MINUTES

Of a meeting of the Full Council held in

The Council Chamber Town Hall Welshpool on

Wednesday 27^th April 2011 at 7pm

Present were:

Cllr E Bleivas Mayor

Cllr J Corfield, Cllr G Cross, Cllr A Crowe, Cllr M Douglass, Cllr H Evans,

Cllr A Holloway,  Cllr P Humphreys,  Cllr J Meredith and Cllr Dr J Morgan.

In attendance: Robert Robinson Town Clerk

174. Public question time

There was one member of the public present.

175.  Apologies for absence

Apologies were received from Cllr T Squibb, Cllr P Pritchard, Cllr S Squibb, Cllr S Kaye, Cllr R Brown and Cllr T Harvey.

176.  Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a correct record.

177.  Confirmation of order of business

The Mayor confirmed the order of business.

178.  Declarations of interest

There were declarations of interest as follows:

            ATC Grant – Cllr Ann Holloway

179.  Mayoral report

The Mayor gave a short report on her activities in the last month.

180.  Financial Report

The Town Clerk gave the financial report which was received.

The end of year accounts are now with the auditors.

A copy of the estimated end of year accounts was included in the report.

181.  Orders for payment

The orders for payment are shown on pages 2 and 3 of agenda papers were approved.

182.   Town Hall and Markets Committee

Introduction

The Town Hall and Markets Committee has been updated on current affairs with regard to the Town Hall and Markets and this is noted in the updates issued.

Minute no 8 Seat for Market Village

The Town Clerk suggested that a seat round would set well around the steel upright in the middle market. The round seat would be in timer. The cost would be approx £250 and could come from the Market Village promotion budget.

The Council RESOLVED that a round seat to surround the column in the main market hall be purchased (in timber) for approx £250.  The vote was unanimous.

183. Recreation and Leisure Committee

Introduction

The Committee was updated at its meeting on current matters regarding the Tourist Information Centre, Playgrounds and Open Spaces as noted in the updates. The management accounting figures were issued to the Committee regarding the Tourist Information Centre.

Minute no 5.   Fencing along Footpath by the Bowling Green (Chain link)

The Bowling Club fencing (chain link) is now beyond repair.  The wind damage recently has shown up the rotten bases to the posts.

The Bowling Club have suggested that if the Council could pay for the materials (approx £1,000) they would provide the labour to erect same to match the other new fencing.  The estimated cost of chainlink fencing is £3,500.

The Council RESOLVED that a new 2m high timber fence is provided.  The cost will not exceed £1,000. The vote was unanimous.

Minute no 13. Rugby Club Youth Sides

The youth rugby club sides (for under 11’s and 16 pluses) have asked if they could use the rugby pitch for matches.  (3 or 4 matches per team). They would link in with the grounds man and with the Rugby Club to ensure the pitch is fine and that matches do not clash.

The Council RESOLVED that the youth sides be permitted to play on the rugby pitch in consultation with the grounds man and the Main Rugby Club as regards dates.  There is to be no charge. The vote was unanimous.

184. Events Committee

Introduction

The Committee was updated on current matters as noted in the updates issued.

Recommendations

These are the recommendations from this Committee for consideration.

Minute no 6. Music Festival

 The outline details of the music festival were given.  A date in September would be preferred.  The venue would be good at Maes Y Dre in the open air.

The event would end by 8pm in the evening.   The event would be a Saturday only starting early afternoon and running to 8pm.  The festival would be more professional but would not offer several locations (as before) but just the one venue.  The event is to be on a Saturday.

The sound levels would be similar to that of the country and western event.

The Council RESOLVED that the festival be given the ‘go ahead’ on the above basis at a cost of no more than £1,000. The vote was unanimous.

185. Finance and General Purposes Committee

Introduction

The Committee considered current matters as noted in the updates issued.

Recommendations

These are the recommendations from this Committee for consideration.

 Minute no 5. Report on Toilet provision in Welshpool

The steering group did meet to discuss the toilet provision.
A short report was issued to each member of the Committee.

The ‘bottom line’ is that the toilets could be taken over and run by the Town Council subject to a capital payment and planning consent for alterations from PCC.

The Council RESOLVED that in principle they would wish to take over the toilet provision subject to satisfactory negotiations with PCC to achieve this aim.  When a provision agreement has been reached (in line with the proposals issued for information) a full recommendation can be put to the Full Council. (see separate pack issued) The vote was unanimous.

Minute no 7. Pensions - Powys County Council

The Town Clerk reported on the current pension provision.

A lot of information was gained from the presentation at the NWATLCC meeting on 15^th April.

The idea of a fund asking for back payments to cover losses is questioned.

The amount of contributions needed is also questioned.

The Council RESOLVED that the Town Clerk and two Councillors meet with J Rollins PCC Pension Fund to discuss the matter.  The Councillors are to be Cllr Dr J Morgan and Cllr T Harvey. The vote was unanimous.

After this meeting, if necessary, to involve a specialist solicitor to advise.

Minute no 16.   Welshpool Pride

The Town Clerk updated the meeting on progress with the plan and street champions.  A further meeting is to be held of the team in May.

The outline instructions for street champions was considered and approved.

The Council RESOLVED that the street champion scheme now proceeds and is advertised to seek volunteers. The vote was unanimous.

Minute no 17.   Electoral Reform

The electoral report received from the Boundary Commission was discussed. The Council supported the proposal put forward by the Boundary Commission if the present 3 wards for County Council could not  be retained.

The Council RESOLVED that the proposed changes to the County Electoral Boundaries in Welshpool be supported.  The vote was 9 for the proposal and 1 abstention.

Minutes no 18.   Benches and Seats around town

A short report was given on the proposal for the donation of remembrance benches and seating as suggested by Cllr Pritchard earlier in the month.

The scheme would invite people to buy and seat or bench for the town in memory of someone.  The cost be for a standard bench costing approx £350 plus £20 for a plaque (plastic)

The Council RESOLVED that the scheme be put into operation and that press releases as proposed in the issued scheme be implemented.   The vote was unanimous.

Minute no 21.   Public abuse

The Committee was concerned about the abuse received from the public against Town Council staff, particularly on those items over which the Town Council has little or no control.

The policy of the Town Clerk’s Office to try and help anyone who calls, even if it is not a Town Council responsibility.  A lot of calls and visitors are on matters that are a PCC responsibility, the office takes the details and where it can takes the matter forward to PCC for action.

Recommendation:

The Committee recommends that a sign is put up in the office entrance stating that abuse (physical or verbal) is not acceptable.

Finally to introduce a policy whereby any person who is offensive is not dealt with but they must come back another time.  The vote was unanimous.

Minute no 26. Letterhead and identity

The Committee considered the promotion of Mid Wales.

The Council RESOLVED that the Council address be changed to

Gateway to  Mid Wales

Welshpool Town Council

Triangle House Union Street

Welshpool

Montgomeryshire

SY21 7PG.

186. Wind Farm Report

Introduction

The Town Clerk gave a short report on the current situation.  The Planning and Development Committee of the Council has been monitoring the position since its inception in 2008.

There are many public meetings being held around the area where Community Councils and Community Groups have now realised the extent of the turbines, transport, overhead cables and electricity sub stations.

These meetings do give the public an idea of what is happening and this has got to be good.

The MP (Glyn Davies) is holding a mass demonstration at the Livestock Market in Welshpool and there is a protest to be held in Cardiff outside the WAG the day after the election.

One Voice Wales is planning to hold a meeting on the issue for Community Councils.  The Montgomeryshire Local Council Forum is also seeking to pull together local community councils to seek a NE Powys wide survey and to seek working together.

It is clear that there is now too many organisations all trying to take a lead and at this time there is not much working together.

The effect on Welshpool could be as difficult as other areas as one of the power lines could be along the existing route via the River Severn. 

The dangers at this time appear to be:

            Split communities fighting against each other and not working together.

            Poor turnouts at public meetings compared to the actual electorate.

The AM (whoever is elected) will be just 1 and probably not from the ruling party, therefore the chances of overturning the renewable energy policy is poor, this was confirmed by the answers given on the Welsh Question time on 18^th April on BBC1 Wales.

The Council should now consider what direct actions it should take at this time.

Recommendation

The Council discussed the issued and the following are to be taken forward:

The Council RESOLVED NOT TO support the location of the sub station at either Abermule or Cefn Coch as they are both within areas where communities are located.

The Council RESOLVED to petition Powys County Council to require a public inquiry. Such enquiry to include Wind Farms, Hubs and Overhead Cables. Also to seek a full review of TAN 8 again with the newly elected members of the Welsh Assembly.

To  Council RESOLVED to support public meeting run by various organisations on the subject.

The Council RESOLVED to hold a public survey on the subject covering the whole of Welshpool.  The survey should also include the High School.  The survey to be conducted door to door.

All votes were unanimous.

187.   Reports from outside bodies

Introduction

The outside bodies at which Councillor and or the Town Clerk attend are reported here:

North Wales Association of Larger Town and Community Councils

A verbal report was given at the meeting.

Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth Railway Liaison Committee

A verbal report was given at the meeting.

Montgomeryshire Local Council Forum

A verbal report was given at the meeting.

Welshpool Projects (Business Meeting)

A verbal report was given at the meeting.

188.  Council Agenda Donations 

Introduction

The Council donations policy is to support local charities and voluntary groups.

Each application has been accompanied by accounts unless otherwise stated.

                        Get Going Gang – awarded £300

                        ATC – awarded £250

The current balances with regard to donations are:

Total budget              £4,000

Allocated to date            £550

Available                      £3,450

189. County Councillor Reports

There was nothing to report.

190. Correspondence

A letter was received from Powys County Council thanking the Council and Town Clerk for their role in the introduction of the One Way System in Welshpool.

The Council agreed that it was a good example of the two Council’s working together.

191. Committees for year 2011/2012

The Councillors were invited to volunteer their names for the committees for the next year.

192. Dates of meetings for the month of May 2011

The following dates have been set for Council Meetings: