Chairman’s Report 2016-2017

The work of the Kerry Community Council (KCC) continues to be undertaken against the background of present and possible future cuts in services provided by Powys County Council (PCC). KCC is now responsible for the Public Conveniences in Kerry and we are grateful for the work of our Amenities Sub-Committee which have devoted much time and effort to ensuring that the toilets were brought up to standard and are well maintained.

Community Recycling Sites

As part of its review of the services it provides, PCC reviewed its provision of Community Recycling sites. The Kerry Village Hall Committee welcomed the closure of the recycling site in Kerry. However, KCC opposed the removal of paper and plastic recycling bins in Sarn but, notwithstanding our views, these bins were removed!

Cooperation with other Community and Town Councils

A year ago it was anticipated that there would be an increasing need for Community Councils to work together to ensure the provision of services hitherto provided by PCC. We have been represented at the meetings of the Vale of Montgomery Cluster but to date its deliberations have so far had no impact on our work as a Community Council.

Planning Applications

KCC is consulted by PCC about Planning Applications in our Community Council Area. Several Applications were made for the discharge of the S106 Agreement which had been part of the original grant of planning permission and KCC voted to retain the S106 Agreements. KCC felt that it needed greater understanding of how PCC Committee dealt with these Applications. Mr. Gwilym Davies, Lead Professional in Development Management at PCC, accepted that Planning Officers had been inconsistent in the past when dealing with S106 Agreement applications and he provided information about the way the Planners had dealt with several specific applications. A lot of work had been done to ensure consistency in dealing with S106 Agreement applications. KCC felt that it needed to meet with him and eventually he spoke to the Council on 25th January 2017. As a result, we now have greater understanding, if not agreement with, the framework in which PCC has to work.

The most contentious Planning Application KCC had to consider was made by PCC itself to develop land opposite Oak Drive, Sarn, and to apply for outline planning for the development of 60 dwellings. 45 residents from Sarn attended the Council Planning Meeting and it was clear that the scale of this development would overwhelm the village and would significantly change its character. KCC recognized that there was a need for affordable local housing in Sarn and suggested that a much scaled down version of the project perhaps involving 15-20 dwellings would be of benefit to the village. PCC revised its Planning Application reducing the number of houses to 45 but KCC still felt that the concerns it had raised had not been seriously considered. When the Application was considered, County Councillor Mrs. Kath Robert-Jones and Community Councillor Michael Collis addressed the Planning Committee opposing the Planning Application but without success. The Committee Members were minded to approve the Application subject to additional negotiations with regard to an education contribution. KCC had applied for Tree Presentation Orders on three trees on the site but this application has not yet been determined.

Changes to the Local Development Plan

PCC announced that it was to hold a six weeks Public Consultation on the Schedule for Focussed Changes in the Powys Local Development Plan (LDP) 2011-2016. The long and complex documents offered no significant changes to housing or land allocation, apart from some slight revision to the size of some development sites. As no changes were proposed within the PCC Kerry Ward, KCC offered no comment. However, CPRW Montgomeryshire, Brecon and Radnorshire Branches drew our attention to the new designation of extensive Local Search Areas for wind farms up to 25MW and large solar arrays of over 0.5ha of a capacity of up to 600MW outside the Strategic Search Areas identified by TAN 8. This prompted KCC to look again at the documents. In their further response on 16th November 2016 the Council objected strongly to these new Local Search Areas, pointing out that the County Council had arranged no public consultation on these renewable energy proposals. The proposed changes are in direct opposition to stated objectives of the LDP, because they provide no safeguard for the assets of the County, namely, its landscape, wildlife and archaeological and historic sites.

Finance

Mindful of the importance of village halls in the life of the villages, KCC raised its grant from £4,700 in the previous financial year to £7,200 in the current year. Council decided not to increase the precept for 2017/18 but to draw on its reserves before it asked residents to face an increase in their community charge.

KCC had been represented at the Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm Community Meetings. KCC will be eligible to receive £5,000/ £6,000 per year.

Changes in Council Membership

Casual vacancies for two Councillors for the Kerry Ward were duly advertised but, as no election was requested, Mrs Veronica Wildish and Mrs. Carmen Seal were co-opted as Councillors on 25th May, 2016. Councillor Owen Stanier, who represened the Sarn Ward, resigned on 22nd February 2017 and we thank him for his work on the Council. Mr. Julian L. Liddiard-Starr, who had resigned from the Council on 31st Match, 2016 on grounds of ill-heath, died at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff Hospital on 27 June 2016.

Clerk to the Community Council

We owe an enormous debt to our Clerk, Mrs. Angela Feltham., for the efficient way she handles all aspects of Council business including the maintenance of our web site.

MICHAEL J. COLLIS

Chairman, 2016-2017