MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 24TH JUNE 2025 AT 7.30PM IN THE VILLGE HALL
Present: Cllr Jane Dawkins (Chairperson), Cllr David Williams, Cllr Janine Sharpless, Cllr David Mantle, Cllr Lisa Spencer-Weiss, Cllr Mark Brian, Cllr Beth Carpenter, Cllr Gareth Woodcock.
In Attendance: County Councillor Jackie Charlton, Clerk Jessica Jones
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and congratulated the organisers of Summer Sounds on a great event held on Saturday 21st June. It was enjoyed by all who attended, took part and volunteered, all contributing to a successful fun day with live music and entertainment.
1. Report from County Councillor Jackie Charlton
1) Report from the County Councillor County Councillor Surgery – The Llangynidr surgery is bimonthly. The next County Council Surgery for Llangynidr will be on Saturday 12th July. Venue to be confirmed.
2) Dyffryn Crawnon – We have had some very positive updates from Highways and from Flood Risk/Sustainable Drainage officers. This has been shared with Llangynidr Community Council and will be shared with residents through the Clerk to the Council.
3) Highways, Transport and Recycling Newsletter – This Newsletter goes out quarterly to all County Councillors. It has been agreed that it should also be available to all Town & Community Councillors as well. So, for the first time this month it is on its way to the Community Council. Much of it is very operational but I think it’s good that you can see what they do.
4) Stock Deaths – We are considering a different approach to writing to the Cabinet Minister as the feeling is he will just pass it back to us. So rather than wasting time waiting for a response from the letter we are pursuing an approach which reflects the new speeding legislation, if we can. My feeling is we can, and I need to press officers to do this. We also need to address what legislation is out there to support the need to report livestock accidents.
5) Yellow Lines and Signs Forge Road – The signs have been installed, and lines will be addressed when the small amount of surface dressing has been completed. Yellow lines decision is imminent, the report is being completed this week. If all is well the decision should be made for completing the work by next month.
6) Speed Sign Work – Have requested urgent feedback on progress here. There have been issues with the contractor.
7) Tree At Glaisfer – Under control. Paving stones inspected this week as causing concerns. Cllr David Williams may know more.
8) Special County Councillor Fund – I need to speak to Village Hall and WI about a food store/fridge in the Village Hall and with Llangynidr Well Being Group. I have spoken to the Llangattock Transport Group about their plans, and they are not able to take any funds in the timescale. I have successfully found two schemes in Llangattock for some of the funds and am talking to another group where work is undertaken in both villages through the Diocesans work but not clear on whether a group can take the money.
9) Sustainable Powys Communication and updates – Sustainable Powys may well have seen the first very positive next step to helping to make communities more resilient. The Public Transport Consultation on Bus Routes which outlines the new contracts was hopefully passed by the time this report is read out at the Community Council meeting. The X43 and 43 buses running between Brecon and Abergavenny will now run 14 times a day. This is a Monday to Saturday route for Llangynidr and an improved Sunday route for the X43. It still doesn’t service the college needs to Brecon from Llangynidr but believe it is more helpful for return journeys. Should there be improvements and an extension to Post 16 in the future in Brecon this could change. The new contracts have flexibility built into them as well which means there is still more that can be done if more funding is made available as well as looking at transport in the community to meet demands through better local minibus services, car clubs or car sharing.
The Chair thanked County Councillor Jackie Charlton for her report and raised concerns regarding the lack of service buses coming through the village in the past 6 days. Some residents had been stranded at the bus stop with no information being updated on the automated timetables. This may be due to road closures being implemented for emergency works by Welsh Water, however normal service didn’t appear to be back on schedule after the road closed signs had been removed. County Councillor Jackie Charlton noted to follow up and report back the Community Council on the bus service and unannounced road closures.
2. Apologies: Cllr Harry Duff, Cllr Gene Taylor.
3. Declaration of Interest in the items listed below: None.
4. Signing of the minutes: Minutes of 27th of May 2025.
5. Public Participation: PCSO Lee Garrett (This was covered early in the meeting to allow PCSO Lee Garrett to return to his on-call duties).
The Chair welcomed PCSO Lee Garett to the meeting. Discussion on the defibrillator pack being returned to the village hall and all necessary items have been checked and replaced. The pack has been clearly labelled to return to Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau after any emergency use. Agreed training on the defib would be advantages to all the village hall users and any residents wishing to take up the offer of some training. Clerk to co-ordinate with all necessary parties to set up some training dates.
11 Calls recorded for June (to date).
Incident in the village hall requiring urgent medical assistance.
Speed Watch query.
Sheep hit on the mountain road – further investigations to be carried out.
Mis-dialled 999 call.
Welfare safety – no issues of concern.
Call concerning dangerous driving due to the Llangynidr Bridge being closed on Saturday 14th June.
Report of noise from music on Sat 21st June at 11.11pm, incidentally was a private party at a property on the mountain road.
Reports of dangerous parking on the pavement and verge outside the Red Lion. PCSO Lee Garrett will speak to the Landlord and staff at the Red Lion to make them aware of the hazards and look at ways to encourage visitors of the pub to use the large village car park with ample parking spaces. The Community Council would like to assist with possibly placing some signs in the car park to welcome parking for the public house. Options welcome for consideration.
6. Finance:
a) Budget v Actuals, Bank reconciliation for May 2025 – Approved
b) Cheques for Approval June 2025
Clean the car park (June) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (June) £280.00
Car Park non-domestic rates (June DD) £91.00
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (June DD) £27.22
Clerk’s wages and stationary allowance (June) £576.30
HMRC (Clerks TAX & NI Contribution – June) £111.20
Scribe - Monthly Fee Inc. VAT (June) £37.20
Welsh Water/Dwr Cymru (Nov 24 – May 25 DD) £494.97
New Tap for the Public Conveniences £22.89
c) Cheques approved in May 2025
Clean the car park (May) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (May) £280.00
Car Park non-domestic rates (May DD) £91.00
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (May DD) £26.78
Clerk’s wages and stationary allowance (May) £576.30
HMRC (Clerks TAX & NI Contribution – May) £111.20
Scribe - Monthly Fee Inc. VAT (May) £37.20
d) Interest Payment & Donations
Open Reach /Wayleaves (May) £8.82
Car Park & Toilet Donations (May) £187.04
e) Nat West are still sending statements and post to the previous Clerk despite all necessary documentation being submitted. This is on-going with the bank and may result in an internal complaint being raised with NatWest.
f) The Internal Audit is due by 30/06/2025.
7. Correspondence:
• 03/06/2025 – A letter of thanks received from Mr & Mrs Salmon.
• 04/06/2025 – Email from Mike Gatehouse requesting a meeting with the Community Council to consider options for the Llangynidr Community Garden.
• 11/06/2025 – Email from Cllr Paul Evans of Crickhowell Town Council inviting Cllrs and residents to attend a public meeting being held on the 30th of June at the Clarence Hall on the CHS Post 16 Review.
• 12/06/2025 - Email from County Councillor Jackie Charlton on the initial draft to Ken Skates regarding livestock deaths on the mountain road.
• 12/06/2025 – Email from Cllr Chloe Masefield on an update on the Crickhowell & District Community Transport Options.
• 13/06/2025 – Email from OVW regarding online events on the Cost-of-Living Crises & Community Wellbeing.
8. Agreement of Standing Orders – Review with Cllr Harry Duff.
9. Go Safe observations received from Gail Jones for May and early June. The Chair thanked the GoSafe Team for their continued monitoring and recording.
10. Planning Applications:
a. 25/23849/FUL 23 Cae Porth – ‘Replacement Porch’ - No Objection
b. 25/23847/FUL 22 Clos Castell – ‘Extension for study/workspace – No Objection
11. Parish Meeting held 3rd June 2025. Thank you to all the Speakers and residents who attended. It was a very well attended Parish meeting and some positive feedback received.
12. Crickhowell High School Post 16 Education Scrutiny Review: Update from Cllr Mark Brian (as a Governor at CHS) and any further update from County Council Jackie Charlton. Cllr Mark Brian noted this is a Powys wide review as opposed to other various forms carried out in recent years. As one of the most successful schools in Wales it is disappointing that Powys are reviewing CHS as a ‘one model fits all’ approach, as this would not suit, the numbers are disproportionate and it would cause a huge amount of disruption.
County Councillor Jackie Charlton clarified it is at the Engagement stage not Consultation yet, the process of engagement is currently with Head Teachers, Teachers, Esty and Stakeholders this term. Next term the engagement will be rolled out to Governor’s, Parents, Students. Options need to be costed across Powys. There are worrying trends and current vocational education is not working well; in 2019 – 500 post 16 learners studied outside the County and in 2024 the numbers rose to 900. Ambition to provide good Post 16 education across the whole of Powys.
Noted under item 7 – Public Meeting being held in Crickhowell 30th June 6.30pm @ The Clarence, Crickhowell.
13. Thank you to the residents who have been working on the hedges and flower beds in the village car park and the Coach & Horses for providing old beer kegs for further planting. Review of maintenance and access to the outside water tap for the up keep of the planters and flower beds. Review of any costs for consideration. Adjourned
14. Llangynidr Community Wellbeing Group have carried out a survey on the benches around the village and provided a report. Any feedback to report on to the CWG following the survey. The Chair thanked the CWG for generating an excellent report. Could the new benches at Cae Porth be added to the report please. Clerk to follow this up with Steve Salmon of the CWG.
15. Review options for defibrillator training for all Village Hall users and any residents who like to take up the training. Discussed under item 5 above with PCSO Lee Garrett to assist with training opportunities.
16. Update on the status of the Matrix Signs on order with TWM. The Clerk gave a summary of the latest correspondence from TWM. It was suggested to seek advice from One Voice Wales and seek some free professional advice at this stage on potential next steps of communication with TWM as no information has been provided on who has taken over the business – Agreed
17. Closure of Llangynidr Bridge on Saturday the 14th of June 2025 caused confusion and concerns due to no prior notification being issued from either Powys Highways or the event organisers. County Councillor Jackie Charlton confirmed the organisers of the event had followed the correct reporting channels however the notification had been sent to Crickhowell Town Council in error.
18. Concerns raised by residents on the parking of vehicles on the pavement and grass verges outside the Red Lion, this is causing pedestrians to walk into the middle of the road and poor visibility for passing traffic and narrowing of the road for larger and emergency vehicles. Discussed under item 6 with PCSO Lee Garrett.
19. Waiting further up-dates from the Green Man organisers on delivery of the Bridge Passes and an ETA of large traffic on the back road. Clerk to follow up with estimated dates for the passes, to allow the process of distributing 2 car stickers per property.
20. Wash Lanes and Local List update to be provided by Cllr Lisa Spencer-Weiss. The BBNPA have now completed the 6-week consultation. A report has been written to create a Local List for Llangynidr with the wash lanes included. The report will need to be approved by the Board of the BBNPA by the end of September. Further updates to follow in due course.
21. Canal & River Trust 225 Year Celebrations update to be provided by Cllr Lisa Spencer-Weiss. Discussion on what the Community Council might like to do to participate in the celebrations, various options suggested such as re-creating a trip on the barge, children canoeing. The Art Dept at the High School is looking to run a cross-curriculum project, possibly canal poster competition. History Society have lots of photographs, would it be possible to have a form of gallery / exhibition as a drop in and/or on display at the Agricultural Show on 24th August. Consider making it accessible to all residents, potentially having it on display at the Coach & Horses due to proximity to the canal. Cllr Lisa Spencer Weiss to report back following further discussions with CRT.
22. Himalayan Balsam Bash and Litter Pick along Riverbank – Thursday 26th June 2025 6.30pm – Agreed
23. Any other business (for information only)
Would it be possible to have the road sweep in the village to tidy the kerbs?
The remaining debris from the gully at Mill Road will be cleared.
24. Dates of next meeting: Tuesday 29th July 2025 – 7.30pm
With no further business to discuss the Chair closed the meeting at 9.35pm
