COFNODION  /  MINUTES

Cyng. Jeff Smith (Cadeirydd)

Cyng. Talat Chaudhri

Cyng. Lucy Huws

Yn mynychu:

Cyng. Glynis Somers

Cyng. Mari Turner (Eitemau 1 i 5 yn unig)

Cyng. Mark Strong

Will Rowlands (Clerc)

Catrin Morgan-Lewis (Swyddog Gweinyddol)

Carol Thomas (Cyfieithydd)

Joanna Jordan  (Aelod o’r cyhoedd)

Howell Jordan (Aelod o’r cyhoedd)

Carol Macy (Aelod o’r cyhoedd)

Mike Allman (Aelod o’r cyhoedd)

Hannah Engelkamp (Aelod o’r cyhoedd)

Hazel Hopkins (Aelod o’r cyhoedd)

Cllr. Jeff Smith (Chair)

Cllr. Talat Chaudhri

Cllr. Lucy Huws

In attendance:

Cllr. Glynis Somers

Cllr. Mari Turner (Items 1 to 5 only)

Cllr. Mark Strong

Will Rowlands (Clerk)

Catrin Morgan-Lewis (Office Administrator)

Carol Thomas (Translator)

Joanna Jordan (Member of the public)

Howell Jordan (Member of the public)

Carol Macy (Member of the public)

Mike Allman (Member of the public)

Hannah Engelkamp (Member of the public)

Hazel Hopkins (Aelod o’r cyhoedd)

Roedd y aelodau canlynol yn absennol gyda’u hymddiheuriadau, a PENDERFYNWYD cymeradwyo eu habsenoldeb:

Cyng. Emlyn Jones

Cyng. Kerry Ferguson

Cyng. Julien Brun

Cyng. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands

Cyng. Mair Benjamin

Cyng. Nishant Chandolia

Yn absennol heb ymddiheuriadau:

Dim

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

Cllr. Emlyn Jones

Cllr. Kerry Ferguson

Cllr. Julien Brun

Cllr. Dylan Lewis-Rowlands

Cllr. Mair Benjamin

Cllr. Nishant Chandolia

Absent without apologies:

None

Dim

None

·         Dymunwyd Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i bawb oedd yn bresennol

·         A Happy New Year was extended to all present.

Estynnwyd croeso cynnes i Joanna Jordan a Howell Jordan, oedd yn cynrychioli Corff Llywodraethu Ysgol Plascrug a Chymdeithas Rhieni ac Athrawon.

Hysbyswyd aelodau fod Cyngor Sir Ceredigion (CCC) wedi cynnig adeiladu pont droed newydd dros faes parcio a’r ardal werdd Ysgol Plascrug, a fyddai’n arwain at golli tua 30 o lefydd parcio staff. Yn wreiddiol, nododd CCC nad oedd unrhyw ddyluniad amgen yn bosibl.

Awgrymodd Howell Jordan, peiriannydd rheilffordd gyda phrofiad o reoli prosiectau o raddfa debyg, ddyluniad amgen a fyddai’n defnyddio lleoliad y bont bresennol yn hytrach na chodi un newydd. Yn wreiddiol, cynghorodd CCC nad oedd hyn yn bosibl; fodd bynnag, yn dilyn cyflwyniad Howell Jordan o ddyluniadau, ymgysylltodd ymgynghorwyr a benodwyd gan CCC, Ymgynghoriaeth Gwynedd Consultancy (YGC), i adolygu a rhoi adborth. Adolygodd peiriannydd YGC y cynnig amgen a chadarnhaodd nad oedd yn unig yn bosibl, ond ei fod mewn gwirionedd yn ddyluniad mwy addas na’r cynnig gwreiddiol. Adroddwyd bod y dyluniad diwygiedig yn ffitio bron yn gyfan gwbl o fewn yr olion traed presennol, gan ofyn am dynnu rhai coed o dan y bont ond dim coed aeddfed, ac heb golli unrhyw lefydd parcio.

Cadarnhawyd y bydd tair opsiwn ar gyfer y bont droed newydd yn cael eu cyflwyno mewn ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus a drefnwyd ar gyfer 14 Ionawr 2026, gan redeg hyd at 24 Chwefror 2026.

Cyflwynwyd trosolwg o’r tair opsiwn i’r cyfarfod. Byddai’r ddwy opsiwn a gynigiwyd gan CCC yn cael effaith sylweddol ar ardal werdd yr ysgol, sydd wedi ennill sawl gwobr yn ddiweddar ac wedi derbyn llawer o gyhoeddusrwydd ar ôl ei gwella gyda llwybr pren newydd a phlannu sy’n gyfeillgar i ddŵr i fynd i’r afael â phroblemau dŵr. Enillodd y prosiect hwn wobr Chymdeithas Rhieni ac Athrawon ar draws y DU i’r ysgol. Nododd aelodau y byddai’n drueni colli’r gofod hwn ar ôl cymaint o ymdrechion. Byddai’r ddau opsiwn hefyd yn cael effaith sylweddol ar Rhodfa Plascrug, sef gofod gwyrdd prydferth a llwybr cerdded i mewn i’r dref.

Codwyd pryderon ynghylch dyluniad y ddau opsiwn hyn, a oedd yn cynnwys dulliau igam-ogam gan greu mannau dall, gan godi pryderon diogelwch, yn enwedig i fenywod sy’n cerdded ar eu pen eu hunain. Nododd aelodau y byddai angen Asesiad Effaith Cydraddoldeb, a chynigiwyd adolygiad diogelu. Ymhlith pryderon ychwanegol roedd y posibilrwydd o sbwriel yn disgyn o’r bont i dir yr ysgol.

Yn wahanol i hynny, nid oedd dyluniad Howell Jordan, gan ddefnyddio’r lleoliad presennol, yn cyflwyno unrhyw bryderon o’r fath ac ni fyddai’n tresmasu o gwbl ar dir yr ysgol.

Anogwyd trigolion i fynychu’r ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus yng Nghanolfan Rheidol ar 14 Ionawr 2026. Gwahoddwyd cynghorwyr i drefnu ymweliadau safle ag Ysgol Plascrug er mwyn cael dealltwriaeth gliriach o’r ardal. Codwyd y mater hefyd gyda’r Cambrian News.

ARGYMHELLWYD cynnal cyfarfod cyhoeddus yn ystod cyfnod yr ymgynghoriad i roi’r un manylion am y tair opsiwn i drigolion ag a gyflwynwyd i’r cyfarfod hwn.

Diolchodd aelodau i Joanna ac Howell Jordan am eu cyflwyniad a chanmol eu hymdrechion fel enghraifft ragorol o gyfranogiad cryf gan y gymuned.

A warm welcome was extended to Joanna Jordan and Howell Jordan, representing the Plascrug School Governing Body and the Parent Teacher Association.

Members were informed that Ceredigion County Council (CCC) had proposed the construction of a new footbridge over Plascrug School’s car park and green area, which would result in the loss of approximately 30 staff parking spaces. CCC had initially stated that there was no alternative design possible.

Howell Jordan, a railway engineer with experience in managing projects of similar scale, had suggested an alternative design that would utilise the existing bridge location rather than constructing a new one. CCC initially advised that this was not possible; however, following Howell Jordan’s submission of designs, CCC’s appointed consultants, Ymgynghoriaeth Gwynedd Consultancy (YGC) were engaged to review and provide feedback. YGC’s engineer reviewed the alternative proposal and confirmed that it was not only possible, but actually a more suitable design that the original proposal. The revised design was reported to fit almost entirely within the existing footprint, requiring the removal of some trees beneath the bridge but no mature trees, and with no loss of parking spaces.

It had been confirmed that three options for the new footbridge would be presented at a public consultation scheduled for 14 January 2026, running until 24 February 2026.

An overview of the three options was presented to the meeting. The two options proposed by CCC would significantly impact the school’s green area, which had recently received several awards and much publicity after being improved with a new boardwalk and water-friendly planting to address waterlogging issues. This project had earned the school a UK-wide PTA award. Members noted that it would be regrettable for this space to be lost after such efforts. Both options would also have a significant effect on Plascrug Avenue, a beautiful green space and walkway into town.

Concerns were raised regarding the design of these two options, which included zig-zag approaches creating blind spots, raising safety concerns, particularly for women walking alone. Members noted that an Equality Impact Assessment would be required, and a safeguarding review was suggested. Additional concerns included potential littering from the bridge onto school grounds.

In contrast, Howell Jodan’s design, using the existing location, presented no such concerns and would not encroach at all onto the school grounds.

Residents were encouraged to attend the public consultation at Canolfan Rheidol on 14 January 2026. Councillors were invited to arrange site visits of Plascrug School to gain a clearer understanding of the area. The matter had also been raised with the Cambrian News.

It was RECOMMENDED that a public meeting be convened during the consultation period to provide residents with the same breakdown of the three options that had been presented to this meeting.

Members thanked Joanna and Howell Jordan for their presentation and commended their efforts as an excellent example of strong community involvement.

Agenda Cyngor Llawn/ Full Council Agenda

Ystyriodd aelodau ddatblygiad y Cynllun Gweithredu Bioamrywiaeth ar gyfer y cyfnod 2026–2028. Byddai Clerc y Dref yn mynychu cwrs Un Llais Cymru sydd wedi’i drefnu ar gyfer 28 Ionawr, a allai ddarparu canllawiau pellach.

Nodwyd y dylid ceisio mewnbwn gan grwpiau lleol megis y Grŵp Aberystwyth Gwyrddach.

ARGYMHELLWYD ffurfio is-bwyllgor / grŵp tasg a gorffen i arwain ar ddatblygiad y cynllun a chydlynu gweithdai gyda rhanddeiliaid. Nodwyd y gallai’r Cynghorydd Cath Peasley, sydd â arbenigedd yn y maes hwn, ddarparu mewnbwn gwerthfawr.

Members considered the development of the Biodiversity Action Plan for the period 2026–2028. The Town Clerk would be attending an upcoming One Voice Wales course scheduled for 28 January, which could provide further guidance.

It was noted that input should be sought from local groups such as the Greener Aberystwyth Group.

It was RECOMMENDED to form a sub-committee / task & finish group to lead on the development of the plan and coordinate workshops with stakeholders. It was noted that Cllr. Cath Peasley, who had expertise in this area, could provide valuable input.

Trafododd aelodau bryderon diogelwch ynghylch cerddwyr yn croesi Heol Dinas i gyrraedd Ysgol Llwyn yr Eos. Cytunwyd y dylid codi’r mater gyda’r Adran Priffyrdd yng Nghyngor Sir Ceredigion.

Cyfeiriwyd at bryderon tebyg ar Stryd Thespis, a chynigiwyd y dylid ystyried y mater hwn fel rhan o adolygiad ehangach o ardaloedd pryder ger ysgolion yng nghyfarfod nesaf y Pwyllgor Cynllunio.

Enwebwyd y Cyng. Dani Thomas i arwain ar y mater hwn yn ei rôl fel llywodraethwr Ysgol Llwyn yr Eos ar ran y Cyngor.

ARGYMHELLWYD anfon llythyr at Gyngor Sir Ceredigion yn gofyn am asesiad diogelwch ffurfiol o’r groesfan

Members discussed safety concerns regarding pedestrians crossing Heol Dinas to access Llwyn yr Eos School. It was agreed that the matter should be raised with the Highways Department at Ceredigion County Council.

Reference was made to similar concerns on Thespian Street, and it was suggested that this issue be considered as part of a broader review of areas of concern near schools at the next Planning Committee meeting.

Cllr. Dani Thomas was nominated to lead on this matter in his role representing the Council as a governor of Llwyn yr Eos School.

It was RECOMMENDED that a letter be sent to Ceredigion County Council requesting a formal safety assessment of the crossing.

Agenda Cynllunio/

Planning Agenda

Esboniwyd bod y cais wedi’i wrthod ddwywaith yn flaenorol ac fod asiant y ceisydd bellach wedi cyflwyno apêl.

Cytunwyd nad oedd dim pellach i’w ychwanegu a dylai ymateb y Cyngor aros yr un fath ag a gyflwynwyd yn flaenorol.

It was explained that the application had previously been rejected twice and that the applicant’s agent had now lodged an appeal.

It was agreed that there was nothing further to add and the Council’s response should remain the same as previously submitted.