Minutes of the Last Meeting.

The minutes were agreed by those present and signed by the Chairman. The Clerk tabled ten emails from P.C. Cowburn and read out his report, which will be attached to the minutes.
CSO Jones was welcomed, and advised that thefts from outbuildings was very much on the increase; he distributed useful leaflets. Regarding traffic through the villages, he said that a speed gun was now available, and similar devices could well be employed during the summer. He then left the meeting, with thanks for his contribution.

Flooding at Llangwm - the Clerk had nothing to report, but County Councillor Greenland said the submission was still at WAG, but it was hoped the scheme would happen in the next financial year.
Bridge Inn, Llangwm. Allegedly "under offer", and two men seen visiting for a couple of hours last week. Is no longer on the estate agent's website.

Matters Arising under Any Other Correspondence.
Red telephone kiosks. BT advised that the power supply will remain connected and they will pay the bills "for the short term".
Reply received from the Chief Executive to the Clerk's letter of 23/11. They are seeking to stop printing altogether; he regrets our difficulty but "seeks to build rather than weaken our relationship with your Community Council in the months ahead."

Matters Arising under Any Other Business.
The Clerk chased 21/01 the alleged breach of planning at Coed Ceirw; replied 26/01 that the Enforcement Manager has had discussions with the agent and awaits the submission of applications for the removal of the agricultural tie and the extension. We will be kept informed.

The previous applications for The Bungalow, Chepstow Road, and Pentre Farm, Llangwm are both still current. County Councillor Greenland commented that the former had been refused, and had been referred to appeal.

St Tysoi's PCC wrote 8/02 to detail their financial requirements and express appreciation for any help offered. Also, similar letter just (15/03) received from the Baptist Chapel, Llangwm.
After discussion it was unanimously agreed that a contribution of £200 would be made to each applicant, as a one off payment in addition to the annual contribution to grass cutting. The Llangwm churches would be considered if and when a response was received.

As a member of the Llangwm local History group, the Clerk has submitted an application to MCC for a CEDS grant for sound amplification for the Parish Hall. He wished to record his gratitude that Councillors supported the grant of £100 towards this project. Decision by mid April.

The invoice for the hire of the Hall is £90.00, £15 more than budget; Cllr. Foster travel expenses of £10.22; renewal of membership of OVW is £41. Cllr. Gough queried the need for this membership, but in the discussion County Councillor Greenland reminded Council that they represented our views to a much wider audience. It was therefore agreed that the Clerk should pay these bills, and receive his salary.

Any Other Correspondence.

The following documents were tabled for circulation:-

A) Documents requiring decision:

From MCC:-
Planning applications:-
DC/2010/00030 Barn conversion, Pentre Farm, Llansoy, Mr & Mrs Parry, received 27 January. Agreed by Cllr. Rowlands and Cllr. Williams. Still current.
Invitation to the Chairman from MCC Chair.

From One Voice Wales:-
Public consultation on research findings into the planning application system in Wales, ends 8th April.

From GAVO:-
Monmouthshire Volunteer Achievement awards, request for funding the event. This was refused.
They are running a day programme on the submission of applications for grants.

From the National Assembly:-
Offer from Nick Ramsey, AM, to attend our meeting, mainly to discuss the Government of Wales Act and possible referendum. The Clerk was asked to accept this offer, but suggest a delay until after the general election.
Review of Councillors allowances, comments by 11th June.

From Other Bodies:-
Equality of Opportunity Committee inquiry into accessibility of railway stations. Comments by 1st April.
Requests for financial assistance from Kidney Wales Foundation; NSPCC. These were refused.

B) For information only:-

From MCC:-
Council meeting minutes, including MCC HQ location and Council Tax decision.
Minutes of special Council meeting on LDP.
Four sets of Planning Meeting agenda.
Comments on the LDP, by 19th March. Note Candidate Sites Assessment at end of April - Mr Bob Evans had proposed affordable housing with a central play area. Cllr. Bennett commented that no such sites had been listed in the MCC papers on the LDP. County Councillor Greenland commented that most new housing would be in specific urban areas. Very few sites had been put forward in rural areas, and it was now proposed that they should consist of 81% low cost and 20% market cost housing. The total for the county would only be around 200.
Letter from Highways on the road surface problems caused by the hard winter.
Advised that planning applications will be in the Free Press, not the Argus as from 1st March.
Poster advising the public sessions on the Rural Development Plan, on noticeboard 3/02.
Rural Development Plan winter newsletter.
Central Monmouthshire Rural Forum agenda and minutes.
Mor Hafren Area committee agenda and minutes.
Footpath diversion order, not in our area.

From One Voice Wales:-
Link to WAG's debate on Local Government legislative Competence Order.
Training opportunities for Councillors.

From GAVO:-
Free insurance cover during the Tidy Towns initiative.

From the National Assembly:-
Consultation on Accounts and Audit regulations.
Written statement on the L.C.O.

From Other Bodies:-
Gwent Police - tackling antisocial behaviour.
Ombudsman - booklet on how to complain about a public body, one placed on noticeboard.
Issue 68 of 'Clerks and Councils Direct'.

Cllr. Foster said he had attended a meeting at Prescoed. He also suggested that a volunteer should be sought to continue producing 'The Herald', the parish magazine, which was now discontinued.

The Clerk asked if Council should advertise for his replacement. After discussion, it was agreed he should first seek advice from OVW as to what procedure should be followed.

Cllr. Bennett advised that the police would be holding a public meeting on the effects on the local region of the Ryder Cup event, and volunteered to attend on our behalf. He also asked if County Councillor Greenland would investigate the MCC policy on the creation of allotments.
Cllr. Rowlands said that residents had offered to widen Church Lane at their own expense, and he was advised to contact the Head of Highways.

County Councillor Greenland stated that it had been difficult to balance the MCC budget; they had aimed at a 3% council tax increase, but the road damage due to severe weather and the low settlement from WAG had caused this to rise to 3.9%. Cost cutting would hopefully not affect services. MCC accepted that patching of potholes was not ideal, but could be carried out more quickly and more extensively for lower expenditure than a permanent repair.
County Councillor Greenland explained that the MCC management structure was not fit for purpose, and the new CEO had driven changes at the top that would save £900,000 p.a. The Area Managers would go, but other posts will be created. The Area Committees were likely to remain, and will be run by the Area Service Officers, possibly with evening meetings.
The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales has suggested increases in Members allowances of 6-7%, but County Councillor Greenland is proposing that this offer should not be taken up in the present circumstances.
The Community Spirit newsletter was to have been axed, but after representations, will be kept as hard copy. County Councillor Greenland explained, for information, that the closure of a respite home was so the money could be used to provide respite care in other, more acceptable, forms.