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

Mr Prosser of Leechpool asked if the Community Council could write to the County Council requesting that any correspondence includes his name and not just ‘The Occupier’. Clerk will send a letter to the Chief Executive. He also asked if the bollards by Mitel could be made more visible. Rubbish had been dumped on Gypsy Lane. Clerk to report.

Mr Edwards reported the lights in Sunnycroft were still not burning at the correct times. A Health and Hygiene inspection had been carried out on the Recreation Hall and had passed. Mr. Edwards also asked about the progress of the Community Council leasing the field at the back of The Close and if the football club would be able to use it. He also reported on the insurance for the Recreation Hall as detailed in item 7.

The Chairman reported the sad death of Mrs Irene Davies who had served on the Community Council from 1970 until 1983. A minute’s silence was observed in her memory.

1. SIGN THE ATTENDANCE BOOK

The Attendance Book was duly signed.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

The Clerk had received no apologies.

3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Standing 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 progressing.

The Lease on The Quest
Awaiting new lease.

Transfer of Recreation Hall Lease
The Clerk had received clarification from Jonathan Davies that it is the Recreation Hall Committee’s responsibility to apply for the grant, which they had done. The Clerk had also informed him that a new lease would be required and that the Community Council would remain as Custodian Trustees. The Clerk had also received a letter from MCC solicitor informing her that since the granting of the original lease in 1975, changes in the Land Registration Act now require new leases to be in a set pro forma to enable them to be registered. As a result, the Trust Deed will have to be a separate document. The solicitor is drawing up a new lease and will forward a draft for approval as soon as possible. He will also provide a new Trust Deed should one be required. If this is required he would need confirmation whether or not there are to be any changes to be made to the new Trust Deed.

Stowball Common
The path had been cleared by Mr. Bartlett. No further comments.

Use of Land Owned by St. Regis for Overflow Car Park
Councillor Watkins will speak to Mr. Plummer to ask if the Mill has contractors who could give a quote. He will also ask a local contractor for the same. Transco would need to be informed before any works began as a gas pipe runs under the area.

Investigate Cutting of Footpaths
Will be discussed with new caretaker when appointed. No further comments.

Field Behind The Close
Awaiting cost of lease. Jonathan Davies of Asset Management is progressing this.

Dip in Road by Traffic Lights
Clerk had reported the whole area of road approaching and including the bridge. Highways department are aware of the state of the road and have included it in the 3 year maintenance plan. They would continue to fill potholes until then. No further comments.

Broken Perspex in Map by Sudbrook Play Area
Councillor Watkins will replace it at his earliest convenience.

Trees at Back of Post Office Row
Clerk had written to Mike Henderson again asking for an update.

20 MPH Sign in Sudbrook
Action had been agreed by Highways dept. No further comments.

Archaeologists Survey of Harold’s Park
The initial survey had identified a large Iron Age settlement. An informal meeting with the archaeologists had been held in the Portskewett Inn on 13th January for Councillors to be briefed on the progress to date. Kate Smith will collate all the information and report to Council by the end of February. A public meeting will then be held to inform residents of the findings. Clerk will investigate funding for a possible dig of the site.
Councillor Nurcombe stated that the meeting had been neither a public nor a council meeting. The issue of meetings being held in the public house was discussed and no-one had any objections to this. Councillor Watts, although not objecting, asked the Clerk to check with One Voice Wales if it was legal to do so.

Storage Containers at Packsafe
Planning Department had investigated and will inform Packsafe that the storage containers must be removed as they do not have planning permission for this.

Hedge on 2 Main Road
The hedge had been cut. No further comments.

Replacement Caretaker
The Clerk had received another expression of interest from a resident of the village. Clerk to advertise the position with JobCentrePlus. A selection committee would be formed to interview the applicants, which would be made up of Councillors Parker, Standing and Watts.

Streetlight NY131
The light had been attended to. No further comments.

Car Parking at Church Hall
Clerk to ask Mrs Cullimore to advise people who use the hall to use the car park and not park on the road.
NY108
Clerk reported again.

5. REPORT FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

P.C. Tony Bentham attended the meeting as PC Turner had sent his apologies. The new inspector Jeff Smith would also be attending a future meeting. PC Bentham reported that there had been 40 calls in the area in the last month, which included the following: A vehicle had been stolen from Parkwall and abandoned on the A48. A vehicle from the Basaleg area of Newport had been abandoned on the industrial estate. A 2 vehicle accident had occurred on the Crick Road. A window on a house in Sea View had been damaged, possibly with an air gun. An arrest had been made in the Mitel car park involving drugs. A shed and garage on Main Road had been broken into. 200 gallons of diesel had been stolen from the industrial estate. A handbag in a vehicle had been stolen, PC Bentham warned against leaving items on show in cars. There had been an increase of reports of mini motorbikes/scooters etc. Any information regarding these should be reported to the police. Cheap tools are being sold from vans. Any information on this - registration numbers etc. the police should be informed. Bogus street cleaners had been in the area. Councillor Standing asked PC Bentham if he was aware of any notices regarding bogus charity collections and passed one to the Clerk for her to place in the noticeboards. He also asked if there was anything more the Police could do regarding the speeding through the village. PC Bentham advised writing again to the Traffic Management Department and the County Council requesting at least the speed control vans to visit the area. Councillor Griffiths asked if the Community Council could have something in writing detailing the laws regarding mini motorbikes/scooters etc.

The Chairman thanked PC Bentham for attending the meeting.

6. NEWSLETTER

Councillor Turner stated that a village newsletter would raise awareness of the Community Council and the duties they perform. The website could be advertised and information regarding illegal use of scooters, general crime in the area etc. Councillors Turner, Richards and Standing would form a sub committee.

7. RECREATION HALL INSURANCE

Mr. Edwards had informed members that 3 quotes were being obtained but if another company was used before 2007 it was possible that 5% per year would have to be repaid to the existing company.

8. FENCING OF THE QUEST ETC.

Deferred until February.

9. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES

a) Governing Body for Ysgol Y Ffin
Councillor Nurcombe reported that there had not been a meeting recently. Following the recent consultation document regarding the resizing of schools in the Caldicot area it was probable that Ysgol Y Ffin would be moved to the Sandy Lane Infants site. Children from the village would be eligible for free transport. The Community Council would need to start thinking about an alternative use for the present site when the school moves.


b) Governing Body for ARW Primary School
Councillor Standing had attended the meeting regarding the resizing of schools. TLR was still ongoing.

10. REPORT FROM RECREATION HALL REPRESENTATIVE

Councillor Evans had nothing more to report.

11. DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Councillor Fox was not at the meeting.

12. NEW CORRESPONDENCE

MCC Planning applications received. Circulation

MCC Planning Committee Agenda. Circulation

MCC Cabinet Agenda. Circulation.

MCC Register of Electors. The Clerk distributed a copy of relevant wards to each Councillor.

MCC Draft School Organisation Plan. Circulation.

Crossroads. Thank you letter for donation. Circulation.

Good Companions Club. Thank you letter for donation. Circulation.

MCC Making the Connections. Enquiry whether Community Council would be able to take on services currently operated by County Council. (Which would be funded through the precept not through grants from MCC). Discussed. The Community Council would not take on any services.

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

MCC Notes from meeting of Town, Community and County Council. Circulation.

Clerks and Councils Direct Newsletter. Circualtion.

WAG Fire and Rescue Service. Risk Reduction Plan. Consultation Document. Circulation.

MCC Severnside Area Committee agenda and minutes. Circulation.

St. Regis Postponement of Residents Meeting. Discussed.

MCC Hoggin’ The Bridge 2006. Discussed. Letter advising of event to be held 22nd October 2006 when almost 2,000 Harley Davidsons will cross the Severn Bridge. The event organisers wish to increase the length of the route which will take the motorcycles along the B4245. This will partially block the road for between half an hour and an hour but would provide a terrific spectacle for residents of the area. Traffic Management Division have no issues with the change. No objections were raised.

Planning Applications Received
M12405 Change of use single residential unit with single storey extn to rear. The Barn, Main Road Portskewett. Recommend approval . The name could be misleading as it is commonly known as ‘The Old Dairy’
M12448 Replacement Sodium Sulphite powder handling system. Land at eastern boundary of site. St. Regis Paper Co. Recommend approval

Planning Applications Approved
M12218 Facia signs, welcome sign and pylon. Thompson and Thompson, Severn Bridge Est.
M12219 Replacement roof, extn to loft. 6, Manor Way, Portskewett

Planning Applications Refused
None this month

13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Councillor Griffiths reported the green traffic light on Sudbrook bridge was smashed. Clerk to report.

Councillor Griffiths asked if a Fun Day event would be held this year. Councillors agreed to hold one again. Those interested in being involved would meet on January 30th. Clerk to contact those previously involved.

Councillor Turner asked if the farmer who had removed the hedge on Crick Road had had permission to do this. Clerk to contact Mike Grace.

Councillor Turner stated that he wished to erect wrought iron fencing around his garden, which was open plan. Clerk advised him to speak to Planning department for guidance.

The road by ARW school is full of vehicles at school opening and closing times. Councillors Standing and Griffiths will raise it at the next governor’s meeting asking if parents can park in the car park and not on the road.

Councillor Watkins reported that the new streetlight on 21 Sea View had not worked since it had been replaced. Clerk to report to Highways.

The grit container by the Post Office in Sudbrook is damaged. Clerk to report.

The refuse collectors were leaving a mess (dropped rubbish etc) when they were emptying the bins in Sudbrook. The road sweeper had not been seen in the area for some time. Clerk to report.

Surveyors had been seen in the field near the traffic lights. Clerk to investigate with Newport City Council if any development was planned.

Councillor Nurcombe asked if Dog Fouling signs could be placed on the gates in Harold’s Park.

Councillor Watts reported that streetlight NY32 was burning day and night. Clerk to report.

Councillor Watts asked if the Clerk could check the progress on the appeal on the two new semi-detached houses on the Old Smithy site.

The Clerk reported that she had arranged a meeting of the Severnside Heritage Trail group to be held on 30th January at 7pm in the Portskewett Inn.

14. FINANCE

The Clerk had received the Worksheet from the Caretaker, Mr Jones, detailing the number of weeks, overtime worked and expenses totalling £304.25

The Clerk’s salary and expenses totalled £474.29
Monthly Salary
Office Allowance
Telephone Expenses and Line Rental
Expenses (e.g. stamps, petrol allowance, stationery
£398.16
£43.33
£27.00
£4.90

It was proposed by Councillor Parker and seconded by Councillor Griffiths that the above-mentioned payments as well as the following payments be authorised:
Mr. N. Bartlett, cutting of path at Stowball Common, £258.50. SiteScan Archaeology, geophysical survey of Harold’s Field, £528.75

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 21st February 2006 at 7.00 p.m. in the Recreation Hall. The meeting was then declared closed at 9.15pm.