MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF CLYRO COMMUNITY COUNCIL
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON 10 OCTOBER 2009
TUESDAY AT 7.00PM
67a. PRESENT: Cllr B Morgan (Chairman), Cllr V Price (Vice Chairman), Cllr E Brown, Cllr A Williams, Cllr G Green, Cllr H Wheeler
67b. IN ATTENDANCE: County Councillor Mrs M Morris, Members of the Public
68. APOLOGIES: Cllr D Hood, Cllr C Drake, PC F Thomas
69. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: These were accepted as a true record by councillors and signed by the Chairman.
70. DECLARATION OF INTEREST (if any): There were none.
71. RESPONSIBLE PERSON for the duration of the meeting for fire regulations:Cllr B Morgan (Chairman), who pointed out all fire exits.
72. PLANNING MATTERS: including any updates on applications, including: No planning applications had been received.
73. 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. Donation to Wales Air Ambulance - It was proposed that a donation of £100 be made. This was proposed by Cllr Wheeler and seconded by Cllr Williams. All were in favour.
c. BT Update – The Chairman informed councillors that there was a hold up with this, a new pole may have to be erected at a cost of about £990, the Chairman said this was not acceptable as the agreed package did not include this. He was going to contact BT as he had heard nothing recently. Alternatives may have to be look at.
74. REPORTS ON DOCUMENTS READ, MEETINGS ATTENDED, ACTIVITIES etc including:
a. SCHOOL GOVERNORS REPORT: Cllr Brown stated that Clyro Governors meeting had taken place on Wednesday 7 th . The annual meeting with parents had been well attended. Parents were worried about the closure of schools. PCC had started the first series of primary modernisation meetings. However, Clyro was one of the larger schools so it may survive. There were currently 90 pupils who attended the school and had received good reports. It was a positive meeting. Cllr Brown pointed out that education was costing a lot of money and many schools were too small, some had only 20 pupils.
b. POLICE REPORT: Apologies had been received from PC Thomas, who following sick leave was on restricted duties.
c. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR MRS M MORRIS:
Cllr Morris spoke on the merger between PCC and Powys tLHB. She had written about this in the Church magazine. She stated that nothing would be done in the near future as there were a lot of hurdles to overcome. Budget efficiences were beginning on Friday where business plans would be put forward. Plans would be put forward but there was a moratorium on most projects relating to work carried out by Highways i.e. no pot holes would be filled in if it was a by road. This would be a shame as Powys had a good record in repairing roads. Things would be put ‘under wraps’ for a year.
d. REPORT FROM MR DAVID DAVIDSON, HILLCREST/PENTWYN:
Mr Davidson stated that there had been no changes in staff recently. One boy was leaving in 2 weeks who was going to a foster placement.
In relation to the incident when the fire alarm had gone off. This happened following the installation of a new system. The secretary had spoken to the Team Manager and the system was eventually turned off, although it still showed there to be a fire. The ambulance and fire brigade arrived and checked the building which was deemed to be safe. He apologised for the disturbance to locals.
He had received several complaints about boys wandering. These incidents were sporadic. Some of the boys go to Hay youth club and have higher levels of trust. Two youths in particular roam looking for cigarettes. Four boys had decided to leave the previous week and they had problems getting them to return, in particular a 12 year old who was deemed at risk.
Following numerous complaints of staff smoking outside the school a designated area had now been made. These things do take a little time to resolve, but all complaints are taken seriously and they try to resolve them.
On the whole there is no great risk to the community. Mr Davidson then read out a list of referrals which had been received for August, only one had been accepted. He also stated that he had to report why the boys had been turned down. Eight referrals had been received in September, most of which were not accepted. He said he closely monitored all referrals and it was he who decided who was accepted. He appreciated that some boys do leave the site without permission and he was very clear on the impact this had on the local community.
A new telephone system has now been installed and all calls should be answered.
Cllr Brown stated that whilst he thought David did his best, there was still the incident of boys on Dorothy’s roof.
Also Cllr Price had heard that a boy’s clothes had been found buried in soil which was worrying.
Cllr Williams felt that David had given them a flavour of the type of boys at the school. He felt that the newsletter, which had been talked about at previous meetings was a good idea and may alleviate some of the fears of local residents. David replied that fliers were being done and a school newsletter was being produced by the boys.
At this point the chairman informed members of the public that any comments or questions could be made to Mr Davidson at the close of the meeting.
75. CORRESPONDENCE:
1. MID POWYS RURAL HOUSING ENABLER – Letter of introduction to Miss Susie Hobby. No action required.
2. ONE VOICE WALES – Brecon & Radnor Area Committee Friday 2 October, notice of this had been received between council meetings and was too late for any councillors to attend.
3. BT – Invitation to adopt a local red telephone box - Cllr Williams took the details and this would be discussed at the next meeting.
4. POWYS REGENERATION PARTNERSHIP- Business Plan Consultation. No action.
5. SOCIETY OF LOCAL COUNCIL CLERKS – Leaflets etc which the Chairman took to read.
6. WALES AUDIT OFFICE – Financial Arrangements – A new Good Practice Guide had been developed. Details of how to access was given.
7. PAVO – Grants Fit For Funding Training to be held on 20 October 2009 in Llandrindod at the cost of £20 per person. No action.
8. PCC – Invitation to the presentation to Town and Community Councils in Powys to describe the operation of forthcoming electoral review to take place in County Hall, Brecon on 22 October 2009. No action.
9. PCC – Consultation for the proposed change in allocation of funding of community centres and village halls. The purpose of the consultation was to invite feedback and generate discussions between the council and those involved in the day to day running of the village halls. Events to start at 7pm. Cllr Brown took details.
10. BT – Second letter received about adopting a telephone kiosk. Details given to Cllr Williams.
11. VICTIM SUPPORT – Letter requesting a donation. No action.
12. BDO (Audit) – Letter received asking for further details on increase in expenses and the amount of reserve held. Clerk to write.
13. Brochure on playground equipment – Cllr Williams to read.
76. FINANCIAL: Reserve Account Balance: £2573.52 as at 28/8/09. Current Account Balance: £1064.91 as at 29/9/09.
Clerk’s salary to include admin costs of £32.16: £174.59. This was proposed by Cllr Wheeler and seconded by Cllr Green. All were in favour.
Cheques drawn: £160.48 to Chairman, £117.76 to Mr Mike Smith, £1085.60 to ACT and £144.46 to Clerk.
77. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
The Chairman stated that a donation to the British Legion for £30 needed to be put on agenda for the next meeting. He also asked if the WI were going to make a wreath. Dorothy stated that she did not know anything about this but would look into it.
An advisory Committee meeting was to be held on 25 November 2009.
Cllr Brown informed councillors that there was to be a coffee morning on Saturday in aid of the Church at 10.30-12.00 and it was also a chance to meet the new vicar.
Mr Tom Fairfield gave an update on the situation regarding planning. He stated that plans had been called in as plans have been breached. The planning may not be legal. He stated that Powys County Council may be faced with millions in fines as they had not been complying with the correct policies. Some plans should not have been approved because of ecological issues. He had written to PCC asking them to attend one of these meetings but they had declined.
Cllr Brown thanked Mr Fairfield. He also said that Clyro School thanked him for all his work and Cllr Williams thanked him for talking to us.
There being no other business, the meeting was CLOSED at 7.50pm.
Questions and comments made to The chairman and Mr Davidson:
Mr Bryn Williams asked why there was no police report. He was informed that the police officer who usually attended the meetings was currently on restricted duties following sick leave.
He also asked why the clerk’s name was not listed in those present at the meetings. The Chairman replied that he would look into the necessity of this.
Mr Williams accepted Mr Davidson’s report, but stated that there was still incidents of boys congregating in front of his and Dorothy’s houses, who used bad language and were very rowdy and that this was totally inappropriate behaviour. He asked that this be taken into account. Mr Davidson replied that these boys should not be there, there were other areas for the boys to go and there was no reason for them to be congregating in front of the houses.
Mrs Williams asked Mr Davidson to call at their home to see the window where the boys look out of, they could see into their lounge, which was an invasion of privacy. There were no curtains or blinds on the boys windows. Mr Davidson stated that he would look at making the windows opaque.
She also said that she had seen the boys in a temper and that it was very frightening. Mr Davidson informed her that there was no direct personal risk and it was highly unlikely that would boys would do anything. Mrs Williams said that she had received verbal abuse from the boys and Mr Davidson said he would deal with this directly.
Dorothy was concerned with the safety of the boys. She had seen one boy standing in the middle of the road, could there be advance speed limit signs. The Chairman stated that they had already requested more signs. Mr Davidson had also asked for 20mph signs to be put up, but he was told this couldn’t be done as it was a private school. He would consider paying for such signs to be placed there, as the boy’s safety was paramount.
Cllr Williams stated that he was amazed how Dorothy still cared about the boys even though they were causing problems at her house. He also asked Mr and Mrs Williams if he could visit their home to try to understand what was occurring.
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: …………………………
Clyro Community Council
OCTOBER 2009 MINUTES