MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BRECON TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, THE GUILDHALL, BRECON ON MONDAY 24 APRIL 2017 AT 7.00 P.M.
824/17PRESENT
Councillor Mrs R Evans (Mayor in the Chair)
Councillor E Trailor
Councillor C T Walsh
Councillor M Morgan
Councillor Mrs A Mathias
Councillor D Meredith
Councillor R Lewis
Councillor P Ashton
Councillor M J Dorrance
Councillor A M C Weale
In Attendance: Mrs Fiona Williams (Town Clerk)
Mr Drew Hore (Member of Public)
Not in Attendance: Councillor Mrs E Pritchard
825/17LIGHT ON BRECON PROJECT
The Mayor welcomed Mr Matthew Sowerby from Brecon Mind who was in attendance to provide Members with information about the Light on Brecon Project. Mr Sowerby provided an overview of the organisation and explained that a film group is being set up to produce short films. During the year a collection of photographs will be assembled with an exhibition of the photos at the end of the year. It is envisaged that an empty shop will be utilised for the project which will run from May 2017 to May 2018.
Mr Sowerby requested assistance from Members to spread the word about the project and to make suggestions for parts of Brecon that need recognition and that this includes characters, buildings and ‘Brecon through the year’.
The Mayor thanked Mr Sowerby for the presentation and for attending.
826/17APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillor K Wilbud
827/17DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were none.
828/17MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor provided information about events she had attended since the last meeting of the Council and said that she was very pleased with how the SASC Parade event had been. The Mayor also wished to record her thanks to fellow Councillors, the Town Clerk, and staff for their support throughout her year.
829/17TOWN CLERK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements by the Town Clerk.
SECTION A
830/17MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 27 March 2017 (Pages 232 to 240) (copies of which had been previously circulated)
RESOLVED
THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 27 March 2017 be taken as read, approved as a true record, and signed.
831/17CORRESPONDENCE
Submitted – email from Brecon Jazz Club requesting free use of The Guildhall during the festival in 2017 and assistance with retrieval of a facebook page being used by Orchard Media know as the ‘Official Brecon Jazz’ facebook page. It was noted that the Council has recently reviewed all hire charges and after discussion it was
RESOLVED
THAT the Council could not offer free use of the Guildhall and the usual hire rates would apply, but would invite a grant application from Brecon Jazz Club to apply for funding for costs to the Finance Committee, and that the Town Clerk would liaise with Orchard Media to try to assist with the facebook page query.
Submitted - email from Cae Post Ltd providing information about a solution for recycling of soft plastics. Members discussed the proposal in detail and were very supportive of the initiative. Members noted that this had not been precepted for but the costs were minimal. Members also agreed that the location of the container would need some thought and after discussion it was
RESOLVED
THAT the Council go ahead with arrangements for provision of such as recycling facility and that the Town Clerk make enquiries about possible locations.
832/17PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING – 3 APRIL 2017
Submitted – Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 3 April 2017 (pages 243 to 245) copies of which had been previously circulated
RESOLVED
THAT the Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 3 April 2017 be taken as read, approved as a true record and signed.
833/17CIVIC COMMITTEE MEETING – 3 APRIL 2017
Submitted – Minutes of the Meeting of the Civic Committee meeting held on 3 April 2017 (pages 247 to 250) copies of which had been previously circulated
RESOLVED
THAT the Minutes of the Civic Committee Meeting held 3 April 2017 be taken as read, approved as a true record and signed.
834/17ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT FOR YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2017
Submitted (copies of which had been previously circulated) - Appendix C(B):
(a)Accounts to 31st March 2017
(b)Annual Return for Audit for year ended 31st March 2017
(c)Annual Internal Audit Report within Annual Governance Statement.
Members considered the documents provided at (a), (b) and (c) and Questions 1 to 9 of the Annual Governance Statement (Part 1 of the Return) and Questions 1 to 3 of the Annual Governance Statement (Part 2 of the Return) and it was
RESOLVED
THAT the Accounts to 31st March 2017 be approved and that questions 1 to 9 and 1 to 3 of Part 1 and Part 2 of the Return be answered ‘yes’ and that the Approval and Certification be agreed and that the Annual Internal Audit Report be received and that the Mayor signs and dates the Return accordingly.
835/17NOTICE OF MOTION
Submitted Notice of Motion in the names of Councillors Weale and Bennett– a copy of which had previously been circulated – Appendix C(C)
Members discussed the Notice of Motion which requested consideration of provision of a commemorative bench in the Peace Garden to mark the 35th anniversary of the sacrifice of Welsh lives in the Falklands conflict. Members discussed the options for contribution and noted that consent would be required from Powys County Council the site owner and were informed that this had been obtained.
At this point the meeting was briefly suspended to allow the Member of the Public present, Mr Drew Hore, to provide Members with further information about the project, the costs and the funding being sought.
The meeting was recommenced after a few minutes and it was
RESOLVED
THAT the Council meet the cost of the purchase and delivery of the bench and the plaque on the bench and the funds bevired from the goalposts budget in 2017/18.
836/17 MEMBERS REPORTS
Submitted – Members Report from Councillor Lewis Chair of Environment Committee – a copy of which had previously been circulated – Appendix C(D).
Members considered the information provided about the potentially dangerous tree and the options provided for watering the planters. After consideration and discussion it was
RESOLVED
THAT tree number 218 at Camden Road Park be removed and replaced and that the business selected to provide the plants and hanging baskets this year be approved for watering the planters – the frequency of which should be by agreement with the Town Clerk.
Members Report from Councillor Walsh Chair of Finance Committee – Councillor Walsh provided a verbal report which referred to the proposed new style financial regulations that had previously been considered by Members. He advised that the new document was in his opinion more robust and would be preparing a recommendation from the Finance Committee for the newly elected Council to consider post April.
THIS was noted.
837/17OFF STREET PARKING PLACES ORDER
Submitted – email from Tony Caine dated 18 April 2017 in response to correspondence concerning imposition of Off Street Parking Places Order.
THIS was received.
838/17WELSH AUDIT OFFICE
Submitted – letter from Welsh Audit Office dated 20 April 2017 concerning audit fees and other matters relating to the 2015-16 audit.
THIS was received.
839/17 PR OPPORTUNITIES ARISING FROM THE MEETING
The financial support to the memorial bench and the soft plastic recycling.
840/17ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There were no items under Any Other Business.