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), PC Thorpe
APOLOGIES: County Councillor Bob Greenland

1. OPEN SESSION
   PC Louise Thorpe introduced herself as the new officer covering our area. She read out the details of recent crimes (see list at end of minutes). Cllr Bennett asked her if she had been involved with the groups working to reduce the motorcycle nuisance on the B4235. She said she had been to the meetings and reported that MCC has put up temporary warning signs for bikers. She said they were also looking at putting noise recorders in Mynydd Bach and Cllr Gough confirmed that he had agreed to have the equipment in his house. The next meeting is in November when there should be some data to look at. PC Thorpe said she would also see if the police bikes have any patrol plan to incorporate the area at weekends. PC Thorpe said we need to encourage residents to report the incidents of noise and any poor riding, by email. Cllr Gough said he would definitely do that.
   Cllr Foster asked about neighbourhood watch and PC Thorpe confirmed that the emails and contact would continue as before.
   Before leaving PC Thorpe explained her background and how happy she is to be working in our area. Her direct telephone number is 01633 642068.
   Cllr Bennett welcomed PC Thorpe and thanked her for attending even though she is not on duty. PC Thorpe left the meeting.

2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
   Minutes from meeting of 17 May 2011 were agreed and signed by LB and CM

3. MATTERS ARISING

   3.1 Highways
   a) Issues of speeding on B4235 - Purchase of speed camera. No response has yet been received from CC Greenland so Clerk will contact him to follow up his views after he received the comments from Brian Cleary. Clerk to report to next meeting.
   b) Grass cutting of verges - MCC have been informed and MCC have since replied to say that 'I have been told by Grounds, because it was cut in the wet, it wasn't a good finish, Grounds are on their second cut now and hopefully should be a better cut.' Monitor and review at next meeting.
   c) No reply yet to highways form sent 2 June - Clerk to follow up with additional report.
   
   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.
   
   3.3 New item for the highways report - B4235 finger signpost by the village hall is not secure and the signs are moving around. The post is leaning over and it may not be safe.

4. FINANCE

   Balance at 23 June - 787.41

   4.1 Agreed for payment by DW and MS;
   Invoice - C. Martin, clerk's salary and expenses for June/July £ 201.36 Cheque no.100536
   M Foster travel expenses for meeting at Prescoed prison £10.22, cheque no 100537
   4.2 Receipt 27 April from MCC precept £900
   4.3 HMRC - changes to the tax treatment of clerks - MCC offer to run payroll. The councillors discussed this and wanted to explore the MCC offer. Clerk to find out whether MCC will do all the set up as well as running payroll.
   4.4 Confirmation from Barclays that the bank mandates have changed.
   4.5 Annual return - the annual accounts for year ending 31 March 2011 were agreed by the meeting and signed by the clerk and chair (LB). The Governance statements of the annual return were agreed by the meeting and the annual return signed by Clerk and Chair. CM will forward to Mazaars. Clerk gave MS the notice of audit to be posted on the Llangwm notice board by 19 August.

5. CORRESPONDENCE
   Decisions

   5.1 OVW - request for representatives for the area meetings. MF completed the form and clerk will forward to OVW.
   5.2 OVW - being a good employer - someone needs to read and consider what has to be done - blue box for circulation.
   5.3 MCC - section 119 highways act 1980 Footpath 41 - order to divert a footpath. File.
   5.4 MCC - review of polling districts and places 2011 - consultation by 12 September - blue box for circulation

   For information only - all circulated in blue box

   5.5 MCC - LDP revised delivery arrangement.
   5.6 MCC - Lower Wye Area Committee Caerwent 8 June
   5.7 MCC - countryside newsletter
   5.8 MCC Lower Wye Area Committee 13 July and 8 June.
   5.9 MCC Corporate improvement plan
   5.10 MCC charity garden party 3 September
   5.11 Extraordinary meeting of Monmouthshire County Council
   5.12 Monmouthshire Deposit LDP - process for adoption.
   5.13 Special meeting of MCC 1 July.
   5.14 Rural forum 26 May.
   5.15 Aneurin Bevan Community Health Council Agenda 7 June.
   5.16 OVW - Voice newsletter and introduction of new development and training officer for South Wales.
   5.17 B4235 Motorcycle working group 23rd June - email of notes from the meeting.
   5.18 OVW agenda for meeting 14 July, minutes of 14 April.
   5.19 Clerks and councils direct
   5.20 Public services ombudsman - annual report 2010/11
   5.21 GAVO - Community cohesion grants, invitation for applications.
   

6. PLANNING
   6.1 Planning committee agenda for 31 May,14 and 28 June, 12 July. Circulated.
   6.2 Clerk wrote to MCC about plan DC/2011/00291 that was agreed by delegated decision to find out why it was not sent to LCC for consideration. Email reply to explain that 'We do not consult anyone on Certificate of proposed lawful use or development. The applicants are establishing whether or not planning permission is required, it is a matter of fact between the council and the applicant, it's not like a normal planning application where we consult. If planning permission is required, we then invite the applicants to submit an application and at that point you would be consulted as normal.' Councillors commented that this particular case was not a certificate of usefulness - clerk to review again.
   6.3 DC/2010/00731 - Appeal No. E6840/A 11/2153442/WF. Change of use and conversion of the former village hall Llansoy to a single dwelling. The proposed conversion is all by internal portioning the only exterior alteration being the addition of velux roof lights. No action agreed as an appeal.
   6.4 DC/2011/00576 - replacement of agricultural building for the storage of hay and implement tools. Wern Farm Llansoy. No objections, recommend approval.

7. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
   CC Greenland not present.

8. WARD REPORTS
   MF - reported on the prison liaison meeting - referred to prison activities. Have been 2 absconders, both of which have been caught and each got 2 months at a closed prison.

   Clerk will bring potential dates for next year's meetings to the next meeting.

   Meeting closed: 9.00pm
   Next Meeting: Sept 20
   Meeting dates 2011 Nov 15

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Police Report

Llangwm & Llansoy incidents May 17 to July 9
.
20/5 Report of fly tipping near Llansoy.
28/5 Broken down cyclist at Llangwm.
31/5 Allegation of harassment at Llangwm.
8/6 Scrap metal collectors with a loud speaker at Llangwm.
8/6 St John's Church entered. A cross and candle holder were stolen.
11/6 Cow on the road near Llansoy.
18/6 Suspicious males seen entering a barn near Llansoy.
21/6 Silent 999 call from Llangwm - accidental.
21/6 Concern for an elderly female at Llangwm. Safe and well.
24/6 Report of mud on the road near Llangwm.
26/6 Complaint regarding motorcycles on the B4235 near Llangwm. Excessive noise and speed.
4/7 Possible drink driver at Llansoy.