- Apologies for absence
Members present:
Cllr. Colin Evans, Chairman
Cllr. Lyn Bennett
Cllr Peter Gough
Cllr. Mick Sheath
Apologies were received from Cllr. Foster.
In attendance County Councillor Greenland and P.C. Mike Cowburn part
time.
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Minutes of the Last Meeting
The Parochial Church Council had issued a Community Flyer to consult
on a possible church closure, and on their behalf Mr Bill Savage asked
to address the Council.
He explained that because of low Sunday attendance and the financial
deficit, it was considered that the parish could not continue to support
two churches. The Clerk circulated papers from the PCC detailing the
situation, and Mr Savage asked for our feedback. He replied to various
questions as follows:
A sale would be covenanted to allow burials to continue. Sale could
be to the charity Friends of Friendless Churches, or some benefactor.
He understood the proceeds would be returned to the parish. Because
of its Grade 1 listing, St Jerome's had a grant for a spring clean.
CADW might be helpful. Feedback so far favoured the retention of St
Jerome's, which was more valuable historically. The costs listed were
only to maintain the fabric, not the capital expenditure ideally required.
It would be unlikely to obtain land to give level access at St Jerome's.
Both properties were structurally sound, having had regular surveys,
but what more capital expenditure was needed was unsure. Both churches
were in the same parish. He was sure that St John's Hall would be
retained. County Councillor Greenland felt that the sale of St John's
was the only commercial option, but feared the deficit would return
in perhaps ten years. It was agreed that the critical points were
that the sale proceeds were returned to the parish, and that burials
could continue.
Mr Savage thanked Council for their attention and then left the meeting.
In response to Cllr. Sheath, it was agreed that this topic be debated
more fully at our next meeting.
The Clerk had received seven email messages from P. C. Cowburn, including
a naked rambler and a burglary at Llangwm.
The Chairman asked P.C. Cowburn to address the meeting, and his report
is attached to the minutes.
- Matters Arising
8a Highways.
The Clerk has chased the surface repairs at Millbrook Llangwm; reply
that it is still fit for purpose and not a risk. However Lanynant Road
is due for patching repair this financial year or next and Millbrook
will be included.
Bridge parapet repairs at Pentwyn Farm Llangwm also not done and being
chased, even though the Clerk has advised Highways of the contact at
the transport company whose insurance will pay for the damage. County
Councillor Greenland asked to have details of this incident.
Emailed 17/07 reporting 'Church' Road sign damage.
Cllr. Foster advised of damage to the grit bin on George's Delight;
this has been added to the Autumn list and had recently been replaced.
The Clerk wrote again 9/07 to Devauden C. C. regarding the surface repairs
requested, and Cllr. Foster reported this had now been done.
The Chairman asked for other highway matters to be raised.
Cllr Evans said the hedge at the old P.O. (Nant Y Bwthyn) Llangwm
was damaging lorry wing mirrors. Cllr. Bennett said the sign for 'Cattle'
and 'Left Junction' on the Wolvesnewton road (R80) had been damaged
in a collision. Cllr. Gough asked the Clerk to see what signs could
be erected to warn of pedestrians, especially where there were no
pavements. He, and Cllr. Sheath, were annoyed that despite fly posting
regulations, there were numerous signs to protect motorbikes. He also
said that what pavements there were on the main road below his house
were in poor condition.
County Councillor Greenland commented that Councillors and the public
were being asked to report failed street lighting, to save the costs
of separate inspectors.
Cllr. Sheath reported the dreadful cutting of undergrowth at the bank
beneath Ty Gobaith, Llangwm, which had been very satisfactorily rectified
after complaints from the resident. Thanks had been passed back to
Highways.
Matters Arising under Any Other Correspondence.
Flooding at Llangwm. The Clerk has chased Martyn Evans, who advised,
18 July, that the application was with the W.A.G. for consideration.
The Clerk will continue to pursue.
Cllr. Gough asked the Clerk to query the reason for the considerable
flooding of the B4235 just below the Bridge Inn.
Bridge Inn, Llangwm.
No change, apart from continued deterioration of the property, and
still undecided by MCC. County Councillor Greenland said that Planning
had yet to receive the consultant's written report.
Regarding the infringement of our copyright, after considerable efforts
the Clerk is pleased to say that Mr Sandison remains willing to act
on our behalf, provided there is no conflict of interest with his
new firm. The Clerk confirmed that Lanynant Cottage application was
also still current.
The Clerk had completed his copy of the feedback requested by MCC
Highways Maintenance.
- Finance
The Clerk tabled the financial statement for the five months April to
August showing reserves of £3,822.71. the second tranche of the
precept had been received.
The Clerk has posted the statuary notice regarding examination of
the accounts by electors. The external auditor had telephoned to point
out that the value of the laser printer purchased had not been included
in our fixed assets, but probably this would be left for subsequent
correction.
The BKV have requested payment of an invoice of £53.00 for
plants & compost, and the Clerk tabled expenses of £14.98
for the four months June to September. Cllr. Foster had submitted
travel expenses of £17.29. The Clerk requested that these payments,
and his salary, be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
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Any Other Correspondence
The following documents were tabled for circulation:-
A) Documents requiring decision:
From MCC:-
Planning applications:-
DC/2008/00861, Mr R Pegington, retention of "as built" barn
conversion, barn no. 1. This was agreed.
DC/2008/00949, Mr M Francis, replacement dwelling, Highview, Chepstow
Road, Llansoy. The majority view was that, although an improvement
on the previous application, the materials, design, and size of this
proposal were still inappropriate in a rural setting. The Clerk to
confer with the Llansoy Councillors before so responding.
Application from Camp Cottage, Llangwm to alter part of right of
way number 28. This was agreed.
Letter from Mr Swanson enclosing letter from BT on their proposal
to remove the telephone box at Beech Tree Corner, Gaer Fawr. Our response,
as given before, sent to County Councillor Greenland who is coordinating
it with the Devauden proposal. MCC has now replied to BT, as contained
in the Council minutes dated 3 September. County Councillor Greenland
pointed out that MCC has a statutory veto on the removal of any box.
He understood BT was proposing to ask local Councils to 'adopt' a
box instead of removal.
Invitation to join MCC Chairman's golf charity day, 2nd October.
Grant scheme from WAG for Tidy Towns; nominations by 22nd September,
passed to Cllr. Bennett.
Draft Regional Transport Plan from SEWTA, comments by 30th September.
Local Development Plan, draft Issues and Visions Report, comments
by 19th September.
From One Voice Wales:-
National Energy & Efficiency plan from WAG; stakeholder conference
in Cardiff, 8/09.
From Other Bodies:-
Requests for financial assistance from Macmillan Cancer (put on noticeboard);Wales
Air Ambulance; Crossroads; Tenovus. These were all refused.
B) For information only:-
From MCC:-
Three sets of Council papers, including the draft Local Development
Plan.
Two sets of Cabinet papers.
Paper from the Traffic & Network Manager on the principles involved
in Setting Local Speed Limits. County Councillor Greenland pointed
out that this requested a response, which the Clerk had overlooked.
Cllr. Gough agreed to submit a response.
Four sets of Planning Committee agenda.
Minutes of Mor Hafren Area Committee.
Rural Forum agenda and minutes.
From One Voice Wales:-
National Conference on 11th October.
From the National Assembly:-
Final guidance on "A shared community".
From Other Bodies:-
Email query from the Local Government Boundary Commission on the numbers
of our electorate, Councillors, uncontested seats, and vacancies.
Replied 14/08.
Clerks & Councils Direct, issue for September.
- Any Other Business
Cllr. Bennett congratulated County Councillor Greenland on his appointment
as Deputy Leader, and on the MCC financial surplus. County Councillor
Greenland explained this was largely due to taking the management of
reserves in house; also bad debts were lower, and an additional grant
from WAG.
Cllr. Gough mentioned the thought from an elector of the need for
a children's play area, which could also be a community focal point.
Perhaps just a field with swings. He agreed this would involve cost,
which could perhaps be met by local fund raising events. Cllr. Bennett
queried whether Council had compulsory purchase rights other than
for allotments. County Councillor Greenland queried the ownership
of this hall. Grants were available for village halls, and new ones
were allowed to be built on the outskirts of a village. The Clerk
to query, and also the ownership of land near the Bridge Inn.
- Date of Next Meeting
This was agreed for Tuesday 18th November at St. John's Hall. Llangwm.