MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 25th FEBRUARY 2025 AT 7.00 PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL.
Present: Mrs. Jane Dawkins (Chairperson), Mr. David Williams, Mr. Mark Brian, Mr. David Mantle, Mrs. Beth Carpenter, Mrs. Janine Sharpless, Mr. Harry Duff and Mr. Gareth Woodcock.
In Attendance: PCSO Lee Garrett, County Councillor Jackie Charlton, Mrs. Sue Dale (Deputy Clerk) and Mrs. Jessica Jones (Clerk)
The Chairperson welcomed everybody to the meeting and thanked them for attending.
1. Report from the County Councillor:
1. County Councillor Surgery – The Llangynidr surgery is bi monthly and was in the Sardis UR Chapel Llangynidr on the 18th of January. 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. Bus and Transport – The consultation has now finished and responses from
Llangynidr I’m sure have been captured. The consultation finished on the 13th of
February, but they let it run for a bit longer to take in some late concerns in the Welshpool area for people who do not access the internet. Hope to have responses for this in the next six weeks or so and will keep you informed.
3. Road Signs for Forge Road – I have been assured today (Monday 24th Feb) these are on the way. They have been ordered but not yet delivered. As soon as they arrive, they will be put in place.
4. Duffryn Crawnon Road – A meeting is in the diary to do a site visit at Duffryn Crawnon on 5th March when we can discuss the repairs and timeframe with the Highways Inspector.
5. Blocked Drains – Will be visiting the culverts at the same site visit as above.
6. Budget – The budget was agreed on 20th February by the full council. The good news is that there is £1.2 million set aside to assist in a Highways Strategy to deliver several key elements which have lost funds over the last 10 years or more. A plan has been proposed to deliver on some simple one-off costs for winter maintenance and other issues, but the rest will be utilised to address the capital programme on our ‘C’ roads and ditching and gully work to address ongoing maintenance.
7. Bridge Signs – The bridge signs have not worked for over 12 months. Engineers have been asked to repair the signs on several occasions but so far have failed. Last month I asked the Community Council to consider what we should do next. Is there any need for these signs? I have had a conversation with Jo Lancey about a way forward. She has said that the engineers are preparing a report now on the future maintenance of these signs. There is a concern about the cost of constant repairs. As a result, I have suggested that should the community wish to have these signs taken down then a proposal will be put to her. She has no problem with that and in many respects would welcome this as the cost of repair is very high and not working anyway.
2. Apologies: Cllr Lisa Spencer-Weiss, Cllr Gene Taylor
3. Declaration of interest in items of business listed below: None
4. Signing of the minutes: Full Meeting 21st January 2025
5. Public Participation: PCSO Lee Garrett
PCSO informed the Council of the disappointing news the Police Station in Crickhowell will be closed permanently from Friday 28th February 2025. There has been no consultation period or prior notice. It is understood, as a possibility, Crickhowell Fire Station will be a hub for both the local police and fire station team to operate from. The Community Council expressed its concerns and would wish to support the local police service however it can.
Defibrillator at the Village Hall review. PCSO confirmed the defibrillator is in good working order, and gave a brief demonstration on how it works. It was suggested the Council consider purchasing some smaller pads for children. The Community Council would like to run some training sessions for any residents interested and would particularly like to reach out to the younger sports activity users of the village hall to take up some training.
Clerk to investigate purchasing smaller pads and review options of running training sessions in the village.
7 calls reported:
Disturbing and anonymous phone calls using threatening behaviour towards an elderly resident. PCSO confirmed the importance of using ‘BT Protect’. If anyone is aware of similar calls, please inform the police.
Vehicle rolled on the mountain road, no serious injuries.
Resident trapped by a vehicle: Fire Service, Police, Ambulance in attendance.
Drunk driver on the mountain road – Caught by South Wales Police
Farm in Gilwern – burgled with quad bike and other items stolen
PCSO passed on his thanks to Sue Dale and wishes her well in her retirement.
6. Finance:
a) Bank reconciliation, considered - Approved
b) Cheques to be approved February 25
|
Clean the car park (Feb) |
|
£40.00 |
|
Clean the public conveniences (Feb) |
|
£280.00 |
|
Maintenance of the public convenience (Feb) |
|
£80.00 |
|
Car park non-domestic rates DD (Feb) |
|
£90.00 |
|
British Gas (electricity) |
|
£29.98 |
|
Clerk's wages and stationery allowance (Feb) |
|
£560.50 |
|
Deputy Clerks wages so (Feb) |
|
£538.80 |
|
Payment to Sue Dale for Clook Website payment |
|
£107.00 |
TWM Traffic Management Sign invoice £10,802.47
Village Hall Charity (room hire Jul to Nov 24) Approval only. £275.00
|
Grant Funding in Agenda Item no 6c for Approval |
|
|
Dial a ride |
£100.00 |
|
Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau |
£650.00 |
|
Llangynidr Agricultural Show |
£100.00 |
|
Brecon Advice Centre |
£50.00 |
|
Wales Air Ambulance |
£50.00 |
|
Brecon Mountain Rescue |
£100.00 |
|
CVB Defibrillator Maintenance |
£100.00 |
|
Llangynidr Community Wellbeing Group Cheques approved in January 25 |
£729.00 |
|
Clean the car park (Jan) |
£40.00 |
|
Clean the public conveniences (Jan) |
£280.00 |
|
Clerk's wages and stationery allowance (Jan) |
£824.90 |
|
Car park non-domestic rates DD (Jan) |
£90.00 |
|
British Gas (elec. for the public toilets DD (Jan) |
£29.98 |
|
Grass cutting contract (approval only) |
£675.00 |
|
Clerk Pay December 24 |
£550.10 |
|
Audit office – external audit 22-23 |
£200.00 |
|
Audit office - external audit 23-24 |
£200.00 |
|
Deputy Clerk pay Jan 25
c) Interest payments and donations |
£538.80 |
|
Wayleaves payment received |
£51.24 |
|
VAT reclaim – refund received |
£679.02 |
d) Consideration and approval of appeals for grants in 6b – Approved
e) Agree new Finance Regulations – Approved
Approved by Harry Duff
Seconded by Mark Brian
7. Appreciation of George Morreta – Former Community Councillor: Mr Morreta was a Community Council for Llangynidr for 19 years. The Chair and the Councillor’s expressed their appreciation for the work and commitment Mr Morreta has given to the Community and always giving advice in a very friendly and approachable manner. Cllr Mark Brian and Cllr David Mantle attended the funeral.
8. Planning Application ref: 25/23517/FUL – 20 Pencommin: No Objections
9. Five Councils Meeting held 13th February – summary 3 key points:
a) Fire Station in Crickhowell – The Chair welcomes the offer to attend with the 5 Councils a briefing meeting with the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Iwan
Cray
b) Reduced Bus Timetable
c) Storm damage and Powys response
10. Green Man – Agree process for Bridge passes for 2025:
There is an opportunity to agree the use of the Bridge passes again this year by the organisers of the Green Man Festival. Cwmdu & District Councillors have expressed an interest in being involved in the decision process and would welcome a meeting with the Chair to review the use of the passes for its residents:
- The Chair and the Clerk to review a process of the Bridge passes and seek information from local businesses. The Clerk to arrange for the Chair to meet with the Cwmdu & District Councillors.
11. Review of current defibrillator at the village hall: Item discussed and reviewed under Item 5 with PCSO Lee Garret.
12. Review of quotes received from Powys for the Poles and sockets for the Highways Matrix Signs to be installed:
Two options considered and reviewed on the number of poles for the Matrix signs, review of costs and preferred options.
Proposed by Cllr Dave Mantle to have 4 poles positioned as opposed to 2.
Seconded by Cllr Gareth Woodcock
13. Wash Lanes up-date from Cllr Lisa Spencer Weiss:
Adjourned to March 25th meeting.
14. Village Hall Funding review following 18th February meeting:
Cllr Beth Carpenter gave a summary of the work now underway with the Village Hall Committee seeking to secure lottery funding. Local groups currently using the Village Hall will be contacted for information and feed-back in due course.
15. National Grid Proposal to remove H pole Transformer and install a ground mounted substation – Twyn Pandy up-date:
The Chair and Clerk met with a Land Agent who will liaise with the National Grid on behalf of the Community Council and set out options for moving forward. All costs for the Land Agent will be covered by the National Grid.
16. Up-date from the School Governors:
Cllr Beth Carpenter as Primary School Governor gave an overview of the school numbers and confirmed the positive news, the number of children has increased. Cllr Mark Brian as the High School Governor gave an overview and confirmed the results are exceptionally good. However, it is a very challenging time for the school financially and it has been announced the Head Teacher of Crickhowell High School Ms C Jones has resigned and the post is now being advertised. Ms Jones is moving to a school closer to home. The Community Council wish Ms Jones well on her future career and acknowledged her commitment to Crickhowell High School.
17. Correspondence:
- Crickhowell Walking Festival – Requested use of Car Park March 9th & 10th
- Letter received from NRW – Land owned by LCC with Grazing Rights – Clerk to respond.
- Letter received from National Gas Transmission – Giving notice of works on Mynydd Llangynidr
- Flood damage / repair works at Cwm House – for information purpose only
18. Approval of Letter to NatWest Bank for the transfer of administration – Approved
19. Appreciation and thank you to Sue Dale:
Flowers and gift presented to Sue, The Chair paid thanks to Sue Dale for her many years of commitment and professionalism as Clerk to the Community for 13 years. The Councillor’s wish Sue a very happy and relaxed retirement.
20. Any other business (for information only)
Noted Stile down at Pant Llwyd – High Meadow
Blocked Drains and surface water at Cyffredyn Lane and Strawberry Lane (Castle Road)
Clerk to contact Rights of Way & Highway
21. Dates of next meetings: Tuesday 25th March 2025 - 7pm, Community Council.
