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Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday 27th November 2007

at St John's Church Hall, Llangwm
  1. Apologies for absence

    Members present:
    Cllr. Mike Foster, Chairman
    Cllr. Lyn Bennett
    Cllr. Colin Evans
    Cllr Peter Gough
    Cllr Gwyn Rowlands
    Cllr. Mick Sheath
    Cllr David Williams

    In attendance County Councillor Greenland

  2. Minutes of the Last Meeting.

    The minutes were agreed by those present and signed by the Chairman.
    The Clerk had received five messages from P. C. Mason, one saying that new officers for the Wye Area Neighbourhood Watch committee had been found. County Councillor Greenland said that P. C. Mason was moving on to Monmouth, and his replacement would probably attend the next meeting. Cllr. Gough suggested, and it was agreed, that the Clerk should write a letter of thanks from the Council.
    Cllr. Foster said he was willing to act as Central Coordinator for the Llangwm part of the Neighbourhood Watch as well as Gaer Fawr; the Clerk to give him any available information.

    In view of the obvious interest from the public, the Chairman ruled that discussion of one Item for Decision should be brought forward:-
    Planning Application DC/2007/01482, Mark Tout, Change of use of Bridge Inn Llangwm from A3 restaurant to C3 dwelling.
    The Clerk explained that this, if agreed, would close the only licensed premises in the village, on the grounds that the business was financially unviable, lacked local support, and closure would not be detrimental to village amenities because the village hall was a suitable alternative. In his opinion, all these reasons could be countered, and it was desirable to restore the amenity of a pub/eating place. The Chairman asked for comments from the public, and in response to his query, all Councillors and the members of the public present agreed with this opinion.
    Mr Peter Hines recalled that a local group had proposed buying the premises to convert back to a pub, but not at the ludicrous price asked for, and Mr Bill Savage confirmed that sufficient finance had been obtained to test the owner's willingness to negotiate, but to no avail. Several people stressed what an asset a friendly hostelry would be to individuals and businesses in the village, and that there had been many occasions in the past where such a facility would have been used by the locals.
    County Councillor Greenland explained that the application could be successfully opposed. A small committee was required, who should obtain a professional evaluation, and counter the applicant's points one by one. He would ask a colleague, who had experience of success in such a matter, to give us advice. Also, it was important for as many villagers as possible to write individually to the Planning Officer concerned, to show the strength of local feeling so that she was minded to refuse the application in the first instance. It would then go to the Planning Committee, where again local presence would be effective. He also agreed to look into a suggestion by Mr Andy Preston that ADVENTA could be helpful. Mrs Jane Hines commented that as well as making objections, we should stress the positive aspects.
    Such a committee was then formed, chaired by Mr Hines, to meet at his house at 7.30 p.m. on Monday December 3rd. Members of the public then left the meeting.

  3. Matters Arising.

    8a Highways.
    The Clerk had emailed on 28.9, saying
    1. Llangwm/Llansoy road surface now worse because of traffic diversion, and passing place still full of rubbish. Cllr. Williams said that nothing had been done; it was the third meeting he had raised this request. Particularly large pot hole at the bend of Ty Llwyd Wood. The Clerk to pursue.
    2. Highways Inspector yet to call on Cllr. Foster - given his telephone number. Still not happened, and Cllr. Foster said the placement of tarmac in the right area was still required. County Councillor Greenland will again urge.
    3. Many road signs obscured by hedges. Now been cut.
    Unusually, he had received no reply.
    Also emailed 16/10 about someone who had tripped in a pothole outside Brook Cottage, Llangwm.
    This done w/c 22nd October, along with partial resurfacing of Millbrook, Llangwm and the worst areas of Chapel Lane towards Coed Cwnwr.

    After several years trying, Mrs Keenan had established the person responsible for road sweeping, passed to the Clerk, and that Llangwm was entitled to be swept four times a year.

    Matters Arising under Any Other Correspondence.
    Electronic transmission of information. The Clerk has now obtained a laser printer through MCC's IT department, and put it to use, including once for Cllr. Foster. No invoice yet received.
    Councillors said they were content to receive the minutes printed on both sides.

    Flooding at Llangwm.
    The Clerk spent about one hour on 8/10 escorting Mr David Howley, Flood/Drainage Engineer from Capita Symonds, who is carrying out the environmental survey for MCC. The Clerk completed a spread sheet for him giving details of the two floodings on 19/6 and 26/7. He continues to urge some remedial action in the meantime. Dr John Watkins has been instructed to remove a tree on his land which projects into the stream; however, he has replied to Mr Martyn Evans with a reasoned argument that the tree was not contributing to the flooding near Llan y Nant, though the County Council can remove it if they wish.

    Matters Arising under Any Other Business.
    Sale of land at Mill Meadow.
    The Clerk queried the status of the 'green lane' referred to in the prospectus, and received a belated but detailed reply; it is not registered on the Definitive Map and therefore not maintainable at public expense. It may have public rights, but none are recorded.

  4. Finance.

    The Clerk tabled the financial statement for the seven months April to October, showing reserves of £2,775.53. The village website hosting cost had been met, as agreed.
    The annual accounts for y/e 31 March 2007 had been returned by the external auditors without qualification, and the statutory notice posted as required. Their invoice of £58.75 now required payment.
    Cllr. Foster tabled travel expenses of £46.31.
    The Clerk had received notification of a negotiated salary increase, payable from 1st April 2007. The rate per hour was now £8.429 which at two hours per week gives an annual salary of £876.62, or £146.10 per meeting. He would not seek back dating, but would ask for the new amount to be agreed for this and future meetings. This and the other two payments were agreed. The Clerk said the new mileage allowance was now 55.8 p per mile.

  5. Any Other Correspondence.

    The following documents were tabled for circulation:-

    A) Documents requiring decision:

    From MCC:-
    Planning applications:-
    DC/2007/01133, Ann Malyn, installation of wall flue system on outside wall, Pentwyn Barn, Llangwm. This was agreed.
    DC/2007/01443, J M Senior, construction of conservatory, Rosemount, Gaer Fawr, Llangwm. This was agreed.
    DC/2006/00735, Appeal ref. E6840/A 07/2059707/WF against refusal to permit conservatory, Mr AC Worthy, Owl Barn, Llangwm. (We were not advised of the refusal.) Cllr Evans declared an interest, and took no part in the discussion. It was agreed the Clerk should write to support the appeal, as the construction was very unobtrusive.

    Consultation on the future of waste and recycling services in Monmouthshire, comments.
    Review of Polling Districts, Places and Stations. Our Council had no local observations.
    There was a conference on 'Citizen at the Centre' on Nov 6th.

    From Other Bodies:-
    Local Health Board Annual Report - the Clerk could print out if requested.
    Comments requested on Health Alliance Strategy, 2008-2011.
    Complimentary copy of Local Councils Update; subscription including web library of £100 p.a.
    Request to join Society of Local Council Clerks, £40 p.a. It was agreed that neither of these should be joined.
    Gwent Police offer 'Opportunities to co-fund Police Community Support Officers'.
    Requests for financial assistance from Shopmobility; Bobath15; Woodland Trust; Cardiff Eisteddfod; Urdd Eisteddfod; Leleka Fund for Ukraine children. These were refused.


    B) For information only:-

    From MCC:-
    Notification of 30 and 40 m.p.h. received 24/9. This has now been done as requested, but no rumble strips. Noted by County Councillor Greenland.
    Four sets of Planning Committee agenda.
    Two sets of Cabinet papers, and two sets of Council papers.
    Three agenda and minutes of Area Committees. At the Llangwm meeting the points raised were road sweeping lists, response to the floods, and compliments to the Highway Department's efficiency.
    Confirmation of the Tree Preservation order on The Bungalow, Llangwm.
    The Clerk updated the emergency contact numbers.
    Two emails from Mike Jones, Highways, on embargo on street works for Remembrance Sunday and Christmas events.
    Leaflets on Coastal Access and on Monmouthshire Countryside Service.

    From One Voice Wales:-
    National salary awards and 2007 Conference papers.
    Two issues of 'The Voice' publication.
    Agenda and minutes of July and October meetings.

    From the National Assembly:-
    Fire and Rescue National Framework for Wales.
    Annual Report 2006/7 of the Adjudication Panel.

    From Other Bodies:-
    GAVO publication 'The Network' Autumn 2007.
    SEWTA business plan.
    Local Health Board evaluation of GP Out of Hours Service reduction.
    Clerks and Council Direct for November.
    Advice from Mr John Pask that Llangwm representatives on the Roger Edwards Almshouses Charity are now Mrs Jessica Deathe and Mr Colin Evans.

  6. Any Other Business.

    Cllr. Foster reported on a very interesting day-long fact finding visit to both Usk and Prescoed prisons. The workshop facilities seemed well used to train for future employment. He could arrange for other Councillors to visit. There was a new computer base, 'Visor', for sex offenders.
    He also had an interesting meeting discussing the future of waste management in Monmouthshire, much involving Wormtech.
    He had attended a Rural Forum meeting, where it was said that the recent road subsidence in the village had cost £25,000.

    Cllr. Bennett pointed out that in their planning application for the Bridge Inn, Savills had reproduced an extract of the Llangwm web site which was copyright. It was agreed the Clerk should pursue for some financial recompense.

    Cllr. Rowlands asked again for an 'Unsuitable for HGV' sign at the minor road leading to Llansoy
    from opposite the glider field. Heavy vehicles continue to get seriously stuck - once for 24 hours - having gone halfway along this road, which narrows considerably after it starts. County Councillor Greenland said the County Council was inundated with such requests, exacerbated by faulty SATNAV equipment. The Clerk to pursue.

    Cllr. Bennett pointed out a number of errors he had noticed in the individual papers included in several applications on the MCC planning website. County Councillor Greenland said this was done by an outsourced organisation, and asked him to quote examples.

    County Councillor Greenland commented that the Council's financial settlement from W.A.G. was one of the lowest yet, and there would have to be severe savings made just to break even.

  7. Date of Next Meeting.

    This was agreed for Tuesday 15th January 2008 at St. John's Hall. Llangwm.