Members present:

Cllr. Mike Foster, Chair
Cllr. Lyn Bennett
Cllr. Colin Evans
Cllr. Peter Gough
Cllr. Gwyn Rowlands,
Cllr. Mick Sheath
Cllr. David Williams.

Apologies were received from P. C. Cowburn, whose report will be attached to the minutes, and from County Councillor Greenland, though he was able to attend part time.

The Clerk congratulated all Councillors, who had been returned unopposed at this month's election.
Councillors are required to sign the acceptance of office and observance of a new code of conduct: the new code is an improvement on the previous one, and allows Councillors to speak on any subject on behalf of their constituents, even where they have an interest, provided the public are also allowed to do the same.
The Clerk issued copies of the code, and acceptances of office, which were duly signed and witnessed.
The Clerk reminded Councillors that their election expenses claims - including nil - must be returned by 29 May. He will forward, if required.

Election of Officers.

Cllr Evans, current vice chairman, was nominated for the chair by Cllr. Gough, seconded by Cllr. Bennett. Cllr. Rowlands was nominated for Vice Chair by Cllr. Bennett, seconded by Cllr Evans. Both appointments were agreed unanimously.
Cllr. Foster agreed to continue as the Council's external representative. Cllr Evans then took the chair.

Matters Arising.

8a Highways.
The Clerk has emailed
1. to request repeat of surface repair at Millbrook, Llangwm, where previous work is now completely scrubbed away.
2. Repeat request to repair bridge wall at Pentre Farm, Llangwm, demolished by lorry. MCC advised that the company's insurance will pay and were given a contact name.
3. Lowest sign to Wolvesnewton, Cobblers Plain again fallen off. Sign ordered, but Highways engineer maintains it was caused by an accident. The Clerk explained twice that it was very badly refitted in the first place.
The Clerk reported that the part of Chapel Road Llangwm that was collapsing into the stream near Millbrook has been well repaired using gabions.
Cllr. Rowlands reported that the water leak in Llansoy had been satisfactorily repaired.
On other highways matters, Cllr. Foster asked the Clerk to chase Devauden about the surface repair requested last January

Matters Arising under Any Other Correspondence.
Flooding at Llangwm. The Clerk has provided further information to County Councillor Greenland on the damage caused, and now contact has been made with a Martin Wright, who has made positive comments about doing something to the bridge near Swn y Nant. Interested parties will be meeting him on site on 30th May.

Bridge Inn, Llangwm.
Following County Councillor Greenland's suggestion, the Clerk placed a notice advising potential purchasers of the planning situation. The 'For Sale' notice has now been removed, and he understands an offer has been made, but not by whom. He has enlisted professional help in pursuing the copyright infringement. Later in the meeting, County Councillor Greenland commented that this was likely to be a delegated decision, i.e. would not go to the full Planning Committee, provided the recommendation was for refusal.

Matters Arising under Any Other Business.
As requested by Cllr. Williams, the Clerk had queried work being carried out at Ty Gwyn, Llangwm. An enforcement officer has now visited, and reported that drainage work was being done, not requiring planning permission.

B. The Annual Return from the external auditors for y/e 31 March 2008 had been received and completed. This was formally approved by Council and signed by the Chairman. The Clerk would then arrange for Mr Savage to carry out the internal audit.

C. Neighbourhood Watch. Following discussions with Cllr. Foster and Bill Savage, it was agreed that existing funds from the Llangwm Neighbourhood Watch MBS account should be transferred to the Council. Cllr. Foster explained that the current Neighbourhood Watch scheme had a completely different method of financing to that Llangwm had employed. Council would then need to reimburse Mr Savage for new Neighbourhood Watch signs which had been purchased.

D. The Clerk had renewed our OVW membership, and advised them of our representative. The other expenditure authorised at the last meeting had been actioned.

E. Renewal of the Council's insurance at 1st June is required, £406.39 against a budget of £400. This was agreed.

F. The Clerk requested authorisation for payment of his salary and expenses of £63.34 for the months of February to May, and travel expenses of £17.29 for Cllr. Foster. These were agreed.

A) Documents requiring decision

From M.C.C:-
Planning applications:
DC/2008/00461, Mr Guy Parry, retention of barn conversion to dwelling house, Pentre Farm, Llansoy. This was agreed.
DC/2008/00471, Mr Guy Parry, erection of dwelling house, Pentre Farm Llansoy. It was pointed out that the 'building', described as 'The Lodge', was a static caravan. After discussion, this was agreed, with the comment that if there was proof of continuous occupation, there were no grounds for refusal. However, Council felt this was an inappropriate development, which could set a precedent.

Appeal E68470/A 08/2071259/WF by Mr Guy Parry against refusal to agree conversion of barn to dwelling, (original application DC/2006/01654) Pentre Farm Llansoy. Notification of informal hearing, 19th June.

Monmouthshire Local Service Board, Stakeholder Conference, 22nd May, Chepstow Race Course.

Email from County Councillor Greenland, asking for email addresses. It was agreed the Clerk should pass on Councillors' email addresses.

Monmouthshire Local Development Plan, workshop for stakeholders 6th June, County Hall.
If anyone going, advise by 30th May. County Councillor Greenland commented that this was to give individual communities the opportunity to feed in their local priorities

From O.V.W.:-
Notification of 2008 Conference, 11th October.

From the National Assembly:
Local Health Board conference, 12 May, on changes in NHS structure. County Councillor Greenland
said this was to go back to the original number of eight Boards as against the current twenty two.

From other bodies:-
Requests for financial assistance from St David's Foundation; SARA. These were refused.

B) For information only:

From M.C.C:-
Local Development Plan - draft Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environment Assessment.
LDP Newsletter 1.
Emergency contacts confirmed, 6/5.
Agenda and minutes, Rural Forum, Central Monmouthshire Area.
Four sets of County Council papers.
One set of Cabinet papers.
Various papers relating to the local elections.
Community Strategy Consultation meeting, 3rd April, notice placed on board.
Four sets of planning committee agenda.

From O.V.W.:-
Agenda and minutes.
Critical election dates - this is the last possible date for an A.G.M.

From G.A.V.O.:-
Spring 2008 Network magazine.

From the National Assembly:-
Draft Fire & Rescue framework.
Local Vision - statutory guidance on developing community strategies.
Request for return on Fixed Penalty Notices issued by Councils. The Clerk was asked to query the reason for this, as it seemed unlikely that we had such powers.

From other bodies:-
Two Ombudsman reports, Principles of Good Administration, and Principles for Remedy.
Wales Rural Forum - developing the village shop, put on noticeboard.
Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2008.