Clyro Community Council
FEBUARY 2009 MINUTES
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF CLYRO COMMUNITY COUNCIL
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON
TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2009
132b. IN ATTENDANCE: County Councillor Mrs M Morris, PC F Thomas
132c. APOLOGIES: No apologies received, although Cllr Brown had notified the clerk that he may be late.
134. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: An objection was raised by Cllr Thorneycroft as to the wording of the minutes in relation to Any Other Business. Cllr Thorneycroft vehemently denied that she had said that the Golden Valley Hunt masters would be looking to permanently move their pack of hounds to Old Forrest Farm, but that this may happen in the future. She stated that she had said that initially the move would be semi permanent and objected to the word permanent being used in the minutes. Following this the Chairman asked councillors to state their views on what had been said at the meeting. The vote was unanimous that the minutes had been reported correctly and should remain as written. Cllr Hood declined to vote as he had not been at the meeting in question. Following this, Cllr Thorneycroft offered her resignation. The minutes were then accepted as a true record by councillors and signed by the Chairman.
135. DECLARATION OF INTEREST (if any): There were none.
136. RESPONSIBLE PERSON for the duration of the meeting for fire regulations: Cllr B Morgan (Chairman), who pointed out all fire exits.
137. PLANNING MATTERS: including any updates on applications, including:
a. P/2008/1577 For Full Planning Permission: Conversion of window into double doors and external platform Clyro Primary School, Clyro. Full planning permission had been granted. There were no objections, all were in favour.
b. P/2008/1537 For Outline: Erection of a free range poultry house at Lower House Farm, Clyro. A letter had been received from PCC informing councillors that this planning application was to be considered at the County Planning Committee on 17 February 2009. Cllr Morris would be speaking.
138. MATTERS ARISING: These will include:
a. Community Council Assets – Cllr Morgan confirmed that the assets had been inspected and there were no problems to report.
b. Review of Clerk’s Salary – The clerk informed councillors that for the moment she was on the correct salary and this issue would be looked at following the expected salary changes.
c. Donation to Dial A Ride: In the past a donation of £100 had been donated to this cause. Councillors were asked if future donations should be of this amount, raised or lowered. It was proposed by Cllr Price that the donation should continue at £100 and this was seconded by Cllr Williams. All were in favour.
d. Costings for Internet Access: Cllr Williams had spoken to BT. He stated that there were a lot of issues that needed to be sorted out with BT. The cost would be £90 per quarter, £125 to put the line in then there was the line rental. The initial set up would cost £250 for the first 3 months. PC would cost extra as would a screen. All were in favour of Cllr Williams pursuing this.
139. REPORTS ON DOCUMENTS READ, MEETINGS ATTENDED, ACTIVITIES etc including:
a. REPORT ON CODE OF CONDUCT TRAINING: The Chairman and clerk had attended this training which had been held in Llandrindod Wells. The clerk gave a brief outline. She stated that there had been a lot of discussion on the definitions of the code of conduct, in relation to what was deemed personal interest. They felt that in a small community it would be impossible for this to work, as everyone knew each other. The speaker explained that if you were close to someone i.e went on holidays with them etc. then the code of conduct would come into play. If for instance you saw someone on a daily basis but had no other dealings with them then this would not be deemed as having a personal interest. The clerk then informed councillors that we had declaration of interest forms whereby councillors could put forward personal or prejudicial interests. We also now had forms for Gifts and Hospitality.
a. SCHOOL GOVERNORS REPORT: There was no report. The council no longer had a representative and it was decided that any interested councillors would apply to the Chairman and discussions would be held at the next meeting.
b. POLICE REPORT: There had been a few crimes in relation to theft of diesel, household and farm. There had been a shed break in at Glasbury. There had been thefts of stone slabs by Maes Yr Onnen Chapel.
There was now a live video tracking device in use which was a very useful tool.
The traffic Section now had a traffic and response team which was linked with Ceredigion and covering the whole of Powys. This team would attend most accidents and would have satellite tracking fitted into cars which would allow them to track cars nearest to the incident and allocate them to the situation.
Drug problems were being targeted and several successful warrants had been served. There had been a premises in Llyswen where cannabis plants had been found growing.
Violent crime was down although there had been a couple of incidents at Clyro Court. Licensing checks were being carried out and there had been an increase in foot patrols which involved entering licensed premises.
There had been an increase in sheep thefts on and around the Hay Bluff and Painscastle areas and police were appealing for information.
There had been an incident involving Hay church and there was no fresh information from that at the moment.
A meeting had been held on 2 February in Hay concerning the PCSO. There had been criticism that he was not being seen enough in the community. Reports from councils at the meeting (Breconshire side) were that they wanted increased visability of the PCSO and also asking for their own PCSO for Hay and Talgarth which would include Clyro. The Chief Superintendent had attended the meeting and informed them that this would not happen unless communities were willing to put some money towards getting one.
There was a 42% success rate for Hay compared to National statistics. There was a high drug detection rate.
PC Thomas then asked if councillors had any issues. Cllr Price pointed out that the double parking in the village towards the bus shelter, was dangerous and could anything be done to stop this. P C Thomas replied that this would be looked into but unless an obstruction was being caused there was little that could be done unless PCC was asked to put double yellow lines there.
c. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR MRS M MORRIS:
County Cllr Morris stated that council tax rates had now been decided. The independents had wanted a 5% increase, Cllr Morris suggested a 2.9% rise, Conservatives 2%. The majority wanted 3.9%. Cllr Morris thought that the 2.9% was a fairer amount.
In relation to street lighting, the situation was slowly calming down. Some lights had in fact been turned back on.
At this point Cllr Brown added that every secondary school in Powys was in deficit. Each of the 13 schools was underfunded. Cllr Morris replied that more money was going to Social Services, this had been caused by an increased elderly population.
d. REPORT FROM MR DAVID DAVIDSON, HILLCREST/PENTWYN:
There was no report at this time.
140. CORRESPONDENCE:
1. WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT – Appropriate sum under section 137(3) of the Local Government Act 1972. No action.
2. PCC – Recreation, Culture & Countryside Services – Independent Annual Inspection of its Children’s play areas. The community council was not responsible for any play areas. No action.
3. HAY & DISTRICT TRANSITION TOWN ‘MULLING TEAM’ – Transition Town Initiative. A small group of residents were running a series of awareness raising events throughout 2009. No action.
4. KIDNEY WALES FOUNDATION – Request for support. No action.
5. VICTIM SUPPORT – Request for donation. No action.
6. JAMES STUART, Rural Development Officer, SNAP CYMRU – Advertising free services in Powys on help and support to families of children who have special educational needs. The list of services was placed on the public notice board.
141. FINANCIAL: Current Account Balance: as at 27 January 2009 = £2569.44. Reserve Account Balance: No statement had been received for this meeting.
Clerk’s Salary: £130.42 + postage. This was proposed by Cllr Keylock and 2 nd by Cllr Brown.
Donation to Dial A Ride – Cheque for £100
Cheques drawn: £130.42
142. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Cllr Hood felt that some effort should have been made to persuade Cllr Thorneycroft not to resign and that he would ask her to reconsider. The Chairman stated that he had spoken at length with Cllr Thorneycroft and that she was adamant that if the minutes were not changed then she would resign.
Members of the public are invited to attend council meetings and to contribute at the conclusion of business. The Chairman and Councillors accept no responsibility for comments made by the public. Minutes and agenda available by email on request. Also displayed on website.
01874 711866 – www.clyro.org
SIGNED: ………………………………………….. DATE: …………………………
