MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF PORTSKEWETT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
HELD AT ARW SCHOOL TUESDAY 16th MARCH 2010

Councillors present:
Mr. P. Nurcombe (Chair)
Mr. G. Turner (Vice-Chair)
Mr. T. Fawcitt
Mr. A. Griffiths
Mr. I. Standing
Mr. B. Richards
Mr. A. Whiteley
Mr. G. Parker

Mrs Turner from Treetops asked what the procedure was for the public in Community Council meetings – if they were allowed to stay beyond the 30 minutes public time. The Chairman advised that they could stay for the meeting as observers.

Mrs Evans from Sudbrook wished to raise her concerns around the parking in the area of the old school in Sudbrook that is currently being developed. Many cars were obstructing the bend. The Police Officer said he would look into it. The Clerk would contact MCC to ask if yellow lines could be painted there.

Crick Road Action Group (CRAG) asked if the Community Council had done anything after the concerns raised at the February meeting. The Chairman read out the letter that had been forwarded to MCC, supporting some of the concerns raised by residents.

CRAG also raised the issue of the lack of transparency by MCC during the LDP consultation process. They believe that despite the notice, there was little at present that could be done. They requested a member of the Community Council attend the special meeting on 30th April. This was agreed.

Sam Dunford from Sudbrook raised the issue of the Sudbrook Community Project and wanted information on the disused railway line in respect of it becoming a community garden. Councillor Parker explained Network Rail had been contacted and he would be in contact when any information was received.

1. SIGN THE ATTENDANCE BOOK

The Attendance Book was duly signed.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies had been received and accepted from Councillors Fox and Watkins.

3. REPORT FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

PCSO Withers reported that there had been 31 incidents, 14 of which were of note, including the following:

Trailer left on junction in Sudbrook Road, nothing found when Officers attended.
Two known females stopped and searched on Main Road – nothing found.
Reports of works traffic blocking the road at the Barratts site, manager spoken to and will deal with the issues.
Sheep wandering on the road at Crick and Parkwall. Farmer contacted and sheep returned.
Garden shed broken into in Church Row Sudbrook, ongoing enquiries.
Criminal damage to property in Leechpool.
Unlocked vehicle was entered in Sudbrook, a laptop and satnav taken. Ongoing enquiries.
Persons reported sleeping rough at pumping station Sudbrook. Investigations found a male had been sleeping in the old BT exchange last year but had now moved on.
Theft of gas boiler and double glazed windows from the Barratts site. Ongoing enquiries.
Theft of corrugated iron sheeting from lorry parked on Industrial Estate. Ongoing enquiries.

4. 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.

5. MATTERS ARISING

a) Traffic Calming and Warning Signs for School
No progress to report.
Designation of Bridleway
No progress to report.

Future of Mill Site.
No progress to report.

Traffic Calming Sudbrook
The signs remained in place after recent resurfacing works. No further comments.

Noticeboard Near Treetops (Church Hall)
Waiting for MCC to liaise with Councillor Griffiths to arrange where to put the board.

Telegraph Pole and Pavement outside Old Smithy
No progress. MCC are continuing to pursue the developer to move the pole and resurface the pavement.

Footpath Sign by Aust Farm
The sign had been replaced. No further comments.

Overgrown Hedges on Crick Road
Councillors Nurcombe and Watkins would cut the branches that obscure the signs.
Action PN and PW

Bench on Foreshore at Black Rock
The Field Warden would have the bench installed in the near future – when he had the volunteers to do it.

Barratts Development
Councillor Parker reported the highway was being obstructed near the site. He also wanted clarification as to who would be responsible for the newly created grass verges.

Dropped Kerb at Canterbury Way
No progress to report.

Bin on Camp Field
Councillor Watkins has removed the bin and would repair it.
ACTION P.W.
Recreation Hall
The AGM was held on 1st March and Councillors Nurcombe and Watkins were co-opted as members.

Lease at The Quest
Awaiting new lease from MCC. An invoice for £4.00 had been received for this year’s lease.

Missing Fence on Footpath 13
Clerk had asked MCC for a timescale when the fence would be replaced as it had been missing for some time. She had been advised that the Coastal Access Officer would make a decision whether to replace the gate or not and she was on leave at present.

NY254
Councillor Turner advised that the streetlight was still faulty.

Potential Purchase of Speed Monitoring Equipment
Will be discussed at April meeting.

Use of Network Rail Land
Councillor Parker had provided a map and photograph of the area. Clerk will forward to Network Rail.

Surface of Manor Way
It is included to be resurfaced during 2011/12. No further comments.

LDP Consultation/Change of Land Use Crick Road
Councillor Fox had written to MCC with his response and the Clerk had also sent a letter with the Community Council’s official response.

Community Fun Day
A meeting had been arranged for 23rd March at 7pm.

Obstructed Sign on Junction of Middle Lane
Councillor Standing will clarify which tree is obstructing.

Bins at Black Rock
The bins were still at the picnic site. No further comments.

Flytipping on Lower Leechpool Road
Clerk had reported to One Stop Shop. Rubbish had been removed. No further comments.

Alleged Breach of Planning – ‘No Fear’ Valeting
Clerk had reported to MCC Planning who advised that there was no breach as the works were permitted within the permission of B1/B2 use that had been granted. No further comments.

6. REPORT FROM REPRESENTATIVE ON ARCHBISHOP ROWAN WILLIAMS SCHOOL

Councillor Standing reported

7. DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Councillor Fox had sent his apologies.

8. NEW CORRESPONDENCE

MCC Planning Committee Agenda. Circulation.

Nick Ramsay AM National Assembly for Wales referendum whether to move from Part 3 to Part 4 of Government of Wales Act 2006. Mr Ramsay is happy to attend a Community Council meeting to discuss this. Discussed. It was agreed to consider a public meeting.

One Voice Wales. Letter and membership form. Discussed. Clerk advised that she had asked the Chief Executive to point out the benefits of being members, as when this Community Council had previously been members, the service One Voice Wales provided did not prove best use of the Council’s money. The Chief Executive explained the many changes and improvements that had taken place over the previous 5 years. It

MCC Mor Hafren Area Committee. Agenda and minutes. Circulation.

MCC Boost Winter Newsletter. Circulation.

MCC Monmouthshire Schools Music Showcase. Event to be held at 7pm on 21st April at Chepstow Leisure Centre in aid of Help for Heroes and Air Ambulance Service.

Mr A Jacka (by email) asking about allotments in Portskewett. Discussed. After a short debate it was agreed not to provide allotments due to the prohibitive costs to the Community Council, and in turn, residents of Portskewett. A Community Council has a duty to consider providing allotments but the decision could be NOT to provide them.

MCC Mike Moran requesting funding for 2010 Summer Playscheme. Discussed.

Planning Applications Received
00091 Extension on rear of property to existing kitchen. 6 The Terrace, Sudbrook. Approve
00041 Extension of existing driveway across planting scheme to allow access to the road. Approve

Planning Applications Approved
None this month.
Planning Applications Refused
None this month.

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Councillor Standing asked if the caretaker could remove the litter in the lay-by by Cropthorne Farm at the entrance to the village Councillor Nurcombe would ask the Caretaker to do this.

Councillor Griffiths raised the issue of the Community Council’s responsibility in respect of its employer status. Councillor Turner asked if the Clerk or the Caretaker had relevant contracts of employment and if a risk assessment had been done for the Caretaker. Clerk would check and report at the next meeting.

Councillor Turner asked if the potential development of the land at Crick Road remain on the agenda. It would remain on the Matters Arising.

Councillor Parker reported the highway was being obstructed near the Barratts development. He would also like it clarified who would be responsible for the newly created grass verges.

10. FINANCE
EMBED MSWorks.Table.4

11. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and gave the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 20th April at Sudbrook Club, the meeting was then declared closed at 9.10 pm.

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