MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
TUESDAY 27th MAY 2025 AT 7.30 PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL.
Present: Cllr Jane Dawkins (Chairperson), Cllr Harry Duff, Cllr David Williams, Cllr Mark Brian, Cllr Beth Carpenter, Cllr Gene Taylor, Cllr Gareth Woodcock, Cllr David Mantle, Cllr Lisa Spencer-Weiss.
In Attendance: County Councillor Jackie Charlton & Mrs. Jessica Jones Clerk
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1. Election of Chairperson: Jane Dawkins was unanimously elected.
Proposed by Gene Taylor
Seconded by David Mantle
2. Election of Vice Chairperson: Harry Duff was unanimously elected.
Proposed by Gene Taylor
Seconded by David Mantle
3. Committee Appointments:
Human Resources – Chair Mark Brian, Harry Duff, David Mantle
Finance – Chair Harry Duff, Mark Brian, Gene Taylor, Janine Sharpless
Rights of Way – Chair David Mantle, David Williams, Lisa Spencer-Weiss
Planning – Chair Jane Dawkins, Lisa Spencer-Weiss, Gene Taylor, Gareth Woodcock
4. Appointment of Outside bodies:
Village Hall – Janine Sharpless, Beth Carpenter
Primary School Governor – Beth Carpenter
One Voice Wales – Harry Duff
Well-being Advocate – David Williams
Burial Ground Trustees – Jane Dawkins, David Mantle
A note of thanks was made to the out-going and in-coming Chairperson. It was unanimously agreed this is a positive re-election for 2025/2026.
5. Report from the County Councillor: County Councillor Report - May 2025 Llangynidr
1. County Councillor Surgery – The Llangynidr surgery is bimonthly. The next County Council Surgery for Llangynidr will be on Saturday 19th July. Surgery days in Llangattock are with the Repair Café, the third Saturday of the month. You can visit the Repair Café at the same time.
2. Powys Flood Governance Board – The Powys Flood Governance Board is a newly convened board to address all flood issues across Powys considering the continuing increase in major storms and flood incidents. The Powys Flood Group has run since 2022 and bought together officers and flood wardens from Llangattock and Crickhowell with other statutory agencies to continue to monitor the development from Storm Dennis. That group began to grow firstly to include Knighton and more recently from Welshpool, Llandinam and Llantilio in Montgomeryshire and Ystradgynlais in Brecknockshire. All these areas suffer from continued flooding which causes disruption to the community, businesses and households. In future this will include other areas such as Brecon and Builth. Llangattock will continue to play a pivotal role on the Governance Board. Town & Community Councillors as well as County Councillors will be invited to continue to work on the Governance Board which includes me and the two Councillors from Crickhowell. We also have other stakeholders. The Board will focus on solutions to flooding as well as emergency communications, working with Powys officials and beyond and constant feedback from our communities. The Flood Group provided essential information for the major flood alleviation plans for Llangattock and Crickhowell giving a clear indication that we can extend our reach for support. The Governance Board will also work closely with the Severn Valley Water Management Plan which is extending its reach to the Wye and the Usk, which is important to us here in Llangattock. Cllr Gail Jones will be invited to remain on the Governance Board as well as Kate Inglis. This may change over time according to the needs of the individuals and the Board. Next meeting is on the 19th of June at 12.00 and 26 individuals invited to participate to include the Emergency Response Team, Councillors, stakeholders and other agencies.
3. Dyffryn Crawnon – First update has been given to the Dyffryn Crawnon group from Powys Highways Inspector. We have agreed to give fortnightly updates.
4. Stock Deaths – I raised this at Llangattock Community Council, and they are keen to do something because this is such a worry. I have previously raised this with Ken Skates Minister in the Senedd and he agreed this is very worrying. However, this needs more action and preparing a letter again to try and get a message across that we need to act urgently. As a local authority we have put in place all the elements of safety that we can except for changing the speed limit. We have no guidelines to use to assist us with this. I am asking that Llangynidr follow Llangattock and agree to be a party to this letter. I have had the confirmation from the Cabinet Member for a Safer Powys Cllr Richard Church who also wants to be a party to this letter.
5. Yellow Lines and Signs Forge Road – Responses from Highways remain the same, all imminent but nothing happening. Last contact with Jo Lancey was on 23 April and she was going to get back to me. Have heard nothing but further request has gone in.
6. Speed Sign work – Have requested urgent feedback on progress here.
7. Tree At Glaisfer – Under control. Issue is with the route of the removal.
8. Special County Councilor Fund - Will share this at the Village Meeting on 3rd June.
9. Here to help - Campaign to maintain and improve public services e.g. fire, police, public transport. Continue to press for more speed enforcement on local roads especially the commons road across Llangattock and Llangynidr, see above for Stock Deaths.
10. Sustainable Powys Communication and updates. We had a second evening engagement meeting in Brecon on 13th June. This took more action towards next steps. Town & Community Councils were represented from Llandrindod to Glangrwyney. There was a good turnout, and feedback should be available very soon. Big takeaway for me was the enthusiasm and inspiration that comes from the town and community councillors themselves. Aim is to begin to capture all the different activities which are already taking place now and how this can be shared as good practice and recognition of community cohesion which can grow within the hubs and localities across the Brecon patch.
11. Keep Wales Tidy Report – This is Keep Wales Tidy Impact Report for 2024 – 25 Impact Report – 2024 – 2025 - Keep Wales Tidy If you read the report you can see how well Powys does in collecting litter. It’s a very easy report to read.
Anti-Poverty Locality Fund 2025/26
We are pleased to share some information about the Anti-Poverty Locality Fund for 2025/26, which has been established through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Each County Councillor has been allocated £5,000 to support anti-poverty projects within their locality. Councillors have the flexibility to allocate the full amount to a single organisation, divide it among up to three organisations or pool their allocations to award a larger sum to one organisation.
Please refer to the guidance document for full details on the fund’s aims, eligibility criteria, and key dates. This information can also be shared with your nominated organisations. Further instructions on how to access and complete the online nomination forms will be provided closer to the launch date.
Eligible Organisations:
• Local Authority
• Private sector
• Voluntary sector
• Social enterprise
• Government department
• University
• FE College
Timescales to be shared separately.
Several suggestions from Chair and Clerk of Community Council to be discussed on 3rd June: -
1. Transport for the Community
2. Gym Equipment for Village Hall
3. Hot desk for development of a Community Hub for information sharing specific to community cohesion and anti-poverty including a Digital Centre for those who cannot access computer/smartphones etc.
4. Supporting young people
5. Well-being Group activity
Follow on discussion regarding the fund with some concerns raised on the Anti-Poverty Locality fund and how best to ensure the funds are utilised to meet the criteria as set out in the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. As noted in the report, the Chair reiterated, it would be an ideal opportunity at the Parish meeting on 3rd June to seek further input from the wider Community on how this fund would be best distributed.
Update from PCSO Lee Garrett:
PCSO Lee Garrett was unable to attend the meeting, however had exchanged communications with the Clerk on a couple of the recent issues and noted the following:
a) Dangerous Driver on the Mountain Road who hit and killed a cow, the matter is now in the hands of the Law Courts.
b) Following an increase in livestock deaths on the Moor, PCSO Lee Garrett to liaise with the Rural Crime Team and Go Safe Team to review options to raise awareness of speed on the mountain road and raise awareness to dog owners to keep dogs on a lead to prevent further dog attacks on livestock.
c) A report of suspicious behaviour of men prowling the Dyffryn Crawnon late at night. This is another matter for the Rural Crime Team to look at raising awareness and particularly with an increase in Farm vehicle theft and the impact this is having on the Farming Communities.
6. Apologies: Cllr Janine Sharpless, PCSO Lee Garrett
7. Declaration of interest in items of business listed below: None
8. Signing of the minutes: Minutes of 29th April 2025
9. Public Participation: None
10. Finances:
a) Budget v Actuals, Bank reconciliation for April 2025 and Year End 2024
Bank reconciliation for April 2025 Approved
Annual Return 24 – Approved & Signed by the Chair
b) Cheques approved May 25
Clean the car park (May) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (May) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates DD (May) £91.00
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (May) £26.78
Clerk's wages and stationery allowance (May) £576.30
HMRC (Clerk Tax & NI Contribution – May) £111.20
Scribe – Monthly Fee Inc. VAT (May) £37.20
Cheques approved - April 25
Clean the car park (April) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (April) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates DD (April) £89.80
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (April) £28.78
Clerk's wages and stationery allowance (April) £576.30
HMRC (Clerk Tax & NI Contributions) £111.20
c) Nat West have not yet sanctioned the change of Clerk/RFO details.
On-going.
d) Review removal of cheque details from the agenda.
Agreed
11. Correspondence:
12/05/2025 – Email from One Voice Wales – Innovative Practice Conference being held on Wednesday 2nd July 2025
16/05/2025 – Email from Powys Teaching Health Board - Better Together Survey Poster
21/05/2025 – Email from Cllr Chloe Masefield – Crickhowell & District Community Transport Meeting Friday 23rd May 2025.
12. Go Safe summary report received from Gail Jones. Discussion on the volume of letters still being sent out monthly.
13. Planning Applications: 25/23750/CPL – Ty Canol, Llangynidr. No Objections
14. Review of any Tenders for the Flower Bed & Footpath contract. No Tenders received. However, the Community Well-being group have offered their support to maintain the beds along with members of the Community Council. The Chair paid thank to the Well-being group.
15. VE DAY Celebrations took place on 8th May 2025. This was a very successful day for the village, with almost 100 residents attending the afternoon tea at the village hall with a lovely sing-along and with the Children’s Choir from the Primary School in attendance. Followed by a BBQ held at the Red Lion and the successful lighting of the Beacon on Llangynidr Mountain. The Chair thanked everyone involved for making the whole day a successful and memorable event for the residents of Llangynidr.
16. Meetings Attended:
a) BBNPA Local List Consultation held on the Village Hall on 1st May 2025
Cllr Lisa Spencer-Weiss gave an overview of the evening and pleased with the interest show on the work carried out on the Wash Lanes and new ideas coming forward. No official feedback from Bannau Brycheiniog received to date.
b) Sustainable Powys Meeting for Town & County Councillors held in Brecon on 15th May 2025. Meeting attended by the Chair Jane Dawkins and the Clerk. The meeting was well attended by the Town & Community Councils from across Powys. A key point from the meeting was the importance of the well-being work being carried out directly within the local Communities. Aim to carry out this meeting every 6 months.
c) History Society talk with the Canal & River Trust held in the Village Hall on 20th May 2025. A very well attended meeting and Cllr Lisa Spencer-Weiss would like to raise awareness of the CRT’s 225 years Anniversary and how they are keen to work with the Schools and the Community to look at project ideas and options. Further information to follow in due course.
17. Dyffryn Crawnon Highways update response received from David Lewis. The Clerk confirmed the latest update provided by Powys Highways of a gully sweep to take place in the coming weeks. This information has been shared with the residents of the Dyffryn Crawnon. County Councillor Jackie Charlton re-iterated the importance of keeping the lines of communication open between the residents and Powys Highways.
18. Livestock attacks and deaths on Llangynidr Mountain – Concerns raised by Cllr David Mantle. Item covered in Agenda Item 5 – No 4 of County Councillor Jackie Charlton’s report.
19. Concerns raised by Cllr Gareth Woodcock and a local resident on the dangerous state of the pavement along Cwm Crawnon Road. This has been reported to Powys and the matter will also be raised by County Councillor Jackie Charlton. The Clerk to provide copies of recent photographs on the dangerous state of the pavement.
20. Green Man – Response received from Rosy Turner 15th May 2025. Positive response received from the Green Man organisers: The passes will again be printed and provided for all the residents of Llangynidr. Regarding the ‘Road Closed’ signs this may be a legal requirement; this is being checked with Highways. Reviewing options to not stop traffic on the main A40 but to be able to safely turn any festival goer and larger holiday vehicles at the Cilwych crossroads. This is being reviewed with Highways. Cllrs raised concerns on the volume of the larger vehicles on the back road. The Clerk to request the option of having traffic controlled with Marshalls from the lights at Crickhowell to the ‘Trade’ entrance at the Glan Usk to ease the congestion particularly with the high sided larger lorries that fill the width of the back road.
21. Himalayan Balsam Bash and Litter Pick along the Riverbank – Scheduled for Thursday 26th June 2025, weather permitting.
22. Annual Community Parish Meeting being held Tuesday 3rd June 2025 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Doors will be open from 7.00pm with Tea & Coffee on arrival followed by refreshments later.
Speakers confirmed:
Gene Taylor – Chair of the Village Hall Committee
Tom Fox – Chair of Governors, Llangynidr Primary School
Gail Jones – Go Safe
Ivan Langford – Community Well-being Group
County Councillor Jackie Charlton
23. Any other business (for information only)
Rights of Way Order received on 21st May 2025 for dangerous path diversion on land east of Ysgubor Isaf, Dyffryn Crawnon.
24. Dates of next meetings: Tuesday 24th June 2025 – 7.30pm
With no further business to discuss the Chair closed the meeting at 9.10pm
