Gilestone 
Prior to the discussion around Gilestone the Chair invited the public to speak allowing Councillors to take their views into consideration when making its decision.
 The Public Shared their Views
All Councillors had a pack of all information available with copies of correspondence sent to and received  from the Welsh Government, BBNP, Powys CC, NRW and correspondence from members of the public. 
The proposition before the Council was: 
To examine all information the Council has to date and to take a position going forward. 
Three options under consideration were:-

1. Total Opposition 
2. Total Support 
3. Middle Ground with the option to move quickly when further  information became available.

Following an in-depth discussion, it was unanimously agreed to support option 3.
Councillors also agreed to proactively follow up on all correspondence along with setting up a working group, with members from the Community Council, residents and business representation. 
The remit of the Working Group is to develop a set of  questions to use in a survey to gather opinions from residents from the Community Council area.
 

 

Correspondence Related to Greenman is discussed
​Correspondence
Donna Darbyshire - Conflict of interest.
Concerns raised there would be a conflict if Councillors took up an invitation to attend Green Man Festival. Cllr. Morris informed the meeting that no invitation had been received and that procedures would be followed in that instance. Cllr Burdon reported he had attended a training session with OVW and had been advised there was no conflict of interest as it would be a fact-finding exercise authorised by the Council, and that accusations of conflict of interest would be untrue and unfounded. 

Jon Young -Gilestone Farm and Community Council Standing Orders
 Questions asked around the Welsh Governments decision to purchase Gilestone Farm and lease to Green Mans. The Clerk has responded in writing informing Mr Young the Council has no jurisdiction over Welsh Government decisions, however the Community Council has written to the Minister concerned. 
 
Alastair Mackeown – Gilestone Farm, wildlife species.
Mr Mackeown raised a number of issues concerning the impact on wildlife. The Chair and Cllr Burdon have responded. This Correspondence will be included in an evidence pack being developed by the Community Council.

Gilestone Farm
Correspondence to Welsh Government, BBNP and NRW.
Correspondence was sent to the Minister of Economy at the Welsh Government with questions around the acquisition of Gilestone Farm. appendix 1
Correspondence to  both the CEO’s and Chairs of BBNP and NRW requesting their position statement. 
appendix 2 & 3.
Response from the Welsh Government appendix 4. 
Response from NRW Appendix 5. 
An acknowledgement  received from BBNP, awaiting a response.
Cllr Cartwright reported she had received correspondence from PCC setting out their position.  appendix 6 .
Cllr Cartwright also reported that Jane Dodds MS had written to the Minister with a number of questions around the sale of Gilestone Farm.
Cllr Burdon raised concerns around heavy traffic ( Weight Limit) on the bridge to Station Road should large, non-permanent  structures be needed for events along with the need to have a clearer understanding of time-scales.

Public Meeting 
The Chair asked if any members of the public would like to speak about the public meeting , a member  of the public reported that at the public meeting of the 2nd June it was very clear that there were strong views  expressed and  that the meeting  was not supportive of mass tourism events and asked if the Community Council supported mass tourism events at Gilestone Farm or not.  
Another member of the public said he could sympathise with the Council as not all the facts are yet  known however, still felt the Council should establish its position. 
It was agreed to schedule an additional meeting of the Community Council to discuss the Councils position. This meeting to take place on 28th June at 7.30 in Henderson Hall. 

 

 

 

I have contacted the County Council as promised and I can advise as follows.
Firstly, please note that Powys CC have confirmed that they not been directly involved in the acquisition of Gilestone Farm and that is a matter between Welsh Government, the former landowner and the Greenman Festival.
The following position was previously confirmed to the Greenman Festival.

• In general terms Powys CC is very supportive of the Greenman Festival and its plans to establish a permanent base in Powys, at the same time expanding and diversifying its range of activities.  
• As with any such proposal we would of course need additional detailed information to consider the appropriateness of the proposed activities. Noting that any land use planning matters are for the Brecon Beacons National Park to determine and not for PCC.

Once further details are shared with the authority then they will consider them on their merits and within the relevant regulatory powers.
The concerns of the Community Council and local residents are noted however until further detail is provided there is little further that the authority can do at this stage.
 
I am also advised that should the Community Council wish to formally communicate with the authority on the matter then the most appropriate route would be via the portfolio holder for Prosperous Powys Cllr David Selby, whilst keeping me abreast of any developments.
Best wishes,
Cllr. Anita Cartwright
Talybont-on-Usk