CYMUNED CYNGOR LLANGYNIDR COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
TUESDAY 25th MARCH 2025 AT 7.00 PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL.
Present: Cllr Jane Dawkins (Chairperson), Cllr David Williams, Cllr Mark Brian, Cllr Beth Carpenter, Cllr Janine Sharpless, Cllr Gene Taylor, Cllr Gareth Woodcock.
In Attendance: County Councillor Jackie Charlton, PCSO Lee Garrett and Mrs. Jessica Jones (Clerk)
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and congratulated the Village Hall Committee for putting on a great fundraising event on Saturday evening.
1. Report from the County Councillor:
County Councillor Report - March 2025 Llangynidr
1. County Councillor Surgery – The Llangynidr surgery is bi monthly and in March linked with the Litter Picking on 22 March. Great to catch up with the Litter Pickers. 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. Road Signs for Forge Road – I have been assured these are on the way. They have been ordered but not yet delivered. I have asked again this month for an update, may have something to report at the meeting.
3. Dyffryn Crawnon Road – See the attached sheet with all the details. Have proposed that we organise a small community meeting for residents of Dyffryn Crawnon to meet with the Highways Inspector to discuss the impact of the closed road.
4. Blocked Culvert Forge Road and on the Bridge – The Highways Inspector is now monitoring these drains. The water running down towards the bridge is not impacting on the tarmac on the edge of the road.
5. Bridge Signs – Still waiting for the report from Highways. Have asked again, hope to have an update for the meeting.
6. Sustainable Powys - Communication and updates - Sustainable Powys is now fully embedded into the council activity and more work is being undertaken to engage with town and community councils through the spring. There are more sessions planned during spring and summer.
7. Glaisfer Tree Blockage – I have contacted the Flood Risk & Sustainable Drainage Engineer to ask for permission to be granted to remove the tree blockage as it is the responsibility of the riparian landowner to remove the tree blockage.
8. Yellow Lines – Time to start asking questions as to the progress of the yellow lines. A full consultation process took place in 2024. It would be good to have the lines painted for the summer this year.
9. Special County Councillor Fund – All County Councillors in Powys have been given a special £5000 to spend on poverty and cost of living crisis issues in ourwards. Llangattock and Llangynidr will be able to split this fund to spend on projects or special areas of interest to alleviate the problems of poverty or cost of living issues. I have some ideas but will be keen to meet with both Chairs of Llangynidr and Llangattock to discuss thoughts and ideas. The money will need to be distributed by March 2026.
10. Big Spring Clean – The Big Spring Clean started on 21 March 2025. On the 21st of March there was a big clean up on Pen y Fan and on the 27th of March a big pick is planned for Llangattock. Llangynidr did their bit on 22nd March with around 8 of us picking up litter in Llangynidr.
Dyffryn Crawnon and other Updates: - Site visit carried out - Wed 5th March - 2.30pm
Cyffredyn Lane resolved as David Mantle offered to help.
Dyffryn Crawnon
Top road - Landslide
• Major concerns on safety of passing vehicles as the road could further give way at any time – Confirmed by Highways Inspector this road will have a full closure to prevent too many vehicles accessing the road without needing to. Highways Inspector confirmed road is officially closed as Sat Nav still sending vehicles on the top road.
• How to reduce the flow/stop traffic, whilst keeping the road accessible to the Farms either side of the landslip. Permanent structures to be put in place and better signage.
• Highways to provide information on any Structural Surveys that may have already been carried out or likely to be carried out on the landslide. Awaiting feedback
• Highways to provide approximate timeframe for the repair work to be carried out (depending on costs). Awaiting feedback
• Urgency for the work to be carried out due to the level of potential danger.
• Road damage at Nant Y Wenynnen - Crumbling/washed out supporting stone structure under the road and to the road, near foot bridge - Highways to provide approx. timeframe for completing the works – Awaiting
• Road damage and sheer volume of water that no longer flows under the bridge at Cae Madog - River now takes its own path up and over the road, Cae Madog entrance and nearby surrounding area, the road becomes water logged and impassable in bad weather – Highways Inspector to discuss with Flood Risk & Sustainable Drainage Engineer.
• Road crumbling on the hill by Trosglwyd - This is being further impacted with larger vehicles now being diverted to avoid the top road - This is of major concern if this road crumbles further then properties and farms will be completely isolated and cut off. - Highways to review and survey work required to repair. - Could be declared emergency works.
• River repair works at Troed Y Rhiw Farm, The application is under review with Powys Flood Risk & Sustainable Drainage Engineer. Highways Inspector to arrange a site visit with Flood Risk & Sustainable Drainage Engineer to assess the application.
• Numerous potholes and damaged road verges - too many to list the entire stretch of the Dyffryn Crawnon Valley – Highways Inspector recorded many of them, residents have also reported. Overall, Highways Inspector implied the Highways issues at the Dyffryn need a complete overview of all the issues to assess the problem for the valley, rather than focus in one area only for another to re-impact the first repair. Suggest a meeting with the residents of the Dyffryn Crawnon, with Highways present, to explain the dangers of using the top road and how best the residents can manage. If explanations could be provided by Powys on the potential length of time it might be before works can be carried out and explain the cost implications.
• Castle Road / Strawberry Lane: Highways Inspector confirmed they would send the bobcat to do a sweep of the road, once the bobcat is repaired and mobile.
• Glaisfer Road at Pant Llwyd: Blocked underground pipe - needs investigation and repair work. – Highways Inspector to check out the ability to get repair vehicles to the site - will report back on when the works can be carried out.
The Chair and Clerk to arrange a residents meeting with Highways present.
Concerns raised by Cllr Janine Sharpless on the very dangerous deep culvert on the Beaufort road, and the potential to cause a serious accident. Would it be possible to have a temporary speed limit sign? County Cllr Jackie Charlton to raise this with Powys Highways.
Concerns re-iterated by Cllr Gareth Woodcock on not having the 8.00am buses from the village to either Brecon or Crickhowell. This is impacting residents not being able to get to College, work, appointments etc. County Cllr Jackie Charlton is aware it is a problem and particularly for the rural communities and is looking at what options are available with some limited funds and resources.
2. Report from PCSO Lee Garrett:
A closed meeting is being held on 26th March with the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywellyn and Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Iwan Cray with representatives from each of the Community Councils to discuss the sudden closure of the Police Station and concerns regarding downgrading of the Fire Station in Crickhowell. Concerns being raised on what impact this will have on residents and the PCSO’s being able to provide the same level of service from an alternative location and being able to provide privacy and confidentiality.
8 calls recorded since 25th February 2025
Continued nuisance phone calls to elderly residents, these are withheld numbers and should be reported to the Police.
Please be aware of any messages being circulated saying your SIM is out of date, these are scams and should be deleted.
Abandoned vehicle on the mountain road.
Report of a Grey VW Passat, dangerous driving on the mountain road, claiming to be lamping in the early hours, 54 Plate. Please report any sightings.
Reports of Social Media filming, driving around whilst live streaming.
Sudden death in a local care home.
A man has been arrested for theft of over 70 Sheep.
Concerns raised on the numbers of motorbikes on the local roads as it appears to be on the increase. This has an impact on residents with increased noise and can be a frightening experience when being over taken at high speeds on dangerous roads.
The Chair thanked PCSO Lee Garrett for coming to the meeting to give his reports and updates, it is appreciated and hopefully a positive meeting with the Crime Commissioner in due course.
3. Apologies: Cllr Harry Duff, Cllr David Mantle
4. Declaration of interest in items of business listed below: Cllr Janine Sharpless declared an interest in item 10b
5. Signing of the minutes: Full Meeting 25th February 2025
6. Public Participation: None
7. Finances:
a) Bank reconciliation, considered for approval - Approved by Finance Committee Members: Cllr Mark Brian and Cllr Gene Taylor
b) Cheques to be approved March 25 – All Approved
Clean the car park (Mar) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (Mar) £280.00
Maintenance of the public convenience (Mar) £25.00
Car park non-domestic rates DD (Mar) £90.00
British Gas (electricity) £29.95
Clerk's wages and stationery allowance (Mar) £560.50
HMRC (Clerk Tax & NI Contribution – Feb) £127.00
HMRC (Clerk Tax & NI Contribution – Mar) £127.00
Payment to Sue Dale for Clook Website payment £107.99
One Voice Wales Membership £215.00
Cheques approved - February 25
Clerks’ wages and stationary allowance (Feb) £560.50
Deputy Clerks wages £567.40
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 Approved
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 £729.00
Usk Valley Tree Services £1300.00
c) Interest, payments and donations
Car Park & Toilets (Feb) £107.39
Powys County Council £45.22
Returned unused Deputy Clerks stationary allowance £90.00
d) Review of upgrading the accounting software application for the RFO to ‘Scribe’ cost of £24.00 monthly fee. Discussion held on the benefits this would provide to the Clerk/RFO – Approved
8. Remembering Austin Brown; The Councillors paid tribute to Austin as a much- loved character of the village who will be very much missed by the Community. It was remarked on how proud Austin was to open the new children’s play area in the Playing Fields. Many of the residents and Councillors attended the funeral to pay their respects and condolences to the family.
9. Go Safe - Speed Watch report by Gail Jones for the month of January and a summary of the findings from 10th March – Report was presented to the Council for discussion. Suggested a very early speed watch may be a good idea as lots of speeding traffic around 6.30am / 7.00am through the village.
10. Planning Applications
a) 25/23604/FUL – Pantllwyd – Comment to be submitted to BBNPA for consideration regarding the narrow road access to the property with limited passing bays on the Glaisfer road, if an increase in traffic is expected due to the extension to the property.
b) 25/23590/CPL – Glanyrafon Barn - No Objection
c) DNS/3253147 / DNS/3253147/S16/ DNS/3253147/S38 - Inspectors Decision - All three applications refused.
11. Green Man – Meet with Cwmdu & District Community Council to discuss bridge passes for 2025. County Councillor Jackie Charlton to review with Powys Highways to have a safer stop/no access sign further off the main road. The Chair to meet with Cwmdu & District Community Council in early April.
12. Dyffryn Crawnon road damage. Update following site visit with Highways and County Councillor Jackie Charlton. Discussed and reviewed under agenda item 1.
13. VE Day Celebrations - 8th May 2025. Arrangements are underway for afternoon tea, singing with the Primary School Children and Rebecca Games from 2.30pm in the Village Hall. Invitations have been sent out and posters around the village. The Llangynidr Jubilee & Heritage Celebration Trust are arranging a BBQ at The Red Lion from 6.30pm with lighting of the Beacon at between 9.30pm and 10.00pm (depending on the light conditions).
14. Overhanging Trees on the Llangynidr to Crickhowell B4558 road. Concerns raised by The Chair with CRT, brief response received; due to the number of trees requiring attention this will be added to the list. County Councillor Jackie Charlton to raise with Powys Highways due to the dangerous nature and high vehicles having to take the centre of the road to avoid the low branches.
15. Nature Recovery Action Plan Environment (Wales) Act 2016 Section 6 – The biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems duty. 3-year plan review and Section 6 Report falling due this year – Adjourned to allow further time to assess and provide information for the report.
16. Wash Lanes up-date from Cllr Lisa Spencer Weiss. Summary provided by Cllr Lisa Spencer Weiss on the status of the Local List register. The proposed Local List is currently focusing on recording the Wash Lanes in the village. The Local List has been signed off by the Director of Planning and will be published on Bannau Brycheiniog website. Being on the Local List will raise the status and provide an historic record raising significance, preserve their special qualities and help to ensure long term survival. Local Lists will also form considerations on planning applications. A Public Consultation is to be held on 1st May 2025 between 4pm and 8pm at the Village Hall. Further information can be found on the Bannau Brycheiniog website and mapping details can be located on the Archwilio website.
The Chair paid thanks to Cllr Lisa Spencer Weiss for working with Bannau Brycheiniog in identifying the inventory for protecting within the Community.
17. Letter of concern issued by the Canal and River Trust regarding the abstraction. The Chair expressed concerns this has for the Community of Llangynidr, for its residents, businesses and with the loss of the wildlife in the canal. The Community Council will aim to support where it can. County Councillor Jackie Charlton re-iterated negotiations are still ongoing between NRW and CRT.
18. Acknowledgement and thank you from the Chair for the on-going work carried out by the Community Wellbeing Group. The Chair paid thanks to the group for the work carried out in the Car Park with planting spring bulbs and clearing the undergrowth, making the pathway clear and more accessible.
19. Clerks 3 months probationary period is up for review by the Committee. The HR committee to formally write to the Clerk to confirm the appointment.
20. Independence renumeration panel – Allowances brief – Reviewed
21. Correspondence:
- Thank you letter Brecon Dial A Ride
- Thank you letter Brecon Mountain Rescue
- Thank you letter Brecon Advice Centre
- Thank you letter Wales Air Ambulance
- Thank you letter Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau
- Thank you letter Llangynidr Agricultural Show Society
- 2026 Review of Senedd Constituencies – Final Determination
- Welsh Government Report & Recommendations - Role, governance and
accountability of the community and town council sector
22. Any other business (for information only)
23. Dates of next meetings: Tuesday 29th April 2025 - 7pm, Community Council.
