MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF PORTSKEWETT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
HELD IN YSGOL-Y-FFIN SCHOOL TUESDAY 15th JANUARY 2008

1.         SIGN THE ATTENDANCE BOOK

            The Attendance Book was duly signed. 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
   
   Apologies had been received and accepted from Councillors Turner, Watkins and Parker.
   

3.         MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

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

4.         MATTERS ARISING

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

e)   Designation of Bridleway
      No progress to report.  Clerk to request an update.

1. Brow of Hill on Crick Road
   The Clerk asked Mor Hafren Area Manager to add this to the road safety strategy that was discussed at the recent Area Committee.
   
2. Warning Signs at Black Rock
   The Countryside Manager had advised the Clerk that the existing signs would be placed on visible coloured boards.
   
3. Proposed Section 106 Money
    No progress to report.
   
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
   The Clerk had précised the draft text.  Councillor Griffiths had looked at the potential sitings for the boards and thought it would be possible to attach the boards to the fence near the gates.
   
2. Laburnam Terrace Streetname
    Awaiting new sign to be installed.  Clerk had received a response from MCC who said that the sign would be installed in the new year.
    
3. Pavements in Camp Road and Post Office Row
   No progress to report.
   
4. Surface of Manor Way
   Some of the potholes had been filled. Clerk to ask highways department if the road would be resurfaced.
   
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.
   
7. Planning Application for 40 Dwellings on Sudbrook Road
    No progress to report.
   
8. Development of Old Shipyard Land in Sudbrook
    No progress to report.
   
9. Planning Application to Infill Railway Cutting on Black Rock Road
   The application is due to be heard at Planning Committee on 22nd January.
    
10. Dog Fouling Signs in Harold’s Park
    Awaiting installation.
    
11. Warning Hump Sign on Crick Road
    Light had been reported to One Stop Shop.
    
12. Streetlight at Side of 1 Oaklands Park
    This had been attended to.  No further comments.
    
13. Skip in Layby on B4245
    This has now been removed.  No further comments.

1. REPORT FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES
   
   No Representative was in attendance.
   
2. COMMUNITY FUN DAY
    
    It was decided to defer discussion until after the election in May.
   
3. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES
   
   a)      Governing Body for Ysgol Y Ffin
            The Sandy Lane site would be remodelled to become an all through primary school.           More money would be available in 2010 for further remodelling.  The Sudbrook site would be vacant from September 2008 and would be transferred to Asset Management        and sold.  Any business plan would have to be able to stand on its own and would have      to pay a market rental rate.
   
   b)      Governing Body for ARW Primary School
            The Junior intake was oversubscribed by 3.  206 children were on the roll.
           
4. REPORT FROM REPRESENTATIVE ON OTHER COMMITTEES
    
   a)      Area Forum
            Councillor Watts had given her apologies.
   
   b)      Portskewett and Sudbrook Youth Club
            Councillor Watts had given her apologies.
   
   c)      New Play Area Committee
            Councillor Evans reported that the committee were considering responsibilities once           the park was up and running.  A meeting would be held to discuss this on 24th January.
   
   d)      Magor Flood Group
            Minutes of the recent meeting were in the circulation file.
   

9.         DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY COUNCILLOR

 Councillor Fox had attended the recent ‘Connecting the Sphere’s seminar which was useful.  It was agreed in principle that a working group of 9 would be set up – 3 County Councillors, Town Councillors and Community Councillors from each area.

Councillor Watkins asked if Councillor Fox had any update on the future of the paper mill.  Apart from the machinery being sold, there was nothing to report.

Councillor Fox reported that cars were being parked irresponsibly across the junction of the new King Harold’s Park site and on the bus stop.  In the event of an accident occurring it was possible that yellow lines would be painted there.  This was opposed at the planning stage.  Clerk to ask Police to monitor the area.

10.       NEW CORRESPONDENCE

1. MCC Planning Committee Agenda.  Circulation
   
2. MCC New Planning Enforcement List.  Circulation
   
3. Good Companions Club  Letter thanking the Community Council for its donation towards the Christmas party.  Circulation.
   
4. Older People’s Strategy In Monmouthshire.  Funding opportunities 2008 – 2009.  Circulation.
   
5. Gwent Levels Flood Defence Alliance  Agenda and Minutes.  Circulation.
   
6. One Voice Wales  Planning Training Seminar.  Discussed.  No one to attend.  Councillor Fox reported that as part of the ‘Connecting the Spheres’ programme, training could be arranged.
   
7. MCC  Local Development Plan  Delivery Agreement.  Circulation.
   
8. Clerks and Councils Direct.  Circulation.
   
9. Portskewett Park Project. Invitation for member to attend meeting on Thursday 24th January at 6pm at RCA office.  Discussed.
   
10. MCC  Mor Hafren Area Committee Agenda and Minutes.  Circulation.
    
11. MCC  Highways Workshop.  Discussed.  The date for Councils in the Mor Hafren area is 19th February at 6pm  As this clashes with the Community Council  meeting the Clerk has asked if we can be accommodated some other way.
    
    

Planning Applications Received
 01676  Change of Use of unit from A1 to B1 and B8 Use.  Land off Norman Way.   No objections
01675  Change of Use of offices from ancillary to B1/B8 Status to independent B1 use.  Land off Norman Way.  No objections.
 
Planning Applications Approved


Planning Applications Refused
None this month

13.    ANY OTHER BUSINESS
 

1. Councillor Griffiths reported many potholes on the Crick Road between Mount Ballan and the motorway bridge.  Clerk to report to Highways.
   
2. The ‘Except for Access’ plate on the 7.5 tonne sign on Churchyard corner had been removed.  Clerk to report to Highways.
   
3. The bottom of Harold’s Park was badly flooded.  Clerk to report to Land Drainage Officer.
   
4. Councillor Griffiths stated that if a coastal path was being developed between Black Rock and Bulwark, a footbridge would be needed to cross the inlet.
   
5. The old Portskewett School was in a very dilapidated condition.  The renovation works had stopped due to a problem with the builder.
   
6. Councillor Standing had received a complaint regarding the state of the surface of Laburnam Terrace.  As this lane was not adopted it was not possible for the County Council to do anything about it.
   
7. A stile on the coastal path between Black Rock and Mathern was broken and likely to be dangerous if anyone climbed on it.  Clerk to report to the Coastal Path Officer and Countryside.
   
8. Councillor Watkins reported that the surface of the road through Sudbrook was breaking up.  Clerk to request inspection and ask if the road could be resurfaced.
   
9. Councillor Watkins asked if the Council could officially ask Mr Smith from the paper mill if he could give an update on the future of the mill.
   
10. The phonebox in Leechpool was overgrown.  The Clerk reported that this had been clear when she looked at it the previous week.
    
11. Two full skips had been left outside the rear of Post Office and Camp Row.  Clerk to write to R.B. Skips to request they remove them as they had been there for several months.
    

14.       FINANCE

The Clerk had received a Worksheet from the Caretaker, Mr Spooner for 4 weeks £220.80.
The Clerk had received notification of her new hourly rate   (National Agreement Award 2007/08).  The hourly rate had been increased to £8.91.  Backpay from April to December 2007 amounted to £96.59.

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

           


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 19th February 2008 at ARW School Portskewett. The meeting was then declared closed at 8.50 pm.