POWYS County Council has rejected having regional Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, Helen Mary Jones, chair a crunch meeting over the Bulking Facility in Abermule.

Time is ticking down for the crunch meeting on March 28.

Abermule Communities Together (ACT) wants an independent chair for the meeting to make sure they receive a fair hearing.

Helen Mary Jones, AM, said that she was disappointed as she believes she would have been able to chair the meeting fairly for both sides

Ms Jones said “As someone who represents Powys I want to see Powys’ recycling rates amongst the best in Wales and it needs the facilities to do this.

“I have met with villagers and listened to their concerns.”

“I do think it’s important that there is an independent chair for this meeting to ensure the village representatives receive fair play. It’s not a level playing field.

“PCC have all the officers and resources at their disposal, while the villagers have to rely on themselves.

“I hope they find someone who is agreeable to all, as we need to see the right outcome for everyone.”

Cllr Phyl Davies, (Conservative, Blaen Hafren) Cabinet Member for Recycling and Waste, said: “Following the initial unscheduled meeting in January, council officers have met with representatives from ACT and entered into a very constructive dialogue without the need for an independent chair.

“Since that meeting at the end of January, we have been in regular contact with ACT in an attempt to arrange a further meeting.

“This has now been arranged with the invitation extended to Russell George (Montgomeryshire AM).”

“In terms of an independent chair, it would not be appropriate for a politician to act in this role, particularly where they have previously declared their support for ACT.”

Stephen Meadowcroft, of ACT, said:   “We’re disappointed that they don’t want Helen Mary Jones to chair this, she has qualification in conciliation.

“By refusing to have the meeting chaired they are further stacking the cards in their favour.”

Jeff Mathews, chair of ACT, added: “Russell  George has been accepted by PCC to be in the meeting as we are his constituents.

“But not in the role as chair.”

Mr Mathews said that he would ask PCC to state exactly what their intentions are.

Mr Mathews added: “It is my opinion that asking us to find alternative sites when we are unpaid and not experts is at best sending the Abermule community out to ‘chase unicorns’.

“This was just a task set to keep us busy and not a serious attempt to resolve the issue. ”

ACT has added that former Montgomeryshire MP and esteemed barrister, Lord Alex Carlile, could be approached to attend the meeting.

At a public meeting in Abermule on December 4, 2018 ACT were promised time to find another suitable site.

The planning application for the site was passed by just one vote in August 2018.

Protest group ACT has waged a high profile campaign against the site.

Council officers have stressed that the facility could help the authority deal with hitting the Welsh Government recycling targets of 70 per cent by 2024/25.