Welshpool Town CouncilAnnual Meeting
Wednesday 27/05/2026 at 6:30pm in Council Chamber, Welshpool Town Hall.
Agenda Agenda & Reports Pack Approved Minutes
You can access this meeting via Zoom by clicking https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86889994632?pwd=WaCTYcFHprpa9qF8ukhAvSnoj1nebA.1.
Zoom Meeting ID: 868 8999 4632
Passcode: 105159
Below shows the attendance for the meeting.
| Attendee | Attendance | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Cllr Alison Davies | In attendance | Committee Member |
| Cllr Dr Ben Gwalchmai | In attendance | Committee Member |
| Cllr Carol Robinson | In attendance | Committee Member |
| Cllr Chris Davies | In attendance | Committee Member |
| Cllr David France | In attendance | Committee Member |
| Cllr Estelle Bleivas | Apologies for absence | Committee Member |
| Cllr Jackson Quarrell | In attendance | Committee Member |
| Cllr Kelly Meredith | In attendance | Committee Member |
| Cllr Morag Bailey | In attendance | Committee Member |
| Cllr Nick Howells | In attendance | Committee Member |
| Cllr Phil Owen | In attendance | Committee Member |
| Cllr Phil Pritchard | In attendance | Committee Member |
| Cllr Richard Church | In attendance | Committee Member |
| Cllr Sally Fitzgerald | Absent | Committee Member |
| Cllr Revd William Rowell | In attendance | Committee Member |
TBC
1. ELECTION OF CHAIR / TOWN MAYOR
To receive nominations and to elect the Chair of Council and Town Mayor for the 2026-27 municipal year. The new Mayor to read and sign the declaration of office, take the chair and address the meeting.
Note: all present to stand while the chain of office is transferred and declaration of acceptance of office read out loud with those present applauding at the end to welcome the new Mayor (Section 4, Civic and Ceremonial Protocol)
2. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR / DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR
To receive nominations and to elect the Vice Chair of Council and Deputy Town Mayor for the 2026-27 municipal year. The new Deputy Mayor to read and sign the declaration of office and address the meeting.
Note: all present to stand while the chain of office is transferred and declaration of acceptance of office read out loud with those present applauding at the end to welcome the new Deputy Mayor (Section 4, Civic and Ceremonial Protocol)
3. WELCOME, CODE OF CONDUCT AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
To welcome Councillors and members of the public, to remind attendees to show respect for all throughout the meeting in line with the obligations of the Code of Conduct, and to receive and, if appropriate, approve apologies for absence.
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS AND DISPENSATIONS
To receive declarations of interest and, if appropriate, consider any relevant dispensations.
5. RETIRING TOWN MAYOR'S REPORT
To receive a verbal report from the retiring Town Mayor, Cllr Phil Owen.
6. COUNTY COUNCIL AND COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATES
To welcome County Councillors and to receive a verbal update and exchange information on matters affecting
Welshpool.
7. GOVERNANCE
7.1. Standing Orders
To consider adoption of the revised Standing Orders for 2026-27 as recommended by the Finance & Governance Committee.
7.2. Financial Regulations
To consider adoption of Financial Regulations for 2026-27 as recommended by the Finance & Governance Committee.
7.3. Scheme of Delegation
To consider adoption of the Scheme of Delegation for 2026-27 as recommended by the Finance & Governance Committee.
7.4. Investments & Reserves Strategy
To consider adoption of the Investments & Reserves Strategy for 2026-27 as recommended by the Finance & Governance Committee.
7.5. Civility and Respect
To consider adoption of the Welsh Civility and Respect pledge, as recommended by the Finance & Governance Committee.
9. COMMITTEES
9.1. Committees
To resolve the continuation of the following Committees and to approve the revised Terms of References as amended by the Finance & Governance Committee:
- Events & Planning Committee
- Operations & Development Committee
- Finance & Governance Committee
- Audit Committee
- Health & Safety Committee
- Tour de France Special Committee
9.2. Election to Committees
To elect the following councillors to the committees as approved above. Additional nominations taken from the floor.
Events & Planning Committee
- William Rowell
- Morag Bailey
- Phil Owen
- Kelly Meredith
- Nick Howells
- Jackson Quarrell
- Ben Gwalchmai
- Vacancy x1
Operations & Development Committee
- Phil Owen
- Kelly Meredith
- Phil Pritchard
- David France
- Nick Howells
- Vacancy x3
Finance & Governance Committee
- Alison Davies
- Richard Church
- William Rowell
- Morag Bailey
- Phil Pritchard
- David France
- Vacancy x2
Audit Committee
- Alison Davies
- Phil Pritchard
- Vacancy x6
Health & Safety Committee
- William Rowell
- Morag Bailey
- Phil Pritchard
- Nick Howells
- Vacancy x4
Tour de France Special Committee
- Alison Davies
- Richard Church
- Phil Owen
- William Rowell
- Phil Pritchard
- Jackson Quarrel
- Ben Gwalchmai
- TBC External Member
- TBC External Member
(Oversubscribed by 1)
10. OTHER GOVERNANCE
10.1. Councillor Allowances
To consider the report from the Town Clerk in respect of councillor allowances for 2026-27.
10.2. Bank Mandate
To consider the bank mandate and authorised signatories on the Council's bank accounts as:
- Benjamin Gwalchmai
- Christopher Davies
- David France
- Morag Bailey
- Nicholas Howells
- Phillip Pritchard
- Richard Church
- Richard Williams
- Sally Fitzgerald
- Alison Davies
- William Rowell
10.3. Dates of Meetings
To consider the recommended schedule of meetings for the 2026-27 municipal year.
11. OUTSIDE BODIES
To elect nominees to the outside bodies listed in the attached report.
12. MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING
12.1. Previous Minutes
To approve and sign as a correct record, the minutes from the meeting of the Full Council on 22/04/2026.
12.2. Matters Arising
To report for information purposes only matters arising from the Full Council on 22/04/2026.
13. COMMITTEES - MINUTES & RECOMMENDATIONS
13.1. Events & Planning Committee - May 2026
To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Events & Planning Committee on the 06/05/2026.
| Item 7.7 - Christmas Lights RECOMMENDED To approve Option A - 1 year extension of existing scheme which would include hire, carriage and storage at £2840.27. |
| Item 7.8 - 1940's Weekend RECOMMENDED To support the 1940s Weekend by allowing free use of the Town Hall, subject to other bookings and terms of agreement. |
13.2. Operations & Development Committee - May 2026
To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Operations & Development Committee on the 13/05/2026.
| Item 5.3 - Biodiversity Action Plan RECOMMENDED To approve and adopt the Biodiversity Action Plan for 2026-2028. |
| Item 5.4 - Trees RECOMMENDED To ask officers to obtain quotations for a tree survey for all Council land and specific works at Vicarage Gardens |
| Item 6.4 - Allotments RECOMMENDED To note the report; To approve joining the National Allotments Association as members at £70 per annum; and To approve additional promotional and improvement measures to improve occupancy. |
13.3. Finance & Governance Committee - May 2026
To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Finance & Governance Committee on the 20/05/2026.
| Item 5.3 - Scrutiny of Payments RECOMMENDED To appoint the following members for scrutiny of payments: - Cllr Morag Bailey for May in June - Cllr Phil Owen for June in July (quarterly check) - Cllr Richard Church for July in August |
14. BUSINESS PLANNING & FINANCE
14.1. Council Accounts (April - Period 1)
To consider the Income and Expenditure Reports and Cash and Bank Totals for April 2026 and note the bank balances as of 30th April 2026:
- General Fund - £29,382.65
- 30 Day Account - £290,246.93
- Petty Cash - £35.03
- Hub Community Account - £4,072.74
14.2. Payment of Invoices - May
To consider payment of invoices for May, including any additional payments tabled on the night.
15. OTHER MATTERS
15.1. Bull Dingle
To receive an update on the Bull Dingle.
15.2. Town Hall Transformation Project
To receive an update on the Town Hall Transformation Project from the Town Clerk.
16. OUTSIDE BODIES
16.1. Other Outside Bodies
To receive reports from the Council's representatives on other outside bodies, as available.
17. MOTIONS FOR DEBATE
17.1. Litter Champions
To consider the proposal as set out in the paper from Cllr William Rowell regarding litter champions, following the in principle approval at the last meeting.
18. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA & DATE OF NEXT MEETING
To receive items for consideration by the Town Clerk for future agendas and to note that the next meeting of Full Council will be held on 24th June 2026 at 6:30pm.
19. CONFIDENTIAL SESSION - EXCLUSION
To resolve, if required, that members of the public and press be requested to leave the meeting by reason of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted.
20. BERRIEW ST TOILETS [CONFIDENTIAL]
To consider the report from the Town Clerk in respect of Berriew St Toilets.
- Confidential Document [Appendix T]
21. CARNIVAL [CONFIDENTIAL]
To consider an update on the Carnival from the Town Clerk and to decide a way forward.
22. COMMUNITY AWARDS [CONFIDENTIAL]
To consider the paper from the Events & Markets Manager in respect of Community Awards.
- Confidential Document [Appendix U]
| # | Item | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Election of Chair / Town Mayor To receive nominations and to elect the Chair of Council and Town Mayor for the 2026-27 municipal year. The new Mayor to read and sign the declaration of office, take the chair and address the meeting. Note: all present to stand while the chain of office is transferred and declaration of acceptance of office read out loud with those present applauding at the end to welcome the new Mayor (Section 4, Civic and Ceremonial Protocol) | |||
| 2 | Election of Vice Chair / Deputy Town Mayor To receive nominations and to elect the Vice Chair of Council and Deputy Town Mayor for the 2026-27 municipal year. The new Deputy Mayor to read and sign the declaration of office and address the meeting. Note: all present to stand while the chain of office is transferred and declaration of acceptance of office read out loud with those present applauding at the end to welcome the new Deputy Mayor (Section 4, Civic and Ceremonial Protocol) | |||
| 3 | Welcome, Code of Conduct and Apologies for Absence To welcome Councillors and members of the public, to remind attendees to show respect for all throughout the meeting in line with the obligations of the Code of Conduct, and to receive and, if appropriate, approve apologies for absence. | |||
| 4 | Declarations of Interests and Dispensations To receive declarations of interest and, if appropriate, consider any relevant dispensations. | |||
| 5 | Retiring Town Mayor's Report To receive a verbal report from the retiring Town Mayor, Cllr Phil Owen. | |||
| 6 | County Council and County Councillor Updates To welcome County Councillors and to receive a verbal update and exchange information on matters affecting Welshpool. | |||
| 7 | GOVERNANCE | |||
| 7.1 | Standing Orders To consider adoption of the revised Standing Orders for 2026-27 as recommended by the Finance & Governance Committee. | |||
| 7.2 | Financial Regulations To consider adoption of Financial Regulations for 2026-27 as recommended by the Finance & Governance Committee. | |||
| 7.3 | Scheme of Delegation To consider adoption of the Scheme of Delegation for 2026-27 as recommended by the Finance & Governance Committee. | |||
| 7.4 | Investments & Reserves Strategy To consider adoption of the Investments & Reserves Strategy for 2026-27 as recommended by the Finance & Governance Committee. | |||
| 7.5 | Civility and Respect To consider adoption of the Welsh Civility and Respect pledge, as recommended by the Finance & Governance Committee. | |||
| 9 | COMMITTEES | |||
| 9.1 | Committees To resolve the continuation of the following Committees and to approve the revised Terms of References as amended by the Finance & Governance Committee: - Events & Planning Committee - Operations & Development Committee - Finance & Governance Committee - Audit Committee - Health & Safety Committee - Tour de France Special Committee | |||
| 9.2 | Election to Committees To elect the following councillors to the committees as approved above. Additional nominations taken from the floor. Events & Planning Committee - William Rowell - Morag Bailey - Phil Owen - Kelly Meredith - Nick Howells - Jackson Quarrell - Ben Gwalchmai - Vacancy x1 Operations & Development Committee - Phil Owen - Kelly Meredith - Phil Pritchard - David France - Nick Howells - Vacancy x3 Finance & Governance Committee - Alison Davies - Richard Church - William Rowell - Morag Bailey - Phil Pritchard - David France - Vacancy x2 Audit Committee - Alison Davies - Phil Pritchard - Vacancy x6 Health & Safety Committee - William Rowell - Morag Bailey - Phil Pritchard - Nick Howells - Vacancy x4 Tour de France Special Committee - Alison Davies - Richard Church - Phil Owen - William Rowell - Phil Pritchard - Jackson Quarrel - Ben Gwalchmai - TBC External Member - TBC External Member (Oversubscribed by 1) | |||
| 10 | OTHER GOVERNANCE | |||
| 10.1 | Councillor Allowances To consider the report from the Town Clerk in respect of councillor allowances for 2026-27. | |||
| 10.2 | Bank Mandate To consider the bank mandate and authorised signatories on the Council's bank accounts as: - Benjamin Gwalchmai - Christopher Davies - David France - Morag Bailey - Nicholas Howells - Phillip Pritchard - Richard Church - Richard Williams - Sally Fitzgerald - Alison Davies - William Rowell | |||
| 10.3 | Dates of Meetings To consider the recommended schedule of meetings for the 2026-27 municipal year. | |||
| 11 | Outside Bodies To elect nominees to the outside bodies listed in the attached report. | |||
| 12 | MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING | |||
| 12.1 | Previous Minutes To approve and sign as a correct record, the minutes from the meeting of the Full Council on 22/04/2026. | |||
| 12.2 | Matters Arising To report for information purposes only matters arising from the Full Council on 22/04/2026. | |||
| 13 | COMMITTEES - MINUTES & RECOMMENDATIONS | |||
| 13.1 | Events & Planning Committee - May 2026 To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Events & Planning Committee on the 06/05/2026.
| |||
| 13.2 | Operations & Development Committee - May 2026 To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Operations & Development Committee on the 13/05/2026.
| |||
| 13.3 | Finance & Governance Committee - May 2026 To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Finance & Governance Committee on the 20/05/2026.
| |||
| 14 | BUSINESS PLANNING & FINANCE | |||
| 14.1 | Council Accounts (April - Period 1) To consider the Income and Expenditure Reports and Cash and Bank Totals for April 2026 and note the bank balances as of 30th April 2026: - General Fund - £29,382.65 - 30 Day Account - £290,246.93 - Petty Cash - £35.03 - Hub Community Account - £4,072.74 | |||
| 14.2 | Payment of Invoices - May To consider payment of invoices for May, including any additional payments tabled on the night. | |||
| 15 | OTHER MATTERS | |||
| 15.1 | Bull Dingle To receive an update on the Bull Dingle. | |||
| 15.2 | Town Hall Transformation Project To receive an update on the Town Hall Transformation Project from the Town Clerk. | |||
| 16 | OUTSIDE BODIES | |||
| 16.1 | Other Outside Bodies To receive reports from the Council's representatives on other outside bodies, as available. | |||
| 17 | MOTIONS FOR DEBATE | |||
| 17.1 | Litter Champions To consider the proposal as set out in the paper from Cllr William Rowell regarding litter champions, following the in principle approval at the last meeting. | |||
| 18 | Items for Future Agenda & Date of Next Meeting To receive items for consideration by the Town Clerk for future agendas and to note that the next meeting of Full Council will be held on 24th June 2026 at 6:30pm. | |||
| 19 | Confidential Session - Exclusion To resolve, if required, that members of the public and press be requested to leave the meeting by reason of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted. | |||
| 20 | Berriew St Toilets Confidential To consider the report from the Town Clerk in respect of Berriew St Toilets.
| |||
| 21 | Carnival Confidential To consider an update on the Carnival from the Town Clerk and to decide a way forward. | |||
| 22 | Community Awards Confidential To consider the paper from the Events & Markets Manager in respect of Community Awards.
|