Councillors present: Mr. I.H. Standing
Mr B.J. Richards
Mr. A.H. Griffiths
Mr. P. R. Nurcombe
Mr. G. Turner
Mr. P.A. Fox
Mr. P. Watkins

Mr Prosser of The Homestead, Leechpool reported that he had been disappointed with the service he had received from the Planning Department at MCC. His neighbour, of Bramble Lodge, had submitted plans and Mr Prosser had not received notification as he should have done as part of the planning consultation process. The Community Council had received the plans and had no objection to the development and had commented that Mr. Prosser had not been aware of the application. Councillor Fox said he would discuss Mr. Prosser’s concerns with the Planning Officer concerned.

1. SIGN THE ATTENDANCE BOOK

The Attendance Book was duly signed.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies had been received and accepted from Councillors Parker , Evans and Watts

3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Richards 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 Old Smithy
Works were progressing on the development. An appeal had been lodged against the refusal of the planning application for 2 new semi detached houses.

The Lease on The Quest
The 95% rental grant had been approved and the annual cost of the rental would now be £25 for the next three years when it would be reviewed again. Councillor Fox had been advised that the grant was likely to be approved again at that time.

Transfer of Recreation Hall Lease
The Clerk had received a letter from the Legal section at MCC asking for confirmation that a new lease is required and whether the Community Council would be willing to continue as Custodian Trustees. Clerk to write confirming the lease is required subject to the 95% rental grant being approved. It was still not clear who should be applying for the grant. As the Recreation Hall Committee keep the accounts the form had been given to the Secretary . Clerk to ask Jonathan Davies who’s responsibility it is to apply for the grant.

Stowball Common
Councillor Griffiths would check if the path had been cut.

Use of Land Owned by St. Regis for Overflow Car Park
The Clerk had received an email from Steve Baldwin quoting the approximate costs which amounted to £64k or £65k for the creation of around 50 parking spaces, which takes up much of the dedicated land and consists of a traditional tarmac paved or grasscrete/gravel type paved car park. The cost does not include CCTV (approximately £15k) or design and supervision (approximately £8.5k). Members debated the best way forward and it was agreed that Councillor Watkins would speak to Mr. Plummer to ask if a quote could be obtained for flattening the area for cars to park on. It was thought that would not be possible as a drainage pipe runs under the area. It was likely that the project would prove to be financially unviable.

Re-seeding Piece of Land on The Green
The area will be re-seeded when gang are next in the area. No further comments.

Investigate Cutting of Footpaths
The booklet will be placed in the circulation file again. When the new caretaker is appointed he could be asked if he/she would cut the paths.

Field Behind The Close
Awaiting cost of lease.

Dip in Road by Traffic Lights
Clerk had reported to MCC.

Broken Perspex in Map by Sudbrook Play Area
The new Perspex had been delivered to the Clerk’s address. Councillor Watkins will collect it and hopefully repair the map case in the near future.

Trees at Back of Post Office Row
Clerk had spoken to Mr Henderson who said the possibility of felling the trees completely in this area was being investigated. The conifers at the front of the Mill had been lopped.

20 MPH Sign in Sudbrook
Action had been agreed by Highways dept.

Archaeologists Survey of Harold’s Park
This will be carried out in the near future.

No Through Road Sign on Old Row
Highwyays have agreed to place a sign here. No further comments.

Storage Containers at Packsafe
Clerk had reported to Planning department who will investigate any breach in planning.

Grit Container at Top of Village
Highways department had agreed to replace the container. No further comments.

Hedge on 2 Main Road
Clerk had written to the occupiers asking for the hedge to be cut back. Councillor Griffiths will check if it had been done.

Replacement Caretaker
The Clerk had placed posters in the noticeboards advertising the post. The minimum wage of £5.05 per hour would be paid. As the minimum wage had been increased to £5.05 per hour on October 1st, an amount of £4.75 back pay would be added to Mr. Jones’ salary this month. One letter of interest had been received. Clerk to write asking for details of experience etc.

Council Christmas Meal
A buffet would be held in the Portskewett Inn on 30th December. No further comments.

Christmas Tree Lights.
Councillor Griffiths had purchased LED lights at a cost of £127.75 and would be put on the trees this week. No further comments.

Streetlight NY131
Clerk had reported again.

Newsletter
This would be placed on the agenda in January.

Car Parking at Church Hall
A notice advising users of the hall that they can park in the school will be placed in the Church Hall. No further comments.

St. Regis Sign at Churchyard Corner
The sign was now in the correct position. No further comments.

5. REPORT FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

PC Turner reported that following the recent break in at the Recreation Hall, where items had been stolen and £1,000 worth of damage caused, 2 individuals from Caerphilly had been arrested and had admitted the crime. He had advised the Secretary of the Hall to put notices on windows and doors stating that there were no valuables or monies kept in the hall overnight. It was hoped that this would deter burglars.

He went on to say that crime in the area overall had fallen, except in Portskewett where it had risen. There had been two thefts of fishing tackle in the area, although it was thought that in one incident the garage door had been left unlocked.
A scooter had been taken from Scootex on the inustrial estate but had been connected with an argument about a bill. Scootex had also had property stolen, which was thought to have been taken by a day contractor who had not been back to work since.
Two off road vehicles had been seen driving around Sudbrook. PC Turner asked to be informed if any of these vehicles were seen in the area.
A pressure washer had been hired from Alpha Hire, under a false name and address and had not been returned.
A car had been stopped and searched on the industrial estate. Two males from Caldicot had been smoking cannabis inside. The industrial estate is possibly being used as a drop off point for drugs.
A male had been found collapsed by the school in Portskewett. The Social Services had been informed as the man was a known alcoholic. The Police would like to be informed if he is seen, under the influence of acohol, in the area.
A Land Rover Discovery had been stolen and recovered in Newport.
A quad bike had been seen speeding around the village. The Police would like to know the addresses of the offenders.

PC Turner advised members of the ‘Message in a Bottle’ scheme that had been introduced by the Lions Club. The Neighbourhood Team have agreed to deliver the bottles and notices to vulnerable or elderly people in the area. Names of any suitable recipients could be given to the Neighbourhood Team, based at Magor Police Station, on 01633 880308.
Councillor Watkins asked PC Turner if there was any way of detecting who had created a (criminal) website. PC Turner advised that it is quite difficult to get authority to do this and the crime had to be considered serious. (Child abuse, paedophilia, tax evasion etc.)

6. COUNCIL BUDGET FOR APPROVAL

Standing Orders were suspended to enable further discussion, as Councillor Fox, who had not been able to attend November’s meeting wished to comment on the budget.

The budget the Clerk had prepared showed more expenditure than income, despite raising the precept. Monies were set aside for various community projects. It was agreed that to enable the budget to balance a line would be inserted in the document to show money transferred from the Deposit account into the Current account. It was then proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Standing that the budget be approved.

7. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES

a) Governing Body for Ysgol Y Ffin
Councillor Nurcombe reported that he had just attended the Christmas concert which had been excellent. He went on to say that the school is going from strength to strength, with 63 pupils attending at present. Larger premises would be needed in the next few years.


b) Governing Body for ARW Primary School
Councillor Griffiths reported that the school had received an excellent report from the Inspector. The recent Christmas concert was excellent. The introduction of TLR was likely to be an issue as some teachers could lose out financially. A meeting between staff and governors would be held. Councillor Standing had attended an Emergency Planning meeting recently an a model document produced.

8. REPORT FROM RECREATION HALL REPRESENTATIVE

Councillor Evans had sent his apologies but had asked the Clerk if the Community Council would be making a donation towards the insurance next year. After a short discussion it was agreed that a donation would be made but that the Committee would be asked to obtain three quotes. The cost of the insurance had been £826 in 2001 and had increased to £1,144 in 2005.

9. DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Councillor Fox had nothing to report.

10. NEW CORRESPONDENCE

MCC Planning applications received. Circulation

MCC Planning Committee Agenda. Circulation

MCC Cabinet Agenda. Circulation.

MCC Severnside Area Committee Agenda and Minutes. Circulation.

MCC Severnside Area Forum Agenda and Minutes. Circulation.

Society of Local Council Clerks Training for Councillors and Clerks. Discussed.

MCC Monmouthshire’s Strategy for Older People. Circulation.

WAG Three Year Revenue Report. Circulation.

Monmouthshire Health Alliance Alcohol Conference Report. Circulation.

Monmouthshire Crossroads Annual Report and request for donation. Discussed. It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Standing that £50.00 be donated.

Community Safety Action Team (CSAT) Minutes of meeting. Circulation.

MCC Connecting the Spheres Update. Partnership Charter (draft). Discussed/circulation for comments.

MCC Corporate Customer Feedback Policy. Circulation.

MCC County Farms News. Circulation.

Wales Audit Office Study into Countryside Access. Meeting to be held at County Hall on Tuesday 17th January at 2pm. Discussed.

CADW Visit to Harold’s Park. Discussed. The Field Warden asked if the Council have any issues they would like to discuss concerning the site or the rental agreement. No issues were raised, Clerk to advise the Field Warden to go ahead with the visit.

Portskewett Recreation Hall Committee Minutes of meetings. Circulation.

Planning Applications Received
M12275 Rear/side extension to be built off existing lean to. 29, Main Road, Portskewett. No objections.
M12280 Single storey side extension. Bramble Lodge, Leechpool. No objections.
M10745 2 new semi detached houses (APPEAL) The Old Smithy. No further objections, MCC would take into account the Community Council’s original concerns.
M12322 Single storey lean to extension to rear and two storey front ext. 18, Hill Barn View. No objections.
M12358 Double garage and utility room. 7, Arthurs Court, Portskewett. No objections.

Planning Applications Approved
M11915 Approval of reserved matters for DIY retail warehouse. Land off Lodge Way
M12213 2nd storey extension to side of property. 42, Leechpoool
M12183 Hay and implement shed. Cropthorne Farm, Portskewett

Planning Applications Refused
None this month.

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Councillor Griffiths asked if a real Christmas tree could be purchased and planted in situ where the tree is placed each year. It was agreed that this was a good idea.

Councillor Nurcombe reported that streetlight NY108 (Laburnam Terrace footpath) was not working. Clerk to report.

Councillor Richards thanked members for the flowers that had been sent to his wife recently. The Chairman asked Councillor Richards to pass on all member’s very best wishes to Mrs Richards.

12. FINANCE

the Clerk had received the Worksheet from the Caretaker, Mr Jones, detailing the number of weeks, overtime worked and expenses totalling £263.28

The Clerk’s salary and expenses totalled £496.41
Monthly Salary
Office Allowance
Telephone Expenses and Line Rental
Expenses (e.g. stamps, petrol allowance, stationery
£398.16
£43.33
£27.00
£27.92

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

MCC, close cutting of ‘the bowl’, Harold’s Park, £213.85. Good Companions, donation, £50.00. Mr L. Collins, hosting of website (6 months) £90.00. Mrs R Collins, reimbursement cost of Perspex for map case in Sudbrook, £69.82, Portskewett Recreation Hall, 4 months hire of hall, £28.00, Monmouthshire Crossroads, donation of £50.00.

The following cheques were then presented for signature:

13. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and gave the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 17th January 2006 at 7.00 p.m. in the Recreation Hall. The meeting was then declared closed at 9.15pm.