MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY 20TH JANUARY 2026 AT 7PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllr Jane Dawkins (Chairperson), Cllr Mark Brian, Cllr Gene Taylor, Cllr Janine Sharpless, Cllr David Williams, Cllr Beth Carpenter.
In Attendance: Jessica Jones (Clerk)
1. Public Participation: Mrs Williams.
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked Mrs Williams for joining the meeting to meet the Councillors and for showing an interest in the work of the Council. The monthly report was submitted prior to the meeting by County Councillor Jackie Charlton and reviewed at the meeting, noting the next Llangynidr surgery date as 2nd February to be held at the Village Hall between 11am – 1pm. Cllr Gene Taylor raised a query on the lack of white lines and cats’ eyes on the Llangynidr Mountain Road (B4560) making it very dangerous at night and particularly with the low fog in recent bad weather. Clerk to raise this with Cllr Jackie Charlton.
2. Apologies: County Councillor Jackie Charlton, Cllr David Mantle, Cllr Harry Duff, Cllr Gareth Woodcock.
3. Declaration of interest in items of business listed below: Cllr Gene Taylor in Item 8 on the agenda.
4. Signing of the minutes: Full Meeting 26th November 25, HR Committee meeting 1st December 2025 and Finance Committee meeting 15th December 2025. All Approved
5. Finance:
a) Reserves, Risk Analysis and Asset register annual reviews.
Reserves list – Reviewed and Approved
Risk Analysis – Reviewed and Approved
Asset Register – Reviewed and updated - Approved
b) Bank reconciliation, budget forecasts and precept figures to be discussed and considered for approval.
Bank reconciliation - Approved and signed by Cllr Mark Brian
Budget forecast – Unanimously approved
Precept Explanation for 2026/27: Based on the current year’s income and expenditure and considering anticipated figures through to 31st March 2026 the Councillors considered the following: An uplift in the Village Hall grant from £7,000 (25/26) to £10,000 (26/27) to support rising running costs and planned remodelling improvements. These improvements include enhancements to the heating system and the reconfiguration of the building layout to provide additional activity spaces, office/workspace, and a central hub for the community. Annual increase of approximately £1,542 to adequately cover additional hours for the Clerk’s salary and associated contributions, in line with the Council’s recommendations. Councillors also noted the importance of fulfilling the speed indicator signs following the resident’s consultation and given the current situation with the supplier. While taking into consideration the anticipated VAT reclaim, minimum of £1500.00. The precept figure of £35,000 proposed by Cllr Mark Brian and Seconded by Cllr David Williams. Unanimously agreed. Clerk to submit the Precept figure to Powys.
c) Cheques for approval December 2025 & January 2026
Agenda Item 5 B Approved Cheques Nov 25 & Dec 25
Clean the car park (Nov) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (Nov) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates (Nov) £91.00
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (Nov SO) £28.81
Clerk's wages and stationery allowance (Nov) £576.30
HMRC (Clerk Tax & NI Contribution – Nov) £111.20
Scribe – Monthly Fee inc. VAT (Nov) £37.20
First Grant payment to the Village Hall £3500.00*
Welsh Water Direct Debit on 27th (Nov) £679.21
Viking supplies, Public Convenience Supplies £124.46
Lantern Workshop – CRT 225th Anniversary Celebrations £320.00
Communities First Insurance Cover Dec 25 – Dec 26 £466.95
Agenda Item 5 C - Payments for Approval January 25:
Clean the car park (Jan) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (Jan) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates (Jan) £91.00
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (Jan SO) £30.34
Clerk's wages and stationery allowance (Dec 25) £576.30
HMRC (Clerks Tax & NI Contribution – Dec 25) £111.20
Clerk’s wages and stationary allowance (Jan 26) £679.00
HMRC (Clerks Tax & NI Contributions (Jan 26) £137.00
Scribe – Monthly Fee inc. VAT (Jan) £37.20
Materials for Car Park Flower Beds £45.87
New office Epson printer £359.99
Re-issue of lost Cheque Grant to Village Hall £3500.00*
2nd payment of £3500 Grant to Village Hall 2 £3500.00
Public Convenience repair for burst pipe – David Harries Plumber £200.00
d) Interest Payment, Donations & VAT Reclaim
Car Park & Toilet Donations (Dec 25) £236.97
Car Park & Toilet Donations (Jan 26) £55.83
No Interest payments received Dec 25
VAT Reclaim: No final figure to approve – adjourn to February meeting
e) Consideration of Grant Applications:
List of application considered – Unanimously approved.
Noted by the Councillors to review the Young Persons Award and how to make the Award more appealing to encourage interest in the Award in 2026.
6. Correspondence:
- Community Well-Being updated Bench report – Copy circulated.
- Sustainable Powys – Useful links to the Hub and reporting of issues.
- Canal & River Trust Thank you email from David Morgan for all the help with the 225th Canal Anniversary Parade.
7. Community Policing: PCSO Lee Garrett left the force before Christmas. No update received to date on either a replacement or what engagement will be available for the Community Council going forward. Clerk to follow up with County Councillor Jackie Charlton following a planned meeting with the Chief Constable.
8. Planning Applications:
25/24293/AGR – Penrhiwgarn Poultry – Proposed new building for the secure storage of machinery and fodder – No Objections
25/24301/FUL & 25/24302/LBC – Pant Y Paerau – Proposed porch extension and additional windows to lounge – No Objections
9. Persondy Field Annual Tender: Review tender application/s received. Tender received was reviewed and approved. Clerk to contact the applicant to sign the contract.
10. Motion to approve the Clerk’s new structured working hours and office base in the village hall: Discussion took place on the new structure, Clerk confirmed happy to work within the office hours of 3 days a week from 10am to 3pm and based in the Village Hall with the increase to 60 hours a month with a review by the HR Committee after 3 months. Approved to purchase a printer to be based in the new office/workstation at the Village Hall.
Proposed by Cllr Mark Brian, Seconded by Cllr Gene Taylor and unanimously agreed.
11. Letter of engagement to appoint the Internal Auditor: Adjourned
12. Motion to send Llangynidr Community Council historical paperwork to the Powys Archives in Llandrindod Wells: Proposed by Cllr Janine Sharpless, Seconded by Cllr Mark Brian. Unanimously agreed. Clerk to action with Powys Archive.
13. Dyffryn Crawnon Landslip update: Powys Highways have confirmed the contractor has been appointed to carry out the repair work on the landslip in the Dyffryn Crawnon. Work has commenced with the aim of completion approx. 8 – 10 weeks, weather permitting. The contractor has requested to utilise a section of the car park to set up a compound area as a welfare base for the workers and temporary storage of materials. Powys have agreed in return to fill-in the potholes in the car park area and will assist with re-planting parts of the hedge.
14. Public Conveniences: Urgent repair was required following the burst water pipe during the recent cold spell. Cost of repair £200 – Approved
15. Over 60’s Community Lunch: Cllr Jane Dawkins confirmed the next lunch is being held on Tuesday 27th January from 12.30pm with soup and trifle being served. These lunches are proving to be very popular with approx. 60 residents already booked in for the January lunch.
16. Any other business (for information only): Cllr Janine Sharpless noted the lights are permanently being left on at the Welsh Water pump house on the Llangynidr Road.
17. Date of next meeting:
Tuesday 24th February 2025 – 7pm - Community Council.
With no further business to discuss the Chair closed the meeting at 8.20pm
