THE latest community news from Harlech

Community council

THE council discussed budget plans where it was reported that the council had spent £47,006.07 since the start of the new financial year, and this was £15,445.83 less than was earmarked in the budget for the year.

This was because the council had earmarked £5,000 to the Community Parks Group for May and this had not been spent yet, the cost of cutting the grass on the public footpaths was not as much as had been earmarked.

Discussion was held regarding having the public toilets by the Castle open seasonally at an extra cost of £2,000 as it has become apparent that there are so many tourists around after the places with toilets have closed for the night and everybody agreed for this to be done.

The clerk/treasurer reported that there was a need to add the salt bins onto the budget plan from now on as the council had agreed to be part of the scheme with Gwynedd Council to keep the salt bins and it was agreed to earmark £400 towards the six salt bins that are in the area.

After discussing the budget and foreseeing what the council’s expenditure will be for the forthcoming financial year, it was decided to keep the precept at £70,000.

Councillors received an e-mail from Gwynedd Council’s corporate support department regarding the public toilets partnership scheme that exists between community councils and Gwynedd Council and asking if the council would be willing, and in order to have stability and efficient arrangements, to enter a contract for two years (2019-20 and 2020-21). It was agreed to enter into a contract for two years. Contributions will be paid one year at a time.

The council received an email from the Dragon Theatre in Barmouth asking for a financial contribution.

The email stated that the theatre has asked Barmouth Town Council for 30 per cent of the running costs and it is hoping to get the other 30 per cent from other nearby councils.

Therefore by breaking down the donations between the other councils on the scale of their population, they are asking Harlech, Dyffryn Ardudwy and Dolgellau for £1,050 each and Llanfair, Llanbedr and Llanelltyd for £450 each to bring the total up to £4,500, which is the amount Barmouth Town Council is contributing.

It was unanimously agreed not to give a financial contribution to the above because the council has enough spending of its own to do without starting to contribute to establishment outside the area to keep them open.

WI

A WARM welcome was extended to members and guest visitors, Susanne and Christine by vice-president Debbie Jones.

The meeting started on a sad note, with members being informed that long-standing member Joyce Wood had died, at 99 years old. Condolences were passed on to family and friends.

Apologies were accepted, and birthday cards were handed out to members with birthday celebrations in the forthcoming weeks.

A brief reminder of the December meeting was given out, as no minutes were taken.

The county letter was read with items of interest noted.

The first event of 2019 will be Te Cymreig, held in the village hall Dyffryn Ardudwy on 15 March at 2.15pm, with entertainment provided by children from the local school.

The dining club will be meeting on 15 February for lunch at the Coleg in Dolgellau.

Members were asked to make a note in their diary regarding a fundraising event to be held in the Cemlyn Tea Rooms on 23 February, with more info at the next meeting.

Debbie asked members to let her know if anyone was willing to take over the supervising of our craft club, to be held about two or three times a year.

Due to illness, they were unable to go ahead with the beetle drive.

Edwina stepped in to give a very interesting and informative talk on the history of Harlech.

Denise thanked Edwina on behalf of the members.

The federation Gwynedd Meirionnydd will be celebrating its 100th birthday this year.

They meet at 7pm in the Memorial Hall every second Wednesday of the month.

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