Matters Arising from Previous Meeting:
Proposed Closure of Public Toilets by Powys County Council: Following the Public Meeting on 5th December, where it was resolved to continue to try to persuade Powys CC and WAG to keep them open, based on high degree of use and disability discrimination grounds, the Chairman accompanied Mr M Atherton and Mrs G Carpenter to Powys County Council HQ in Llandrindod Wells on 8th December to present a petition on behalf of disabled users, to Councillor D Jones, the Leader of the Council. As a result of points raised at that meeting, Councillor Jones instructed the relevant officers to look at the matter again vis a vis Llangynog and the new Portfolio Holder, Councillor Geraint Hopkins, was asked to look for a new way forward. As the new Portfolio Holder was not impressed with the way the Toilet Closure Programme was being handled, he instructed officers to carry out a review of all toilets, re-open those that had already been closed, to come up with accurate costings to pass on to Town and Community Councils and carry out strategic and disabled impact assessments. To enable them to do this he has extended the deadline for decisions until 31st March 2014. However, since then there has been a change of Leader (Councillor Barry Thomas) and a change of Portfolio Holder (Councillor John Powell) so confirmation that the revised plan will still be implemented is awaited. County Councillor Mayor advised that County Councillor Powell will carry on the work started by Councillor Hopkins and hopes to have a new plan in place by next month.
Playground Inspection Report: Due to the recent inclement weather an estimate of cost for these repairs has been delayed.
Community Website: Mr John Wilson gave an update on progress with the Website and advised that he was ready to go live, once funding was available. He is slowly receiving material for inclusion on the Site but is confident that more will be forthcoming. As the Clerk confirmed that the £500 grant for the setting up and running of the Community Website had been received from Powys County Council, it was resolved to authorise Mr Wilson to proceed with the Website forthwith and submit an invoice to the Clerk to recoup the costs. The Website can be accessed via www.llangynog.org. Members of the Community are encouraged to support this venture, which is being provided for the benefit of all.
Grant for St Melangell’s Churchyard from Rothschild Foundation: The Clerk advised that further correspondence on this matter had been received from Mr Freeman-Attwood, suggesting that the Grant could be paid to the Memorial Hall Committee, as it is a registered charity. However, as the Clerk had advised him that this was also not feasible, it may be possible for the Rothschild Foundation to make a one-off exception case.
Any Other Business:
Annual Donation to the Memorial Hall: It was resolved to make the annual donation to the Memorial Hall in two payments of £500, with a caveat that the second payment would be subject to the availability of funds, at that time.
Donation to Penuel Churchyard: It was resolved to make the annual donation of £150, towards the upkeep and maintenance of Penuel Churchyard.
Welsh Assembly Government – Section 137 Payments: The Clerk advised that correspondence received from the Welsh Assembly Government authorised an increase in the amount that could be disbursed to charities/amenities that could be of benefit to members of the community, to £7.20 per elector.
Letter from Mr and Mrs Ainsworth, Audlem, Cheshire: The Clerk advised that a letter had been received from Mr and Mrs Ainsworth in support of keeping the toilets open, which was very complimentary about the cleanliness and accessibility of our toilets, to people like themselves, who had been using them for many years. Councillor Mayor suggested that a copy should be sent to County Councillor Powell to boost our case.
Donation from Pearce Cycles, Ludlow: The Clerk advised that a donation of £250 had been received from Pearce Cycles, the organizers of the annual Rhydefelin Downhill Bike Race, in appreciation of the co-operation and help given to them by the community of Llangynog. However, as the Community Council was unable to accept this donation, it was resolved to return the cheque to Pearce Cycles and advise them to make it out to the Memorial Hall, who could accept it, as a registered charity.
Outstanding Roadworks: Concerns were expressed that some of the roadworks on Quarry Road remained unfinished and that Tilhill Forestry had still not carried out the improvement to their access as agreed. Other concerns were expressed that the collapsed wall on the Rhiwarth Road had still not been repaired and a large piece of stone was obstructing the road, which could damage vehicles. The warning bollards, required on the verge at the top of the dip by Bryn Glas, needed to be erected as a matter of urgency. County Councillor Mayor undertook to contact Highways Department about all of these.
Dog Fouling: Complaints had been received about dog fouling at various locations around the village. County Councillor Mayor suggested that advice, as to how to tackle this problem, should be sought from PCSO Waldron in Llanfyllin as it is an offence, carrying a fine. Warning signs have been displayed around the village, so all dog owners in the village and visitors, should be aware of their responsibilities, to ensure that dog droppings are picked up and deposited in the bins provided.
Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 18th February 2014 at 7.30pm.
If anyone has concerns about anything affecting the village or any suggestions for improvements, please contact the Clerk or any one of the Councillors on the list displayed on the Public Notice Board.