COFNODION / MINUTES

Cyng. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands (Cadeirydd)

Cyng. Kerry Ferguson

Cyng. Mair Benjamin

Cyng. Julien Brun

Cyng. Nishant Chandolia

Cyng. Talat Chaudhri

Cyng. Brian Davies

Cyng. Bryony Davies

Cyng. Lucy Huws

Cyng. Maldwyn Pryse

Cyng. Jeff Smith

Cyng. Mark Strong

Cyng. Dani Thomas

Cyng. Alun Williams

Yn mynychu:

Will Rowlands (Clerc)

Catrin Morgan-Lewis (Swyddog Gweinyddol)

George Jones (Cyfieithydd)

Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands (Chair)

Cllr. Kerry Ferguson

Cllr. Mair Benjamin

Cllr. Julien Brun

Cllr. Nishant Chandolia

Cllr. Talat Chaudhri

Cllr. Brian Davies

Cllr. Bryony Davies

Cllr. Lucy Huws

Cllr. Maldwyn Pryse

Cllr. Jeff Smith

Cllr. Mark Strong

Cllr. Dani Thomas

Cllr. Alun Williams

In attendance:

Will Rowlands (Clerk)

Catrin Morgan-Lewis (Administration Officer)

George Jones (Translator)

Absennol gyda ymddiheuriadau:

Cyng. Glynis Somers

Cyng. Emlyn Jones

Absennol heb ymddiheuriadau:

Dim

Absent with apologies:

Cllr. Glynis Somers

Cllr. Emlyn Jones

Absent without apologies:

None

Dim

None

·         Estynnwyd llongyfarchiadau i bwyllgor Gŵyl Cerdd Dant am drefnu gŵyl mor lwyddiannus. Mynegwyd diolch hefyd i’r gynulleidfa am eu cefnogaeth frwdfrydig, a’r cyfle i gydnabod Cyngor y Dref am ei gyfraniad nawdd. Nodwyd bod y digwyddiad yn llwyddiant ysgubol ac yn glod i bawb a fu’n rhan ohono.

·         Estynnwyd llongyfarchiadau hefyd i bawb a gymerodd i’r llwyfan yn ystod Gŵyl Cerdd Dant, gan gynnwys sawl cynghorydd a gymerodd ran.

·         Estynnwyd croeso cynnes a diolch diffuant i George Jones am gamu i’r adwy yn garedig i ddarparu gwasanaethau cyfieithu ar fyr rybudd.

·         Congratulations were extended to the Gŵyl Cerdd Dant committee for organising such a successful festival. Thanks were also expressed to the audience for their enthusiastic support, and for providing a platform to recognise the Town Council for its sponsorship contribution. The event was noted as a huge success and a credit to all involved.

·         Congratulations were also extended to everyone who took to the stage during the Gŵyl Cerdd Dant, including several councillors who participated.

·         A warm welcome and sincere thanks were extended to George Jones for kindly stepping in to provide translation services at short notice.

Ni fu aelodau o’r cyhoedd yn bresennol.

There were no members of the public present.

Ystyriwyd prynu diffibriliwr newydd ar gyfer y dref a nodwyd bod gan y Cyngor Tref ddiffibriliwr sbâr wedi’i storio yn y swyddfa.

Awgrymwyd y gellid gosod y diffibriliwr sbâr ym Man Tyfu Plascrug, yn amodol ar fod cysylltiad trydan ar gael i osod cwpwrdd gwresogi addas i gadw’r offer.

Staff i ymchwilio i ymarferoldeb y gosodiad.

Purchasing a new defibrillator for the town was considered and it was noted that the Town Council currently had a spare defibrillator stored in the office.

It was suggested that the spare defibrillator could be installed at Plascrug Growing Space, subject to electricity connection being available to install a suitable heated cabinet for housing the equipment.

Staff to investigate practicality of installation.

Trafododd yr aelodau’r posibilrwydd o gynnal ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus ar oblygiadau cyllidebol o gynnal toiledau cyhoeddus y dref.

Nodwyd y dylai’r ymgynghoriad ddarparu gwybodaeth glir a niwtral yn amlinellu’r sefyllfa bresennol, y pwysau ariannol ar Gyngor y Dref, a’r opsiynau ar gyfer darpariaeth y cyfleusterau yn y dyfodol. Byddai’r ymgynghoriad hefyd yn gofyn a fyddai trigolion yn cefnogi cynnydd yn y Dreth Gyngor i ganiatáu i’r toiledau aros yn rhad ac am ddim.

ARGYMHELLWYD cynnal ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus rhwng 25 Tachwedd a 4 Ionawr, gyda’r canlyniadau i’w hystyried gan y Pwyllgor Rheolaeth Cyffredinol ar 12 Ionawr 2026.

Bydd yr ymgynghoriad ar gael ar-lein ac ar bapur, gan sicrhau hygyrchedd i bob preswylydd. Bydd cynghorwyr yn cynorthwyo gyda dosbarthiad lleol, a bydd cost dosbarthiad drwy’r Post Brenhinol hefyd yn cael ei harchwilio. Bydd cod QR yn cael ei gynnwys i hyrwyddo ymatebion digidol.

Bydd drafft cyntaf o’r deunyddiau’n cael ei baratoi ar gyfer y Pwyllgor Cyllid i’w ystyried cyn ei gyfeirio at y Cyngor Llawn.

Members discussed the possibility of undertaking a public consultation on the budgetary implications of maintaining the town’s public toilets.

It was noted that the consultation should provide clear and neutral information outlining the current situation, the financial pressures on the Town Council, and options for the future provision of facilities. The consultation would also ask whether residents would support a Council Tax increase to allow toilets to remain free of charge.

It was RECOMMENDED to undertake a public consultation from 25 November to 4 January, with results to be considered by the General Management Committee on 12 January 2026.

The consultation would be made available both online and in paper format, ensuring accessibility for all residents. Councillors would assist with local distribution, and the cost of distribution via the Royal Mail would also be explored. A QR code would be included to promote digital responses.

A first draft of materials would be prepared for the Finance Committee for consideration before referral to the Full Council.

Agenda Cyllid/ Finance Committee

Rhoddwyd diweddariad ar drefniadau goleuadau Nadolig eleni. Esboniwyd y bydd y goleuadau newydd yn cael eu gosod wrth wahanol groesfannau o amgylch y dref, yn yr un lleoliadau ag yn 2024.

Bydd y goeden fetel a oedd gynt yn Sgwâr y Frenhines yn cael ei hail-leoli i’r glaswelltir ger y Neuadd Goffa yn Penparcau. Bydd y coed metel eraill yn dychwelyd i’w safleoedd o’r flwyddyn flaenorol.

Nodwyd y bydd y goeden Nadolig go iawn a godir fel arfer ger y Neuadd Goffa yn cael ei gosod ar y glaswelltir ar ben Third Avenue yn Penparcau, sef lleoliad newydd eleni.

Rhoddwyd gwybod i’r aelodau am y dyddiadau cynlluniedig ar gyfer y troi goleuadau ymlaen fel a ganlyn:

·         Trefechan – 27 Tachwedd

·         Penparcau – 28 Tachwedd

·         Canol Dre – 29 Tacchwedd

An update was provided on arrangements for this year’s Christmas lights. It was explained that the new lights would be installed at various crossings around the town, at the same locations as in 2024.

The metal tree previously located in Queen’s Square would be relocated to the green near the Neuadd Goffa in Penparcau. The other metal trees would be returned to their positions from the previous year.

It was noted that a real Christmas tree usually erected near Neuadd Goffa would be placed on the green at the top of Third Avenue in Penparcau, a new location for this year.

Members were informed of the planned switch-on dates as follows:

·         Trefechan – 27 November

·         Penparcau – 28 November

·         Town Centre – 29 November

Nodwyd bod angen i’r Cyngor fabwysiadu dull mwy strategol a blaengar o weithio, gyda chynlluniau’n cael eu paratoi ymlaen llaw er mwyn sicrhau parodrwydd a gweithredu effeithlon.

Nodwyd ymhellach bod staff y swyddfa eisoes yn gweithredu yn y modd hwn, a chytunwyd bod angen ailstrwythuro strategol ar strwythur Pwyllgorau/Cyfarfodydd y Cyngor er mwyn canolbwyntio trafodaethau’n well a meithrin meddwl mwy strategol.

It was noted that the Council needed a more strategic and forward-thinking approach to its work with plans being prepared in advance to ensure readiness and efficient implementation.

It was further noted that office staff already operated in this way, and it was agreed that the Council’s Committee/meetings structure needed strategically restructuring to better focus discussions and foster more strategic thinking.

1947: Costau gwelyau blodau

Roedd gwaith wedi’i raglennu ar gyfer 2026-27 yn cynnwys:

·         Plannu blodau gwely blynyddol yn yr haf;

·         Plannu basgedi blodau gaeaf gwydn;

·         Plannu bylbiau cennin Pedr ar gyfer y Gwanwyn.

Nodwyd bod potensial hefyd ar gyfer gwaith ychwanegol, os bydd y cais am grant Trawsnewid Trefi, sy’n cynnwys prynu sawl planedwr newydd ar gyfer lleoliadau amrywiol (gan gynnwys y promenâd deheuol), yn llwyddiannus.

Trafododd yr aelodau amryw brosiectau gwelyau blodau eraill gan gynnwys:

·         Prynu planedwyr blodau ychwanegol ar gyfer y Promenâd Deheuol;

·         Adnewyddu ardaloedd blodau gwyllt presennol i wella apêl weledol;

Ailsefydlu’r gwely blodau hanesyddol ‘Croeso’ ger y Castell.

ARGYMHELLWYD y dylid ystyried prynu planedwyr blodau ychwanegol ar gyfer y Promenâd Deheuol gan y Pwyllgor Cyllid.

Codwyd y broses o ddatblygu prosiectau ar gyfer ceisiadau grant, a nodwyd pwysigrwydd hysbysu’r Cynghorwyr.

Programmed work for 2026-27 included:

·         Planting annual bedding flowers in the summer;

·         Planting resilient winter flower baskets;

·         Planting daffodil bulbs for the Spring.

It was noted that there was also potential for additional work, if the proposed Transforming Towns grant application, which included purchasing several new planters for various locations (including the South promenade), was successful.

Members discussed various other flower bed projects including:

·         Purchasing additional flower planters for the South Promenade;

·         Renewing existing wildflower areas to improve visual appeal;

·         Reinstating the historic ‘Croeso’ flowerbed by the Castle.

The purchase of additional flower planters for the South Promenade to considered by the Finance Committee.

The process of developing projects for grant applications was also raised, and the importance of Councillors being informed was noted.

Agenda Cyllid/ Finance Agenda

Esboniwyd bod contractau cynnal a chadw wedi’u dyfarnu’n gynharach eleni, ac yn para am gyfnod o dair blynedd. Felly, mae’r gwaith a raglennwyd yn cynnwys:

·         Cynnal a chadw gerddi yn unol â’r contract;

·         Gwagio biniau sbwriel yn unol â’r contract;

·         Torri glaswellt yn unol â’r contract;

·         Unrhyw waith cynnal a chadw ad-hoc fel y bo angen drwy gydol y flwyddyn.

It was explained that maintenance contracts had been awarded earlier this year, and were for a period of three years. Works programmed therefore included:

·         Garden maintenance as per contract;

·         Litter bin emptying as per contract;

·         Grass cutting as per contract;

·         Any other ad-hoc maintenance as required throughout the year.

Esboniwyd mai’r prif waith a raglennwyd ar gyfer 2026-27 oedd adnewyddu’r offer yn y gampfa awyr agored AdiZone yn Min-Y-Ddol, gan fod hanner yr offer wedi’i ddisodli yn 2023, ac mae’r offer sy’n weddill wedi dirywio ac wedi gorfod cael ei dynnu.

Holodd yr aelodau am gyflwr arwynebau diogelwch y meysydd chwarae, ac esboniwyd bod y rhain yn cael eu harolygu a’u cynnal yn rheolaidd, ac yn bod mewn cyflwr da.

It was explained that the main programmed work for 2026-27 was the renewal of equipment for the AdiZone outdoor gym in Min-Y-Ddol, as half of the equipment had been replaced in 2023, and the remaining equipment had since perished and had to be removed.

Members queried the condition of playgrounds safety surfaces, and it was explained that these were inspected and maintained regularly, and were in good condition.

Awgrymwyd y gellid gwahanu’r pennawd cyllideb hwn yn gyllidebau cyfalaf a chynnal a chadw.

Esboniwyd bod y gwaith ar gyfer 2026-27 yn bennaf yn waith cynnal a chadw rheolaidd, fel a wneir bob blwyddyn, gyda ffocws arbennig ar ddodrefn newydd a brynwyd yn 2025, nad yw eto wedi’i addurno.

Trafododd yr aelodau ystod o welliannau i ddodrefn stryd a mannau cyhoeddus:

·         Prynu planedwyr blodau ychwanegol ar gyfer y Promenâd Deheuol.

·         Codwyd yr angen am fainc ychwanegol ar y Promenâd Gogleddol, a nodwyd mai Cyngor Sir Ceredigion sy’n gyfrifol am y meinciau ar y promenâd.

·         Nodwyd yr angen am fainc ychwanegol ar Ben y Bryn Penglais, oherwydd ei raddiant serth.

·         Nodwyd defnyddio meinciau plastig wedi’u hailgylchu fel dewis amgen sy’n hawdd ei gynnal.

·         Codwyd y syniad o gerflun i ddathlu dynodiad Aberystwyth fel Dinas Llenyddiaeth UNESCO, a nodwyd y byddai angen i brosiect o’r fath fod yn ymdrech gydweithredol rhwng aelodau Partneriaeth Aberystwyth Ceredigion Dinas Llenyddiaeth.

·         Nodwyd yr angen am fainc ychwanegol ar Stryd y Farchnad Fawr, oherwydd ei raddiant serth.

Nodwyd hefyd bod cyllid ar gyfer prosiectau newydd yn orddibynnol ar sicrhau cyllid grant, a chytunwyd bod angen mwy o feddwl strategol ynghylch cyllido prosiectau o’r fath

It was suggested that this budget heading could be separated into capital and maintenance budgets.

It was explained that work for 2026-27 was primarily regular maintenance work, as undertaken every year, with particular focus on new furniture purchased in 2025, which had not yet been decorated.

Members discussed a range of street furniture and public space improvements:

·         Purchasing additional flower planters for the South Promenade.

·         The need for additional benches on the North  Promenade was raised, and it was noted that the promenade benches were the responsibility of Ceredigion County Council.

·         The need for additional benches on Penglais Hill was noted, due to its steep gradient.

·         The use of recycled plastic benches was noted as a low-maintenance alternative.

·         The idea of a statue to celebrate Aberystwyth’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature was raised, and it was noted that such a project would need to be a collaborative effort between the members of the Aberystwyth Ceredigion City of Literature Partnership.

·         The need for additional benches on Great Darkgate Street was noted, due to its steep gradient.

It was also noted that funding for new projects was over-dependent on sourcing grant funding, and it was agreed that more strategic was needed into the funding of such projects.

Esboniwyd y byddai’r gwaith a raglennwyd ar gyfer 2026-27 yn dibynnu ar yr adroddiad cyflwr ar gyfer y coed yn Rhodfa Plascrug, a fyddai’n darparu cynllun cynnal a chadw tair blynedd.

Trafododd yr aelodau blannu a chynnal coed stryd, gan gynnwys y rhai ar Ffordd Portland.

It was explained that the programmed work for 2026-27 would be dependent on the condition report for the trees in Plascrug Avenue, which would provide a three-year maintenance plan.

Members discussed the planting and maintenance of street trees, including those on Portland Street.

Digwyddiadau a raglennwyd ar gyfer 2026-27 yn cynnwys:

·         Penodi’r Maer a Chwrdd â’r Cyngor (Mai);

·         Adloniant haf ar y Bandstand (Gorffennaf & Awst);

·         Gŵyl y Castell (Medi);

·         Parti cerfio pwmpen yn Plascrug Growing Space (Hydref);

·         Gorymdaith Santes Dwynwen a Thwmpath (Ionawr);

·         Gorymdaith Dydd Gŵyl Dewi (Mawrth).

Awgrymwyd y dylai’r Cyngor gynnal gŵyl lenyddiaeth.

Programmed events for 2026-27 included:

·         Mayor making & Meet the Council (May);

·         Bandstand summer entertainment (July & August);

·         Gwyl y Castell (September);

·         Plascrug Growing Space pumpkin carving party (October);

·         Santes Dwynwen parade & twmpath (January);

·         St David’s day parade (March).

It was suggested that the Council hold a literature festival.

Agenda Polisi/ Policy Agenda

ARGYMHELLWYD cymeradwyo’r cynnig gyda mân newidiadau i’r geiriad fel a ganlyn:

“Bydd Cyngor Tref Aberystwyth yn hedfan baner Palesteina ar yr ail bolyn baner ger y castell bob dydd nad yw’n ofynnol ar gyfer pwrpas dinesig arall (e.e. Pride), lle bo’n bosibl ac os yw’r tywydd yn caniatáu, ac eithrio pan fydd Cyngor Sir Ceredigion yn hedfan baner Palesteina ar y promenâd yn Aberystwyth.

Mae Cyngor Tref Aberystwyth yn galw ar Gyngor Sir Ceredigion i hedfan baner Palesteina a baner Wcráin ar y promenâd fel un o’i baneri parhaol, yn arbennig er mwyn cydnabod bod Palesteina wedi’i chydnabod fel gwlad sofran gan y Deyrnas Unedig ac i ddangos cyfeillgarwch rhyngwladol a ymrwymiad i heddwch parhaol, hawliau dynol a democratiaeth yn Palesteina.”

It was RECOMMENDED to approve the motion with a minor amendments to its wording as follows:

“Aberystwyth Town Council will fly the flag of Palestine on the second flagpole by the castle on every day that it is not required for another civic purpose (e.g. Pride), whenever possible and whenever the weather allows, except when the flag of Palestine is flown by Ceredigion County Council on Aberystwyth promenade

Aberystwyth Town Council calls upon Ceredigion County Council to fly the flag of Palestine and the flag of Ukraine on the promenade as one of its permanent flags, in particular to recognize that Palestine has been recognized as a sovereign state by the United Kingdom and to show international friendship and a commitment to permanent peace and human rights and democracy in Palestine.”

Agenda Cyngor Llawn/ Full Council Agenda

Trafododd yr aelodau ffyrdd o gynyddu cyfleoedd i Gynghorwyr nad ydynt yn siarad Cymraeg ymgysylltu â’r Gymraeg.

Awgrymwyd y gallai’r Cynghorwyr gynnal sesiynau anffurfiol gyda’i gilydd, lle gallai Cynghorwyr sy’n rhugl yn y Gymraeg helpu’r rhai nad ydynt yn siarad Cymraeg i ddatblygu eu sgiliau, yn enwedig mewn perthynas â’r iaith a ddefnyddir yn gyffredin mewn cyfarfodydd y Cyngor. Nodwyd y gellid defnyddio hyn hefyd i ddatblygu geirfa o dermau cyffredin sy’n berthnasol i’r Cyngor. Cllr. Talat Chaudhri a Julien Brun i drefnu.

Nodwyd ymhellach bod cefnogaeth ar gyfer hyfforddiant ffurfiol yn y Gymraeg yn rhan o bolisi dwyieithrwydd y Cyngor, ac mae’n bwysig bod athrawon cymwys yn arwain gwersi iaith wedi’u strwythuro’n iawn.

Awgrymwyd y gellid gwahodd Un Llais Cymru hefyd i gyflwyno eu sesiwn ymsefydlu eu hunain ar y pwnc.

Members discussed ways to increase opportunities for non-Welsh speaking Councillors to engage in Welsh.

It was suggested the Councillors could together hold informal sessions for proficient Welsh-speaking Councillors to help non-Welsh speaking Councillors develop their skills, particularly in relation to language commonly used in Council meetings. It was noted that this could also be used to develop a glossary of commonly used terms relevant to the Council. Cllrs. Talat Chaudhri and Julien Brun to arrange.

It was further noted that support for formal Welsh language training was part of the Council’s bilingualism policy, and that is was important for qualified teachers to lead properly structured language lessons.

It was suggested that One Voice Wales could also be invited to deliver their own induction session on the topic.

Agenda Cyllid/ Finance Agenda

Cynhaliodd y Cynghorydd Nishant Chandolia a chynghorwyr eraill “llawdriniaeth stryd” ar Sgwâr Owain Glyndŵr ddydd Sadwrn 1 Tachwedd, a nodwyd fel digwyddiad pop-up llwyddiannus gyda llawer o aelodau’r cyhoedd yn bresennol i siarad â chynghorwyr.

Fodd bynnag, nodwyd nad oedd llawer o gynghorwyr wedi’u gwahodd i’r sesiwn ac nad oeddent yn ymwybodol ohoni. Nodwyd y dylai’r Cynghorydd Nishant Chandolia a’r Clerc fod wedi hysbysu’r holl Gynghorwyr am y digwyddiad hwn; ymddiheurodd y Cynghorydd Nishant Chandolia am hyn a chadarnhaodd y byddai’n gwahodd yr holl Gynghorwyr i unrhyw ddigwyddiadau yn y dyfodol y bydd yn eu trefnu.

Ystyriwyd y posibilrwydd o gynnal llawdriniaethau stryd misol, a chytunwyd mai syniad da oedd hyn yn egwyddor

Cllr. Nishant Chandolia and other councillors had held a street surgery on Owain Glyndwr Square on Saturday 1 November, which was noted as a successful pop-up event with many members of the public attending to speak with councillors.

However, it was noted that many councillors had been not been invited to the session, and were unaware of its existence. It was noted that Cllr. Nishant Chandolia and the Clerk should have informed all Councillors of this event; Cllr. Nishant Chandolia apologised for this and confirmed that he would invite all Councillors to any future events he organised.

The potential for holding monthly street surgeries has considered, and it was agreed that this was a good idea in principle.

Darparodd y Cyng. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands grynodeb byr o’r newidiadau arfaethedig i reolau etholiadau llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru ac amlinellodd ei farn gychwynnol ar yr ymgynghoriad.

Cytunwyd y byddai’r Cyng. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands yn paratoi drafft cyntaf o’r ymateb, i’w ystyried gan y Cyngor Llawn.

Nodwyd y dylai pob aelod ddarllen y cynigion, a ffurfio eu barn eu hunain yn hytrach na dibynnu’n llwyr ar ddehongliad y Cyng. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands.

Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands provided a brief overview of the proposed changes to local government elections rules in Wales and outlined his initial views on the consultation.

It was agreed that Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands would prepare a first draft response, for consideration by the Full Council.

It was noted that all members should read the proposals, and for their own views rather than rely entirely on Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands’ interpretation.

Agenda Cyngor Llawn/ Full Council Agenda

10:00yb – 1:30yp yn Hwb Porthi Aber, 5 Y Stryd Fawr.