LLANGATHEN COMMUNITY COUNCIL

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.

Cyngor Cymuned LLANGATHEN Community Council

Y Ddyletswydd Bioamrywiaeth a Chydnerthedd 

The Biodiversity & Resilience of Ecosystems Duty 

Llangathen Community Council have responsibility of The Green, Broad Oak.

We promote sustainability and biodiversity by pursuing sustainable goals and practices whenever possible.

Precept 2021 – 2022 £7,200

Report 2022 

Action carried out to:

• Restore and create habitats and resilient ecological networks
• Nesting boxes and bug hotels remain in place to provide safe place for birds/insects
• Monitored to ensure no breakages have occurred and if so replaced
• Plant pollinator friendly flowers/shrubs
• Area of habitat increased – donation given to two local community halls in order to plant trees/shrubs within the grounds
• Change mowing regimes by reducing the frequency/area of cuts to encourage wildflowers and other pollinator friendly plants, also providing cover for small mammals and reptiles 
• Number of mowing days reduced
• Tackle negative factors, reduce pollution
• To obtain litter picking kit and encourage use. Arrange litter picking    days within the community
• Litter picking kit obtained and is available in a public area for all       to use
• Embed biodiversity into decision making and procurement
• Take into account biodiversity considerations when commentating on planning applications  
• Planning applications carefully considered