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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.