Carreghofa Community Council Meeting

1.Apologies for absence      

Cllr. I Done

Cllr. F James

2. To record Declarations of Interest in items on the agenda

None

3. To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 25^th July 2023

The minutes of the meeting held on 27^th June were agreed as a correct record, proposed by Cllr Fynes, seconded by Cllr Hall and approved unanimously.

4. Matters arising from the minutes

Ref: min 7.4 Community Awards

The Chairman reported that he had spoken to Mr Borthwick and suggested the nomination agreed by the Council. The Awards ceremony will take place on 4^th November.

Ref: min 7.5 Winter Warm Bank

Cllr Parry confirmed that the Winter Warm Bank will go ahead again this year. The organisers are asking users for a donation of £2 - £3 but this will be voluntary. A donation from the Community Council would be appreciated. The Clerk asked that, for audit purposes, the Church should write formally to seek a donation which could then be approved at a future meeting. Cllr Parry was asked to convey this to the organisers.

ACTION: Cllr. Parry

5. Finance Report

5.1. Financial Position

Council noted the financial position as set out in the papers for the meeting.

Deposit account:         £17578.84. The second tranche of the Precept had been received on 31^st August

Current account:         £412.13

Pension account          £73.63

5.2. Internal Audit Report

Council received the Internal Audit Report as set out in the papers for the meeting. The Clerk confirmed that he and the Chairman had reviewed the report and it had duly been sent to the External Auditor.

Cllr Fynes proposed acceptance of the report. This was seconded by Cllr Parry and agreed unanimously.

5.3.  Approval of Payments

The following payment was proposed by Cllr Hall, seconded by Cllr Jones and approved:-

TEEC 12 months website hosting. Transfer of Domain. Transfer/purchase .org.uk domain £583.19

 6. Planning

There were no planning applications for consideration.

7 Other matters

7.1 Montgomery Canal Development Project

This item was taken at the beginning of the meeting.

Ms Woodroffe gave a presentation on progress to date. She accepted that there was considerable overgrowth on sections of the towpath but explained that the Trust has had to reduce mowing frequency to three times per year. However, Phase 1 dredging is now complete between Llanymynech Bridge and Walls Bridge. Bids for Phase 2  (New Bridge to Persons Bridge) have been sought and a contract should be awarded in the near future.

Habitat creation is ongoing and diversions will be in place from October. Consultancy work is being undertaken in the form of Ecological surveys and Tree and Hedgerow assessments. Archaeological assessments will also be undertaken and a transport statement is awaited.

Carreghofa Lane Bridge

There has been little progress to report since the last update. The Trust has appointed a new architect and Ms Woodroffe showed some pictures of how the bridge might look.

Williams Bridge

Again, there has been little progress to report. There are now two options for the preliminary design:-

1.     A Lift Bridge

2.     2. A fixed Crossing

The second option is the preferred one and it is hoped that the Highways Authority will adopt the Bridge if this option is chosen.

Ms Woodroffe informed the meeting that considerable damage has been found on the Aberbechan Aqueduct and this has now been listed as ‘at risk’ by CADW.

Further developments include an open water reserve at Wern (near Pool Quay)  and Red Lane (Welshpool). Alternative sites at Arddleen and Guilsfield are also being considered.

There has also been engagement with local schools. Ms Woodroffe concluded by distributing an ecology leaflet. The Chairman thanked Ms Woodroffe for her presentation.

The Chairman then allowed comments and questions from the meeting.

The Clerk referred to a question put forward by a resident who could not be present.:-

Q: The funding is from Powys County Council and, therefore, applies to Wales. What funding is there, if any, for the English part of the canal to connect Llanymynech to the navigable sections beyond Pant. If the canal cannot be made navigable then it is pointless spending money to put in new roads and bridges and take away a large part of the Council’s playground for no economic benefit from canal traffic.

Ms Woodroffe said that the Trust is exploring means of funding in order to re-establish the connection between Llanymynech and the canal at Pant. Ms Gilmour added that a group of county councils, including Shropshire, were looking at ways of improving the canal network. The gap is only ½ mile long.

A member of the public queried the use of the money when there were other higher priorities in Powys. Ms Gilmour explained that the monies are from the UK Government  Levelling Up fund and cannot be used for any other purpose.

Ms Woodroffe offered to return in two months’ time to give a further update.

7.2.  Social Media Activity

Cllr Parry reported that he expected to have access to the Council’s website in the next two weeks. And hoped that it would be completely updated for the next meeting. The Clerk was asked to send a letter of authority that Cllr Parry could use with the web-site company.

ACTION: Clerk

Cllr Parry reported that the Council’s Facebook page had been suspended for a period of one day. It is not known why this was done and the page has now been reinstated.

The item generating most interest at present is the proposal to erect pylons through the area to connect with an electricity sub-station north of Oswestry. The Chair noted that this substantive item would be addressed as AOB to enable full discussion.

7.3. Village Hall Governing Document

The Chairman outlined the background to this matter. In 1947 Carreghofa Community Council and Llanymynech & Pant Parish Council were bequeathed land to build the Village Hall, to be used to serve the social and cultural benefits of the village community.  Both councils became trustees of the Hall. The document has since that time only had two amendments.

The committee of Llanymynech Village Hall recognised that there was a need to update the document in order to comply with changes in the law and on the advice from Graham Betts from Community Resource have produced an amended First Schedule.

Both Councils were sent the new governing document (attached with the papers for the meeting) which has been sent to the Charity Commission for approval. The Committee has also been advised to have the hall vested in the Official Custodian and to update the land registry details to reflect this.

The Chairman asked if the meeting felt that any action was required of the Council at this point. Cllr Fynes opined that the two councils have vested power in the Village Hall Committee and the Council receives regular reports from our representative on that Committee. He felt that, if the Council is content with the way in which the Hall is run, there is no need for further action.

The Clerk suggested that the Council’s relationship with the Village Hall could be reviewed at the AGM each year. This was agreed.

The question of the Council’s liability as a trustee was raised. County Cllr Arwel Jones said that he would look into this.

ACTION: County Cllr Arwel Jones

 8 Amenities

8.1.  Walls Bridge Playground and Football Field

Football field

An email had been received from the football club asking for more frequent cuts to the grass and also commenting on the general state of the pitch. The Clerk said that increasing the frequency would be feasible  financially. As far as renovation of the field is concerned, he suggested contacting the council’s grounds maintenance contractor for advice.

The Chairman said that the field is a valuable community resource. He suggested increasing the number of grass cuts and felt that a meeting with the Football Club would be useful in taking the matter forward.

ACTION: Clerk to ask the contractor to increase grass cutting frequency and provide advice re the renovation of the pitch.

Chairman to arrange a meeting with the Football Club.

9.  Highways and Byways

9.1  Verges and potholes

Cllr Hall said that the state of Carreghofa Lane is getting worse and worse particularly towards Wildboar Farm. County Cllr Arwel Jones said that a new Highways Manager is in post and he will try to arrange for him to visit the area and look at the problems that require action.

The Chairman asked if the road at Gwelfryn has been adopted. County Cllr Arwel Jones agreed to check this.

ACTION: County Cllr Arwel Jones

9.2. Cae Haidd

There has been no further movement on the matter of the land housing gas tanks in Cae Haidd. County Cllr Arwel Jones said that he had heard nothing further but would seek further information.

ACTION: County Cllr Arwel Jones

9.3 Chapel Lane

Cllr Parry reported that he had been unable to make any contact with the owner of the property on the corner of Chapel Lane, but would continue to make enquiries. Cllr Hall suggested that a mirror placed on the opposite side of the A483 at the junction with Chapel Lane would allow traffic exiting on to the A483 to have sight of oncoming vehicles. County Cllr Arwel Jones said that this would require the agreement of the Trunk Road Agent. He would ask if this was feasible.

ACTION: Cllr Parry & Cunty Cllr Arwel Jones

10 To receive reports on Meetings from Outside Bodies

10.1.  Burial Board

Cllr Jones reported that a comprehensive meeting had been held. The Board feels that the situation as regards finding a new burial site is getting desperate. There is only sufficient room for new burials for the next 6 years. There is a suggestion that it may be possible to re-open parts of St. Agatha’s church yard. It was suggested that a joint meeting of the Burial Board, the two local Councils and St. Agatha’s Church Council should be arranged to discuss the feasibility of this idea.

ACTION: Chairman

10.2. Powys C. C. and Town and Community Councils meeting

No meeting had been held

10.3. Village Hall

It was noted that a recent meeting of the Village Hall committee had been held. Cllr Jones reported that all is well with the Village Hall and there are no problems.

10.4 CHC meeting

Nothing to report.

11. Correspondence

11.1  Correspondence for Decision

There was no correspondence for decision

11.2. Correspondence to note.

Council noted the correspondence sent out by the Clerk since the last meeting and itemised in the papers for the meeting.

12. Any Other Business

21.1 Boundary Commission consultation

The Chairman reported that the Council had received a request for feedback on its deliberations. A response was required before the date of this meeting and this had been completed. It was noted that the proposals had had no impact on Carreghofa, but the Chairman also noted that information about the consultation had been limited.    County Cllr Arwel Jones confirmed that there is to be no change locally to the current arrangements.

12.2. Pylons

Concern was raised at the proposal for a private company to erect pylons through the area to connect with an electricity sub station north of Oswestry. Cllr Hall said that there have already been a number of public consultations; she had attended one in Meifod. There has, to date, been no planning application and the company doesn’t have a licence to sell electricity. She suggested that the Council keeps a watching brief on developments.

County Cllr Arwel Jones had also attended a meeting and produced a map showing the possible routes for the pylons. The pylons would be 250 metres apart and 26 meters high.

A member of the public attending. the meeting declared an interest as a landowner. He said that at present the company involved has no right to come onto private land but this could change. He felt that, unlike the last time such a scheme was proposed, Powys County Council will have no say in the matter and there will be no public enquiry. The matter would be decided at Welsh Government level.

12.3  New speed limits

Cllr Savage asked why the B4393 between Wern and Carreghofa Lane, apart from the section immediately outside the school, was not included in the new 20 mph speed limit, County Cllr Arwel Jones said that he would check

ACTION: County Cllr Arwel Jones

12.4.Carreghofa Trail

The problem of fallen trees on the Carreghofa Trail was raised again. The Clerk said that he had refereed the matter to Calum Carr, Powys County Council’s Footpaths officer.

Note: subsequent to the meeting a message from Calum Carr has been received saying that he is looking int the problems.

14 Date of Next meeting

Tuesday 31^st October at Llanymynech Village Hall at 7.00pm.

ACTION: All to note.