MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF PORTSKEWETT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
HELD IN ARW  SCHOOL TUESDAY 18th SEPTEMBER 2007

The Chairman had advised the Clerk that he would not be able to attend until 7.30.  In the absence of the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Standing took the Chair until that time.

11 members of the public were in attendance to discuss the Barratt development.  See item aa) under Matters Arising.

The Chairman and Treasurer of the Recreation Hall Committee attended.  See item bb) under Matters Arising.

Mr K Henderson wished to complain about the traffic calming in Sudbrook.  He stated that buses, trucks and vans were speeding across the humps, creating noise.  He asked who would be responsible for any damage to cars.  Councillor Parker informed Mr Henderson that the traffic calming had been requested by many Sudbrook residents and a full consultation exercise had been carried out by MCC.  The installed scheme had been the preferred option, again chosen by the residents.  Mr Henderson was advised that he should contact MCC.


1.         SIGN THE ATTENDANCE BOOK

            The Attendance Book was duly signed. 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
   
   Apologies had been received and accepted from Councillors Fox, Watkins and Turner .
   

3.         MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

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

4.         MATTERS ARISING

1. Traffic Calming and Warning Signs for School
    No progress to report.
   
2. The Lease on The Quest
   Awaiting new lease.
   

e)   Designation of Bridleway
      No progress. 

1. Claim Against Council Insurance
   No progress to report. 
   
2. Broken Fence on Harold’s Park Side of Sudbrook Bridge and State of Bridge
    Still awaiting repair by Network Rail. Clerk had contacted the Railway Inspectorate.  She and Councillor Parker had met with Mr. Hadley to discuss the issue.  Mr Hadley assured both that the fence would be fixed although the buried services survey could take up to 10 weeks.  The Clerk informed him that she was under the impression that had already been done some time ago.  Mr. Hadley also agreed that the large potholes in the road were on the structure of the bridge, which meant Network Rail would be responsible for repair. These had since been repaired. The Clerk again expressed the Council’s feelings of frustration that the repairs were taking such a length of time.  She had received a call from the Vehicle Incursion Officer at Network Rail who assured her the fence would be repaired but an amount of ‘up to £2,000’ would be available from Network Rail.  The Clerk asked if members of the Community Council could be invited to any joint meeting.
   
3. Brow of Hill on Crick Road
   No progress to report.
   
4. Warning Signs at Black Rock
   The Clerk asked if any Councillor could check if the signs had been installed.
   
5. Proposed Section 106 Money
   The Clerk had received a letter from Rev. Richards expressing the Church’s interest in accessing part of the money.  She would check with Councillor Fox if the Church Hall could apply for any of the money.
   
6. Map Case in Sudbrook

             Awaiting the case to be re-sited outside Walker Flats.

1. Interpretation Boards Following Time Team Visit to Harold’s Park
    The money had been received from MCC.  The Clerk had received a draft of the words Kate Smith had put together.  Work needed to be done to design the final draft.
   
2. Laburnam Terrace Streetname
    Awaiting new sign to be installed.  Clerk had emailed Amanda Perrin of who advised that the sign would be installed in the near future.
    
3. Pavements in Camp Road and Post Office Row
   No progress.
   
4. Presentation of 2006/07 Accounts
   The internal auditor had returned the accounts and had signed the audit report.  The Annual Governance Statement was then signed by the Chairman and the Clerk.  Notices would be placed in the noticeboards to advertise that the accounts may be viewed by electors.
   
5. Surface of Manor Way
   No progress.
   
6. Best Kept Village
    No awards had been won by either village.  No further comments.
   
7. Best Kept Garden Competition
   Mr and Mrs Beedon from 27 The Close had won for Portskewett and Mr and Mrs Pike had won for Sudbrook.  Councillor Griffiths had had the plaques engraved at a cost of £5.00 each.  No further comments.
   
8. Recycling Service in Leechpool
   Clerk had emailed the Waste Strategy Officer again and informed him that no green waste was collected in Leechpool.  Despite several attempts to contact Mr Quale, she had not had a response.  Councillor Standing would attempt to contact Mr. Quale.
   
9. Overgrown Hedge at Back of Oaklands Park
   The hedge had now been cut back. No further comments.
   
10. Cessation of Free Grass Cutting Service
    The Clerk had received separate quotes from MCC – The Quest would cost £765.15 and Sudbrook play area and The Camp field £1,150.70.  Mr Bartlett did not have the equipment to undertake the work but had asked Morris’s of Usk to provide a quote.  These were £1,400 for both sites.  A further quote had been received from Tayman Fencing at a cost of £150 per cut to include both sites.
    
11. Overgrown Brambles under Benches
    Councillor Parker would fix the strimmer to enable the caretaker to strim the brambles.
    
12. Village Christmas Trees
    Clerk had received a letter from MCC with a list of local contractors who have registered with the ASLEC Sector Scheme.  This is a requirement for any Christmas lighting from this year.  The Chairman would contact the contractor for further information.
    
13. Road Sweeper in Sudbrook
     Clerk had reported to One Stop Shop, requesting the sweeper cleans the pavements in Post Office Row and Camp Road area.  This appears to have been done.  No further comments.
    
14. Ovegrown Vegetation on Sudbrook Branch Line
    Clerk had reported to Network Rail.  Mr Hadley had advised the Clerk that the work would be carried out.  No further comments.
    
15. Overgrown Trees Belonging to The Mill
    Clerk had written to Mr Smith asking for the trees to be trimmed.  He had telephoned and asked to meet with a Councillor to discuss.  Clerk had passed Councillor Watkins’s number on.
    
16. Footpath 13
    Clerk had reported to One Stop Shop, asking for it to be cut back.  This had been done.  No further comments.
    
17. Obscured Signs in Leechpool
    Clerk had reported to One Stop Shop.  Councillor Standing reported that the work had not been carried out.
    
18.  Additional Land Purchased by Barn Developer
    Clerk had spoken to Mike Grace who confirmed that the owner of the barn nearest to Harold’s Park had indeed requested to purchase an additional 15 feet of land.  He would be offered the land at the market value.  Clerk to check with Mr Grace if any progress had been made.  She would inform him that the Community Council would object to the sale of any land that is currently included in the lease.
    
19. Planning Application for 40 Dwellings on Sudbrook Road
    The amended plans that were shown publicly during August had been returned to the developer for further amendment.  Several members of the public attended the meeting to inform members that they were still opposed to the development.  Mr I Cooper had put forward solid arguments against the application from a highway point of view.  It was alarming that the County Council had not attached any highway conditions to the applications for the Bellway site or the development of number 1 Main Road.  Councillors assured those present that the Community Council had recommended refusal of the application and fully supported the group’s objections. 
    
    Councillor Watts informed the group that the Community Council had objected to the development at number 1 Main Road and that the County Councillor had turned it round at Planning Committee.
    
20. Discuss Request for Financial Assistance from Recreation Hall
    
    The Chairman and the Treasurer of the Committee attended the meeting.  Mr Taylor stated that the letter he had received in June was incorrect in saying that the Management Committee was responsible for the Sudbrook play area.  The Clerk advised him that she had taken the information from the file and had not been aware that the situation had changed.   Mr Taylor stated that the Community Council had paid the insurance for years.  The acting Chairman stated that justification or a business plan had been requested.  The Community Council has to be responsible for public money and receive many requests for financial assistance and all have to be treated in the same way.  The Treasurer, Mr Lovell, stated that he thought the Community Council were ‘being awkward’.  The business plan was left with members to discuss.  Mr Taylor also questioned why the Community Council was paying more to have its meetings in local schools.  The Clerk informed him that the move was to enable the school to be used as a ‘Community Focus School’ as was intended when it was built.  Also to include the school in Sudbrook in the same initiative.
    
21. Severn Tunnel Action Group

Clerk had sent letters from the Community Council to the agencies Mr Inskip had identified when he had attended the meeting.  She had received responses, assuring that the reinstated morning services would remain on the forthcoming timetable.  She had forwarded the responses to Mr. Inskip.  No further comments.

1. REPORT FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES
   
   PC Turner gave a report on incidents including the following:
   
   There had been a large increase in car break-ins in the Caldicot and Caerwent area.  Some residents in Caerwent had left their cars unlocked.
   The Pill House had been raided and a reasonable quantity of substances seized.  It was hoped the building could be closed under a Crack House Order. 
   Officers had carried out a speed gun exercise in Portskewett.  68 vehicles had been targeted with 10 speeding, all of whom were local people.  All had been spoken to.  No fixed penalties were issued.  The constabulary were hoping to purchase its own speed gun.  The operation of speed vans was in the process of being privatised.  Several vehicles were speeding in Sunnycroft, registration numbers needed.
   
   The Environment Agency had served a warrant on Woodstock Waste.  They were found to be exceeding the amount of waste they were licensed for.  The Environment Agency Crime Investigation Department were shocked at the amount of waste on the site.  If the site were to be abandoned it would be the landowner’s responsibility to clear the area.  The Clerk informed PC Turner that a meeting had been called by factories neighbouring Woodstock Waste.  PC Turner would try to attend.
   
   There had been several incidents of antisocial behaviour, names had been taken.
   An attempted break in had occurred at St. Pierre Caravan Park.
   Youths had been seen climbing into ARW school.  Patrols in this area would increase.
   Youths had been riding motorcycles in the field behind the Rec Hall and other areas.
   A pedal bike had been stolen from St. Mary’s Place and another from Sudbrook.
   5 attempted break ins on new cars on Severn Bridge Estate.
   Eggs had been thrown at houses on Treetops, possible neighbour dispute.
   A window in Ysgol-y-Ffin had been smashed.
   A bogus caller had been reported in Crick Road.
   A camera and charger had been stolen from Main Road.
   2 females had been found collapsed outside the Church. (Alcohol related).
   Cows roaming loose on Parkwall roundabout.
   A break in had been attempted in the Portskewett Inn.
   Rowdy behaviour in Hodges Close (possible party).
   Fireworks had been let off on the Industrial Estate.  This is illegal apart from designated times during the year.
   A confused elderly gentleman had been found in Leechpool.
   Several reports of the traffic lights on Sudbrook bridge not working.  The fault had been since rectified.
   
   Councillor Standing asked PC Turner if there had been any progress on the sexual attack in Portskewett.  There was nothing further to report regarding this incident.
   The Chairman thanked PC Turner for attending.
   
   
2. DISCUSS REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM CHURCH HALL
   
   The Clerk had received the financial report from the Church Hall. After a short discussion it was proposed by Councillor Watts and seconded by Councillor Nurcombe that an amount of £100 be donated.  
   
3. FUTURE OF SUDBROOK SCHOOL SITE
   
   This item would be deferred until the October meeting.
   
4. DISCUSS PLANNING APPLICATION TO INFILL RAILWAY CUTTING BLACK ROCK ROAD
   
   County Councillor Fox had informed the Clerk that he had spoken to the Planning Department  regarding the planning application.  They had advised him that, due to the length of time since the application was first submitted, a new consultation would be undertaken.  Highways would be interested to comment.

1. 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
               No meeting had been held recently
              
   
1. REPORT FROM REPRESENTATIVE ON OTHER COMMITTEES
    
               a)         Area Forum
                           No meeting had been held recently.
   
               b)         Portskewett and Sudbrook Youth Club
                           Councillor Watts reported that youth club had re-opened with several new                                           members.  The Severnside Youth Activity Day had been a reasonable success.
   
               c)         New Play Area Committee
                           Councillor Evans reported that the Fun Run had been a success and had raised £200.                     An application for funding from RCA was being submitted.
   
               d)         Magor Flood Group
                           No meeting had been held recently.
                          

11.       DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Councillor Fox had sent his apologies to the Clerk.

12.       NEW CORRESPONDENCE

1. MCC Planning Committee Agenda.  Circulation
   
2. Gwent Association for the Blind  Request for financial assistance.  Discussed.  No payment could be made.
   
3. Sea Wall Liaison Committee.  Agenda and minutes.  Circulation.
   
4. MCC Intergenerational Event.  To be held 27th September.  Discussed.  No one to attend.
   
5. ROSPA  Inspection Report.  Circulation.  There had been no High Risk comments.
   
6. WAG  A Shared Community Consultation document.  Circulation.
   
7. Chepstow CAB  Request for financial assistance. Discussed. No donation could be made. The Clerk informed members that the cheque for the donation of £300 sent to Caldicot CAB had still not been cashed.  The Clerk had telephoned and visited the CAB in person to remind them to cash the cheque.
   
8. MCC Local Development Plan  Draft Delivery Agreement for Consultation.  Discussed/circulation.
   
9. Gwent Police Authority  2008/09 Local Policing Plan  Invitation to event of Tuesday 9th October  - Alice Springs Golf Club.
   
10. Childline  Request for financial assistance.  Discussed.  No donation could be made.
    
11. Mr Tidley 10 Caldicot Road.  Letter regarding bonfires near to his house.  He would like the Council to educate people to use the green waste collection.  Discussed.  The Clerk informed members that she had been informed by MCC that the service was extremely successful, in fact, so successful that households were being limited to 5 bags per collection.  She would write to Mr. Tidley.
    
12. MCC  Intergenerational newsletter.  Circulation
    
13. WAG  Preparing Community Strategies, consultation.  Circulation.
    
14. Clerks and Councils Direct.  Newsletter  Circulation.
    
15. MCC  Local Service Board & Community Strategy  22nd October 2007.  No one to attend.
    
16. By Email :  Benfield ATT  Requesting a meeting with representatives from this council to discuss the Woodstock Waste site.  Councillors Watkins and Evans would attend.
    
    

Planning Applications Received
00079  Unit 7 Severnbridge Est. (Woodstock Waste)  Amendment to previous application.  No objections.
00991  7 Arthur’s Court.  Retention of 2 storey extension to side.  No objections.
001012 Lodge Way/Norman Way.  Detailed consent for units and garden centre.  No objections.
01024  Garden House Treetops.  Extension to side with indoor pool.  No objections.
Amended plans for Land off Sudbrook Road.  Public showing of plans 28th August.Object on same grounds as previous application.
01152  27 Leechpool.  Two storey extension to rear with sunroom to side.  No objections.
01012  Lodge Way/Norman Way.  Amendment to previous application.  No objections.

Planning Applications Approved

Planning Applications Refused


13.       ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1. Councillor Griffiths asked if a meeting regarding the bonfire event could be arranged.  This would take place on 8th October.  Clerk to inform people who usually helped out.
   
2. Councillor Standing had received a complaint regarding a large motorhome that is parked in a lay-by in Station Road.  Clerk to contact PC Turner to ask if any laws are being broken.
   
3. Councillor Richards reported that the weeds in Orchard Gardens had grown back.  Clerk to report.
   
4. Councillor Parker asked if there had been any formal plans submitted for the old shipyard site.  No plans had been submitted but it was likely that they would be in the future.  It had been heard that the site would be used for Social Housing.
   
5. There had been no progress with the paper mill site.
   
   

14.       FINANCE
August
                       
The Clerk had received a Worksheet for the month of August from the Caretaker, Mr Spooner for 5 weeks, £267.50

 
The following cheques had been signed by Councillor Nurcombe and Councillor Griffiths during the Clerk’s August break:
           

September

The Clerk had received the following invoices:  Portskewett Rec Hall, hire of hall for planning meeting, £8.00, Neville Bartlett, 3rd cut of Harold’s Park, £105.75.

The Clerk had received a Worksheet from the Caretaker, Mr Spooner for 4 weeks plus 3 hours overtime, £230.05

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

           


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 16th October 2007 at 7 p.m. at Ysgol-y-Ffin School, Sudbrook. The meeting was then declared closed at 9.30pm.