Fernbrook Road Car Park

Despite repeated objections from the Penmaenmawr Town Council and local residents, CCBC have notified the Town Council that car parking charges, through the installation of pay and display machines, will be introduced in Fernbrook Road car park around the middle of November. The Town Council did enter into discussions with CCBC with a view to purchase the car park but the figures demanded by CCBC were prohibitive. The Town Council, in conjunction with other community councils, will continue to protest against this county wide initiative.

Sychnant Pass Road Closure

Latest News: 25 October 2019

The Council are pleased to announce the arrival of a newly elected Councillor. Councillor Lisa Goodier was elected unopposed last week to represent the Capelulo Ward.

The Council are pleased to announce that they have donated a £500 grant to the Penmaenmawr Bowling Club.

The Council have begun a reverse advert calendar and will be donating the proceeds to the Penmaenmawr Food Bank.

PTC would like to thank Conwy County Borough Council for swiftly replacing the vandalised swing in Maes y Llan play park, which the Council reported to them recently.

The Council supported Playing Out project, which ran on the Promenade over the summer holidays, was again a success. Each session attracted an average of 33 children, with over 160 individuals taking part. The Council would like to thank everyone involved for their contribution to this worthwhile project

Report in the Public Interest – Use of Financial Reserves – Penmaenmawr Town Council

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Penmaenmawr Town Council Public Engagement

Following publication of the Welsh Audit Office Report into Penmaenmawr Town Council’s Financial Reserves last week, the Council have arranged for a series of opportunities for residents to gain more information.

The Chair of the Council’s Finance Committee and the Council’s Responsible Financial Officer will be available at the following dates, times and locations to respond to any questions you may have.

Tuesday 29th October 2019
Parish Hall, Ysguborwen Road, Dwygyfylchi 1pm – 2pm

PTC Offices, rear of Penmaenmawr Community Centre, Conwy Road 3pm – 4pm

PTC Offices, rear of Penmaenmawr Community Centre, Conwy Road 5.30pm-6.30pm

Parish Hall, Ysguborwen Road, Dwygyfylchi 7pm – 8pm

Penmaenmawr Town Council

Press Statement regarding Welsh Audit Report

The Penmaenmawr Town Council welcomes the publication of the Welsh Audit Office (WAO) Report into the Use of Financial Reserves, up to and including the last financial year. The Council accepts the findings of this Report and acknowledges that during the period in question, its standards fell below those expected of a public body. Almost twelve months on from first publicising its difficulties the Penmaenmawr Town Council is now in a financially stable position, with reserves that exceed those recommended by oversight organisations. This resulted in the Auditor General concluding yesterday (17th October 2019) “I am encouraged that the Council has since put in changes to address the weaknesses identified in my reports”.

The Council would like to reinforce that the financial problems discussed in the Report were initially discovered through Council’s own internal procedures, and it was the Council who brought these matters into the public domain and, indeed, reported them to the Welsh Audit Office. The Council immediately took steps to rectify the issues, publishing a full report on its website in December 2018. By the spring of 2019, when the WAO investigation began most of the recommendations contained in the Auditor General’s Report had already been implemented. This is recognised in the report, which emphasises ‘‘it is evident that the Council had recognised the seriousness of its financial position by the autumn of 2018 and had started taking action to improve its budgetary control and monitoring arrangements.’ This exercise was completed earlier this year.

The Mayor stated that “While the Council, and individual Councillors, have accepted that during this period they fell short in their responsibilities, the majority have since worked hard to rectify the issues and are now fully focussed on the challenges and possibilities for Penmaenmawr in the coming years.” This positive outlook is echoed by the Auditor General ‘the Council continues to strengthen its financial management and governance and is determined not to allow a similar situation to arise again in the future.’

18th October 2019

PTC Text Service

Residents who wish to be added to the Council’s text local service, which advises of local events, please advise the town clerk by texting ‘Add’ to 07538 530878. Names are not required and there will an option to opt out at any time.

15 October 2019

The Council are pleased to announce that, thanks to the efforts of a local resident who ‘Braved the Shave’, it has donated £300 to Macmillan Cancer Support, through the Match Funding Grant promise.

The Council have donated a £500 grant to the Library Community Support Group to assist with their purchase of outdoor benches.

A grant of £390 was awarded to Cylch Meithrin to assist with the purchase of electronic tablets.

Further to the efforts of members of Capelulo School in walking up Snowdon to raise money for equipment, the Council have awarded £300 to the project.

Public Notice: 13 September 2019

10 September 2019

On Tuesday the 10th September representatives of the Town Council, in conjunction with members of the family of Harry Jones, unveiled a memorial bench to the former Mayor on the green in Dwygyfylchi.

The Town Council is delighted to announce that it has awarded the Library Community Support Group £500 toward the cost of purchasing outdoor benches.

5 September 2019

On Sunday the 1st September the Town Council, in conjunction with the Penmaenmawr Museum and Historical Society, are planning to hold an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the World War Two civilian evacuees arriving in Penmaenmawr, which will include an exhibition, talks on the event and light refreshments.

The Town Council is delighted to announce that it is donating £300 to the Ysgol Capelulo. Children from the school recently walked to the summit of Snowdon to raise money for outdoor equipment.

Resident who wish to be added to the Council’s text local service, which advises of local events, please advise the town clerk by texting ‘Add’ to 07538 530828. Names are not required and there will an option to opt out at any time.

The Mayor, Cllr Una Abbott, and her consort, Cllr Baines, were delighted to attended the annual Dwygyfylchi & District Art Society Exhibition recently. She reported that the exhibits this year were of a particularly high standard and wish to thank the society, both for their warm welcome and for arranging the exhibition.

25 August 2019

Penmaenmawr Town Council are delighted to announce they have donated £300 to Ysgol Capelulo for outdoor equipment.

On The 30th July an open meeting was arranged to discuss the flood resilience of the Town. Led by a local resident and supported by the Town Council, the meeting discussed the establishment of a local Flood Action Group, with the aim of reducing the impact of flooding on local residents and businesses.

The Town Council is delighted to announce that it has again awarded St Paul’s Action for Youth a grant of £2,000, payable in two instalments, to support their continued employment of a youth worker.

The Mayor attended Pen Phoenix youth presentations day on Saturday 6th July and took great pleasure in assisting with handing out of awards (see attached photos) The

Harry Jones memorial bench has now been located on the memorial green in Dwygyfylchi. A short unveiling ceremony will be arranged in memory of a former Councillor and former Mayor will be arranged in the near future.

The Town Council is delighted to announce that the defibrillator, purchased by the Rotary Club and housed in a Town Council acquired defibrillator box, has been located adjacent Pencae School.

3 July
The area around the paddling pool in the promenade has now been sandblaster by representatives of CCBC and it is reported that this has increased grip. The matter will continue to be monitored.

The Mayor held a civic ceremony on Sunday the 23rd June 2019, at St Paul’s Church, followed by a buffet lunch in Maen Alaw Community Centre. Dignitaries from eleven local towns and cities joined residents at the event.

Quotes invited for combined footpath maintenance

Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2019-2020

Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2019-2020

We would like to congratulate our new Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2019-2020, Cllr Una Abbott and Cllr Margaret Brewer. We wish you the best of luck!

24 May 2019

The Town Council have introduced a new grant application system. The updated forms and relevant paperwork will be available via the Town Council website from the 1st June.

The Council is pleased to announce that Cllr Margaret Brewer has been elected to the position of Deputy Town Mayor for 2019-2020.

On the 28th May 2019 the Council will be holding its AGM and Mayor making. This is a short ceremonial event and while members of the public are welcome to attend, the Council will not be taking any questions. The next full Council meeting will take place on the 18th June.

27 April 2019

Dwygyfylchi and Capelulo Open Surgery: Saturday 27 April

The Councillors from the wards of Dwygyfylchi and Capelulo are holding an open surgery on Saturday the 27th April, between 10am and noon, at St Gwynan’s Parish Hall. All residents are welcome to come along and speak to their Councillors.

Special Citizen Award - Richard Crow

In recognition of the work undertaken within the community and especially during the recent floods, Richard Crow was presented with a Special Citizen Award by the Mayor

The Councillors from the wards of Dwygyfylchi and Capelulo are holding an open surgery on Saturday the 27th April, between 10am and noon, at St Gwynan’s Parish Hall. All residents are welcome to come along and speak to their Councillors.

Spring Clean Cymru, under the auspices of Keep Wales Tidy, undertook a very successful litter pick in Penmaenmawr on Saturday the 13th April.

26 March 2019

PTC were again pleased to see around 25 residents present at the Council meeting and would like to thank them for their views.

A representative of the Welsh Audit Office was present at the Council meeting, to introduce himself and to outline the investigation process.

The Harry Jones memorial bench will be position on the green in Dwygyfylchi before mid-April.

Conwy County Borough Council are to introduce two short term disabled parking bays outside the Spar store.

Spring Clean Cymru are arranging a litter pick in Penmaenmawr on the 13th April. All volunteers are welcome to assist.

Anyone wishing to be included in Penmaenmawr’s text local service, which advises residents on local events and Council meetings, are asked to pass on their mobile number to the Town Clerk or to a Councillor.

5 March 2019

PTC were pleased to see around 30 residents present at the Council meeting of the 5th March and would like to thank them for their views.

The Dingle Clean-up was completed on Saturday the 23rd February, as scheduled and was deemed a huge success. The Council would like to thank everyone involved.

From the 1st April the community skips will be available on the first Saturday of every other month – i.e. in Penmaenmawr on the first Saturday of April, June, August etc and in Dwygyfylchi on the first Saturday of May, July, Sept etc.

The next Council meeting is scheduled for the 26th March at 6.30pm.

Penmaenmawr Town Council Public Statement

Over recent weeks a number of articles and reports have been disseminated regarding Penmaenmawr Town Council’s financial situation, culminating in remarks made by Janet Finch-Saunders AM in the Senedd last week. While the Council’s normal practice is not to comment on overall financial issues until the annual accounts audit is complete, and the figures have been finalised (hence the silence to date), it is felt that the current level of speculation and mis-information is such that an official response is now warranted.

It has recently come to light that over the last three years the Town Council have been spending more on the local community that it has been receiving in its annual precept (income). To pay for this over-expenditure on local projects, money has been drawn from the Council’s reserves. The first transfer occurring in November 2015, the last in July 2018. The total amount transferred from reserves during this period is £100,000. This has left the Council with almost no financial reserves.

Contrary to some reports, every penny of this money has been accounted for. All Council expenditure has been presented and approved by Councillors and this information is, and has been throughout, in the public domain (see Annual Audit Reports and payment lists within meeting minutes, both available on the Council’s website, for a full breakdown of expenditure).

In response to some claims, which have, at times, included libellous claims, the Town Council confirms that Councillors give their time for free. No Councillor has received any financial reward (or reward in kind) beyond the reimbursement of legitimate travel expenses and/or training costs. Over the three year period in question the total amount spent by the Council on such expenses is £1,505.

The current financial situation, while extremely regrettable, has arisen because the Council was regularly required to make decisions regarding expenditure on local community events, charities and organisations, without being furnished with accurate and up to date financial information. This led to a culture of generosity towards local projects that the Council’s finances could not sustain. The Town Council acknowledges that this was a weakness on its part and has introduced robust new procedures to ensure greater financial oversight in the future. The Town Council sincerely apologises for its management of public finances over the last few years and accepts that this is not in keeping with the high standards expected of a local Council. Despite its shortfalls, the Council would like to affirm that it has, throughout the period, acted in the interest of the residents of the area.

Reinforcing this intent, Penmaenmawr Town Council, in keeping with every other Council in Wales, is audited regularly; Firstly, by an independent Council nominated auditor and again by a separate Welsh Government nominated auditor. Reports from both these independent inspectors confirm that no wrongdoing has occurred, either legally or procedurally. Despite this, as soon as the current situation was unearthed, the Council reported the situation both to the Welsh Audit Office and One Voice Wales (the support organisation for Community and Local Councils). Since that initial contact the Welsh Audit Office have confirmed its intent to inspect Penmaenmawr in the near future, an inspection that the Town Council welcomes.

UPDATE 13 March 2019

In response to comments made by local residents at a recent meeting regarding the lack of spending on young people by the Penmaenmawr Town Council, the Town Council would like to highlight that over the last four years (up to 31st March 2018) spending on this demographic has increase both as a total amount and as a percentage of the Projects and Grants allocation. See table below:

A variety of clubs and organisations have benefitted from this money, such as the local schools, Maes y Llan Play Area, St Gwynan’s Playgroup, the Sailing Club, Pen Phoenix to name but a few. A full breakdown of the Council’s expenditure is available on this above.

12 February 2019

From the 1st April the community skips will be available on the first Saturday of every other month – i. e. in Penmaenmawr on the first Saturday of April, June, August etc and in Dwygyfylchi on the first Saturday of May, July, Sept etc.

The Town Council have resolved NOT to purchase Fernbrook road Car Park at this time. CCBC therefore intend to proceed with installing pay and display parking meters from the 1st April. Any comments regarding this need to be directed to CCBC.

CCBC, in conjunction with PTC, have organised its annual Dingle clean-up day for Saturday the 23rd February, beginning at 10am. Any additional volunteers will be very welcome.

CCBC propose to establish community dog parks in each of the three wards of Penmaenmawr, as in other towns in the County. Each area would be enclosed and be specific for dog owners to walk/exercise their pets.

22 January 2019

The Town Council have support the St Gwynan’s pre-school, with a grant for £321 to assist them establish an area for I.C.T..

The Town Council have supported Light Up a Heart, run by the Welsh Hearts organisation.

The Town Council, having shortlisted the names of five local residents, have forwarded a nomination to the High Sheriff of Clwyd Community awards.

Due to financial constraints, from 1st April the community skips will be reduced to one skip per month. i. e. In Station Road, Penmaenmawr on first Saturday of the following months, April, June, August etc and in Dwygyfylchi on the first Saturday of the following months in May, July, September etc.