Clyro Community Council
JANUARY 2007 MINUTES
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF CLYRO COMMUNITY COUNCIL
held in the Village Hall on
TUESDAY 9th JANUARY 2007 at 8.00pm
108. a. PRESENT: Cllr. B. Morgan (Chairman) Vice Chairman Price Cllr. Herdman
Cllr. Hood Cllr. Wheeler
County Cllr. Morris PC Thomas
b. APOLOGIES: Cllrs. Green, Morgan and Smith
The Chairman congratulated Cllr. Hood on his appointment to the Bench.
c. MINUTES: The minutes of the December 2006 meeting were approved by Councillors and signed by the Chairman.
d. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: none.
109. PLANNING MATTERS
- PC Thomas arrived at this point -
a. NEW: PR569205 - Full: Conversion of former shelter range and stable to dwelling, construction of double garage (retrospective/regularisation) at Pen-y-Pwll (4 Boatside Barns, Clyro)
The Chairman reminded Councillors that Martin Goldman had come to the December meeting to explain the circumstances of this application. Minor amendments had been made to the original plans such that a new application had to be submitted. All Councillors were in favour of this application.
b. NEW: PR4766/02 - Full: Change of use of barn to form 2 units for holiday accommodation and installation on new septic tank at Barn at Glyn Farm, Painscastle
All were in favour of this application.
c. NEW - PR569206 - Full: Conversion of redundant farm building to dwelling house, construction of new double garage and installation of septic tank (retrospective/regularisation) at 3 Boatside Barns.
All were in favour.
110. MATTERS ARISING
a. HIGHWAYS MATTERS UPDATE -
i. Hedges. Gordon Griffiths has phoned to say that he will meet up with Councillors asking him to cut his hedge, in order to find out where they think there is a problem. Vice Chairman Price will talk with him, but said that BT have been chopping trees since Christmas and that he thought the problem was better now.
b. Clerk’s post
The Clerk’s post has been advertised, but no-one so far has applied. The Chairman suggested that a newspaper ad might be needed. Councillors agreed that an ad should be placed in both the Hereford Times and the Brecon and Radnor.
111. REPORTS ON DOCUMENTS READ; MEETINGS ATTENDED; ACTIVITIES ETC.
a. DOCUMENTS READ
i. Powys County Council: Code of Conduct with planning matters/applications
The Chairman said he thought that all this had been explained by County Cllr. Morris at the last meeting.
112. SCHOOL GOVERNOR’S REPORT
Cllr. Williams being absent, Cllr. Herdman told Councillors that there were new pupils at the school (as planned intake); that there had been no Governors’ meeting yet this term; that all seemed fine. The last of the four whiteboards is now in the school. There will be a chance to see them during the activity day, which is planned for when the weather is better.
113. POLICE REPORT
PC Thomas gave his best wishes for the New Year to everyone.
Re crime in December: only 2 crimes were reported for the Clyro area. There was a theft from a vehicle – Cllr. Hood’s tools were stolen. Scrap men have stolen a quad bike from a barn. The police were pleased that there was such a good response from neighbours. PC Thomas said that they were hoping for an arrest. This was thought to be due to travelling criminals again.
There have been two incidents involving children from Pentwyn who were missing. (This usually happens though when the children are out for the day rather than being missing while in Clyro.)
PC Thomas asked whether Councillors had any questions for him. Neighbourhood policing is a national initiative; PACT meetings are being set up so that the public can say what their policing priorities are.
The Chairman said he thought that the visible presence of known officers was important, and suggested that a meeting with the police and public could be set up to take place before a community council meeting. Cllr. Herdman said she thought that building a relationship between police, community council and public was valuable.
114. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR MORRIS
County Cllr. Morris said that most of her council work since Christmas had been on the budget. Services will stay, but some staff will go, to cut costs, with up to 56 staff are being made redundant. The Assembly has given Powys less of an increase in money than had been promised. Costs will have to be made by Highways, and no new jobs will be created. Vacancies will only be filled after the committee has looked at them. The various political groups in the council differ as to the rise in council tax they find acceptable, but nothing has been decided as yet. Cllr. Hood asked about the proportions of supporters of different parties amongst councillors.
Cllr Herdman asked about the reviews of primary schools. County Cllr. Morris said that, although she is on the education committee, she had heard nothing further.
115. CORRESPONDENCE
a. DTI – letter re post offices
The Clerk read this to the meeting. It gave reasons for the proposed closures. Cllr. Hood asked for a copy so that he could reply personally, as well. He said that the government had systematically reduced post office services over the last ten years. Discussion ensued about the personal nature of drawing pensions, the difficulties which have been made for those not wanting their pensions paid into a bank account, and the inadvisability, from the point of view of cash-in-transit crime, of the idea of mobile post offices.
b. Powys CC – Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan Consultation
This was taken by Vice Chairman Price who will pass it on to the Chairman.
c. Tom Fairfield re planning matters
This letter consisted of questions to be forwarded to County Cllr. Morris. A copy to be passed to her. Tom Fairfield, who was at the meeting, asked County Cllr. Morris if she knew that Powys had apparently refused money offered by CCW for a county ecologist. She said that she had not known this, and suggested that Tom address the chief executive about it.
116. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a. BANK BALANCES – Current account: £2,267.11, as at 5th December 2006.
b. Precept request
This was discussed, following which Cllr. Hood proposed, and Cllr. Herdman seconded, leaving the precept as it is, at £2,250. This was agreed by all.
c. Increase in Clerk’s hours?
It was suggested that the Clerk’s paid hours be increased by five to fifteen per month, with a review in six months’ time. The volume of work has gone up over the last few years, and this will help the new clerk. This was proposed by Cllr. Hood, seconded by Cllr. Herdman and agreed by all.
d. CLERK’S SALARY
Payment of £86.95, was proposed by Cllr. Herdman, seconded by Vice Chairman Price, and agreed by Councillors.
e. PAYMENTS
i. Cheques drawn: Clerk’s salary: £86.95.
117. OTHER BUSINESS
a. The Chairman has checked the Council’s assets this month. No problems were noted.
b. Cllr. Wheeler reported that there had been a lot of dumping of refuse and household waste in plastic bags off the lane above the school. PC Thomas will investigate.
c. Cllr. Wheeler asked about the layout of the caravan site. The Clerk to bring the last plans to next month’s meeting.
d. Cllr. Hood thanked the Chairman and Councillors for their comments about his appointment.
The Chairman then thanked all those who had come to the meeting and
THE MEETING WAS FORMALLY CLOSED AT 9.15. Minutes were taken by the Clerk.
CHAIRMAN: ………………………………………… DATE …………………………..
held in the Village Hall on
TUESDAY 9th JANUARY 2007 at 8.00pm
108. a. PRESENT: Cllr. B. Morgan (Chairman) Vice Chairman Price Cllr. Herdman
Cllr. Hood Cllr. Wheeler
County Cllr. Morris PC Thomas
b. APOLOGIES: Cllrs. Green, Morgan and Smith
The Chairman congratulated Cllr. Hood on his appointment to the Bench.
c. MINUTES: The minutes of the December 2006 meeting were approved by Councillors and signed by the Chairman.
d. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: none.
109. PLANNING MATTERS
- PC Thomas arrived at this point -
a. NEW: PR569205 - Full: Conversion of former shelter range and stable to dwelling, construction of double garage (retrospective/regularisation) at Pen-y-Pwll (4 Boatside Barns, Clyro)
The Chairman reminded Councillors that Martin Goldman had come to the December meeting to explain the circumstances of this application. Minor amendments had been made to the original plans such that a new application had to be submitted. All Councillors were in favour of this application.
b. NEW: PR4766/02 - Full: Change of use of barn to form 2 units for holiday accommodation and installation on new septic tank at Barn at Glyn Farm, Painscastle
All were in favour of this application.
c. NEW - PR569206 - Full: Conversion of redundant farm building to dwelling house, construction of new double garage and installation of septic tank (retrospective/regularisation) at 3 Boatside Barns.
All were in favour.
110. MATTERS ARISING
a. HIGHWAYS MATTERS UPDATE -
i. Hedges. Gordon Griffiths has phoned to say that he will meet up with Councillors asking him to cut his hedge, in order to find out where they think there is a problem. Vice Chairman Price will talk with him, but said that BT have been chopping trees since Christmas and that he thought the problem was better now.
b. Clerk’s post
The Clerk’s post has been advertised, but no-one so far has applied. The Chairman suggested that a newspaper ad might be needed. Councillors agreed that an ad should be placed in both the Hereford Times and the Brecon and Radnor.
111. REPORTS ON DOCUMENTS READ; MEETINGS ATTENDED; ACTIVITIES ETC.
a. DOCUMENTS READ
i. Powys County Council: Code of Conduct with planning matters/applications
The Chairman said he thought that all this had been explained by County Cllr. Morris at the last meeting.
112. SCHOOL GOVERNOR’S REPORT
Cllr. Williams being absent, Cllr. Herdman told Councillors that there were new pupils at the school (as planned intake); that there had been no Governors’ meeting yet this term; that all seemed fine. The last of the four whiteboards is now in the school. There will be a chance to see them during the activity day, which is planned for when the weather is better.
113. POLICE REPORT
PC Thomas gave his best wishes for the New Year to everyone.
Re crime in December: only 2 crimes were reported for the Clyro area. There was a theft from a vehicle – Cllr. Hood’s tools were stolen. Scrap men have stolen a quad bike from a barn. The police were pleased that there was such a good response from neighbours. PC Thomas said that they were hoping for an arrest. This was thought to be due to travelling criminals again.
There have been two incidents involving children from Pentwyn who were missing. (This usually happens though when the children are out for the day rather than being missing while in Clyro.)
PC Thomas asked whether Councillors had any questions for him. Neighbourhood policing is a national initiative; PACT meetings are being set up so that the public can say what their policing priorities are.
The Chairman said he thought that the visible presence of known officers was important, and suggested that a meeting with the police and public could be set up to take place before a community council meeting. Cllr. Herdman said she thought that building a relationship between police, community council and public was valuable.
114. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR MORRIS
County Cllr. Morris said that most of her council work since Christmas had been on the budget. Services will stay, but some staff will go, to cut costs, with up to 56 staff are being made redundant. The Assembly has given Powys less of an increase in money than had been promised. Costs will have to be made by Highways, and no new jobs will be created. Vacancies will only be filled after the committee has looked at them. The various political groups in the council differ as to the rise in council tax they find acceptable, but nothing has been decided as yet. Cllr. Hood asked about the proportions of supporters of different parties amongst councillors.
Cllr Herdman asked about the reviews of primary schools. County Cllr. Morris said that, although she is on the education committee, she had heard nothing further.
115. CORRESPONDENCE
a. DTI – letter re post offices
The Clerk read this to the meeting. It gave reasons for the proposed closures. Cllr. Hood asked for a copy so that he could reply personally, as well. He said that the government had systematically reduced post office services over the last ten years. Discussion ensued about the personal nature of drawing pensions, the difficulties which have been made for those not wanting their pensions paid into a bank account, and the inadvisability, from the point of view of cash-in-transit crime, of the idea of mobile post offices.
b. Powys CC – Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan Consultation
This was taken by Vice Chairman Price who will pass it on to the Chairman.
c. Tom Fairfield re planning matters
This letter consisted of questions to be forwarded to County Cllr. Morris. A copy to be passed to her. Tom Fairfield, who was at the meeting, asked County Cllr. Morris if she knew that Powys had apparently refused money offered by CCW for a county ecologist. She said that she had not known this, and suggested that Tom address the chief executive about it.
116. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a. BANK BALANCES – Current account: £2,267.11, as at 5th December 2006.
b. Precept request
This was discussed, following which Cllr. Hood proposed, and Cllr. Herdman seconded, leaving the precept as it is, at £2,250. This was agreed by all.
c. Increase in Clerk’s hours?
It was suggested that the Clerk’s paid hours be increased by five to fifteen per month, with a review in six months’ time. The volume of work has gone up over the last few years, and this will help the new clerk. This was proposed by Cllr. Hood, seconded by Cllr. Herdman and agreed by all.
d. CLERK’S SALARY
Payment of £86.95, was proposed by Cllr. Herdman, seconded by Vice Chairman Price, and agreed by Councillors.
e. PAYMENTS
i. Cheques drawn: Clerk’s salary: £86.95.
117. OTHER BUSINESS
a. The Chairman has checked the Council’s assets this month. No problems were noted.
b. Cllr. Wheeler reported that there had been a lot of dumping of refuse and household waste in plastic bags off the lane above the school. PC Thomas will investigate.
c. Cllr. Wheeler asked about the layout of the caravan site. The Clerk to bring the last plans to next month’s meeting.
d. Cllr. Hood thanked the Chairman and Councillors for their comments about his appointment.
The Chairman then thanked all those who had come to the meeting and
THE MEETING WAS FORMALLY CLOSED AT 9.15. Minutes were taken by the Clerk.
CHAIRMAN: ………………………………………… DATE …………………………..
