MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF CLYRO COMMUNITY COUNCIL
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2010
AT 7.00PM

100a. PRESENT: Cllr B Morgan (Chairman), Cllr V Price (Vice Chairman), Cllr G Green, Cllr C Drake, Cllr E Brown, Cllr H Wheeler

100b. IN ATTENDANCE: County Cllr Mrs M Morris, PC Fean Thomas, Mr David Davidson

101. APOLOGIES: Cllr A Williams

102. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: These were accepted as a true record by councillors and signed by the Chairman.

103. DECLARATION OF INTEREST (if any): There were none.

104. RESPONSIBLE PERSON for the duration of the meeting for fire regulations: Cllr B Morgan (Chairman), who pointed out all fire exits.

105. PLANNING MATTERS: including any updates on applications, including:

There were no planning matters.

106. 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. BT Broadband – The Chairman had approached the Hall Committee to seek permission to erect a BT Telephone Pole in the grounds. There were no objections to this and they had also agreed to donate £500 towards the cost.

c. Purchase of a pole from BT – The Chairman had spoken to PCC regarding this and there were no objections. The Hall Committee were to write to the solicitors and if the church solicitors agree as well then things could proceed. Things can’t go any further at present. The Chairman asked councillors if they were in agreement. Cllr E Brown proposed it and Cllr C Drake seconded. All were in favour.

d. Adoption of a red telephone box – Adoption not going ahead.

107. REPORTS ON DOCUMENTS READ, MEETINGS ATTENDED, ACTIVITIES etc including:

a. SCHOOL GOVERNORS REPORT: Cllr Brown informed councillors that the Governing Body had met and the main item on the agenda was the modernisation programme which was discussed in detail. Three or four schools may be closed. Hay, Talgarth, Llyswen and Llangorse were the four main areas of people. It was most likely to be one of these areas in which to build. There would be a final consultation meeting to decide the outcome. The next meeting would be 3 March.

b. POLICE REPORT: PC Thomas reported that in response regarding Clyro receiving a mobile speed sign, he had made some progress. It was now being referred to Radnorshire as Breconshire’s was unavailable. Contact had been made and he was awaiting a response.

Also at the last meeting it was asked if it was illegal to pass on the wrong side of keep left bollards. PC Thomas stated that it was a breach to go on the wrong side of the bollards.

PC Thomas reported that there had been several and unusual deaths in the neighbourhood. Also more unusual break-ins had taken place by thieves who travel into the area to commit these crimes. Traffic had been tasked at night to cover.

There had been nothing directly concerning Clyro, although there had been an increase in traffic movement through the village to bypass the camera. Traffic Department to look at the increasing number of drivers being stopped for speeding.

PC Thomas asked that residents be vigilant and report any unusual vehicles. Also to make sure their cars and properties were locked. There were now some people carrying out occupied break-ins.

c. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR MRS M MORRIS:

The secondary school development plant had been discussed a lot. She stated it was unfortunate that the working document had been leaked as it was not ready for publication. There was to be a big Council Meeting on Thursday to discuss how important it is for an idea to be put through the correct channels and procedures.

At a planning seminar, there had been great concern shown that builders were getting planning permission to build 6 houses etc. but not actually building them. This was probably due to the recession but they could delay building for 5 years as long as a token start had been made.

Cllr Morris stated that affordable dwellings were difficult to get mortgages on.

The salt situation had now eased. Cllr Morris spoke of her gratitude to local people for helping clear the roads during the recent spell of bad weather. She stated that this showed that there was a lot of community spirit and it was very much appreciated.

The Chairman asked who was responsible for cutting the hedge by the old pottery where planning permission had been given. Cllr Morris stated that it was not the planning department’s responsibility once planning permission had been granted. It was the responsibility of the owner. The owner would be contacted.

Mr Davidson gave an update on the school. There were 9 boys, 1 had left and another 1 had arrived. Teaching Staff were at a maximum. Adverts and interviews had been done for 2 RCW’s and 2 Seniors which would bring staffing levels to a maximum.

Mr Davidson went on to say that forming a Board of Governors was still on the agenda. It would be made up of Hillcrest and interested members of the local public. He would take advice as to who should be on the Board. It was intended that a maximum of 6 meetings or a minimum of 3 meetings per year would be held.

The Chairman asked how many members would be required, to which Mr Davidson answered that the more there were the better.

Cllr Brown said some groundwork would have to be done in relation to what it would entail. Mr Davidson stated that it could be an advisory body, and to be part of what was going on. A cross section of people was needed, including local residents. Cllr Brown suggested that it should be called an ‘Advisory Body’ and not a Board of Governors as that was another thing entirely.

Mr Davidson advised that the new principal would attend future meetings. There would be some involvement in budget controls. Cllr Brown suggested a general meeting to see who would want to be involved.

The councillors were informed that the new Principal would be starting on 15 March 2010 and was very interested in attending the council meetings. It was agreed that this was the way forward.

The Chairman then thanked Mr Davidson for attending the council meetings.

108. CORRESPONDENCE:

1. MR BRYN WILLIAMS – Letter re Council’s letter to Mrs Dempster. The clerk read out the letter. Cllr Morris stated that she had written to the DCSF to inform them that having older boys at the school was a very unpopular move. She had received a letter back stating that this would be taken into consideration.

2. NSPCC – How to protect more local children from abuse and neglect. The Chairman would scan the information and it would be available on the website.

3. WAG – Consultation on Accounts and Audit (Wales) amendment regulations – Cllr Brown took to read.

4. PRP – Powys Regeneration Partnership Newsletter – Cllr Green took this to read.

5. OMBUDMAN – Public Services Ombudsman for Wales - New Information Booklet.

6. ONE VOICE WALES – Buckingham Palace Garden Party. This was to be held on 20 July 2010. No action.

109. FINANCIAL: Current Account Balance:as at 31 Dec £1419.21. Reserve Account Balance: £2,824.73. No updated statements had been received in time for the meeting.

Cheques drawn: £142.43

Clerk’s Salary: This was proposed by Cllr Brown and seconded by Cllr Wheeler. All were in favour.

110. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

Cllr Price informed Cllr Morris of ice on the road by the caravan site. Cllr Morris to contact owner. Cllr Wheeler had seen someone working to try to clear the ice.

There being no other business, the meeting was CLOSED at 8.01pm.

Following this there was some discussion with Susie Hobby, Housing Enabler, who had been invited to the meeting. She outlined her role which was to engage with the community regarding the desperate need for affordable housing. She gave councillors handouts. What she wished to do was:

The Chairman pointed out that currently what was deemed affordable housing was about £160-170,000, which wasn’t affordable to locals, especially young couples.

Ms Hobby stated that the first factor was to find some affordable land possibly an exception site which can’t be sold on the open market and was only available for affordable housing. She stated that she could help identify any such property.

The Chairman was to contact locals who may be interested in talking to Ms Hobby and to give the Clerk the details to forward.