Hay-on-Wye Town Council (HTC) will  be looking to meet Powys County Council (PCC) to find out exactly what has been decided on a series of property transfers in the town.

At Tuesday's (December 18) cabinet meeting councillors voted in favour of recommendations to change parts of a deal made three and a half years ago by a previous administration to transfer:

  • Public toilets on Oxford Road and at the Clock Tower.
  • Recreation Ground and Sports Pavilion.
  • District Council Offices on Broad Street.

Over to Hay-on-Wye Town Council.

At the meeting cabinet member for Highways, Recycling and Assets, (Conservative, Blaen Hafren) Councillor Phyl Davies, said: "The property issues have been going on for a few years, and it's high time it comes to a head and resolution.

"We have moved a long way financially from where we were and we have to do what is right and offer the same to each and every community across the board."

Council leader, Cllr Rosemarie Harris, said that a letter had been received from HTC.

Cllr Davies added: "I think we know where the Town Council is coming from.

"This has been discussed with them on numerous occasions, by myself, by the monitoring officer, (Clive Pinney) by Cllr James Evans (cabinet member) and I think they need to catch up and understand where we are as an authority.

"The proposals are fair and a good option to move forward."

County Times:

Councillor Phyl Davies

The decision was to agree:

Toilets:

  • A long term lease with HTC solely responsible for all running costs,

or

  • To hand the toilets back to PCC under the understanding that there are no guarantees that they are kept open.

Recreation Ground and Sports Pavilion:

  • PCC propose that there be a leasehold Community Asset Transfer of the land and buildings, including maintenance and repair, for 99 years.
  • Part of the proposal would be to allow HTC to sub-lease part of the land to Hay Bowls Club.

District Council Offices on Broad Street:

  • Giving HTC 12 months notice to terminate the existing lease on the property.

But Hay-on-Wye Town Council believe that when a deal is done it should be honoured.

Following the meeting Hay-on-Wye Mayor, Cllr Trudy Stedman, explained: "We feel that we are being treated very unfairly.

"Policies have been changed during our discussions.

"If you work as a professional and start a process with a policy in place, then you should keep to that policy rather than changing mid-way and restarting."

"There are eight businesses based at the District Council Office and PCC registrar.

"Who terminates their leases?

Cllr Stedman added: "Speaking personally, I don't think we ever had a chance of changing their minds when we discussed this."