MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY 27th FEBRUARY 2024 AT 7.30PM PM VIA ELECTRONIC MEDIA AND AT THE VILLAGE HALL.
Present: Mr Harry Duff (Chairperson), Mr David Williams, Mr David Mantle, Mr David Filsell, Mrs Beth Carpenter, Mrs Jan Sharpless and Mr Gene Taylor.
In Attendance: PCSO L Garrett, Cllr Jackie Charlton, S Dale (Clerk) and 2 members of the public.
Welcome and thanks for attending.
Report from the County Councillor.
Cllr Charlton provided a written monthly report for the Councillors which was circulated to them. This is published elsewhere. She selected issues to update council with at the meeting:
Feedback from the Village Conversation of 13/1/2023 is to be circulated soon. 61 Surveys were returned. Volunteering for befriending, and the Village Hall, co-production within the community. The Guides would like to present to the Community Councils sometime?
Speedwatch has started up again with PCSO support. 20Mph limit is not being complied with generally.
The School bus is not going into the car park to drop pupils off in the afternoon, JC will ask why not.
Bridge lights are now working correctly.
Pot holes – Cyfreddin Lane flooding and pot holes (including the massive one) near the canal bridge have been reported and some work has been done to rectify matters. If you see a pot hole please report it with a photograph via the Powys County Council website. More pot holes and road surface problems are apparent further on from the Canal Bridge as well.
Residents have reported a problem with the night time lights in Cae Porth causing problems with viability at night time. The problem has been reported to Powys County Council who will address the problem as soon as they can.
Road safety and stock, particularly, but not only, with regards to the stock grid at Pen Rhiw Garn is currently a problem with securing nuts coming free due to the speed of passing traffic. JC will report.
School catchment area for Llangynidr Community Primary School is causing concern, JC supports the School as Ward Councillor.
“Sustainable Powys” gathered 20 people on a Tuesday morning, there is pressure on service delivery, it needs to become more sustainable. More information will come out about this initiative, JC asks the the councillors and members of other community organisations consider it! JC asserts that change is coming.
The Bus Service improvements have been requested but it takes time to implement them (12 weeks).
A transport review being led by Llangattock Community Council, look out for further information.
The Powys County Council budget has been passed, 7.5% increase in council tax. An additional 2.8% has also been awarded which has been delegated for schools/education.
An elderly resident of Cae Porth is having difficulty with her front step, JC will look into.
County Councillor's Surgery will be at lower Chapel on the Saturday 23rd March 10-12 noon.
Apologies: MB, JD and LS-W.
Declaration of interest in items of business listed below: None
Signing of the minutes;
30th January 2024. Adjourned to 26th March meeting.
Public Participation: PCSO Lee Garrett reporting and a resident reporting about the Transport Review initiative.
Lee's report covers February when there were 4 calls :
2 Trefil Quarry off roaders trying to steal fuel from generators.
1 mix up over a school child.
1 call about obnoxious text messages .
There was also the theft of chainsaws with miscreants pretending to be lamping.
There had been a case of romance fraud in Ystradgynlais where a lady lost her home. There is a leaflet on the noticeboard about it.
PCSO Lee Garrett emphasised the need for caution in who is about.
The Transport Review is looking particularly at a community bus in the Gilwern, Crickhowell, Glangrwyney, Llangattock Cwmdu and Llangynidr area. A community survey has shown support for the idea. Now looking to engage residents who are otherwise isolated - without a car. Possibilities for future developments include Ebbw Vale train station, Brecon and Abergavenny.
The resident volunteered to supply the community Council with pdf/jpeg of the poster for circulation.
The Dial-a-ride serves all over 60's and offers great value.
The Beacons Bus has ceased.
Finance:
Bank reconciliation, budget vs actuals to be discussed and considered for approval. Approved
Cheques approved in February 24
S Dale (for Clook internet services) £9.59
S Dale (for back pay) £422.80
HMRC (NI and tax) £54.80
Wales Audit fee £1350.00
Clean the car park (Feb) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (Feb) £280.00
Clerk's wages and stationery allowance (Feb) so £567.40
Car park non-domestic rates DD (Feb) £86.00
British Gas (elec. for the public toilets Feb DD) £30.14
Car Park maintenance (Feb) £90.00
Dial a ride £100.00
Llangynidr Agricultural Show Society £100.00
Llangynidr Jubilee Committee £100.00
Brecon Advice Centre £50.00
Wales Air Ambulance £50.00
Brecon Mountain Rescue Team £100.00
Defibrillator maintenance £100.00
Village Hall room hire £197.00
Cheques approved in January 24
Clean the car park (Jan) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (Jan) £280.00
Clerk's wages and stationery allowance (Jan) so £567.40
Car park non-domestic rates DD (Jan) £86.00
British Gas (elec. for the public toilets Jan DD) £29.88
Public Toilet tap fixing(2) £250.00
Grass cutting contract (approval only) £675.00
Viking toilet supplies £131.98
Correspondence:
- Crickhowell Town Council and Llangattock Community Council have asked about public toilet cleaning arrangements at Llangynidr. 8/2
A possible collaboration with other local councils.
- Contractor asked for permission to fix a problem with the sewers (call).
The contractor has fixed the problem, his invoice yet to be received.
- Gabb and Co sent the draft lease as issued by the village hall committee. (6/2)
The lease has been reviewed and the Village Hall Committee has returned it to their solicitor.
- Confirmation of receipt on Highways issues raised. (31/1)
Some action has been taken by Powys County Council but there is more to do.
- Confirmation of Persondy field hedge trim before Spring. (11/2)
The Licensees has completed this task.
- The 2 oak benches (made of old lockgate from Llangynidr) are ready. (31/1)
The standing for the benches is not ready yet.
- Pen March planning application has been submitted. (5/2)
The wind farm application on the border of the Llangynidr ward is a Development of National Significance. Some new information has come to light about curlew territories and view points.
Council has not had access to the documents yet.
The Community Council and Village Hall lease approval. Prop. and Sec.
Adjourn to March 26th Meeting.
To ask the Police and Crime Commissioner more help for PCSO Lee Garrett at Crickhowell. He covers a very large area on his own. Prop. and Sec.
Proposed:DM and seconded: GT Clerk to action.
To schedule litter picks for the rest of the year.
Saturday, 10.45 am in the car park March 16th.
Saturday 10.45am in the car park May 18th.
Saturday 10.45am in the car park July 13th.
Saturday 10.45am in the car park August 17th.
Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau requests a grant for 24/25 to support it's work in Llangynidr. Prop. and Sec.
Approved £650. Proposed: GT, seconded: DW. Clerk to write to CVB.
Review of the Persondy Field licensing arrangements. Prop. and Sec.
Adjourned.
2021-22 full audit fee of £1350.00 has just been received, about 4 times the amount usually charged – their breakdown of their costs reflects their bill but the reasons for the excess hours have been disputed. Prop. and Sec.
Approved for payment. Proposed GT, Seconded DW.
Persondy field licensees wish to update some of the old fencing and ask the community council to pay for the materials. Prop. and Sec.
Approved. Proposed:DM, seconded:DW
D-Day celebrations and possible Jubilee Committee involvement. Prop. and Sec.
Need more time to consider – adjourned.
Phase 3 public consultation on the Air Ambulance service in Wales.
Clerk to complain about the proposed cuts in service to South Wales.
Clerk recommends a local accountant as Internal Auditor.
Approved. Clerk to make the arrangements.
Planning Application: 24/22639/FUL – Land between Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal and the B5548 near Cyffreddin Lane. Poly tunnel, storage container solar array and new pedestrian access for Community Group.
No objections except for the lack of off road parking as the nearby lay-by is often full.
Any other business (for information only).
Notice of the next five councils meeting, it is proposed for 12/6 or 19/6.
Steph & Harry Duff, John Yaxley, Jane and Les Dawkins are thanked for their help on the new book exchange in the bus stop on Cwmcrawnon Road.
Reminder of the school catchment area consultation.
Mr Filsell presents his resignation to council, his last meeting will be March 26th.
Date of next meeting: Tuesday 26th March 2024.
There being no further business to discuss the Chairperson closed the meeting at 8.45pm
