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.
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.
Presteigne Memorial Hall
The Town Council commissioned a report on the future of the Memorial Hall in January 2007. If you would like to see the report which contains a lot of interesting information please click this link - Memorial Hall Report.
If you would like to see the appendices referred to in the report click the appropriate following links Appendix 1, | Appendix 2, Appendix 3, Appendix 4, Appendix 5.
Freedom of Information
If you would like to see our freedom of information policy click FOI policy
Most Recent Approved Minutes
If you want to view or download earlier approved minutes please click as appropriate: June 2008 , 4th June 2008 , May 2008 , March 2008 , February 2008 , January 2008 , 9th January 2008 , December 2007 , November 2007 , October 2007 , September 2007 , August 2007 , July 2007 , June 2007
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17th JUNE 2008 AT THE SHIRE HALL, BROAD STREET, PRESTEIGNE
Present: Cllrs. C. Kirkby (Mayor), J. Wilding (Deputy Mayor), Ms. B. Baynham, N. Green, J. Kendall, H Owens P. Robinson, Ms. J. Simpson, P. Spawton, J. Tennant-Eyles.
Apologies: B. Price, Ms. A. Wake.
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 Model Code of Conduct Order 2001 issues under Section 51 Local Government Act 2002.
No Declarations were made.
Members welcomed Mr. Richard Pitts to give a presentation on the work of the Transition Town movement generally and on the Transition Town Presteigne Group in particular. He answered Members questions on the work of the group in Presteigne and in conclusion asked that the Town Council consider formally endorsing Transition Town Presteigne and that it also consider appointing a Town Council representative to the Committee. Members were happy to give the Town Council's support and appointed Cllr. Tennant-Eyles to be their representative.
MIN 1936 DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
The necessary declaration was completed by Cllr. Kendall and witnessed by the Clerk.
MIN 1937 DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE TOWN MAYOR
Cllr. Kirkby completed and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, witnessed by the Clerk.
MIN 1938 NEW CODE OF CONDUCT
(1) Adoption of New Code - It was agreed unanimously to adopt the new Code of Conduct with immediate effect. In addition the limit for declaration of gifts was set at £25.
(2) Signing of Code - All those present signed new Declarations.
(3) Powys County Council, new Standards Committee Consultation - Members agreed that the Clerk write supporting the new arrangements.
MIN 1939 CASUAL VACANCY
As there had been no formal request for an election, three applications for co-option were considered. Following a ballot Nicola Humphreys was selected to fill the vacancy.
MIN 1940 RECOGNITION FOR RECENTLY RETIRED MEMBERS
It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to each of these Members. It was also agreed that the Mayor be authorised to purchase a gift of Welsh glass to a value of around £100 for former Cllr. Mrs Davies and to arrange for this to be engraved in recognition of her long service to the Council.
MIN 1941 APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO OUTSIDE BODIES
The following Members were appointed: -
East Radnor Leisure Centre Current Mayor presently Cllr. Kirkby
Presteigne Primary School Cllr. Ms. J. Simpson
East Radnor Border Health Focus Group Cllr. B. Price
Shirehall Museum Trust Cllr. H. Owens
It was confirmed that if any other local organisations wished to have a Town Council Member on their Committee they would need to write to the Council requesting that a Member be appointed.
MIN 1942 FINANCE
(1) Donations: The following donations were approved:
East Radnor Border Health Focus Group £50.00 (Precepted)
BISYOC £100.00 (Precepted)
Childline £75.00 (Precepted)
Following an examination of the accounts submitted by Sheep Music Members agreed to contribute the sum of £300 this year, a reduction in amount from previous years.
Sheep Music - £300.00(Portion of Precepted
Amount)
The request by Shelter Cymru for a donation was deferred to allow the Clerk to write for details of any local work by the charity.
The letter of thanks from Presteigne Shirehall Museum Trust was read to the meeting and noted.
(2) Payments: The following payments were approved:
Clearview Cleaning Services (Hfd) Ltd. £369.11
(Monthly account for toilet cleaner £314.14 plus VAT)
Mayor's Allowance (1st payment) £500.00
Mr. E. Cross Inspections of Wents Meadow £120.00
MEADOW ACCOUNT
Npower (electricity at Barn, Wents Meadow) £19.44
(£18.51 plus VAT) MEADOW ACCOUNT
One Voice Wales - Membership for 2008/09 at a cost of £295.00 was considered but it was agreed not to re-join at this time.
With regard to Clearview Cleaning Services (Hfd) Ltd.. It was noted that the increase had been agreed before the new financial year but Members asked the Clerk to ask for a breakdown of the increase to ensure records were complete.
MIN 1943 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of 20th May and 4th June were approved with no amendments. The Mayor then duly signed the Minutes.
MIN 1944 MATTERS ARISING
(1) Street Lighting Core Areas - The Clerk stated that no response had yet been received from Powys County Council.
(2) Affordable Housing - As no meeting had yet been confirmed it was agreed that the Clerk contact Terry Flynn again and arrange a date. Cllrs Owens, Tennant-Eyles and Ms. Baynham agreed to attend on behalf of the Town Council.
(3) Obstruction of Pavement, Broad Street - Cllr. Owens stated he had spoken to the proprietor of the shop in question and the amount of goods placed outside should now be reduced.
(4) Creation of new Entrance, Norton - This was deferred until the July Meeting as Cllr. Price was not present.
MIN 1945 PLANNING
(1) The following planning applications were considered and discussed:
P2008 00804 Full, erection of detached garage in garden area, 27 Kings Court, Presteigne.
P2008 0770 Full, erection of 2 dwellings and alteration to the access, The Woodyard, Greenend, Presteigne.
P2008 0849 Listed Building Consent, replacement of three ground floor windows, including the enlargement of two of these, 11 Church Street, Presteigne.
P2008 0860 Full, erection of agricultural workers dwelling with new vehicular access, installation of septic tank and installation of two parking bays, Carters Farm, Norton
No objections were raised to the above applications.
(2) The items of information were noted.
(3) Wind Turbine Application - Cllr. Kirkby updated Members on the present situation. Cllrs. Spawton and Robinson were attending the public meeting at the Memorial Hall and agreed to report back to the next Council Meeting.
MIN 1946 HIGHWAYS HOUSING & ENVIRONMENT
(1) Draft Fire and Rescue National Framework 2009/10 - Cllr. Spawton reported on this document, highlighting points of interest. In particular he praised the prevention work carried out by the Fire Service. He agreed to return the questionnaire on behalf of the Council.
(2) Footpath Issues - Cllr. Kirkby circulated a report on the recent site meeting between Carlton Parry of Powys County Council and Members of the Town Council. Items discussed were the Clatterbrook (path PR 1809A), the Warden path PR1798A, a possible new footbridge north of St. Mary's Mill (PR1801/NR1098) and footpath PR1796 from B4362 County Boundary to Upper Heath Farm. Considerable progress had been made in resolving these matters and the Clerk agreed to take action as listed below:-
To write to Powys County Council Highways to ascertain ownership/responsibility of the path from Warden Road onto the Warden;
To contact the landowner of the land over which the additional path at Rockbridge would pass to ask if they would grant such a path;
To await the report of Carlton Parry before considering an approach to the owner of the land involved in Path PR1796 about a possible link at the western end.
(3) Interim Development Control Guidance Consultation (Onshore Wind Farm Developments) - Cllr. Robinson reported on this item and identified the key points. He stressed the need for consideration to be given to index linking any sum set aside for decommissioning any site with any such fund being held by the County Council and that the Powys Sustainable Communities Investment Fund should be held locally in a local county trust so that it is ring fenced for use by the community affected. He agreed to write to Powys County Council on the Town Council's behalf.
(4) Footpath adj. to Kayes Factory - Confirmation that the path had been cleaned was noted and Members heard that the overgrown hedges etc. were to be reported to the Highways Inspector.
(5) Powys UDP Further Consultation (Amendments) - Cllr. Kirkby outlined the amendments to the plan and Members agreed that the Clerk should write supporting the changes. In addition Cllr. Kirkby reported on the compilation of the new Powys Local Development Plan which was just beginning. He stated it was to be a four year process and that agreement of the delivery timetable was soon to be requested. In particular he pointed out that mention was made of Local Forums and their lack of success.
(6) Installation of Bunting - Members noted that confirmation of the Town Council's support, as agreed in 2007, had already been sent.
(7) Dukes Arms Public House - The reply from Powys County Council was noted. Members agreed that a better approach might have been to have spoken to the Licensee before reporting the matter. It was suggested that the Clerk write to Powys County Council indicating that providing the tables were removed at 10pm each evening the Town Council would support an application to extend the licence for the premises. The landlord of the Dukes Arms to receive a copy of this letter.
(8) East Radnor Leisure Centre Meeting - Cllr. Kirkby confirmed he was able to attend this meeting.
MIN 1947 NORTON MATTERS
(1) Norton Manor - Cllr. Wilding reported that part of the Manor was soon to open as a function facility.
(2) Churchyard - Cllr. Spawton confirmed he had spoken to Powys County Council but that they had been unable to help.
MIN 1948 WENTS MEADOW
(1) Sub-Committee - The following Members were appointed to serve on the Wents Meadow Sub-Committee; Cllrs Kirkby, Tennant-Eyles, Green and Wilding. In addition it was agreed to ask Richard Rimington, Eddie Taylor and a representative from Sheep Music to be part of the Committee.
(2) Use of Meadow Land for Allotments - Cllr. Kirkby reported that he had spoken to a gentlemen who wished to submit a plan to use part of the Meadow for allotments. Given that a new Council had been formed since the matter was last raised this suggestion was put to Members. It was agreed unanimously that the Meadow should be preserved as amenity land. Members asked that the Clerk reply to this effect and suggest that private landowners be contacted as an alternative.
MIN 1949 MEMORIAL HALL
Cllr. Kirkby circulated copies of the notes from the Hall Meeting held in January and asked Members to consider the way forward. He added that a new Member would be needed to oversee the project and asked that the matter be considered again at the next meeting.
Cllr. Owens confirmed that he had attended the recent Hall AGM.
MIN 1950 PUBLIC CONVENIENCES
Cllr. Tennant-Eyles stated that the toilets needed some repairs to the rendering and repainting externally. After some discussion it was agreed that Cllr. Tennant-Eyles arrange the repairs to the render and that the painting be done be a group of volunteers.
The Clerk confirmed that Welsh Water had now agreed that sewerage charges were not payable and had refunded the overpayment.
MIN 1951 CORRESPONDENCE
(1) Bus Timetabling - The response from Powys County Council was noted. Timetables should now have been replaced.
(2) Powys County Council - The reply re. Ball games at Kings Court was noted.
(3) Complaint from resident about surface and gully, Slough Lane - The Clerk confirmed that this had been reported to Powys County Council and that she was awaiting a reply.
(4) Letter from Resident re. Removal of fencing near to Labtech - The Clerk agreed to follow this up.
(5) Letter from East Radnor Border Health Focus Group re. next meeting - The Clerk agreed to pass this on to Cllr. Price, the new Town Council representative on the Group.
MIN 1952 INFORMATION ONLY/ON THE TABLE
These items were noted.
MIN 1953 OTHER MATTERS
Cllr Kirkby confirmed that he had been consulted about Town Council opinion on a change in location for Knighton Post Office and also about possibly awarding a war veteran the 'Freedom of Presteigne'. The Clerk agreed to research the legal situation for awarding the Freedom of Presteigne.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9.40 pm.
