Council Activities
Planning Committee
The Planning Committee is responsible for the maintenance of the Guildhall, a Grade II listed building which is let at cost or without payment to voluntary organizations, for fund raising and cultural purposes , including Samaritans, Churches/Chapels, Belly Dancing and the Carers Association. The council hold in conjunction with Rotary International, a Stroke Awareness Day and a Diabetes Awareness Day and other events to promote community health and well being. Also flag days are allowed to collect and count money in the vestibule. The Council allow the Guildhall basement to be used free of charge as administrative and storage space for the Poppy Appeal Organisers and storage for Christmas cards for charitable causes and upstairs accommodation is used as an office for a telephone helpline for the visually impaired at cost and also the Keep the Heart in the Hospital Group have access for meetings. The main financial cost this year is the provision of a disabled access lift – a legal requirement under the Disability Discrimination Act.
The theatre is hired by e.g Brecon Jazz, disabled groups, Young Farmers Clubs, Westender (to practice and perform). Historical lectures, literary and poetry readings in liaison with the Friends of Brecknock Museum and the BBC are arranged whereby the premises are used to promote the arts.
The Council has also assisted financially in the provision of CCTV cameras and signage to make the town safer as well as providing the new map boards in the town centre car parks, in liaison with financial support from Powys County Council. The Council have also supported The Fair Trade initiative whereby Brecon has become one of the first towns in Powys to receive this status.
The planning Committee as a consultative partner with the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority holds meetings where townspeople attend and have the opportunity to voice their concerns regarding planning issues, highways and public footpaths. The Committee currently comments on licensing matters, public entertainment, music, signing and dancing licenses and street closures which are then relayed to the appropriate authorities.
The care and maintenance of the building (including the lift) in perpetuity for the community use is the responsibility of this Committee and involves Health and Safety, fire hazards, wear and tear and replacement of, for example, the floor surface, lighting equipment, the roof and water goods, curtains and re-decoration, the provision of a hearing loop and other compliance matters within the Disability Discrimination Act, asbestos survey have all taken place recently.
Also £5,000 to Theatr Brycheiniog to promote the arts.
They also have a responsibility for the part time staff of Town Clerk, Administrative Officer, Finance Officer, Park Keeper and Domestic Manager and two mace bearers for official occasions.
The school crossing patrols for childrens safety at The Struet (vacant at present) and for Priory School are provided at a cost of approximately £8,000
Chairperson of Planning 2011/2012 – Councillor Mrs Rosemary Evans.
Comprises of 7 Councillors-(representation to be taken from each Ward)
Meets every two months on a Monday at 6:15p.m at The Guildhall, Brecon except in August and December.
St. David’s Ward: Councillor Mrs. R.Evans, Councillor Mrs A Williams
St.John’s Ward East: Councillor A M Morgan, Councillor N Sandford
St John's Ward West: Councillor R Lewis, Councillor M S P Foster, Councillor M J Dorrance
St. Mary’s Ward: Councillor P J Ashton, Councillor M.H.Gittins, Councillor Mrs M Phillips
THE PLANNING APPEALS PROCESS
Finance and Establishment Committee
Comprises of 6 Councillors-(representation to be taken from each Ward)
Meets on a Wednesday in May, July, September, November, January and March at 6:15p.m
- Focusing attention on all relevant aspects of the Council’s expenditure; engendering interest in all financial matters by all Members; providing monitoring in respect of the council’s finances; providing an opportunity for more detailed discussion and makes recommendations to full Council, in respect to the precept/
- Grants and the financial assistance scheme.
The Finance and Establishment Committee provides financial assistance for :
- The Bobby Van Scheme (home security for the elderly)
- Childline Cymru
- Brecon Town Concert Band
- Brecon 10 Mile Road Race
- Saline Twinning Association and Gouesnou Twinning Association
- Brecon Teen Scheme
- Brecon Carers - Christmas Pantomime
- Brecon Volunteer Bureau
- Citizens Advocacy
- Wales Air Ambulance
- Shelter Cymru
- The Promenade Regeneration Group
- The Westenders - Pantomime
- Brecon Little Theatre - Community Performance
- Tower Art Group
- Urdd Gobaith Cymru
- Brecknock Society and Museum Friends
- South Wales Borderers Museum
- St David’s Church & Brecon Cathedral
Chairperson 2011/2012 - Councillor M H Gittins
St. David’s Ward: Councillor Mrs R Evans, Councillor A.M.C.Weale
St.John’s Ward East: Councillor C.T Walsh, Councillor N Sandford
St John's Ward West: Councillor M S P Foster, Councillor D W Meredith
St. Mary’s Ward: Councillor M.H.Gittins, Councillor B Williams, Councillor I Williams
Environmental Committee
The Environment Committee maintains:
- Camden Road Park and Play Area
- Llanfaes Field and Play Area
- Beacons Park Open Space
- Maendu Well-historical and environmental area
This involves grass cutting, maintenance and replacement of play equipment, clearing litter and dog fouling, annual safety reports, mole control and providing children with a safe place to play, bulb and tree planting in the town, participation and promotion of environmental concerns , for example, the Bright and Beautiful Brecon Working Group and working in liason with Powys County Councillors, Keep Wales Tidy, Wales in Bloom, and the Tourist Board etc. The Council apply for grants to fund new equipment and recently was awarded EEC funding in liaison with Brecon Beacons National Park for Camden Road.
The Christmas lights within the Watton, the Town Centre and Llanfaes including the Christmas tree on St Mary’s Church Green are provided by the Town Council; at a cost annually in excess of £20,000 due to the new health and safety requirements and upgrade of all existing fixings and pressure testing and purchases of catenary wines.
The repair and upkeep of The Duke of Wellington Statue, in The Bulwark, is also the responsibility of the Trustees, all of whom are Councillors.
Comprises of 8 Councillors (representation to be taken from each Ward) and Co-opted members from the community.
Meets every two months on a Monday (May, July, September, November, January and March) at 7p.m.
Chairperson 2011/2012 - Councillor M J Dorrance. Vice Chairperson - Councillor Neil Sandford
St. David’s Ward: Councillor Mrs R Evans, Councillor A.M.C.Weale, Councillor Mrs A M J Williams
St.John’s Ward West: Councillor R Lewis, Councillor M J Dorrance, Councillor D W Meredith
St. Mary’s Ward: Councillor P J Ashton, Councillor B Williams, Councillor Mrs M Phillips
Co-opted Members: Sister B Kelleher, Mr Keith Wilbud, Mr Ian Dent
Civic Committee
The Civic Committee maintain links with the Honorary Freedom held by the Gurkha Company (Mandalay) and, until recently, HMS Brecon.
Brecon Town Council organises the whole of the Service of Remembrance (on the Sunday following the 11th day of November ), wreath laying and Parade for local people at St Mary’s Green and issues invitations to 600 guests and hold a service followed by tea and biscuits for past and serving serviceman on 11 November every year.
Annually the Gurkha Freedom parade is organised, including advertising the event which is very popular with tourists and people who attend from a large area of mid and South Wales.
With links with Saline, in Michigan, USA and Gouesnou in Brittany, France cultural exchange visits and receptions are held, together with a strong link with De Roq in Holland.
They are responsible for the Honorary Bailiffs appointment and role and for the robes and medals/Chains of office.
The Council maintains historical records, photographs and public records required under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and also allows people to visit the Guildhall for example to conduct research on historical books and projects for personal interest or for school curriculum requirements.
Arrangements for the Council’s Annual General Meeting, Civic Sunday, royal visits and other important national occasions are undertaken.
Comprises of 7 Councillors (representation to be taken from each Ward).
Meets three times per year. Dates are available on request.
Chairperson 2011/2012– Councillor M.H. Gittins. Vice Chairperson - Councillor Rosemary Evans.
St. David’s Ward: Councillor Mrs. R.Evans, Councillor A M C Weale
St. John’s Ward East: Councillor A.M.Morgan
St John's Ward West: Councillor M J Dorrance
St. Mary’s Ward: Councillor B.Williams, Councillor M.H.Gittins, Councillor I.Williams
Fishing
The Fishing Committee has purchased and allows access to trout and salmon fishing on a 2 mile stretch of the River Usk in Brecon at a reasonable cost to the community including advertising/marketing administration, issue of tickets and re-stocking of the river. This also has an economic benefit for the town by promoting tourism.
Comprises of 4 Councillors (representation to be taken from each Ward).
Meets every two months on a Monday (May, July, September, November, January and March).
Chairman 2011/2012– Councillor A.M.Morgan. Vice Chairperson - Councillor Paul Ashton.
St. David’s Ward: Councillor Mrs R Evans
St. John’s Ward East: Councillor A M Morgan, Councillor N Sandford
St. Mary’s Ward: Councillor M.H.Gittins, Councillor P J Ashton
Full details of how to obtain a fishing permit and the costs are in the ‘FISHING’ section.
Brecknock Welfare Trust
Brecknock Welfare Trust which gives grants in cases of hardship, illness and disaster is also administered by the Town Council, together with the Alderman Williams fund for a recreation ground at Llanfaes.