MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY 21ST JULY 2026 AT 7.30PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllr Jane Dawkins (Chairperson), Cllr Mark Brian, Cllr Harry Duff, Cllr Janine Sharpless, Cllr David Williams, Cllr Michelle Williams, Cllr Gareth Woodcock, Cllr David Mantle.
In Attendance: Jessica Jones (Clerk), County Councillor Jackie Charlton
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1. Public Participation: County Councillor Jackie Charlton:
County Councillor Report – July 2026
County Councillor Surgery
Llangynidr County Council Surgery in August will be on the 3rd at 11.00 to 1.00pm. Should you wish to discuss any matters, please do not hesitate to get in touch at:cllr.jackie.charlton@powys.gov.ukTel: 07444495633 I also have a Surgery in Llangattock as well with the Repair Café. The Llangynidr County Council surgery is held monthly in the Village Hall in conjunction with the Community Council Clerk, Jess Jones and the Chair Jane Dawkins
People’s Emergency Briefing – National Emergency Film by Chris Packham.
Here is the link to the National Emergency Briefing www.nebriefing.org/peb I will share more information about our own Briefing as soon as available and have agreed that we will be showing the film in Llangattock and Llangynidr later in August.
Livestock Deaths and Speeding on Common Land - Still waiting for the boards but here is what I shared with Llangynidr and we agreed this would work well. I am just waiting for the signs to turn up and have given a reminder. The bracken has been cut back and thanks to be shared with the Highways Team who have done an excellent job this year.
Speed watch and Community Support Officer - We continue to do regular volunteer Speed watch in Llangynidr. A regular report is given to CONTACT by the volunteers and very good results going forward to GoSafe in North Wales for enforcement notices. Friday 17 July volunteers were in Forge Road from 9am to 10:10. The details of 11 vehicles were registered with GoSafe. Tuesday (today) 21 July there were 20 vehicles registered for GoSafe.
Pavements, potholes and hedges - We have a site visit booked with the Highways Inspector next week to look at all the outstanding issues that came up in last week’s County Council Surgery. These are ongoing issues that now require a bit more focus.
Crickhowell Library – Cllr Raiff Devlin has provided the level of detail requested from the meeting on the 25th June and sent to you and Cllr Jane Logie. I’m hoping Cllr Raiff will attend a meeting with the Chair and Clerk of Llangynidr at the County Council Surgery on 13th July or August 3rd to share his thoughts on what next. It is good news and there is a commitment to retain the library with caveats. The next stage is confirming funding needs from the 1st September to the end of the year and then forward for 2027 onwards. The proposal is exciting and looks to provide much more than the school were able to provide. The library will also be looking at developing a strong volunteer network too.
Powys County Council – Important Updates - Bin Collections in the Heatwave – There has been a lot of social media about bins being collected much earlier in the day due to the excessive mid-day heat. I’ve not had any complaints but if you are able, please do share with neighbours about putting bins out early. The lorries leave at 5.00 am to cover routes.
Motion on Healthcare Beds in Powys Teaching Health board
The overarching theme was that decisions about hospital beds should not be made without a clear understanding of the consequences for Powys residents and neighbouring health systems. Members need to work across party lines to protect access to timely hospital care and address the wider cross-border healthcare challenges facing Powys. These are comments I made in brief at the meeting.
Proposed additional actions for the motion:
• Request modelling of the impacts on both Welsh and English hospitals.
• Form a cross-party delegation or working group to meet with the Health Board.
• Engage MPs, MSs and neighbouring councils in Herefordshire, Shropshire and surrounding Welsh local authorities.
• Request discussions with NHS England partners and affected hospital trusts.
Cllr Gareth Woodcock requested the road sweeper and a follow up on when the double yellow lines will be put in on Forge Road. County Councillor Jackie Charlton agreed to follow up both requests with Powys.
2. Apologies: Cllr Gene Taylor, Cllr Beth Carpenter
3. Declaration of interest in any of the items of business listed below: None
4. Signing of the minutes: Minutes of 26th May 2026 AGM and Finance Committee Meeting 14th July 2026 – Minutes approved and signed. 5. Finance:
a) Bank reconciliation and budget v actuals – Considered and approved by Chair of Finance Cllr Harry Duff.
b) Cheques for approval May 2026, June 2026, July 2026 & August 2026 All approved. Noting British Gas is estimated readings and may vary.
Approved Payments 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) £0.00
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
Payments for Approval June 26:
Clean the car park (June 26) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (June 26) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates (June 26) £113.00
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (June DD) £44.99
Clerk’s wages and stationary allowance (June 26) £679.00
HMRC (Clerks Tax & NI Contributions – June 6) £137.00
HMRC (Employers Contribution June & July 26) £59.85
Scribe – Monthly Fee inc. VAT (June 26) £37.20
Dwr Cymru – Public Conveniences (Noc 25 – May 26 DD) £686.39
Water Butt for Car Park (Purchased by J. Dawkins) £69.99
Catherine Williams Accounts Year End 25/26 £570.00
Initial – Public Conveniences £410.12
Cllr J. Dawkins – Chair Allowance £156.00
Payment for July 26 Approval :
Clean the car park (July 26) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (July 26) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates (July 26) £113.00
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (July DD) £22.99
Clerk’s wages and stationary allowance (July 26) £679.00
HMRC (Clerks Tax & NI Contributions – July 6) £137.00
HMRC (Employers Contribution Aug 26 & Sept 26) £59.85
Scribe – Monthly Fee inc. VAT (July 26) £37.20
Payments for August 26 (no meeting) :
Clean the car park (Aug 26) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (Aug 26) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates (Aug 26) £113.0
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (Aug DD) £25.00*
Clerk’s wages and stationary allowance (Aug 26) £679.00
HMRC (Clerks Tax & NI Contributions (Aug 26) £137.00
HMRC (Employers Contribution Aug 26 & Sept 26) £59.85
Scribe – Monthly Fee inc. VAT (Aug 26) £37.20
*Denotes an approximation ahead of receipt of invoice*
c) Interest Payments, Donations :
Car Park (June 26) £120.17
Toilet Donations (June 26) £55.48
Open Reach wayleave £8.82
Interest payment received – Current Account (May 26) £0.42
Interest payment received – Current Account (June 26) £0. 46
Interest payment received – Reserve Account (May 26) £9.99
Interest payment received – Reserve Account (June 26) £11.03
d) Internal audit response from Catherine A Williams for consideration. Recommendations discussed and noted. Clerk to send a copy of the minutes from the Finance meeting will be sent to the accountant.
6. Go Safe observations and up-date received from Gail Jones. June & July.
Go Safe observations noted and point raised on how having a PCSO or Officer in attendance would be more impactful in reducing the speed of motorists through the village.
7. Correspondence:
• Thank you letter from a resident who attended the Parish meeting.
• Thank you notice from the Brecon Food Bank for the £300 raised at the Community Tea at Three on 26th May 2026.
• Road safety Community Grant funding opportunity (2k – 50K)
• Donation request letter received from Cwmdu Eisteddfod for £100.
• One Voice Wales updated practice guidance received on Martyn’s law, Standing Orders, AI uses, Insurance.
• PAVO locality network meeting held in Llangynidr Village Hall 18th June, with useful links and services for residents to access across Powys.
• Invitation from the Chair of Powys County Council to attend a reception at the Powys building at the Royal Welsh Show on Thursday 23rd July – rsvp required by 6th July.
All correspondence noted and agreed a financial contribution to Cwmdu Eisteddfod was not practical this year, given the funding requests for other projects being local to the residents of Llangynidr.
8. Parish meeting held on 2nd June 2026. Thank you to all the speakers and residents who attended.The Chair acknowledged there was a good turnout of residents and paid thanks to all the speakers for giving their time providing important and informative updates to the residents. It was discussed, if in the future, the evening should be referred to as a community engagement or a meet and greet with the Councillor’s, as it is felt many residents are not familiar with the historic Parish term.
9. British Gas have agreed to waive the standing charged of £145.65 that had been applied during the change over to the new contract. Noted
10. Planning Application:
24/22639/FUL – Land between Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal – polytunnel and storage container and parking facilities – Application withdrawn – Noted
26/24700/FUL – 12 Clos Castell – Single story extension to rear elevation. No objections
11. Crickhowell Town Library Rescue Plan. Crickhowell Town Mayor Paul Evans has written to each of the 5 Councill’s seeking finance support towards the running costs of the library. The library is at risk of being closed on 31st August 2026, unless a financial support plan can be implemented.
Summary overview provided by Cllr Mark Brian, informing all the Councillors of the recent meetings held with Crickhowell Town Council, Powys and with the finance sub-committee. A number of key points raised and noted: It was strongly felt further information is required from both Powys on the usage and also Crickhowell Town Council on its future plans for the library ahead of committing to an amount. Also noted the residents of Llangynidr not having the same geographical access and some opting to use Brecon Library if having to travel by car or bus. Councillors voted in favour to support the first phase of keeping the facility open from 31st August until the end of the finical year, with a conditional amount of £1000 and on the proviso that further information is received on the current usage of the residents of Llangynidr and with the future plans set out in a business proposal. Thus, giving clarity to what the Community Council is being asked to support.
The clerk to write to Crickhowell Town Council and Cllr Raiff Devlin setting out the points raised.
12. Notice and plan received from the National Grid confirming the works are now scheduled to remove the old electricity H-Pole and replace with the new ground mounted sub-station at Twyn Pandy / Pen yr Ale Lane. The works are due to commence on 24th August with completion by 4th September. Residents need to be made aware of the schedule works. Council agreed it should be National Grid who inform all the residents of any scheduled works.
13. Temporary road closure notice received for the B4558 for the Green Man. Powys have confirmed the road closure will be in place on Monday 24th August from 10am – 3pm along with the usual restrictions during set up. The schedule received from the Green Man organisers will be circulated on Facebook
14. Powys highways re-surfacing works have been carried out on part of the Dyffryn Crawnon and Cyffredyn Lane with the car park area being used for the machinery and to drop off the tarmac. Powys have completed the re-surfacing of the damaged area within the car park. A query was raised with County Councillor Jackie Charlton on why the resurfacing works had been carried out on Cyffredyn Lane, as Councillors were not aware this was particularly bad or had been reported as a concern.
15. Request from a resident on the possibility of having a dog waste bin being placed along Coed Yr Ynys or Forge Road locality. County Councillor Jackie Charlton to raise a request with Powys on the possibility of having a dog waste bin, however noting Powys are not favourable to placing any further dog waste bins.
16. Quote due for consideration for putting a water supply in the car park. Quote received from JPL Groundwork and Civil Engineering for £2950.00. Agreed a second quote is required. Clerk to obtain a second quote.
17. Funding request received for the purchase of bulbs for planting in the burial ground at St Cynidr’s Church and towards the purchase of fuel to cut the grass. Waiting on funding request form to be received into the Community Council, outlining the details of the items required. Item carried forward.
18. Notice of temporary road closure and the prohibition of vehicles to be in place between 3rd August to 14th September on the Glaisfer Road (NP8 1LN) for Welsh Water mains renewal works to be carried out. Residents and Emergency vehicle access to be maintained. Noted
19. Any other business (for information only).
• Race event being held in Llangynidr on Saturday 25th July
• Persondy Field grass cutting
20. Dates of next meetings: Tuesday 29th September 2026 – 7.30pm
