- Apologies for absence
Cllr. Gwyn Rowlands, Chairman
Cllr. Lyn Bennett
Cllr. Colin Evans
Cllr. Mike Foster
Cllr. Peter Gough
Cllr. Mick Sheath
Cllr. David Williams.
County Councillor Greenland and C.S.O. Andy Jones part time.
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Election of Officers.
Cllr. Sheath, current vice chairman, was nominated for the chair
by Cllr. Foster, seconded by Cllr. Bennett. Before vacating the Chair,
Cllr. Rowlands thanked members and the Clerk for their support during
his year, and later also thanked Mrs Royds for providing the refreshments.
Cllr. Sheath then took the chair.
Cllr. Bennett was nominated as Vice Chairman by Cllr. Gough, seconded
by Cllr. Evans.
Cllr. Foster agreed to continue as the Council's external representative.
- Minutes of Previous A.G.M.
These were taken as read, since all Councillors had received copies.
- Minutes of the Last Meeting.
The minutes were agreed by those present and signed by the Chairman.
The Clerk tabled twelve emails from P. C. Cowburn, including a description
of the Trustmark scheme. CSO Jones then read the local crime report.
He commented that 35 motorbikes had been stopped the previous weekend
at Shirenewton, and some tickets issued. The Clerk had sent a copy of
his previous hand-out to the Shirenewton clerk. The question of the
noise of bikes was raised.
Mr Jones confirmed that police support for local events now had to be
paid for. He then left the meeting, being thanked for his contribution.
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Matters Arising.
8a Highways.
The obscuring hedge at Llansoy had been attended to, and the bridge
parapet at Pentre Lane was now excellently repaired.
Engineer Steve Lane had telephoned the Clerk to explain his comments
about Cllr. Foster's complaint about road edge repairs at George's
Delight. Cllr. Foster confirmed that he did not wish for the road
to be widened, simply for all the potholes in the existing tarmac
surface be filled in.
No reply to water on the road past the Pwll, email sent again 19/03.
The Clerk wrote again 20/3 to Devauden clerk re California Lane potholes;
no reply.
BT pole at Llansoy. The Clerk wrote to BT, 20/3, who later phoned
to say this would be handled by Openreach, who only responded to phone
messages. Eventually did get an email contact and raised as a health
& safety issue. The reference number on the pole meant nothing
to them, and much effort expended explaining the exact location. Eventually,
the engineer phoned 20/4 to say that the pole had been in that position
some time; it had not been damaged, he had spoken to some locals,
and said we would have to pay to have it moved. Cllr. Rowlands stated
that the pole had been involved in another traffic incident and that
he wished the Clerk to raise the need for removal again.
Grit bin on George's Delight requested, 19/03.
The Clerk had received a letter complaining about the surface of Millbrook,
Llangwm, which he raised 1/04. Subsequently, received letter from
Highways, closing Llanynant Road from 7th June, 08.30 to 16.30 for
'patching'. He was asked to remind Highways of Millbrook; also to
query if residents would be informed of the closure and the need for
emergency access if required.
Flooding at Llangwm - nothing to report. Cllr. Gough commented that
remedial action from MCC was now less likely with the recently announced
local authority budget cuts.
Bridge Inn Llangwm - nothing to report.
Matters Arising under Any Other Business.
Nothing further on the alleged breach of planning, Coed Ceirw.
Having written to Nick Ramsay A.M., as instructed, he replied saying
he would attend our meeting on 20th July.
The Clerk sought advice of OVW regarding his replacement, and they
confirmed that 'an advertisement in the local press or some other
public display, was required.' After discussion it was agreed that
the Clerk would draft an advertisement for the position, to be agreed
at the next meeting.
- Finance.
a) The Clerk tabled three financial statements:
i) for the twelve months of the financial year 2009/2010, showing the
agreed payments to two churches, and final reserves of £3,836.50.
ii) for the one month of the year 2010/2011; note receipt of the first
instalment of the precept, (which has now 27/04 been confirmed); interest
of £13.57 received from Monmouthshire B.S, and VAT refund of £22.35;
iii) the updated budget for 2010/2011.
b) The Annual Return from the external auditors for y/e 31 March
2010 had been received and completed. This was formally approved by
Council and signed by the Chairman. The Clerk will then arrange for
Mr Savage to carry out the internal audit.
c) OVW acknowledged renewal of our membership, and was advised of
our representative.
d) OVW sent details of changes to accounts and audit regulations from
WAG; not relevant to us.
e) Letters of grateful thanks received from the treasurers of St Tysoi
Church and Llangwm Baptist chapel.
f) Renewal of our insurance requested. The administration has been
transferred to AON, who are brokers, but all claims still handled
by Allianz. Queried with OVW; they contacted AON who said whilst the
£5 charge was made, premiums would be the same or reduced. The
Clerk wrote to AON 23/04 to ask why they are charging an additional
£5 for this 'service', on top of a premium increase of some
6%, to £456.74. No reply. Contacted Zurich for an alternative
quotation, but this was also handled by a broker, and quoted £486.44.
It was agreed that the Clerk should pay the AON premium, without the
additional £5.
g) The Clerk had no news of the CEDS grant application for audio equipment
for the Hall; County Councillor Greenland thought this might happen
next month.
The Clerk requested authorisation for payment of his salary and expenses
of £112.42 for the four months February to May. This includes
purchase of a new HP laser printer toner. Also travel expenses of
£18.63 were agreed for Cllr. Foster.
- Any Other Correspondence.
The following documents were tabled for circulation:-
A) Documents requiring decision
From M.C.C:-
Agricultural notification DC/2010/00187, Mr Ian Parkhouse, tracks
for the extraction of timber, Ty Fry Big Wood, Llangwm. Decided as
'acceptable' by MCC, 14/04.
Footpath diversion order, Llangwm Isaf Farm, Llangwm, consultation
ends 31 May.
Presentation on the Ryder Cup and the traffic arrangements, by Paul
Keeble, MCC Highways, Usk Memorial Hall, 6.30 8 June. Also by the
Principal Tourism Officer. Cllr. Bennett agreed to attend.
Request for emergency contacts update -done by email 25/05.
Request for financial support (£1200) for Open Access Play scheme.
This was refused.
From other bodies:-
Forestry Commission Wales; Comments requested on new native woodland
proposal, Mr Richard Williams, Rhydwern, Llangwm.
Ombudsman, Wales; proposal for common complaints system for public
service providers, comments by 23 July.
Request for financial assistance from Noah's Ark. This was refused.
B) For information only:
From M.C.C:-
Notification of an appeal against planning application refusal by
Mr Jenkins, The Bungalow, Chepstow Road, Llangwm.
Four sets of MCC minutes.
Copy of MCC Diary 2010/2011.
Three sets of information on the general election, placed on the noticeboard.
Four sets of Planning Committee agenda.
Two sets of Mor Hafren Area committee minutes.
Countryside Volunteer Newsletter - Spring 2010.
Free arts exhibition at Hilston Park, Monmouth, 29th & 30th May.
Form O.V.W:-
Agenda and minutes of meeting.
Notification of annual conference.
The Voice, Issue 13.
Their response on the review of the planning application process.
Funding update, April2010.
From the National Assembly:-
Wales Sustainability Week, just ended 23rd May.
Appointment of new member to the Adjudication Panel, closes 26 May.
From other bodies:-
G.A.V.O. - Celebration of volunteering in Monmouthshire 2010.
Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2010.
New Code of Conduct from The Ombudsman, Wales.
- Any Other Business.
Cllr. Williams asked for potholes along the whole of Church Lane to
be repaired.
Cllr. Bennett asked for a reminder about the damaged grit bin at The
Hall.
Cllr. Foster reported on his meetings at Prescoed and with OVW.
County Councillor Greenland commented on the excessive speed of traffic
through Llansoy, where two serious accidents had recently occurred.
He said that if a petition for speed calming measures (such as warning
lines across the road) was raised, the major part of the cost would
have to be borne by the Community Council. Cllr. Gough queried the effect
of a policy of 30 m.p.h. limit in rural areas.
Commenting on the MCC management restructuring, County Councillor Greenland
said that of the four previous Area Managers, Tim McDermott was now
Customer Access Manager, and Jenny Lewis was Citizen Engagement Officer.
He explained that for those without the internet, there would be a method
whereby MCC could be contacted via a TV remote controller.
He said MCC had purchased a building near the Magor M4 interchange for
200 workspaces.
- Date of Next Meeting.
This was agreed for 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday 20th July at the Parish Hall,
Llangwm.
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