Councillors present: Mr. G. W. Parker
Mr B.J. Richards
Mr. A.H. Griffiths
Mr. P. R. Nurcombe
Mr. G. Turner
Mr. R. Evans

Mr Edwards stated that in February’s minutes it was reported that Mr and Mrs Sawley were unable to book the Recreation Hall on a Friday or Saturday night during December this year. He said that they had in fact booked the 2nd December.
Mr Edwards also reported that his wife had been walking in the field behind The Close and had been sworn at by a horse rider who would not let her pass. The Chairman stated that the Community Council are in the process of trying to get designated bridleways in the area.

Councillor Richards thanked members of the Council for their support during his recent bereavement. The Chairman stated that it was good to see Councillor Richards.

1. SIGN THE ATTENDANCE BOOK

The Attendance Book was duly signed.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies had been received and accepted from Councillors Standing, Watts and Watkins.

3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

It was proposed by Councillor Evans and seconded by Councillor Griffiths 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
The appeal against the refusal of the new semi detached houses had been dismissed. No further comments.

The Lease on The Quest
Awaiting new lease. The Clerk had received an invoice for the rental up until 31st January 2007 at the current amount of £4.00

Recreation Hall Lease
The Clerk had received a new draft lease. Councillor Standing had looked through it and questioned whether the play area was to be excluded from the lease or the trust deed as there could be different consequences. Under the current proposed trust deed (section 21) it is not possible to separate the play area from the rest of the land and building. If the Committee decides that it is advisable to discontinue the use of property in whole or in part they must hold a general meeting of residents. If a 75% majority agree then the committee may request the council to surrender their interest in the property. Councillors agreed that the Community Council have a moral duty to provide amenities for children in the village. Due to the extremely tight budget this year, it would be impossible to pay for any repairs needed to the play area. The Clerk had forwarded a copy of the lease and trust deed to One Voice Wales for advice.

Field Behind The Close
A draft lease had been received by the Clerk which had specified a term of 3 years. Due to the unacceptable length of the term it was decided not to proceed with leasing the area. Clerk to inform MCC legal department. No further comments.

Archaeologists Survey of Harold’s Park
Waiting for report from Kate Smith. Councillor Griffiths will chase the progress.

Replacement Caretaker
Interviews were held on 14th March and Nigel Spooner was appointed. The Clerk had enquired about Health and Safety training. This is provided (at a cost) by MCC at Raglan Depot. At his interview Mr Spooner had informed the committee that he had undertaken manual handling training in his current job. Mr Spooner would be required to take up his role on 22nd March. The Clerk and Councillor Standing had drawn up a Contract of Employment.

Car Parking at Church Hall/outside School
The Clerk had asked Church Hall Committee to approach the school governors and ask for a key for both the gates. (Large and small.) She had spoken to Mrs Cullimore who asked if the gates could be left unlocked. This would enable anyone using the Church hall, or parents picking up children from school, to park in the car park and not on the road. If the parking on the road continued to cause a problem the police would have to be informed.

Fun Day 2006
A meeting had been held on 13th March. Due to the Council’s restricted budget this year it would be essential to recover some of the cost of holding the event. Stalls would be charged a fee of £10 and a draw would be held. Mrs Standing and Mrs Sawley had kindly offered to have a ‘victorian tea tent’ to raise money. The next meeting would be held on April 10th. Councillor Evans had asked the Recreation Hall Secretary if an electricity plug could be made available in the lobby. Clerk to put the request in writing.

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

Speed Monitoring Equipment in the Village
The Clerk had received a letter from Gwent Police who advised that electronic traffic monitoring apparatus had been deployed in the Caldicot/Main Road site. An analysis of the data showed little change since speeds were last monitored there in August 2002, when a small percentage of drivers exceeded prosecution guidelines for 30mph areas. A special speed enforcement campaign in the village will not be mounted. However, the Police are mindful of the Council’s continued concern regarding the speeding and therefore copies of our correspondence will be forwarded to the Roads Policing Unit with a request that it pays attention to the matter during its normal patrols of the area. The Clerk had also received a letter from MCC – Safety Camera Partnership who had assessed the B4245, Caldicot Road and found evidence to support enforcement (temporary signage) at this site. It would be carried out for an initial period of 6 months, commencing on or after 13th March. PC Brown would visit the Clerk to clarify the areas of concern within the village.

Severnside Heritage Trail – Portskewett Phase
2,000 copies of the leaflet had been printed and it was hoped to have an official launch, similar to the successful Sudbrook event on Saturday April 29th based at the Portskewett Inn. The Clerk had distributed copies to TIC’s, libraries, One Stop Shops and other outlets in the area.

UDP Consultation Document
The Clerk had received a map clarifying the position of the ‘Crick Road’ site mentioned in the document. No changes to the land are recommended. The only other information held with regard to the amendment to the VDB on Main Road are the Proofs of Evidence on behalf of the Council and the Objector which were put before the Inspector at the enquiry. These are held at County Hall and can be viewed. Clerk to ask for clarification on the consultation process.

Welsh Water Pumping Station
The Clerk had received a letter apologising for the concerns raised and stating the the area would be attended to.

Designation of Bridleway
The Clerk had received a letter from Mrs Parker of Southbrook Farm stating that she had no objection to the land adjoining her property being designated as a bridleway. She also suggested that Caldicot Castle Park could possibly have a fenced area around the boundary for this purpose. The Clerk had passed the letter to Jerry Lewis of Countryside department. The Clerk also attended the Severnside Area Committee to put forward Mrs Parker’s request that the Committee support a request for more bridle paths in the county. The Committee agreed to put the issue on the agenda for April. A letter had also been received from Mr Peter Ashmead stating that it was likely that the company would want to have the current un-made roadway adopted as a proper highway by the County Council and therefore any change to the status quo should be in consultation with the local Highway Authority. Greater detail of the precise route of the proposed designated bridleway was needed so that Ashmeads can consult with MCC.
Mr. Plummer from St. Regis had also replied noting the request and advising that he will ensure that this is discussed as the opportunity arises.

Streetlight in Sunnycroft
This was now working. No further comments.

Bin in Recreation Hall Playground
The Clerk had reported the broken lock to the One Stop Shop who had advised that MCC were not responsible for the bin but could replace the lock and recharge the Community Council.

Clerk’s Pension
The Clerk had drafted a letter to the Pensions Administrator agreeing to her joining the LGPS with a start date of April 18th 2006 to coincide with the Council’s April meeting. This had been signed by the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman. A cheque for £105.64, would be paid to the LGPS, which would be made up of the Clerk’s contribution of 6% (£25.05) and the Community Council’s contribution of 19.3% (£80.59). The Clerk’s monthly salary would be reduced by £25.05.

Pot Holes in Manor Way
These had been filled. The road would be resurfaced when funds allowed. No further comments.

Pavements in Sudbrook
Councillor Parker would check if these had been attended to.

Claim Against Council Insurance
The Clerk had received a letter from the claimant’s solicitor, which she had passed on to the insurers as requested.

Closure of the Paper Mill
Councillor Griffiths reported that, at present, the sawdust and wood chippings were sold to power stations. Talks were being held looking at the possibility of the power stations using the site for this purpose.

5. REPORT FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

PC Turner had sent his apologies as he was unable to attend as his son was ill. PC Hiscocks and PCSO Withers attended in his place.

PCSO Withers stated that there were 27 calls logged in the past month which included:

An elderly lady had reported someone banging on her door at 10pm one evening.
There had been an assault at a football match but no witnesses.
Youths with air rifles had been seen on Main Road. This should be reported to the Police if seen again.
Youths had been throwing snowballs at cars during the bad weather. The Police had spoken to them about the dangers of doing this.
The traffic lights on Sudbrook bridge had not been working but had been repaired promptly.
Youths had been seen drinking in The Close but had gone when the Police attended.
A suspicious vehicle had been seen on the Industrial Estate. Police advised any suspicious vehicles should be reported (with registration numbers if possible).
An altercation had taken place outside the Portskewett Inn.
An operation had been mounted on the Industrial Estate but nothing untoward had been found. The day before the operation, a main suspect had been taken into custody.

Councillor Griffiths (on behalf of Councillor Nurcombe) reported having complaints about a smashed in Range Rover on a trailer in Station Road. The Clerk stated that she had reported it to PC Turner recently and the Environmental Health department. As the vehicle is on a trailer it is not illegal to park there. The Environmental Health officer had reported that the vehicle was not unsafe. Complaints had been received about children climbing into the vehicle. Clerk to report to EH again.

PC Hiscocks stated that a new Act and Section had been introduced which enabled the Police to confiscate any mini motorbikes/scooters/quad bikes that were being used illegally. PC Lewis the Schools Liaison Officer would speak to children in schools informing them that they could only use such vehicles on private land.

6. FENCING OF THE QUEST ETC
The replacement of the fencing would have to be deferred until the financial situation improved.

7. APPROVE AMENDED BUDGET

Following the recent Special Budget Meeting (Minutes attached as appendix I) it was proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Richards that the amended budget be approved. It was reiterated that with the budget being so restricted this year the Council would have to be extremely prudent in its spending.

8. CUTTING OF HAROLD’S PARK

It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Richards that Harold’s Park receive 3 cuts – Spring, Summer and Autumn. As MCC close cut ‘The Bowl’, this area would not need to be included. Clerk to get quotes from Neville Bartlett and Paul Rymer.

9. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES

a) Governing Body for Ysgol Y Ffin
Councillor Nurcombe reported that the Meithrin was closed at the moment but it is hoped to be open again as soon as possible. It has to be staffed by an NVQ with 3 years experience. The move to Sandy Lane is not being received well in the school. Access is the main cause for concern. A new school would be preferable but probably not possible.

b) Governing Body for ARW Primary School
No meeting had been held in the last month.

10. REPORT FROM RECREATION HALL REPRESENTATIVE

Councillor Evans had had to leave the meeting early.

11. DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Councillor Fox did not attend the meeting.

12. NEW CORRESPONDENCE

MCC Planning applications received. Circulation

MCC Planning Committee Agenda. Circulation

MCC Cabinet Agenda. Circulation.

St. Regis Paper Company. Copy of announcement regarding closure of mill. Circulation.

Gwent Police Neighbourhood Policing Project. The Clerk had returned her details which will be inserted into the Key Community Members Directory. Circulation.

MCC Questionnaire relating to services the Community Council provides. Circulation.

WAG The Standards Committee Regulations (amendment). Circulation.

MCC Reorganisation of Green Waste Collections. Circulation.

Caldicot CAB Annual report. Circulation.

MCC Guidelines on Agricultural Waste & Lapwing Survey. Circulation.

MCC Monmouthshire Schools Music Showcase. 29th March. Discussed.

MCC Planning Dept. Implementation of new computer system. Advising no consultations will be sent out during March. Circulation.

Clerks and Councils Direct. Circulation.

St. Regis Paper Company. Letter from Mr. Plummer. Discussed/circulated. The company is currently in the process of reviewing potential opportunities for the site with a variety of interested parties. The Community Council will be kept informed as the discussions progress.

Portskewett Recreation Hall Committee Minutes of meeting and annual accounts. Circulation.

MCC Severnside One Stop Shop Discussed. Letter from Area Manager reminding Councillors that any issues concerning MCC can be dealt with by contacting the One Stop Shop directly which would ensure the request for services would be logged more quickly (if issues arose some time before the monthly meeting.)

MCC County Farms (by email) Mr Grace had informed the Clerk that he had visited the strip of land alongside the Cemetery that was initially required as additional burial space and was disturbed to find it being used to dump waste foliage from the Churchyard. He asked if the Clerk could inform the Church that the land was not to be used for this purpose. He also would like confirmation that the land would not be required by the Church for additional burial space. Clerk had written to the Church.

Planning Applications Received
M12681 Provision of hardstanding within curtilage of Mill. St. Regis Paper Mill. Object. This application would involve felling a row of poplar trees to the rear of the mill. The trees currently provide a sound barrier to the villages from the bridge. They also provide natural habitat for wildlife.
M12382 Change of use of redundant farm building to single dwelling. Barn adj to Manor Cottage. This application was the same as M12405, which the Council received in January. Clerk to point this out to planning department. Recommend approve.

Planning Applications Approved

Planning Applications Refused
2 New Semi Detached Dwellings, The Old Smithy. Appeal Dismissed.

13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The Clerk reported that she had paid the last three year’s peppercorn rent for The Camp to the Paper Mill.

14. FINANCE

The Clerk had not received a Worksheet from the Caretaker, Mr Jones, due to his illness. A cheque was written for a basic 4 week’s salary which amounted to £242.40

The Clerk’s salary and expenses totalled £532.64
Monthly Salary
Office Allowance
Telephone Expenses and Line Rental
Expenses (e.g. stamps, petrol allowance, stationery
£398.16
£43.33
£27.00
£24.14

The Clerk had received the following:

SWALEC, unmetered Christmas lighting 2005, £24.41, Portskewett Recreation Hall, 3 months hire of hall plus an extra hire for caretaker’s interviews, £31.50.

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

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 18th April 2006 at 7.00 p.m. in the Recreation Hall. The meeting was then declared closed at 9.05 pm.