PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF BRONLLYS HOSPITAL

South Powys Health Services and Bronllys Hospital

Thursday 3rd December 2009

7.00pm
at Gwernyfed School

Hosted by Talgarth Town Council,
in association with Hay Town Council,
and Bronllys Hospital & Community League of Friends

The new Chief Executive of Powys Teaching Health Board,
Andrew Cottom, has kindly agreed to be the key speaker at this meeting. The purpose is to provide an opportunity forclear information to be provided from a single source for localcommunities, in an attempt to clarify the widespread rumoursthat have been circulating in recent times.Other speakers will be confi rmed, and will also give theirviews from the public perspective

Please come along and support your communtiy hospital.

 Raising funds for the Day Centre.

 FRIDAY 20TH NOVEMBER

11AM

IN THE DAY CENTRE, BRONLLYS HOSPITAL

DONATIONS OF JAMS AND CAKES GRATEFULLY RECEIVED

During a recent meeting with the Bronllys Community Council a number of concerns were raised over the continuing problems with dog fouling in the Bronllys and Llyswen area.

This is a unsightly and unpleasant problem. It is also a health hazard.

Whilst it is undoubtedly up to dog owners to take responsibility for their dogs mess I have asked the council to provide dog fouling bins. New bins will now be placed on Church Lane and Shrubbery Lane in Llyswen. New signs and bins will also be placed in Bronllys.

I hope that this will encourage dog owners to clean up after their pets. Remember dog owners can be fined for not cleaning up after their dog. I would call upon dog owners to act responsibly and think about how dog fouling in public places can affect children and everyone Else’s quality of life.

Many of you will know that since becoming elected I have written a monthly column in the Wye Local magazine. I think this is a great way to reach out to people in the ward who perhaps do not have access to the internet. You can pick the Wye Local up from local shops across the area and better still its free!

However I have decided to publish my column on my website too, so those of you who do use the internet can also access it here.

 November edition.

 All the talk in County Hall this month is about the budget.

We have now learnt that our settlement from the Welsh Assembly Government is an increase of 1% - one of the lowest in Wales.  Many people believe that this low settlement is the result of the relatively low increase in council tax that we set last year. The increase of 2.95%  was supported by the Welsh Liberal Democrats, the Welsh Conservatives and Labour. It was a time when people in Powys were feeling the pinch of the recession and we had to decide how to balance the council’s budget along with the ability of people to pay.

The average increase in council tax across Wales last year was 3.95%. This year could be a different story. We all know that future settlements could be much more difficult. We have been told that we need to prepare this year, for what could be very tough settlements in the future. As councillors we need to ensure that the council deliver and protect its statutory services such as education and social services.

I want to try and ensure that the people in my ward receive the best service possible from the council. There are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration when planning for the future. Powys is facing the largest significant increase in population of people over 65 in the whole of Wales. It also faces a school pupil population that is falling more quickly than anywhere else in Wales. These issues along with the future demand and needs of the population will shape the decisions the council take on the budget.

Meanwhile closer to home, the Gwernyfed Catchment Area School review has just got underway. Currently there are ten primary schools in the area with approximately 715 pupils; which means that the number of surplus spaces stands at 31%. Furthermore the budget share ranges from just under £3000 to £7000 per pupil. The question that is being asked is; is this current model sustainable? It is certainly going to be an interesting few months but I am pleased that no decisions have yet been made. The area review will be an open and transparent process. I will of course keep you informed of any progress or decisions that are made.

If you wish to discuss these or any other matters please call me on 07900904509 or email me at cllr.clair.powell@powys.gov.uk

Welsh Liberal Democrat Councillors Clair Powell and Liam Fitzpatrick have warned of possible major changes to schools throughout Powys should the revised Home to School Transport Policy be approved.

Following a report to the council’s people scrutiny committee which took written evidence from a number of councillors, the problem was highlighted by a question raised by Bronllys Councillor Clair Powell.

Cllr Powell raised the issue of the revised policy potentially resulting in hundreds of pupils having their allocated schools changed from the one they are currently attending.

Cllr Powell said “This policy for example would affect children from Gwenddwr in my ward that currently attend Gwernyfed High School. They would no longer be able to access free transport to Gwernyfed High School but would be able to access free transport to Builth Wells High School as that is nearer. Whilst this will help some families that are currently paying for transport to Builth High School this would affect all those children who currently attend Gwernyfed High School.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said “This issue will affect hundreds of children and parents, not only in my ward of Talybont but also in neighbouring wards of Llangors and Bwlch and across the whole of Powys. This could lead to parents having to pay hundreds of pounds a year to travel to their current allocated school if another school is closer. The problem is particularly evident in Llangors where the children have for many years attend Gwernyfed High School, using free transport. As a consequence of this revised policy they would only be offered free transport to Brecon High School.

Cllr Powell said “I am very fearful for the potential knock on consequences should this revised policy be given the go ahead. If hundreds of pupils are forced to change schools as free transport is no longer available to the school they currently attend, this could have a dramatic impact on the viability of certain High Schools. I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Governors of Gwernyfed High School to discuss this matter.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said “Along with Cllr Powell I will be raising this issue as a matter of urgency with the Chief Executive of Powys County Council, Kirsty Williams AM and Roger Williams MP.

Following my recent advice surgery in the ward I have been contacted by residents in Bronllys regarding the ‘39’ Stagecoach bus on the

I will update you as soon as I have further information. Meanwhile please let me know if  you have experienced problems with this service bus?

When Powys County Council switched off one in three of our street lights, many people contacted me with concerns for their safety. people were concerned about anti-social behaviour, crime and road safety. However one issue which was raised by nearly everyone was the huge amount of lighting on the trunk roads, and in particular, on the roundabout on the Dderw in Llyswen and on the Talgarth by-pass. I shared this concern and carried out a survey of people living in the community. The result was clear. A huge majority of people said that they wanted to see some of the lights switched off on the trunk roads. It was felt that it would help save energy and that there are far too many lights on on the trunk roads late at night and in the early hours of the morning when traffic levels are at their lowest.

I decided to take this matter up with the Welsh Minister for Transport and Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones AM.  In his response he told me that the trunk road lighting is designed to meet a specific purpose in terms of providing sufficent lighting levels for drivers at potentially problematic junctions and roundabouts, and also for pedestrian safety if the trunk road passes through villages and towns.

Currently the Welsh Assembly Government does not intend to switch off any trunk road lights as they feel this could take the level of lighting to below the defined safety standard.

However, I am pleased that the Minister confirmed that alternative approaches to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions are being investigated by the Welsh Assembly Government. These include the use of dimming devices that reduce the illumination between midnight and 5am, whilst maintaining lighting levels commensurate with the traffic conditions. Better lamp design and the use of white filaments help to minimise night-time pollution in rural areas.

The Minister also suggested that, in the future, and as technology develops, the use of LED lamps should significantly reduce both maintenance and running costs.

A few residents have raised with me the issue concerning the council’s new policy on refuse collections.

I understand that in general terms, there will be a roll-out of wheelie-bins throughout Powys but it will be phased in area-by-area over a period of time.These bins are of different sizes and small households can ask for smaller bins and large households for larger ones - all according to the amount of waste they think they’ll generate.

Residual Waste (the throw-away stuff) will be collected every two weeks as it is argued that as we Recycle more then our Residual Waste will lessen and there won’t be a need for the weekly collection of such waste.Surveys have been done to establish where there will be properties deemed inappropriate for Bins and it is likely that in such circumstances bags will be retained.

Along with my colleague, Cllr Bill Powell (Talgarth Ward) we have started a Faceboook group called “We LOVE Bronllys Hospital”

This group is for people who support Bronllys Hospital and community hospitals across Powys. If you are on Facebook then why not take a look at the Group and perhaps even join up! You can also invite your friends to join.

I recently attended a meeting of the Bronllys Hospital League of Friends.

Bronllys Hospital is a vital part of our community, providing palliative care, respite care, specialist treatment for stroke patients and it is also home to Wales’ only specialist pain management centre.

During the meeting we had a talk from Owen Hughes, a consultant at the Pain Management Centre. This is the only centre of its type in Wales and one of only five across the whole of the country. Th aim of the clinic is to enable people with chronic conditions to take control of their lives, learn about their condition and manage their own health on a day to day basis.

 Itwas evident from the discussions at the meeting that the Pain Management Centre is vital for people across Wales and England and furthermore that its setting in Bronllys Hospital is beneficial to the patients and staff alike.

 I continue to work closely with the Bronllys Hospital League of Friends.

During a recent visit to Bronllys a number of residents raised their concerns about the problems with the heating systems in the council bungalows on Neuadd Terrace.

Follwoing a safety review by the council many council properties across the county have had their heating systems switched off. This of course has been causing a great deal of concern for residents, especially as autumn grows ever nearer.

 I have contacted the Head of housing and I have been assured that these problems will be rectified very shortly.

If any residents are still experiencing problems with their heating systems please get in touch.

The public consultation on the revised home to school/college transport policy will end on 30th September. This is proving to be a very controversial policy and it remains to be seen whether it will be approved by the council’s board.

I have held a number of meetings with other councillors and also recently attended a meeting at Builth Wells High School where we discussed the possible implications of the revised policy.

 I have been a part of a small group of councillors who have been lobbying against this revised policy for some time. As a result of our joint effort the policy has now been called in for pre-scrutiny by the People Scrutiny Committee.

I would now ask again for any Powys residents to look at the revised policy and respond to the consultation beofre the closing date of 30th September. It could affect many pupils across the county and it is important that we gather as much information and consultation responses as possible to use as evidence for the scrutiny of this policy.

Tonight I held joint advice surgeries with local Liberal Democrat MP, Roger Williams.

The surgeries held in Erwood, Llyswen and Bronllys were well attended by local residents. A number of issues were raised ranging from housing needs, planning issues, local services, highways and health issues.

These matters will now be addressed by myself and our MP.

Remember appointments are always available. Please just call me on 07900904509 or the Liberal Democrat Office on 01874625739.

You may recall that I raised the issue of the council’s revised home to school/college transport policy which is open to public consultation.

This is just a quick reminder that the closing date for the consultation is 30th September. There are also two public meetings being held to discuss the revised policy. They are tomorrow (Tuesday 8th September) at Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon and next Tuesday (15th September) at County Hall, Llandrinod Wells. Both meetings will start at 6:30pm.

Please feel free to come along, find out more about the revised policy and how it may affect you and your children and express your views.

Just a quick reminder that I will be holding Advice Surgeries with Roger Williams MP this Wednesday (9th September) as follows:

Erwood 5:30pm

Llyswen 6:00pm

Bronllys 6:30pm

Please feel free to come along and raise any issues with us.  Just look out for us in Roger’s Campaign caravan!

 For further details please call me on 07900904509 or email me at cllr.clair.powell@powys.gov.uk

Police Forces in Wales have been working together to launch a single non-emergency phone number that can be used to contact the Police when it is not an emergency and callers do not require an emergency response.

Please pass this message on to your friends, families and colleagues; the more people that know they can 101 it, when then don’t need 999 the better!

Local residents contacted me regarding the new road layout on the A438 junction at the Marish.

Road works had been carried out to improve the safety of the junction. This work included a new double layer of road studs (cats eyes). Unfortunately the type of stud that was used was causing some considerable noise nuisance to local residents, especially at night when large lorries would drive over the top of the studs.

I contacted the Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency and I am delighted that following the completion of an audit of the road it was decided to try and find an alternative road stud which would reduce the noise but maintain safety levels.

Funding from the Welsh Assembly Government has been secured for this project and the Trunk Road Agency are currently looking for suitable alternatives.

I will keep you informed of developments but I hope that the new, quieter studs will be in place soon.

A number of residents contacted me recently about the overgrown footpath to the rear of Fosse Way (next to the moated site).

I am pleased to inform you that after I contacted Ben Humphreys, Countryside Warden at Powys County Council, for Bronllys area it has been agreed that the pathway will now be added to the seasonal maintenance list. This will mean that it will be cut twice yearly from Spring next year.

I am also please that the overgrown path has been cleared now and it is once again safe for residents to walk along.

 Please let me know if there are any further problems.

I recently attended the lauch of Erwood Station’s Fowler 0-4-0 Diesel Restoration Project.

Those of you who have visited the station will have seen this locomotive at the entrance to the craft shop.

 The station was established by the late Alan Cunningham, award winning wood turner. The station was on the Cambrian Railway from Brecon to Builth and Rhayader. The business is situated by a popular walking route/cycle route with a picnic area close by. There is a short section of track adjoining the craft centre on which are sited carriages used by Platform One (a consortium of local artists and makers) and a locomotive in a state of dilapidation. The locomotive is of considerable historic value, being the prototype of a shunting engine used at military depots during the 1930’s and 40’s. This partiuclar model was used at RAF St Athan before being sold on and used in a scrap yard. It has been at Erwood Station since June 1988.

The project that has been launched is to carry out cosmetic restoration so that the engine does not distract from the nearby business, the Wye Valley Walk and for it to actual;ly encourage more tourists and visitors to the area.

The Friends of Erwood Station have raised £2000 in cash towards the cpost of the restoration work, and are committing many hours of free volunteer time to the restoration work and research.

 For further information you can contact Michael Cunningham on 01982560674 or email mc_erwoodstation@hotmail.com

 They are looking for volunteers to help with this project too so if you are interested and have some time to spare why not contact Michael por just pop along to the centre to have a look at the locomtive and the wonderful array of crafts that are on display?

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Bronllys Ward Cllr Clair Powell today expressed her delight that finally the funding has been made available for the allocation of Speed Indication Devices in Llyswen. Cllr Powell said “I was delighted to receive a letter from the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport Ieaun Wyn Jones AM advising me that funds have finally been allocated to provide these devices in Llyswen. The residents of Llyswen have been asking for these devices to be placed in the village for some time and I am sure they will be pleased to learn that the Trunk Road Agency are now arranging for them to be put in place”. The news comes some twelve months since Cllr Powell was elected as Councillor for Bronllys ward which includes the villages of Erwood and Llyswen. Cllr Powell has been campaigning for these devices since becoming elected. 

Cllr Powell continued “We will never know if the recent accident in Llyswen would have been prevented if there had been speed indication devices in the village. However it is vital that drivers passing through the village pay attention to the device and obey the 30mph speed limit”. Commenting on the news Liberal Democrat MP Roger Williams said “I am pleased that finally the Minister has decided to make the funding available for these speed indication devices. I hope that they will help raise awareness of the speed limit in Llyswen and in turn people will reduce their speed accordingly, thus helping to prevent and further accidents in the village”.

I will be hosting a number of Summer Advice Surgeries in the ward. I will be joined by Roger Williams MP. This is your opportunity to raise any concerns with your local representatives. Please come and join us.

The surgeries will be held on Wednesday 9th September

Erwood - 5.30pm

Llyswen - 6.00pm

Bronllys - 6.30pm

For further information please contact me either by email or phoning 07900904509, alternatively you can contact myself or Roger Williams MP at the Liberal Democrat Office by calling 01874625739.

As usual there will be a presence of Welsh Liberal Democrat representatives at this year’s Royal Welsh Agricultural Show.

During the four day spectacular we will see a number of Welsh Liberal Democrat MP’s and AM’s in the Welsh Lib Dem marquee including the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Kirsty Williams AM. They will be available for a chat throughout the four days so please just call in.

I will be in the Welsh Liberal Democrat marquee all day on Tuesday so if you wish to call in to raise any issues with me please do not hesitate to call in. It will be great to see you and you can also come and see the latest campaigns we are running.

The marquee is situated near the Grandstand and opposite HSBC bank, stand 387.

I am pleased to announce that work on council houses in Neuadd Terrace, Bronllys will commence in the next couple of weeks. This work will include re-wiring of a number of properties. Householders should have already been informed of the date the works will commence at each property. If residents have any problems during this period please do not hesitate to contact me.

I am delighted to report that following numerous complaints, the planning application for the Boughrood Bus Depot has been withdrawn. But even better news than that for local residents is that the buses will cease to be parked in Boughrood depot from the end July. An alternative location will available from the start of the new school term in September.

We were all shocked at the recent accident in Llyswen which resulted in a much loved local man, an innocent pedestrian, being seriously injured. Since being elected last year I have campaigned continuously for road safety improvements throughout Llyswen, Erwood and Bronllys. Shortly after being elected I held a public meeting in Llyswen with Kirsty Williams AM and representatives of the Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency and Powys County Council to discuss road safety improvements. I am deeply saddened and angry that the improvements which everybody agrees are needed have still not been put in place. I have once again written to the Minister for Transport asking him to urgently make available the funding for the road safety improvements in Llyswen and will continue to pursue this matter.

The council have put to consultation a Revised Home to School-College Transport Policy. This policy, if adopted could have varying degrees of impact on our schools.

During 2008-09, a review of issues relating to the operation of the Authority’s home to school - college transport policy was carried out, as a result of which a number of revisions are proposed.  The views of all interested parties are now being sought on the proposed revisions and will be taken into account prior to the Authority’s home to school - college transport policy being finalised

Within the policy the issues of vacant seat payment schemes and safe routes to schools are  covered and these two issues alone could affect many pupils and parents when choosing which school to attend.

Following a meeting of the schools forum this week, I am pleased to announce that the consultation period has now been extended until September. This was following a number of complaints that the council had not notified all schools in sufficient time to enable them to raise the awareness of this document with parents.

I would like to encourage parents, pupils and members of governing bodies to read the revised policy document and contribute to the consultation. Pupil and parent engagement on this matter is vital so please take time to look at it.

The policy document is available on the Powys County Council website http://www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=5940

Please also contact me if you would like further information on this revised policy.

Today I have received the news that the school transport appeal was finally granted yesterday at a meeting held in County Hall.

This will mean that the resident for whom we were appealing will now receive free school transport to Gwernyfed High School.

I would now like to encourage other parents to re-apply for school transport as they may have previously been turned down but since this ruling, now be eligible for free transport.

Lobbying WAG over the poor financial settlement -

Cllr Clair Powell, Mick Bates AM, Kirsty Williams AM and Cllr William Powell.

Yesterday I joined the Powys Against Cuts in Education Group (PACE) to lobby the Welsh Assembly Goverment over the latest poor settlement that the authority has received. The lobby was timed to coincide with the budget debate that took place in the Assembly.

PACE are concerned that the poor 1.5% settlement may lead to cuts in the education budget.

I welcomed the opportunity to lobby the Welsh Assembly Government for the vital funding for education in Powys.  Our children cannot loose out because the WAG has negotiated a bad settlement from Westminster and is passing this onto local authorities.

Tomorrow I am joining residents of Powys to lobby the Welsh assembly about the budget settlement we have received. Initially 0%, but now given a floor of just 1.5%, the Powys Against Cuts in Education group have arranged to lobby the Welsh Assembly tomorrow ahead of the finance debate that will take place at the assembly in the afternoon. The very poor settlement is extremeley worrying for Powys  and I hope that the Assembly members will take notice of the concerns we raise. We need to fight for a new formula as being a rural area we are constantly losing out when it comes to the budget settlements. We, in rural areas have our own deprivation issues to face. We have poor or even non existent tranpsort links and need to tackle sparsity issues. There is a huge demand on our adult and social care services and we must ensure that the Welsh assembly take these serious issues into consideration.

Here are some concerns raised by PACE (Powys Against Cuts in Eductaion)

• This year the budget increase is 1.5% - inflation is 5.2% - this represents a huge cut
• Teachers and essential support staff will lose jobs - leading to larger classes and cuts in the subjects offered to pupils in Powys
• Already parents in some schools are raising up to 50% of the budget needed to buy essential learning materials
• Teachers often use their own money to buy materials for classroom use
• Many schools are still housed in crumbling. leaky buildings with antiquated heating systems and little ventilation.

 POWYS AGAINST CUTS IN EDUCTAION (PACE) is a group of non-aligned parents, governors and tecahers. They say enough is enough.

Pupils in the village of Bronllys, near Brecon will now be entitled to free school transport following an appeal to Powys County Council by a local mum and her Liberal Democrat County Councillor Clair Powell.

Pupils who live in the village of Bronllys that attend Gwernyfed High School, in Three Cocks have previously had their free school transport applications turned down by Powys County Council due to the three mile rule, which says that pupils are only entitled to free school transport if they live over three miles from the school. Bronllys is just under three miles from Gwernyfed High School. However the ruling from the Welsh Assembly states that pupils should be entitled to free school transport where there is no available, reasonably safe walking route.

Cllr Powell and local resident Mrs Deborah Tame fought against the council decision as they felt that the route from Bronllys to Gwernyfed, along the A438 was not safe.

Cllr Powell said “When challenged it was clear that Powys County Council had not carried out a Risk Assessment of this route, and indeed there are likely to be many others in the County. Parents have had their applications for free school transport turned down without due consideration by the council of the safety of the walking route to their nearest High School”.

“I along with Mrs Tame, other parents and our Liberal Democrat MP Roger Williams have been raising this issue with the council for some time. We have walked and videoed the route which has a large volume of traffic, many heavy good vehicles, little or no footpaths. It has now been deemed that the likelihood of an incident occurring is high and the severity of any injuries would also be high.”

“I am delighted that at last the pupils of Bronllys, and indeed many other areas across Powys, will now have the safety of the routes to their schools assessed properly. This will lead to many more pupils being able to access free school transport. The current cost of sending your child on the school bus by using the vacant seat payment scheme is £105 per pupil and these parents will no longer have to pay this or transport the children to the school themselves.

“This is a historic victory for the community of Bronllys and I understand that many other areas across Powys will be affected by this decision.

“The Welsh Assembly Government can legislate in Cardiff but it doesn’t mean anything unless local authorities are getting this right on the ground. The Welsh Assembly should provide adequate funding to local authorities to enable them to comply with the legislation that it has laid down”.

Roger Williams MP said “Most people go into local government to try and make a difference, but Cllr. Clair Powell’s tenacity on this issue is certainly going to make a difference to the people of Bronllys and other communities across Powys. I must also congratulate Mrs Tame and other parents in the village for their efforts and persistence in getting this change of policy from the county council. The onus is on WAG to ensure that funding is available to the council to enable it to provide free school, transport that meets its guidance”.

Today’s full council meeting saw a long and emotionally charged debate about the councils current policy for switching off 2 in 3 street lights outside non core areas.

 The decision, which was taken by the councils board in July had triggered numerous complaints from across the County. This led to there being two motions to council today, one from the Liberal Democrat Group and one from the Conservatives.

The motions were discussed and many councillors raised the issues of public safety, the perception of danger and serious concerns for the elderly and vulnurable in our communities.

After much discussion the Liberal Democrat Group and the Conservatives agreed on a joint motion to council. TAn ammendment supporting the switch off was then proposed and seconded by two independent members.

This ammendment was then put to the vote and unfortunatley it was supported by a majority of the council, being voted for by 38 votes to 25 in favour of continuing with the current switch off programme.

 I am very dissapointed by this decision. I have made it clear that I am not against switching off lights where they are not needed, but I feel that the current 2 in 3 lights process is causing residents great distress and numerous safety issues.

The Outreach Postal service has begun in Erwood and Boughrood but already there has been a number of teething problems!

Firstly the name of the Outreach service in Boughrood which the Post Office continued to refer to as Llyswen. We all know that the Post Office is in Boughrood, even though it also serves the community of Llyswen, but this took some time for Post Office Ltd to understand! Thankfully after numerous discussions with representatives of Post Office Ltd it will now be reffered to as Boughrood Outreach Service.

For Erwood the Mobile Service is now parked behind the old Post Office. Pete (who is running the service) is very grateful to Penny and Arthur Robinson for allowing him to park there. At one time it appeared that there may be no where to park in the village!

But Boughrood service is a different story altogether!

Remember the public meetings? How many times was the issue of the possibility of a poor signal raised with the representatives of the Post Office and Post Watch? Numerous times! Only for us all to be told that Post Office Ltd and the new Outreach service will have all the equipment that was necessary and there was no need to worry.

BUT…….Low and behold come the first day of the service being introduced in Boughrood what happened? There was no signal! Which meant no one could withdraw any money!

I met with Pete, who is doing his very best to provide a excellent mobile service and he certainly isn’t to blame for this sequence of events.

I just wish that Post Office Ltd had listened to the public in the first place.

It will now be some ten weeks until a box can be put on a telephone pole in Boughrood to enable Pete to connect to a signal, by which to operate the mobile service. In the meantime Pete is using the old post office counter in Boughrood Shop which Derrick has very kindly agreed to. So it’s back to using the shop which lets face it is what we wanted to continue doing in the first place!

Come on Post Office Ltd get your act together!

As you are all undoubtedly aware Powys County Councils decision to switch off 2/3rds of the street lights outside core areas is now being implemented.

This has already been completed across Bronllys Ward.  A number of residents have raised concerns with me about this decision. 

I have approached the council about this but following the Boards decision to continue with the implementation of this decision and carry out a review at the end of the year, I am unable to say when or if any lights will be switched back on.

 However, I along with my Liberal Democrat colleagues on Powys County Council have tabled a motion to the next full council meeting (Thursday 23rd October) calling for the council to reconsider the current position.

 Personally I have no problem with the council switching off lights that are not essential but I am very concerned that some lights have been switched off which may cause unnecessary concerns for the safety of the public.

 We shall have to wait to see if our motion to council gains the support it needs to overturn the Board’s decision. I’ll keep you updated.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS OR VIEWS ON THIS ISSUE. IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

I’m afraid this is short notice but please pass the message on!

There will be a public meeting on Monday night (6th October) in Llyswen Village Hall at 7.45pm.
As in Erwood a couple of weeks ago, Pete Jenkins who will be running the Outreach Postal Service will be coming to Llyswen to talk about the services that the new Outrecah Service will be able to provide.
Please come along and find out what will be available.

Thankfully after informing the portfolio holder of the councils right to veto BT’s proposals to close 194 phoneboxes across Powys, the council has now decided that they have due reason to oppose the closure of 157 phoneboxes. This follows a public consultation with Town and Community Councils and County Councillors. The portfolio holder decided not to veto them en-bloc as this would have given BT the opportunity to appeal against the veto and this could have led to more being closed.

 I opposed the closure of the nominated phoneboxes in Bronllys Ward due to the often poor mobile signal in the area. I also had the opportunity to speak on this issue at last weeks Breconshire Committee. Members welcomed the news that I had informed the portfolio holder of the councils right to Veto the proposals under BT’s Universal Service Obligation (USO) and many members joined me in calling upon the Board to veto as many of the propsed closures as necessary.

 We will now wait for the response from BT.

The sad announcement that Post Office Ltd are closing the Post Offices in both Erwood and Boughrood and replacing them with an Outreach service came as a bitter blow to out local communities, especially following the hard fought campaign to keep them open.

 However the decision will not be overturned and we now look to the start of the new Outreach Service. On Wednesday I attended a meeting in Erwood where we were joined by Pete Jenkins who will be running the Mobile Service. Pete explained how the service will be run and the services that the mobile unit will be able to provide.

 Below is the new timetables for when the Mobile Service will be available:

 ERWOOD - (parked on The Terrace)

Mon - 16:45 ~ 17:45

Tue - 12:30 ~ 14:00

Wed - Closed

Thur - Closed

Fri - 12:30 ~ 14:00

BOUGHROOD (parked outside Boughrood Shop)

Mon - 15:00 ~ 16:30

Tue - 14:30 ~ 16:30

Wed - 12:30 ~ 14:30

Thurs - 14:30 ~ 16:30

Fri - 14:30 - 16:30

The Mobile Post Office is run by Llandrindod Wells Main Office. For further information you can contact them on (01597) 824114

I would welcome your comments on the mobile service once it is in place.

This week I attended the Builth Wells Transport Study Exhibition, held at Antur Gwy, Builth Wells.

The aim of the exhibition was to seek the views on the problems and issues that the study should be addressing, and the possible options or solutions.

The goal of ‘One Wales’ is to promote sustainable transport networks taht safeguard the environment while strengthening our economic and social life.

Following the Public exhibition there will be further assessments and a Public Consultation on the identified options during the summer of 2009.

 Further information is available on the Welsh assembly Government website:

http://new.wales.gov.topics/transport/roads/NewRoads3

Then click on: A470 Builth Wells

Councillors Clair Powell (Bronllys Ward) and Liam Fitzpatrick (Talybont Ward) have joined forces in supporting the Brecon Advice Centre.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said ”At this time of financial uncertainty a number of residents have approached me for advice regarding debt management. The Brecon Advice Centre offers a fantastic free, confidential and impartial service to the residents of Brecon and the surrounding areas. I along with my colleague Cllr Clair Powell have visited the Brecon Advice Centre and we were alarmed to learn that they themselves are facing uncertainties over future funding”

Cllr Powell said “Cllr Fitzpatrick and I will be working together, along with Roger Williams MP to try and assist the Brecon Advice Centre in securing funding which is vital to enable them to continue the work they do which is especially essential at this time”.

The Brecon Advice Centre is an independent organisation that provides advice that is free, confidential and impartial. It is available for everyone regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, disability, religion, age or marital status. They assist some 40-50 clients every week. They are based in Castle Street , Brecon. Tel: 01874624595 

Please note that a public exhibition on the Builth Wells Transport study will be held at Antur Gwy, Builth Wells on
Thursday 25th September 10am to 8pm and
Friday 26th September 10am to 6pm

Everyone is welcome to attend

One of the most common issues that is raised with me via email, letter and when meeting local residents is the safety on our roads.

As a former firefighter I am all too aware of the consequences that road traffic accidents have on everyone involved. I feel it is vitally important that we do all we can to make our road network as safe as possible.

Following a recent successful meeting with the Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency I am pleased to be able to report that it was agreed to provide temporary Speed Indication Devices (SID’s) at two locations within the 30mph speed limit on the A470 in Llyswen. Powys County Council are now working to devise a programme for their use in Llyswen in order to maximise their impact. If this scheme proves successful it will hopefully also be implemented in Erwood.

Concerns have also been raised about the junction of the A438 and A479 (Llyswen to Bronllys - Marrish turn) following a number of recent accidents. I will be contacting the Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency to see if improvements can be made along this section of road and will keep you updated with any progress.

Following a meeting of the Welsh Liberal Democrat Group on Powys County Council yesterday it has become apparent that there are many problems with school transport across Powys.

Problems range from the ones we are experiencing in Bronllys, where children reside just under the 3 mile limit for receiving free school transport and are expected to walk, to children that have no other means of getting to school and buses that are full to overflowing. This is a very serious matter and one that I, along with my Lib Dem colleagues, will continue to pursue.

It is the last few days of the public consultation on the future of phone boxes across Powys. The official closing date of the consultation is Saturday 6th September. I have submitted my objections based mainly on the fact that BT have an obligation to provide a degree of service to the community, which I feel they will be breaking if these phone boxes are removed.
I am very concerned about these proposed removals of four phone boxes in my ward. I understand that they are not used on a regular basis, but in an area that often has little or in some cases no mobile signal they can be essential.
It remains to be seen what decision will be made but I hope that BT will see common sense and save at least some of these phones.

I had a great time today. I had the honour of attending the Bronllys Hospital League of Friends Summer Fete where I was asked to draw the raffle.

 Thankfully the weather stayed dry and was well attended. The League of Friends work hard all year round to raise vital funds for the hospital. Their hard work and continuous support for the hospital is very much appreciated by both staff and patients and their families.

Well done to them all for their hard work. Lets hope the fete raised lots of money for the hospital which so important to all of our community.

 Photo: Drawing the Grand Raffle at Bronllys Hospital Summer Fete. 

The Welsh Assembly Government have announced a grant that will be available to County Councils to assist local business, in the form of a rate relief, if they agree to make their toilet facilities available for use by the general public.
However I strongly believe that this grant, which will only amount to some £18,000 per local authority, would be better spent in upgrading and maintaining the existing facilities. This grant should not be used to provide alternative facilities to those that are already in place, such as the toilets in Erwood.
In particular the facilities that are available in Erwood are situated on the A470, the main road linking North and South Wales, they are open 24 hours a day and are easily accessible. If these facilities were to close and local business were to make their facilities available they would most definitely not be open 24 hours a day. Local business have also expressed concern that the money that could be available would be no where near enough to cover the costs they would incur in water bills, cleaning and sanitation products.
I feel that the Welsh Assembly Government and the Trunk Road Agency MUST take responsibility for the toilets that are situated on the trunk road network. I have already written to the Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones AM, to ask that the Welsh Assembly Government take control of this situation before we see further closures.

Photo: Local residents were joined by County Councillor Clair Powell and Brecon and Radnorshire AM, Kirsty Williams to raise awareness of the importance of retaining the public toilets in Erwood.

I have this morning received notification from Powys County Council that the Kerb Side Recycling scheme will start in Pontywal Lane, Bronllys next week.

Residents of Pontywal should have received their recycling bags this week in time for the first collection which will begin next week, on the usual refuse collection day.

 I am delighted that the Council have been able to extend this service to Pontywal and I hope that it will encourage more recycling in this area.

I shall also be talking to the council about piloting a scheme for the more rural parts of the ward.

Last week I was joined by Roger Williams MP, parents and pupils of Gwernyfed High School on the walk from Bronllys to Gwernyfed High School.

This followed being contacted by parents who have been told they will need to pay £105 per pupil for school transport in the new term because they live under the three mile current limit. (2.917 miles away)

You may recall that I mentioned earlier that the guidance actually actually states that the LEA must provide free transport for pupils, regardless of the distance they live from the school, if there is no safe route.

 Well, that was what we were setting out to prove, that the route, along the main road, is not safe. In places there is no verge, there are blind bends and dips in the road that cause traffic serious vision problems. Not only that but if children would be forced to walk they would be faced with doing so, in the dark during the winter months as there are no street lights.

I would not care to walk this route again. The speed and amount of traffic, not forgetting the size of some of the vehicles, passing us at 60mph was an extremely dangerous one.

We have a video of our journey and I hope to get it posted on here shortly. 

 Please let me know if your children are experiencing the same problem. It would be great to hear your views.

On Monday I attended two meetings in respect of the new Integrated Health and Social Care Unit.

Firstly I attended a meeting at the NFU Office in Builth Wells where a lively discussion took place and concerns were raised in respect of the proposed site of the Builth Livestock Market. The impact on both the farming community and the town, should the market close was the main topic of concern. Both farming unions and the YFC took the stance that Builth must have both a Livestock Market and the new Health Centre.

That evening I attended a packed Wyeside Arts Centre for the 4th Stakeholder meeting. The joint Chairmen of the Builth Project Board were in attendance along with Powys County Council and LHB officers.

The “Stakeholders” are residents from all different parts of the community. We took part in an ‘Open Space’ event whereby everyone was able to put their views anonymously onto ‘graffiti boards’.

The overwhelming outcome was that people, as I first said in my original post on this matter, want both - a market and the new Integrated Health and Social Care Centre.

Following the meeting all the issues and concerns raised in respect of the market site will be discussed at the next Project Board meeting. What will happen from there, we will wait to see. Watch this space.

Press Release from Roger Williams MP:

Following her election as County Councillor for Bronllys Ward, Cllr Clair Powell has spoken passionately about joining forces with other agencies to help improve the lives of the residents in the Bronllys Ward.

Cllr Powell, who has already met with local housing officer, Meryl Lewis, and the Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency, last week met with local PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) Lloyd Harries along with local Liberal Democrat MP Roger Williams. During their meeting Cllr Powell, Roger Williams and PCSO Harries took a walk round the village of Bronllys to meet residents as part of their discussions.

Cllr Powell said:
“To be fair Bronllys is a relatively peaceful village with very few problems that require police involvement. However a few residents have raised concerns about a recent spate of anti-social behaviour and it is important that this is stopped before it gets out of hand. I was very pleased to be joined by PCSO Lloyd Harries and Roger Williams MP to walk around the village and discuss issues of concern. I feel it is very important that we work together and it was a great opportunity to speak with local residents and show them that we are all here to help”.

Roger Williams MP said:
“I warmly welcomed the opportunity to meet Cllr. Powell and PCSO Harries and local residents to work on matters of concern for local constituents.

Cllr. Powell is doing a first class job in bringing people together in this way and I look forward to working with her and Lloyd Harries over the coming years to deal with the issues that really matter to local people, such as the delivery of local services and community safety.”

This really is an ever changing story. After yesterday receiving notification that there would be a public meeting on 18th August to discuss the Builth Health and Social Care Unit, I have today learnt that the project board has decided to cancel this meeting as it does not give enough time for the council to discuss fully all possible sites.

 I will however be meeting, along with other councillors, representatives of the NFU in Builth Wells on Monday.

I’ll keep you informed of any further developments.

I am pleased to report that a kerb side recycling collection service has been agreed for Pontywal Lane in Bronllys.

This service  should be in place shortly and I  hope that following the review, which is currently under way, of the kerb side recycling collections, they will roll out further across the ward.

Please let me know if you are interested in this type of service.

Today, Councillor Clair Powell who represents Bronllys Ward called for an extension of the kerb side recycling collections. Speaking on this issue Cllr Powell said “At a time when we are being encouraged to reduce, re-use and recycle I call upon Powys County Council to extend it’s kerb side recycling collections. In my ward there are many areas that do not have this type of recycling collection and people often have to make an extra journey into town to recycle their waste. One place in particular is Pontywal Lane in Bronllys which serves  a number of properties yet there is no kerb side collection there and residents have to pass through the village (where there is a kerb side collection) to take their recyclables to either Talgarth or Brecon.”

“I hope that the council will consider extending this important service. I am sure that it would lead to a greater percentage of residents recycling their waste and that can only be a good thing”

HAVE YOUR SAY….

Do you have kerb side collections for recyclables?

If yes, what do you think of the service?

If not, would you like to have this service?

Further news on the proposed site of Builth Livestock Market for the New Joint Health and Social Care Unit.

 The consultation will take place throughout August and will involve the Builth Project Board, BACH, Town Councils of Builth and Llanwrtyd, Builth Focus n Health Group, Friends of Builth Hospital, farming and market representatives and other interested parties.

The piblic meeting will take place on:

MONDAY 18TH AUGUST, 7PM, WYESIDE ARTS CENTRE, BUILTH WELLS.

 Please come along and make your views know.

It’s  the eve of the first day of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show and I must say how much I am looking forward to the week ahead. At least it looks like the sun will be shining but that could mean that following the recent poor weather, many farmers will be busy harvesting instead of venturing to Llanelwedd for the four day spectacular.

If you are going to the show, feel free to call at the Welsh Liberal Democrats tent. Come and have a cuppa and a chat. Staff will be on hand to give you up to date news on what the party and it’s elected members have been up to and there plans for the future.

You can find us at stand E391, just across from the Grandstand. Hope to see you there!

p.s Gwenddwr Carnival and Show will be held at Pantrwyn Fields, Gwenddwr on Saturday. Come along for a great day out and fun for all the family.

Re: Builth Wells Health and Social Care Unit.
The group of local councillors that recently met regarding the proposed site for the new integrated Health and Social Care Unit met with the Chief Executive of Powys County Council, Mr Mark Kerr, and Executive Director of People and Well-Being, Mr Phil Robson, on Thursday.
It was a productive meeting with all six County Councillors expressing their desire to retain a livestock market in the town AS WELL as having the new Health and Social Care Unit.
There will now hopefully be a chance for all of the community to put their views forward on the potential sites. This is likely to take place on 4th August.
I will update you as soon as the details are confirmed.

I have had a number of calls from residents and discussions with other councillors recently regarding the legislation governing free school transport. The limit by which pupils can get free school transport is if they live over three miles from their school. All families living under three miles from their school have to pay a fee of £105 per term, per pupil. There is not even a lower price for families with more than one child.

I have a situation now where two pupils in my ward are expected to walk to Gwernyfed High School because they do not qualify for free school transport. They live 2.917 miles from the school and have no other access to transport.

I understand the need to have limits in place, however I will be questioning the council on this issue as I understand the legislation reads “Measurement of the statutory walking distance is not necessarily the shortest distance by road. It is measured by the shortest route along which a child, accompanied as necessary, can walk with reasonable safety. As such the route measured may include footpaths, bridleways and other pathways, as well as recognised roads. If there is no such route, the LEA must provide free transport no matter what distance you live from the school”

So what constitutes reasonable safety? In this case I certainly question if the route along the main road from Bronllys to Gwernyfed is within “reasonable safety”. With ever increasing traffic and heavy goods vehicles using our road infastructure I as a parent would not allow my children to walk this journey.

 The meeting with representatives of the Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency (MWTRA) and a representative of Powys County Council was quite successful. On Wednesday I met with Dean Williams (MWTRA), Richard Hobbs (PCC), Kirsty Williams AM and local residents to discuss road safety issues in LLyswen and Erwood.

Hopefully we will see improvements put in place over the next few months which will hopefully raise greater awareness of the speed limits in these villages and serve as a reminder to motorists not to exceed these limits.

Pictured: County Cllr Clair Powell, Kirsty Williams AM, Cllr Peter Lloyd and Cllr Terry Hurford (Bronllys Community Council) and Dean Williams (Mid Wales Trunck Road Agency)

The meeting which I have arranged with Kirsty Williams AM and representatives of the Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency will go ahead tomorrow.

We will be meeting in Llyswen at 3pm to discuss a number of issues, moving on to Erwood later that afternoon.

I will keep you updated of any news or developments following the meeting.

County Councillors in the locality of Builth Wells met last week to air their thoughts and vision for the new Integrated Health and Social Care Facility planned for Builth Wells. Following the meeting I am able to update you with the following.

The first choice of Builth Livestock Market as the proposed site for the integrated Health and Social Care Centre was put forward for approval to the Board of Powys County Council by the Builth Project Group. However the Board of the council has asked that this proposed site be put out to public consultation as there were concerns that the farming community and the auctioneers had not contributed to this proposal.

A consultation on this proposed site is due to begin at the beginning of August and will continue for four weeks.

Any decision on a site will have to be agreed by the council, the Local Health Board and the Builth Project Group.

This project obviously has a long way to go yet but I believe it is vitally important that the project progress’ and that Builth has the integrated unit AND a livestock market.

 I will keep you posted!

At Tuesdays Council Board meeting it was revealed that the preferred site for the new joint Health and Social Care Unit for Builth Wells is the Livestock Market in the centre of Builth Wells.

During the Board meeting Cllr David Price asked for the proposed site to go for consultation and the Board agreed to put it to public consultation for a period of four weeks.

I am sure everyone will welcome the news that Builth will hopefully be getting the new unit but there is much discussion over the proposed site. Many in the farming community are concerned that if Powys County Council go ahead with this decision, terminating the lease with Brightwells Auctioneers, that the town will lose it’s Livestock Market altogether.

 It is indeed time to move this project on and it will undoubtedly be an asset to the town and the surrounding community. However I am concerned that if the proposal goes ahead and the market is lost it will be a detriment to the farming community who use the market to buy and sell stock on a weekly basis. I think we must look again at the alternative sites and try to come up with a proposal that will secure the future of both the Health and Social Care project and the Livestock Market.

 I would like to urge members of the local community to get involved in the consultation and make your views and concerns known. Please do not hesitate to contact me if i can be of any assistance.

External and Internal Stakeholders, Community Strategy Partnerships, Councillors and other consultation bodies should by now have received a copy of the Powys Local  Development Plan (LDP) - Consultation on Draft Delivery Agreement.

The consultation period is open until Friday 18th July and is intially consulting on the explanation of the LDP system, the purpose of the delivery agreement, the sustainability appraisal and the timetable for the implementation of the delivery agreement.

Sounds complicated stuff, but this is going to outline the future of planning for Powys and it is important that we get it right from the start. What is agreed to go into the LDP will shape the future of Powys and will superseed the Unitary Development PLan which is currently in place.

A copy of the full draft delivery agreement can be viewed on www.powys.gov.uk/ldp

“I would urge you to support this campaign by completing and returning a campaign postcard. They will then be delivered to the Tresaury. We must take this opportunity to highlight to the Government that the rural economy is being crippled by fuel prices”.

Campaign postcards are available from 4 Watergate, Brecon or c/o Euan Hendrie at Talgarth Market.

 BT are set to announce a consultation on the future of Phone Boxes throughout the County. I have today learned that phone boxes under threat of closure in the ward include Erwood, Gwenddwr and two in Llaneglwys.

I understand that phone boxes are used less these days due to mobile phone use and the provision of phones in nearly every home but the fact remains that in rural areas where mobile coverage is often poor the phone box is an essential public service. They can even be a lifeline for some residents. We are already losing Post Offices, how much else do we have to lose from our rural community?

There used to be an argument that phone boxes were broken into and the cash stolen but BT has moved the majority of these boxes to card only use.

 If people in the community feel these phone boxes should remain open I would encourgae you to get involved. 

You can let me know your feelings on this issue by posting a message by clicking on the How Can I Help button on the left hand side of this page.

Following reports from Bronllys Community Council that there are problems in Bronlllys with Dog Fouling I asked the Dog Warden for assistance. He has since been busy putting more signs up in the village and I hope that this will remind dog owners to be responsible when walking their pets. I am sure everyone will agree that it is a far nicer place to be if we don’t have to be on the look out for a smelly mess. 

Did you know?………………………….

• There are around 7 million dogs in the UK producing 1000 tons of dog faeces per day.
• Dog faeces can cause toxocariasis which can lead to blindness
• In 2006 dog faeces were found on 14% of streets and 57% of parks and open spaces in Wales.
• Local Auhorities can require dog walkers to clean up after their dogs. People that don’t can face a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £150 or go to court where the maximum fine is £1000.

County Councillor for Bronllys Ward, Clair Powell, has called for further road safety improvements to the village of Llyswen.

“I welcome the work that has been carried out to implement more road markings in a bid to slow traffic down however drivers are still speeding through the village. I have raised this issue with Kirsty Williams AM and we are hoping to meet with officers from the Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency shortly. I have asked them to look into the possibility of placing 30mph flash warning signs that will alert drivers who are breaking the speed limit. Being a former fire fighter I have seen the consequences of speeding vehicles and It is important that we do all we can to ensure the safety of pedestrians and other road users”.