- Apologies for absence
Members present:
Cllr. Mick Sheath, Chairman
Cllr. Lyn Bennett
Cllr. Colin Evans
Cllr. Mike Foster
Cllr Peter Gough
Cllr Gwyn Rowlands
Cllr David Williams
Apologies received from County Councillor Greenland and P. C. Cowburn.
In attendance part time, Mr Nick Ramsay, A.M.
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Minutes of the Last Meeting.
The Clerk apologised for the incorrect year's date on the last minutes,
also altered heading to 'Parish' hall. The minutes were then agreed
by those present and signed by the Chairman. The Clerk tabled nine
emails from P.C. Cowburn; his report will be attached to the minutes.
The Clerk reported that monitoring of speed through the village, with
mobile signal, had been carried out on 30 May by PC Lennie Oliver,
Usk Neighbourhood Policing Team. Also, four cars with armed police
presence in Llangwm, with submachine guns, for some hours on the afternoon
of Saturday 17/07. Reason unknown.
- Mr Nick Ramsey, A.M.
Government of Wales Act - moving from Part 3 to Part 4.
There will be a referendum on this topic, probably in march next year,
which might also include the question of the A.V system. Mr Ramsey said
he wished to give a hopefully objective explanation of what this involves.
Currently the Assembly can only vary laws within its defined policy
areas, not create them. A 'Yes' vote in the referendum would replace
the current very complicated system, where every proposal (Local Competence
0rder) raised by the Assembly is referred back to the English Parliament
before it can become law. It would not give more powers, but more effective
powers, still within the devolved areas. Reserved matters would remain
reserved. A 'No' vote would change nothing, simply leave the present
time wasting and expensive decision making system in place.
There will be officially, and equally, funded campaign for both the
'Yes' and 'No' supporters, and our Council could get further information
from them nearer the time.
Mr Ramsey fielded several questions from Councillors, and left the meeting,
with many thanks for his most instructive presentation.
- Matters Arising.
8a Highways.
Llanynant Road Llangwm was closed for patching most of last month, was
top dressed later. The Clerk and local residents have successfully ensured
that Millbrook was included in the programme. The Clerk sent our thanks
to Engineer Lane.
The Clerk had also emailed 27/05 concerning Church Lane (Llangwm/Llansoy
road) and George's Delight; comments from the engineer - both will be
added to pothole programme. Councillors reported that this work was
yet to be done.
Grit bins at Gaer Fawr and at Llangwm Hall - will be put in place.
On 14/06 the footpaths in the centre of the village were cleared by
MCC operatives, as requested for BKV, 27/05. The Clerk emailed our thanks,
which will be passed on to those involved.
The Clerk emailed Engineer Lane 11/07 concerning the apparent two week
closure of the B4235 at Gwernesney, where the notices may be incorrect.
These later corrected, though two weeks seems excessive.
Cllr. Foster had complained to the One Stop Shop on Highway matters,
which had been promptly dealt with.
Cllr. Gough asked if a speed check device could be erected at his end
of the village, because of the excessive acceleration along that straight
stretch of road.
Cllr. Foster asked the Clerk to repeat our request to Devauden C. C.
concerning the very bad potholes on California Lane.
BT pole at Llansoy. The Clerk raised again by email 27/5, but the contact
was away on holiday and has not yet responded.
Matters Arising under Any Other Correspondence.
Forestry Commission woodland proposal for Rhydwern; maps now received
- see later.
Flooding at Llangwm - nothing to report, other than that the prospect
of assistance seems remote.
Bridge Inn, Llangwm - nothing further known.
The Clerk circulated a draft of his job specification for approval,
and also a draft advertisement.
Councillors will examine these and send any comments to the Clerk.
When finalised, it was agreed that as well as the noticeboards, an
advertisement should be placed in the local paper.
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Finance.
The Clerk tabled the financial statement for the three months April
to June, showing reserves of £3,738.32.
The Clerk has now received the bank statement, and produced the bank
reconciliation. The internal auditor will be able to complete the
audit in about one week's time, when the Clerk can send the accounts
off for external audit.
He had received a clarification from OVW of new audit requirements;
photocopies of the accounts, approved by Council, are to be sent off
first, with a covering letter. Then a reply by the auditor, stating
their intention. Then accounts approved again by Council by 31 December
and the original form sent to the auditor. The Clerk felt this was
an unnecessary complication.
The Clerk had paid the outstanding invoices, as authorised, and received
acknowledgment of renewal from the insurance brokers, without the
inclusion of their £5 fee.
The Clerk had received a letter dated 30th May from Mr Bill Savage,
who had taken over temporarily as Treasurer of Llangwm PCC, requesting
the inclusion of the two Llangwm churches in the grant we had proposed
in November last year. The Clerk suggested we raise a cheque for £400
as previously agreed, and this was unanimously confirmed.
The Clerk confirmed that the application for audio equipment for the
Hall had been unsuccessful. He would explore other sources of funding,
and requested that the previous financial support be extended to any
new submission. This was agreed. After some discussion, it was also
agreed that he should pursue this grant application separately from
that by the Hall Committee.
The Clerk requested payment of his salary, and travel expenses of
£10.81 for Cllr. Foster, be agreed. This was confirmed.
- Any Other Correspondence.
The following documents were tabled for circulation:-
A) Documents requiring decision:
From MCC:-
Planning applications:-
DC/2010/00030, Pentre Farm Llansoy, amended to remove the two storey
extension. We had agreed the previous application. This was again
agreed.
DC/2010/00501, Coed Ceirw, Mr A. Roberts, retrospective application
for side extension. This was agreed.
DC/2010/00580, Mrs L Price, The Carna, Llangwm. retrospective application
to retain first floor extension. This was agreed.
Letter from Jenny Lewis in her new role as Citizen Engagement Manager,
with offer to visit or answer any queries directly. Councillors to
consider our response.
The last Tidy Towns funding, asks for any ideas from our community
on the scheme.
Monmouthshire LDP consultation on proposed rural housing allocation,
comments by 30 July. Llangwm and Llansoy not affected.
Comments by 5 September on proposal to close magistrates courts in
Abergavenny and Chepstow.
Countryside Training Opportunities - limited places.
Review of Electoral Arrangements for Monmouthshire. Comments by 31
August.
Press release posted about public meeting on The Ryder Cup arrangements,
24th June.
From Other Bodies:-
Requests for financial assistance from Shelter and the NSPCC. These
were refused.
Comments required by 30th July on the proposals for woodland development
proposals at Rhydwern. It was agreed that there were no adverse observations.
B) For information only:-
From MCC:-
Three agenda for Planning Committee meetings, and comment about a
hitch in the planning website.
One set of MCC Council minutes, and the proposed Rural Housing Allocation.
Twos sets of area committee minutes.
MCC circular 'Boost'.
- Any Other Business.
Mr Glyn Edmunds, in charge of MCC recycling, has asked to attend our
next meeting to present proposals for fortnightly recycling, now being
trialled at Magor. This was agreed.
Cllr. Foster reported on his recent Rural Forum meeting, where it
was said a feasibility study costing £8M was being carried out
on the building of four new schools.
- Date of Next Meeting.
This was agreed for Tuesday 21st September at the Parish Hall. Llangwm.
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