Councillors present: Mr. G. W. Parker
Mr B.J. Richards
Mr. A.H. Griffiths
Mr. P. R. Nurcombe
Mr. G. Turner
Mr. R. Evans
Mrs. P.A. Watts
Mr. P. Watkins

1. SIGN THE ATTENDANCE BOOK

The Attendance Book was duly signed.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies had been received and accepted from Councillors Standing and Fox.

3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Evans and agreed that the minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a true record.

4. MATTERS ARISING

Traffic Calming and Warning Signs for School
No progress. The Clerk had contacted Dave Harris to ask for an update on the situation but had not had a reply.

The Lease on The Quest
Awaiting new lease.

Recreation Hall Lease
The Clerk had forwarded a copy of the lease and trust deed to One Voice Wales for advice.

Archaeologists Survey of Harold’s Park
Waiting for report from Kate Smith. Councillor Griffiths will chase the progress.

Replacement Caretaker
Mr. Spooner had accepted the position and had commenced his duties on 22nd March. Councillor Griffiths had advised him of the areas to cover. No further comments.

Car Parking at Church Hall/outside School
Councillor Griffiths had asked ARW school if they could leave the bottom gates open for the car park to be used. The school was reluctant to do this as it was not sure who would be liable in the event of an accident occurring in the car park whilst being used by visitors to the Church Hall. The secretary of the Church Hall had told the Clerk that when the school was opened it had been stated that the car park would be made available for visitors to the Church Hall. The Clerk would write to Reverend Harrison asking him to clarify the situation.

Fun Day 2006
The Clerk had received a letter from the Secretary of the Recreation Hall confirming that the request for a plug to be installed inside the lobby had been granted. The cost of this would be invoiced to the Community Council. Mrs Patel from the Spar Shop had made a very generous donation of £51 towards the Fun Day. The Clerk had written to her thanking her for this. Councillor Griffiths would make display boards. He asked if anyone knew where the artefacts that were found when the dig was carried out on the school site. Councillor Watts would look into it and inform the Clerk.

Dog Fouling Signs in Harold’s Park
Councillor Parker would install these at his earliest convenience.

Speed Monitoring Equipment in the Village
PC Brown had visited the Clerk to clarify the areas of concern within the village. The speed monitoring van would be placed on Caldicot Road for an hour at a time and would visit the area over a period of six months. Camera signs would have to be placed on lamp posts advertising the fact that the area was being monitored. No further comments.

Severnside Heritage Trail – Portskewett Phase
The launch would be held on Saturday 29th April at the Portskewett Inn. The Clerk had sent out invitations and advertised the event.

UDP Consultation Document
The Clerk asked for clarification on the consultation process and had received a reply which stated that this particular representation came in at the Deposit stage and was reported in the Deposit Version Report. As the Council at that time (Dec 2003) recommended that there should be no change to the Plan in the light of this representation it would not have been considered again until the inspector considered it at the inquiry. At which time individual objectors would have been contacted to ask if they wished to progress their representation or whether they wished to withdraw it. This particular objector wished to rely on their original representation. This was the information put before the inspector, along with the Council’s response at the Deposit stage. Councillors would like a member of the Planning department to attend a Council meeting to clarify the whole consultation process. Clerk to write to George Ashworth requesting this.

Welsh Water Pumping Station
The work had now been carried out. No further comments.

Designation of Bridleway
The issue of bridleways had been on the Severnside Area Committee agenda and a report had been submitted. Councillor Watkins had attended the meeting and said the response was favourable. The cycle path from Black Rock would be a designated bridleway. MCC would like to extend the bridleway all the way to Magor.

Pavements in Sudbrook
The Clerk had reported to Highways who had issued a works order to repair. The whole area needs to be added to the maintenance programme (along with the footway in Camp Road which is also in a very poor condition.)

Claim Against Council Insurance
The Secretary of the Recreation Hall had contacted the Clerk to ask for clarification on where the claimant had tripped. He said that originally it was reported that she had tripped on the step but it now appeared that she had tripped in the drain.

Closure of the Paper Mill
The Mill had now stopped manufacturing. 11 people had been kept on to clear the site. No further comments.

Cutting of Harold’s Park
The Clerk had received quotes from Neville Bartlett (£87.00 + VAT) and Paul Rymer (£100.00 + VAT). It was agreed to ask Neville to continue to cut the field. Clerk to write. No further comments.

Land Alongside Cemetery
Clerk had received a reply from the Secretary of the Church, advising that the groundsmen had been asked not to put waste over the wall. An assurance was also made that the land would not be required for additional burial space. A further request was made, asking if the Community Council could find additional land for burials. After consulting with the Chairman, the Clerk had informed the Secretary that, apart from the land that the Church had already declined, the Community Council could find no additional land and had done everything possible to help the Church. The Clerk respectfully suggested that the County Council, as the Burial Authority, be approached. Mr Grace of County Farms had informed the Clerk that the land would now be sold to the barn developers who would include it in the garden of the dwelling. No further comments.

5. REPORT FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

PC Turner thanked members of the Council for their get well wishes that he had received while his son had been seriously ill in hospital. Members were pleased to hear that he was now recovering well.

PC Turner went on to give his report of calls during the past month, which included the following:
A pupil at ARW school had arrived for school and then had been absent. The police had been informed and searched the area for the boy. It transpired that the boy’s mother had given him permission to take the day off. The Police had spoken to the mother and asked her to let the school know in future as resources had been wasted looking for him.

A car had been obstructing the main road into Sudbrook. The owner of the vehicle had been spoken to by the Police.

Residents of Station Road had complained to the Police about a trailer containing a vehicle in a very poor state. This had been removed. A vehicle belonging to the same owner was now obstructing the pavement. The Police were dealing with this.

On two separate occasions, numerous youths had been causing a nuisance at the Recreation Hall. The Police had attended and moved them on but they had returned later. PC Turner advised that when he was on duty on Friday or Saturday evenings, he would visit the area several times during his shift. Youths had also been causing a disturbance in Wedgwood Drive and Sudbrook (banging on doors and running away). Children had also been skateboarding in Mitel car park and had damaged a light.

Two false alarms had been attended to on the industrial estate.

A dog walker had reported finding a dead body behind the paper mill, which had turned out to be a dead sheep.

An officer had attended an address in Sudbrook as loud music had been disturbing neighbours.

A mobile phone had been stolen from Castle Gate Business Park and an arrest had been made in connection.

Three boys had been riding a scooter around The Close and were caught by the St. Pierre golf course. They were from the Chepstow area.

A Sudbrook resident had found some white powder on the pavement , which had turned out to be heroin. It was obvious that the powder had been dropped either by a drug user or a dealer.

Police had been called to an address in Arthur’s Court - damage to doors and a fight.

Councillor Watts informed PC Turner that she had seen youths with bottles of alcohol on The Green. Councillor Parker had spoken to youths with bottles of alcohol, who then threw the bottle into his driveway. It appeared that the bottles may have been purchased locally.

6. PRESENTATION OF ACCOUNTS 2005/2006 FOR APPROVAL

The Clerk had distributed the annual accounts report. It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Richards that the accounts be approved. The Chairman and the Clerk, as the Responsible Financial Officer, signed the accounts book, report and Annual Investment Strategy. No further comments.

7. APPROVE PAYMENT OF COST OF INSURANCE

It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Turner that the cost or £528.74 be paid.

8. APPROVE PAYMENT OF DONATION TO COVER COST OF RECREATION HALL INSURANCE

The Secretary of the Recreation Hall Committee had informed the Clerk that two quotes from additional insurance companies had been obtained but they were unable to better the quote given by Allianz Cornhill It was proposed by Councillor Evans and seconded by Councillor Watkins that the cost of £1,257.00 be donated. Due to the difficult financial situation, it was decided that next year’s donation to the Recreation Hall was likely to only cover part of the cost. Councillor Evans would inform the Recreation Hall Committee at the next meeting.

9. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES

a) Governing Body for Ysgol Y Ffin
No meeting had been held. Councillor Nurcombe asked if the Clerk had received a letter from MCC asking who would be the representative. The Clerk had advised that Councillor Nurcombe would continue.

b) Governing Body for ARW Primary School
Nothing to report.

10. REPORT FROM RECREATION HALL REPRESENTATIVE
The next meeting would be held on May 2nd. Councillor Evans would advise members of the committee that the donation for insurance was likely to be less next year. He would also ask if the insurance could be shown on the accounts.

11. DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Councillor Fox was not able to attend the meeting.

12. NEW CORRESPONDENCE

MCC Planning applications received. Circulation

MCC Planning Committee Agenda. Circulation

MCC Cabinet Agenda. Circulation.

MCC County Farms Notification of increase of rental of Harold’s Park to £133.22 per annum. Discussed. As this was an increase in excess of 10%, the figure was thought to be high. The Clerk advised that it was the first increase in five years and the lease stated that the rate would be reviewed every five years.

Ombudsman Wales Changes in service. Circulation.

Gwent Best Kept Village Competition Discussed. The Clerk had returned the application forms and would place advertising posters in the noticeboards.

MCC Severnside Area Committee Agenda and minutes. Circulation.

MCC CEDS grant scheme. Discussed. The Clerk advised members that if a grant was applied for, the Community Council would be expected to contribute a percentage of the total cost of any project undertaken. As the Council’s budget this year was so limited, it was agreed not to apply for any grant.

WAG Fire and Rescue Authorities, Risk Reduction Planning Guidelines. Circulation.

MCC Severnside Area Forum Minutes. Circulation

GAVO The Monmouthshire Network Newsletter. Circulation.

MCC Annual Accounts 2004/2005

Planning Applications Received
None this month.
Planning Applications Approved
None this month.
Planning Applications Refused
None this month.

13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Councillor Griffiths reported that the fence on the Harold’s Park side of the Sudbrook bridge had been broken. Clerk to report to Network Rail.

Thompson and Thompson had placed a van advertising their showroom on the green by Farthing Hill crossroads. Clerk to report to Highways department.

Councillor Turner reported that street lights in Tree tops were faulty. The Clerk asked for the numbers of the column to be able to identify them to Highways.

Councillor Turner asked the Clerk if she had any information on the new environment regulations regarding dog fouling etc. The Clerk had copies of reports which Councillor Turner could inspect.

Councillor Evans reported that the street name sign on Laburnam Terrace was very old and breaking up. Clerk to report.

Councillor Watkins reported that the recently installed street light outside 21 Sea View was burning day and night. Clerk to report.

The railway line fence opposite 30 Sea View was in a very bad state of repair and children were getting onto the line. Clerk to report to Network Rail.

The fence around the field owned by Newport City Council is very dilapidated and needs to be renewed or repaired. Clerk to report.

Councillor Watts asked when the bin at Manor Way would be replaced. The Clerk advised that that bin and the one outside the Post Office in Sudbrook were going to be replaced when MCC had better funds. Clerk to chase the progress of this.

Councillor Watts had been approached by residents in St. Mary’s Place who asked if a post box could be sited there. Clerk to write to Post Office.

Councillor Watts reported that a child had tripped on one of the many ‘blue bands’ that were lying around the area. It was agreed that they were a definite trip hazard but it was difficult to find out where they were coming from.

The footpath that runs alongside SCA Recycling was very untidy, with papers and rubbish. Clerk to request that the area be tidied up.

The ‘Main Road’ street name sign had been removed from its site. Clerk to request a replacement.

Councillor Richards reported that the weeds in Orchard Gardens were becoming a problem. Clerk to report.

Several residents of the village had reported rats in the area. The Clerk stated that she was aware of the problem and MCC (Housing Department) had sent letters out to residents of St. Mary’s Place asking them not to put food out for the birds as this attracted the rats.

14. FINANCE

The Clerk had received a Worksheet from the Caretaker, Mr Spooner for 4 weeks £202.00

The Clerk’s salary and expenses totalled £470.54
Monthly Salary
Office Allowance
Telephone Expenses and Line Rental
Expenses (e.g. stamps, petrol allowance, stationery
£392.55
£43.33
£27.00
£7.66

It was proposed by Councillor Parker and seconded by Councillor Griffiths that the above-mentioned payments as well as the following payments be authorised:

The following cheques were then presented for signature:

15. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and gave the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 16th May 2006 at 7.00 p.m. in the Recreation Hall. The meeting was then declared closed at 8.40 pm.