Row over plans for outdoor stage in Knighton, as town council accused of 'handing back' £83,000 grant

A row has broken out in Knighton over plans to create an outdoor stage, which has been awarded £83,000 of funding.

Some councillors accused others of 'handing back' the grant to Powys County Council and Councillor Tom Taylor left the August town council meeting saying he was resigning, after a motion for a community asset transfer (CAT) for the stage in Pinner's Hole was rejected.

But some councillors including the Mayor Councillor Tina Sharp said there were lots of practical details to be sorted out and the town council could not agree to the CAT, as it could become a mill stone around the council's neck, leading to a need for increased council taxes.

Since then a petition has been held to gather support for the stage.

At the heated Knighton Town Council meeting Councillor Taylor said he had met Powys County Council's Recreation and Outdoor Facilities officer Steve Gealy twice and he advised a CAT for the land which would take four months to go through the county council.

Councillor Taylor and Councillor Bob Andrews proposed the CAT or a long term lease of the 10m by 10m area of land in Pinner's Hole so the construction of the stage could proceed.

Councillors asked various questions including how long the lease would be, Councillor Taylor said approximately 25 years with a peppercorn rent, Councillor Mark Coxill asked if there a management committee set up to run the stage and if the town council would be responsible for the long term maintenance.

Councillor Taylor said there would be paid and unpaid events. The electric would incur a £250/300 standing charge per year and the paid -or hiring would cover that cost.

Councillor Neil King asked who will be charging invoices etc and Councillor Taylor said a management committee needs to be put in place once work has started.

Councillor Ben Butler said it will provide a resource for the town.

The CAT was proposed with four members voting in favour of it, four against, and three members abstained. Knighton Mayor Councillor Sharp had the casting vote and the motion failed.

Councillor Taylor then verbally tendered his resignation and left the meeting.

Knighton County Councillor Corinna Kenyon-Wade said the town council has just handed back a 83,000 grant and she asked if they are considering investing in a new town plan

Councillor Taylor said: “Knighton Town Council's August meeting was, in my view, a total disgrace.”

He said he and Councillor Corinna Kenyon-Wade had delivered over 1,200 questionnaires to Knighton households asking what they wanted in town before sorting through the responses.

He said an expert Richard Gabb, was employed to to produce an independent report, which was presented to Knighton Town Council and approved by the town council as a town plan. As a result grant funding was secured for improvements for shop frontages and bus services.

Councillor Taylor said: “Next amongst the wishes of the townsfolk was a desire to make use of the natural amphitheatre in Pinner's Hole for outdoor performances.

“This project was/is in the town plan and was chosen for Pride in Place Place Funding and £83,000 awarded for its completion by February 2027.

“The project was adjudged to be a significant economic benefit to the town's businesses as well as benefits to the well being and enjoyment of townsfolk.

“A wide range of community groups were supportive including two local choirs, the silver band, promoters of rock and folk bands, two organisers of outdoor plays and Young Farmers Clubs. The stage could also be used by other groups/clubs for activities such as yoga, pilates, etc.

“Knighton Town Council was in favour of it and voted to put £6,000 for it in the precept for this year. The town council also voted in favour of accepting the £83,000 funding to allow the scheme to go ahead, but at the August meeting the Mayor, Councillor Tina Sharp, and her deputy, Councillor Christine Branford, decided to scupper the whole plan and throw away £83,000 of investment in our town.

“They were actively aided and abetted by newly co-opted members Diana King and Neil King. They were also passively aided and abetted by Councillors Sally Vaughan, Mark Coxill, and Chris Bevan who sat on the fence and abstained in the vote to apply for a Community Asset Transfer.

“The Mayor used her casting vote to defeat the motion, and in doing so scupper the whole scheme.

“I was so appalled by this vandalism that I declared I was resigning from Knighton Town Council and left the chamber in disgust.”

Councillor Sharp said while the council rejected the Community Asset Transfer part of the motion, it was not able to discuss the second part, the long term lease for the land, because Councillor Taylor, who had seconded the motion left the meeting and said he was resigning, so it could not go ahead.

She said the motion for a long term lease for the Pinner's Hole land will be on the September agenda for the council to discuss.

Councillor Taylor said; “Though that reduces the time to construct the stage, it does not stop us from designing and procuring materials so that construction can be completed on time.”