CPRW�s Director, Merfyn Williams, has been appointed Executive Director of the new Sustainable Development Forum for Wales.

On making the announcement, the Chair of the Forum, Prof. Rod Aspinwall said: �We are extremely pleased that Merfyn has accepted this most important and challenging post. The Forum�s requirements were for an individual who had a deep understanding and experience of the social, environmental and economic condition of Wales and its emerging position as a leader in sustainable development thinking both in Europe and internationally. Importantly we also required a leader with the ability to work and empathise at the community level.�

CPRW is now advertising for a new Director and a flyer is enclosed with this mailing. The closing date for receipt of applications is 13th October.

The poet, Iwan Llwyn, was asked if he would write a few words to mark Merfyn�s departure from CPRW which he readily agreed to do. The poem was prepared by a calligrapher and then framed in Welsh oak and given by the staff to Merfyn on his last day at the office. A craftsman at Gwasg Gregynog Press bound together all the editions of Rural Wales Magazine edited by Merfyn between 1995 and 2003 together with a copy of the poem and this magnificent book was presented to Merfyn by the Chairman at the September meeting of the Executive Committee.

If you would like to contribute to these gifts, please send a cheque (no more than �10 suggested), made payable to CPRW to Head Office. Any surplus will be converted into book tokens and sent on to Merfyn.

Included with this mailing are details of the independent appeal, launched by Mary Sinclair, to help the local Cefn Croes Group meet the legal costs of their unsuccessful legal challenge. Following legal advice, it has been established that CPRW cannot use its own charitable funds for this purpose but we urge you to contribute to the appeal. Please make cheques payable to �The Cefn Croes Appeal� and send to Mary Sinclair, Glebe House, Martletwy, Narberth, Pembrokeshire SA67 8AS

Earlier this year the Brecon Beacons National Park (BBNP) Authority invited CPRW to become their voluntary sector partners in a feasibility study on the viability of sustainable housing in designated areas.

The project had been mainly financed through the BBNP Sustainability Challenge Fund, with CPRW contributing �1,411, which was secured through the CPRW/CCW Partnership Plan.

The resulting report �Sustainable Housing in Protected Areas� found that:

• A significant amount can be done to improve the sustainability of housing for little or even no extra cost, with the right design.
   
• The potential for the sustainable design of buildings is not currently being exploited.
   
• Development patterns are important in the development of communities and especially access to services. Transport links associated with new development is one of the greatest considerations when determining their future environmental impact.
   
• More needs to be done to increase the accessibility of affordable housing to local communities within designated areas.
   
• There is great potential for the local sourcing of materials and the development of local supply chains.
   
• There is a need to improve the standard of housing design in general.
   
• A simple indicator checklist could be used to rank the sustainability of housing developments.

The project partners have arranged a conference jointly with the Institute of Welsh Affairs who have also recently completed a study on rural housing issues, �A Source of Contention: Affordable Housing in Rural Areas�. Both reports will be launched at the event �Housing and a Sustainable Future for Rural Wales� which will be held in Aberystwyth on Monday 22nd September. Contact CPRW Head Office if you would like more details.

A copy of the CPRW/BBNP report is available on CPRW�s website

The Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee of the National Assembly are currently conducting a Review, the terms of reference of which are: �To consider the effectiveness of current planning policies in supporting the provision of affordable housing and sustainable communities in the countryside and to make recommendations for development of policy in this area�.

This will be the subject of meetings of the South West Wales and North Wales Regional Committees to be held on Friday 3rd October: * City Hall, St. Davids, Pembrokeshire between 9.30 and 12.30pm. * Neuadd Dwyfor, Pwllheli between 10.00 and 1pm

There will be opportunities for people in the public galleries to comment and discuss with Assembly Members and those making presentations. It is advisable to book a seat in advance by phoning the NA booking line on 029 2089 8477.

In 1997, CPRW had been so concerned about certain anomalies in the Montgomeryshire Local Plan, which was then about to be adopted, and about two planning applications in particular, that it took a dossier, prepared mainly by a local member, to the then Welsh Office. The two applications were called-in by the National Assembly and following Public Inquiries, both were refused. The Council were also directed that they could not adopt the local plan until the anomalies were corrected.

Welsh Office also thought that the dossier should be referred to the District Auditor. This was done and she launched an investigation.

The resulting report �Planning in Montgomeryshire � Report in the Public Interest� has now been published and contains a damming indictment about the behaviour of one Councillor in particular and criticisms of procedures in the planning committee. The report can be viewed on the Audit commission�s website www.audit-commission.gov.uk/wales

The Minister responsible for planning in the National Assembly, Carwyn Jones AM, has written to every planning authority in Wales drawing attention to the District Auditor�s report and reminding them that decisions should be based on planning issues and should be clear, consistent and soundly based. In another letter he reminds Councillors that they have a duty to act in the public, wider community interest, and to be seen to do so. He reminds them that they should not take decisions which favour an individual interest or locality, nor put themselves in a position where they appear to have done so. Copies of the Minister�s letters are available from Head Office.

To coincide with the RTPI conference recently held in Cardiff, the Assembly Government published a document �Planning � Delivering for Wales� highlighting some of the excellent planning work being undertaken in Wales. CPRW has obtained extra copies of this, which will be circulated to Branch Secretaries and others, on request.

Technical Advice Note 15: Development and Flood Risk has been issued in draft for consultation. The TAN provides technical guidance which supplements the policy set out in Planning Policy Wales (PPW) in relation to development and flooding. It advises on development and flood risk as this relates to sustainability principles (section 2.2 PPW), and provides a methodology against which risks arising from both river and coastal flooding, and from additional run-off from development in any location, can be assessed. Finally it gives guidance to planning authorities on how they should approach the preparation of Unitary Development Plans and decision making in the context of the precautionary methodology.

Copies of the draft TAN can be downloaded from the Assembly�s website www.wales.gov.uk where it will be found in the �planning� section. Hard copies will be sent from CPRW Head Office, on request. The deadline for responding to the consultation is 27th October 2003.

The Welsh Assembly Government has written to all Chief Planning Officers and National Park Officers in Wales enclosing clarification of guidance on accommodating new and emerging national planning policy and technical guidance saying that the implications of this clarification will be considered further in relation to the proposed local development plan system which is to be introduced (subject to Parliamentary process) under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill. The Bill itself has been carried over to the next Parliamentary session when it will be recommitted to a House of Commons Standing Committee for a further eight sessions probably commencing in October this year.

Meanwhile the note clarifies when new and emerging planning policy should be taken into account by a local planning authority following deposit of its UDP but prior to adoption.

A copy of the note will be sent to those holding the branch planning files and to others, on request.

The Welsh Assembly Government has published their own Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Network Development. This code is based on, and follows very closely, the Code of Best Practice issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which has had relevance in Wales up until now.

Copies will be sent to those members holding the Branch Planning Files and is available on loan to others.

The Secretary of CPRW�s Wrexham Branch drew our attention to this website saying that she had found it extremely useful during a campaign they were having against a proposed telecommunications mast. Set up in 1999, Planning Sanity aims to help local communities tackle adverse planning and development applications. Topic forums include such subjects as Village Greens, Rights of Way, Human Rights, Compulsory Purchase etc. www.planningsanity.co.uk

According to a recent edition of �Heritage Link�, the European Commission has published a proposal which would allow member states to reduce the rate of VAT on repairs and maintenance to housing. This falls short of the objectives of the �Flat VAT Campaign� as the proposal excludes places of worship, historic buildings and ancient monument. The Commission�s view is that member states have other means (eg. grants and subsidies) to finance work on these buildings.

Whether or not the housing reduction will go through or not is still in the balance as the Commission would want, as quid pro quo, the end of zero rating of various goods, including children�s clothes and shoes. Watch this space!

These are the funds which the EC had in mind � see above. A copy of this Directory, produced by the Architectural Heritage Fund, with the support of English Heritage and Cadw, is held in CPRW�s library. It lists more than 140 sources of funding to help restore historic buildings in England and Wales. Now, however it can also be accessed, free of charge, on the internet. www.ffhb.org.uk

�The best example of rural development in all the countries I have been to � and I have been to nine in Europe � is Wales.�

These were the words of Lord Haskins giving evidence in support of Tir Gofal to the House of Commons� Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee in July.

This year, the Countryside Council for Wales is making payments totalling �18 million to 1,800 Tir Gofal farmers. This will increase to �25 million by the year 2005. The scheme is worth an average �11,000 a year to a farmer.

In July, two delegations of farmers� leaders from Eastern Europe came to Wales to study the scheme. The ten accession states, mostly central and eastern European, agreed to implement agri-environment schemes as part of their rural development plans. They turned to Wales to see what they can learn from Tir Gofal.

At least ten new pieces of legislation will affect most farmers in Wales in the next five years and keeping pace with the new development and knowing where to go for advice can be daunting. In order to help and advise farmers a new website has been established which provides clear regulatory guidance and good practice advice presented in straightforward jargon-free language. The site is free and there is no need to register. www.netregs.gov.uk

Last year a major review of the English National Park Authorities was conducted and so this year, not to be undone, the Welsh Assembly Government undertook its own Review � but not of National Park Authorities but of National Parks. There is a difference � well, at least, there should be.

The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) was keen to incorporate themes such as Sustainable Development and Social Inclusion and whereas these are both laudable concepts, CPRW is unsure about how central they should be in the work of the National Park Authorities whose two purposes are to do with conservation and recreation. Thus WAG wants to consider adding a third purpose incorporating Sustainable Development. CPRW�s concern is that the �sustainable� bit would soon be forgotten.

After extensive internal consultation and with the approval of a sub-panel we submitted a substantive response and our members have been active in all the Parks in the separate sessions. On September 1st a national seminar was held at the Royal Welsh Showground where CPRW had a strong presence.

The final report will be submitted to the Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee in November � we shall see what happens then.

Following meetings with the National Parks, Ordnance Survey have agreed that the Boundaries of the National Maps will be retained on their 1.25,000 scale Explorer maps.

Each year the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust offers opportunities for British men and women to travel overseas (for between four to eight weeks) to undertake study projects related to their trade, profession or particular interest. Thus, they widen their experience, make contacts abroad and bring back knowledge to the benefit of their work and community.

This years Award categories include �The Rural Economy�, �Animal Welfare� and �The Voluntary Sector�. The Trust is keen to receive applications from people working within the Voluntary sector, in any capacity.

There is no age limit and no special qualifications are required. Closing date for completed application forms for travel in 2004 is 22nd October 2003. For further information, send SAE to WCMT, 15 Queen�s Gate Terrace, London SW7 5PR or telephone 0207 7584 9315 or e.mail offie@wcmt.org.uk or visit the website www.wcmt.co.uk

The Millennium Commission and Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) have launched a lottery grant initiative that will enable individuals to identify a community need and then set up a small project which they believe will make a positive impact in their local area.

The Award Scheme offers small lottery grants of around �2,000 to individuals aged 12 or over and the projects run between three and six months. Between two and ten individuals can apply as long as they are not part of a formal or constituted group and have a project that can provide individual objectives as well as an overall group objective.

Examples of projects are a documentation of cultural heritage, the production of a Welsh harp, workshops, gardening groups, healthy eating projects and awareness raising to name a few.

Funding is available until March 2004. For more information contact WCVA on 0870 607 1666 or visit the website www.wcva.org.uk

CCW Council meetings will be held on:

6th October in Aberystwyth

15th December in Bangor

Members of the public are welcome to attend and the meetings are expected to last just over 2 hours. After the close of each meeting and following a short break, the Chairman, Chief Executive and Senior Officers will be available to answer questions on agenda items discussed.

Copies of the agenda are available a week before each scheduled meeting and can be obtained from CCW Head Office on 01248 385629, Fax 01248 385506 e-mail b.roberts@ccw.gov.uk . You can request papers from selected agenda items in advance on the condition that they are kept confidential until the meeting. Please let CCW know if you will be attending in order that they may make the necessary seating arrangements and have an adequate supply of the papers.

The new card for 2003 is �Slatescape � landscape near Llanberis�. The painting, which measures 24� x 36�, is for sale (market value c�2,500) and the artist, David Humphreys, has generously offered to donate half of its sale price to CPRW. The painting was at the CPRW stand at the Royal Welsh Show and now graces one of the office walls in T Gwyn. If you would like to own the painting, send details of any cash offer (of �2,500 or above) to CPRW Head Office by the end of January 2004. The highest bid will succeed.

A CPRW member and his family were recently walking Offa�s Dyke and called in at T Gwyn for a cup of tea. He was so impressed with the painting that he has offered to underwrite the production costs of having a limited edition of 150 lithographic prints made. David Humphreys has kindly agreed to sign each one. They will be on sale for �50 (�40 to CPRW members). An order form is enclosed within the Christmas Card brochure, enclosed with this mailing.

CPRW published a new membership leaflet this year in time for the Royal Welsh Show. A copy of the new leaflet is enclosed with this mailing. If you know of a friend or neighbour who might have an interest in joining CPRW, please pass on the leaflet to them. If you would like further copies � just let us know. We hope that the new leaflet will strengthen CPRW�s voice in the future.

One of the CPRW logo flags has gone walkabouts. It may well be that we have lent it out and failed to collect it. If you find it at the back of the garage or in the barn, please do send it back to us using the FREEPOST facility. Many thanks.

The formula for calculating the dates of Executive Committee meetings is as follows: Meetings of Executive Committee take place on the 2nd Thursdays in February, May and September and the 1st Thursday in November.

Normally, meetings of Council take place on the 2nd Saturday in March, the 4th Saturday in June (same day as the AGM) and the 3rd Saturday in November. Therefore the remaining meeting dates for 2003 are:

At the AGM in June, Michael Griffith CBE DL was formally elected President and John Townsend QPM was elected Honorary Treasurer.

Shirley van der Bijl was re-elected and J.B. Hughes, Ivor Russell, Mary Sinclair Arthur Thomasson and Vic Warren were elected as members of Council. The candidates had agreed that the length of term they would serve could be determined by the drawing of lots and J.B. Hughes, Ivor Russell, Arthur Thomasson and Vic Warren will serve for three year and Shirley van der Bijl and Mary Sinclair two years.

Elections to the Executive Committee take place at the November meeting of Council. The terms of office of Alun John Richards, Robin Simpson and Arthur Thomasson come to an end then but all are eligible to stand for re-election. There will be three 3-year vacancies and one 1-year vacancy.

Nominations, together with the name of proposer and seconder must be received at Head Office by Friday 17th October. Nominees must be voting members of Council, a list of which will be sent on request. Membership of the Executive Committee carries certain responsibilities as members of the Charity�s Trustees. An explanatory leaflet will be sent to anyone considering standing for election.

Would Branch Treasurers please ensure that the words �Registered Charity� appear on all cheques. If the bank or building society cannot do this, send the books to Head Office and we will stamp and return them. This is a legal requirement and these words must appear on any correspondence involving financial matters.

Would Branch Secretaries please send, if they have not already done so, to Head Office a signed copy of their Constitution so that we have copies on file.
Please also ensure that all agendas and minutes are sent to Head Office. This is to enable the charity trustees to consult these at any given time. Many thanks

Would you prefer to receive the Bulletin by e-mail? If so, then please send us a message (if you have not already done so).

CPRW, T Gwyn, 31 High Street, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 7YD 
Tel: 01938 552525/556212 Fax: 01938 871552 
E mail: info@cprw.org.uk     web site: www.cprw.org.uk 
Branch Bulletin Issue 76 September 2003