MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF PORTSKEWETT COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE RECREATION HALL TUESDAY 20 th JUNE 2006

The Secretary of the Recreation Hall reported that the drain had been fixed. The electrical socket had been fitted inside the entrance hall and the bill would be forwarded to the Clerk.
Mr Edwards then asked members how to go about joining the Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Councillor Griffiths had some printed information that he passed on to Mr. Edwards.

1. SIGN THE ATTENDANCE BOOK

The Attendance Book was duly signed.

•  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies had been received and accepted from Councillors Watts and Parker.

3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

It was proposed by Councillor Richards 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 Lease on The Quest
Awaiting new lease.

•  Recreation Hall Lease
The Clerk had received a reply from the legal section at NALC and had passed the reply onto the Chairman for his views. He informed members that the current lease falls within the protection of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 whereby, to terminate the tenancy, the landlord (MCC) would have to serve a Notice pursuant to Section 25 of the Act. Until this is served the terms of the original lease would continue automatically. If such a notice were served, the Community Council would need to apply to the court for a new tenancy that would probably entail legal costs. Members agreed to sign the new lease. The Clerk had been assured that the 95% grant had been awarded for the first 3 years.

The Clerk would inform the legal department at MCC that the lease would be accepted. Section 3 of the Trust Deed referred to “Inhabitants of Portskewett and the neighbourhood (the area of benefit). Members would like this amended to read “Portskewett, Sudbrook and Leechpool electoral area”. The original Trust Deed included instructions for the calling of the AGM – displaying notices of the AGM in prominent positions for a statutory period. This was omitted from the new Trust Deed. Clerk to ask for this to be included.

The play area, as previously agreed, would stay under the management of the Recreation Hall Committee.

The Clerk had also received a telephone call from Councillor Hedley, the Chairman of Caerwent Community Council, informing her that Caerwent CC would not be paying the new rent on their village hall. Their rent had increased from £4.00 per year to £4,000. They had been told that the 95% grant was for the first year only, the second year the grant would decrease to 50%.

•  Archaeologists Survey of Harold's Park
Dr. Kate Smith was happy to give several presentations of the results at the Community Fun Day. Mr Colin James would assist her.

•  Car Parking at Church Hall/outside School
A meeting was held on May 24 th, which had been attended by Councillor Parker. Due to some confusion over the time, a further meeting would now be held. Rector Harrison would advise the Clerk of the time and venue. This meeting would be attended by Councillors Standing, Griffiths and Evans.

•  Fun Day 2006
The Clerk had produced a poster to advertise the event that would be placed in noticeboards and around the villages. She had also produced flyers for the schools and had given some to the recreation hall secretary for him to give to Bluebelle Nursery. The plug socket had been installed. A meeting would be held on Tuesday 27 th June to finalise the arrangements.

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

•  Designation of Bridleway
The Clerk had asked Ruth Rourke if she could clarify ownership of the section of cyclepath behind the mill. She had been advised that it was owned by the Environment Agency. Clerk had written asking if they had any objections to it being a designated bridleway. Councillor Watkins had met with Giles Ballisat and walked the proposed bridleway

•  Unitary Development Plan
The clerk had received a copy of the Statement of Decisions and Reasons and had included it in the correspondence file. The Site of Sudbrook Mill had been allocated as a brownfield site. No further comments.

•  Claim Against Council Insurance
No progress to report.

•  Closure of The Paper Mill
No progress to report.

•  Broken Fence on Harold's Park Side of Sudbrook Bridge
Clerk had written to Network Rail requesting the fence be repaired. She had received a reply assuring that any work deemed necessary would be carried out.

•  Thompson and Thompson Van Parked by Farthing Hill
The Clerk had reported this to Highways. The practice appeared to have ceased. No further comments.

•  Faulty Streetlights in Treetops
Awaiting Councillor Turner to identify the numbers.

•  Laburnam Terrace Streetname
New one on order.

•  Streetlight outside 21 Seaview
The light had been repaired. No further comments.

•  Broken Fence and Overgrowth on Sudbrook Line
Clerk had written to Network Rail requesting the fence be repaired and for the overgrowth to be attended to. She had received a call from the Maintenance Manager who had advised that a new fence would be ordered, which could take up to 10 weeks. In the meantime a temporary fence would be placed on the site.

•  Broken Fence on Newport City Council Land
The repairs had been carried out. No further comments.

•  Replacement Bins on Manor Way and Outside Sudbrook Post Office
No progess.

•  Main Road Streetname
Awaiting for new one to be installed.

•  Weeds in Orchard Gardens
Clerk had reported to Severnside One Stop Shop, asking for the weeds to be removed.

•  New Bench and Bin on the Village Green
The bench had been delivered and would be placed near the entrance to Harold's Park.

•  State of Sudbrook Road
Clerk had reported to MCC Highways who had added the site to the patching contract for this year.

•  Overgrown Verges on Sudbrook Road
The work had been carried out. No further comments.

•  State of Crick Road between Treetops and the Village
Clerk had reported to Highways who had inspected the area and it was considered safe at present but would continue to monitor. The traffic department had no plans to remove the traffic calming feature at the present time. No further comments.

•  Removal of Hedge on Crick Road
Clerk had been informed that a white line would be painted on the road to define the edge of the carriageway.

•  Brow of Hill on Crick Road
Clerk had reported to Highways who had added the site to this year's schedule of road markings.

•  Hedge in Somerfield Car Park
The Clerk had asked Giles Ballisat, Area Manager of Severnside if he could request the manager of Somerfield to have the hedge cut back. He advised the Clerk that he would do so but any member of the public should approach Somerfield themselves as it was not Council land. No further comments.

•  REPORT FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

PC Turner and PCSO Withers attended the meeting. PC Turner reported that there had been a spate of burglaries, involving a white van in the Caerwent and Magor areas. Portskewett had not been affected.

There had been 34 calls relating to the area in the past month which included the following:

SevernBridge Industrial Estate, eight vehicles had been removed and crushed. They had not been dumped but were having works carried out on them. The area was being used as a ‘car repair' site. This did not involve anyone from the Industrial Estate and had been found to be a well known gang from the Newport area. A vehicle had been dumped at Parkwall, which was also linked to the above.

Severn Machine Tools had had metal weights stolen from outside their premises. This had taken place just after a visit from a scrap metal trader.

The Police had been called to the Recreation Hall where youths were causing a nuisance. Names and addresses had been taken. The Police are unable to act unless they witness an offence.

The bus shelter opposite the Spar shop had had a pane of glass smashed. (Clerk will report).

Two males in a blue van had stolen from another van. The blue van appeared to have been ‘cloned' as an alibi had been provided by the legitimate owner.

A road traffic accident had occurred by the Sudbrook junction. This had been the second one within a week involving the same driver. The driver of the car that had been hit had sustained injuries, which had caused him to take time off work.

Councillor Fox informed PC Turner that he had encountered a male on a motorbike on the Leechpool Road at 2.30am. one morning. He had been acting suspiciously and had a rucksack on his back. When he saw Councillor Fox, he rode away at speed. He then returned to the area later and again hurried away when he saw he had been seen. Councillor Fox reported this to the Police the following morning.

Councillor Turner that the Police for distributing letters regarding mini motorbikes in the Treetops area.

The Chairman thanked PC Turner and PCSO Withers for attending the meeting and they left at 7.20 pm.

•  PRESENTATION BY LOCAL HEALTH BOARD

The Chairman welcomed Julie Hall and Vince Paine from Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust and Ben Lewis of GVA Grimley LLP (Agent). Julie gave the following report.

For some years the Trust had been moving away from an institutionalised to a more community based setting for clients with learning difficulties. Monmouthshire's provision for this had been identified as number 13 Leechpool which would hopefully be home to for 5 gentlemen with learning difficulties who had lived in Llanfrechfa Grange for most of their lives. A planning application has been submitted for an extension and change of use.

The Trust want to be proactive in keeping the community and residents informed from an early stage and wish to allay any fears that people might have. The Trust does not want to make any adverse impact on the community. The potential residents would not be a problem to the public. They would have one to one care 24 hours a day and would not be out in the area without any supervision.

Councillor Standing informed the group that he had had personal experience of a similar home being set up in Caldicot. Problems had been encountered as it was in a much more built up area. Problems of this nature were unlikely due to the situation of number 13 Leechpool.

Councillor Fox asked if clients of a more difficult nature were likely to be placed in the accommodation. Julie assured members that this would not happen. All 5 clients were at the same level of frailty and vulnerability. If any of the original clients were replaced, they would be replaced with a client of the same level of need.

Julie tabled the plans that had been submitted to MCC and members viewed them. Councillor Turner said the size of the extension might obscure the view from one of the neighbouring residents. Councillor Fox had spoken to some of the residents near to the site. He and Councillor Standing would distribute the literature that Julie had provided. The Trust would also approach those residents themselves.

The Chairman thanked the group for attending the meeting to keep the community informed in such a proactive manner.

•  REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES

a) Governing Body for Ysgol Y Ffin
Councillor Nurcombe reported that he had attended a meeting recently. The school are using the Camp for sports and thanked the Council for marking out the pitch. The headteacher, Mrs Ebo would like to thank Councillor Watkins for his help and hard work in keeping the area in an excellent condition.
The school will have over 70 children attending in September 2006. The school will probably move temporarily to Sandy Lane after some minor refurbishments. Councillor Fox reported that the working group will present the formal recommendations to Cabinet on 29 th July. A 210 place setting would be desirable but not affordable.

b) Governing Body for ARW Primary School
Councillor Griffiths reported that he had attended the sports day recently which had been very enjoyable.

8. REPORT FROM RECREATION HALL REPRESENTATIVE

Nothing to report this month.

9. DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Councillor Fox apologised for his poor attendance, which had been due to an increase in his County Council commitments. Members congratulated Councillor Fox on his recent promotion to Deputy Leader of Monmouthshire County Council.

10. NEW CORRESPONDENCE

•  MCC Planning applications received. Circulation

•  MCC Planning Committee Agenda. Circulation

•  MCC Review of Principal Local Government Authority Areas. Discussed/circulation. The Clerk advised members that the document would be placed in the circulation file and any recommendations or suggestions should be added and returned to the Clerk.

•  One Voice Wales Minutes of meeting 19 th April. Circulation.

•  South Wales Fire Brigade Draft Risk Reduction Plan 2007. Discussed. The plan contains specific issues that relate to provision of emergency fire cover for the area, where Caldicot Fire Station would be downgraded and full time crew replaced with part time personnel. Councillor Evans informed members how it would affect the area.

•  Fireworks International . Brochure 2006. This would be placed in the file for next month.

•  MCC Community Safety Strategy. Circulation.

•  Monmouthshire Youth Service Request for donation of up to £100 towards summer scheme for youngsters aged 11+. Discussed. Due to the financial situation, the Council are unable to make any donation.

•  One Voice Wales Conference/exhibition and AGM. Discussed. No member would be attending.

•  MCC Severnside Area Committee. Agenda and minutes. Circulation.

•  National Assembly for Wales Electoral Arrangements review. Circulation

•  Local Health Board Reshaping local services. Circulation.

•  MCC Countryside Newsletter. Circulation.

•  One Voice Wales. Newsletter. Circulation.

•  Ombudsman Wales Annual Report 2005/06. Circulation.

•  GAVO Best Kept Village Competition. Invitation to celebration evening. Discussed.

•  One Voice Wales Planning Seminar – MCC. Discussed. Councillor Standing would attend. Clerk to confirm this with One Voice Wales.

Planning Applications Received
000460 Low post & Rail fence to side & front. 26 Hill Barn View Portskewett. Recommend approve. Councillors Fox and Griffiths abstained from the discussion.
000362 Erection of detached garage. 34 Main Road Portskewett. Object. A garage in the front garden would not be in keeping with other houses in the area. A similar planning application was objected to last year.

Planning Applications Approved
None this month.

Planning Applications Refused
None this month.

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

•  Best Kept Garden competition. The Clerk would write to last year's winners and ask for them to judge the competition.

•  Strimming of areas not serviced by MCC. The Clerk had asked the MCC Grounds Maintenance department if the area of land opposite the Portskewett Inn could be added to their cutting schedule. This area had previously been cut by the caretaker. Kevin Rees-Davies had arranged for the area to be cut in time for the Best Kept Village competition and had asked the Highways department to take on the responsibility. This had been agreed. The Secretary of the Recreation Hall Committee had informed the Clerk that he had strimmed around the play equipment. The Clerk, in consultation with the MCC Grounds Maintenance department, had produced a risk assessment in order for Mr. Spooner to be able to carry out the function. Councillor Griffiths would provide the Clerk with areas that the previous caretaker had attended to.

•  Briars growing into Churchyard from Harold's Park. The Clerk had received a request from the Church that the briars be cleared. Clerk to ask Mr. Spooner to attend to them.

•  Councillor Turner had received a complaint regarding the building works being carried out at the St. Pierre Caravan Park. The Clerk had requested an Enforcement Officer investigate if any planning laws were being breached. She had received a reply stating that the timber buildings were allowed under the current planning application that had been submitted. A further planning application would be needed for the construction works being carried out at the rear of the site. A neighbouring resident was concerned that the ‘chalets' would be used for rear round accommodation. The Clerk would ask for clarification of any conditions imposed.

•  Councillor Fox asked if the car dealer at Parkwall had been investigated. See item f) below.

•  The Clerk had requested the planning department also investigate the car dealer at Parkwall roundabout. She had received a reply from the Enforcement Officer stating that a planning application would need to be submitted within 28 days. She also asked for the 4x4 Transformation site, who had started selling cars, be investigated.

•  The Clerk had been asked if the Planning Department could investigate if the Fancy Dress Hire in Leechpool and the farm shop at Cropthorne Farm needed ‘change of use' planning consent.

•  Councillor Richards had been asked by an elderly resident of Portskewett to investigate the possibility of an additional bus stop being placed near to Wedgwood Drive.

12. FINANCE

The Clerk had received a Worksheet from the Caretaker, Mr Spooner for 5 weeks £252.00

The Clerk had received the following:
An invoice from MCC for annual rental of Harold's Park, £133.22. The annual renewal of the website hosting (space on internet) was overdue. The Clerk had purchased a further year at a cost of £34.16.

It was proposed by Councillor Fox 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:

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 18 th July 2006 at 7.00 p.m. in the Recreation Hall. The meeting was then declared closed at 9.35 pm.