COFNODION / MINUTES

Cyng. Talat Chaudhri (Cadeirydd)

Cyng. Kerry Ferguson

Cyng. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands

Cyng. Glynis Somers

Cyng. Julien Brun

Cyng. Alun Williams

Cyng. Emlyn Jones

Cyng. Jeff Smith

Yn mynychu

Will Rowlands (Clerc)

Catrin Morgan-Lewis (Swyddog Gweinyddol)

Carol Thomas (Cyfieithydd)

Cllr. Talat Chaudhri (Chair)

Cllr. Kerry Ferguson

Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands

Cllr. Glynis Somers

Cllr. Julien Brun

Cllr. Alun Williams

Cllr. Emlyn Jones

Cllr. Jeff Smith

In attendance

Will Rowlands (Clerk)

Catrin Morgan-Lewis (Administration Officer)

Carol Thomas (Translator)

Yr oedd y aelodau canlynol yn absennol gyda’u hymddiheuriadau, ac penderfynwyd CYMERADWYO eu habsenoldeb:

·         Cyng. Nishant Chandolia

Yn absennol heb ymddiheuriadau:

Dim

The following members were absent with apologies, and it was RESOLVED to approve their absence:

·         Cllr. Nishant Chandolia

The following members were absent without apologies:

None

11. Cynllun Lle Aberystwyth: Datganodd y Cyng. Kerry Ferguson fuddiant personol a rhagfarnol, gan ei bod wedi gweithio gyda’r Arbenigwr Lleoli.

11. Cynllun Lle Aberystwyth: Datganodd y Cyng. Emlyn Jones fuddiant personol a rhagfarnol, gan ei fod wedi gweithio gyda’r Arbenigwr Lleoli.

11. Aberystwyth Place Plan: Cllr. Kerry Ferguson declared a personal and prejudicial interest, as she had worked with the Placemaking Expert.

11. Aberystwyth Place Plan: Cllr. Emlyn Jones declared a personal and prejudicial interest, as he had worked with the Placemaking Expert.

·         Diolchwyd i’r cyn-gynghorydd Mair Benjamin am ei gwasanaeth fel Cynghorydd. Adroddodd y Cyng. Emlyn Jones, fel Maer, ei fod wedi siarad â hi i fynegi gwerthfawrogiad y Cyngor am ei hamser a’i hymroddiad.

·         Thanks were extended to former councillor Mair Benjamin for her service as Councillor. Cllr. Emlyn Jones, as Mayor, reported that he had spoken with her to express the Council’s appreciation for her time and dedication.

Adolygwyd y cyfrifon a rhoddodd y Clerc grynodeb o’r amcangyfrif o ordrawiadau a thanwariant disgwyliedig ar ddiwedd y flwyddyn ariannol.

Ystyriwyd y broses briodol ar gyfer cymeradwyo gorddratiadau. Cytunwyd mai’r weithdrefn gywir fyddai ystyried eitemau gwariant yng nghyd-destun y gyllideb sydd ar gael ac, lle byddai gorddratiad yn codi, sicrhau bod hyn yn cael ei gymeradwyo ar sail costau gwirioneddol cyn i’r gwariant ddigwydd. Fodd bynnag, nodwyd nad yw hyn bob amser yn ymarferol, gan ei bod yn anodd rhagfynegi costau rhai eitemau’n fanwl gywir (e.e. gwaith atgyweirio, ymweliadau trefi cyfeillgar neu ddigwyddiadau).

ARGYMHELLWYD cymeradwyo’r amcangyfrifon o ordrawiad ar gyfer y pennawdau cyllideb canlynol:

·         1116 Amrywiolion Swyddfa: Gorddratiad amcangyfrifedig o £2,000, oherwydd prynu saf.

·         1121 Deunydd ysgrifennu a chyflenwadau swyddfa: Gorddratiad amcangyfrifedig o £300, oherwydd prynu deunyddiau ar gyfer yr ymgynghoriad ar y toiledau cyhoeddus.

·         1125 Llungopïo ac argraffu: Gorddratiad amcangyfrifedig o £200, oherwydd costau argraffu deunyddiau ar gyfer yr ymgynghoriad ar y toiledau cyhoeddus.

·         1209 Ffioedd a threuliau cyfarfodydd: Gorddratiad amcangyfrifedig o £550, oherwydd llogi lleoliad allanol i gynnal cyfarfodydd y Cyngor Llawn.

·         1535 Parciau a chynnal a chadw tir: Gorddratiad amcangyfrifedig o £10,000, oherwydd amrywiaeth o gostau annisgwyl nad ydynt yn debygol o ailadrodd, gan gynnwys gwaredu gwastraff drwy sgip y castell a gosod cynhwysydd storio gwastraff arall.

·         1934 Costau’r farchnad: Gorddratiad amcangyfrifedig o £2,000, oherwydd prynu babellau bach ychwanegol i ehangu’r farchnad.

·         1937 Dodrefn stryd: Gorddratiad amcangyfrifedig o £3,000, oherwydd y Cyngor bellach yn gyfrifol am fwy o ddarnau o ddodrefn stryd, wedi’u hennill drwy grantiau a throsglwyddiadau trefniadau ar gyfer ardaloedd megis Rhodfa Plascrug.

·         1957 Baneri: Gorddratiad amcangyfrifedig o £750, oherwydd prynu stoc ychwanegol o faneri, gan gynnwys baneri Cymru a baneri Palesteina.

Codwyd y pwyntiau canlynol hefyd:

·         1941 Menter Aberystwyth: Nododd aelodau fod y papurau ategol yn aneglur, gan ddangos gwariant ond hefyd gyllideb ar gael o 100%. Eglurwyd mai oherwydd anfoneb a gofnodwyd i’r pennawd hwn o gamgymeriad yr oedd hyn, ac mae hon bellach wedi’i dileu. Fel rheol, telir y taliad gwirioneddol i Menter Aberystwyth drwy un anfoneb ar ddiwedd y flwyddyn ariannol.

·         1957 Baneri: Nodwyd bod angen prynu baner Aberystwyth, yn unol â Pholisi Baneri’r Cyngor.

·         1958 Toiledau Cyhoeddus: Holwyd pam fod 51.3% o’r gyllideb flynyddol eisoes wedi’i defnyddio, gan mai cyfran anarferol yw hon. Eglurwyd mai oherwydd y trefniant lle mae’r Cyngor yn cyfrannu 50% o gostau gweithredu toiled y castell ar ddechrau’r flwyddyn ariannol, a’r gweddill, llai’r incwm a gynhyrchir, ar ddiwedd y flwyddyn. Eglurwyd ymhellach mai’r pennawd hwn hefyd oedd yn cynnwys costau dosbarthu’r ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus.

ARGYMHELLWYD cymeradwyo’r cyfrifon.

Accounts were reviewed and an overview of estimated over & under expenditure at the financial year end was given by the Clerk.

The proper process for approving over expenditure was considered. It was agreed that the proper procedure would be for items of expenditure to be considered in the context of the available budget and, where over expenditure would be incurred, for this to be approved based on actual costs prior to the expenditure occurring. However, it was noted that this was not always practical, due to it being difficult to definitively predict costs of some items (e.g. repairs, twinning visits or events).

It was RECOMMENDED to approve estimated over expenditure for the following budget headings:

·         1116 Office Miscellaneous: Estimated over expenditure of £2,000, due to having purchased a safe.

·         1121 Stationery & office supplies: Estimated over expenditure of £300, due to purchasing materials for the public toilets consultation.

·         1125 Photocopying and printing: Estimated over expenditure of £200, due to printing costs of materials for the public toilets consultation.

·         1209 Meeting fees & expenses: Estimated over expenditure of £550, due to hiring an external venue to hold Full Council meetings.

·         1535 Parks & grounds maintenance: Estimated over expenditure of £10,000, due to a variety of unforeseen costs that were not expected to repeat, including disposal of waste through the castle skip and installation of an alternative waste storage container.

·         1934 Market costs: Estimated over expenditure of £2,000, due to purchasing additional, smaller gazebos to expand the market.

·         1937 Street furniture: Estimated over expenditure of £3,000, due to having responsibility for significantly more street furniture, acquired through grants and transfers of undertakings for areas such as Plascrug Avenue.

·         1957 Flags: Estimated over expenditure of £750, due to having purchase additional stock of flags, including Welsh flags and Palestine flags.

The following points were also raised:

·         1941 Menter Aberystwyth: Members noted that the accompanying paperwork was unclear, showing expenditure but also and available budget of 100%. It was explained that this was due to an invoice being mistakenly accounted to this heading, and since being removed. The actual payment to Menter Aberystwyth was usually paid in one invoice at the end of the financial year.

·         1957 Flags: It was noted that an Aberystwyth flag needed to be purchase, in accordance with the Council’s Flags Policy.

·         1958: Public Toilets: It was queried that 51.3% of the annual budget had already been used, which was an unusual proportion due to the arrangement whereby the Council contributed 50% of the operating costs of the castle toilet at the start of a financial year, and the remaining costs less the income generated at the end of the year. It was explained that this was due to the heading also accounting for the costs for distribution of the public consultation.

It was RECOMMENDED to approve the accounts.

Adolygwyd y gofrestr risg, gan fod yr archwilydd mewnol wedi argymell bod y Cyngor yn ei hadolygu ddwywaith y flwyddyn. Roedd y Clerc yn paratoi fersiwn wedi’i diwygio o’r gofrestr i weithredu argymhelliad arall gan yr archwilydd mewnol, sef ychwanegu colofnau ychwanegol i asesu’r risg cyn ac ar ôl ffactorau lliniaru.

Awgrymodd aelodau y dylid ychwanegu allwedd ar ddechrau’r ddogfen i egluro’r system graddio difrifoldeb, gan nodi bod angen diffiniad ar y raddfa 1–5 bresennol.

Awgrymwyd ymhellach y dylai’r gofrestr nodi lle mae gan bwyllgorau penodol ofynion hyfforddiant fel mesur lliniaru.

Hefyd awgrymwyd y dylid cynhyrchu rhestr weithredu atodol, yn nodi’r camau sydd angen eu rhoi ar waith mewn ymateb i’r risgiau a nodwyd.

The risk register was reviewed, as the internal auditor had recommended that the Council review its risk register twice a year. The Clerk was preparing and amended version of the register to implement the internal auditor’s other recommendation for additional columns to evaluate risk before and after mitigating factors.

Members suggested that a key should be added at the beginning of the document to clarify the severity ratings, noting that the current 1–5 scale required definition.

It was further suggested that the register should specify where particular committees have training requirements as a mitigation.

It was also suggested that an accompanying action list should be produced, setting out the measures that need to be put in place in response to identified risks.

Derbyniwyd cais am gyllid ar gyfer taith gan aelodau o Glwb Nofio Aberystwyth, Aber Dance ac Aberystwyth Ramblers i ymweld â Saint Brieuc ym Mehefin 2026.

ARGYMHELLWYD darparu cyllid o £1,000.

Nodwyd nad oedd y cais hwn yn cael ei wneud gan y Grŵp Cefnogaeth Saint Brieuc, gan nad oedd y grŵp wedi’i sefydlu’n ffurfiol eto.

A request for funding for a trip of members from Aberystwyth Swimming Club, Aber Dance and Aberystwyth Ramblers to visit Saint Brieuc in June 2026 had been received.

It was RECOMMENDED to provide funding of a £1,000.

It was noted that this request was not being made by the Saint Brieuc Twinning Group, as the group had not yet been formally established.

Derbyniwyd crynodeb o Ymweliad Myfyrwyr Yosano, gan nodi bod cost yr ymweliad yn £4,704.17, gan adael gweddill gadarnhaol o £1,600. Gofynnodd y gymdeithas am gadw’r swm hwn i gefnogi’r ymweliad dychwelyd i Yosano yn 2026.

ARGYMHELLWYD caniatáu i’r sefydliad gadw’r arian heb ei wario, ar yr amod eu bod yn darparu adroddiad yn nodi sut y caiff yr arian ei wario.

A summary of the Yosano Student Visit was received, noting that the visit cost £4,704.17, leaving a positive balance of £1,600, which the association requested to retain to support the return visit to Yosano in 2026.

It was RECOMMENDED to permit the organisation retain the underspent funding, on the condition that they provide a report outlining how the funds are spent.

Ni chymerodd y Cyng. Dylan Lewis‑Rowlands ran ac fe adawodd y cyfarfod ar gyfer hyd yr eitem hon.

Ystyriodd aelodau’r presenoldeb disgwyliedig ar gyfer dathliadau pen-blwydd Kronberg 2026 a digwyddiadau cyd-bartneru Marchnad Nadolig Kronberg.

ARGYMHELLWYD y dylai’r Maer fynychu penwythnos dathlu mis Awst, yng nghwmni’r Consort ac un aelod o staff.

ARGYMHELLWYD ymhellach y dylai’r Maer fynychu ymweliad penwythnos y Farchnad Nadolig ym mis Rhagfyr, yng nghwmni’r Consort ac un aelod o staff.

Ymatalodd y Cyng. Dylan Lewis‑Rowlands rhag pleidleisio.

Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands did not participate and left the meeting for the duration of the item.

Members considered the expected attendance for the 2026 Kronberg anniversary celebrations and Christmas Market twinning events.

It was RECOMMENDED that the Mayor attend the August celebration weekend, accompanied by the Consort and one member of staff.

It was further RECOMMENDED that the Mayor attend the December Christmas Market weekend visit accompanied by the Consort and one member of staff.

Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands abstained from voting.

Roedd Nathan Goss Cadwraeth yn gweithio ar amserlenni manwl ar gyfer y gwaith oedd ei angen i adfer yr hen Eglwys; fodd bynnag, y gwaith cyntaf a fyddai’n angenrheidiol fyddai sefydlogi’r tir o amgylch y trawssept Gogledd, er mwyn galluogi gwaith ailadeiladu lle’r oedd y trawssept yn annestunol yn strwythurol.

Derbyniwyd dyfynbris ar gyfer sefydlogi trwy chwistrellu resin, gan yr un cyflenwr a oedd wedi ymgymryd â’r gwaith hwn yn y Nŷ’r Offeiriad. Deallwyd nad oedd y gofyniad i gael dyfynbrisiau cystadleuol yn berthnasol yn yr achos hwn, gan fod y gwaith yn ymwneud â gwasanaethau arbenigol yn unol ag Adran 5.12 o’r Rheoliadau Ariannol

ARGYMHELLWYD cymeradwyo gwariant o £7,400 i ymgymryd â’r gwaith sefydlogi tir.

Nathan Goss Conservation was working on detailed schedules for work required to restore the former Church, however the first piece of work that would be necessary would be ground stabilisation around the North transept, to allow for rebuilding work where the transept was structurally unstable.

A quotation for resin injection stabilisation had been received, from the same supplier who had undertaken this work to the Presbytery. It was understood that the requirement to obtain competitive quotations did not apply in this instance, as the works involved specialist services in accordance with Financial Regulation 5.12.

It was RECOMMENDED that expenditure of £7,400 be approved to undertake the ground‑stabilisation works.

Datganodd y Cyng. Kerry Ferguson fuddiant personol a rhagfarnol, gan ei bod wedi gweithio gyda Chris Jones, yr Arbenigwr Lleoli a oedd wedi darparu’r amcangyfrif o gostau. Gadawodd y Cyng. Kerry Ferguson y cyfarfod ar gyfer hyd yr eitem hon.

Datganodd y Cyng. Emlyn Jones fuddiant personol a rhagfarnol, gan ei fod wedi gweithio gyda Chris Jones, yr Arbenigwr Lleoli a oedd wedi darparu’r amcangyfrif o gostau. Gadawodd y Cyng. Emlyn Jones y cyfarfod ar gyfer hyd yr eitem hon.

Derbyniwyd amcangyfrif cost o £52,000 gan Chris Jones Regeneration ar gyfer adnewyddu Cynllun Lle Aberystwyth. Nodwyd nad oedd gan y Cyngor y cyllid i symud ymlaen â hyn ar hyn o bryd, a chynigiwyd dull amgen lle byddai datblygu’r cynllun yn cael ei arwain gan grŵp allanol gyda chynrychiolaeth o gymunedau cyfagos a’r cyhoedd ehangach.

Nodwyd y byddai ymrwymiad cyllidebol yn cryfhau unrhyw geisiadau grant yn y dyfodol, a chytunodd yr Aelodau y byddai neilltuo cyllid yn dangos bwriad y Cyngor i wneud cynnydd â’r Cynllun Lle, boed fel arian cyfatebol neu ar gyfer gwaith a gyflawnir yn uniongyrchol gan y Cyngor.

ARGYMHELLWYD neilltuo darpariaeth o £6,000 yn y gyllideb 2026–27 tuag at ddatblygu Cynllun Lle Aberystwyth.

Ailymunodd y Cyng. Kerry Ferguson a’r Cyng. Emlyn Jones â’r cyfarfod.

Cllr. Kerry Ferguson declared a personal and prejudicial interest, as she had worked with Chris Jones, the Placemaking Expert who had provided the estimate of costs. Cllr. Kerry Ferguson left the meeting for the duration of this item.

Cllr. Emlyn Jones declared a personal and prejudicial interest, as he had worked with Chris Jones, the Placemaking Expert who had provided the estimate of costs. Cllr. Emlyn Jones left the meeting for the duration of this item.

A cost estimate for renewing the Aberystwyth Place Plan had been obtained from Chris Jones Regeneration of £52,000. It was noted that the Council did not have funds to proceed with this, and an alternative approach was suggested for development of the plan to be led by an external group including representation from neighbouring communities and the wider public.

It was noted that a budget commitment would strengthen any future grant applications, and Members agreed that setting aside funding would demonstrate the Council’s intention to progress the Place Plan, whether as match funding or for work undertaken directly by the Council.

It was RECOMMENDED to budget a provision of £6,000 towards the development of the Aberystwyth Place Plan in the 2026-27 budget.

Cllr. Kerry Ferguson and Cllr. Emlyn Jones re-joined the meeting.

Adroddwyd bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cymeradwyo’r dyluniad a’r lleoliadau arfaethedig ar gyfer yr arwyddion yng Porth-y-de.

Deallai’r Aelodau fod Cyngor Sir Ceredigion yn disgwyl i Gyngor Tref Aberystwyth dalu cost yr arwyddion.

Er y croesawyd y cynnydd yn y prosiect, nodwyd na allai’r Cyngor gytuno i ariannu’r arwyddion nes bod y gost gyfan wedi’i chadarnhau.

Mewn egwyddor, mynegwyd cefnogaeth, yn amodol ar dderbyn costau manwl.

It was reported that the Welsh Government had approved the design and proposed locations for the Southgate signs.

Members understood that Ceredigion County Council expected Aberystwyth Town Council to cover the cost of the signage.

Whilst the progress of the project was welcomed, it was noted that the Council could not agree to fund the signs until the total cost had been confirmed.

Support was expressed in principle, subject to receiving detailed costs.

ARGYMHELLWYD gosod y blaenoriaethau canlynol ar gyfer Grantiau Cymunedol 2026–27:

·         Llenyddiaeth

·         Iaith Gymraeg

·         Amgylchedd a chynaliadwyedd

·         Plant dan anfantais

·         Dathlu Aberystwyth, gan gynnwys Aber 750

ARGYMHELLWYD cymeradwyo’r deunyddiau cais grant diwygiedig, yn amodol ar y diwygiadau canlynol:

·         Grwpiau newydd: Dylid diwygio’r adran i ddileu cwestiynau ynghylch pam y sefydlwyd y grwpiau.

·         Diffiniad clir o “grŵp newydd”: Dylid cynnwys diffiniad pendant, gan bennu mai fel arfer bydd hyn yn cyfeirio at grŵp a ffurfiwyd o fewn y flwyddyn ddiwethaf nad yw wedi derbyn cyllid gan y Cyngor Tref o’r blaen.

·         Cynllun busnes: Ni ddylai fod yn ofynnol i ymgeiswyr gyflwyno cynllun busnes. Dylid diwygio’r adran i nodi y gall ymgeiswyr sy’n gofyn am symiau grant uwch gael eu disgwyl i ddarparu manylion ychwanegol i alluogi’r Cynghorwyr i wneud asesiad teg ac ymwybodol.

·         Costau eitemedig: Rhaid i bob cais gynnwys costau eitemedig.

It was RECOMMENDED to set the following priorities for the Community Grants 2026-27:

·         Literature

·         Welsh language

·         Environment and sustainability

·         Disadvantaged children

·         Celebrating Aberystwyth including Aber 750

It was RECOMMENDED to approve the revised grant application materials, subject to the following amendments:

·         New groups: Section to be amended to remove questions about why groups had been established.

·         A clear definition of a “new group” should be included, specifying that this would usually refer to a group formed within the last year that has not previously received funding from the Town Council.

·         Applicants should not be required to submit a business plan. Section to be amended to state that Applications for larger grant amounts may be expected to provide additional detail to allow Councillors to make a fair and informed assessment.

·         All applications should include itemised costings.

Cylchredwyd a thrafodwyd trydydd drafft o’r gyllideb. Codwyd y pwyntiau canlynol:

·         Awgrymwyd gwahanu treuliau swyddogion oddi wrth bennawd y gyllideb ar gyfer hyfforddiant swyddogion.

Nododd Aelodau fod yr ymgynghoriad ar y toiledau cyhoeddus yn parhau ar agor, ac nad oedd y costau ar gyfer y toiledau—pe bai’r Cyngor Tref yn penderfynu ymgymryd â’r cyfrifoldeb—wedi’u derbyn eto. Gan y byddai hyn yn cael effaith sylweddol ar y gyllideb ddrafft, teimlai’r Aelodau eu bod yn methu symud ymlaen ag unrhyw gynlluniau cyllidebol ystyrlon nes cael yr wybodaeth hon.

Cynigiodd y Cyng. Emlyn Jones ohirio’r eitem hon ac fe’i heiliwyd gan y Cyng. Kerry Ferguson. Gofynnwyd am bleidlais wedi’i chofnodi.

Pleidleisiodd yr aelodau canlynol o blaid y cynnig:

·         Cyng. Kerry Ferguson

·         Cyng. Emlyn Jones

·         Cyng. Julien Brun

·         Cyng. Alun Williams

·         Cyng. Jeff Smith

·         Cyng. Glynis Somers

Pleidleisiodd yr aelodau canlynol yn erbyn y cynnig:

·         Cyng. Dylan Lewis‑Rowlands

Ymatalodd yr aelodau canlynol rhag pleidleisio:

·         Cyng. Talat Chaudhri

PENDERFYNWYD ohirio ystyriaeth o’r eitem.

A third draft budget had been circulated and discussed. The following points were raised:

·         It was suggested to separate officer expenses from officer training budget headings.

Members noted that the public toilets consultation remained open, and costings for the toilets—should the Town Council decide to take on responsibility—were still outstanding. As this would have a significant impact on the draft budget, Members felt unable to progress meaningful budget planning until this information had been received.

Cllr. Emlyn Jones proposed to postpone this item and was seconded by Cllr. Kerry Ferguson. A recorded vote was requested.

The following member voted for the motion:

·         Cllr. Kerry Ferguson,

·         Cllr. Emlyn Jones

·         Cllr. Julien Brun

·         Cllr. Alun Willimas

·         Cllr. Jeff Smith

·         Cllr. Glynis Somers

The following members voted against this motion:

·         Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands

The following members abstained from voting:

·         Cllr. Talat Chaudhri

It was RESOLVED to postpone consideration of the item.

1 swydd wag achlysurol yn swydd Cynghorydd ar Gyngor Tref Aberystwyth (Ward Rheidol)

Gall 10 etholwr o’r ardal etholiadol ofyn am etholiad drwy roi hysbysiad ysgrifenedig erbyn 10 Chwefror 2026.

Nodwyd hefyd bod angen cyhoeddi astudiaeth dichonoldeb gerddedoli Prosiect Aber; i’w hystyried gan y Pwyllgor Cynllunio.

It was also noted that the Prosiect Aber pedestrianisation feasibility study needed to be published; to be considered by Planning Committee.

Planning agenda