CLCC Annual Report 2021-22

Published: 16 May 2022

Report to : Council

Date : 16th May 2022

Subject : Annual report 2021-22

Report by : Clerk

Background

1. The Welsh Government have introduced a new requirement for Town & Community Councils to produce an annual report

2. The reports are to be produced as soon as reasonably practical after the year end

3. The format of this report follows the guidance given by Welsh Government .

Governance

4. Croesyceiliog & Llanyrafon Community Council ( CLCC ) is made up of 12 Councillors who attend meetings of the Council on a monthly basis.

5. A Business Planning Committee is in existence & this meets monthly with 7 Councillors in attendance together with the Chair of Council.

6. The Business Planning Committee oversees the projects being undertaken by CLCC & will make recommendations to Council .

Community Engagement

7. Since the start of the pandemic meetings of the Council have been held remotely . However , every effort is made to accommodate residents wishing to attend meetings , either remotely or in person.

8. The Council has an active Facebook group & local opinion is sought on proposed projects .

9. Climate Change is a key priority for the Council & during the year residents views were sought on a strategic project to plant trees & flowers . A large number of suggestions were made & we are working with both Torfaen CBC & Bron Afon on taking these forward .

Finances

10. In 2021-22 the financial performance of the Council was as follows :

Budget Actuals

£000 £000

Reserves at Start of Year 142 142

Income for Year 147 148

289 290

Less Expenditure 210 170

Reserves at End of Year 79 120

The lower level of expenditure was largely due to the continuing delay with the changing rooms at Woodland Road ( £33k ).

11. In April 2021 the Council took the decision to not increase Council Tax in recognition of the financial difficulties faced by residents as a result of Covid .

Instead , the Reserves held by CLCC were used to meet the budget deficit .

12. Audit Wales carry out external scrutiny of the accounts & once again CLCC has received an unqualified audit opinion for 2020-21.

Objectives & Achievements

13. CCLC reviews its Business Plan annually & sets Objectives for the coming year .

14. Progress against the Objectives is monitored throughout the year & it is pleasing to report the vast majority were achieved in spite of the difficulties caused by the pandemic .

15. The achievements in 21/22 include :

- Supporting Llanyrafon AFC upgrade its changing rooms & pitch

- Working in partnership with Bron Afon to plant trees to combat climate change

- Working in partnership with Torfaen CBC to create both an avenue of trees & orchard at the Llanyrafon entrance to the Boating Lake

- Funding of a defibrillator at the Cwmbran Centre for Young People

- Financial support to 56 local organisations in order for them to continue to provide a broad range of activities enjoyed by the community

- The placing of street poppies along Edlogan Way , the Highway & Llanfrechfa Way for Remembrance Day

- A partnership with Gwent Police to provide free packs of SmartWater to all residents

- Traffic Survey on the Highway through Croesyceiliog because of the problem of speeding vehicles

- Detailed consideration of all planning applications received from Torfaen CBC

16. The Council continues to provide funding to The Hwb , a local charity , to pay for the running costs of Woodland Road Sports & Social Centre . The Hwb has an ambitious plan to transform Woodland Road & the Council is doing all it can to support these plans . Crucially , the plans will deliver a significant reduction in energy consumption.

Priorities for 2022-23

17 . In the coming year it is planned to :

- Continue to take action to address the impact of Climate Change through a tree planting programme

- Work in partnership with residents to identify additional locations for litter bins and replace bins that are regularly unable to cope with the volumes of litter & dog waste

- Continue with the roll out of SmartWater packs to residents

- Support local schools with their Platinum Jubilee celebrations

- Work with the Hwb to replace the changing facilities at Woodland Road

18 . Whilst the Council’s spending plans exceed its income CLCC has again taken the decision not to increase council tax given the financial pressures being placed on households through inflationary price rises , escalating energy charges & increased National Insurance .

19. This report is for Members information and will be made available to residents