Councillors present: Mr. I.H. Standing
Mr B.J. Richards
Mr. R. P. Evans
Mr. A.H. Griffiths
Mr. G. Turner


Mr Edwards expressed his thanks to PC Turner for the excellent policing of the area on Halloween night. For the first time in 12 years Mr and Mrs Edwards had not had any trouble directed at them or their property. He went on to say that the roundabout in the play area had been disabled for safety purposes. 20 or more youths, who were gathered here, were threatening Mr and Mrs Edwards. As a result of this, Mr Edwards is reluctant to open up the hall for groups. The Police attended and had spoken to some of the youths and letters would be sent to their parents. PC Turner will continue to patrol the area when he is on duty. Mr Edwards also asked if the wire and metal that had been left behind after the bonfire could be removed.

1. SIGN THE ATTENDANCE BOOK

The Attendance Book was duly signed.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

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

3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Richards 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
Works had been started on the development.

The Lease on The Quest
No progress

Bin by Sudbrook Post Office.
MCC have no funds this financial year. Clerk will contact them again in April. No further comments.

Transfer of Recreation Hall Lease
No progress

Stowball Common
Councillor Griffiths met with Neville Bartlett who had quoted £220 for the work. It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Richards that this amount be approved. Clerk to ask Neville to do the work as soon as possible.

Use of Land Owned by St. Regis for Overflow Car Park
The MCC engineer, Steve Baldwin had contacted the Clerk and asked for a cost code for his works to be charged to. He stated that the cost would be approximately £500 - £600 for the feasibility study. The Clerk had applied to Severnside Area for a grant for approximately half of the cost and had been advised that they could commit £300 for this purpose.

Sudbrook Branch Line
Clerk had been advised by Network Rail that the connection from the branch line into the South Wales main line is due to be removed at some stage during the financial year 2006/7. However, until further notice the line will remain in Network Rail ownership. No further comments.

Removal of Step Outside Recreation Hall
Due to the ongoing insurance claim, the Recreation Hall Committee requested that the step should remain in place until the conclusion of that issue. No further comments until then.

Re-seeding Piece of Land on The Green
The area will be re-seeded when gang are next in the area.

Investigate Cutting of Footpaths
The booklet will be placed in the circulation file again. When the new caretaker is appointed he could be asked if he would cut the paths.

Field Behind The Close
Awaiting cost of lease.

Dip in Road by Traffic Lights
Highways have arranged for works to be carried out as soon as possible.

Broken Perspex in Map by Sudbrook Play Area
Clerk had ordered a new piece from Cwmbran Plastics.

Trees at Back of Post Office Row
Clerk had written to Mike Henderson asking if the trees could be lopped. She had not received a reply and would telephone him directly.

20 MPH Sign in Sudbrook
Highways department have reported this to Traffic section.

Speeding in Sudbrook
Clerk had requested speed monitoring equipment to be placed in the village. This would be considered in the Road Safety Strategy for the next 3 years. No further comments.

Archaeologists Survey of Harold’s Park
Clerk had written to Scott James asking for a grant of half the cost of the survey and had been advised that this would be in order. A copy of a letter from WAG to the archaeologist had been forwarded to the Clerk. The letter gave permission for the geophysical survey to be carried out.

No Through Road Sign on Old Row
Highwyays have agreed to place a sign here.

Storage Containers at Packsafe
Clerk had reported to Planning department who will investigate any breach in planning.

Grit Container at Top of Village
Highways department have agreed to replace the container.

Quad Bikes Racing Around the Green Behind Hill Barn View
Clerk reported to Police who spoke to the child and told him this was not permissible. No further comments.

Hedge on 2 Main Road
Clerk had written to the occupiers asking for the hedge to be cut back.

Remembrance Service
Only 5 Councillors had attended the service, Councillor Evans had attended a service in Newport and Councillor Turner had been in Northern Ireland. Councillor Evans asked if the service could be advertised in the noticeboards next year. No further comments.

5. REPORT FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

PC Turner reported that the crime rate in the area had gone down in the last month. There had been break ins on the industrial estate, a van stolen from the same area, keys had been left in the van that had made this an easy target. Cars at a garage on the estate had been left unlocked overnight. PC Turner advised that this should not happen.

A large operation was mounted on Halloween night, which had been very successful. Local shops had not sold eggs over the period and as a result the village had been much cleaner the following morning.

The parent of the child who had been riding his quad bike around the green in Hill Barn View had not been aware of the legislation that forbade this. Councillor Griffiths asked if there was any documentation detailing this. PC Turner will forward a copy to the Clerk. The rules regarding these ‘vehicles’ could then be posted on the website.

Packsafe on the industrial estate had had a window broken. PC Turner asked to be informed of any suspicious incidents here.

A youth had been caught smashing a parking light in Mitel car park.

Councillor Turner reported that he had been having trouble with children on skateboards and bikes in Treetops.

Councillor Standing asked if there had been any progress with identifying the youth that had broken into the school. PC Turner said that the CCTV image was not clear enough but the police have an idea who the person involved was.

Councillor Griffiths asked about the incident when the school alarm went off and were advised that alarms were not attended to. PC Turner said alarms in private houses were not attended to but industrial premises were. It was thought that there was some confusion at the control room as to the status of the school as it was thought to be ‘private’. PC Turner will look into this.

6. COUNCIL BUDGET FOR DISCUSSION

The Clerk had distributed copies of the budget for discussion. The precept had not been raised for several years and Councillor Standing stated that if it was not raised this year, it would have to be raised by 30% in two years time or costs would have to be cut by 20%. The amount of increase was discussed and it was proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Richards to increase by 10% this year. The way the money was spent would also have to be looked at. Approval of the budget would be placed on the agenda for December.

7. REPLACEMENT CARETAKER

As Mr Jones would be retiring in March it was decided that the job would need to be advertised as soon as possible. Councillor Turner would inform the Clerk of the minimum wage. The Clerk would then produce job advertisements and place them in the noticeboards.

8. COUNCIL CHRISTMAS MEAL

After a short discussion it was decided that a buffet in the Portskewett Inn would be held on 29th or 30th December. Councillor Griffiths would ask the landlord if this could be arranged. Clerk to email all Councillors to find out most suitable date.

9. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES

a) Governing Body for Ysgol Y Ffin
Councillor Nurcombe had sent his apologies.

b) Governing Body for ARW Primary School
There had been no meeting this month, apart from the AGM.

10. REPORT FROM RECREATION HALL REPRESENTATIVE

There had been no meeting this month.

11. DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Councillor Fox was not at the meeting.

12. NEW CORRESPONDENCE

MCC Planning applications received. Circulation

MCC Planning Committee Agenda. Circulation

MCC Cabinet Agenda. Circulation.

MCC Connecting the Spheres conference. Discussed. Clerk had emailed Councillors between meetings regarding the event that will take place on 24th November at County Hall. No Councillors were available to attend.

Recreation Hall Committee Minutes from last meeting. Circulation

Usk Town Council Request for donation towards fund to cost fighting the decision to introduce car parking charges. Discussed. No donation to be made.

Public Services Ombudsman Annual Report. Circulation.

Good Companions Club Request for donation. Discussed. It proposed by Councillor Griffiths and seconded by Councillor Standing that a donation of £50 be awarded.

Portskewett and Caldicot Brownies. 2 Free tickets for concert on December 10th. Discussed. Councillor and Mrs Richards would attend.

MCC Road Safety Strategy. Discussed. Clerk would inform MCC that the 3 key priorities were speed monitoring equipment on Caldicot Road, the top end of the village and Sudbrook village.

Community Health Council Review of Community Health Councils. Discussed.

GAVO ‘Working Effectively as Trustees and Management Committee Members’ workshop. Discussed. No Councillors were available to attend.

Clerks and Councils Direct. Circualtion.

MCC Councillor G. Down Consultation on Council’s Budget for 2006/07. Discussed. The Council do not wish to comment.

MCC Seasonal Decorations/Lighting. Discussed. Legislation had been introduced requiring persons installing the lighting to be qualified. The Clerk asked Councillor Griffiths to look at the document. She would also enquire who installs the lights in Caldicot.

MCC Special Cabinet Meeting. Circulation.

CALM Alliance (Group against motorway between Magor and Castleton.) Meeting to be held at Civic Centre, Newport, 7pm, Tuesday 22nd November. Discussed. No Councillors were available to attend.

SEWTA Annual report 2004/05. Circulation.

Copy of Letter from WAG to Ms K Smith (Archaeologist) Consent from WAG to undertake survey of Harold’s Park. Discussed under Matters Arising item r).

Planning Applications Received
M12183 Hay and implement shed, Cropthorne Farm, Portskewett.
M12195 Extension to bungalow and conversion of part of existing stone building, High Orchard, Portskewett.
M12213 2nd storey extension to side of property. 42, Leechpool.
M12219 Replacement roof, extension to loft addition of dormer windows to rear. 6, Manor Way.
M12218 Facia and welcome signs Thompson and Thompson.
M12230 Change of use to vehicle hire. Unit 3, Severnbridge Est.

Planning Applications Approved
M12114 Victorian conservatory at side of property, 2, Laburnam Terrace, Portskewett
M11872 Two storey rear extn and new pitched roof over garage. 28, Main Road, Portskewett

Planning Applications Refused

13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Councillor Griffiths stated that the Christmas Tree lights still had not been purchased. LED lights might be expensive. Councillor Turner suggested COSTCO in Avonmouth might have lights that would be suitable. With the new H&S regulations it could be difficult to install them anyway as a suitably qualified person would have to do this.

Streetlight NY131 was still not working. Clerk to contact Roger Joy, lighting engineer, directly.

Councillor Turner asked if there was anything in place to cover the Clerk if she was absent due to holidays or sick leave. Theoretically it would be possible but it would be difficult due to the amount of people who would have to be informed of change of contact details.

Councillor Turner asked if the newsletter could be placed on the agenda for January. It was felt that there was a definite need for this (as identified by the previous Councillor Gardner). Councillor Turner would produce the newsletter but would need content. He felt that the website should also be advertised more widely.

Councillor Evans reported that people using the Church Hall during the day were not aware that they could use the car park in the school. The road outside the hall was often full of cars. Clerk to ask Mrs Ayres if people who use the hall could be advised that the car park was available. A sign indicating this could be put up in the Church Hall noticeboard.

Councillor Evans also reported that the St. Regis sign on Churchyard corner had been dislodged. He would attempt to readjust it.

14. FINANCE

the Clerk had received the Worksheet from the Caretaker, Mr Jones, detailing the number of weeks, overtime worked and expenses totalling £265.99

The Clerk’s salary and expenses totalled £947.49
Monthly Salary
6.5 hours overtime
Back pay for working through holiday.
Office Allowance
Telephone Expenses and Line Rental
Expenses (e.g. stamps, petrol allowance, stationery
£398.16
£51.93
£404.29
£43.33
£27.00
£22.78

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

A cheque for £120.00 cash was signed in between meetings, as this amount was needed for the float for the bonfire event. K Howells,£163.00, food for bonfire night, Portskewett Recreation Hall, hire of hall for bonfire night, £18.00, Neville Bartlett, 4th cut of Harold’s Park

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 13th December 2005 at 7.00 p.m. in the Recreation Hall. The meeting was then declared closed at 9.15 pm.