Councillor Mrs R Evans (Mayor in the Chair)

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BRECON TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, THE GUILDHALL, BRECON ON MONDAY 23 JANUARY 2017 AT 7.00 P.M.

579/16PRESENT

Councillor I Williams

Councillor E Trailor

Councillor C T Walsh

Councillor M Morgan

Councillor K Wilbud

Councillor Mrs A Mathias

Councillor D Meredith

Councillor R Lewis

Councillor Mrs M Phillips

Councillor S Bennett

Councillor P Ashton

In Attendance: Mrs Fiona Williams (Town Clerk)

Mrs Alison Jones (Assistant Town Clerk)

Emma Evans Brecon and Radnor

580/16DYFED-POWYS POLICE

Inspector Lovatt was in attendance and advised Members of a new scheme which had been introduced for victims of crime to sign up to which enabled them to obtain updates as to how the investigation was progressing on their mobile phones. She also reported that whilst there had been spate of counterfeit notes being used in the area, generally the crime rate remained low. She advised that in relation to the Speed Awareness Campaign, there was a full team in the Cradoc area and it is hoped that other areas of Brecon would soon be in the same position.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions to the Inspector and Members again voiced concerns about the dangers at the Priory Hill Junction. Members also had concerns about anti-social behaviour late at night and weekends in Ship Street. Inspector Lovatt advised that the Street Pastor Scheme was now up and running which should assist with this.

The Mayor thanked Inspector Lovatt for her attendance.

580/16POWYS COUNTY COUNCIL – COMMUNITY DELIVERY

Mr Paul Griffiths and Mrs Lisa Griffiths from Powys County Council were in attendance to talk about the Council’s Community Delivery Programme.

They gave a detailed overview of the County Council’s budget cuts and the impact this is having on services and how the County Council were now looking to work with Town and Community Councils and voluntary and other community organisations to share and/or take over some services. They outlined the different ways that this has been achieved throughout the County.

Members enquired what the services were as they were very wide ranging. Mrs Griffiths advised that virtually all services were up for discussion.

Members raised their concerns about cost implications as inevitably the precept would have to be increased if any other services were to be taken over.

Members concluded that this was an important matter that would require a lot of further dialogue and consideration over the coming year following the election of the new Council in May.

The Mayor thanked Mr Griffiths & Mrs Griffiths for their attendance. Mr Griffiths & Mrs Griffiths advised that they would be happy to come back at any time in the future to discuss and share information with the Council.

581/16APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Councillors Mrs E Pritchard, M J Dorrance and A M C Weale

582/16DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The Mayor declared a personal but non-prejudicial interest in Appendix C(A)(1) – BT phone boxes

583/16MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Mayor advised of the events she had attended since the last meeting of the Council.

584/16TOWN CLERK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Town Clerk advised that there was a party arriving from Gouesnou on the 12th April and they had requested that a welcome reception be held at the Guildhall and the Mayor had agreed to this. The Town Clerk asked Members to give approval to provide the drinks – the food would be provided by the Gouesnou Committee.

RESOLVED

THAT the reception be held and the Town Council to provide the drinks.

SECTION A

585/16MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 28 November 2016 (Pages 145 to 153) (copies of which had been previously circulated)

Arising from the Minutes

587/16THE BARRACKS – CLOSURE (MINUTE 478/16)

The Town Clerk advised that there was a meeting on Wednesday at the Barracks. Members could go along but the Barracks needed to be notified of all attendees.

RESOLVED

THAT the Mayor would attend on behalf of Brecon Town Council.

Subject to the foregoing

IT WAS RESOLVED

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 28 November 2016 be taken as read, approved as a true record, and signed.

CORRESPONDENCE

589/16BT PAYPHONES

Submitted email in response to queries concerning BT Payphone emergency call usage and maintenance costs – a copy of which had previously been submitted – Appendix C(A)(1)

RESOLVED

THAT this email be received and the contents noted. Members were disappointed that the requested information could not be provided at this time.

590/16PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL – PARKING ON PAVEMENTS

Submitted email from Mr Chris Davies in response to the Council’s request concerning resurrection of a Private Members Bill on pavement parking – a copy of which had previously been submitted – Appendix C(A)(2).

THIS email was received and the contents noted.

591/16WELSH GOVERNMENT – CONSULATION – LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM

Submitted a letter from the Welsh Government in response to the Council’s concerns that the views of all Town and Community Councils are considered during the consultation on Local Government reform – a copy of which had previously been circulated – Appendix C(A)(3).

THIS letter was received and the contents noted.

592/16BRECON JAZZ FESTIVAL

Submitted – letter from a resident in relation to the running of Brecon Jazz Festival 2017 – a copy of which had previously been circulated Appendix C(A)(4) together various letters of correspondence in relation to the Festival copies of which were circulated at the meeting.

RESOLVED

THAT the content of all the correspondence be noted and the interested parties be invited along to the next meeting to discuss the future of Brecon Jazz

593/16MATTERS AFFECTING THE TOWN – VARIOUS

Submitted letter from Ms Jean Hosie in relation to various matters affecting the Town – a copy of which had previously been circulated – Appendix C(A)(5)

RESOLVED

THAT Members were in agreement with the contents and that the letter should be put on the Agenda for further consideration by the Environment Committee.

594/16PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING – 3 JANUARY 2017

Submitted – Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 3 January 2017 (pages 158 to 161) copies of which had been previously circulated

RESOLVED

THAT the Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 3 January 2017 be taken as read, approved as a true record and signed.

595/16ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING – 3 JANUARY 2017

Submitted – Minutes of the Meeting of the Environment Committee held on 3 January 2017 (pages 164 to 170) copies of which had been previously circulated

RESOLVED

THAT the Minutes of the Environment Committee Meeting held on 3 January 2017 be taken as read, approved as a true record and signed.

596/16PRECEPT – 2017/2018

Members had before them the final Budget/Precept 2017/2018 for consideration and approval.

RESOLVED

THAT the Budget/Precept 2017/2018 be approved. The Chair of Finance recorded his appreciation to the Town Clerk and the staff for their work in preparing the Precept.

597/16PIGEONS – BRECON TOWN

Councillor D Meredith has requested that this matter be placed on the Agenda for initial discussion and to research the options available to deal with the nuisance pigeons in the Town. The Clerk advised that she had spoken with a company who would be happy to come along and give a presentation to members about the many options available.

Members suggested that it might be worthwhile contacting Brecknock Wildlife Trust to ascertain whether they have any ideas and solutions to deal with the problem.

RESOLVED

THAT the Town Clerk contact Breckock Wildlife Trust for advice. The matter to come back before the Environment Committee for further consideration.

598/16POWYS COUNTY COUNCIL – RIGHTS OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Submitted information in relation to Powys County Council’s preview of Rights of Way Improvement Plan – a copy of which had previously been circulated – Appendix C(C)

THIS information was received and noted.

599/16POWYS COUNTY COUNCIL – PARTNERSHIP WORKING

Submitted information from Powys County Council in relation to potential partnership working in the future – a copy of which had previously been circulated - ~Appendix C(D).

RESOLVED

THAT the letter be placed on the Agenda for the next Staff and Employment Committee for further discussion.

600/16PARKING – ORCHARD STREET

Submitted - information from Powys County Council in relation to the annual fee that would be required for paring in Orchard Street – a copy of which had previously been circulated – Appendix C(E)

Councillor Meredith advised Members that the figure in the email differed to the original quotation and it had now been confirmed that the original quote was correct.

Councillor Meredith reiterated his concerns in relation to safety issues surrounding the parking in Orchard Street and requested Members to consider supporting the takeover of this car park.

Members discussed this issue in great detail and whilst sympathetic to the request felt it would not be fair to subsidise one car park.

Following lengthy discussions including the possibility of looking at taking over car parks in the future and following a vote by Members

IT WAS RESOLVED THAT Members could not agree to pay an annual fee for this car park currently. Councillor Meredith wished to record his vote against this Resolution.

601/16BOUNDARY REVIEW

Submitted - information in relation to Boundary Review and to nominate a Councillor to attend a presentation on the 9th March 2017 – a copy of which had previously been circulated – Appendix C(F)

After discussion

IT WAS RESOLVED THAT

Councillor R Lewis attend the presentation to represent Brecon Town Council.

602/16GUILDHALL – HIRE

Councillor R Lewis reported that he had requested this item be placed on the Agenda as he was concerned that there appeared to be different criteria for charging for the hire of the Guildhall and he believed that this needed to be fair and consistent.

At this stage of the meeting Members were advised that the Town Plan Group had requested free of use of the Guildhall for the next series of meetings and members agreed to support this.

Following further discussions in particular concerning the groups who have historically received free use and the number given at the discretion of the Mayor

IT WAS RESOLVED

THAT a working group be set up consisting of Councillors C Walsh, Mrs M Phillips, The Mayor and The Town Clerk to consider the hire and free use of the Guildhall and to discuss how many times the Mayor in Office can offer free use of the Chamber. That the Guildhall be free for the Town Plan Group and its sub-groups for the next series of meetings.

603/16AGM/ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS

Members had before them a report from the Town Clerk setting out the meeting arrangements during and immediately after the election period

Following discussion

IT WAS RESOLVED THAT

Option 1 as set out in the Town Clerk’s report be accepted.

604/16SMALL ARMS SCHOOL – FREEDOM PARADE

The Town Clerk advised that there had been several meetings in relation to the arrangements for the Parade and the format would be very similar to the Annual Gurkha Parade. There would be a short drinks reception at the Guildhall. Members were invited to agree the positioning of the scroll and plaque for unveiling on the day. Members were invited to put forward suggestions for a suitable gift.

Following discussion

IT WAS RESOLVED THAT

The comments of the Town Clerk were noted. Members agreed to remove the De Rog Swimming Club display and this to be replaced by the scroll and plaque for the Small Arms School Corps. With regard to a gift this matter to be decided by the Town Clerk and Chair of the Civic Committee.

605/16SECTION 106 FUNDING – LLANFAES

The Town Clerk advised that she had received a letter from the Bishop who advised that a meeting to progress matters at St David’s Church had been held. He requested confirmation that the money was still available and requested confirmation on the limits and restrictions.

Following discussions in relation the proposals for the use

IT WAS RESOLVED THAT

The Town Clerk respond to the Bishop advising that the Council re-affirm their previous decision regarding the funding subject to a firm business plan with costings, plans and full detailed proposals being presented to the Council before 1st January 2019.

606/16POWER SUPPLY – EXTERNAL

The Town Clerk advised that following the Christmas Fayre it had been suggested that the possibility of an external power supply be considered on the Bulwark possibly via the Brecon and Radnor building.

Following further consideration

IT WAS RESOLVED THAT

The Town Clerk make further enquires in relation to positioning and costs involved and report back to the meeting of the Environment Committee.

MEMBERS REPORTS

607/16Councillors R Lewis and K Wilbud submitted their report in relation to proposals and recommendations for the 2017 Christmas Lights Competition.

608/17Councillor S Bennett submitted a written report providing members with an update following the meeting with the Chamber of Trade

609/16Councillor I Williams submitted the Minutes from the Brecknock Access Group.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There were no items under Any Other Business.

610/16 PR OPPORTUNITIES ARISING FROM THE MEETING

Approval of the Precept 2017/2018.

611/16PR OPPORTUNITIES ARISING IN THE NEXT MONTH

None arising