MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY 29th SEPTEMBER 2026 AT 7.30PM
IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllr Jane Dawkins (Chairperson), Cllr Harry Duff, Cllr Janine Sharpless, Cllr David Williams, Cllr Gareth Woodcock, Cllr David Mantle, Cllr Gene Taylor
In Attendance: Jessica Jones (Clerk), County Councillor Jackie Charlton
1. Public Participation: County Councillor Jackie Charlton - September 2026 report.
County Councillor Surgery:
The Llangynidr County Councillor Surgery continues to be held monthly in the Village Hall alongside the Community Council Clerk, Jess Jones, and, when available, the Chair. This provides an informal opportunity for residents to raise concerns and discuss local issues. Please do not wait for a surgery if a matter is urgent; I can be contacted using the details above. Details of my surgeries will be posted a week in advance on Facebook for those who access the internet. The next planned Surgery is Monday 5th October at 11.00am.
Wildfires, Common Land and Community Resilience:
The August wildfires on Llangynidr mountain caused a significant loss of grazing land, affected livestock and led to road closures. I would like to record my sincere thanks to Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, contractors, local farmers and everyone who worked tirelessly to contain the fire and support the community. Work is under way with the Fire and Rescue Service and neighbouring communities, including Bwlch and Llangattock, to arrange a community hill-fire advice session. The aim is to share practical advice, draw on local knowledge and consider how a stronger community resilience approach could be developed for future wildfire risks.
Road Safety, Speedwatch and Policing:
Volunteer Speedwatch activity continues in Llangynidr, with observations being reported through the appropriate GoSafe process. I am grateful to the volunteers who give their time to support safer roads. The new warning signs relating to livestock and safer driving on common land are expected shortly, alongside communications reminding drivers to travel at a speed appropriate to local conditions. PCSO Tyler Veitch is due to begin visiting the in the autumn, meeting local groups and attending Community Council meetings quarterly where possible. The role will also support work on recent thefts, parking concerns and Speedwatch observations.
Highways and Local Infrastructure:
I continue to raise local highways, drainage and road-safety concerns through Powys County Council. Information has been requested about the damaged and potentially dangerous condition of Fro Bridge, including responsibility for the work and the likely timetable for repairs. To date I’ve not received any feedback from Canal & Rivers Trust. Most of the outstanding highway’s works have been completed although we are awaiting confirmation about the street cleaner for Church Close and clearing the road kerbs. National Grid and local contractors have begun work to remove the H-pole and install the ground-mounted substation at Twyn Pandy and Pen yr Ale Lane. National Grid is liaising directly with residents about the programme. Welsh Water’s works on Glaisfer Road and Mill Road are now complete.
Green Man Traffic and Community Concerns:
Residents and local businesses raised concerns following the Green Man event, particularly about traffic, noise and limited mobile signal and service. These problems were compounded on 24 August when a vehicle fire on the A40 contributed to severe congestion through the village. I support further discussion with residents, businesses, the event organisers and relevant agencies so that practical lessons can be identified and future arrangements improved. Between the Community Council and Powys County Council it would be good to discuss the way forward.
Crickhowell Library:
There has been further progress on the future of Crickhowell Library. From 1 September 2026, the service transferred from Crickhowell High School to Powys County Council’s Community Wellbeing Service. A short-term funding gap remains to 31 March 2027, and town and community councils have been asked to consider contributions. It is important that surrounding communities, including Llangynidr, have a meaningful voice in future governance, funding and service planning.
Harry and I met on Thursday 24 September at the first of the ‘Development’ meetings to be held monthly over the coming weeks. A draft agreement which outlines the commitment to be made by Powys County Council and the councils of Crickhowell, Llangattock, Llangynidr, and Vale of Grwyny. Funding between now and 1st April has been agreed with match funding from Powys County Council to the contributions offered by the above councils. With confirmation from Llangynidr there is £5000 offered by the above councils and Powys are matching the rest.
Powys County Council – Current Priorities:
At county level, work continues across my Cabinet portfolio on highways, transport, recycling, cli-mate and nature. Current priorities include winter maintenance planning, strengthening community re-silience, responding to climate and nature risks, supporting sustainable transport and ensuring com-munities have clear routes for reporting concerns and shaping local solutions.
If you have any questions about the matters covered in this report, please contact me at cllr.jackie.charlton@powys.gov.uk or on 07444 495633 and I will do my best to help.
Better Together – Powys Teaching Health Board:
Please do go to this link to find out all about the Better Together proposals for the Health Board Better Together - Seeking Your Views on Adult Physical and Mental Health Community Services in Powys | Have Your Say Powys.
The Crickhowell event is the final one on a tour of Powys which will be on Thursday 12 February in Clarence Hall between 3.00 pm and 6.00 pm. There is a lot of information on line.
2. Apologies: Cllr Mark Brian, Cllr Michelle Williams
3. Declaration of interest in any of the items of business listed below: None
4. Signing of the minutes: Minutes of 21st July 2026 – Approved
5. Finance:
a) Bank reconciliation and budget v actuals – Approved
b) Cheques for approval August 2026 and September 2026 – Approved
Payments Approved for August 26
Clean the car park (Aug 26) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (Aug 26) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates (Aug 26 DD) £113.00
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (31 Aug DD) £29.76
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
Payments for Approval – September 2026
Clean the car park (Sept 26) £40.00
Clean the public conveniences (Sept 26) £280.00
Car park non-domestic rates (Sept 26 DD) £113.00
British Gas – electricity for the public conveniences (Sept DD) £29.76
Clerk’s wages and stationary allowance (Sept 26) £684.20
Clerk’s backpay (Pay increase April 26 – Aug 26) £77.40
HMRC (Clerks Tax & NI Contributions (Sept 26) £157.60
Scribe – Monthly Fee inc. VAT (Sept 26) £37.20
Grant request for grass cutting strimmer (St Cynidr) £399.98
Purchase of toilet rolls for public conveniences £137.87
Agenda Item 5 C - Interest, Payment & Donations
Car Park (July 26) £186.41
Toilet Donations (July 26) £31.23
Car Park (Aug 26) £220.85
Toilet Donations (Aug 26) £37.52
Precept – 2nd Payment £11,666.00
Interest payment received – Current Account (July 26) £0.45
Interest payment received – Current Account (Aug 26) £0.40
Interest payment received – Reserve Account (July 26) £10.69
Interest payment received – Reserve Account (Aug 26) £9.66
d) NALC 2026 – 2027 National Salary Award. Notice dated 24th August 2026 on the new Clerk’s pay scale and is to be backdated as implemented from 1st April 2026. Clerk’s hourly rate is now £13.28. – Approved
e) One Voice Wales Model Standing Orders on Financial Controls and Procurement. For consideration, adoption and approval – Adjourned
6. Go Safe observations and up-date received from Gail Jones.
Observations discussed and noted the volume of continued high speeds being recorded through the village. Top speed of 52mph in the 20mph on Cwm Crawnon Road, outside the children’s playing field.
The Councillors unanimously agreed to pursue the purchase of the speed matrix signs and given there are currently sufficient funds available. Clerk to carry out research and make enquiries on available options and costings to share with the Councillors alongside the continued pursual of the non-delivery by TWM a Pilot Group Company, who appear to be still trading under the same name. Clerk to write to Jane Dodds MS Office and to the Liquidators.
7. Correspondence:
• Thank you letter from Brecon Food Bank for a donation of £210 at the Community Tea held on 24th August. A total of £415 raised that was split between Air Ambulance and Brecon Food Bank.
• One Voice Wales Councillor Training Dates - up to Dec 2026 – Clerk to circulate the dates and agreed it would be good to take up the offer of the two free places.
• One Voice Wales updated Practice Development Note ‘The role of the Chair during meetings’ Noted.
• Email from a resident on the possible provision the Community Council might support with a community response on stockpiling of food and wa-ter supply in relation to warnings of the El Nino affect. Councillors agreed clear guidelines from Welsh Government would be useful to assist at Community Council level.
8. Planning Application:
26/24591/FUL – Bluebell cottage – Permission granted with 6 conditions for ground floor rear extension, featuring double gable with slate roof. Glazing to gable and new rear access. Noted
9. The wildfires on Llangattock & Llangynidr mountain through the month of August causing a huge loss of grazing ground, harm to livestock and road closure. Appreciation to the Fire Service, Contractors and many local farmers who worked tirelessly to contain the fire from spreading. MAWW Fire (Mid and West Wales Fire Rescue Services) are in the process of arranging a community hill fire advice session. This will include the surrounding communities of Bwlch and Llangattock and will be led by MAWW.
Councillors acknowledged the prevention work carried out by a local Contractor was instrumental in preventing the fire from spreading further which could have resulted in further loss of grazing land, habitat and harm to livestock.
It was noted there were many conflicting reports from the various organisations on the extent of the fire and if the B4560 was to reopen or remain closed. Agreed the Clerk to write to the Contractor and his team to thank them for their continued efforts and preventative measures whilst working in very difficult circumstances.
10. Crickhowell Library. Meetings held on 13th August and September 24th to set out the future plans for the library with the involvement of the surrounding community councils. A survey is currently being carried out with the residents of Llangynidr. Consideration and approval of financial support.Overview of the minutes taken by Cllr Harry Duff were discussed and Councillors have raised concerns on the lack of data available with no clear plan on the future of the library at present; request raised to County Councillor Jackie Charlton for clearer information on who is leading the project and running of the meetings. Cllr Harry Duff and Cllr Mark Brian to continue to attend the Library Champions Group. Council is currently waiting on the draft agreement from the Powys legal team laying out the commitment between Powys and the Community Council.
11. Works have now commenced by National Grid and local Contractors on the removal of the H pole and the replacement works for the ground mounted substation at Twyn Pandy and Pen yr Ale Lane. National Grid is in contact with the residents on the scheduled works.
The Chair expressed appreciation to the residents and the continued effort of the National Grid for getting these works underway. It was noted TPO 68 (Tree Prevention Order) has been issued on Woodland Adj Ty Llawen by Bannau Brycheiniog National Parks to prevent any damage to the trees whilst the works are underway.
12. The Green Man event raised a number of concerns by residents and local business owners, primarily with traffic problems but also other concerns with noise and lack of signal/service. All of which were compounded on Monday 24th August from 3pm, when the village became gridlocked with traffic following a vehicle fire on the A40. Consideration on how these problems can be addressed for the future and giving the residents and businesses the opportunity to express their views.
The Councillors had a lengthy discussion on the concerns raised by the residents. An initial action set by County Councillor Jackie Charlton is to establish a meeting date with Matt Perry the Chief Officer for Place at Powys, to review what Highway safety measures can be put in place for next year’s event.
13. The Welsh Water works are now complete on the Glaisfer Road and Mill Road. Welsh Water have offered to carry out some volunteering work within the community. Suggestions welcome for consideration.
Clerk to contact Welsh Water on the possible provision of assistance with having a water supply in the car park.
14. Tender notice and advert to be agreed and advertised for the ongoing maintenance of Persondy Hedge, consideration of a three-year tender. Approved
15. Councillor Jane Dawkins has raised concerns on the damaged state and dangerous condition of the Fro Bridge. Seeking information on when the works will be carried out and by whom. County Councillor Jackie Charlton is pursuing this with Canal & River Trust; however, it is looking unlikely any repair works are scheduled for this year.
16. Funding request received for the purchase of a garden strimmer to assist with the maintenance of the burial ground at St Cynidr’s Church. For consideration of approval. Council agreed to the grant request. Proposed by Cllr Gareth Woodcock and Seconded by Cllr Janine Sharpless. Grant approved for £399.98 for the purchase of maintenance equipment to help maintain the grounds at the Church.
17. Macmillan coffee morning being held on Saturday 26th September and the next Community Soup and Lunch – Winter Warmer will be held on Tuesday 27th October, volunteers are always welcome. The Chair thanked all the helpers and visitors who came to the Macmillan coffee morning and raised an outstanding amount of £700.00
18. The new PCSO Tyler Veitch is due to start visiting the area from October with the view to meeting with the local groups, attending the Council meetings on a quarterly basis and assisting with recent local thefts, parking concerns and the GoSafe speed watch observations. County Councillor Jackie Charlton informed Council that the start date for the new PCSO is being slightly delayed and in the interim residents are being urged to report any incidents to police crime line on 101 and for the Clerk to liaise with PC Steph Thomas.
19. Any other business (for information only).
Remembrance Service being held on Sunday 8th November.
Further damage to Llangynidr Bridge by a trade vehicle reported to Powys.
20. Dates of next meetings: Tuesday 27th October 2026 – Councillors agreed to the earlier winter start time of 7.00pm.
