Area Secretary: Alan Rugman, Perth y Bu House, Mochdre, Newtown SY16 4JX
T: 01686 626366 M: 07732 787651 E: secpowysramblers@gmail.com
MINUTES OF ZOOM AREA COUNCIL: THURSDAY 2 OCTOBER 2025

Attendance
Alan Austin (Chair), Alan Rugman, Richard Tyler, Geoff Beilby, Susan Havard, David Rees

Apologies
Graham Taylor, Emlyn and Shirley Williams

Tribute to Chris Playford
Chris, who had recently died, had been a member of the Area Council for over 15 years and played a leading role in Ramblers’ work in south Powys. All joined in thanking Chris for his contribution to Ramblers; he was a great loss. Chris had been wise, amiable, tenacious and authoritative. 

Minutes of the meeting on 13 May 2025
The minutes were approved subject to amendment at 11/25 of the number of volunteers recorded by PCC from 239 to 229.

Matters arising
18/25 AA thanked DR for arranging the Zoom link. Ramblers Cymru would continue to use Zoom for at least another year.

Ramblers GB Governance Review
19/25 The latest consultation paper had just been issued, with a significant change in relation to Areas and Groups: existing arrangements would remain pending review in 2026.  It was agreed that replacement of Areas by ‘Hubs’ would have been a retrograde step. Properly structured Areas were vital: for example, dealing with local authorities and campaigning. An EGM to consider the wide-ranging proposals, which include one-person-one vote for Board members, would be held on 6 December 2025. 

20/25 In responding to the consultation by 12 October, it was agreed to generally support the proposals but with reservations about doing away with motions. Members should have opportunities to express views about matters including policy.

Powys CC’s proposed Countryside Volunteering Programme
21/25 PCC countryside staff had held several consultative meetings across the County, some of which had been attended by AC members. The general view was that the scheme was intended to show that volunteers were being used more effectively but would probably fail. The key post of Volunteer Programme Organiser to cover each locality was unlikely to be attractive. People volunteered to do practical work but not administration, which should be the task of PCC staff. The claimed 229 active volunteers was also doubted, and it was noted that no community councils appeared to have attended the meetings. These views would be put to PCC at a forthcoming meeting.

Lost Ways in Powys: research by Chris Smith
22/25 Extensive archival research of lost ways in the former Radnorshire had been carried out by a Ramblers volunteer in Sussex. The large number of routes had been reduced by Powys Ramblers to less than 50: those where a DMMO would bring significant improvement to the walking network. Landowners had to be notified of an application, requiring Land Registry information at £7 per request. As land ownership along each route was often scattered, the total cost including other expenses was uncertain. Ramblers GB had however agreed that £1,925 could be included in the Area’s 2025/26 budget request.

Footpath Secretary’s report
23/25 Key points from GT’s written report:

o	Following lobbying of Councillors, PCC would resume sending planning applications affecting public rights of way. Volunteers were needed to respond to those in the north and south of Powys.
o	The final version of the Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme had at last included cross-compliance with landowners’ responsibilities for footpath maintenance. A separate part of the Scheme could cover path improvement. This was all good news.
o	New National Park in NE Wales: final consultations were being carried out, with a smaller part of Powys now included. A Powys Ramblers response could be made.
o	PCC had introduced a new system for reporting problems with rights of way.
o	Proposed DMMO at Fold Farm, Presteigne: PCC had now agreed to make an Order but the landowner had objected, probably leading to further delay.
o	Monk’s Trod: PCC’s intentions were still unclear but a stakeholder meeting would be held, chaired by an external facilitator.
o	Damaged stiles at Llanyre: The OSS has issued S130 notices and a PCC response was awaited.
o	Tourism tax: PCC may consult on introducing a tax in Powys but it seemed the Council’s attitude may be negative. The potential for a tax to provide more resources for path improvement should be considered in any response. [There is a lengthy article on this matter in the current issue of Walk magazine.]

Trails Officer’s report
24/25 The Cambrian Way guidebook is being reprinted but with no changes to the route. The lovely Doethie valley had been cleared of bracken. AA encouraged membership of the Cambrian Mountains Society. Research had shown that only 8.7% of Offa’s Dyke itself was in good condition. Funds for remedial work had been obtained from various sources.

Treasurer’s report
25/25 The year-end closing balance at 30 September 2025 was £2,393.57. Given reserves, no additional funding for the Groups in 2025/26 had been requested. However, see 22/25 above in relation to funding of Lost Ways work via the Area budget. SH had also attended the inaugural meeting of the new Area Treasurer Sounding Board.

2025 AGM: date and venue
26/25 The AGM would be held on 30 November 2025 at the Elan Valley visitor centre, followed by an afternoon walk.

Any other business
27/25 DR reported a successful meeting between Ramblers Cymru and rights of way officers across Wales; half of local authorities had been represented. Subjects included the Sustainable Farming Scheme, the Carmarthen project and disability access. The meeting might be held annually. Another project in north Wales, covering Wrexham, Rhyl and Holyhead, was aimed at increasing walking by women and girls.

28/25 The 2026 Ramblers Cymru AGM would be held on 21/22 March at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod.

Date of next meeting

The Area Council will next meet on Thursday 5 February on Zoom.