MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF PORTSKEWETT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
HELD IN ARW SCHOOL TUESDAY 19th FEBRUARY 2008

Mrs Powell from Wedgwood Drive came regarding the amended Barratt plans.  She was concerned that the number of houses had been increased to 42.  Councillor Fox assured her that the Community Council shared her concerns. He advised that the number quoted on the UDP (10) was a guide only. The public meeting would be held on 28th February, with Officers from MCC attending. 

Mr Johns from Treetops informed members that he was concerned that during the last two periods of heavy rain his garage had been flooded by water, surging from a drain.  He had contacted MCC who had advised that the problem would be investigated.  He would like them to put cameras into the drain to see if there was a blockage that was causing this.  The gullies had been cleared but he felt this would not cure it.  He wondered if the traffic calming hump on Crick Road was exacerbating the problem.  Clerk to ask Highways to investigate further before any more heavy rain.

Mr Thompson from The Close reported the footpath in front of Southbrook View was in a poor condition and could be a trip hazard.  He had spoken to Monmouthshire Housing Association who were trying to establish ownership.  Mr Thompson asked if lighting could be placed at the back of the bungalows.  Clerk to ask MHA.  He also reported fly tipping in Southbrook View.  Clerk to report.

The other issues Mr Thompson raised – potholes in Manor Way, broken fencing in Harold’s Park and a play area for the children in the village – were all in hand.

Mrs Bennett from Rogiet attended to ask about the Barratts development.  She was happy with the response given to Mrs Powell.

1.         SIGN THE ATTENDANCE BOOK

            The Attendance Book was duly signed. 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
   
   Apologies had been received and accepted from Councillors Watts and Watkins.
   

3.         MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

 
It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Richard and agreed that the minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a true record with the following amendment:  Apologies should have read Councillor Watts, not Watkins.  The Clerk apologised for the error.

4.         MATTERS ARISING

1. Traffic Calming and Warning Signs for School
    No progress to report.  Clerk to ask diocese for an update.
   
2. The Lease on The Quest
   Awaiting new lease.

c)  Designation of Bridleway
The Clerk had asked Rights of Way Officer for an update.  She replied that the details , of the proposal had been given to Gwyn Teague, the new public rights of way officer in order that this matter can be progressed.  However, there are problems with the paths alignment as the footpath has suffered severe erosion at Black Rock and the path is undermined.  The situation will be monitored, but it is likely that eventually the footpath will have to be closed. The status of the cycleway should now be considered and perhaps it would be better if this was legally designated as the bridleway and not the existing footpath.  This is a matter that Gwyn will investigate and will be in touch with the landowners about.

1. Brow of Hill on Crick Road
   No progress to report.
   
2. Warning Signs at Black Rock
    The signs had been placed on yellow boards and were now more visible.  No further comments.
   
3. Proposed Section 106 Money
    A meeting for interested groups would be held at RCA offices on 21st  February at 6.15 pm.
   
4. Map Case in Sudbrook

             Awaiting the case to be re-sited outside Walker Flats.

1. Interpretation Boards Following Time Team Visit to Harold’s Park
    Councillors had been given the opportunity to look at the précised document.  The Clerk would arrange for a draft design to be drawn up.
   
2. Laburnam Terrace Streetname
   The Clerk had been assured that the sign would be installed in the next few weeks.
    
3. Pavements in Camp Road and Post Office Row
   No progress to report.
   
4. Surface of Manor Way
   No progress to report. 
   
5. Overgrown Trees Belonging to The Mill
    Councillor Watkins would speak to Mark Smith from the mill to request a meeting regarding an update on the future of the site.
   
6.  Additional Land Purchased by Barn Developer
   No progress to report.  The Clerk had asked the County Farms Manager for an update but had not received a response.  Councillor Fox would speak to Mr Grace.
   
7. Planning Application for 40 Dwellings on Sudbrook Road
   A second revised plan had been submitted.  The number of houses had been increased to 42.  Barratts would be holding an exhibition in ARW school on 23rd February where members of the public were welcome to view and discuss the plans with the developer.  A public meeting would be held on 28th February with Officers from Planning and Highways dept invited.
   
8. Planning Application to Infill Railway Cutting on Black Rock Road
   The application was refused at Planning Committee. No further comments.
    
9. Dog Fouling Signs in Harold’s Park
   Awaiting installation.
   
10. Warning Hump Sign on Crick Road
    Light had been reported to One Stop Shop.
    
11. Broken Fence by Sudbrook Bridge
    The fence had been cut through with wire cutters. Clerk reported to Network Rail.
    
12. Potholes on Crick Road
    Clerk had reported to Highways.  The road is due to be resurfaced in March but budget and workload may shift it to the spring.
    
13. No Access Plate on Weight Limit Sign
    Clerk had reported to Highways.
    
14. Flooding in Harold’s Park
    Clerk reported to Land Drainage Officer.  The flooding had abated.  No further comments.
    
15. Surface of Road Through Sudbrook
    Clerk had reported to Highways.  The road had been assessed and prioritised for resurfacing.  It was hoped that work would be carried out during the summer.  However, this road requires significant attention to safety and traffic management.
    
16. Skips in Sudbrook
    Clerk had written to RB Skips requesting they remove the skips.
    
17. Coastal Path from Black Rock
    The Clerk had asked the Coastal Access Officer if a footbridge would be installed over the inlet at Mathern.  She had responded that In the 'grand vision' there would be a bridge across St Pierre Pill and she has asked an engineer for a quote. However, in the short term,
    the path along the sea wall from Slade Warren in Chepstow to St Pierre
    Pill is not a Right of Way and ownership needs to be established.  Currently the official path to the coast is to the west of the inlet coming via Matthern, inland.  No further comments.
    
18. Potholes at Top End of Laburnam Terrace
    Clerk had reported to Highways, MCC.  The potholes on the highway would be filled.  The unadopted part of the lane is the responsibility of the residents and ideally they would completely resurface the private road.  If the potholes were just filled, the vehicles that use the lane tend to chip out the filling and often this leaves larger holes.  No further comments.
    
19. Broken Stile on Coast Path
    Clerk reported to Coastal Access Officer and Rights of Way. 
    
20. State of Old School
    Clerk had contacted the owner who had advised her that, due to a problem with the builder, his solicitor had instructed that he should not enter the premises apart from reasons of making the building safe.  No further comments.
    

1. REPORT FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES
   
   No representative in attendance.
   
2. POTENTIAL FUTURE USE OF SHIPYARD SITE SUDBROOK
   
   Mr Peter Ashmead had informed the Clerk that he was unable to attend due to other commitments but would welcome the opportunity to speak to members.  Clerk to arrange a meeting.
    
   
3. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES
   
   
   a)      Governing Body for Ysgol Y Ffin
            No recent meeting.
   
   b)      Governing Body for ARW Primary School
            Nothing to report.
           

REPORT FROM REPRESENTATIVE ON OTHER COMMITTEES
 
a)         Area Forum
            Councillor Watts had given her apologies.
The Clerk reported that under the Heritage Trail Update in the minutes dated 8th January 2008, item 5.2, the following had been minuted….’ They have adopted a slightly different format compared with Sudbrook, using a larger leaflet with more professional maps and photographs.’  This seemed to imply that the walk leaflets produced by this Community Council were inferior to the proposed new ones.  The Clerk reported that the format for the Portskewett and Sudbrook leaflets had been agreed at the Area Forum  Minutes dated 8th February 2006 ‘…A new colour and font has been agreed for the second leaflet’  and, minutes dated 22nd March 2006 ‘(the leaflet) had been very well received and highly praised’  Clerk to write to Area Forum.

1. 
   
   b)      Portskewett and Sudbrook Youth Club
            Councillor Watts was no longer on the committee.  Councillor Griffiths had been asked         by a member of the Committee if the school in Sudbrook could be used as a youth club.        It was not possible as MCC would sell the building when Ysgol-Y-Ffin moved in the      summer.
   
   c)      New Play Area Committee
            Nothing to report.
   
   d)      Magor Flood Group
            Nothing to report.
   

9.         DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Councillor Fox had nothing significant to report.


10.       NEW CORRESPONDENCE

1. MCC Planning Committee Agenda.  Circulation
   
2. MCC Area Forum Minutes.  Circulation.
   
3. MCC  Compost Bin Give Away.  Limited number of free compost bins available.  This offer is aimed at residents who do not currently have a weekly green waste collection or black box collection.
   
4. SEWTA  Annual report can be accessed on www.sewta.gov.uk
   
5. MCC  Outdoor Recreation and Public Open Space Survey. Discussed.  Evaluation of quantity, quality and accessibility of open space and recreational land within the area.
   
6. MCC Traffic and Network Management Section Changes within Highways and Waste Division.  Discussed.  Any reports on traffic safety issues could be reported on the same highways proforma currently used for reporting highways issues.
   
7. MCC  Mor Hafren Area Committee Agenda and minutes. Circulation.
   
8. MCC   Local Development Plan to cover period to 2021.  Invitation to developers, landowners etc., submit candidate sites.  Discussed.
   
9. MCC  Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan.  Circulation
   
10. MCC  Monmouthshire Schools Music Showcase.  Discussed/circulation
    
11. Recreation Hall Committee  Letter requesting explanation why the Community Council will not be paying for cutting of grass in play area.  Discussed.  This area, along with other sites had previously been cut free of charge.  MCC was requiring payment for this service from April.  This decision had been deferred at Cabinet for a year.
    
12. WAG  Member Code of Conduct.  Amendment.  All Councillors would be required to give a fresh undertaking to observe the Code of Conduct by 1 May 2008.
    
13. MCC  Request for financial assistance towards summer play activities.  Discussed. It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Parker that £100 be donated.
    
14. MCC  Monmouthshire’s Intergenerational Awards.  Discussed.  Groups and organisations that have made contributions towards developing and understanding the co-operation across generations. Nominations required by 10th March  Applications can be downloaded at www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/intergenerational  or telephone 01633 644641 for a nomination form.
    

Planning Applications Received
 00125  Erection of 2 story extension and demolition of existing.  30 Main Road Portskewett.  Approve.
01688  Realignment of plots 1&2 Development at Main Road. No objections to re-alignment but concerns raised regarding the significant amount of render.  The original plans were approved with the condition that the buildings were stone faced.
00042  Erection of new detached house.  Land adjacent to 18 Black Rock Road.  Refuse.  Insufficient capacity in current septic tank and no room to put a new larger one in.  Also poor access as so close to hump back bridge.
01678 Development (42 Dwellings) Sudbrook Road. (2nd Amendment)  This would be discussed at the public meeting on 28th February.
 
Planning Applications Approved
01174  Aust Farm  Extension to include kitchen and en-suite.
01292  3 Castle Way, Severnbridge Ind Est.  Change of use from storage to vehicle repairs

Planning Applications Refused
01226  Infill of Railway Cutting.  Black Rock Cottage

11.    ANY OTHER BUSINESS
 

1. Councillor Turner reported the traffic calming hump on Crick Road was in an appalling state of repair.  The surface of the road between the village and Treetops was in a poor state.  Clerk to report to Highways.
   
2. Woodstock Waste were leaving their skips on the pavements outside of their property.  Clerk to report to One Stop Shop.
   
3. Councillor Fox reported a large amount of rubbish had been left by the electricity station at the end of Sudbrook Village.  Clerk to ask Western Power Distribution to removed.
   
4. Footpath on Sudbrook Road from Southbrook Farm to Sudbrook village is in a poor state of repair.  Clerk to report to Highways.
   
5. Significant number of potholes at the top end of Middle Lane Leechpool.  Clerk to report to  Highways.
   
6. Councillor Standing suggested the Community Council officially respond to the Post Office who intend to close Sudbrook Post Office.
   
7.  Councillor Griffiths reported that people were putting posters around the village, advertising events.  These were not being removed after the event.  Clerk to put a notice on the website.
   

12.       FINANCE

The Clerk had received a Worksheet from the Caretaker, Mr Spooner for 5 weeks plus 6 hours overtime £309.12

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

           


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 18th March 2008 at ARW School Portskewett. The meeting was then declared closed at 9.05 pm.