Carreghofa Council Meeting April 30th

1.Apologies for absence      

Cllr R Dover

Cllr. F James

            County Cllr Arwel Jones

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

None

3. To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 30^th April  2024

The minutes of the meeting held on 5^th March 2024 were agreed as a correct record, proposed by Cllr Fynes, seconded by Cllr Jones and approved unanimously.

4. Matters arising from the minutes

4.1. ref: min 5.2. IRPW Determinations

The Clerk reported that only 2 councillors had sent him notice in writing that they did not want to receive the statutory payment. If any other councillors wish to do the same, they must do so before the next meeting. Any councillor who does not write to the Clerk will receive the statutory payment.

4.2. ref min  4.2 Flag for Peace

In her absence Cllr James shad sent a message to say that the owners of Pen-y-Foel Hall would fly a flag for peace to mark the anniversary of D Day on 6^th June. Cllr Fynes pointed out that the flag would not be seen except by people on Pen-y-Foel and felt that this would not be a good use of the Council’s resources. This was agreed and no further action will be taken.

4.3 ref min 12.1  Portrait of King Charles III

The Clerk displayed the portrait which had been received from the British Government. All agreed that it was a fine portrait and it was given to Cllr Jones to arrange that it be displayed in a prominent place in the Village Hall. Cllr Done offered to help put the portrait up.

5 Finance

5.1.   Current position

The Clerk reported that the Council’s accounts as at Thursday 25^{th t} March  2024 were as follows: -

Deposit account:         £ 14547.09 This includes a £74.00 interest payment.

Current account:         £ 781.58  .

Pension account          £ 74.46

5.2.   End of Year Financial Statement

Council received the End of Year Financial Statement as printed in the papers for the meeting. The clerk pointed out  that there were notes to the statement and offered to take questions . There were none and adoption of the Statement was proposed by Cllr Parry, seconded by Cllr Jones and passed unanimously.

5.3.  Approval of Payments

Council approved the following payments as listed in the papers for the meeting:-

• Clive Heaton: Grounds maintenance contract First Quarter - £895.19
• Sutcliffe Play: Materials for repair of playground equipment  -  £234.66
• Zurich Insurance: Annual Insurance Premium  -  £910.57
• Traditional Products Ltd:  Materials for bench repairs  -  £208.80

 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.

Council noted the update in the papers for the meeting provided by Katie Woodroffe. It was also noted that Ms Woodroffe had stated in her update that she was  looking at arranging the info days in early June, but would update the Council once the dates and locations have been confirmed. However, a member of the  public present said that a meeting had already been arranged at the Village Hall for the next day (1^st May).

7.2 Community Shop

The Clerk gave a report of a meeting between the Chairman, Cllr dover, Cllr Bond, Chair of Llanymynech & Pant Parish Council and Mr and Mrs Row of Llanfechain Community Shop.  Mr and Mrs Row had been the lead members in developing the project to put a community shop into Llanfechain Village Hall. However, during the presentation it was pointed out that the new tenant in the old village shop building had agreed to run a mini-mart so that there was no further need to proceed with a shop project for Llanymynech. However, it was noted that the new tenant would not be running a post office and steps would be taken to see if either a post office van could attend once a week or if the postmistress who attends Llanfechain and Llandrinio shops could visit Llanymynech Village Hall if a room is made available. The Clerk offered to speak to Mrs Jones when she was next in Llanfechain.

ACTION: Clerk

Subsequent to the meeting an email was received from Cllr Bond confirming the points set out above.

7.3. Walls Bridge Playground – Annual Safety Inspection

Council received the notice from RoSPA set out in the papers for the meeting relating to the annual inspection. The Clerk said that the cost this year would be £78 each for the children’s playground and the adult gym equipment. This was slightly cheaper that 2023’s inspection.

Council noted that a specific date on which representatives of the Council could attend could be agreed for an additional cost and that RoSPA also provide a play area checklist, again at an additional cost. Council decided not to take advantage of these offers.

7.4. Public Consultation re the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme’s (SVWMS

Council noted the consultation as set out in the papers for the meeting but felt that there was no need for comment.

7.5. Green GEN Cymru Vyrnwy Frankton proposal

Council noted the statement from the Green GEN Cymru Vyrnwy Frankton Project Team. Cllr Hall stated that she had taken advice and that landowners were not obliged to allow representatives of Green Gen to have access to their land.

Cllr Fynes recommended that the Council maintain its stance of waiting for an official consultation before making its views public. This was agreed.

7.6. Social Media activity – standing item

Cllr Parry reported that the main areas of interest from members of the public on the Council’s Facebook page were the loss of the village shop and parking by the football field. A comment re the repair of the skateboard park was an issue for Llanymynech & Pant Parish Council.

It was noted that volunteers from Llandrinio were organising a trip to clean the Carreghofa Trail. It was confirmed that this was, in fact, being organised by Calum Carr, Powys County Council’s Footpaths Officer the people undertaking the work were his team of volunteers.

Cllr Parry mentioned that walkabout that councillors had undertaken last year and suggested that the exercise should be repeated this year. He asked councillors to bring their diaries to the next meeting so that a suitable date could be arranged.

ACTION: ALL

 8 Amenities

8.1.  Walls Bridge Playground and Football Field

Cllr Jones noted that the plaque on the Women’s Institute memorial tree had gone missing since the tree had been transplanted to the new Community Space. It was agreed that the matter be raised with Katie Woodroffe of the Canal & Rivers Trust but that, if necessary, the Council would pay for a replacement.

ACTION: Clerk

8.2. Olive Nial’s Memorial Bench

Cllr Done said that he now had the materials for the repair of the bench and it would be affected by the next meeting. Cllr savage asked about the condition of the rest of the wood and Cllr Done said that it is in good condition. Once the repairs are done the bench should last for another ten years.

ACTION: Cllr Done

9.  Highways and Byways

9.1  And 9.2. Verges and potholes

Council noted the feedback from County Cllr Arwel Jones in the papers for the meeting. Most matters would be left until the next meeting when, it is hoped, County Cllr Jones would be in attendance. However,  the matter of signage of public parking at the Dolphin Car Park was raised. It was felt that the Council could put up its own sign. The Clerk said that, if this was on the highway, permission would need to be sought from the Highways  department. It was decided to ask County Cllr Arwel Jones whether or not the Council could erect its own sign

ACTION: Clerk

9.3.  Speed limits

Cllr Fynes raised the issue of whether the speed limit of 20pmh should be maintained on the stretch of the A483 that passes through the village. This is a major trunk route and should be at 30mph. There was confusion with the quick changes in speed on the English side of the border in Pant from 30mph to 40mph and then 20mph when crossing into Wales. Cllr savage spoke in favour of keeping the 20mph limit. It was agreed that a poll should be undertaken on the Council’s Facebook page to ascertain the views of local residents before any recommendation be put to the Welsh Government.

ACTION: Cllr Parry

10 To receive reports on Meetings from Outside Bodies

10.1.  Burial Board

Nothing to report

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

Nothing to report

10.3. Village Hall

Nothing to report

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

12.1 Sustainable Powys Webinar

Cllr Savage reported on the Sustainable Powys Webinar. Essentially the message was that Powys County Council does not have sufficient resources and is encouraging local councils to take more responsibility and encourage local groups to support things.

12.2 Repairs to play equipment

Cllr Done said that repairs needed to play equipment would be carried out before the next inspection.

12.3 Planters

Cllr Done gave a laptop presentation of the types of planters and suggested locations. These would be high profile tubs situated in strategic locations. He emphasised that they would have to bee in places where they would be safe. Locations suggested were:-

·       The Border Stone

·       The entrance to the Walls Bridge playground,

·       West side of Walls Bridge

·       Tan-y-Foel

·       Wern

·       Williams Bridge

·       Near the Viaduct.

The planers would have ‘high vis’ panels and each would have a QR code with information about the location. The capacity is 130 litres . They will be lined with pond liner and it will cost in the region of £13 to fill with compost.

Volunteers will be required to plant, water   and maintain the tubs. Cllr Parry said that he would put an item of the Council’s Facebook page inviting people to come forward as volunteers.

The overall price per planter, depending on the number purchased, is estimated at between £150 and £200.

Cllr Parry thanked Cllr Done for his presentation and the work that he has done on the project. This will be a major item for the next meeting.

12.4 The Green, Cae Haidd

 The Clerk tabled an email received from a resident. He stated that the grass on Car Haidd green  has been mown but the cut material now blankets the field preventing light getting through to the grass underneath. The wind has also blown some of this material into the surrounding gardens. He pointed out that this is a particular problem this year given the height the grass grew to during the prolonged period of heavy rain. Five years ago, when the grass was left to grow until mid-summer he and a few elderly neighbours bagged some of the cut grass but this is no long an option.

 On another matter related to the trees on the field one has since collapsed. The others are still growing vigorously and desperately need pruning back.  He said that he had contacted Powys County Council but had been told that this was not their responsibility.

The Clerk said that this had been raised some time ago. He believed that the responsibility is with the County Council but, at that time, the Community Council had taken some action as a goodwill gesture.

The Council needs to ascertain where the responsibility for this land lies. The Community Council is minded to help if possible and Cllr Done offered to see the resident to assess what is needed and report back to the Council.

ACTION: Cllr Done

13. Date of the next meeting:

The Council’s Annual General meeting will take place on Tuesday 28^th May at 7.00pm at Llanymynech Village Hall. The Council’s May meeting will take place immediately following the AGM>

ACTION: All to note