MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF TALGARTH TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY,
10 JULY 2013, IN THE TOWN HALL, TALGARTH AT 7PM
PRESENT:– Cllr A Lord (Mayor) (In the Chair), Cllr A Bufton (Deputy Mayor), Cllr Z Argent, Cllr N Bally, Cllr M Dodds, Cllr J Hopkins, Cllr J Lilly, Cllr R Reid, Cllr Pip Turner, Cllr J Wilding
APOLOGIES: Cllr G Jones, Cllr William Powell (Town & Powys County Councillor)
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs Josephine Rumsey, Town Clerk
13/175 TO DECLARE MATTERS OF INTEREST – There were no Declarations of Interest.
13/176 MINUTES: The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 June, previously circulated to all Councillors, Cllr A Lord, Mayor, sought their adoption.
Proposed by Cllr Z Argent and seconded by Cllr J Wilding, all in favour, that the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 June be signed as a correct record.
13/177 TOWN COUNCILLOR’S ILLNESS – Cllr A Lord, Mayor, welcomed Cllr A Bufton, Deputy Mayor, back from his recent heart attack illness and wished him well.
13/178 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF THE 12 JUNE – There were no matters arising.
13/179 REVISED AGENDA LAYOUT – Cllr A Lord, Mayor, explained to Cllr A Bufton, Deputy Mayor, that he has changed the layout of the Agenda in order to try and reduce the length of the meetings.
13/180 CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION/UPDATE LIST – NOT ON THE AGENDA:
PCC – Civic Service – the Chairman of PCC Cty Cllr Colonel John Brunt and Mrs Lynne Brunt – Invitation to Mayor to attend Civic Service on Sun 14th July at 3pm at Knighton. Apologies sent as Mayor unable to attend.
Powys Army – Brig P M L Naper – Invitation to Mayor to a Reception at the Royal Welsh Showground on 24 July at 5.45pm at the AMC Pavilion.
Invitation to Civic Festival Service - Wed 7th Aug 6.30pm at St James' Church, Llanwrtyd Wells – Noted Cllr A Lord, Mayor, unable to attend due to a prior engagement. Apologies sent.
13/181 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND PLANNING ISSUES –
(a)BBNPA -Re: 13/09715 – “To replace 2 small garage sheds to 1 new garage – 45 Westfields, Talgarth – Agreedto respond that some members had concerns there may be issues about the increased size of the new floor plate in regard to surface water and being on a flood plain.
The materials and cladding/finished surfaces do not seem to be in accord with the neighbouring
houses or local materials. It was also unclear as to whether these two existing garages exist within the curtilages of houses and/or are ancillary to the houses either side of them or whether the site/plot was under new ownership. The impact ofthe scale of the proposal is difficult to ascertain as the drawings do not show them "insitu" to their surroundings.
Proposed by Cllr M Dodds and seconded by Cllr J Hopkins, all in favour, to respond stating that apart from these points, Town Councillors were in support of the proposal in principle.
(b) BBNPA LDP – Cllr N Bally gave an update stating that the minutes of the BBNPA's 11th of June 2013 EGM meeting were published on the website on the 5th July. At this meeting the BBNPA members had resolved that the Mid Wales Hospital should be subject to a development brief. However, the development brief was omitted from the minutes. A review of the Webcast recording of the EGM confirmedthat members had voted on a development brief for the hospital. On 9th July, Josephine the Clerk wrote a formal letter of complaint to theChief Executive of theBBNPA saying that if the matter was not rectified then the complaint would go forwards to the Ombudsman.
Post Script At the time of collating these minutes we can report that the CEO wrote to the Town Clerk on the 10th July which Josephine received on the 13th July. The CEO said the minutes had been amended to include the development brief. The CEO also said the LDP Inspector would be informed of the changes. At the National Park Authority's meeting on the 12th July the amended minutes were approved. Then the Director Planning said the Inspector did not need informing of the changes. This is now part of a further complaint. The significance of a development brief is fundamental. It means that a full planning appraisal of the site is made in relationship to its surroundings and what impacts it could generate on matters such as highways. It also means that this is carried out with full public consultations. The development brief will ascertain the amount of houses for the site and what the infrastructures can accommodate. If there is no development brief then effectively the application has no brakes and the public will have very little say on this very large development that will effect many.
Local Development Plan: Public Consultations end on31st July at 4pm. For details and formsgo to this BBNPA link:
<http://www.beacons-npa.gov.uk/the-authority/planning/strategy-and-policy/ldp-examination/consultation-on-matters-arising-changes>
BBNPA LDP – Noted Roger Williams MP offered to meet with the Town Council at 7.30pm Thurs 18th July in Committee Room, Town Hall – Agreed to accept Roger Williams MP invitation and
Cllr A Lord, Mayor, Cllr A Bufton, Deputy Mayor, Cllr N Bally, Cllr J Wilding, Cllr M Dodds and Cllr R Reid agreed to attend.
(c) PCC LDP – No new update.
(d) Notice of Permision for Development –
1. P13/09552/CON – “To extend the existing planning permission that is set to expire in June of this year for a ground floor extension.” (Variation/Renewal of Conditions) at 2 Castle Terrace, Bronllys Road, Talgarth.
2. P13/09295/FUL – “Conversion of existing garage/store at Rock Cottage to premises for meat processing and distribution (B2/B8 use).” (Full Application) at Rock Cottage, Trefecca, Nr Talgarth LD3 0PW.
3. P13/09421/FUL – “Change of use from a commercial premises to a house at Trafalgar House, 5 Bell Street, Talgarth LD3 0BP.
4. P13/09293/FUL – “Retention of terrace area and associated fixtures. Alteration to access arrangements to Inn and insertion of bi fold doors” (Full Application) at The Castle Inn, Pengenffordd, Talgarth.
P13/09433/FUL – “To demolish rear entrance porch and boiler house which is only a single skin block walls with a flat roof. To build a single storey extension with pitched roofs to the rear of the property comprising of a bedroom with en-suite bathroom for a disabled person, a utility room and an extension to the kitchen. All doorways will be suitable for wheelchair access.” (Full Application) at 9 Park Avenue, Talgarth LD3 0AR.
5. P12/07854/FUL – “Two Storey Extension” (Full) at Trewalkin Fach, Pengenffordd, Talgarth.
(e) Withdrawn –
P13/08899/LBC – No 1 to 4 as follows, as temporary measure whilst organising a change of
use application.
1. Removal of stone tiles from north-west roof elevation of barn and lean-to and safe storage on site.
2. Removal of some lathe work from roof timbers.
3. Installation of new soffits/fascias in timber.
4. Installation of sinusoidal sheeting in place of tone tiles on north-west elevation of roof and lean-to.
5. Repairs and repainting of existing masonry” – Pentwyn, Penbont Road, Talgarth LD3 0EH
(f) BBNPA Local Access Forum – Noted next meeting 10 July but no one able to attend.
(g) BBNPA Planning Training Sessions – Brecon on 18 July and Crickhowell on 1 Aug – Noted Cllr J Wilding agreed to attend the Session in Crickhowell on 1 Aug.
13/182 VERBAL REPORTS – COUNTY CLLR WILLIAM POWELL AM –
Cllr W Powell , in his absence at the meeting, circulated updates in advance of the meeting:
PCC Employment changes - Over the last couple of months, the Employment Committee of Powys County Council under the Chairmanship of County Cllr John Morris has been very busy, with a number of retirements and other departures triggering key vacancies at Powys County Council. Some of these are the result of voluntary redundancy and early retirement options being taken up. Others reflect the normal pattern of senior officers seeking new challenges to develop their career. Concern has been expressed in some quarters about the level of knowledge capital that is being lost to the Authority through this process, but in other respects it is welcome to have the infusion of new talent within the Council. The senior management changes are as follows:
Clarence Meredith Strategic Director Law and Governance retired April 2013
Geoff Petty Strategic Director Finance and Infrastructure leaving July 2013
Karen Williams Head of HR left April 2013
Janet Kealey Head of Legal Scrutiny & Democratic Services left April 2013
Chris Jones Head of Leisure & Recreation left April 2013
Tony Price Head of Business Unit left April 2013
Amanda Lewis appointed Strategic Director People 1 July 2013 – and confirmed by Full Council
David Powell appointed Strategic Director Resources 1 July 2013 – and confirmed by Full Council
Nick Philpott appointed Director Change and Governance 4 April 2013
Clive Pinney appointed Solicitor to the Council April 2013
Susan Bolter appointed Head of Regeneration 25 June 2013
Jason Lewis appointed Head of Professional Services 2 July 2013
Mark Evans appointed Head of Business Services 9 April 2013
Ian Fraser appointed Head of Housing and Commissioning 4 April 2013
Richard Hobbs appointed Head of Operations 4 April 2013
All officers can be contacted via the usual main number at Powys County Hall: (01597)826000.
Speeding traffic and social housing inquiries – Cllr Powell stated that his main casework issues in recent months have related to speeding traffic and social housing inquiries and these matters continue to receive his regular attention.
Talgarth School - Talgarth School continues to be in good heart – and it was his pleasure to join the Mayor Cllr Andy Lord, Cllrs Zoe Argent, Pip Turner, Malcolm Dodds and Jackie Wilding at the recent Summer Fayre. Many congratulations are due to Zoe and her team on the success of the event, which raised in excess of £850.00 for The Friends of Talgarth School.
Pre-school setting - Cllr Powell has been supporting Mrs Martin over recent months in seeking CSSIW accreditation for the pre-school setting, following the closure of the former Talgarth Youth and Community Centre and heard some 10 days ago from Mrs Martin that the accreditation had been awarded, and this, in conjunction with a successful meeting with senior education managers of Powys County Council has helped to secure the future of the provision. Cllr Powell is pleased to report these developments which have been warmly welcomed by the Headteacher, Mrs Ydwena Jones, who regards the setting as an important recruiting point for pupils into Talgarth School.
WAG contributions - Received Cllr W Powell’s Assembly contributions – May and June 2013.
ONE VOICE WALES –
OVW Conference and AGM – Sat 5th Oct at Builth Wells – Cllr A Lord, Mayor, agreed to attend – fee £65 paid. Noted a motion had been forwarded to OVW, for debate, prepared by Cllr J Wilding – “To debate and review the present mechanism of the Welsh Government Health Service’s Consultation process”.
OVW Brecknock & Radnor Committee meeting – Next meeting Fri 26th July at Builth Wells - Agenda and papers received – Cllr A Lord, Mayor and Cllr M Dodds (Town Council reps) to attend.
TALGARTH PRIMARY SCHOOL –.
School Summer Fayre – Cllr M Dodds reported the successful Summer Fayre raising £850.
A letter of thanks received from Julie Evans on behalf of Zoe Argent, Chair of the Friends of the School, thanking Cllr A Lord, Mayor, for attending and judging the competitions at the Fayre.
She also invited Cllr A Lord to an end of school year, a Fun Evening with barbeque at Talgarth Football Club on 12th July. Noted Cllr Lord gave his apologies due to a previous commitment.
Mother & Toddler Group - Julie reported that the Mother & Talgarth Toddlers is no longer running due to lack of people attending and high cost insurance.
Melin Homes development, Trefecca Road – Competition by School Children to Name the Houses – Response received from Lisa Hopkins, Melin Homes, welcoming the idea of the competition for the School children to choose names for the 4 new houses and suggested, as the site is rural they thought either flowers(1) or trees(2) below, in Welsh and listed suggestions for the school children to vote on: 1.Ty Daffodil, Ty Briallu, Ty Rhosyn, Ty Menyn, Ty Meillion, Ty Tiwlip, Ty Grug and Ty Dandilion.
2.Ty Derw, Ty Bedw, Ty Masarn, Ty Concyrs, Ty Ceirios, Ty Ffawydd, Ty Hynaf, Ty Llwyfen.
School End of Term Concert – To be held in the Town Hall on 11 July – pm and evening.
School Newsletter – July 2013 – Received and on circulation.
FESTIVAL, LIGHTS & TIRC–MONTHLY REPORT
Festival Group – Noted Cllr A Lord, Mayor reported that both he and Cllr J Wilding had attended the meeting on Tues 11 June and the Festival arrangement were well in hand.
Clerk reported that Tony James, Chair of the Festival Group, has completed the PCC Road Closure Form for the Festival. Agreed to PCC Fee of £130 for which we agreed at Precept meeting.
Noted next meeting of the Festival Group on Tues 16 July. Cllr A Lord reported that Rosie Williams, The Mill, was going to attend this meeting.
Christmas Lights Group – Martin Draper, Chairman reported there is no new update.
Tourist Information & Resource Centre (TIRC) – Noted neither Cllr Z Argent or Cllr R Reid were able to attend the 5 July TIRC meeting, due to prior commitments.