COFNODION / MINUTES

Cyng. Talat Chaudhri (Cadeirydd)

Cyng. Kerry Ferguson

Cyng. Emlyn Jones

Cyng. Jeff Smith

Cyng. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands

Cyng. Alun Williams

Yn mynychu

Cyng. Julien Brun

Cyng. Daniel Thomas

Cyng. Mark Strong

Will Rowlands (Clerc)

Catrin Morgan-Lewis (Swyddog Gweinyddol)

Carol Thomas (Cyfieithydd)

Cllr. Talat Chaudhri (Chair)

Cllr. Kerry Ferguson

Cllr. Emlyn Jones

Cllr. Jeff Smith

Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands

Cllr. Alun Williams

In attendance

Cllr. Julien Brun

Cllr. Daniel Thomas

Cllr. Mark Strong

Will Rowlands (Clerk)

Catrin Morgan-Lewis (Administration Officer)

Carol Thomas (Translator)

Yn absennol efo ymddiheuriadau:

Cyng. Glynis Somers

Yn absennol heb ymddiheuriadau:

Dim

Absent with apologies:

Cllr. Glynis Somers

Absent without apologies:

None

·         11. Ystyried ffi briodol am ddefnyddio offer y Cyngor gan Farchnad Ffermwyr Aberystwyth: Datganodd y Cyng. Kerry Ferguson fuddiant rhagfarnllyd oherwydd talu am stondin ym Marchnad y Ffermwyr.

·         11. Ystyried ffi briodol am ddefnyddio offer y Cyngor gan Farchnad Ffermwyr Aberystwyth: Datganodd y Cyng. Emlyn Jones fuddiant rhagfarnllyd oherwydd talu am stondin ym Marchnad y Ffermwyr.

·         13. Ystyried taliadau Cynghorwyr ar gyfer 2025-26: Datganodd y Cyng. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands fuddiant rhagfarnllyd oherwydd bod ganddo ddwy rôl uwch o fewn y Cyngor fel Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Rheoli Cyffredinol a Dirprwy Faer.

·         15. Ystyried costau’r ymweliad â Kronberg ym mis Rhagfyr 2025: Datganodd y Cyng. Emlyn Jones fuddiant rhagfarnllyd, gan mai ef fyddai’r Maer a fyddai’n mynychu’r ymweliad.

·         16.2. I ystyried costau’r ymweliad â Kronberg ym mis Rhagfyr 2025: Datganodd y Cyng. Emlyn Jones fuddiant rhagfarnllyd oherwydd bod ganddo berthynas fusnes â’r grŵp.

·         16.2. I ystyried costau’r ymweliad â Kronberg ym mis Rhagfyr 2025: Datganodd y Cyng. Kerry Ferguson fuddiant rhagfarnllyd oherwydd bod ganddi berthynas fusnes â’r grŵp.

·         11. To consider an appropriate fee for use of the Council’s equipment by Aberystwyth Farmers Market: Cllr. Kerry Ferguson declared a prejudicial interest due to paying for a stall at the Farmers Market.

·         11. To consider an appropriate fee for use of the Council’s equipment by Aberystwyth Farmers Market: Cllr. Emlyn Jones declared a prejudicial interest due to paying for a stall at the Farmers Market.

·         13. To consider Councillor remunerations for 2025-26: Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands declared a prejudicial interest due to having two senior roles within the Council as Chair of General Management Committee and Deputy Mayor

·         15. To consider costs of the visit to Kronberg in December 2025: Cllr. Emlyn Jones declared a prejudicial interest, as the Mayor who would be attending the visit.

·         16.2. To consider costs of the visit to Kronberg in December 2025: Cllr. Emlyn Jones declared a prejudicial interest due to having a business relationship with the group.

·         16.2. To consider costs of the visit to Kronberg in December 2025: Cllr. Kerry Ferguson declared a prejudicial interest due to having a business relationship with the group.

·         Diolchwyd a llongyfarchwyd trefnwyr Diwrnod Agored y Rhandiroedd am ddigwyddiad llwyddiannus. Nodwyd, fodd bynnag, nad oedd yr arwyddion ar y diwrnod yn ddwyieithog, a byddai’r adborth hwn yn cael ei drosglwyddo i’w ystyried mewn digwyddiadau yn y dyfodol.

·         Thanks and congratulations were extended to the organisers of the Allotments Open Day for a successful event. It was noted, however, that the signage on the day was not bilingual, and this feedback would be passed on for consideration at future events.

PENDERFYNWYD penodi’r Cyng. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands I wirio’r cysyniadau banc.

It was RESOLVED to appoint Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands to verify the bank reconciliations.

Codwyd y cwestiynau canlynol:

1116 Costau Swyddfa Amrywiol: Ymddengys bod y pennawd hwn wedi gorwario ar gyfer hyn yn gynnar yn y flwyddyn ariannol; fodd bynnag, roedd hyn oherwydd prynu diffoddwyr tân ar gyfer y swyddfa.

1532 Glanhau Strydoedd: Ymddengys bod gorwariant ar y pennawd hwn ar gyfer hyn yn gynnar yn y flwyddyn ariannol. Eglurwyd bod hyn oherwydd bod peiriant rhwygo chwyn mecanyddol wedi’i brynu.

1156 Ffioedd banc: Cwestiynwyd y pennawd hwn oherwydd y ganran uchel a ddangoswyd. Eglurwyd bod y ffigur mewn cromfachau, gan nodi balans positif. Roedd hyn wedi digwydd gan fod y Cyngor wedi cau un cyfrif banc ym mis Mawrth a derbyn ad-daliad annisgwyl am ffioedd a dalwyd yn ormodol.

1765 Cronfeydd wrth gefn: Codwyd cwestiwn ynghylch yr hyn a wariwyd o’r llinell gyllideb hon. Cadarnhawyd bod yr arian wedi’i ddefnyddio i dalu cost difrod damweiniol i gerbyd trydydd parti.

1762Dathliadau a Derbyniadau: Nodwyd bod dros hanner y pennawd cyllideb hwn wedi’i wario. Eglurwyd bod hyn oherwydd cynnal nifer fwy o dderbyniadau nag yn y blynyddoedd blaenorol, gan gynnwys croesawu nifer o grwpiau ymweld o drefi gefeillio a derbyniadau cyhoeddus eraill.

1011 Incwm Rhandiroedd: Roedd y pennawd hwn yn ymddangos yn uwch nag arfer gan fod Cyngor y Dref wedi casglu’r arian ar gyfer tanysgrifiadau Cymdeithas y Rhandiroedd. Fodd bynnag, byddai’r swm hwn yn cael ei drosglwyddo i’r Gymdeithas maes o law.

ARGYMHELLWYD cymeradwyo’r cyfrifon.

The following questions were raised:

1116 Office Miscellaneous:  This heading appeared overspent for this early in the financial year; however, this was due to the purchase of fire extinguishers for the office.

1532 Street Cleaning: This heading appeared overspent for this early in the financial year. It was explained that this was due to having purchased a mechanical weed ripper machine .

1156 Bank charges: This heading was questioned due to the high percentage shown. It was clarified that the figure was in brackets, indicating a positive balance. This had occurred as the Council had closed one bank account in March and received an unexpected refund for overpaid fees.

1765 Contingency funds: A question was raised regarding what had been spent from this budget line. It was confirmed that the funds had been used to cover the cost of accidental damage to a third-party vehicle.

1762 Celebrations & Receptions:- It was noted that over half of this budget heading had been spent. It was explained that this was due to holding a greater amount of receptions that in previous years, including hosting multiple visiting groups from twin towns and other public receptions.

1011 Allotment Income: This heading appeared higher than usual as the Town Council had collected the money for the Allotment Association subscriptions. However, this amount would be transferred to the Association in due course.

It was RECOMMENDED to approve the accounts.

PENDERFYNWYD gwahardd y wasg a’r cyhoedd oherwydd natur sensitif yn gyfreithiol y busnes i’w drafod.

It was RESOLVED to exclude the press & public due to the legally sensitive nature of the business to be discussed.

Roedd costau wedi’u derbyn ar gyfer y gwaith dadfeilio a darparwyd diweddariad gan y Clerc, gan gynnwys ymateb awgrymedig i’r Galw Meinitiol.

ARGYMHELLWYD cymeradwyo’r ymateb i’r Galw Meintiol.

Costings had been obtained for the dilapidations works and an update was provided by the Clerk, including a suggested response to the Quantified Demand.

It was RECOMMENDED to approve the response to the Quantified Demand.

ARGYMHELLWYD bod aelodau’r Pwyllgor Cyllid yn ymgymryd â’r cyrsiau hyfforddi canlynol i gefnogi eu rolau:

·         Modiwl 6: Cyllid Llywodraeth Leol

·         Modiwl 24: Pecyn Cymorth Cyllid a Llywodraethu

Awgrymwyd y dylai’r Pwyllgor Rheolau Sefydlog a Pholisi ystyried anghenion hyfforddi Cadeiryddion Pwyllgorau.

Nodwyd bod Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Cyllid, y Cyng. Talat Chaudhri, hefyd yn hapus i ymgymryd â’r modiwlau hyfforddi ar sgiliau uwch mewn cyllid a chadeirio llywodraeth leol.

It was RECOMMENDED that members of the Finance Committee undertake the following training courses to support their roles:

·         Module 6: Local Government Finance

·         Module 24: Finance & Governance Toolkit

It was suggested that the Standing Orders & Policy Committee consider the training needs of Committee Chairs.

It was noted that the Chair of Finance Committee, Cllr. Talat Chaudhri was also happy to undertake the training modules on advanced local government finance & chairing skills.

PENDERFYNWYD gwahardd y wasg a’r cyhoedd o’r eitem hon, er budd diogelu asedau ac unigolion.

ARGYMHELLWYD cymeradwyo’r gwerthusiad ffurfiol o Gadwyn y Maer.

ARGYMHELLWYD hefyd y dylai’r Cyngor gynyddu ei yswiriant yn unol â’r gwerthusiad diweddaraf.

Yn ogystal, cytunwyd y byddai angen datblygu cynllun wrth gefn rhag ofn y byddai colled neu ddifrod i’r gadwyn. Byddai angen ymchwilio i opsiynau wrth gefn posibl cyn ystyried ymhellach.

It was RESOLVED to exclude the press and public from this item, in the interest of protecting assets and individuals.

It was RECOMMENDED that the formal valuation of the Mayoral Chain be approved.

It was also RECOMMENDED that the Council increase its insurance cover in line with the updated valuation.

Additionally, it was agreed that a contingency plan would need to be developed in the event of loss or damage to the chain. Possible contingency options would need to be investigated before further consideration.

Datganodd y Cyng. Kerry Ferguson fuddiant a gadawodd y cyfarfod am hyd yr eitem.

Datganodd y Cyng. Emlyn Jones fuddiant a gadawodd y cyfarfod am hyd yr eitem.

ARGYMHELLWYD codi ffi o £10 am logi pob gazebo, gyda thâl ychwanegol o £5 am bob bwrdd.

Cllr. Kerry Ferguson declared an interest and left the meeting for the duration of the item.

Cllr. Emlyn Jones declared an interest and left the meeting for the duration of the item.

It was RECOMMENDED that a fee of £10 be charged for the hire of each gazebo, with an additional £5 charge for each table.

Amlinellwyd cynnig gan y Clerc i gau un o gyfrifon banc wrth gefn y Cyngor nad oedd yn cael ei ddefnyddio, ac ARGYMHELLWYD cau’r cyfrif.

Awgrymwyd hefyd y dylai’r Cyngor archwilio agor cyfrif banc wrth gefn â llog uwch.

A proposal to close one of the Council’s reserve bank accounts which was not used was outlined by the Clerk, and it was RECOMMENDED that the account be closed.

It was also suggested that the Council explore opening a higher interest reserve bank account.

Datganodd y Cyng. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands fuddiant a gadawodd y cyfarfod am hyd yr eitem.

Dosbarthwyd papur yn amlinellu’r taliadau gorfodol a dewisol a osodwyd gan y Panel Annibynnol ar Gydnabyddiaeth Ariannol dros Gymru.

Roedd gan bob Cynghorydd hawl i daliadau o £156 a £52 y flwyddyn. Taliadau gorfodol oedd y rhain ac y byddai’n rhaid eu talu oni bai eu bod yn cael eu gwrthod yn ysgrifenedig; roedd ffurflen wedi’i pharatoi i gynorthwyo gweinyddiaeth hyn a byddai angen i bob Cynghorydd lenwi un ar gyfer cofnodion archwilio.

ARGYMHELLWYD talu’r taliadau dewisol canlynol:

·         Taliad y Maer o £1500

·         Taliad y Dirprwy Faer o £500

·         Taliadau swyddi uwch o £500 i Gadeiryddion y Pwyllgorau canlynol:

o   Cynllunio

o   Cyllid

o   Staffio

ARGYMHELLWYD hefyd dalu’r lwfansau ym mis Medi, a bod y Cyngor yn cadw’r hawl i adennill arian pe bai Cynghorydd yn ymddiswyddo neu’n newid ei rôl, fodd bynnag y dylid ystyried hyn fesul achos.

Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands declared an interest and left the meeting for the duration of the item.

A paper was circulated outlining the required and optional payments set by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales.

Every Councillor was entitled to payments of £156 and £52 per year. These were both mandatory payments that must be paid unless refused in writing; a form had been prepared to assist the administration of this and every Councillor would need to complete one for audit records.

It was RECOMMENDED to pay the following optional payments:

·         £1500 Mayor’s payment

·         £500 Deputy mayor’s payment

·         £500 senior role payments to the Chairs of the following Committees:

o   Planning

o   Finance

o   Staffing

It was also RECOMMENDED to pay the allowances in September, and that the Council reserve the right to claw back funds if a Councillor resigned or changed their role, however for this to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

ARGYMHELLWYD y dylai’r Cyngor barhau i fod yn aelodau am y flwyddyn 2025–2026.

It was RECOMMENDED that the Council remain members for the 2025–2026 year.

Datganodd y Cyng. Emlyn Jones fuddiant yn yr eitem hon a gadawodd y cyfarfod am hyd yr eitem.

ARGYMHELLWYD clustnodi hyd at £2,000 i anfon y Maer, y Cydweddog a dau aelod o staff i gynrychioli’r Cyngor yn y dathliadau gefeillio blynyddol yn Kronberg ym mis Rhagfyr 2025.

Cllr. Emlyn Jones declared an interest in this item and left the meeting for the duration of the item.

It was RECOMMENDED to earmark up to £2,000 to send the Mayor, Consort and two members of staff to represent the Council at the annual twinning celebrations in Kronberg in December 2025.

ARGYMHELLWYD cymeradwyo’r cais am gyllid llawn o £4,500.

Nodwyd bod costau’r llety yn uchel, a dylid annog y grŵp i drafod cyfradd well gyda Phrifysgol Aberystwyth. Gallai’r Cyngor hefyd geisio trafod trwy ei gysylltiadau â’r Brifysgol.

It was RECOMMENDED to approve the full funding request of £4,500.

It was noted that the accommodation costs were high, and that the group should be encouraged to negotiate a better rate with Aberystwyth University. The Council could also endeavour to negotiate through its contacts with the University

Datganodd y Cyng. Kerry Ferguson fuddiant a gadawodd y cyfarfod am hyd yr eitem.

Datganodd y Cyng. Emlyn Jones fuddiant a gadawodd y cyfarfod am hyd yr eitem.

ARGYMHELLWYD cymeradwyo’r cais am gyllid llawn o £2,960.

Cllr. Kerry Ferguson declared an interest and left the meeting for the duration of the item.

Cllr. Emlyn Jones declared an interest and left the meeting for the duration of the item.

It was RECOMMENDED to approve the full funding request of £2,960.