Minutes of the Meeting of Talgarth Town Council Held on Wednesday, 10 October 2012, In s1
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF TALGARTH TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY,
13 JULY 2016, IN THE TOWN HALL, TALGARTH AT 7PM
PRESENT:– Cllr J Wilding (Mayor) (In the Chair), Cllr J Hopkins (Deputy Mayor), Cllr W Powell (Town & Powys County Councillor) (Deputy Mayor), Cllr N K Bally, Cllr A Bufton, Cllr M Dodds, Cllr G Jones, Cllr R Reid, Cllr Pip Turner
APOLOGIES: Cllr Z Argent, Cllr A Lord, Cllr J Lilly
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs Josephine Rumsey, Town Clerk
16/149 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – There were no Declarations of Interest.
16/150 MINUTES: 8 June Main Meeting minutes - Previously circulated, Cllr J Wilding, Mayor, sought adoption. Proposed by Cllr Pip Turner and seconded by Cllr R Reid, all in favour, that the 8 June Minutes be signed as a correct record.
Notes of the Burial Committee meeting held on 12 July – It was noted that only 3 members of the Burial Committee – Cllr J Hopkins, Deputy Mayor, Cllr A Bufton and Cllr R Reid attended – not a quorum. Proposed by Cllr A Bufton and agreed by Cllr J Hopkins and Cllr R Reid, that the Notes of the Burial Committee meeting held on 12th July were a correct record.
16/151 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 8 JUNE – There were no matters arising.
16/152 MATTERS ARISING FROM NOTES OF THE BURIAL COMMITTEE MEETING 12 JULY
Legal Topic Note from the National Association of Town & Community Councils (NALC) – Health & Safety of Tombstones & Memorials - Noted the document was circulated in advance of the meeting. Cllr J Hopkins understood from the document that the Bishop should be consulted with reference to issues with Memorial Stones eg moving or socketing however our Health & Safety responsibilities override this and allow laying down for safety reasons. Agreed to write to the Bishop to clarify position.
Boundary between Churchfields and St Gwendoline’s Churchyard ground –Suggested at the Burial Committee meeting, that we reiterate our position in respect of the boundary to Melin Homes. Noted, in Cllr A Lord’s absence at the meeting, he had offered to meet with Cllr A Bufton and Cllr J Hopkins on Sun next 17 July in order to familiarize themselves with previous discussions with Melin Homes regarding this boundary but, unfortunately, CllrBufton and Cllr Hopkins were unavailable.
16/153 VISIT BY PCSO 8188 EMMA JACKSON – Noted PCSO Emma Jackson attended the meeting and spoke about her Crime Report recently forwarded to the Town Council.
The continued speeding in and around the Town was again raised, also the boy racers.
Emma explained the new policing arrangements for Talgarth and neighbouring areas.
Cllr J Hopkins updated Emma on the concerns of the junction opposite the Castle Hotel. Agreed to forward the recent letter of concern and photographs sent to WAG requesting some sort of refuge in this location.
16/154 CORRESPONDENCE NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Natural Resources Wales is appealing for information following pollution on the afon Llynfi when over 2000 fish died – Cllr A Lord had circulated the following information received from NRW, prior to the meeting, stating that they had now concluded its assessment following a pollution incident that killed over 2000 fish on the afon Llynfi near Three Cocks and now appealing for information or witnesses to help them trace the source of the pollution (Incident hotline 0800 807060). This pollution would have happened between Tuesday 28 June and Saturday 2 July. The pollution has now dispersed and the water quality is back to normal and the ecology of the river will begin its natural process of recovery.
Town Councillors expressed concern that, to date, no one has officially informed the Talgarth Town Council of this issue or of what action has been taken.
Agreed to write to Lesley Griffiths, WAG, expressing concern and what action has been taken.
Powys War Memorials Project – Invitation from PCC to local communities to engage with and participate in the project which they secured funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, CADW (the Welsh Government's historic environment service) and the BBNPA for the Powys War Memorials Project 2014-18: A Mark of Respect. The project coincides with the centenary of World War 1.
Details of the main outcomes of the project were received and on circulation.
16/155 BBNPA – SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FUND – Cllr J Wilding, Mayor suggested we pursue this in respect of the Public Conveniences/Market Hall project.
Cllr J Hopkins agreed to liaise with Healthmatic and obtain a cost to reduce the Public Conveniences to one unisex one within the Disabled area.
Agreed any ideas from other Town Councillors to the Mayor or Clerk and Cllr W Powell offered to assist with an application if we wish to apply to the BBNPA by 12th August.
Noted Cllr M Dodds had informed the Talgarth Bowling Club of the BBNPA Sustainable Dev Fund.
16/156 TALGARTH POST OFFICE – PROPOSED CHANGES – Letter received from The Post Office
re proposed changes at Talgarth Post Office – Note comments to be submitted by 27th July.
Noted the Talgarth & District Regeneration Group has actively taken on a campaign to fight this valuable loss to the Town and a Petition had been set up with numerous support. Noted two meetings had been set up for public discussion:-
10am Fri 15 July – Chris Davies MP present to speak to the Community.
5pm Fri 15 July – Kirsty Williams AM present with the Head Postmaster, Brecon.
Noted the Town Council feel this proposal would be a huge loss to the Community and supports the Regeneration Group’s campaign.
Letters offering support received from Chris Davies MP, Kirsty Williams AM & County Councillor W Powell, who has asked adjacent Councillors in Breconshire to respond to the PO Consultation.
16/157 TALGARTH TOWN COUNCIL FINANCIAL INSTRUCTIONS – Noted final model draft had been received from One Voice Wales. Cllr J Hopkins reported that he had compared this final model draft to the model we had adopted at our AGM on 11th May 2016 and there are no changes to be made in respect of our document adopted.
Agreed to re-date Town Council Financial Instructions with no change from 13th July 2016.
7.45pm - Noted Cllr G Jones joined the meeting at this stage.
16/158 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND PLANNING ISSUES –
(a) Planning Application 16/13616/FUL –“Change of use from B1 to A1” – Unit 5, Talgarth Workshops, Bronllys Road, Talgarth – Town Council comments – Proposed by Cllr J Hopkins and seconded by Cllr N Bally, all in favour, not to support this Planning Application as there are so many empty shops already in Talgarth and also this location would have a serious parking issue and to ask if the BBNPA has done a marketing exercise on this property, to justify this proposed change of use from B1 to A1.
(b) Planning Application 16/13697/FUL – The installation of new condensers and acoustic screen – The Co-operative, Talgarth –Town Council comments – Agreed to support this Application.
(c) BBNPA Article 4 (2) Directions and Conservation Area Appraisal – 16th July Event & Proposed meeting 5 Sept. Update received from Rosie Burton, re Article 4(2) Directions and Conservation Area Appraisal, attaching copy of the documents that have been sent out to the affected residents and also the Appraisal that has been up-dated due to the adoption of the Local Development Plan. She says there is a very tight deadline for committee after the consultation ends on 5th Sept and felt it may be useful to have a meeting on the 5th Sept with Town Councillors to collate all the comments and discuss what recommendations should be made to the BBNPA meeting at the end of Sept.
Noted Cllr J Wilding, Cllr N Bally, Cllr W Powell, Cllr J Hopkins, Cllr W Powell & Cllr R Reid agreed to be in attendance at times during the 16th July event.
Letter of concern dated 9th July received from Mr & Mrs J Corbett, affected local residents, stating that they were surprised and shocked to receive a letter from the BBNPA informing them that with immediate effect they were one of about 70 households in Talgarth who were now subject to Article 4(2) Directions restricting their permitted development rights and they had been informed by the BBNPA that this had been requested by Talgarth Town Council.
Agreed a response from the Mayor, on behalf of the Town Council, be sent to clarify the position.
BBNPA – PERMISSIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT:
(a) Planning Application 16/13471/FUL – Construction of extension on top of existing extension at 16 Bronant, Talgarth.
(b) Planning Application 16/13478/FUL & l6/13479/LBC – Refurbishment and adaptation of adjoining barns to provide residential extension – Address: Rhiwlas Wholehouse Farm, Pengenffordd, Talgarth.
BBNPA – PLANNING APPLICATION WITHDRAWN:
(a) Planning Application 16/13593/FUL – “Erection of 2, single-storey holiday chalets with mezzanine accommodation.” – Land opposite Hendre, The Bank, Talgarth LD3 0BN
16/159 PCC – CAR PARK PROPOSED CHARGING – TALGARTH CAR PARK – County Cllr W Powell reported that he had recently with Cllr Barry Thomas and Cllr John Brunt on site.
Agreed that the Town Council request an urgent update following Tony Caine’s letter of 23 May and request a meeting re the Public Consultation with Mr Jeremy Patterson, Chief Executive, Cllr Brunt and Tony Caine, before any definitive decisions are made by PCC.
16/160 DEFIBRILLATOR TRAINING – 6.30pm 9th AUG IN THE TOWN HALL – Noted the training by Anthony Hamilton-Shaw of Cariad has been organized and advertised in the Community.
16/161 POWYS COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCIL (CHC) – Noted AGM and Full Council Meeting was held on 22nd June 2016 at Llandrindod Wells. Cllr J Wilding, Mayor, gave an update on the meeting at which she was present, ,stating that the Chief Executive of the Powys LHB was not present but Melanie Davies, Chairperson, who was present took a lot of flak as nothing has been done about the parking problem long promised at Brecon Hospital. Cllr Wilding agreed to keep us updated on this matter.
‘Putting Things Right’ – Noted the CHC is continuously striving to improve the patient’s experience of NHS services in Wales. As part of this, the ‘Putting Things Right’ leaflet is being reviewed and provides advice to the public on how they can raise a concern/complaint about care or treatment provided by NHS Wales. A copy of the leaflet is on circulation for information and a short online survey aims to seek feedback from the public on whether the leaflet is easy to understand and if it could be improved.
16/162 POWYS TEACHING HEALTH BOARD/POWYS LHB SERVICES, BRONLLYS WELL BEING PARK & POWYS CHC –
Bronllys Well Being Park – Cllr J Wilding reported that this was going very well and moving forward – now at Stage 2. She reported that membership fees of £1 per person were being collected and banked with Talgarth Town Council, as agreed and also that Ian Crawley the CLTAdviser will help to get further funds to go forward.
16/163 TALGARTH ISSUES
The Mill – 5 Year Celebration - Noted Cllr J Wilding, Mayor had attended the Royal Visit of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall, at The Mill on Thurs 7th July.
Noted Josephine Rumsey, Town Clerk was also in attendance.
Newsletter – Cllr J Wilding reported that the Newsletter was well in hand and almost ready for printing. It is noted that the Brecon & Radnor Express no longer provide a printing service for Newsletters. In Cllr Z Argent’s absence from the meeting this evening, although she felt the TIRC could do the printing of the Newsletter, we are still awaiting a cost.
Noted the Clerk had made enquiries about printing from a company in Brecon & Abergavenny.
Bronze Sign on Roundabout Wall Nr Rugby Club – Cllr W Powell reported that the sign had been renovated and returned.
Talgarth Bowls Club – Note e-mail 7 July received from Steve Butcher, stating that he has spoken with Graham Eales who has suggested that PCC could issue an Access Licence to the Town Council to allow access the vehicular / service gate for maintenance purposes. This will then give the club peace of mind that they have an access agreement across the car park?
In the long term there is also the possibility that the remaining Powys owned properties in the Westfields area will need refurbishing work. The only place where any storage containers can be placed is on the car park adjacent to the Bowling Green and hopes that the Town Council can see that both parties, PCC & Talgarth TC both need to have use of the car park and together can agree to share the facility. If an Access Licence is acceptable for the Town Council, he will ask Graham to draft a formal licence to be included with the final Asset Transfer documents
Agreed to the suggestion of an Access Licence, in perpetuity, which is acceptable to Talgarth Town Council, and note that Graham Eales will draft a formal licence to be included with the final Asset Transfer documents.
Talgarth Bowls Club Secretary – Noted request received from Audrey Micklewright Secretary Talgarth Bowls Club to Cllr Jacqui Wilding Mayor for a meeting with David Lewis Chairman asap as they are coming under pressure from Steve Butcher PCC to pay for upkeep of the Club from next week as the mower training is happening Fri 10 June pm.
Talgarth centre empty buildings – Old Post Office - Update received from Julian Preece PCC, stating that he had met with Mr Mann this afternoon, and pleased to report that PCC has agreed to suspend their recovery action until the end of September - this is subject to the scheme being completed by that date, at which point their recovery action will be reviewed. Julian Preece confirmed that Mr Mann has advised works will commence on site next Monday 18th July and the builders will remain on site until scheme completion at the end of September and he will be regularly monitoring works on site to ensure this is the case and will keep us informed.