MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY 24th MARCH 2026 AT 7 PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllr Jane Dawkins (Chairperson), Cllr Janine Sharpless, Cllr Beth Carpenter, Cllr Mark Brian, Cllr Gareth Woodcock, Cllr Michelle Williams.
In Attendance: Jessica Jones (Clerk)
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked Tom Fox for attending and felt it timely for an up-date on the Primary School considering the issues currently under scrutiny with the Post 16 Education at Crickhowell High School.
1. Public Participation:
Tom Fox – Chair of Governors Llangynidr Primary School
Points raised by Tom Fox:
o Good news to report; since Estyn carried out its inspection 2 years ago, the school is very pleased with the progress. In its follow-up, Estyn found that all their recommendation’s had been addressed. The school is doing very well across its pupil welfare and education standards.
o Current pupil numbers at 91, which allows for 4 Teachers across 4 classes. However, pleased to report healthy numbers coming in from September 26 to approx. 101. It would be good to keep up the momentum and raise the profile of the school where possible in and around the locality.
o There is soon to be an opening for a new Governor, ideally a non-parent to give a further balance to the team and maybe from further afield than just the Llangynidr catchment. Please contact Tom Fox for further information.
o The school is looking at ways to get to get to the next level of Siarter Iaith, including promoting Welsh and connecting more with Welsh Speakers in the local community for both pupils and parents alike. Community Council could assist with having bi-lingual notices and signs located at the Bus Shelter / Car Park for example. Agreed by all this would be a welcome introduction.
o Pre-school: Good news to report with the proposal now underway to expand the facilities with the new application to demolish the existing demountable and replace with a larger one, which will then accommodate greater pupil numbers from 19 to potentially 35 into the Pre-School.
o On the finance situation: Unfortunately, the recent finance surgery was cancelled so no definitive numbers to report, however the school does have concerns as the current income doesn’t cover all the support they wish to provide pupils, including those with additional learning needs but the school is currently covering this from reserve funds and is not in deficit.
County Councillor Jackie Charlton: Llangynidr March 2026 Report
1. The Llangynidr County Council surgery will now be held monthly at the Village Hall with Community Council Clerk in attendance and when available Chair of the Community Council. Llangattock surgery will be monthly at the Repair Café in the Community Hall, next one due on 28th March. 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 Llangynidr, it will be on the Tuesday April 14th.
2. Crickhowell High School:
The next stage report is now publicly available link: - Cyngor Sir Powys County Council - Agenda for Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 19th March, 2026, 10.00 am where you will find all the accompanying reports with results of the extensive engagement undertaken so far. The Learning and Skills Committee will be scrutinising the Cabinet report at 10.00 am on Thursday 19th March. There will be a link to the live recording on the webpage but if you cannot attend on the morning a recording will be available. At my County Councillor Surgeries in February, I had several visitors and was able to update all on the different stages of the consultation and engagement and provide background information on why we need to undertake this transformation in Powys. All the comments have been lodged with our Education Transformation Team. I have also responded to several emails sent from those who were unable to come along in person. No decision is being sought at this stage regarding future delivery models. The council will continue to strengthen the existing Chweched Powys Sixth, and the report seeks approval to continue engagement with learners, families, schools, colleges and employers over the next 12 months. The proposed programme of work, which has been informed by one of the largest engagement exercises carried out on education in the county, includes:
o Continuing to strengthen the existing Chweched Powys Sixth model for current learners.
o Establishing a new Future Pathways Board with Further Education, Higher Education, employers and the Regional Skills Partnership.
o Creating a governor steering group and an ALN post16 working group to shape improved pathways for learners.
o Engagement with primary schools and employers later in 2026 to ensure future pathways reflect local needs and the county’s future economy.
I would like to extend thanks to Tim Jones, Chair of the Community Council, for sitting in on the conversation with those who attended the surgery on 28th February.
3. Update on the High School relinquishing responsibilities for the Sports Centre and Library. The latest letter is available 18th March 2026, from the head teacher. Copy to be placed on the notice board.
4. Livestock Deaths and Speeding on Common Land: I have located contacts and will be liaising with the Police this month. No response from the Minister yet from the joint letter sent with MP and MS. Still awaiting the signs!!
5. PCSO Update: I have now had confirmation that two PCSOs have recently been recruited to the Brecon area, and they commence their training in Police headquarters from 30th March. One of the PCSO’s will be designated to the Crickhowell area and the other will be designated for Brecon. The training will take approximately three months, so an exact start date is not yet clear. In the meantime, we have been promised cover when appropriate from Brecon. I have asked for a visit from a police officer for my April County Council Surgery in Llangynidr to meet some of the Speed Watch volunteers who continue to do great work on Crawnon Road and Forge Road. We have previously had very good support from the PCSO who adds a level of authority when volunteers are on the road.
6. Dyffryn Crawnon: The Community Council Clerk and I did a tour of the valley last week and looked at the landslip repair from across the valley. There are a couple snagging issues to clear up but otherwise the contractor has worked well with the community to get this sorted. We are waiting for further information about the state of the road in general and the areas of concern where there is water runoff and block culverts. We also know that the bridge work to try and prevent flooding has not been successful so need to address that too.
Further to County Councillors Jackie Charlton’s March report a couple of additional items have arisen in recent days:
o Welsh Government has announced support towards Heating Oil for Off Grid properties. To apply please contact the following: moneyandadvice@powys.gov.uk or 01597 826618
o Councillor Michelle Williams raised a concern on local theft of oil from a residential storage tank. It is possible to purchase locks however this will not necessarily prevent the theft of oil, just make it a little more difficult to access the oil.
o It is hopeful a Police Officer from Brecon will be attending the surgery on 14th April should any residents wish to raise any concerns. Councillors raised a question on the possibility of having the Rural Policing Team attend to meet with residents.
o Following the recent announcement by CHS of the closure of the public sports facilities, there has been some developments to report on. It has been confirmed the library will remain open in Crickhowell and may provide opportunities for the Town Council to be involved in the future. With the sports facilities, the Head of CHS and Cabinet Minister are keen to establish a financially viable solution, all be it the facilities may be closed for a short while, they are hopeful of making a ‘facilities for hire’ option that can be financially re-modelled to ensure the sports clubs are maintained and the facilities will remain available for hire. There is a lot of work required on the fee structing and ensuring a long-term plan is established. Copy of the latest statement from CHS to be posted on the notice board.
o The Welsh Government have made a sum of 2.5 million available for the local council, which will be utilised to repair the potholes and invest in a piece of equipment to assist highways with the repairs of the roads.
o Councillor Gareth Woodcock raised a query on the Dyffryn Road getting very bad now. This has been reported to Powys Highways and works are scheduled.
The Chair thanked both Tom Fox and County Councillor Jackie Charlton for attending the meeting and for providing a good insight into current issues that affect many of the local residents and their families in Llangynidr, with Education being an important focus from pre-school right the way through to the Post 16 Education.
2. Apologies: Cllr Gene Taylor, Cllr David Mantle, Cllr David Williams, Cllr Harry Duff
3. Declaration of interest in items of business listed below: None
4. To accept the co-option of Michelle Williams: Accepted
5. Signing of the minutes: Full Council Meeting 24th February 2026 – Approved
6. Finance:
a) Bank reconciliation and budget v actuals to be considered for approval. Approved with no issues to report.
b) Cheques for approval February 2026 and March 2026: Approved
c) Interest Payments, Donations
Agenda Item 6B Approved Cheques February 2026
Clean the car park (Feb 26) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (Feb 26) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates (Feb 26) £91.00
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (Feb SO) £30.26
Clerk’s wages and stationary allowance (Feb 26) £679.00
HMRC (Clerks Tax & NI Contributions - Feb 26) £137.00
Scribe – Monthly Fee inc. VAT (Feb 26) £37.20
Clook – Website Domain Annual Fee £9.59
Dial A Ride Charity funding support £100.00
Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau funding support £650.00
Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau Defib support £100.00
Llangynidr Agricultural Show funding support £100.00
Brecon Advice Centre funding support £50.00
Wales Air Ambulance funding support £100.00
Brecon Mountain Rescue funding support £100.00
Llangynidr Refugee Day funding support £100.00
Agenda Item 6B - Payments for Approval March 26:
Clean the car park (Mar 26) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (Mar 26) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates (Mar 26) £91.00
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (Mar SO) £27.58
Clerk’s wages and stationary allowance (Mar 26) £679.00
HMRC (Clerks Tax & NI Contributions - Mar26) £137.00
Scribe – Monthly Fee inc. VAT (Mar 26) £37.20
One Voice Wales – Annual Subscription £225.00
Young Persons Award: Georgina Hill £150.00
Young Persons Award: Georgia Carr £150.00
M.B Property Services:
o 2025 Grass Contract
o Llangynidr Car Park Hedge Cutting
o Persondy Hedge & Hedge Cutting & Maintenance £1625.00
Maintenance repair to Public Convenience Drainage £60.00
Community lunch expenses £100.61
Stephanie Duff – Car Park Garden Project £104.08
Interest, Payment & Donations
Agenda Item 6C
Car Park & Toilet Donations (Feb 26) £94.47
Interest payment received – Current Account £0.45
Interest payment received – Reserve Account £10.75
VAT Refund (April 25 – Jan 26) £1,188.39
7. Go Safe: Observations received from the Go Safe team for Feb & Mar 26. Reviewed by the Councillors present and suggestion made to write to Go Safe on behalf of the Community Council to assist with the requirement for the training sessions to be implemented for the volunteers who are waiting and not to lose the interest and willingness of the volunteers to take up the training.
8. Correspondence:
One Voice Wales Manifesto – Copy circulated via email
Training dates available through One Voice Wales – Copy circulated
Thank you, from Brecon Food Bank for recent donation from the Community lunch.
Thank you, from Brecon Advice Centre for the grant donation
Thank you, form Brecon Mountain rescue for the grant donation
Thank you, from Wales Air Ambulance for the grant donation
Thank you, from Llangynidr Agricultural Show Society for the donation.
All correspondence noted
9. Review application received for the 3-year contract renewal for a caretaker for the public conveniences and car park for consideration. Approved to award the contract renewal with Dave Hutton.
10. National Grid have confirmed they have now received all the necessary approvals to be able to carry out the removal of the old-style electricity H-Pole at Twyn Pandy and replace it with a new ground mounted substation, at the location as agreed with the nearby residents. The new wayleaves contract has been received for review and approval. Reviewed by the Councillors present and approved. Clerk to sign and return documentation to National Grid.
11. A couple of reports have been received of low-level vandalism in and around the village locality. It would be useful to receive an up-date from Dyfed Powys Police on the possibility of having a visit to the area since the loss of PCSO Lee Garrett. Item covered under Item 1 with County Councillor Jackie Charlton.
12. Crickhowell High School Post 16 Education review and notification received on the recently announced closure of the sports facilities at the High School. Item covered under Item 1 with County Councillor Jackie Charlton.
13. Notification of temporary road closure on the B4560, scheduled for 5th June 2026 from 9.30am to 15.30pm. Openreach carrying out pole testing. Noted
14. Rights of Way: Two of the stiles on the public footpath that run adjacent to the playing fields are broken, these have been reported to the Warden at Bannau Brycheiniog and have confirmed of an imminent inspection and necessary repairs to be carried out. Noted and thanks paid to the ROW Warden for prompt action to carry out the repair works.
15. Public conveniences: Dave Hutton has carried out some work to remove the overgrown brambles which has revealed a partially rotten wooden apex, this will require repair work to be carried out. Approved for the repair works to be carried out. Clerk to follow up with Dave Hutton to schedule the works.
16. Concerns raised by residents on the failure to collect the waste & recycling at Mardy Lane following the new collection schedule issued by Powys: Councillors discussed the problems with the new collection schedule with particular attention being drawn to the residents who live on the narrow lanes with limited or no access for the collection lorries/van and having to leave bags out which is not ideal if not collected. This can attract vermin and will cause further problems. In addition, the new timetable appears not to allow enough time to cover the area adequately with residents concerned they will not receive their regular collections as the drivers have expressed their concerns about not having enough time to cover the new timetable. County Councillor Jackie Charlotn agreed to raise this with the Contact in Powys and report back.
17. Over 60’s Community Lunch held on Tuesday 17th March. Thank you to the WI for coming along and singing. Proceeds raised to be donated towards the fundraising for the heating system at the Village Hall. A total of £400 was donated by the residents who attended the lunch. Clerk to pass on the proceeds to the Village Hall Committee. Thanks given to the many helpers and organisers of the lunch.
18. Date and time for a Human Resources meeting to be agreed.
Monday 28th April – 7pm
19. Date & time of next Community Council meeting to be agreed.
Monday 28th April – 7.30pm
20. Any other business (for information only).
o Email received from Rosy Turner /Green Man Event Organiser on Community Council Traffic plans / requirements for 2026.
o Application notice received 26/24451/FUL: Demountable at the Primary School “Demolition of an existing single story modular building and replacement with larger single story modular building.”
With no further business to discuss the meeting closed at 9pm.
