MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
TUESDAY 29th July 2025 AT 7.30PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL.
Present: Cllr Jane Dawkins (Chairperson), Cllr David Williams, Cllr Mark Brian, Cllr Janine Sharpless, Cllr Harry Duff, Cllr Gareth Woodcock, Cllr David Mantle, Cllr Lisa Spencer-Weiss.
In Attendance: County Councillor Jackie Charlton, PCSO Lee Garrett and Mrs Jessica Jones (Clerk).
Up-date from PCSO Lee Garrett (Item 5 on the agenda).
13 calls reported in July.
Unfortunately, there appears to be a big increase in the number of thefts locally. The incident at Webbs in Crickhowell was an organised gang. Other farm vehicles have been stolen from the Llangattock area. PCSO Lee Garrett is urging all residents to keep vehicles, sheds, garages etc locked up and to report any suspicious behaviour to 101.
Reports of the damage to the cattle grid on the mountain road.
Report of a livestock death on the mountain road due to dangerous driving.
Report of scam calls. Residents are reminder not to give personal details.
Parking on the kerbs outside the Red Lion is improving. The Landlord is looking at options for signs to be placed up to direct customers to use the main car park.
PCSO Lee Garrett would like to put some neighbourhood watch signs up around the village.
1. Report from the County Councillor
County Councillor Report - July 2025 Llangynidr
1. County Councillor Surgery – The Llangynidr surgery is held bimonthly. The next session for Llangynidr is scheduled for 20th September, with the venue to be confirmed.
2. Dyffryn Crawnon – Updates continue to be received from Highways and Flood Risk/Sustainable Drainage officers. Currently, the design phase for the landslip is nearing completion, and it is anticipated that the project will be tendered in September. These works must be finalised prior to commencing drainage improvements, although routine cleaning of gullies and drains will proceed as usual. A date for this activity is pending confirmation.
3. Stock Deaths – Progress on this matter has been limited over the past four weeks. However, collaboration continues with Highways officers and the Chief Officer of Place in Powys regarding speed control measures in other areas, which may have relevant implications. Plans remain in place to correspond with the Police and Crime Commissioner concerning local police initiatives, especially following the merger of the Dyfed Powys Police traffic team’s operational structure with broader policing efforts. It is noted that the National Police Chiefs’ Council intends to review the National Roads Policing Strategy this year.
4. Forge Road – Resurfacing work on Forge Road was completed this month. Initial concerns were raised regarding the surface, but these were addressed once the first layer was allowed to settle and the final surface applied last Friday. The repainting of white lines is awaited, which should help resolve some junction issues at Crawnon Road. It remains unclear if yellow lines will be reinstated simultaneously. Highways have also been requested to address hedge and pavement encroachment at the top of Forge Road at its junction with Crawnon Road, an issue previously raised at the last County Council Surgery. For noting here as well, I have been asked to get some Horse-Riding warning signs from Powys. Currently liaising with Jo Lancey.
5. Post-16 Engagement – A recent public engagement meeting organised by Crickhowell Town Council saw strong attendance, including participation from Llangattock representatives. Numerous concerns were expressed, and nine emails have been received and responded to, with correspondence also shared with the Transforming Education team at Powys County Council. Discussions with stakeholders in both Llangattock and Llangynidr have taken place. The official engagement process began last week with Governors and Teachers. In the autumn term, sessions facilitated by independent parties will engage learners of all ages, with additional community consultations involving parents, businesses, and councillors. Crickhowell High School’s Senior Leadership Team and Governors have submitted an additional proposal, which will be distributed to interested groups in due course. Estyn’s report to Powys County Council recommends reforms to Post-16 education delivery, citing a need for significant improvement.
6. Tree at Glaisfer – Works have been completed, including the construction of the gabion wall, much to the satisfaction of local residents who now feel reassured by the improved safety measures. Substantial effort was required to secure the bank with gabion stone, thereby protecting properties at Cae Porth. Though the tree has been removed, the remaining stump on the opposite bank serves as a testament to its former size.
7. Special County Councillor Fund – Collaboration with the Well Being Group will continue to provide funding for an additional defibrillator and training, as well as support for planting small trees and plants in the community garden.
8. Warning for Drivers - For noting here as well, I have been asked to get some Horse-Riding warning signs from Powys. Currently liaising with Jo Lancey.
For further consideration and review: County Councillor Jackie Charlton confirmed the quote has been received from Powys Highways for solar lighting on the Bwlch side of Llangynidr Bridge of £2,500.
Copy of the press release circulated: Cost of living crises – Powys offering support with rising living costs. For further information visit Powys website: https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/13372/Financial-Support-Officers-Information
https://en.powys.gov.uk/moneyadvice
2. Apologies: Cllr Gene Taylor and Cllr Beth Carpenter
3. Declaration of Interest in the items listed below: None
4. Signing of the minutes of the 24th of June 2025
5. Public Participation: PCSO Lee Garrett (report given at the start of the meeting to allow PCSO Lee Garrett to return to duties)
6. Finance:
a) Budget v Actuals, Bank reconciliation for June 2025 - Approved
b) Cheques approved 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 SO) £27.22
Clerk’s wages and stationery allowance (June) £576.30
HMRC (Clerk 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 for approval July 2025 & August 2025 – Approved
Payments for Approval July 2025:
Clean the car park (July) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (July) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates (July DD) £91.00
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (July SO) £26.37
Clerk’s wages and stationery allowance (July) £576.30
HMRC (Clerk Tax & NI Contribution – (July) £111.20
Scribe – Monthly Fee inc. VAT (July) £37.20
Catherine Williams Accountant Audit to 31st Mar 2025 £600.00
Chairpersons Annual Allowance £156.00
Car Park Gardening Maintenance (July) £92.97
Initial/Rentokil for the Public Conveniences Annual fee 25/26 £396.24
Viking Public Convenience Supplies (July) £106.66
Payments for Approval August 2025:
Clean the car park (Aug) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (Aug) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates (Aug) £91.00
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (Aug SO) £26.37
Clerk’s wages and stationery allowance (Aug) £576.30
HMRC (Clerk Tax & NI Contribution – Aug) £111.20
Scribe – Monthly Fee inc. VAT (Aug) £37.20
d) Interest Payment & Donations
Car Park and Toilet Donations (June) £128.44
Nat West Interest Current Account (June) £0.58
Nat West Interest Reserve Account (June) £13.69
e) Nat West – Apology and compensation payment of £150.00
f) Annual Return and requested information to be submitted to the Wales Audit Office by 8th August 2025 - Agreed Finance Committee to meet at the end of August with the Clerk.
7. Correspondence:
Letter received dated: 24/06/2025 from HM Land Registry – Land at Pendarren, Coed Yr Ynys Road, regarding a submitted application claiming adverse possession for a parcel of land as being in possession since 2003.
Agreed the Rights of Way Committee Councillors to carry out a site visit to assess the land in question.
03/07/2025 - Briefing note received on the Senedd Plenary Debate, being held on 09/07/2025 on the abstraction licence for the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal.
The debate is available online: Welsh government website.
06/07/2025 – Email of concern from a resident on a large cycling event that took place on the Llangynidr Mountain road on 05/07/2025. It would have been helpful if the event details could have been shared in the local ‘Contact’ and had the police been informed of the event?
The Clerk to contact the organisers to see if any other planned events are due to take place, which could then be listed in ‘Contact’.
10/07/2025 – Email from resident seeking confirmation on the legal rights of the Wash Lanes and footpaths following the recent remedial repair works to the banks following the storm damage in the Glaisfer.
Clerk to follow up with a response to the resident confirming the ownership status of the wash lanes.
Letter dated 20/07/2025 from a resident raising concerns on the pathway on Cwm Crawnon Road.
County Councillor Jackie Charlton to follow this up with Powys Highways.
Email exchange with James Evans MS on the new bus timetable and the funding allocation.
County Councillor Jackie Charlton has also received the correspondence. Information is due out shortly on the new contracts and bus timetables.
8. Go Safe initial observations received from Gail Jones for July 2025 and article for Contact.
9. Planning Applications:
a) 25/23604/FUL – Conversion of an attached barn to extend the existing farmhouse at Pantllwyd. Decision Notice Issued: 22nd July 2025 - Permission Granted with 13 Conditions.
10. The large fallen tree at the back of Cae Porth has now been removed from the Glaisfer River. Repair works to the banking also completed. The residents are very pleased with the work that has been carried out and particularly by the Contractors.
11. Concerns raised on the damaged cattle grid on the Mountain Road and hazardous driving and livestock getting out due to motorists opening the side gate to avoid driving over the cattle grid. Powys Highways have confirmed this is a priority job.
12. Site Meeting took place on 09/07/2025 with the National Grid, Land Agent and resident on the replacement of the H Pole with a new ground-based transformer at the back of Twyn Pandy on Pen Yr Ale Lane. Agreed the Clerk to review the options of holding a residents meeting with the National Grid and Land Agent to ascertain and agree the preferred location of the new transformer box.
13. BT/Openreach – Landline switch off and going digital. Are residents aware of the impending digital switch over and the implication this may bring. Discussed the implications this could have on both vulnerable residents and for residents living in rural areas with poor signal. Review ways of informing the residents of the digital switch off and the requirement to request the battery pack.
14. Training on the use of the Defibrillator offered to users of the Village Hall, provided by Ivan Langford on Friday 25th July – 6.30pm. The Chair gave thanks to Ivan Lanford for providing the training session. Consider options for holding the next session later in the year at the Red Lion.
15. Latest exchange with TWM on the delivery of the Matrix Signs. The Chair and Clerk held a face time call with the new engineers at TWM. Site visit to be carried out with TWM and a representative from Powys Highways to ensure the system installed will be suitable for the location and be able to run all year. Clerk to follow up with Powys to arrange a site meeting.
16. To consider working/office space at the Village Hall for the Clerk. Agreed for the Clerk to write to the Village Hall Committee.
17. Distribution of Green Man Bridge Passes to residents is near completion and information on Coffee & Bingo morning being held on Monday August 18th – 10.30 at the Village Hall.
18. Litter Pick date to be agreed: Agreed Wednesday 20th August 6pm, ahead of the Agricultural Show Event.
19. Any other business (for information only)
Letter received: 26/07/2025 – raising concerns of access to properties off Cwm Crawnon Road.
20. Dates of next meeting: Tuesday 23rd September 2025 – 7.30pm
With no further business for discuss the Chair closed the meeting at 9.45pm
