Councillor I Williams (Deputy Mayor in the Chair)

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BRECON TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, THE GUILDHALL, BRECON ON MONDAY 25 JULY 2016 AT 7.00 P.M.

207/16PRESENT

Councillor I Williams (Deputy Mayor in the Chair)

Councillor R Lewis

Councillor E Trailor

Councillor M Dorrance

Councillor C T Walsh

Councillor M Morgan

Councillor D Meredith

Councillor P Ashton

Councillor K Wilbud

Councillor A M C Weale

Councillor S Bennett

Councillor Mrs R Evans (arrived late due to mayoral function)

In Attendance: Mrs Fiona Williams (Town Clerk)

Mrs Alison Jones (Assistant Town Clerk)

Ms Clare Williams (Brecon and Radnor )

208/16DYFED-POWYS POLICE

Sgt Craig Morgan was in attendance representing Dyfed-Powys Police. He commenced by reporting that the Gurkha Parade had gone off well. He reported, however, that there was one incident which had caused concern which related to five “Asian Men” who were seen in the Town. Councillor Dorrance asked why this should be a matter of concern. Sgt Morgan replied that due to the current climate, it was felt that this needed further investigation. Councillor Dorrance responded that he believed this to be rascist and left the Chamber. Councillor Lewis questioned Sgt Morgan further and then also left the Chamber.

Sgt Morgan advised the remaining members that in no way was he being racist and was reporting the facts and again reiterated that due to the nature of the event and the heightened security in light of the current terrorism risks the matter was being investigated. He apologised for any offence that this had caused.

Sgt Morgan then went to give a brief update of the current crime figures in Brecon.

Members were invited to put their questions and comments to Sgt Morgan and the matter of speeding traffic was raised.

The Deputy Mayor thanked Sgt Morgan for his attendance.

Councillors Dorrance and Lewis returned to the meeting after Sgt Morgan’s departure.

209/16APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Councillors Mrs A Mathias, Mrs M Phillips and Mrs E A Pritchard

210/16DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor A M C Weale declared an interest in relation to Agenda Item No.7 inasmuch as he is a casual employee of the Theatre.

211/16MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements by the Mayor as she was not in attendance at this point of the meeting due to being at a Mayoral function.

212/16TOWN CLERK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Town Clerk advised that at the recent meeting of the Brecon Jazz Group a request was made that the toilets in Lion Yard remain open until 9.00 p.m. during the Jazz Weekend.

She also reminded Members that the launch of the new Cultural Hub was being held at the Guildhall on Friday 5 .00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. and everyone was invited to attend.

SECTION A

213/16MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 27 June 2016 (Pages 35 to 41) (copies of which had been previously circulated)

RESOLVED

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 27 June 2016 be taken as read, approved as a true record, and signed.

CORRESPONDENCE

214/16BRECON TOWN CENTRE

Submitted a letter from a Brecon Resident outliningg concerns as to the state of the Town Centre and setting out suggestions for cleaning improving the neglected empty shops - a copy of which was circulated at the meeting – Appendix C(A)(1)

Members discussed the contents of the letter and whilst were sympathetic with the contents agreed that they did not have the powers to carry out the suggestions.

RESOLVED

THAT the Town Clerk reply advising that Town Councillors are sympathetic to the concerns but unfortunately do not have the powers to assist. Further, to advise that the resident may wish to correspond with their local County Councillor. The Town Clerk to also advise that the Town Council are working with the Chamber of Trade on the issues raised so hopefully there will be some improvement in the near future.

215/16SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE – 27 JUNE 2016

Submitted – Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Finance Committee held on 27 June 2016 (page 34) copies of which had been previously circulated

RESOLVED

THAT the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Finance Committee held on 27 June 2016 be taken as read, approved as a true record and signed.

216/16PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING – 4 July 2016

Submitted – Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 4 July 2016 (pages 45 to 48) copies of which had been previously circulated

Arising from the Minutes

217/16ST MARY’S CHURCH – SUPPORT FOR SCAFFOLDING

Members raised concerns in relation to loss of parking spaces due to the closure of the Glamorgan Street Car Park whilst works to the Cultural Hub were being carried out and the loss of disabled parking due to the scaffolding at St Mary’s Church and the detrimental effect on the businesses in the town. Members suggested that alternative free parking spaces should be considered whilst all these were works were going on. Members were also of the opinion that a letter should be forwarded to Powys County Council advising them of the Town Council’s concerns and requesting that the Portfolio Holder attend the September meeting of the Full Council where these concerns and suggestions could be put forward.

RESOLVED

THAT the Town Clerk write to the Portfolio Holder advising of Member’s concerns in relation to the loss of parking spaces in the Town to the works being carried out and requesting that he attend the meeting of the Full Council in September to discuss these issues.

Subject to the foregoing

IT WAS RESOLVED

THAT the Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 4 July 2016 be taken as read, approved as a true record and signed.

218/16ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING – 4 JULY 2016

Submitted – Minutes of the Meeting of the Environment Committee held on 4 July 2016 (pages 51 to 55) copies of which had been previously circulated

RESOLVED

THAT the Minutes of the Environment Committee Meeting held on 6 be taken as read, approved as a true record and signed.

219/16FISHING COMMITTEE MEETING – 4 JULY 2016

Submitted – Minutes of the Meeting of the Fishing Committee held on the 4 July 2016 pages 57to 59) copies of which had been previously circulated

RESOLVED

THAT the Minutes of the Fishing Committee meeting held on 4 July 2016 be taken as read, approved as a true record and signed.

220/16PROVISION OF PUBLIC TOILETS – THEATR BRYCHEINIOG

Submitted letter from Chief Executive of TheatrBrycheiniog in relation to the ongoing provision of toilet facilities at TheatrBrycheiniog a copy of which had previously been circulated –Appendix C(B).

Councillor Weale left the Chamber as this point and did not take part in any discussions concerning this agenda item.

Councillor Dorrance requested clarification as the amount of funding that the Town Council grants to TheatrBrycheiniog annually and the Town Clerk provided this information. Members were advised that there were no extra funds precepted for this request.

Members agreed that toilet provision at the Theatr was important as this is a very popular area. They discussed the issue of alternative funding streams and queried whether these had been considered by TheatrBrycheiniog.

After further lengthy discussion

IT WAS RESOLVED THAT

The Town Clerk reply to the Chief Executive of TheatrBrycheiniog advising that whilst the Town Council are sympathetic to the request and understand the need for the toilet provision to remain open on Sundays, regrettably they are unable to provide any further funding. The Town Clerk to suggest other funding sources and that the Powys County Council representatives on the Board be engaged, and that if required Option 2 could be implemented.

221/16BUNTING – IBS BONFIRE

Members were requested to agree to provide a letter of support to display bunting for the Infantry Battle School Bonfire – a copy of which had previously been circulated – Appendix C(C)

THIS was agreed

222/16BUNTING – BRECON JAZZ

Members were asked to approve a request from Brecon Jazz Club to erect a banner form the Guildhall advertising the Brecon Jazz Weekend.

RESOLVED

THAT permission be granted. Members also agreed that further requests of this nature could be agreed by the Town Clerk in consultation with the Mayor.

233/16BRECON BEACONS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY – CONSERVATION AREA CHARACTER APPRAISAL AND BOUNDARY REVIEW

Submitted information in relation to Brecon Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Boundary Review – a copy of which had previously been circulated – Appendix C(D)

The Mayor advised that she had attended the presentation at Elim Chapel but that there were very few people there. Members felt that the event had not been well publicised especially in the St John’s Ward which would be affected by the changes. It was suggested that perhaps the event could be re-run in the St John’s Ward possibly in the Youth Centre which would be more accessible to residents.

RESOLVED

THAT the Town Clerk write to the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority requesting that the review be re-run in the St John’s Ward preferably at the Youth Centre. If the Authority were unable to run a second event then Members would publicise and arrange an event.

234/16BANDSTAND EVENTS – SUMMER

The Town Clerk advised that provisional dates had been agreed in conjunction with the Chief Executive of TheatrBrycheiniog. There was a proposed family fun day on the 28th August, a brass band event on the 4th September and a battle of the bands on the 18th September. The Town Clerk was waiting for Mr Green to come to her with the names of the artists he was providing to enable the events to be publicised.

THESE comments were noted.

235/16SECONDARY SCHOOLS RE-ORGANISATION PROGRAMME

Submitted – the Secondary Schools Re-organisation Programme Updated – July 2016 – a copy of which had previously been circulated – Appendix C(E)

THIS information was received.

236/16BRECON BEACONS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY – SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FUND

Submitted a request for representatives for the Grants Panel for the Sustainable Development Fund for Brecon Beacons National Park Authority – a copy of which had previously been circulated – Appendix C(F)

Following discussion

IT WAS RESOLVED THAT Councillor C Walsh be put forward as the Town Counci’s representative. The Town Clerk to seek clarification from the Parks as to whether Members of the Parks were eligible to put their names forward, and if so Councillor D Meredith be put forward as substitute.

237/16COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIPS

As Councillor Mrs M Phillips who had requested this item be discussed was not present it was agreed to defer the matter to the next meeting of the Full Council.

238/16PLANNING AND FISHING COMMITTEES

Members were requested to approve Councillor Mrs A Mathias onto the Planning and Fishing Committees.

THIS was agreed.

239/16WELSH GOVERNMENT COLLECTION AND MANGEMENT OF DEVOLVED TAXES

Submitted information in relation to the Welsh Government Collection and Management of Devolved Taxes – a copy of which had previously been circulated – Appendix C(G)

THIS information was received and noted.

240/16SMALL ARMS SCHOOL – HONOURS

Submitted – a written recommendation prepared by the Working Group in relation to the proposed Honours for the Small Arms School – a copy of which had previously been submitted – Appendix C(H)

Members of the Working Group were thanked for their work carried out to-date.

Members discussed the contents of the report in detail and were in agreement with the first four bullet points as set out in the report but felt that full costings needed to be provided and considered. Members felt they could not agree to a plaque being erected on the outside of the building as similar requests in the past have been rejected. Members agreed that the plaque could be sited inside the Guildhall.

RESOLVED

THAT agreement be given to the first four bullet points in the report but further costings be provided for consideration at a further meeting.

MEMBERS REPORTS

241/16Councillor C Walsh advised that he had attended a National Parks Brecon Plan Meeting. There was another meeting in September when there would be a presentation by Crickhowell and Hay on their Town Plans.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

242/16Members had tabled before them a letter from the owner of the Coliseum Cinema expressing their concerns at the proposal to have a Cinema at TheatrBrycheiniog. The Town Clerk advised that this was for information purposes and the matter would be placed on the Agenda for the next meeting of the Full Council for full discussion.