Agenda and minutes

Councillors Marc Davies and Lyndon Lloyd MBE apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.

There were no personal and prejudicial interest declared

It was RESOLVED to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 17^th December, 2019

Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

It was noted that during the meeting of 5^th November 2019, the Charity Trustee Committee resolved to market the property for sale through the Estates Section, inviting offers in the region of £160,000; to pay the Estates Section’s fees of 1% of the sale plus the cost of an EPC report from the proceeds of sale, and to give delegation to a sub-group to consider any offers received.

The sub-group comprising Cllr Elizabeth Evans, Keith Evans and Ivor Williams met in June of this year to consider an unconditional offer. Cllr Elizabeth Evans noted that the sub-group had scrutinised every single avenue, and recommended that the Charity Trustee Committee proceed with the sale due to the severe and continuing deterioration of the building and the lack of money to put towards the cost of maintenance, noting that complaints have been received in relation to overgrown vegetation.

Louise Harries informed the committee of two side matters relating to this property:

a)    There are several historical plaques relating the First World War, the Second World War and Headteachers fixed to the internal walls of this building.  It was noted that a report provided by Dr Robert Anthony in 2017 gave an outline of the rules around the relocation of these plaques which included consultation to identify a suitable location and notifying the War Memorial Trust. It was noted that consultation would proceed subject to a decision to proceed with the sale. 

b)    It was noted that overgrowth of vegetation on the boundary meant that a neighbouring property is unable to open a window, and it is recommended that Estates are instructed to carry out minimal clearance in order to remove this obstruction.

Members were reminded that they must always consider what is in the best interest of the charity when taking decisions, and that proceeding would enable the Charity to realise the value of the asset to be utilised for the charity’s objectives, being the advancement of education for pre-school and school-age children in Tregaron.

The report relating to item 5 on the agenda, Enclosure A is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007. If, following the application of the Public Interest Test, the Council resolves  to consider this item in private, the public and press will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration, in accordance with Section 100B(2) of the Act.

Members were requested, when dealing with the item, to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the Meeting.

It was RESOLVED to exclude the public and press during consideration of item 5 on the basis that the application contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council) which should not, on balance, be disclosed to the public and press.

The Committee considered the unconditional offer received, before returning to an open meeting to vote on the recommendations.

Following discussion and a vote, the Committee RESOLVED to :

a)    accept the offer to purchase the former Tregaron School;

b)    to resolve that Officers, on the trust’s behalf, agree and complete all necessary documentation and ancillary matters in order to effect the sale of the property

c)    to create a sub-group with delegation, post-sale of the property, to consider recommendations in relation to how any capital and income held by the charity should be utilised to fulfil the charity’s objects. Any recommendations of the sub-group shall be reported to a CTC meeting for final consideration and decision.  Members of the sub-group will be nominated at a later date.

There were no other matters to consider.