COUNCILLORS PRESENT: Cllr. Mick Sheath, Cllr. Lyn Bennett (Chair), Cllr. Colin Evans, Cllr. Mike Foster, Cllr Peter Gough, Cllr David Williams, Cllr Gwyn Rowlands
IN ATTENDANCE: C Martin (clerk), County Councillor Bob Greenland,
PCSO A Jones
APOLOGIES: PC Thorpe

1. OPEN SESSION
   PCSO Jones reported on the incidents in the area (see list at end of the minutes). He also said that PC Thorpe was trying to get some noise recorder equipment to monitor the bike activity on the B4235. He also warned that there had been lots of rural theft. Councillors thanked him for his attendance. As CC Greenland was in attendance this was identified as a good opportunity to discuss the purchase of a 'speed sign' for the village. CC Greenland had spoken to Paul Keeble and the suggestion is that LCC joins together with adjacent community councils to purchase the equipment and then share it. The cost of the sign would be about £4-5,000. He mentioned that it might be possible to get a grant for this from the local area committee. Councillors agreed to pursue and instructed clerk to contact Shirenewton and Llantrisant Fawr to propose this option.
   PCSO Jones left the meeting.

2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
   Minutes from meeting of 19 July 2011 were agreed and signed by LB and CM.

3. MATTERS ARISING

   3.1 Highways
   a) Highways form reply - latest report received from MCC. Cllrs requested that Clerk contacted Martyn Evans at MCC to chase progress with the precarious tree near Ryecroft in Llangwm.
   b) Additional highways issues identified;
   Church Lane Llansoy is heavily pot holed along its length to Llangwm.
   The lane from Goytre Cross to Duffryn Lane has become very overgrown through neglect by the landowner and it needs trimming back.

   3.2 Email from Shirenewton Community Council regarding a joint meeting with planning. LCC had agreed to this but we have yet to hear when it is likely to be. Date set as Wednesday 19 October at 7pm at Shirenewton Village Hall. Cllrs will let clerk know if they want to attend.
   
   3.3 MCC managing the payroll for the Clerk. A revised cost of £75 has been advised and clerk has completed the documentation to start the process.

4. FINANCE

   Balance at 31 August -£1475.83

   4.1 Agreed for payment by DW and MS;
   Invoice - C. Martin, clerk's salary and expenses for Aug/Sept £ 211.70 Cheque no.100538
   M Foster travel expenses for meeting at Raglan £10.82, cheque no 100538
   4.2 Receipt -26 August £900 precept from MCC.
   4.3 Reconciliation for period 1 April to 31 August. Approved by the meeting and circulated.
   4.4 Budget projection at 31 August. Agreed by the meeting and circulated.
   4.5 Annual return - the annual accounts for year ending 31 March 2011 were reviewed and signed off by Bill Savage the internal auditor. The annual return was forwarded to Mazars for the audit to commence.
   4.6 Risk Assessment and asset register will be developed for sign off at next meeting.

5. CORRESPONDENCE
   
   Decisions

   5.1 OVW - Training courses for Autumn 2011. Circulated.
   5.2 Shopmobility Newport - request for funds. No action.
   5.3 Victim Support - request for funds. No action.
   5.4 OVW - Queen's diamond jubilee opportunity to have a beacon in the community. Circulated
   5.5 Woodland trust - request for funding. No action.
   5.6 MCC -monthly updates to register of electors. Distributed to BGR and DW.
   5.7 MCC - Request for electoral roll 2012 - clerk to send completed forms to MCC.
   5.8 MCC - Chairman's charity golf day Friday 14 October. No action.
   5.9 Local Works - email requesting support for changes to planning guidance. Circulated.
   5.10 NSPCC request for funds - no action.

   For information only - all circulated in blue box

   5.11 MCC - emergency planning exercise call for volunteers.
   5.12 MCC grant scheme for rural wards.
   5.13 MCC meeting agenda 28 July.
   5.14 Central Monmouthshire rural forum - 11 August and 22 September, Raglan School.
   5.15 Aneurin Bevan Health Council - meeting agenda 9 August.
   5.16 RHS - information on setting up as a village in bloom.
   5.17 Severn Wye energy agency - vital villages information.
   5.18 Clerks and council's direct.
   

6. PLANNING
   6.1 Planning committee agenda for 26 July, 9 August, 6 and 20 September. Circulated.
   6.2 Notification of cancellation of planning meeting 23 August 2011. No action.
   6.3 DC/2011/00737 - Proposed conversion and adaptation of attached barn to form part of the living accommodation and rear extension and porch to farmhouse - amendments to approved plan under DC/2010/00030 (revised elevational treatment to front elevation) Pentre Farm Llansoy. No objections. Recommend approval.
   6.4 DC/2011/000634 - Removal of agricultural occupancy conditions, Lynbrook, Llangwm. Correspondence has been received from Mr T Hughes. The councillors concluded that they had insufficient information about the extent to which the property had been marketed so were unable to make a recommendation. Clerk to respond accordingly and forward the correspondence to MCC planning.
   

7. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
   
   CC Greenland apologised for not attending the last few meetings. He made the following points and responses to questions;
   1. MCC is making headway with economic development in particular opportunities for enterprise zone concentrating on new technologies.
   2. WAG is keen to see some centralisation of education regionally and is looking at collaboration between Monmouthshire and surrounding authorities in SE Wales.
   3. Move out of county hall has been going well and offices set up at Magor and plans going ahead to build on college site at Usk. Most staff will have left county hall by the end of the year. There will be other hubs across the county and agile/home working.
   4. Site of Abergavenny cattle market - WAG is involved with the repeal of legislation that states has to be a cattle market in Abergavenny town, although MCC will ensure that the cattle market is not closed until a suitable alternative is found.
   5. MCC has signed partnership agreements with enterprise Wales to offer small business support.
   6. MCC have made the final 17 of the 'Creative Councils' competition run by NESTA and is working with them to forward their ideas.
   
   
8. WARD REPORTS
   
   MF - Gave rural forum meeting report

• Discussion regarding empty properties in Monmouthshire
• Discussion on electronic notice boards in village halls.
• Socio economic needs of local communities
• Next meeting will look at registration of septic tanks.

Meeting closed: 9.45pm

Next Meeting: Nov 15

Potential Dates for 2012 meetings:
17 Jan, 20 Mar, 15 May, 19 Jun, 18 Sep, 20 Nov

---

Police Report

Llangwm and Llansoy incidents between 9th July and 18th September 2011

24/07 - large number of loud and fast motorbikes through the village, Llangwm
29/07 - a fail to stop road traffic collision occurred when a lorry knocked off the wing mirror from a car, Llansoy - unfortunately, no registration number taken
04/08 - theft of a truck from a farm, Llangwm - believe this vehicle was used to steal a second vehicle in Devauden.
31/08 - loose wood chippings on the road nearly caused a motorbike rider to crash, Llangwm - council informed to clean the road
07/09 - suspicious Landrover attended the farm in Llangwm where the theft of truck had happened the month before, asking if there were any cars for sale.