MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF PORTSKEWETT COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE RECREATION HALL TUESDAY 17 th OCTOBER 2006

The Secretary of the Recreation Hall reported that the new roof was finished and new fire doors would be installed in the next few weeks. He also reported NY31 had not been working for some time. The Clerk had reported this to the One Stop Shop and would report it again. He asked about the progress ofthe lease for the Recreation Hall. The Chairman informed Mr Edwards that, until the discrepancy in the relationships was resolved, the lease could not be signed. He was assured that, in the absence of the new lease, the old one would operate.

Mr Ken Prosser of Leechpool informed members that he felt the Planning Department had not consulted widely enough on the planning application submitted by Gwent Healthcare for 13 Leechpool. He also felt that the Community Council had not given the issue enough ‘airing'. Councillor Fox advised Mr Prosser that the planning process only required direct neighbours to be consulted and, to his knowledge, this had been done. Mr Prosser stated that he was aware of a ‘charter' produced by the County Council, where the values and aims are documented. He would like to see a copy of this. The Clerk informed Mr Prosser that, after the problems he had encountered with the Planning Department last year, she had written to the Chief Executive of MCC, who had advised that Mr. Prosser should contact him directly with any concerns he had. Mr. Prosser would now do this. The Clerk would also source the document Mr. Prosser referred to and ensure he received a copy.


1. SIGN THE ATTENDANCE BOOK

The Attendance Book was duly signed.

•  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies had been received and accepted from Councillor Richards

3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

It was proposed by Councillor Nurcombe 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 to report.

•  The Lease on The Quest
Awaiting new lease.

•  Recreation Hall Lease
The Clerk had received an email from Asset Management asking if the lease were to be signed. She informed him that the ongoing discrepancy regarding the relationships between the Management Committee, the Community Council and the County Council needed to be clarified once and for all. Councillors would all read, and understand the lease and a meeting between the three parties, and a representative from the Charities Commission would need to be held.

•  Car Parking at Church Hall/outside School
The issue of insurance is delaying the use of the car park for church hall users. The headmaster of ARW school would need to be informed each time the car park was used by a church hall user.

•  Designation of Bridleway
The Clerk contacted Ruth Rourke, the Rights of Way Officer to chase progress. Due to a member of staff leaving, no progress has been made. Ms Rourke advised that a technician would draft a plan, which can be used with the creation agreements. This would be circulated as soon as possible.

•  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
The Clerk contacted Network Rail again, requesting the fence be repaired as it looks extremely unsightly.

•  Broken Fence and Overgrowth on Sudbrook Line
This had now been attended to. No further comments.

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

•  Weeds in Orchard Gardens

•  State of Sudbrook Road
Clerk had reported to MCC Highways who had added the site to the patching contract for this year. No further comments.

•  Removal of Hedge on Crick Road
Clerk to chase the progress of the painting of the white line to mark the edge of the carriageway.

•  Brow of Hill on Crick Road
Clerk to chase progress of the painting of the white line to mark the centre of the carriageway.

•  Council Accounts 2005/06
No progress.

•  Best Kept Garden Competition
Councillors discussed the way the competition is judged. Councillor Watts questioned if members of the council should be allowed to enter the competition. It was decided that to exclude members would also be excluding spouses who may wish to enter and that the competition would be operated in the same way as it had done in previous years. No further comments.

•  Car Dealers at Parkwall
The Enforcement Officer was still awaiting plans from the owner of the restaurant car park.

•  Alleged Breach of Planning Rules - Fancy Dress Hire
A planning application had been submitted and no objections raised. No further comments.

•  Youth Club in the Village
Councillor Watts reported that the youth club had been well attended and appeared to be successful at present.

•  Warning Signs at Black Rock
Clerk had emailed Matthew Lewis of Countryside who had replied that they would consider placing signs and asked for the location. The Clerk had informed him that a sign place by the steps from the picnic site to the foreshore would probably be the most beneficial site.

•  Woodstock Waste
The Clerk had emailed various officers from MCC detailing the problems, both with the unacceptable practices being operated at the site and the alleged maladministration by the County Planning Department. She had also informed Councillor Fox of the problems. She had informed the Planning Department that the official representation from the Community Council was that they objected to the retrospective application submitted by Woodstock Waste to increase their storage capacity. She had ensured the three companies who had attended the meeting in September were aware of the steps the Community Council had taken to support them. Councillor Fox had forwarded an email to the Clerk that he had received from John Clements from MCC Environmental Health. Mr. Clements had informed Councillor Fox that the duty lay with the Environment Agency as they issued the licences for waste disposal facilities. The Clerk forwarded the email to the three companies encountering the problems, asking them to contact the Environment Agency directly. No further comments.

•  Proposed Section 106 Money
Councillors agreed that any S106 money available from the Bellway Homes site should be used for play area, youth club or other facilities for the young people in the village (e.g. a youth shelter). The possibility of using the school in Sudbrook, when it becomes vacant, was discussed. Councillor Fox would investigate if any detailed plans were needed to be ready when the money was released.

•  Lights on Sudbrook Road
The Clerk reported to One Stop Shop again. The lights had now been faulty for three months. Clerk to report to MCC again.

•  Overgrown Hedge – 2 Laburnam Terrace.
The hedge had been cut back. No further comments.

•  Lights at St. Regis Mill
Councillor Watkins had met with Mark Smith to discuss the lights at the mill. Mr Smith had informed Councillor Watkins that the lights had been placed there as a security measure. An amount of copper had been stolen from the site. Mr Smith agreed to place shields on the lights to help alleviate the problem. No further comments.

•  Map Case in Sudbrook
Councillors discussed various sites that the map could be placed, where it would be less likely to be vandalised. One site to consider would be adjacent to the Council noticeboard on the Walker Flats green area. Clerk to contact Caldicot Housing department to request if this would be possible.

•  Phone Box in Leechpool – Overgrown Brambles.
The brambles had now been removed. No further comments.

•  Thompson and Thompson Parking on the Verge
The Clerk had informed MCC Highways asking them to contact Thompson and Thompson. She had received an email from the Highway Inspector advising that he would speak to the Manager when he was next in the area. The vehicles were still being parked there, sometimes with the doors open, obstructing the footpathway. Clerk to report again.

•  Slide at The Quest – Overgrown Nettles.
The nettles had been removed. No further coments.

•  Children Playing on Bellway Development.
The Clerk had requested that warning and safety signs be placed on the fencing. This had now been done. No further comments.

•  REPORT FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

PCSO Withers and PC Turner attended the meeting and reported the following:
A garden shed had been broken into at the new barns development, fishing equipment had been stolen.
Numerous calls had been received reporting children playing on the Bellway development.
Several calls had been received reporting children behaving in an antisocial manner at the Recreation Hall. The same children had been responsible for both problems. Names and addresses had been taken and letters sent to the parents.
A report had been received that 4 youths in Treetops were behaving antisocially, they had been identified.
An abandoned 999 call had been made from the kiosk on the Main Road.
A call had been received from the coach driver in Sudbrook who had been unable to turn at the end of the village due to parked cars. The ‘No Parking' sign was still attached to the wall.
Trail bikes had been seen driving around Sunnycroft. The Police would like to receive calls from anyone who sees this happening.
Chepstow Removals had been broken into.
Public houses in the area had been broken into and gaming machines stolen. It was thought that 1local individual was responsible.
Garden ornaments had been stolen from an address in Black Rock Road.
On the Severnbridge Estate, vehicles and skips were obstructing the highway. The Police will be monitoring the area.
Cable had been stolen from the mill and thrown onto the foreshore for recovery later. A professional gang were likely to have been responsible.

Councillor Watkins informed the officers that vandalism was occurring in the play area in Sudbrook. The area would be monitored.

•  PRESENTATION BY RURAL HOUSING ENABLER

The Chairman welcomed Mr Rhidian Jones, the Rural Housing Enabler who distributed copies of the presentation to members. He outlined the aims of the project and stated that he hoped it could be useful in this area. There had been a loss of vital housing resource in rural areas, in recent years. House prices had become increasingly unaffordable. Any affordable housing stock was not exclusively for local people. An assessment in the form of a survey could be carried out to identify if there is a need. If a need is identified possible solutions would be investigated. The Community Council would not incur any cost from the survey but involvement would be required. Without the involvement of the Community Council, a very low rate of return was likely.

Councillors decided that the issue needed to be discussed in greater detail and would be placed on the agenda for January 2007, after everyone had had a chance to read the documents. Councillor Fox asked Mr Jones if sites outside the Village Building Line could be identified. Mr. Jones would have to meet with the Planning Department to be sure that sites could not be identified elsewhere.

The Chairman thanked Mr. Jones for attending the meeting.

•  BONFIRE NIGHT

The bonfire event would be held on Saturday 4 th November. Interested members of the community and several councillors had met on 10 th October and would meet again on the 1 st November to finalise arrangements.

•  REMEMBRANCE SERVICE

The Service would be held on Sunday 11 th November. The Clerk would order the wreaths and Councillor Griffiths would pick them up. Councillor Richards would read out the names on the cenotaph. Councillor Standing, as Chairman and Councillor Fox, as County Councillor, would give a reading. The Chairman stated that last year, the turnout of Councillors was disappointing and asked for all Councillors to make an effort to attend.

•  REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES

a) Governing Body for Ysgol Y Ffin
No meeting had been held recently.

b) Governing Body for ARW Primary School
The AGM had been held and roles identified to help create relationships with governors. The question of the school being used to hold the youth club had not received a very favourable response.

10. REPORT FROM RECREATION HALL REPRESENTATIVE

Councillor Evans was not at the meeting.

11. DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY COUNCILLOR


Councillor Fox gave a summary of the consultation of the amalgamation of the schools in the area. St. Mary's would be remodelled to a 210 place school by 2008. Sandy Lane Infants would be closed and a stand alone nursery built on the Durand site. Ysgol-y-Ffin would be relocated to the Sandy Lane site. During 2009 a new 210 place school would be built at Rogiet. During 2001 a new 210 place school would be built at Green Lane with a 60 place nursery.
Councillor Fox asked members if they had any questions for him. Councillor Parker asked why school transport was now being provided by MCC buses. Councillor Fox advised that the buses were part of a pilot scheme introduced as a result of the review of school transport. The driver on the bus could not take money, therefore, any child not issued with a free bus pass had to purchase a ticket for a term in advance at a cost of £85. Children who attended after school clubs could not used such a ticket on a public service bus and therefore would have to pay again. Councillor Turner asked if a ‘two pass system' could be investigated. Councillor Griffiths advised that the buses are sometimes up to 35 minutes late picking the children up from ARW school. This apparently was due to parking problems at Undy, where the bus could not park near the school to pick the children up.

Councillor Turner asked Councillor Fox if he could speak to the Waste Management Department who had not responded to his recent correspondence.

12. NEW CORRESPONDENCE

•  MCC Planning applications received. Circulation

•  MCC Planning Committee Agenda. Circulation

•  MCC Monmouthshire Community Website. Questionnaire.

•  MCC Bus Stop Clearway Notice. Circulation.

•  MCC Severnside Area Committee Agenda and Minutes. Circulation.

•  One Voice Wales Agenda and Minutes. Circulation.

•  Local Health Board Clinical Futures Consultation. Discussed/Circulation.

•  Gwent Police Authority Vacancies for Independent Members. Discussed. No Councillor would be applying.

•  MCC Older People's Strategic Partnership Discussed.Intergenerational seminar, November 15 th , Priory Centre, Abergavenny. No one to attend.

•  GAVO Network newsletter. Circulation

•  WAG Consultation on Draft Guidance on Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act. Circulation.

Planning Applications Received
00799 Castlegate Business Park Installation of Entrance Canopies. No objections.
00914 St. Pierre Caravan Park. Erection of 47 lodges. Recommend refusal. Concerns that the area would become a residential site. Safety issues with the storage of the fuel tanks in the grotto. Far too many ‘lodges' in the site.
00668 Land to the rear of 40 Main Road. Outline Permission for 2 Houses. Concerns were raised regarding the possibility of the area flooding, also the access into the site.
01131 42 Leechpool. Change of use of Shed to Fancy Dress Business. No objections.

Planning Applications Approved
MM12382 Barn Adj. Manor Cottage. Change of Use to Single Dwelling Unit.
MM12681 St. Regis Mill. Provision of hardstanding within the curtilage.
00590 13 Leechpool. Change of use to form residential community care home.

Planning Applications Refused
None this month.

13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

•  The cycle/footpath behind is very overgrown. Clerk to report to Rights of Way.

•  Councillors would like to see the millstone that is situated in the ‘old dairy' placed on the village green. Clerk to speak to the agents selling the building to ask if it could be given to the village.

•  Councillor Watkins reported that the parking situation in Sudbrook is getting worse. Clerk to write to Network Rail asking if the line is decommissioned and if the land could be used for parking. She would also contact MCC for suggestions.

•  The bin that was removed from outside Sudbrook Post Office had not been replaced. Clerk to contact MCC to ask when a new bin will be installed.

14. FINANCE

The Clerk had received a Worksheet from the Caretaker, Mr Spooner for 4 weeks, £202.00

The Clerk had received the following: Neville Bartlett, an invoice for £102.23, third cut of Harold's Park.

It was proposed by Councillor Nurcombe and seconded by Councillor Watkins 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 21 st November 2006 at 7.00 p.m. in the Recreation Hall. The meeting was then declared closed at 9.40 pm.