TALYBONT-ON-USK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2023 WITH WELSH GOVERNMENT – GILESTONE FARM PRESENT: Jason Thomas (JT) – Director, Culture, Sports and Tourism Gerwyn Evans (GE) –Deputy Director, Creative Wales Dai Baker (DB) – Welsh Government (WG) Cllr John Jones – Chairman Talybont-on-Usk Community Council Cllr Nina Krauzewicz Cllr Phil Darbyshire Cllr Harry Chapman Cllr Craig Burdon Cllr Glyn Thomas APOLOGIES: Cllr Geraint James – Vice Chairman Cllr Chris Jones IN ATTENDANCE: Ms Clare Preece – Clerk Talybont-on-Usk Community Council AGENDA: Welcome and Introductions Community Survey Latest from Welsh Government Next Steps A constructive debate took place and notes were made as follows: The Chair of Council Cllr John Jones opened the meeting by welcoming the Welsh Government (WG) officials from the Creative Wales team led by Jason Thomas (JT), Director of Culture, Sport and Tourism, Gerwyn Evans (GE), Deputy Director Creative Wales and Dai Baker (DB), Sector Development Manager. Cllr Jones explained that the aim of the Council was to try and represent the people of the Talybont Community while fully cooperating and working with (WG) by communicating openly and honestly in consulting with a community that had been polarised by the proposed Gilestone Farm developments. He stated that personally he was supportive of Green Man at Glan Usk and fully recognised why the WG were keen to retain the Festival in Wales. He and the Council also fully appreciated that there were no plans to transfer the current festival to Gilestone Farm. Indeed, he felt if that were the case it would probably have been more acceptable to the community given Green Man Festival is one week out of a year with the current proposal to create a permanent venue at Gilestone. The potential to have significant impact on all aspects of the village and surrounding communities and environment throughout the year is obviously of concern to many people resulting in anxiety about what could possibly take place given the level of consultation to date. The Council hence felt that bearing in mind the current situation it was sensible to move forward urgently with the survey allowing the community to express their views even given the limited information available. The survey was therefore carried out so as to reboot the consultation process in an attempt to avoid even further escalation of what has become a very worrying and unhealthy situation here in Talybont on Usk. The Community Council were now satisfied that they had fulfilled their role in carrying out the survey as part of the Community engagement process. Regarding the Survey Process The survey was conducted in line with audit guidelines to ensure credibility, relevance, confidentiality, and value for money. Cllr Jones explained how the survey was done in house with external consultants only used for distribution of the survey forms and the online part of the survey including analysis of responses. This was necessary to put as little strain as possible on the public purse, the cost being £1211.42. Its compilation involved all Councillors in post at the time and at every stage. It was sent out to all those on the electoral roll with the results independently verified before being sent to WG and published on the Council website. JT commented that the WG survey experts thought that the design of the survey questions could have been improved but acknowledged that the Community Council were not professionals in this area and that the survey had been conducted with no allocated budget and as efficiently as possible taking into account use of public funds. The Chairman stated that the survey questions and returns had been further examined by the Head of Cardiff Research Centre who considered overall the survey to be balanced and fair taking into consideration the information that had been made available by the government and Green Man Project and that it is, after all, a guide to the general feeling present within the Community at that moment in time. JT said he wanted to make it clear that they were not challenging the process and had welcomed the opportunity to view the results and the many comments from individuals within the Community. Cllr Jones went on to say that whatever anyone thought about the results one thing was absolutely clear and that was that the vast majority of people felt the need for more detailed information about what exactly was being planned. A major concern being in relation to large scale events which many respondents felt completely unsuited to this location for many reasons. Discussion on Information and Engagement JT said that Civil Servants observe a code of conduct which endorses Integrity, Honesty, Objectivity and Impartiality. He said that they live by the code. Economic development is needed in Mid Wales and that the priority is sustainable growth. He said that WG will not steamroll the community’s feelings. He said that he acknowledges what WG have got wrong and that he genuinely feels that this will be great for Wales but that he did not gauge the level of anxiety within the community. Cllr Jones responded saying that the council were grateful for that. GE said that Fiona Stewart’s objectives had been clearly stated on their website making an argument for the economic benefits to the Welsh economy. Cllr Darbyshire said that the Council have had not had sufficient information to enable it to independently quantify the economic benefit. JT said that simply if it does not stack up then they will not be doing it. Cllr Burdon had looked at the Green Man website thoroughly and said the information available on there needed more detail. He had asked questions using their online facility but had not had a response. He had noted that their FAQs are not updated regularly. A figure of £23 million in contribution to the Welsh economy had been thrown out there without any substance to back these claims up. He said there needs to be clean lines between Gilestone and Green Man to reflect clarity on these financial claims. Cllr Chapman added that he agreed there needs to be more flesh on the bone. Nothing seems to be gained from these meetings just a lot of talk which is making things difficult for the Council. Cllr Darbyshire pointed out that the Council are a group of moderates. There are extremes but the Council was working hard to steer the middle ground. Opinions are polarised and there is currently a war on social media. He would very much welcome a discussion surrounding timelines and any opportunity to work with WG to provide more detailed information to the community regarding what exactly is planned. Cllr Krauzewicz attended the Stop Gilestone march after being made aware that 80-year-old residents had joined the march carrying placards and found concerns particularly about increased traffic and noise and worry for wildlife. JT said that the WG has never intended to steamroll the community and thinks that this is a moderate room and all questions are valid. They admit they have got some things wrong but that they believe this is such a good opportunity for Wales. Fiona Stewart has sustainable economic development ideas that appeal to the WG. On Planning and the Lease Although assurances were given that the Green Man Festival would not come to the area there were misgivings that the business will get sold once the owner had capitalised on the acquisition of the site. The very real fear in the area is that Gilestone will become the new Green Man but not just for one week per year but 365 days. If the plans relating to a brewery, bakery and farm which supplies supermarkets are realised the infrastructure could not withstand the volume of traffic and heavy goods vehicles required for distribution let alone the thousands of visitors necessary to deliver appropriate income to sustain such a venture. JT assured the meeting that mass volume is not a consideration. GE added that under no circumstance would business plans be shared when they were in commercial contract negotiations. They said that WG would not be involved in this project if they feared that the Green Man would sell to another corporate entity and offered assurances to the Council that this would be addressed in the lease discussions. Clauses in the lease were currently being negotiated. Cllr Jones stated that perhaps the lease could be a sensible way to deal not only with the sale of Green Man at Glan Usk but also with the issue of music festivals at Gilestone which are clearly a key issue for majority of the community. Cllr Burdon asked if the road network had been taken into consideration in the planning of this agreement. JT said that the negotiation between the parties did not go into this level of detail and that unless the correct licensing and agreements were in place with the BBNPA then it will not be going ahead. Cllr Burdon also voiced concerns that preplanning applications could have already been completed ahead of the lease agreement although there has been no response to the Council asking for an informal planning consultation with the developer. Cllr Jones and Cllr Thomas spoke again on the subject of planning and the National Parks authority highlighting that the Community Council have tried to register concerns in the past on a number of applications but the Council’s comments had fallen on deaf ears. An example was given as the Outdoor Centre which was granted planning permission for 60 tents with a Certificate of Lawfulness because there used to be a campsite there. This is not correct and although the Council had challenged the decision were told the permission would go ahead regardless of the Council’s views. There have been several instances where Council’s views are not taken into consideration. Cllr Jones said that he had been informed the National Parks do not have the resources to deal with breaches in planning policy which has been evidenced recently with a number of developments in the area progressing without proper consultation or authority. He was concerned that given the already declared support for the Green Man Project by BBNPA and Powys County Council anything would be allowed unchallenged at Gilestone. WG said that they would make sure that planning approvals will be implemented in the right way. Clearly things have not been done correctly in the past. Cllr Thomas said that it was all very well to mention up to 3 events per year but those residents living on Station Road already have experience of many unlicensed events prior to the Welsh Government ownership These events include large weddings with loud music emanating from the Gilestone Farm location causing serious disturbance to residents. This noise not only directly affects many local residents but also reverberates through the whole valley. The family of a seriously autistic boy who live nearby are now already being forced to look at a move away from the area. GE said that the power lies in the process of the licencing and planning authorities. This fact highlights the necessity for the council to speak to BBNPA and ask that planning applications be decided by committee and not by a planning officer so that the parks have an obligation to consult. It was agreed by WG that conversations need to be had. He added that the WG will do nothing the harm the environment. The tenant will not be let loose to do what they want. Cllr Jones said he felt reassured by GE’s commitment to preserve the environment and felt as though the Council had been “thrown under a bus” with regard to this whole project and hoped it was now recognised by all that the Community Council has no power whatsoever to determine anything or even influence planning decisions on any development that may adversely affect the residents in the area. He very much welcomed the WG’s support in influencing the relevant authorities to change this situation. Cllr Darbyshire asked if the one component of the development depended upon another being successful. He asked what proportion of the jobs the development promises to create are going to based around the buildings and would they be full time, or part time people employed during events. JT said that all these are valid questions and he understands that more detail is needed but WG are in commercial negotiations and cannot release the information. Also, that what happens in year three could influence what is done in year five. This also highlights again the need for a proper consultation process with Powys County Council and the BBNPA. Current Situation and the Ospreys GE confirmed that ospreys were on the site and that he was delighted at the amazing news and that this announcement impacted on the business plan overnight and was a game changer. The WG have commissioned a conservation report from an expert ornithologist, and this will drive what happens on site. Some of the proposed activities may still be able to go ahead to deliver on their objectives. A “Tweet” had been published by WG following the discovery. An exclusion zone will be needed around the birds for their protection and security has already been installed. GE said that the protection of ospreys is a very powerful piece of legislation and one the WG was absolutely committed to adhering to. The discovery of these birds on the site could be a game changer in a positive way and had impacted on everything that had been previously discussed. The osprey report will influence the decision that will be made by WG. Councillors expressed real enthusiasm to see this as part of a solution. The WG said they would commit to sharing the report on the ospreys once it has been approved. JT said that Ministers want the matter sorted out as soon as possible and that so much work has been put into it and more needs to be done but it needs to be resolved as soon as is possible for everyone’s sake and clearly decisions will be have to be made as to whether WG do a deal with Green Man or not. For information the lease with Charles Weston will end on 25th October 2023 and no decision had yet been made going forward. The WG obviously want to manage this asset as well as possible. JT committed to coming to give a presentation to the community and to take questions once the osprey report had been finalised. This offer was very much welcomed and appreciated by all. Concluding remarks The meeting concluded with a discussion around the unnecessary and unwarranted attacks on the Community Council and its Clerk from various supporters of the Green Man Gilestone Farm Project in what clearly are orchestrated attacks and attempts to disrupt the Council now at every opportunity including Council meetings. Councillors explained how the Council had borne the brunt of a Pro Gilestone Group angst which had severely disrupted the previous night’s Council meeting. It was hoped that following this meeting with WG officials and the sensible discussions with the open and honest exchange of information that has taken place the WG recognises the Council is working fairly with them to bring this proposal to a satisfactory conclusion. Further, that they can recognise that the Council is representing the Talybont on Usk community to the best of its ability. WG stated they had received significant Freedom of Information (FoI) requests on this subject and alongside all the extra work involved in dealing with these and the wider correspondence from those against the proposal has slowed them down from resolving the matter. The Clerk reiterated she too was in receipt of many duplicated questions/complaints and FoIs which had completely disrupted her statutory duties as Clerk. WG sympathised with this and DB offered his help to navigate the process. Regarding the many similar or duplicated FoIs, complaints received by the Council from Pro Gilestone Group supporters and conflicting advice received on how to deal with these, the WG officers offered their support. Steven Kingstone, therefore, will be asked to speak to the Monitoring Officer at Powys County Council to confirm a few aspects of the procedure. The Chair, Clerk and all Councillors thanked Jason, Gerwyn and Dai for visiting Henderson Hall to meet us and for what was a sensible and constructive meeting. END Representatives of the Community Council met yesterday with Welsh Government representatives including Gerwyn Evans who is the lead civil servant for the Gilestone Farm project. There was a wide ranging discussion which was both amicable and informative. Topics discussed included:
- The methodology and findings of the recent survey. - The adverse impact the uncertainty about the project was having on the village, with polarisation of views and how to address this. Specifically the need to quickly get clarity around the plans and reach a point of a draft lease. - The impact that dealing with this project was having on the day to day business of both the Council and the Welsh Government civil servants trying to deal with it, how to manage this. - The potential impact of the recent osprey nest site on the project. The Community Council left the meeting reassured by the commitments given by the Welsh Government representatives, particularly around improving communication with the community as well as around the environmental and wildlife issues. We felt that there was real progress towards plans that may eventually gain more widespread support throughout our community. Certainly this felt like a genuine consultation. The Welsh Government have commissioned a report from an expert ornithologist on the implications of the osprey nest on the farm and following its receipt will share it with the Council and have offered to then meet with the community to give more detail and answer questions. In the light of this undertaking we would ask all in the community, both for and against the project, to give the Welsh Government the time it needs to assess any new information over the next few weeks. A more detailed note of the meeting will be published on the Council website as soon as its text is agreed in conjunction with the Welsh Government. INFORMAL DISCUSSION
ANGEL HOTEL, ABERGAVENNY 14TH June 2023 GILESTONE FARM – ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS Gerwyn Evans – Welsh Government Colin Parry – Chairman, Talybont-on-Usk Community Council Geraint James – Vice Chairman Ellen Walsh-Moorman John Jones Clare Preece – Clerk The meeting was called by Gerwyn Evans to enable a free-flowing and frank sharing of information between the Community Council to re-establish an open channel of co- operation and communication in relation to the Gilestone Farm project. Gerwyn invited Councillors to put forward their issues as he was well aware that communications had broken down and he and Welsh Government recognized that they had their part to play in the lack of communication and, subsequent damaging speculation which had occurred. He offered his apologies and expressed his concern and stressed that it had never been the intention of Welsh Government to cause any level of distress to the people in Talybont-on-Usk. His hope now is that he can project the positive impact and benefits he believes the development will have and he and his team are available to consider all questions and concerns the Community have. Cllr Parry expressed the disappointment the Community Council has felt at being used as nothing more than a conduit for information which had been released in the press and that no form of consultation had taken place in respect of the development and local people had not been given the opportunity to have their say despite being those who will be directly impacted by the Gilestone Farm development. It is his intention to conduct an official, and inclusive survey in the community to find out the public consensus of opinion; he especially wants the views of younger people and their families, a demographic whose views are currently not being voiced. Once the data from the survey has been analysed he will be able to lead the Council forward to represent the views of the whole community. Cllr Jones made some valuable observations. The Gilestone Farm development has been the biggest thing to have happened in the valley in a lifetime. We still do not know the full extent of development and he was dismayed that the Community Council had been made to look rather foolish with public opinion of them being at an all- time low. Now is the time to pull together and work towards a common purpose of openness and transparency with Welsh Government. Gerwyn said that he and John were on the same page and agreed that this must now be the priority. Cllr Parry view was that to enable a survey to take place there will be a need for “more meat on the bone”; the flyer sent out promoting the development does not contain enough information on which to base meaningful survey questions. The Welsh Government did not consult on their purchase of Gilestone as there is no requirement for them to consult on undertaking economic activity in line with their policy agenda and they have the remit to take risk in delivering policy ambitions. The Wellbeing of Future Generations Act 2015 is “an act unique to Wales which gives Welsh Government the ambition, permission and legal obligation to improve our social, cultural and economic wellbeing” and it is something this development hopes to achieve backed by the underpinning values laid out in the Joint Supplementary Planning Guidance “Enabling Sustainable Development in Welsh National Parks” to “conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, wildlife and cultural heritage and to “promote opportunities for public understanding and enjoyment of their special qualities”. Gerwyn made assurances that the Welsh Government will not break their own laws and that theyaremadeaccountableforallactionsbyaprocessofinternalaudit. Itisawellknown fact that there is a huge economic crisis nationwide and that the only way to strengthen the economy is by investment and growth which is at the heart of the project and the retaining of the Green Man brand in Wales, a brand which has already generated a large amount of money for the Welsh economy. Cllr James said he will be especially interested as a business owner with a history stretching back five generations in Talybont, to learn more about plans to generate training and employment opportunities for young people in the area. Questions were raised concerning the frequency, scale and nature of festivals that will take place at the site as this seemed to be one of the main concerns of groups of people who are opposed to the development. Gerwyn said that the proposal for the staging of live experiences will take place in phases from one in the first year then being increasing to three a year by year five. Through the planning authority the Community council will be consulted in respect of licencing and other planning issues. The Chairman pointed out how it is the wishes of the Council for all planning applications to go to committee instead of the being decided by a planning officer and that how, comments made on planning applications made by the Council have largely been disregarded in the past. Cllr Jones asked how Welsh Government, as landlords at the site, intended to control the activities of Green Man. Gerwyn said that these types of terms and conditions will be written into the lease agreement and it is hoped that the Community Council will have a chance to be consulted on the proposal going forward. There are major concerns that the area is impacted by over tourism as it is and that the roads and other infrastructure will not be able to survive the impact of an increase in footfall and the inevitable increase in traffic on the surrounding rural road network. Gerwyn made assurances that traffic management consultations would take place to ensure events were viable and that there was no intention to move the Green Man festival from it’s current site near Crickhowell. He stressed the importance of keeping the brand in Wales and preventing it from being bought by a large music conglomerate over which there would be no control. The farming at the site and the plans to develop a brewery and bakery were discussed in principle. Questions were raised as to whether the business plan had been well thought through and well advised. Those with expertise in the fields pointed out the limitations and constraints of these activities due to flooding, phosphate levels in the river Usk, climate unsuitability for the growing of wheat and industrial development more in keeping with an industrial estate than an area of outstanding natural beauty. Gerwyn said that Welsh Government had no intention of being irresponsible landlords and that he really did not want what they see as a project that could bring opportunities to an area causing so much angst as it has; this has never been Welsh Government’s intention. He pointed out that Research and Development is fundamental to the success Gilestone. Cllr Moorman raised the point that previously asked questions hadn’t received a response. Gerwyn responded that FAQ’s will be regularly updated but that some questions may remain unanswered due to the confidential nature of the request. Gerwyn also made the point that there is an information email on the website circulated by Green Maan where questions can be asked. The meeting drew to a close with Gerwyn committing on behalf of Welsh Government to attend an open public meeting in the Community when the time would be right to do so and those present felt positive and hopeful for future discussion surrounding the Gilestone Farm project. This statement is drafted for all of the members of our community. The TOUCC has been fully committed to gaining and distributing information regarding the purchase and development of Gilestone Farm. We have been as frustrated as everybody in the community with the speed of communication and the lack of its content.
We are now entering a vital stage of the development and are close to arranging a meeting with Gerwyn Evans of the Welsh Government to allow us to build not only a communication strategy, but an engagement strategy, where we will be part of the discussion and consultation instead of being simply a conduit for portraying pre released information. Once this stage has been developed TOUCC will arrange a public consultation and meeting for members of the community to attend, gain factual information about the development, and discuss thoroughly. Once this meeting has taken place, a working group will put together a Community Survey to gauge public feeling for the development. From this survey TOUCC will then be able to focus on the issues that the community feel most strongly about, and to ensure we are working for the community as a whole. With the above plans in place it has been decided by a majority of the members of TOUCC not to attend the meeting arranged by MS James Evans on the 8th of June. Please be assured that TOUCC is fully committed to the community of Talybont on Usk and the surrounding villages. We have been, and will continue to deal in factual information, we will continue to press the Welsh Government for more information, will ensure that we (and therefore you) are part of the consultation process, and will immediately inform the community of any information gained via our website, social media, notice boards, monthly meetings, and public meetings as required. We were elected to serve the community and that is a commitment we take very seriously. Cllr Colin Parry (Chair of TOUCC) Update on Gilestone Farm
BY Vaughan Gething MS, Minister for Economy In March 2022, we acquired Gilestone Farm for £4.25m against an agreed open market valuation of £4.325m to support the growth of the creative sector in a stronger Mid Wales economy. We have been in discussions with Green Man for a number of years about the potential to support the future growth of the brand in Wales. Green Man is a key employer in Mid Wales, making a significant contribution to the local economy and providing employment in its main festival business and in an increasing number of related ventures, which place a strong emphasis on sustainable development. The proposal from Green Man for a base in the Usk Valley presented us with a sustainable, economic development opportunity in a rural area and the chance to anchor a successful brand within Wales. Our support for a sustainable rural business opportunity at Gilestone Farm specifically aligns with the goals set out in the Mid Wales Growth Deal, which was signed by both the Welsh and UK governments in 2022. Sustainable tourism, food and drink and agriculture are key sectors of focus in the deal and we are an active partner in supporting development in these areas. Green Man met with local representatives recently and shared its vision for the site. It is looking to create a new "sustainable rural enterprise", which it says will generate £23m for the local economy, provide at least 38 new full-time jobs and support 300 local jobs through its supply chain. No additional commercial activities will be permitted at Gilestone Farm without the required licences and permissions being secured and the appropriate environmental assessments being undertaken. Alongside partners including Green Man, Powys Council and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority we will ensure we continue engaging with the local community about the future of the site. The Mid Wales Growth Deal sets out ambitions for a distinctive region that is capable of retaining and attracting young people in the face of major demographic challenges. It is important we support interventions that take forward the shared ambitions set out in the deal to help the fast-moving creative sector develop and thrive in Wales. There has been a clear shift in the demographics of the area, reinforcing the need to work collectively to ensure appropriate rural economic development can flourish to create the jobs and supply chain opportunities, which thriving communities depend on. We are committed to helping more young people plan ambitious futures in Mid Wales because they will define the long-term success of the regional economy. The business plan presented by Green Man has strong strategic alignment with the aims and objectives of our Programme for Government and the Well-being of Future Generations Act. In addition to farming, the proposed activities are centred around the following:
There is an established history of tourism and small-scale events at Gilestone Farm, alongside a number of existing businesses and economic activity that could be further enhanced to develop the first rural creative hub in Wales. It is important to emphasise the site would not be used as a location for the Green Man Festival itself. Gilestone Farm is not big enough and it would not be logical to move it six miles to an undeveloped site. The proposals under consideration stipulate the sustainable principles of Green Man would be incorporated into the agricultural activity on-site and assessments undertaken to ensure all activities worked in harmony with the environment, underpinning the farm’s biodiversity. As an example, the business plan sets out that all future farming activities would use best practice in managing excess phosphates leaching into the River Usk. Based on the due diligence work undertaken by officials to date, I have agreed the process can move forward to its next stage. I have approved:
Further consultation will take place with the local community, working closely with Powys Council and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority. Once this work and final due diligence has been completed, a full and final options appraisal will be submitted to me for my consideration. I will then reach a decision and make an oral statement to Members. In the meantime, Gilestone Farm remains under a management agreement with the previous owner via a Farm Business Tenancy on commercial terms. There has been no change of use at the site since it was acquired by the Welsh Government to require further environmental or planning assessments or considerations. I am aware of the significant community interest in the Green Man proposals, alongside media interest and indeed the continued interest of Senedd Members. I will therefore be publishing a set of Frequently Asked Questions on our website, which will be available from tomorrow at https://www.gov.wales/gilestone-farm-frequently-asked-questions. James Evans MS14:04:58
Will the First Minister outline how the Welsh Government plans to engage with the local community over the future use of Gilestone Farm? OQ59507 Mark Drakeford MS14:05:06 - First Minister of Wales The Welsh Government will work with the local community council, Powys County Council and the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority to promote constructive community consultation on the future use of Gilestone farm. James Evans MS14:05:20 Diolch, Prif Weinidog. In March, the economy Minister wrote to me in reply to a letter I sent to him, in which he asked for my support in ensuring that the local community were provided with accurate information on this matter. Subsequently, on 6 April, the Minister informed me that he'd be using the community council to inform members of the community about the proposal. That all seems reasonable to me. However, subsequently, after several resignations from the community council and them only having three {sic} current members, residents in Talybont are rightly concerned about the community council's ability to provide them with the accurate information that they require. First Minister, the community is divided over this matter and some good faith and engagement from the Government would help in bringing the community together. I have, therefore, following representations from the community, organised a meeting in Talybont on 8 June and I've invited the Minister and officials from Welsh Government to attend. So, First Minister, can you confirm today, to me and the community, that you will ensure that someone from your Government will attend that meeting, so that the community can get the accurate information that the economy Minister has previously asked is provided to the community? Mark Drakeford MS14:06:26 - First Minister of Wales Llywydd, I entirely agree about the importance of accurate information being provided. The way in which we will do that is the way I outlined in my original answer. It is working with organisations on the ground that have a democratic mandate and are purposed for that end. I'm not convinced that a public meeting is guaranteed to provide more light than heat on these matters. I take very seriously what has happened in the community council and very seriously what has been said by the local Liberal Democrat member of Powys council. Llywydd, Members here may have seen her reports of bullying and harassment from some of the plan's opposers: 'a constant barrage of threats and aggressive criticism, designed to undermine and discourage.' That is not, I'm afraid, an encouraging context into which to expect officials of the Welsh Government to be propelled. I want to have exactly what James Evans has said this afternoon. I want to have an informed discussion; I want to make sure that facts are genuinely available to anybody who is interested in them, but I want to do it in a way that allows some of the heat that has been seen in that debate to be toned down and a greater emphasis on proper information sharing and reasoned debate. And I'm not convinced, I'm afraid, that a public meeting of the sort that the Member has described is the best way, at this point, to bring that about. Gilestone Farm - Cllr. Chapman left the room
Collated questions were submited by the Council last week. Releasing the notes prior to the minutes caused a negative response from the WG and the notes were removed. After discovering that some members of the community were unfairly in possession of the information and were objecting to it being shared with others, we recanted and reposted the notes. The official minutes followed in days. The council will continue to disclose information as it becomes available. A follow up email on answers to the questions resubmitted last week will be sent today. Information on the next steps and strategic communication plan to follow soon. The council feels we should have full representation at future meetings. There is a general feeling of being ignored. We will persist. Thank you for acknowledging you are happy to review these questions again.
We are not aware of what was asked at the last meeting or what was answered. I am resubmitting all as a compilation doc. for accuracy in what the councillors requested. We appreciate that some of these may not be answerable, but most are. As mentioned in our conversation last week, these will be posted on our website to allow the community to know they are, indeed, being represented by the council in communication. Full transparency is the best way forward. Best wishes Planning and Environmental Questions for Gilestone Farm
Community Questions for Gilestone Farm 1. There have been statements in the press by our local MP, Fay Jones, announcing ‘that the concerns of local residents have been dismissed in this whole initiative’. Have you been contacted by her or her office requesting a meeting to hear residents concerns? 2. As we have had extremely limited information of what is planned, making any affect on the Talybont community speculative, do you feel that residents concerns have been heard? 3. How many letters have you received and responded to from our community? 3. When will a meeting be arranged with the community? If not, why? 4. When will a communications strategy be implemented? Infrastructure Questions for Gilestone Farm
Business Questions for Gilestone Farm
Lease Questions for Gilestone Farm
Gilestone Farm
It was decided to contact the WG requesting minutes from the meeting held on March 17th and pursue a follow up meeting. It was decided to collate all the questions put forth by the Council and send them in a follow up email to the WG. It was decided to post these questions and all correspondence between the council and the WG for the public record on the Council website. |