MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY 26th MAY 2026
AT 7.30PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllr Jane Dawkins (Chairperson), Cllr Mark Brian, Cllr Harry Duff, Cllr Dave Mantle, Cllr Gene Taylor, Cllr Janine Sharpless, Cllr Beth Carpenter, Cllr Michelle Williams, Cllr Gareth Woodcock
In Attendance: Jessica Jones (Clerk) and County Councillor Jackie Charlton
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and paid thanks to the volunteers and residents who helped and attended the coffee & cake fundraiser for the Brecon Food Bank earlier in the day.
1. Election of Chairperson: Jane Dawkins was unanimously elected.
Proposed by Mark Brian
Seconded by Dave Mantle
2. Election of Vice Chairperson: Harry Duff was unanimously elected.
Proposed by Gareth Woodcock
Seconded by Dave Mantle
3. Committee Appointments:
Finance: Chair Harry Duff, Gene Taylor, Mark Brian
Human Resources: Chair Mark Brian, Dave Mantle, Harry Duff
Planning Committee: Chair Jane Dawkins, Gene Taylor, Gareth Woodcock
Rights of Way: Chair Dave Mantle, Gareth Woodcock, Michelle Williams
4. Appointment of Outside bodies:
Village Hall Committee: Janine Sharpless
Primary School Governor: Beth Carpenter
Burial Ground Trustees: Jane Dawkins, Dave Mantle
Well-being Advocate: David Williams
One Voice Wales: Harry Duff
5. Apologies: Cllr David Williams
6. Declaration of interest in items of business listed below: None
7. Signing of the minutes: Minutes of 27th April 2026 Approved
8. Public Participation: County Councillor Jackie Charlton
Llangynidr County Councillor Report – May 2026
County Councillor Surgery
The Llangynidr County Council surgery will now be held monthly in the Village Hall in conjunction with the Community Council Clerk, Jess. The next surgery date is Monday 15th June 11.00am – 1.00pm. Should you wish to discuss any matters before then, please do not hesitate to get in touch at: cllr.jackie.charlton@powys.gov.uk Tel: 07444495633 I also have a Surgery in Llangattock as well and will be at the Llangynidr Annual Parish Meeting for general questions, awaiting response from Dyfed Powys Police to send the new PCSO to meet with Llangynidr which is still ongoing because two dates provided couldn’t be fulfilled by the officer in May and early June.
Update on Library and Sports Facilities:
Since the last meeting there have been several propositions put forward. The Sports Facilities are now being booked through a facilities only system. Crickhowell Town Council is still pursuing a business case for the Sports Centre but I am not sure where they are with that.
The Library is looking very positive with a meeting held (Monday 18th May) with Powys and Crickhowell Town Council, Cllr Claire Hall, Cllr Chloe Masefield, two community representatives, Town Cllr Paul Evans and the Portfolio holder for Culture and Leisure. Paul Evans will be in touch with both Chairs of Llangattock and Llangynidr with the proposals for next steps. There is some urgency in moving forward and I was concerned about one of the proposals which might impact on Llangattock and Llangynidr in respect of community projects such as Community Hub and Llangynidr Village Hall proposals but there is a genuine desire to make a library link with Powys and the community work.
Livestock Deaths and Speeding on Common Land:
Still awaiting the signs!! Will continue to work with the MP and MS to address this issue. I am working with our Head of Highways on a proposal to have a Road Safety Policy. We have done a bit of research and found two other authorities have such policies. This has come through our Road Safety Officer who has been very helpful in talking to the Commoners about Llangattock and Llangynidr Mountain. We continue to pursue this.
In the next few weeks, I will start talking about a Road Safety Policy and will work alongside our MS and MP who both share concerns about the lack of enforcement for speeding but more importantly the lack of guidelines coming out of Welsh Government. By delivering on our own Policy in Powys we can address problems such as reduction in speed limits where risk is high.
PCSO Update:
The officer is now in place, and we hope to have a visit very soon. Please do continue to invite through the Community Council as well.
Highways and Transport:
I have asked for updates on all the issues from last month on the pavement along Crawnon Road from the top of Forge Road to the car park. Continue to ask if Powys can contact the landowner of the hedge at the top of Forge Road entering Crawnon Road which is causing issues of visibility. Unless anyone has any other reports I think the potholes have been addressed. Always good to report online using this link as it is more effective and quicker than using the phone Report a problem with a road or pavement - Powys County Council
The problems with the lateness of the bus were reported and the response was shared with the Clerk. There will be delays over the coming weeks due to the ongoing works on the A40. Williams Coaches have liaised with Powys and the contractors to find a way around this. If buses are delayed you can find out what the problems, then go to Williams Coaches Facebook Page where they update and give out information on delays (1) Facebook
Powys County Council:
Route Map to Net Zero – A strategy to reach 40% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and Net Zero by 2035.
The Rights of the River Wye Charter - Route Map to Net Zero.pdf Charter - Rights of the River Wye
Estyn Report for Crickhowell High School: Inspection report Crickhowell High School 2026
Highways Investment: The budget settlement saw an uplift of £2.3 million for upgrading of the Powys Highways network. This is capital investment which will be spent on our roads. We are purchasing 3 Pot Hole Pros, specialist equipment to manage pot holes and providing a more sustainable solution across our rural network especially on ‘C’ roads.
Route Optimisation: Has been rolled out across the county. We have had very minor issues mainly in the Brecon area. Powys collect 350,000 individual bins every week. The missed collections at worst amounted to 750 bins. Every missed collection causes concern. The highest percentage of missed collections over the bank holiday was 0.2%. This is an operational procedure undertaken by all county councils periodically as more housing etc filters into the system.
The Chair thanked County Councillor Jackie Charlton for her May report. Cllr Gareth Woodcock requested the road sweeper for the village. This will be requested.
9. Finances:
a) Approve the accounts for Year End 25/26 for submission of AGAR – Approved. Clerk to deliver the accounting documentation to the internal auditor.
b) Budget v Actuals and approve Bank reconciliation - Approved
c) Cheques to be approved April and May 26 for approval - Approved
Approved Payments April 26:
Clean the car park (Apr 26) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (Apr 26) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates (Apr 26) £112.50
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (Apr DD) £29.63
Clerk’s wages and stationary allowance (Apr 26) £679.00
HMRC (Clerks Tax & NI Contributions – Apr 6) £137.00
Scribe – Monthly Fee inc. VAT (Apr 26) £37.20
Viking Supplies – Public Conveniences £112.99
Car Park Garden Project £64.00
Payments for Approval May 26:
Clean the car park (May 26) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (May 26) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates (May 26) £113.00
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (May DD) £27.25
Clerk’s wages and stationary allowance (May 26) £679.00
HMRC (Clerks Tax & NI Contributions – May 6) £137.00
HMRC (Employers Contribution Apr & May 26) £59.85
Scribe – Monthly Fee inc. VAT (Apr 26) £37.20
d) Interest, Payment & Donations
Car Park & Toilet Donations (Apr 26) £206.02
1st Precept Payment (Apr 26) £11,668.00
Interest payment received – Current Account (Mar 26) £0.48
Interest payment received – Current Account (Apr 26) £0.43
Interest payment received – Reserve Account (Mar 26) £11.41
Interest payment received – Reserve Account (Apr 26) £10.32
e) Remuneration – Approved
d) Interest Payments & Donations – Approved
e) Remuneration – Approved
10. British Gas renewal for the electricity supply to the Public Conveniences is falling due. Direct Debit renewal agreement was signed and agreed to a 2-year fixed energy plan. Clerk to action with British Gas.
11. Planning Application:
a) 26/24591/FUL - Bluebell Cottage, Llangynidr NP8 1NG.
Proposal: Ground floor rear extension, featuring double gable with slate roof, glazing to gable and new rear access. No objection
12. Historic Community Council archive files: The Clerk confirmed the archive files were delivered to Powys Archive in Llandrindod Wells on 15th May 2026. Ref No: ACC 2952. A full catalogue of what has been delivered has been drawn up for reference. The Chair thanked the Clerk.
13. Review quote received for the 3-year grass cutting contract. The quote received from MB Property Maintenance for £675.00 was considered for mowing of the grass verges within the main car park and mowing the verge at Erw Bant. Unanimously agreed. Clerk to inform the contractor.
14. Car Park Gardening Project: Request received to paint the back of the bus shelter and to purchase and securely implement a water receptacle. Approx cost to purchase a water container is £70.00 to £100.00. Councillors considered the options for providing a water supply to the car park area. It was agreed to approach a local contractor to carry out a site visit and provide feedback and a quote on the possibility of running a pipe from the water supply at the back of the public conveniences to the car park. Noting the contractor would source the necessary permissions. Agreed the volunteers can paint the back and sides of the bus shelter in the same paint/colour as the front. A request for a storage shed was not approved at this time. The Councillors thanked the volunteers for the on-going work on the flower beds and improvements project.
15. Himalayan Balsam Bash and litter pick along riverbank – Agree date, time and meeting point –Item carried forward to review the growth along the bank.
16. Litter Pick on the Beaufort Road scheduled for Friday 5th June. Confirmation has been received on the temporary road closure for Open Reach to carry out repair work. Agreed to arrange the litter pick for 5th June, hopefully along with Llangattock litter pickers in attendance. County Councillor Jackie Charlton confirmed her attendance.
17. Notice of restrictions in place between 2.00pm Fri 26th June to Sunday 28th June through Crickhowell High Street for Crickhowell Summer Festival: Noted
18. Annual Llangynidr Parish Meeting being held Tuesday 2nd June 2026 from 6.30pm in the Village Hall. All the invited speakers have accepted. Agree to provide the usual refreshments; Chair and Clerk to arrange.
19. Summer Sounds event being held on Saturday 20th June 2026. Organisation and planning for the event is now well underway and the committee would welcome any additional volunteers who would like to come along and assist where possible. Please contact Janine Sharpless for further information.
20. Any other business (for information only).
21. Dates of next meetings: Tuesday 30th June 2026 – 7.30pm
