENT

Trafodwyd yr Asesiad Risg a chytunwyd yn unfrydol y dylai pob cofnod barhau heb unrhyw ddiwygiad.  

Llofnododd y cadeirydd y ddogfen Asesiad Risg

The Risk Assessment was discussed and it was unanimously agreed that all entries should remain with no amendments. The chair signed the Risk Assessment document.

22/06 DATGANIAD LLYWODRAETHU BLYNYDDOL / ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Darllenwyd yn uchel y Datganiad Llywodraethu Blynyddol ac fe’i trafodwyd gan yr aelodau. Cynigiwyd gan y Cyng. Ann Davies ac eiliwyd gan y Cyng. E. Rees y dylai gael ei gymeradwyo gan y cyngor.

The Annual Governance Statement was read out and discussed by members. It was proposed by Cllr. Ann Davies and seconded by Cllr. E. Rees that it be approved by the council.

22/07 PENODI ARCHWILYDD MEWNOL / APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDITOR

Penderfynwyd y dylid parhau i ymgymryd â gwasanaethau’r archwilydd mewnol, sef Mr D Morris.

Y clerc i ysgrifennu at Mr Morris i ofyn a fyddai’n barod i barhau fel archwilydd mewnol y cyngor.

 It was resolved that the services of the internal auditor Mr D Morris be continued.  

The clerk to write to Mr Morris and ask if he would be prepared to continue as the council’s internal auditor.

22/08    PENODI CLERC/SWYDDOG ARIANNOL CYFRIFOL  /   APPOINT CLERK / RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER

Cytunwyd yn unfrydol i ailbenodi M. Rees yn Glerc/Swyddog Ariannol Cyfrifol

It was unanimously agreed to re-appoint M. Rees as Clerk/RFO

22/09  AMODAU GWAITH Y CLERC  /  CLERKS WORKING CONDITIONS

Roedd y dogfennau canlynol bellach yn eu lle:

The following documents were in place:

Contract Gwaith y Clerc              Y Swydd-ddisgrifiad                              Graddau Cyflog

Y Polisi Cwyn Gyflogaeth              Y Polisi Gwerthuso

Clerks Work Contract              Job Description                                     Pay Scales

Grievance Policy                     Appraisal Policy

Roedd gwerthusiad blynyddol y clerc wedi’i gynnal a chafodd y ddogfen ei chyflwyno a’i chymeradwyo gan y cyngor. Llofnododd y cadeirydd, yr is-gadeirydd a’r clerc y ddogfen.

The annual clerk appraisal had been carried out and the document was presented and approved by council.  The chair, vice chair and clerk signed same.

The matter of purchasing a computer for the clerk was suggested.  The clerk would give this matter some thought.

Awgrymwyd y mater o brynu cyfrifiadur i’r clerc. Byddai’r clerc yn meddwl am y mater hwn.

22/10 PENODI CADEIRYDD / APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSON

Cynigiwyd gan y Cyng. Ann Davies ac eiliwyd gan y Cyng. C. Moses  bod y Cyng. E. Rees yn cael ei phenodi’n Gadeirydd.  Derbyniodd Cyng. E. Rees y swydd a diolchodd i’r aelodau.

Diolchwyd yn ddiffuant i’r Cynghorydd Beryl Jones am y gwaith diwyd yr oedd wedi’i wneud i rôl y Cadeirydd y bu ynddi ers tair blynedd.

It was proposed by Cllr. Ann Davies and seconded by Cllr. C. Moses that Cllr. E. Rees be appointed as Chair.  Cllr. E. Rees accepted the post and thanked members.  Councillor Beryl Jones was thanked most sincerely for her diligent work she had brought to the role of Chair which she had held for three years.

22/11 PENODI IS-CADEIRYDD / APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR 

Cynigiwyd gan y Cyng. Ann Davies ac eiliwyd gan y Cyng. Anjuli Davies  bod y Cyng. C. Moses yn cael ei benodi’n Is-Gadeirydd.  Derbyniodd Cyng. C. Moses y swydd a diolchodd i’r aelodau.

It was proposed by Cllr. Ann Davies and seconded by Cllr. Anjuli Davies that Cllr. C. Moses be appointed as Vice Chairman.  Cllr. C. Moses accepted the post and thanked members.

22/12 AELODAETH / MEMBERSHIP AFFILIATION                   

Cynigiwyd gan y Cyng. E. Rees ac eiliwyd gan y Cyng. E. Morgan y dylai’r pwyllgor barhau â’i aelodaeth o Un Llais Cymru ac hefyd SLCC (Society of Local Council Clerks) ac mai’r Cadeirydd a’r Is-gadeirydd ddylai fod y cynghorwyr enwebedig i’w cynrychioli yng nghyfarfodydd chwarterol y pwyllgor ardal. Nhw hefyd ddylai gael y cylchlythyrau, y bwletinau a’r hysbysiadau am gyfarfodydd ac ati.  

It was proposed by Cllr. E. Rees and seconded by Cllr. E. Morgan to continue affiliation to Un Llais Cymru and SLCC (Society for Local Council Clerks) and that the chairman and vice-chairman be the nominated councillors to represent quarterly Area Committee meetings and to receive newsletters, bulletins and meeting notifications etc.

22/13  PENODI CYNRYCHIOLWYR AR GYFER AMRYWIOL GYRFF / TO APPOINT REPRESENTATIVES FOR VARIOUS BODIES

i.  Ystafell Ddarllen Cwrt Henri Reading Room  –  Cyng. / Cllr. Ann Davies

ii. Un Llais Cymru – Cyng. / Cllr. E. Rees a/and Cyng / Cllrs C. Moses

iii. Ysgol Cwrt Henri School – Cyng / Cllr. B. Jones

iv.  Neuadd Llangathen Hall – Cyng. / Cllr. C. Moses

DYDDIAD Y CYFARFOD NESAF / DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Penderfynwyd y byddai Cyfarfod Blynyddol nesaf Cyngor Cymuned Llangathen yn cael ei gynnal ddydd Mawrth, 16Mai 2023.

It was resolved that the next Annual General Meeting of Llangathen Community Council would be held on Tuesday, 16^th May 2023.

                                                Llofnod / Signed…………………………….

                                                Dyddiad / Date………………………………….