MINUTES of the meeting held on Tuesday 19^th July 2011 in Llangybi Village Hall

3344/4 Apologies for absence

Councillors Dale and Davey, County Councillor Peter Clarke

Present: Chairman Cllr Love, Councillors Backhouse, Greenland, Watts, Cameron, Rogers and McLeod, Clerk Holly Heath.

3345/4 Declaration of interest

None

3346/4 Members of the Public

Two members of the public in attendance.

3347/4 Chairman’s Statement

Chairman Cllr Love thanked Cllr Dale for chairing the June meeting and dealing with a difficult time with the Local Development Plan. Chairman thanked the rest of Council, particularly noting Cllr Backhouse contribution and Cllr McLeod for presenting the Council views to the County Council. Chairman also remarked on the wonderful village support and asked the Clerk to send special thanks to Ian Lankshear of The Oaks.

3348/4 Police Report

A Police Report has not been received this month, however the Council noted there had been some Village Hall break in’s

·         Next PACT meeting date – 19/7/11. Due to staffing issues the Police have requested that issues be submitted by email to usk@gwent.pnn.police.uk

3349/4 Approval of minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 21st June 2011

It was proposed by Cllr Cameron and seconded by Cllr Mcleod that the Minutes be approved. Chairman Cllr Love duly signed the Minute Book

3350/4 Matters arising

1.       Order to Glasdon for Litter Bins – Cllr Love reported the bins were sited near The Croft on Parc Road in Llangybi and near the Church gate in Coed y Paen; which was the wrong position and Chair will request it be moved.. The benches were sited on Ton Road and Treherbert Road. 

2.       Quote for signage

a.       Can a contribution be sought from MCC: Clerk is waiting for a formal response from MCC

b.      Quote from Usk Prison: was received and discussed

c.       August meeting: invite Phil Langley from Usk Prison, and  the Village Hall Committee are to be invited. Clerk to establish a quote for a cast iron signpost.

3.       SMP Playground Equipment –

a.       Equipment for younger groups – Cllr Watts reported the local parents had recommended a preference, this to be emailed to the Clerk for completion of GAVO Application for funding.

4.       Play Area – responsibility for damage by users – Clerk reported the County Council position and placed letter to resident in Box. PC Thomas to be contacted by the resident.

5.       New tax system for Clerks – Chairman Cllr Love informed the Council that the Clerk had submitted a formal letter of resignation. Due to the changes in the tax system her professional duties elsewhere precluded her from continuing. Cllr Love expressed his concern as to finding a new Clerk with sufficient experience and stated that without a smooth transition to a new Clerk he may consider his own resignation. Clerk was asked to speak with other local Clerks and see if they were interested in this post. Cllr Love will advertise the position locally and via MCC.

3351/4 Planning

(a)    Applications

·         DC/2011/00557 Oak Tree Barn – APPROVED

DC/2011/00584 County Hall redevelopment: Further to extended discussion the Council reports as follows:

These revised plans have addressed most of the concerns our Council expressed over the earlier proposals.

The building itself is smaller, being designed to accommodate around 100 staff, and seems to fit well into the landscape without dominating the existing college premises. Concerns over too large a number of people accessing the site, consequent parking issues, the possibility of flooding, and some other environmental matters all appear to have been considered. On site parking will be available for 155 and a pelican crossing on the main road will allow a safer access to a bus stop; and there are detailed plans for addressing the flooding and other environmental issues. Councillors have expressed only one minor concern, which relates to references in section 9.18 of the Project Environmental Plan about Front of Site birds. Some Councillors believe it is not a good proposal to encourage bird nesting so close to a busy main road, especially as there will be far more traffic once the site is fully operational. There ought to be adequate nesting provision in existing and new trees further away from the main road. Otherwise, Council recommends APPROVAL.

(b)   Planning Committee Agenda

·         12/7/11 and 28/6/11: nothing to report.

(c ) Planning Correspondence:

·         Partridge Field – no update available

·         DC/2011/01114 The Forest: Erection of timber frame barn, cabin and track resurfacing: Consultation Report has been circulated and Council responded that its remit did not answer their concerns.  The date for a Site Visit is set for August 2^nd 2011.

(c)    Feedback on LDP Meeting July 1^st

Cllr McLeod briefed the Council on the MCC meeting that took place in County Hall Cwmbran. Considerable disappointment was mooted by Council and residents alike at the short period of time allocated for the amount of representatives present; this produced a poor standard of debate and general mismanagement of a highly opposed proposition. Clerk to write to MCC explaining the depth of feeling in Llangybi, the disappointment as to the non democratic approach and level of debate which ensued, and further to the reference to two other original sites in Llangybi being reproposed without the Community Council being informed. Clerk to draft letter and send to Chairman. The position in Llangybi remains the same in that the LDP will progress to the Planning stage.

3352/4 Finance

Balance: £11,769.36

Cheques :

1.       Public Works Loans Board half yearly payment (top up) £26.65: all in favour

2.       Glasdon invoice £873.60: all in favour

Correspondence:

·         Mazars Audit completion 2010-11: Bank reconciliation completed and signed. Clerk awaits reissue of Audit Forms

·         MBS confirmation of Clerk change of address: completed

3353/4 Correspondence

For consideration:

Update on Register of Electors received for Clerk and Cllr Davey. Clerk to find out why other Cllrs have not received them.

For Box:

• Public Services Ombudsman report
• The Voice (being a good employer)
• Miracle design and Play Brochure
• Clerk & Councils Direct
• Shelter Cymru
• The Voluntary Voice
• GAVO-Community Voice
• GAVO E briefing
• OVW announcement of Development and Training Officer
• MCC Garden Party
• MCC Review of Polling Stations and Districts

3354/4 Reports

·         Cllr Watts reported the new committee for the Village Hall have decided to hold 4 fund raising events per year. The recent Hog Roast raised in excess of £700. There are plans for repairs to the Hall. The Committee have asked if they can share the instruction of Willow Landscapes for maintenance outside the Hall. Cllr Love suggested the Committee contact Cllr Davey for inclusion of their instruction. The Committee also asked how many key holders the Community Council had; this was confirmed as Cllr Love. Finally Council were informed that the Notice Board would be reinstated on the wall.

·         Cllr Cameron informed the Council she was unable to attend the recent OVW meeting

·         Cllr Love informed the Council he was unable to attend the recent Rural Forum meeting.

3355/4 Local matters

• Vandalism in Llangybi
  • Notice Board: vandalized and when a notice was put up about the vandalism the notice itself was vandalised
  • Play Area: Broken green Perone bottles were found in the Play Area, deliberately strewn where the children come off the slide. Area used by youths for gathering. Black bag of bottles was collected from the park by local residents. Cllr Cameron has put a notice up.
  • Well: youths are jumping off the well which is causing the stone work to loosen. Cllr Love has repaired the well as best possible and cleared the litter bin of Red Bull Cans

Clerk to inform PC Thomas and ask for regular visits. Cllr Love will put on the website. If issues continue a Village Meeting will be called

• Cllr Cameron welcomed the new speeding signs in the Village and proposed requesting the branches be cut down around the one on the road from Caerleon.
• Cllr Cameron noted the chains around the bench needed new hooks.
• Cllr Rogers reported pot holes on R101 to R203.2
• Cllr Rogers reported an issue over where the litter bin has been sited in Coed y Paen – will report further next meeting.
• Cllr Greenland reported the phone box in Llandegvedd needs some work, Phil Langley of the Prison to be asked to quote.
• Cllr Greenland reported on the crossroads into Llandegvedd
• Cllr Love asked the Clerk to write with thanks to Ivan Maund who has beautifully refurbished the bench near Llangybi Notice-board. Mr Maund to be asked to submit any costs incurred to the Council.
• Cllr Love asked the Clerk to write to MHA regarding the excellent work carried out on the lay- by opposite the Village Hall.

3356/4 Any other business

None

3357/4 Date of next meeting

16^th August 2011

Apologies in advance from Cllr Cameron.