FINAL PROPOSALS

Community No. M27 - LLANGEDWYN

Introduction

1. The present community of Llangedwyn is located in the middle Tanad valley, where the valley of the river Tanad rises into hill country culminating at Mynydd y Glyn in the south and Aran in the north. This is one of three communities that, in 1996, were transferred from the former district of Glyndwr and the former county of Clwyd to the new county of Powys. The B4396, the major route in the Tanad valley, crosses this community west to east. Settlement is scattered across the community, but is focused on the small villages of Llangedwyn and Penybont Llannerchemrys and the rural settlements of Bwlchyddar and Pentre felin.

2. The community has a population of 380, an electorate of 285 (2005) and a council of 7 members. The precept required for 2005 is £822, representing a Council Tax Band D equivalent of £4.46.

3. In the 1984 Review the initial proposals of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales were to amalgamate the then communities of Llangedwyn and Llansilin into a warded community. These proposals met with the strong opposition of the community meeting of Llangedwyn where it was urged that the community should be given its own council. The Commission's final proposals were, therefore, for a separate community of Llangedwyn with a council of seven members in an unwarded community. The area of the community was expanded, as the Commission considered "that the existing boundaries of the community of Llangedwyn do not include all those residents who consider themselves to be part of that community." As a result of this review, the area of the community was increased three-fold by transferring southern Llansilin (Capel Horeb - Golfa - Maestanyglwyden - Penybont Llannerchemrys) and south-western Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant (Aran - Tyn-y-graig - Banhadla - Garth-eryr - Henblas - Bwlchyddar) to the new community.

4. In the 2000 Review, Llangedwyn Community Council requested that the rural settlement of Pentre felin be transferred in its entirety to the community of Llangedwyn from the community of Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant. This proposal met with considerable opposition from the latter community's council, and Powys County Council concluded, "it will always be a point of subjective debate as to whether the hamlet belongs in one community or the other" and decided to adhere to the status quo here. Llangedwyn Community Council also requested an adjustment of the community boundary at Penybont Llannerchemrys, to transfer three properties that were part of this small village from the community of Llansantffraid. At that time it was concluded: "the existing boundary at Penybont Llannerchemrys serves also as a parliamentary constituency boundary, and here the County Council also considers that it would be inappropriate to alter community boundaries in advance of any parliamentary constituency boundary changes."

Final Proposals – Montgomeryshire – Community M$5ho4syp0.doc Summary of representations received prior to preparation of Draft Proposals

5. No representations have been received for this community.

Assessment

6. We consider that there was considerable merit in the former request of Llangedwyn Community Council for an adjustment to the community boundary at Penybont Llannerchemrys to take in the Old New Inn and 1 and 2 Old New Inn Cottages. While these dwellings are not located within the settlement boundaries of this small village, they undoubtedly look to that village for initial limited community services and facilities. We therefore propose an adjustment in the community boundary at this location so that the boundary follows the course of the old railway, from near to Penisarmynydd to Penybont Hall. (We note that the Boundary Commission for Wales has now proposed that the constituency boundary of the parliamentary constituency of Montgomeryshire should be altered to take in the community of Llangedwyn, and we anticipate the relevant order being made in this matter before the next parliamentary election.) We do not consider that it would be appropriate for the community boundary to be extended further southwards towards Penygroes: this is an area that we consider has always looked to the key settlement of Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain for its services and facilities.

7. The electorate of Llangedwyn has increased from about 188 in 1979 to 284 in 2005. The Powys Unitary Development Plan allocates one site for 10 dwellings in the small village of Llangedwyn and one site for five dwellings in the small village of Penybont Llannerchemrys. Five of these dwellings have already been built and have had their effect upon the electorate. There may be further opportunities for infill development and opportunities for affordable housing development adjacent to the settlement development boundaries. There are also opportunities for affordable housing development in the rural settlements of Pentre felin and Bwlchyddar that lie in this community in accordance with Policy HP9 of the Plan, for a limited number of dwellings in the open countryside in accordance with Policy HP6 of the Plan, and for conversions in accordance with Policy GP6 of the Plan. We note that this community's electorate will rise slightly, therefore, to about 300 electors, suggesting a continued entitlement in accordance with Table 7 - Guide to Allocation of Councillors to Community Councils to seven councillors.

Draft Proposals

8. That there should be a community of Llangedwyn comprising the present community of that name together with an area to the south of the river Tanad at Penybont Llannerchemrys and including the Old New Inn and 1 and 2 Old New Inn Cottages to be transferred from the community of Llansantffraid;

The community should have a council of 7 members.

(Ward) Electorate No of Councillors Electors per

Final Proposals – Montgomeryshire – Community M$5ho4syp0.doc Councillor

284 7 41

Responses to the Council’s Draft Proposals

9. A form of submissions has been received from Llangedwyn Community Council supporting the Draft Proposals.

Final Proposals

10. That there should be a community of Llangedwyn comprising the present community of that name together with an area to the south of the river Tanad at Penybont Llannerchemrys and including the Old New Inn and 1 and 2 Old New Inn Cottages to be transferred from the community of Llansantffraid;

The community should have a council of 7 members.

(Ward) Electorate No of Councillors Electors per Councillor

284 7 41

Final Proposals – Montgomeryshire – Community M$5ho4syp0.doc