MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF PORTSKEWETT COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN ARCHBISHOP ROWAN WILLIAMS SCHOOL TUESDAY 15th MAY 2007

Mrs Powell from Wedgwood Drive asked if there had been any progress with the Barratt development on Sudbrook Road . Councillor Fox advised Mrs Powell that the Community Council had objected to the application and that numerous residents in the village had written in their own right. He had spoken to the Highways department who had concerns with access into the development and also the future of the paper mill had to be taken into consideration. Barratts will be trying to iron out these issues. The application will be heard by the Planning committee and the Community Council will have notification of this. The area will probably be developed. If there is a need for a public meeting, this will be advertised in the village to give everyone the opportunity to air their views.

1. SIGN THE ATTENDANCE BOOK

The Attendance Book was duly signed.

•  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

No apologies had been received.

•  APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE ENSUING YEAR AND SIGNATURE OF DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCEOF OFFICE BY CHAIRMAN

The outgoing Chairman proposed Councillor Evans as Chairman and Councillor Griffiths seconded this. Councillor Evans accepted and signed the Declaration of Acceptance. The incoming Chairman then proposed Councillor Watkins as Vice-Chairman and Councillor Fox seconded this. Councillor Watkins accepted. Councillor Fox thanked the outgoing Chairman for his hard work during what had proved to be a difficult year. The outgoing Chairman thanked the Clerk for her help during his term of office. The Clerk expressed her thanks to the outgoing Chairman for his help and support during what she had also experienced as a particularly difficult year.

4. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

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

5. MATTERS ARISING

•  Traffic Calming and Warning Signs for School
The Clerk had twice emailed Dave Harris for an update and had not received a response. Councillor Fox had spoken to him and had been advised that the diocese had recently submitted an amended scheme.

•  The Lease on The Quest
Awaiting new lease.

•  Car Parking at Church Hall/outside School
No progress to report.

e) Designation of Bridleway
No progress.

•  Claim Against Council Insurance
No progress to report.

•  Broken Fence on Harold's Park Side of Sudbrook Bridge
The Clerk contacted Network Rail again, asking for the fence to be repaired. She had also asked MCC Highways to liaise with them.

•  Brow of Hill on Crick Road
The Clerk had spoken to Pete Mullen from Traffic/Highways at MCC who had advised her to request the area be added to the Road Safety Strategy. The Clerk did this and specifically asked if a warning sign could be placed in the area.

•  Car Dealers at Parkwall
The cars had been removed from the site. No further comments.

•  Warning Signs at Black Rock
Clerk had asked Countryside department when the signs would be installed. She had received a reply from Jerry Lewis who asked what wording would be required. After consulting with the Chairman she had asked for signs stating ‘Do Not Climb on the Rocks – Danger of Death From Strong Tidal Currents' to be placed on the foreshore.

•  Proposed Section 106 Money
No progress.

•  Map Case in Sudbrook
The Clerk had ordered the maps but had not received confirmation. She would chase the progress. Councillor Watkins had asked for a quote for Perspex with a UV filter.

•  New Play Area Committee
Councillor Evans circulated the proposed plan to members The cost would be in the region of £100,000. A meeting would be held on 29 th May with Deserie Mansfield. The Committee now had a constitution and a bank account and could therefore apply for funding. The sports day to be held on 21 st July would be a fundraising event, as match funding would be required to access further funding. It was hoped that S106 money would be available for this use. Councillor Evans informed members that it was hoped an all weather surface would be included in the plan. This would possibly extend into the field where the bonfire was usually held. Councillors agreed that the bonfire could be moved to a different area to allow this as the play area would be used year round. The established committee was mostly made up of people from the village, not all of these had young children and were involved purely for the benefit of the village which all agreed was commendable.

•  Interpretation Boards Following Time Team Visit to Harold's Park
The Clerk had emailed Denis Manning to ask if there were spare boards that could be used at Harold's Park. She had not received a reply. Councillor Evans informed members that he had met with Adventa who had money available for story boards. He asked if members required help from them. The cost of each story board was approximately £500. £600 was available from the Time Team money, which was being held by MCC. It was agreed to maximise the options, using the money from Time Team and any that Adventa could provide. Councillor Evans would speak to the Adventa. Councillor Griffiths would speak to Dr. Kate Smith to obtain ‘wording' to be put on the boards.

•  Laburnam Terrace Streetname
The old sign had been removed.

•  Community Sports Day
Councillor Evans informed members that the event would be a fund raising event, the cost of which would be minimal. It would take the form of a ‘Fun Run' around either Harold's Park or the field behind the Recreation Hall. Insurance implications would be investigated. An under 16's disco would be held during the evening.

•  Resurface of Access Lane to Laburnam Terrace
Clerk had been informed by MCC Highways that the area is not adopted by MCC but as there is a public footpath running through it, the request had been passed to Rights of Way.

•  Damaged Fence and Gate in Sudbrook Play Area
This had been repaired by the Paper Mill but had been damaged again by vandals. To stop this happening again, the gate would need to be locked. The Clerk would source a ‘519' lock.

•  State of The Village Green
The village green had been rotavated and re-seeded. Councillor Evans asked if some kind of bollards could be placed on the area to stop vehicles parking there. This could prove difficult as Mr. Little had a right of way to his barn and access was needed to Harold's Park. It was also stated that the green is a public open space. It was hoped that once all the development in the area was complete, vehicles parking on the green would be minimal. No further comments.

•  Pavements in Camp Road and Post Office Row
No progress.

•  Branches Overhanging Highway on Crick Road
MCC Highways would contact the owner of the hedge and ask for it to be cut.

•  State of Road on Sudbrook Bridge.
The Clerk had reported to Highways again.

•  Blocked Drain Outside Numbers 3 and 5 Main Road
The Clerk had reported this to MCC Highways. It would be added to programme of works.

•  Lave Net Fishermen Sign
Mr Pritchard would cut the shrub obscuring the sign.

•  Mirror on B4245
The mirror had been removed. No further comments.

•  Sudbrook Heritage Trail Leaflets
Caldicot Printers had quoted £320 for 1,000 unfolded leaflets, £374 folded. £455 for 2,000 unfolded, £588 folded. It was agreed to purchase 2,000 folded leaflets from EPC, at a cost of £445.

•  Naming of Bellway Development
The Clerk had received confirmation that the site would be named ‘King Harold's View'. No further comments.

•  REPORT FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

PC Turner and PCSO Withers were not able to attend the meeting again this month. The Clerk had asked if a report could be forwarded. This included the following:

Youths drinking on the bench in Treetops, being rowdy. Area search negative when Police attended.
Vehicle causing obstruction in The Close. Ongoing neighbour dispute. No actual parking offence.
Mechanical block stolen from Main Road. Ongoing enquiries by Police.
Window of ladies toilet smashed in Recreation Hall.
Severnbridge Industrial Estate – HGV's causing obstructions. Police attended and gave suitable advice to drivers, who were parked up waiting to enter the recycling site.
Youths in vehicles at recreation hall playing loud music and playing football. Neighbourhood Team asked to make patrols when able.
Theft of vehicle from outside car showroom on Severnbridge Estate. The keys had been taken from the office when staff had left momentarily.
Severnbridge Industrial Estate – staff detained a youth for stealing a sat nav. System. Police arrested him at the site and he fully admitted the offence and put before the court.
Youths throwing stones at new houses on the Bellway development. Area search negative when Police attended. No sign of damage.

•  DONATION TO CALDICOT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

Members debated the amount that could be donated. Councillor Fox stated that it was a very valuable service, which was used by residents of Portskewett, Sudbrook and Leechpool. Councillor Fox proposed that £300 be donated. This was seconded by Councillor Nurcombe.

•  PRESENTATION OF 2006/2007 ACCOUNTS FOR APPROVAL

The Clerk had distributed copies of the annual accounts report to all Councillors. It was proposed by Councillor Fox and seconded by Councillor Richards that the accounts be approved. The Chairman and the Clerk, as Responsible Financial Officer, signed the accounts book and report. The Clerk would await the Annual Return form the Audit Office before passing to the Internal Auditor.

•  REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES

a) Governing Body for Ysgol Y Ffin
No meeting had been held in the past month.

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

•  REPORT FROM REPRESENTATIVE ON OTHER COMMITTEES

No meetings had been held in the past month.

11. DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Councillor Fox stated that he had been busy with the Assembly elections recently.

He went on to informe members that the planning application for number 1 Main Road had been approved at Planning Committee last week. The Officers had recommended approval but it had orginally been refused due to over development. Councillor Fox had stated that provided it was stone faced and complied with Highways regulations he was not against the development. It offered the opportunity for lower priced houses in the village. Several key members were not in attendance at the planning meeting and it was approved subject to any parking issues being resolved (12 were required.)

Councillor Richards stated that he did not think it was worth bringing planning matters to the Community Council. This sentiment was not agreed with by other members.

Councillor Fox informed members that the Severnside Area Committee would be merging with the Lower Wye Area. This move should give a more balanced approach and become more strategic. WAG would possibly devolve more services to Community Council level.

The County Council were currently engaged in medium term financial planning for the authority. Discussions were being held with regard to what services need to be developed etc. The plan would be going out for consultation in the Autumn.

Recycling needs to be expanded. Plastic was a difficult issue as it was not easy to recycle due to the many types of blends. Fly tipping continues to be a nuisance. Charges for bulk collection had increased which could have had an impact. Councillor Standing stated that there appeared to be more restrictions at the local waste tip. Operators there had implied that they were a private business when in fact it is a partnership with MCC.

12. NEW CORRESPONDENCE

•  MCC Planning Committee Agenda. Circulation

•  Homemakers Community Recycling Request for Financial Assistance. Discussed. No donation could be made due to financial restrictions.

•  Clerks and Councils Direct . Newsletter. Circulation.

•  MCC Traffic Dept . Bus Stop Clearway Order. Circulation.

•  GAVO Newsletters. Circulation.

•  Standards Board for England Code of Conduct. Circulation.

•  Severnside Area Forum Agenda and Minutes. Circulation.

•  MCC Letter explaining that the Community Website for Monmouthshire will not go ahead due to lack of support. Circulation.

•  Ring a Ride Scheme Membership form. Circulation.

Planning Applications Received
00438 Alterations and Extensions. 22 Leechpool. No objections.
00348 Alterations and Extensions. 4 Oaklands Park Portskewett. No objections.

00349 Alterations and Extensions. 5 Heston Close Portskewett. No objections.
00412 Change of Use 700sqm of Agricultural Land for Garden. 10 Leechpool. No objections.
00408 Alterations and Extensions. 4 Arthurs Court Portskewett. No objections.

00445 Single Storey Exension & Conservatory. Old Telephone Exchange, Crick Rd. Refuse as this application contravened the original application which was allowed on appeal, only for the lifetime of Mr. Tapsell.
00466 Outline Planning Permission for detached bungalow & garage. Little Ballan Crick. Refuse. The plans appeared to be outside of the Village Development Boundary and would be seen to set a precedent.

Planning Applications Approved
None this month.

Planning Applications Refused
None this month.

13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

•  Councillor Griffiths stated that the surface of Manor Way was in an appalling state and would need to be resurfaced. Clerk to report.

•  Councillor Watkins reported that the traffic calming features were becoming loose, the bolts would need to be checked. Clerk to report.

•  Councillor Watkins reported that there were potholes in Sea View. Clerk to report.

•  The footpath behind the mill was becoming overgrown. The Clerk advised that she had reported this recently.

•  Councillor Parker asked what the legislation was on people smoking outside on public pavements. Since the smoking ban had been introduced, cigarette ends were littering the area outside the Portskewett Inn even though a bin had been provided. Councillor Griffiths would speak to the landlords. This also applied to other public areas.

•  Councillor Parker asked the Clerk to check when lids would be provided for the new recycling bins.

•  Councillor Standing reported that several residents in Leechpool were concerned that the only recycling they had been included in was the Black Box scheme. They felt that a lower level of service was being received there.

•  The Clerk informed members that the Best Kept Village judging would take place between 4 th and 29 th June. She asked if the Best Kept Garden should be judged during the same period. It was decided that the judging should take place during the month of July.

•  The Clerk asked members how many cuts would be required on Harold's Park this year. It was agreed to have three – one to be done now, one at the end of June and one in August. Clerk to ask Mr. Neville Bartlett.

14. FINANCE

The Clerk had received a Worksheet from the Caretaker, Mr Spooner for 4 weeks plus 3 hours overtime, £230.00.

It was proposed by Councillor Richards 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:

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 June 2007 at 7 p.m. at ARW school Portskewett. The meeting was then declared closed at 9.10 pm.