Clyro Community Council
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF CLYRO COMMUNITY COUNCIL
held in the Village Hall on
TUESDAY 12th SEPTEMBER 2006 at 8pm
68. a. PRESENT: Cllr. B. Morgan (Chairman) Cllr. Price (Vice Chairman) Cllr. Herdman Cllr. M. Morgan Cllr. Williams (arrived during meeting)
County Cllr. M. Morris
b. APOLOGIES: Cllr. Smith, Cllr.Wheeler (received after meeting)
c. MINUTES: The minutes of the August meeting were approved by Councillors and signed by the Chairman.
d. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
69. PLANNING MATTERS
a. NEW: PR651800: Full: Erection of a conservatory and erection of first floor extension at Ashbrook Lodge, Clyro.
- Cllr. Williams arrived at this point -
The plans were passed round. All Councillors were in favour of the application.
b. Re: PR285804: Variation of condition of PR2858/02 for extension of time SO24NW – Land adj. Janannie, Rhydspence – planning consent given.
c. Re PR233112 – Pentwyn School. County Cllr. Morris said that this will probably go to the October Planning Committee meeting, which will be the first one at which the new planning arrangements will apply. [See County Councillor Morris’s Report below]
70. MATTERS ARISING
a. HIGHWAYS MATTERS UPDATE -
i. SAFETY ON AND BY THE A438; THE BOLLARDS ETC.: Richard Hobbs from Highways will come before the October Community Council meeting at 7.30pm.
71. REPORTS ON DOCUMENTS READ; MEETINGS ATTENDED; ACTIVITIES ETC.
a. DOCUMENTS READ
i. BRECON ADVICE CENTRE – ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR 2005/6
- outlining services and asking for financial support. The Chairman had no comment to make on this.
b. MEETINGS
i. The Chairman reported on a meeting he had attended at which residents (chiefly from Begwyns Bluff) met with Pentwyn representatives to discuss the recent disturbance at the school. The boys in question are no longer in the school.
72. SCHOOL GOVERNOR’S REPORT
Cllr. Herdman had just come from the first Governors’ meeting since the school inspection. She told Councillors that the inspectors’ report had been very good, their thoughts being similar to the school’s own self-evaluation. There were 80 pupils in the school at the start of the autumn term. There continues to be the problem of lack of space. Events may be better held in the church or the village hall. Clearing out of rubbish, bottles etc. from the ponds and grounds has been necessary, and the apples were gone from the trees, after the Rum Do event at Baskerville Hall Hotel. A connection is suspected.
73. POLICE REPORT
P.C. Swales is no longer the Beat Manager for the Clyro area. His successor, Fin Thomas, came to the meeting. He talked about the good working relationship which the police have with Pentwyn School. The Chairman asked about the Rum Do event. P.C. Thomas said that, because there are so many events in the summer, it is difficult for the police to allocate resources to all. Cllr. M. Morgan said she had complained
about the noise to the Environmental Health department. The Chairman suggested contacting them ahead of any similar event proposed for the future. P.C. Thomas said that extra police staff are coming out to Hay, though this may be temporary. There has been a higher level of crime in Hay this year, mostly vandalism. However, apart from last month, the previous four months’ local police detection figures have been the highest in Powys. Cllr.Herdman asked P.C. Thomas if he had had any recent reports of people in cars touring farms perhaps looking for scrap etc. She knew of a few farms who had been visited. P.C. Thomas said that the registration numbers of the cars in question were needed.
74. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR MORRIS
County Cllr. Morris quoted from the Review of Community Areas and Electoral Arrangements. Clyro will keep all its Councillors.
She has heard from Richard Hobbs concerning the path to Hay. There is not money in the shrinking Highways budget for additional cutting. Philip Wear, the county’s Farms Manager, has spoken with Dai Davies, who is cutting his hedges twice this year. Hedges are not supposed to be cut before September, but earlier cutting is permitted if there are safety considerations. It was again suggested that the Community Council pay for cutting with money from the precept. Cllr. Smith has obtained a rough estimate of £20-30. County Cllr. Morris has again asked for a kerb.
The Vice Chairman asked about a problem drain near the Hay bridge. County Cllr. Morris will look into this.
County Cllr. Morris has asked the School Governors about siting of the proposed pedestrian (pelican) crossing for Clyro. She needs to know what the majority of residents want before the Radnorshire Committee Meeting. Discussion ensued about the pros and cons of different locations; the needs of schoolchildren and the needs of the village as a whole, and who is at most risk. Cllr. Williams thought that the real problem was the speed of traffic and again suggested a reduced speed limit. The Chairman was for increasing parking by the school. Parents are apparently unwilling to take responsibility for crossing a “walking bus” of schoolchildren. Cllrs. Herdman and Williams thought the crossing should be close to the school; the Chairman,
Vice Chairman and Cllr. M. Morgan thought it should be nearer to the junction of the road to Hay. The Chairman asked about the possibility of an illuminated variable speed limit.
Cllr. Smith had forwarded a message about encroaching hedges on the Painscastle Road, the landowners being the residents of Pentwyn, Cwm Cynfelin and Brook Cottage. Gordon Griffiths’ hedges were also mentioned. The Clerk to forward relevant names and addresses to Highways who will ask people to cut their hedges.
[and see continuation of report below]
75. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Hay and District Dial-a-Ride - letter of thanks received for £100 donation from Clyro.
b. Powys County Council – Temporary prohibition of traffic order (C1331 Painscastle Rd)
Although this states that the closure, from 4th – 16th September, is for a new water duct to be installed, County Cllr. Morris said that it is in fact for broadband installation.
c. Adjudication Panel for Wales – Annual Report
Taken by the Chairman.
- At this point, Cllr. Herdman asked County Cllr. Morris about the new planning arrangements which she had said she would explain to Councillors -
74. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR MORRIS cont’d
County Cllr. Morris said that, from now on, County Councillors may either vote on applications, or speak about them, taking the part of the County Councillor, but not both. County Cllr. Morris said that she will generally speak on applications. She reminded Councillors that the Community Council can speak at a planning committee meeting, in addition to applicant and objector. No site visits will now take place before planning committee meetings unless the application is for a very large development. From now on, 85% of applications will probably be delegated to planning officers.
75. CORRESPONDENCE cont’d.
d. Powys CC – Radnorshire Autumn Liaison Meeting: 9th October, at 7pm at County Hall.
The Chairman and Cllr. M. Morgan plan to go. No item was put forward by the Community Council for the agenda.
e. Powys CC – re Members’ Code of Conduct in planning matters with Questionnaire.
The Clerk has completed and returned the questionnaire asking about the Council’s procedure for considering planning applications.
f. Assembly – Beecham Review of Local Service Delivery: “Beyond Boundaries”
Taken by the Chairman. There are to be three meetings across Wales but none is at all local.
g. Powys CC – Review of Community Areas and Electoral Arrangements – final proposals
The Clerk read from the proposals, which list areas suitable for possible new housing in Clyro, along with the reference numbers of the relevant planning policies.
h. Clerks and Councils Direct
Taken by the Vice-Chairman who will pass this on to the Chairman.
i. From Tom Fairfield re ecological matters
The Clerk read out this letter, which asked the Community Council to contact the County Council questioning the approval of several local planning applications without adequate surveys or mitigation. Cllr. Herdman remembered that the County Council had asked CCW for a bat survey regarding Penllan. Cllr. Williams said that the Council didn’t know that the facts as stated were correct. Councillors decided not to write.
j. One Voice Wales: National Training Strategy for Community and Town Councils in Wales.
Views invited. Taken by the Clerk.
k. PCC re Welsh Assembly Government- Active Lifestyles Community Council Capital Programme
Taken by Cllr. Herdman.
l. Shelter Cymru – Information and request for funds.
The Clerk to respond with a refusal, in line with the Council’s policy regarding all services not in the local area.
76. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a. BANK BALANCES – Current account: £2,557.96 as at 5th September 2006
b. ANNUAL RETURN - AMENDMENTS
The external auditor has inspected the annual return, and requires that the accounts are altered to include cheques paid but unpresented at the end of the financial year. He has also queried the value of the community’s assets, which are insured to a value of £10,000, but shown on the annual return to have a value of £0.
Councillors considered the following statement, to be sent, if approved, to the External Auditor: “The village green has never been valued and is not saleable by the Council. The noticeboards and benches were inexpensive to start with and are now several years old, such that their draw-down or saleable value is considered by the Council to be nil. The standing stone feature has not been valued, and is not considered to have financial value. In summary, in the opinion of the Council, its assets are of nil value”.
On the external auditor’s suggestion, the Clerk has checked with the insurers about a possible reduction in premium if the assets are not worth £10,000. The insurers have replied that the insurance is a standard package offered to small councils, with no option to alter it.
i. VALUE OF ASSETS
Cllr. M. Morgan proposed and Cllr. Herdman seconded authorisation of the Council’s declaration that the current book value of all its tangible assets as £0. All agreed.
ii. ANNUAL RETURN SECTION 1 – Statement of Accounts - Amended
The amended statement of accounts was passed round for Councillors to inspect. Cllr. Herdman proposed, and Cllr. Williams seconded, approval. All were in favour. The Council therefore authorised the amended Statement of Accounts which was then signed by the Chairman and Clerk.
iii. The Chairman and Clerk then signed the amended summary receipts and payments sheet.
c. CLERK’S SALARY
Payment of £86.95 was proposed by Cllr. M. Morgan and seconded by Cllr. Herdman, and agreed by Councillors.
d. PAYMENTS
Cheques drawn: Clerk’s salary plus expenses: £86.95
77. OTHER BUSINESS
a. Payment for the British Legion poppy wreath to go on next month’s agenda.
b. The Chairman has checked the Council’s assets this month. No attention is needed.
The Chairman then thanked all those who had come to the meeting and
THE MEETING WAS FORMALLY CLOSED AT 9.35pm. Minutes were taken by the Clerk.
CHAIRMAN: ………………………………………… DATE …………………………..
held in the Village Hall on
TUESDAY 12th SEPTEMBER 2006 at 8pm
68. a. PRESENT: Cllr. B. Morgan (Chairman) Cllr. Price (Vice Chairman) Cllr. Herdman Cllr. M. Morgan Cllr. Williams (arrived during meeting)
County Cllr. M. Morris
b. APOLOGIES: Cllr. Smith, Cllr.Wheeler (received after meeting)
c. MINUTES: The minutes of the August meeting were approved by Councillors and signed by the Chairman.
d. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
69. PLANNING MATTERS
a. NEW: PR651800: Full: Erection of a conservatory and erection of first floor extension at Ashbrook Lodge, Clyro.
- Cllr. Williams arrived at this point -
The plans were passed round. All Councillors were in favour of the application.
b. Re: PR285804: Variation of condition of PR2858/02 for extension of time SO24NW – Land adj. Janannie, Rhydspence – planning consent given.
c. Re PR233112 – Pentwyn School. County Cllr. Morris said that this will probably go to the October Planning Committee meeting, which will be the first one at which the new planning arrangements will apply. [See County Councillor Morris’s Report below]
70. MATTERS ARISING
a. HIGHWAYS MATTERS UPDATE -
i. SAFETY ON AND BY THE A438; THE BOLLARDS ETC.: Richard Hobbs from Highways will come before the October Community Council meeting at 7.30pm.
71. REPORTS ON DOCUMENTS READ; MEETINGS ATTENDED; ACTIVITIES ETC.
a. DOCUMENTS READ
i. BRECON ADVICE CENTRE – ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR 2005/6
- outlining services and asking for financial support. The Chairman had no comment to make on this.
b. MEETINGS
i. The Chairman reported on a meeting he had attended at which residents (chiefly from Begwyns Bluff) met with Pentwyn representatives to discuss the recent disturbance at the school. The boys in question are no longer in the school.
72. SCHOOL GOVERNOR’S REPORT
Cllr. Herdman had just come from the first Governors’ meeting since the school inspection. She told Councillors that the inspectors’ report had been very good, their thoughts being similar to the school’s own self-evaluation. There were 80 pupils in the school at the start of the autumn term. There continues to be the problem of lack of space. Events may be better held in the church or the village hall. Clearing out of rubbish, bottles etc. from the ponds and grounds has been necessary, and the apples were gone from the trees, after the Rum Do event at Baskerville Hall Hotel. A connection is suspected.
73. POLICE REPORT
P.C. Swales is no longer the Beat Manager for the Clyro area. His successor, Fin Thomas, came to the meeting. He talked about the good working relationship which the police have with Pentwyn School. The Chairman asked about the Rum Do event. P.C. Thomas said that, because there are so many events in the summer, it is difficult for the police to allocate resources to all. Cllr. M. Morgan said she had complained
about the noise to the Environmental Health department. The Chairman suggested contacting them ahead of any similar event proposed for the future. P.C. Thomas said that extra police staff are coming out to Hay, though this may be temporary. There has been a higher level of crime in Hay this year, mostly vandalism. However, apart from last month, the previous four months’ local police detection figures have been the highest in Powys. Cllr.Herdman asked P.C. Thomas if he had had any recent reports of people in cars touring farms perhaps looking for scrap etc. She knew of a few farms who had been visited. P.C. Thomas said that the registration numbers of the cars in question were needed.
74. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR MORRIS
County Cllr. Morris quoted from the Review of Community Areas and Electoral Arrangements. Clyro will keep all its Councillors.
She has heard from Richard Hobbs concerning the path to Hay. There is not money in the shrinking Highways budget for additional cutting. Philip Wear, the county’s Farms Manager, has spoken with Dai Davies, who is cutting his hedges twice this year. Hedges are not supposed to be cut before September, but earlier cutting is permitted if there are safety considerations. It was again suggested that the Community Council pay for cutting with money from the precept. Cllr. Smith has obtained a rough estimate of £20-30. County Cllr. Morris has again asked for a kerb.
The Vice Chairman asked about a problem drain near the Hay bridge. County Cllr. Morris will look into this.
County Cllr. Morris has asked the School Governors about siting of the proposed pedestrian (pelican) crossing for Clyro. She needs to know what the majority of residents want before the Radnorshire Committee Meeting. Discussion ensued about the pros and cons of different locations; the needs of schoolchildren and the needs of the village as a whole, and who is at most risk. Cllr. Williams thought that the real problem was the speed of traffic and again suggested a reduced speed limit. The Chairman was for increasing parking by the school. Parents are apparently unwilling to take responsibility for crossing a “walking bus” of schoolchildren. Cllrs. Herdman and Williams thought the crossing should be close to the school; the Chairman,
Vice Chairman and Cllr. M. Morgan thought it should be nearer to the junction of the road to Hay. The Chairman asked about the possibility of an illuminated variable speed limit.
Cllr. Smith had forwarded a message about encroaching hedges on the Painscastle Road, the landowners being the residents of Pentwyn, Cwm Cynfelin and Brook Cottage. Gordon Griffiths’ hedges were also mentioned. The Clerk to forward relevant names and addresses to Highways who will ask people to cut their hedges.
[and see continuation of report below]
75. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Hay and District Dial-a-Ride - letter of thanks received for £100 donation from Clyro.
b. Powys County Council – Temporary prohibition of traffic order (C1331 Painscastle Rd)
Although this states that the closure, from 4th – 16th September, is for a new water duct to be installed, County Cllr. Morris said that it is in fact for broadband installation.
c. Adjudication Panel for Wales – Annual Report
Taken by the Chairman.
- At this point, Cllr. Herdman asked County Cllr. Morris about the new planning arrangements which she had said she would explain to Councillors -
74. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR MORRIS cont’d
County Cllr. Morris said that, from now on, County Councillors may either vote on applications, or speak about them, taking the part of the County Councillor, but not both. County Cllr. Morris said that she will generally speak on applications. She reminded Councillors that the Community Council can speak at a planning committee meeting, in addition to applicant and objector. No site visits will now take place before planning committee meetings unless the application is for a very large development. From now on, 85% of applications will probably be delegated to planning officers.
75. CORRESPONDENCE cont’d.
d. Powys CC – Radnorshire Autumn Liaison Meeting: 9th October, at 7pm at County Hall.
The Chairman and Cllr. M. Morgan plan to go. No item was put forward by the Community Council for the agenda.
e. Powys CC – re Members’ Code of Conduct in planning matters with Questionnaire.
The Clerk has completed and returned the questionnaire asking about the Council’s procedure for considering planning applications.
f. Assembly – Beecham Review of Local Service Delivery: “Beyond Boundaries”
Taken by the Chairman. There are to be three meetings across Wales but none is at all local.
g. Powys CC – Review of Community Areas and Electoral Arrangements – final proposals
The Clerk read from the proposals, which list areas suitable for possible new housing in Clyro, along with the reference numbers of the relevant planning policies.
h. Clerks and Councils Direct
Taken by the Vice-Chairman who will pass this on to the Chairman.
i. From Tom Fairfield re ecological matters
The Clerk read out this letter, which asked the Community Council to contact the County Council questioning the approval of several local planning applications without adequate surveys or mitigation. Cllr. Herdman remembered that the County Council had asked CCW for a bat survey regarding Penllan. Cllr. Williams said that the Council didn’t know that the facts as stated were correct. Councillors decided not to write.
j. One Voice Wales: National Training Strategy for Community and Town Councils in Wales.
Views invited. Taken by the Clerk.
k. PCC re Welsh Assembly Government- Active Lifestyles Community Council Capital Programme
Taken by Cllr. Herdman.
l. Shelter Cymru – Information and request for funds.
The Clerk to respond with a refusal, in line with the Council’s policy regarding all services not in the local area.
76. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a. BANK BALANCES – Current account: £2,557.96 as at 5th September 2006
b. ANNUAL RETURN - AMENDMENTS
The external auditor has inspected the annual return, and requires that the accounts are altered to include cheques paid but unpresented at the end of the financial year. He has also queried the value of the community’s assets, which are insured to a value of £10,000, but shown on the annual return to have a value of £0.
Councillors considered the following statement, to be sent, if approved, to the External Auditor: “The village green has never been valued and is not saleable by the Council. The noticeboards and benches were inexpensive to start with and are now several years old, such that their draw-down or saleable value is considered by the Council to be nil. The standing stone feature has not been valued, and is not considered to have financial value. In summary, in the opinion of the Council, its assets are of nil value”.
On the external auditor’s suggestion, the Clerk has checked with the insurers about a possible reduction in premium if the assets are not worth £10,000. The insurers have replied that the insurance is a standard package offered to small councils, with no option to alter it.
i. VALUE OF ASSETS
Cllr. M. Morgan proposed and Cllr. Herdman seconded authorisation of the Council’s declaration that the current book value of all its tangible assets as £0. All agreed.
ii. ANNUAL RETURN SECTION 1 – Statement of Accounts - Amended
The amended statement of accounts was passed round for Councillors to inspect. Cllr. Herdman proposed, and Cllr. Williams seconded, approval. All were in favour. The Council therefore authorised the amended Statement of Accounts which was then signed by the Chairman and Clerk.
iii. The Chairman and Clerk then signed the amended summary receipts and payments sheet.
c. CLERK’S SALARY
Payment of £86.95 was proposed by Cllr. M. Morgan and seconded by Cllr. Herdman, and agreed by Councillors.
d. PAYMENTS
Cheques drawn: Clerk’s salary plus expenses: £86.95
77. OTHER BUSINESS
a. Payment for the British Legion poppy wreath to go on next month’s agenda.
b. The Chairman has checked the Council’s assets this month. No attention is needed.
The Chairman then thanked all those who had come to the meeting and
THE MEETING WAS FORMALLY CLOSED AT 9.35pm. Minutes were taken by the Clerk.
CHAIRMAN: ………………………………………… DATE …………………………..
SEPTEMBER 2006 MINUTES
