Photo courtesy of Jane Bywater
Local Elections
Elections for Town Council take place on Thursday 3rd May 2012. The last date to deliver a nomination to stand is no later than noon on Wednesday the 4th April. Nomination papers can be obtained from County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5LG. For more information go to www.electoralcommission.org.uk and follow >Guidance for May 2012>Guidance for candidates and agents>Local Elections England and Wales.
Allotments
To download an application form click Allotments application form
Housing Survey
We have recently carriedout a housing survey in the Town council area. If you would like to see it click here
Presteigne Memorial Hall
The Town Council is working with the Memorial Hall Committee to secure the future of the Memorial Hall. If you would like to see more information about this click here
The Town Council
The Town Council consists of thirteen members, nine representing the town of Presteigne and four covering the village of Norton. All members are chosen by ballot every four years, having been proposed and seconded by parishioners. To be eligible for election, a prospective member has to reside in the community or within three miles of the Parish boundary or own property in the parish.
Once elected, the councillors select their own Chairperson for the year (then known as the Mayor) and a deputy. The Mayor presides over all meetings of the Council, which meets once a month.
The Council employs a Town Clerk who attends all meetings, taking minutes and dealing with any correspondence deemed necessary after a meeting.
Among the main concerns of the Council are local planning applications, which are forwarded to us by Powys County Council for any comments or objections, but over which we have no final jurisdiction. We also inform Powys County Council of any problems in maintenance required to roads, street lighting, children’s play areas etc.
Financial responsibilities are limited to paying our clerk, giving donations as we see fit to help run local organisations and maintaining local amenity grounds belonging to the town. Recently, we have taken over responsibility for the running and upkeep of a toilet block, which Powys CC wanted to close.
A place on the Council is an interesting position, enabling local people to help care for their own area and environment.
Who are our Councillors?
If you would like to know more about the Town Councillors please click Councillor's CVs
Contact.
To contact the Town Council please write to our clerk, Tracey Price, Garn Farm, Chaple Lawn, Bucknell, Shropshire, SY7 0BT, or email her at pntc@hotmail.com.
Documents Available
Please click on the document you wish to see Precept 2012 -2013 , Draft Accounts Allotments , Draft Accounts Meadow , Draft Accounts Treasurer , Draft Accounts Receipts , Financial Regulations 2011 , Standing Orders , Freedom of Information Publication Scheme Notice , Freedom of Information Model Scheme , Freedom of Information Act Information Guide
Most Recent Approved Minutes
If you want to view or download earlier approved minutes please click as appropriate: March 2012 , February 2012 , January 2012 , December 2011 , November 2011 , October 2011, September 2011 , July 2011 ,| June 2011, May 2011, April 2011
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 21ST MARCH 2012
AT THE SHIREHALL, BROAD STREET, PRESTEIGNE
Present: Cllrs. J. Kendall (Mayor), Ms. J. Simpson (Deputy Mayor), N. Green, Ms. N. Humphreys, H. Owens, B. Price, P. Robinson, P. Spawton, J. Tennant-Eyles, Ms A. Wake, J. Wilding.
Apologies: Ms B. Baynham, C. Kirkby.
In Attendance: Mrs T. Price, Town Clerk.
Declarations of Interest. Members were requested to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests they may have in matters to be considered at this meeting in accordance with the terms of the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct Order) (Wales) Order 2008.
Personal - Cllr. Ms. Wake - Wind Farm Motion (business owner in area)
Cllr. J. Kendall - Wind Farm Notion (Director of Presteigne Festival)
Cllr. Tennant-Eyles - Wind Farm Notion (Director of Presteigne Festival)
Cllr. Ms. Humphries - Wind Farm Motion (business owner in area)
See dispensation below.
Personal and Prejudicial - None
Dispensations - Cllr. Ms. Simpson - School Modernisation (Governor of John Beddoes School and Presteigne Primary School)
General Dispensation to all re. issues concerning wind turbines
MIN 2488 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the ordinary business meeting of 22nd February were approved with one amendment, the venue being the East Radnorshire Day Centre not the Shirehall, and duly signed by the Mayor.
MIN 2489 CLERK'S REPORT
(1) Traffic Speed Signs Norton - These were reported to be in place and working.
(2) Newtons Lane, Norton - The potholes had now been repaired.
(3) Planning Application for ATM, Lloyds Bank - Cllr. Kendall reported that since the last Council Meeting when the application had been discussed he had received two letters from residents objecting to the site. The Town Council had already responded to the Planning Department, and the individuals had copied their letters to the appropriate Planning Officer at the County Council.
(4) New Years Honours Submissions - These had not been submitted due to the short timescale.
MIN 2490 FINANCE
(1) Donations:
Two requests had been received and were agreed as below -
Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre £50
Presteigne and Norton Twinning Association (football match) £100
(2) Payments: The following payments were approved -
Presteigne Memorial Hall Management C'ttee £2250.30
(contribution towards contamination survey costs)
Npower (Meadow) £24.89 MEADOW ACCOUNT
Adam Davies (pruning advice) £35.00 MEADOW ACCOUNT
Nick Close (inspections/litter picking) £26.00 MEADOW ACCOUNT
Caron Promotions £612.00
(3) Risk Assessment Annual Review - Members examined the risk assessment for 2012 (including the review of the Council's control systems) as previously circulated. The assessment was approved for signing by the Mayor without amendment.
(4) Asset Register - The Register was approved without change from 2011.
(5) Bank Balances - Noted as below -
High Interest £16,500.77 Treasurer £9213.74
Meadow £137.40 Allotments £391.60
(6) Receipts: The following receipts were noted: Allotment Rental £700
MIN 2491 PLANNING
(1) Planning Applications:
P2012 0230 LBC, removal of mid-twentieth century partition wall on ground floor. Insertion of boiler flue through external wall at second floor level as part of installation of new hot water boiler at Harp House, Broad Street, Presteigne. No objections raised.
P2012 0167 reserved matters. Erection of an affordable two bedroom bungalow and associated double garage, together with forming access to private driveway at land opposite Millbank, Norton. No objections raised.
P2012 0164 for householder, proposed disabled adaptation works for alterations and extension at The Quab, Slough Lane, Presteigne. No objections raised.
(2) LDP Update - It was agreed that the LDP Working Group would meet on 12th April to discuss the recent consultation received from the County Council. Comments would be reported to the April meeting for submission to the County Council by the end of April.
MIN 2492 HIGHWAYS, HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT
(1) Zero Waste Project -.It was confirmed that the scheme had been extended. Members noted that the Scheme had never been intended to be permanent and were pleased that it had been possible for it to continue for a further year. Cllr. Tennant-Eyles pointed out that this extension had been due to the effort and determination of Cllr. Kirkby. The hard work of both Cllrs. Kirkby and Tennant-Eyles in obtaining this extension were noted.
(2) School Modernisation -.Nothing to report.
(3) Parking Spaces Opposite the Farmers Arms - The Clerk reported that a reply had now been received from Stapleton Parish Council confirming its support for the removal of the spaces. It was agreed that the Clerk contact the Chief Executive of the County Council about this and also forward a copy of the email from the Stapleton Clerk.
(4) Footpath, Fold Farm Lane - Cllr. Kendall reported that the East Radnor Ramblers were still looking into this issue and agreed to report back to the April meeting.
(5) Closure of High Street during Food Festival - Noted
(6) Caravans, Norton Road - It was agreed that the Clerk should continue to press for enforcement action.
(7) Other Highway Items - The following matters were noted -
Increased waiting times in High Street still needed confirmation of a starting date
The need for a sign indicating the sharp bend at Boultibrooke where there had been yet another accident recently.
The use of Killhorse Lane by lorries.
Potholes on the by pass
Worn white lining on the double bend just past Boultibrooke
The Clerk agreed to take action on the above items.
MIN 2493 NORTON
Flower Festival to be held over the Queens Jubilee Weekend
MIN 2494 MEADOW
(1) Use of Meadow - Members noted that the Presteigne Festival had asked for use of the Meadow on 25th August and the Presteigne Little Peoples' Playgroup on 1st April.
(2) Bike Track - Cllrs. Wilding and Green had now re-modelled the bike track after consultation with local young people. It was noted that a new risk assessment and plan was now needed, together with some final tidying up/stone collecting. Cllr. Green agreed to arrange this and to contact Cllr. Robinson in relation to the completion of a new risk assessment.
(3) Sub-Committee Meeting - Members of the Sub-Committee agreed to contact Cllr. Kirkby with details of their availability for a meeting in April.
(4) Ligné Garden Tidy Up - Date to be set in early April.
(5) Purchase of Land on the Warden - Agreed that Cllr. Kirkby respond to the County Council that the Town Council was not presently in a position to exchange contracts and that the matter would be discussed again at the April meeting once the auction of the second part of the site had taken place.
MIN 2495 MEMORIAL HALL
Cllr. Tennant-Eyles confirmed that the Aggregates Levy Fund had decided that Presteigne was not affected enough from quarrying to benefit from the Fund. There was no response as yet from the final remaining fund.
MIN 2496 ALLOTMENTS
The Clerk reported that the rent due was coming in promptly. Cllr. Tennant-Eyles reported that the new Plot 36 was in the process of being let and that due to its small size the tenant was being allowed to site a shed off the plot, near to the bridge. Members noted the recent vandalism of four of the sheds on the site and it was hoped that this would not recur.
MIN 2497 YOUTH MATTERS
Cllr. Tennant-Eyles reported that an open evening was to be held on 27th April.
MIN 2498 CORRESPONDENCE/GENERAL ITEMS
(1) Diamond Jubilee Celebrations - Cllr. Ms. Simpson updated Members on the celebrations to be held in Presteigne on 3rd June. Together with the Clerk she was trying to arrange insurance cover under the Town Council's insurance. It was too late to apply for any grant money from Awards for All.
(2) One Voice Wales Area Committee Meeting - Cllr. Kendall reported on this meeting. The next meeting is to be held in June/July.
(3) Welsh Government Organ Donation - Reply noted.
(4) Regeneration Summit - Cllr. Ms Simpson updated Members on the summit to be held on 29th March. All were invited to attend.
(5) Letter from Resident re. land on Warden and Dog Fouling - Members noted the letter and asked that the Clerk make a suitable reply.
(6) Presteigne Food Festival Ready Steady Cook - Volunteers were Cllrs. Tennant-Eyles, Wilding, Ms. Simpson and Ms. Humphreys.
MIN 2499 TOWN COUNCIL SURGERIES
Cllr. Kendall reported that several visitors had attended in March. The Clerk was asked to report one matter to the County Council, that of a footpath in need of repair.
MIN 2500 INFORMATION ITEMS
The items for information were noted.
MIN 2501 WIND FARM MOTION
'This Council, on reconsideration, is opposed to the current planning application to Herefordshire Council for a wind farm on Reeves Hill.'
The motion as submitted by Cllr. Kendall and seconded by Cllr. Ms. Simpson was put to the vote and carried with 8 votes for, 2 against and 1 abstention.
MIN 2502 URGENT ITEMS
None
There being no further business to discuss the meeting closed at 9.20 pm.
