Introduction
I have been writing these reports for many years, and, in looking back at the reports it is clear that nothing much changes. Issues with highways are regular, and vary slightly, but most things continue in pretty much the same way.
We continue to meet on Tuesdays of alternate months for regular meetings, and at various times in between as and when required for planning application considerations.
Newcastle School
The school joined with others in a federation eight years ago, and there is little doubt that this has helped to keep it going. However, the projected numbers for Newcastle School prompted a consultation offering an option of children being bused to Clunbury for most of the time, as well as consideration of closing the school altogether.
The situation was presented in a most unfortunate way. A ‘consultation document ‘was produced, and an information meeting arranged. Parents were given a very short time scale to complete this. In addition there were two meetings – one for parents, the other for staff. I think it is fair to say that these meetings were handled badly.
Both groups were told that they were not allowed to ask questions. Both groups perceived that the outcome had already been decided and that the consultation was nothing more than a paper exercise. The parents were very angry and immediately organised a public meeting. The staff felt that they were suddenly about to lose their jobs and were not even allowed to ask questions about it.
There were representatives of the parish council at the public meeting, which was extremely well run and gave everyone the opportunity to speak. Two Local councillors one from Bishop’s Castle and one from Chirbury attended. A number of creative ideas were put forward.
The next meeting organised by the federation was very well attended by parents and members of the community.. Nigel Hartin was there as a member of the federation and Council representative Of the Clun Valley. There was a frank exchange of views, and it was recognised that the two original meetings had not been handled well.
It was also considered that:
- The time scale for consultation was far too short.
- The consultation did not give sufficient time for alternative considerations.
- Newcastle was unfairly under-represented on the federation governing body.
As a result the Blue Hills Federation have stopped the consultation process involving the transfer of Newcastle CE School pupils to Clunbury or Bucknell,which means that the subsequent consultation to close the school will not be started at this time.
A working group of parents, federation governors, pre school providers and members of the community are now working together to engage with the whole community in order try to find ways of increasing pupil numbers, find ways to make the finances work, and generally improve communication procedures and to find strategies to make a sustainable future for the school possible.
Highways
The state of the roads has been a constant concern. Last year I reported that I had recently attended a presentation by the portfolio holder, and the head of Highways, and was able to get over the message that local knowledge is valuable – and that they should listen to us. There seemed to be extra funding, and we did see some improvement. However, although some of the issues discussed there were addressed, I still had difficulty in communication with the head of highways, on problems in Bettws
Eventually I wrote to Councillor Hartin , and as a result was contacted by Alan Meyrick.
We spent an afternoon looking at most of the roads in Bettws y Crwyn, and He agreed that there is a lot to be done.
On the following day I received an email from him confirming all we had discussed.
Some of the repairs have been addressed, others have been promised.
Finance
Precept this year was well within inflation requirements
The accounts can be made available to anyone who is interested and are externally audited annually.
Planning
All this year’s planning applications were approved by this council.
Members of the public are sometimes present when planning applications are discussed, and their views are welcomed.
Parish Hall
The Parish Hall Committee runs the Parish Hall on behalf of the Parish Council, which acts as trustee. Yet again I should like to thank, on behalf of us all, this excellent committee of dedicated people who work hard to maintain and improve the Hall, car park, and garden. This year has seen, amongst other things, new doors in the hall. However, the main event has been a complete refurbishment of the kitchen. This was funded by a combination of two wind farm grants from Pavo, and some money raised in various events. The committee is extremely enthusiastic, and the Parish is generous in supporting all events. We now have a Parish Hall to be proud of. The Kitchen is excellent, The car park now safe, and more work on flooring, electrics and plumbing is planned.
Since last year we have witnessed rapid changes in Prime Ministers, The Platinum Jubilee, the sad death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2nd, and the coronation of King Charles 3rd. It has been a year full of events.
Conclusion
The residents of Bettws y Crwyn take all these changes in their stride, and mourn and celebrate where appropriate. Things are getting back to normal post COVID, and there is a renewal of regular coffee mornings, W.I meetings, Linus group, Ladies’ Choir, Music and Arts events, Quizzes, Concerts and all that makes this such a wonderful place to live.
As always my thanks and gratitude go to councillors and all others whose work and dedication to this parish help to make it so special.
Thanks also go to all those who are prepared to serve the community in any way, attending meetings of all the committees that work to keep this parish going, turning out in all weathers for meetings and supporting events. Come rain, wind or snow, the residents of Bettws and beyond remain undeterred in their support of events.
I am, of course, ever grateful to those volunteers who give me support and encouragement, on this council, on other committees, and in the community generally.
These thanks, from all of us, are extended to our Clerk, who makes council work so much easier than if we were struggling alone.
As I have said many times before, Bettws is good at getting things done. We are a small community, but a there is plenty going on. Its people give generously in all ways, to make this such a special parish.
Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.
If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.
Valerie Whately
May 9th 2023
Annual Chairperson’s Report 2021 – 2022
Introduction
We continue to meet on Tuesdays of alternate months for regular meetings, and at various times in between as and when required for planning application considerations.
.Newcastle School. Ruth Gittins Has not had an easy time running the school during the COVID pandemic. She meticulously followed the rules and guidelines, and is now working extremely hard to ensure that the pupils are where they should be in the curriculum.
Highways
The state of the roads has been a constant concern. However, I recently attended a presentation by the portfolio holder, and the head of Highways, and was able to get over the message that local knowledge is valuable – and that they should listen to us. There seems to be extra funding, at the moment, and we are already seeing some improvement.
Finance
Precept this year was well within inflation requirements
The accounts can be made available to anyone who is interested and are externally audited annually.
Planning
All this year’s planning applications were approved by this council.
Members of the public are sometimes present when planning applications are discussed, and their views are welcomed.
Parish Hall
The Parish Hall Committee runs the Parish Hall on behalf of the Parish Council, which acts as trustee. Yet again I should like to thank, on behalf of us all, this excellent committee of dedicated people who work hard to maintain and improve the Hall, car park, and garden. This year has seen , amongst other things, new doors in the hall. However, the main event has been a complete refurbishment of the kitchen. This was funded by a combination of two wind farm grants from Pavo, and some money raised pre COVID in various events. The committee is extremely enthusiastic, and the Parish is generous in supporting all events.
Amblecote Cottages
Are now occupied, having been sold individually by the purchaser – without any further work having been done on them. This, of course, is what we wanted to happen originally. They were sold to a purchaser for considerably les that had been offered but the original bidders and were sold on immediately. The only profit having been made by the ‘developer’, who, in fact did not develop anything!
COVID
Meetings have resumed after a spell of meeting by Zoom. It has been a difficult time for everyone, but it is hoped that normalit will truly return sometime soon.
Conclusion
As always my thanks and gratitude go to councilors and all others whose work and dedication to this parish help to make it so special.
As always thanks also go to all those who are prepared to serve the community in any way, attending meetings of all the committees that work to keep this parish going, turning out in all weathers for meetings and supporting events. Come rain, wind or snow, the residents of Bettws and beyond remain undeterred in their support of events. This year’s Platinum Jubilee was celebrated by the church, in a magnificent, and by the parish council in a joint celebration with Newcastle. This took the form of a hog roast and presentation of commemorative mugs to the children of both parishes.
I am, of course, ever grateful to those volunteers who give me support and encouragement, on this council, on other committees, and in the community generally.
As always,§ these thanks, from all of us, are extended to our Clerk, who makes council work so much easier than if we were struggling alone.
As I have said many times before, Bettws is good at getting things done. We are a small community, but a there is plenty going on. Its people give generously in all ways, to make this such a special parish.
Valerie Whately
June 2022
Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.
If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.
Bettws-y-Crwyn 