Clyro Community Council
DECEMBER 2006 MINUTES
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF CLYRO COMMUNITY COUNCIL
held in the Village Hall on
TUESDAY 12th DECEMBER 2006 at 8.00pm
98. a. PRESENT: Cllr. B. Morgan (Chairman) Cllr. Green Cllr. M. Morgan Cllr. Smith Cllr. Wheeler
County Cllr. Morris PC Thomas (both arrived during meeting)
b. APOLOGIES: Vice-Chairman Price, Cllr. Hood, Cllr. Herdman, Cllr. Williams
c. MINUTES: The minutes of the November meeting were approved by Councillors and signed by the Chairman.
d. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: none.
99. PLANNING MATTERS
- County Cllr. Morris arrived at this point -
a. NEW: PR NEW: PR654000 – Full: Installation of small wind turbine on farmhouse at Llanshiver Farm, Brilley
No objection was raised to this.
b. NEW:PR260602 – Full: Conversion of barns to 3 residential dwellings, installation of 3 new septic tanks and alterations to existing access at Barns at Bryn-y-Garth Farm, Painscastle.
The plans were passed round.
County Cllr. Morris talked about a number of relevant planning considerations: Some structures may be subject to the ‘pile of stones’ consideration, as they will need more than repair; there is an issue regarding privacy; amenity space needs to be shown; access will need to be negotiated with the National Trust; the design is not conducive with the structures which are there.
Councillors discussed the plans and voted, with one abstention, in favour of this application.
c. Re: PR639901: Erection of barn and lean-to and siting for log cabin etc. at Hom Mill Farm – letter from planning officer regarding decision.
This letter was read to the meeting.
d. Bat survey from Gwilym Davies re Bryn-y-Garth planning application.
This to be kept on file.
100. MATTERS ARISING
a. HIGHWAYS MATTERS UPDATE -
i. Hedges. The Clerk has written to the owners regarding the Bulmers’ hedge, and the high branches of Gordon Griffiths’ hedge.
- PC Thomas arrived at this point –
ii. County Cllr. Morris said that, according to Gwyneth Mills, the school signs etc may not be in this year’s Highways budget.
b. Membership of One Voice Wales
Membership from now until March would cost £47, with the understanding that the Council would renew its membership for the next year. The cost of this would be just over £70. Cllr. Smith proposed that membership be considered in March for the following year. This was seconded by Cllr. M. Morgan and all agreed.
c. Clerk’s post
The Clerk’s post has been advertised, but no-one so far has applied. The ads to be altered with the end of January as the end date.
101. REPORTS ON DOCUMENTS READ; MEETINGS ATTENDED; ACTIVITIES ETC.
a. DOCUMENTS READ
i. PCC – PCC – Draft Communications Strategy for Powys
The Chairman admitted that he had forgotten what was in this.
102. SCHOOL GOVERNOR’S REPORT
Cllr. Williams was not at the meeting. The Governors have not met since half-term.
103. POLICE REPORT
P.C. Thomas apologised for not having come to the November meeting.
He has requested the automatic nameplate recognition service a couple of times – this checks documentation and is useful in detecting travelling criminals.
A grant has been requested for the speeding detector motorcycle. He is waiting for a response from the person concerned, who has to come from Aberystwyth.
During the last crime statistics period, several thefts of scrap metal have been reported in Painscastle, Clyro and Rhosgoch. Several teams are doing this, in transits, pick-ups and with trailers. (There have also been legitimate dealers in the area.)
There have been several assaults, mainly in the grounds of Clyro Court. Arrests are expected. One rape allegation has been withdrawn.
Cllr. Hood has had the tools stolen from his van. This may also have been by travelling criminals.
The possibility is being discussed of streetlighting being turned off late at night, although at weekends, it may be better to keep it on.
The Chairman asked about the presence of people claiming to be Water Board officials, who were in the village at the weekend, without identification. PC Thomas said that, before Christmas, there is always an increase in “distraction burglaries”: criminals coming to houses, one perhaps asking for water or offering decorations etc. while another burgles the house. He asked that members of the public contact the police immediately, should that happen.
Cllr. M. Morgan asked about the man she had heard was going into shops in Hay where there was only one woman behind the counter. PC Thomas said that the police have spoken to him. In fact more than one person was involved.
In January, PC Thomas and PC Swales will be setting up beat teams, who will be the public’s first point of contact with the police. He asked: what issues do people want the police to be tackling? They anticipate increasing visible patrols and dealing with antisocial behaviour. Please send ideas to PC Thomas.
104. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR MORRIS
County Cllr. Morris gave her apologies for not being able to come to the meeting last month.
She took the letter from Tom Fairfield which was forwarded to her to the County’s solicitors and said that they had drafted a reply to him. Once a complaint has been made, procedures have to be adhered to, and she cannot comment upon it. She has written to Tom Fairfield, dealing with all questions. She said that there were inaccuracies in his letter regarding planning and the planning authorities. The planning officers recommend, but decisions are made by the Committee. She considers that Radnorshire has good planning officers.
This prompted Cllr. Wheeler to ask about the new house which is being built on the Old Pottery site.
The Community Council should receive a copy of the solicitors’ letter.
105. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Powys County Council: Code of Conduct with planning matters/applications
Taken by the Chairman.
b. PCC: Diversion of part of public footpath CY1981 etc, confirmation received.
c. PCC: Diversion of part of public footpath CY1968 (across the site of the proposed twenty-one houses) - diversion order. The entrances have not been altered, despite the request of the Community Council.
d Kirsty Williams AM about Powys Hospital services
- to say that she is supporting local opposition to proposed reduction of services.
e. Andy Williams – Local Health Board re local services.
This letter, replying to the Community Council’s complaint about the proposed closure of services at Bronllys Hospital, was read to the meeting. Councillors were not reassured.
Employees at the hospital have already received notice.
Cllr. M. Morgan told Councillors she thought this area very poorly served by the Health Service. She talked about the very long wait for an ambulance someone had recently experienced, and also about the impossibility of admission to Bronllys because of the lack of an available bed.
f. Cymdeithas Alzheimer’s Society – request for donation
The standard Council refusal to be sent by the Clerk.
g. Tom Fairfield re planning matters
Another letter with questions to be forwarded to County Cllr. Morris. Tom Fairfield, who attended the meeting, maintains that planning permissions granted in connection with Bridge End, Whitton are illegal. His complaints relate also to planning considerations in the Clyro area, but as the Whitton ones were not directly to do with Clyro, he and County Cllr. Morris to talk about these later.
106. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a. BANK BALANCES – Current account: £2,384.06 as at 5th November 2006
Reserve Account: £2,692.45 as at 5th October 2006
b. Budget
The provisional budget for next year was presented by the Clerk. As usual a number of payments in this year’s budget are as yet uncertain, and next year’s depends on decisions yet to be made by the Council. The external auditors will probably complain if the precept were to go up, or the reserves rose, without corresponding increase in spending. The Clerk said also that an increase in hours for the Clerk might be necessary, as the job had increased in volume since she had taken over. A new Clerk would probably also need to attend training.
County Cllr. Morris suggested including a sum for hedge cutting along the path to Hay. This was thought to be a good idea and £100 was allocated for this.
c. Proposed donation to the Samaritans
This to be considered in March.
d. Precept request
This to be considered next month, as only a few Councillors were present at this meeting.
e. CLERK’S SALARY
Payment of £86.95 plus £3 for stamps, was proposed by Cllr. Smith, seconded by Cllr. Wheeler, and agreed by Councillors.
f. PAYMENTS
i. Cheques drawn: Clerk’s salary plus expenses: £89.95.
107. OTHER BUSINESS
a. The Chairman has checked the Council’s assets this month. No problems were noted.
b. Cllr. Wheeler noted that the caravan park is now renamed “Borders Hideaway”.
c. Cllr. Wheeler commented on the hedging taking place above the school, and the condition in which the road had been left. Other told her that this is John Thomas’ land, if she wishes to get a message to him.
The Chairman then thanked all those who had come to the meeting and
THE MEETING WAS FORMALLY CLOSED AT 9.15pm. Minutes were taken by the Clerk.
CHAIRMAN: ………………………………………… DATE …………………………..
The Chairman then invited Councillors and members of the public who were present
to stay behind and celebrate Christmas with mince pies, snacks and wine.
All enjoyed this opportunity for conversation.
held in the Village Hall on
TUESDAY 12th DECEMBER 2006 at 8.00pm
98. a. PRESENT: Cllr. B. Morgan (Chairman) Cllr. Green Cllr. M. Morgan Cllr. Smith Cllr. Wheeler
County Cllr. Morris PC Thomas (both arrived during meeting)
b. APOLOGIES: Vice-Chairman Price, Cllr. Hood, Cllr. Herdman, Cllr. Williams
c. MINUTES: The minutes of the November meeting were approved by Councillors and signed by the Chairman.
d. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: none.
99. PLANNING MATTERS
- County Cllr. Morris arrived at this point -
a. NEW: PR NEW: PR654000 – Full: Installation of small wind turbine on farmhouse at Llanshiver Farm, Brilley
No objection was raised to this.
b. NEW:PR260602 – Full: Conversion of barns to 3 residential dwellings, installation of 3 new septic tanks and alterations to existing access at Barns at Bryn-y-Garth Farm, Painscastle.
The plans were passed round.
County Cllr. Morris talked about a number of relevant planning considerations: Some structures may be subject to the ‘pile of stones’ consideration, as they will need more than repair; there is an issue regarding privacy; amenity space needs to be shown; access will need to be negotiated with the National Trust; the design is not conducive with the structures which are there.
Councillors discussed the plans and voted, with one abstention, in favour of this application.
c. Re: PR639901: Erection of barn and lean-to and siting for log cabin etc. at Hom Mill Farm – letter from planning officer regarding decision.
This letter was read to the meeting.
d. Bat survey from Gwilym Davies re Bryn-y-Garth planning application.
This to be kept on file.
100. MATTERS ARISING
a. HIGHWAYS MATTERS UPDATE -
i. Hedges. The Clerk has written to the owners regarding the Bulmers’ hedge, and the high branches of Gordon Griffiths’ hedge.
- PC Thomas arrived at this point –
ii. County Cllr. Morris said that, according to Gwyneth Mills, the school signs etc may not be in this year’s Highways budget.
b. Membership of One Voice Wales
Membership from now until March would cost £47, with the understanding that the Council would renew its membership for the next year. The cost of this would be just over £70. Cllr. Smith proposed that membership be considered in March for the following year. This was seconded by Cllr. M. Morgan and all agreed.
c. Clerk’s post
The Clerk’s post has been advertised, but no-one so far has applied. The ads to be altered with the end of January as the end date.
101. REPORTS ON DOCUMENTS READ; MEETINGS ATTENDED; ACTIVITIES ETC.
a. DOCUMENTS READ
i. PCC – PCC – Draft Communications Strategy for Powys
The Chairman admitted that he had forgotten what was in this.
102. SCHOOL GOVERNOR’S REPORT
Cllr. Williams was not at the meeting. The Governors have not met since half-term.
103. POLICE REPORT
P.C. Thomas apologised for not having come to the November meeting.
He has requested the automatic nameplate recognition service a couple of times – this checks documentation and is useful in detecting travelling criminals.
A grant has been requested for the speeding detector motorcycle. He is waiting for a response from the person concerned, who has to come from Aberystwyth.
During the last crime statistics period, several thefts of scrap metal have been reported in Painscastle, Clyro and Rhosgoch. Several teams are doing this, in transits, pick-ups and with trailers. (There have also been legitimate dealers in the area.)
There have been several assaults, mainly in the grounds of Clyro Court. Arrests are expected. One rape allegation has been withdrawn.
Cllr. Hood has had the tools stolen from his van. This may also have been by travelling criminals.
The possibility is being discussed of streetlighting being turned off late at night, although at weekends, it may be better to keep it on.
The Chairman asked about the presence of people claiming to be Water Board officials, who were in the village at the weekend, without identification. PC Thomas said that, before Christmas, there is always an increase in “distraction burglaries”: criminals coming to houses, one perhaps asking for water or offering decorations etc. while another burgles the house. He asked that members of the public contact the police immediately, should that happen.
Cllr. M. Morgan asked about the man she had heard was going into shops in Hay where there was only one woman behind the counter. PC Thomas said that the police have spoken to him. In fact more than one person was involved.
In January, PC Thomas and PC Swales will be setting up beat teams, who will be the public’s first point of contact with the police. He asked: what issues do people want the police to be tackling? They anticipate increasing visible patrols and dealing with antisocial behaviour. Please send ideas to PC Thomas.
104. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR MORRIS
County Cllr. Morris gave her apologies for not being able to come to the meeting last month.
She took the letter from Tom Fairfield which was forwarded to her to the County’s solicitors and said that they had drafted a reply to him. Once a complaint has been made, procedures have to be adhered to, and she cannot comment upon it. She has written to Tom Fairfield, dealing with all questions. She said that there were inaccuracies in his letter regarding planning and the planning authorities. The planning officers recommend, but decisions are made by the Committee. She considers that Radnorshire has good planning officers.
This prompted Cllr. Wheeler to ask about the new house which is being built on the Old Pottery site.
The Community Council should receive a copy of the solicitors’ letter.
105. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Powys County Council: Code of Conduct with planning matters/applications
Taken by the Chairman.
b. PCC: Diversion of part of public footpath CY1981 etc, confirmation received.
c. PCC: Diversion of part of public footpath CY1968 (across the site of the proposed twenty-one houses) - diversion order. The entrances have not been altered, despite the request of the Community Council.
d Kirsty Williams AM about Powys Hospital services
- to say that she is supporting local opposition to proposed reduction of services.
e. Andy Williams – Local Health Board re local services.
This letter, replying to the Community Council’s complaint about the proposed closure of services at Bronllys Hospital, was read to the meeting. Councillors were not reassured.
Employees at the hospital have already received notice.
Cllr. M. Morgan told Councillors she thought this area very poorly served by the Health Service. She talked about the very long wait for an ambulance someone had recently experienced, and also about the impossibility of admission to Bronllys because of the lack of an available bed.
f. Cymdeithas Alzheimer’s Society – request for donation
The standard Council refusal to be sent by the Clerk.
g. Tom Fairfield re planning matters
Another letter with questions to be forwarded to County Cllr. Morris. Tom Fairfield, who attended the meeting, maintains that planning permissions granted in connection with Bridge End, Whitton are illegal. His complaints relate also to planning considerations in the Clyro area, but as the Whitton ones were not directly to do with Clyro, he and County Cllr. Morris to talk about these later.
106. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a. BANK BALANCES – Current account: £2,384.06 as at 5th November 2006
Reserve Account: £2,692.45 as at 5th October 2006
b. Budget
The provisional budget for next year was presented by the Clerk. As usual a number of payments in this year’s budget are as yet uncertain, and next year’s depends on decisions yet to be made by the Council. The external auditors will probably complain if the precept were to go up, or the reserves rose, without corresponding increase in spending. The Clerk said also that an increase in hours for the Clerk might be necessary, as the job had increased in volume since she had taken over. A new Clerk would probably also need to attend training.
County Cllr. Morris suggested including a sum for hedge cutting along the path to Hay. This was thought to be a good idea and £100 was allocated for this.
c. Proposed donation to the Samaritans
This to be considered in March.
d. Precept request
This to be considered next month, as only a few Councillors were present at this meeting.
e. CLERK’S SALARY
Payment of £86.95 plus £3 for stamps, was proposed by Cllr. Smith, seconded by Cllr. Wheeler, and agreed by Councillors.
f. PAYMENTS
i. Cheques drawn: Clerk’s salary plus expenses: £89.95.
107. OTHER BUSINESS
a. The Chairman has checked the Council’s assets this month. No problems were noted.
b. Cllr. Wheeler noted that the caravan park is now renamed “Borders Hideaway”.
c. Cllr. Wheeler commented on the hedging taking place above the school, and the condition in which the road had been left. Other told her that this is John Thomas’ land, if she wishes to get a message to him.
The Chairman then thanked all those who had come to the meeting and
THE MEETING WAS FORMALLY CLOSED AT 9.15pm. Minutes were taken by the Clerk.
CHAIRMAN: ………………………………………… DATE …………………………..
The Chairman then invited Councillors and members of the public who were present
to stay behind and celebrate Christmas with mince pies, snacks and wine.
All enjoyed this opportunity for conversation.
