Minutes 8th June 2009

Date: 8th June 2009

Time: 7.15pm

Present: Cllr Henderson (in Chair)
Cllr J Kennett
Cllr C Bryant
Cllr Y Edwards
Cllr T Haycock
Cllr C Pike
Cllr S Mogford
Cllr C Manship
Cllr S Lane

Also in attendance: Cllr D Atwell (NCC)

Apologies were received from Cllr M Sanders

1. Declarations of Interest
No declarations of interest were made.

2. Previous Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on the 11th May 2009 were accepted as a true record and signed by the chair, as required in law.

3. Matters Arising From Previous Meeting
(1) Meeting informed that Cllr Henderson has signed Declaration of Acceptance of Office for post as Chair of Council.

(2) Park Bench on Chepstow Road – Cllr Lane informed the meeting that the Community Council that the highways department have no objection to the bench being sited on the A48 but that they require that the Council indemnify NCC against any claim made in respect of the bench’s position, and further agree to it being removed if necessary at some future date. Further enquiries to be made by the Clerk.
Action SH

(3) Advertising Boards on A48 – Cllr Lane informed the meeting that the highways department stated that short term advertising of local events was not a problem, but that the Council should inform them of any others and they will take action to have them removed if necessary

(4) PACT Meeting - Cllr Lane has spoken with Cllr Ed Townsend (NCC) who stated that he hadn’t replied to Cllr Henderson’s e-mail as he was only CC’d and had not received Cllr Pike’s letter at all. He requested they be resubmitted and directed to him through Members Services (NCC)
Action AH/CP

Cllr Atwell inform the Council that PC Gray had been moved to another Ward and was being replaced by a PCSO with PC Williams of Llanwern Ward having a dual role covering both wards.

A brief discussion then took place regarding reintroducing a Neighbourhood Watch.
Action SL/CP

(5) Parking around Langstone School - Cllr Atwell informed the Council that no further development was allowed North of Old Roman Road so no additional car park could be built in that area. Cllrs who have a dual role as school governors agreed to raise the matter
at the next School Governors meeting.

(6) Sewage/ Flooding Rosecroft drive – Cllr Henderson informed the Council that he had misplaced the letter and Cllr Edwards agreed to write instead. Cllr Atwell advised the Council that NCC had now adopted the road and significant work had been completed at the pumping station and there had been no problems reported. Any problems should be reported to NCC.
Action YE

(7) Cllr Haycock informed the meeting that whilst there had been a disappointing turnout for the Village Plan Meeting, however a lot of work had been completed and various actions had been allocated to individual Cllrs. A further meeting would be arranged in due
course.

5. Planning
(i) Planning Applications

(1) CONEX/09/0518 – Erection of rear conservatory - 12 Priory Gardens, Langstone – No Objection
Action SH

(2) CONEX/09/0498 – Erection of single storey rear extension – 25 The Nurseries, Langstone. No Objection
Action SH

(3) CONEX /09/0490 – Proposed two storey side and rear extension and single storey rear extension – Hazel Glen, Chepstow Road, Langstone - Objection
The Council objected to this application on the grounds that it represented an overdevelopment with increased pressure on an already over stretched drainage system. It would lead to increased traffic, was too close the adjacent property and was not in keeping with the area.
Action SH

(4) GNR/SAD/08/0679 – Appeal for proposed restoration of agricultural building – Treclover, Coed y Caerau Lane - Objection
The Council supports NCC in its objection to this application. This application has been considered by the Council previously and the grounds for the objection on those occasions still stand.
Action SH

(ii) Coed y Caerau Common – Cllr Mogford informed the Council that the Land Registry had confirmed that there were two separate areas of land on the Common registered with them and she requested approval for funding to carry out further searches to establish ownership Cllr Mogford further requested that the Council consider funding research by an academic at Cardiff University that would clear up the issue of rights ownership. This work would take 6 weeks and cost £3, 000 – £3,500. A discussion then took place.
Resolved:
That this Council authorises the payment for searches but instructs Cllr Mogford to initially explore other avenues of funding for the academic work and report to the Council once this has been done.
Action SM

At 2025 hours Cllr lane left the meeting

(iii) Hurran’s Garden Centre – Cllr Henderson informed the Council that the site has been purchased. A discussion followed during which Cllr Atwell stated that he would have an informal meeting with the planning department to discuss possible use of the site.
Action DA

(iv) Supplementary Planning Guidance – Design Guide for Infill and Backland Development - Adjourned to next meeting.
Action SH

(v) Local List – change to information to be given when submitting planning application – consultation documentation – Cllr Henderson informed the meeting that the proposed changes would provide more detailed information and would assist in determining planning applications and that he would respond on behalf of the Council.
Action AH

6. Correspondence
Glasdon – Brochure - Noted

GAVO – Voluntary Voice Magazine & Minutes of meeting held on 12th March 2009 – Passed to Cllr Kennet

Severn Estuary Partnership – Notification of new Manager Mr Jonathan Mullard - Severn Tidings Magazine - Noted

Society of Local Council Clerks - Cemetery Management Course – Noted
Receipt £140 Membership + Clerk Training Course – Noted
8th Edition Local Council Administration £53.60 – It was agreed that the Council required a copy.
Resolved:
That this Council instructs the Clerk to purchase 8th Edition Local Council Administration at a cost of £53.60
Action SH

Welsh Assembly Government - Invitation to attend free workshop on the draft Flood and Water Management Bill – Cardiff 24th June – Noted, no one to attend.

Consultation document on proposed changes to the Accounts & Audit (Wales) Regulations – response required by 31st July – Clerk to respond.
Action SH

NCC - Liaison Meeting with Community Councils – Thursday 25th June 2009 – Cllr Kennet to attend.
Action JK
Carer’s Leisure Event Friday 12th June at Newport Centre - Noted

All Wales Convention – Invitation to All Wales Convention discussion group Newport Centre 18th June 2009 – Cllr Edwards to attend
Action YE

One Voice Wales – Meeting – Model Charter 11th June 2009 Raglan (Not dealing directly with Newport as still working with NCC) – Cllr Henderson to attend
Action AH

Babes in the Wood Playgroup - Funding request – a discussion ensued and the Council felt that they should support Langstone Playgroup – Chair will respond (negative)
Action AH

W.M. Garden Services Ltd – Estimate for repairs to Play Park
Resolved:
That this Council accepts the quotation and directs the Clerk to arrange repairs.
Action SH

7. Finance
(1) Chair has agreed a monthly administration fee with Langstone Village Hall of £159.25 for Clerk services – first invoice has been sent

(2) Standing Order to be signed setting up automatic monthly payment of Clerk’s salary – signed by Cllrs

(3) Concurrent Allocation for 2009/10 is £1980 – letter requesting payment to be sent by clerk
Action SH

(4) Precept Allocation £12989.90 will be paid in 3 instalments (May August & December)

(5) Bank Charges for 4 April – 1 May £10.00

(6) Receipts:
1st Precept 09/10 - £4,329.90

(7) Authorisation of payments
Resolved:
That this Council authorises the following payments.

Chq No000683 £1500 Langstone Village Hall Donation (agreed 11th May Min 7(2))
Chq No000684 £13.71 Mrs Hancock – Stamps
Chq No000685 £5.00 Mrs Hancock – Laminating Pockets
Chq No000686 £379.03 Mrs Hancock – Salary
Chq No000687 £115.00 Helping Hands (Litter Picking Equipment)
Chq No 000688 £982.50 NCC (Safety Inspections)
Chq No 000689 £91.25 NCC (Repair to roundabout)
Chq No 000670 £50.00 Petty Cash
Action SH

8. Vacancies for Community Councillors
The Chair informed the Council that the two new Community Councillors for Langstone ward were Cllr Simon Lane and Ms Karen Jeffs. Cllr Lane signed his declaration of acceptance of office. Ms Jeffs was on holiday and so the Council would invite her to sign her declaration at or before the next meeting. The notice of vacancy for a Councillor for Llanmartin Ward had expired and the Council were now in a position to Co-Opt a member. The Chair will make enquiries.
Action AH

9. Park End Play Area
Cllr Henderson and Lane attended a meeting with NCC to discuss the Park End Play Area.
(1) Park lease – Conditions with the lease were discussed and agreed by the Council.

At 2115 hours Cllr Atwell left the meeting

(2) Park Maintenance – It was established that the Council would be responsible for meeting the costs of maintenance and repair to the play equipment. Also, that whilst the Council were responsible for the original “stock proof” fence erected circa 1964 that this fence had been replaced by the developers and as such further enquiries were to be made to establish legal responsibility; it was believed that the only fence for which the Council was responsible was that which bounds the end of Bramley Close.

NCC agreed to carry out the play park inspections and arrange for the annual independent inspection along with maintaining the records of all such inspections on a cost basis with any necessary repairs being completed either by NCC or a recommended contractor and billed to the Council. NCC also advised that they would continue to cut the grass and empty the bins on a no charge basis.
Resolved:
That this Council accepts the lease and instruct NCC to complete site inspections as detailed above.
Action SH/AH

A discussion continued with regard to the fencing and in particular the damage being caused to the fence by individuals trying to gain access to the park from Bramley Close and the possibility of either putting an access point at the end of Bramley Close or planting protective shrubs at that location. It was agreed that the residents of Bramley Close, Grenadier Drive and Spartan Close be consulted on this proposal.
Action SH
The provision of litter bins was discussed and it was decided they should remain insituand the situation be reviewed in 6 months time.
Action SH

10. Standing Orders and Financial Regulations
There was a discussion regarding the need to review the order of business in Standing Orders and introduce Financial Regulations. It was agreed that Clerk should make recommendations to be considered at the next meeting.
Action SH

11. Gwent Best Kept Village Competition 2009
The Clerk advised that the entry was received on time and that Halse’s had agreed to maintain the planter outside their premises and L&M Young had agreed to maintain the planter at the junction with Catsash road. It was suggested that this be an agenda item for January in future years to ensure that preparations could be made.
Action SH

12.Village Fete
It was agreed that it was not feasible to hold a fete this year and that it should be an agenda item for January next year.
Action SH

13. Any Other Business
Cllr Haycock attended the reunion of Langstone Eagles Motorcycle Group and presented the Chair with a copy of a booklet outlining their history.

Cllr Haycock raised the issue of raised manhole covers in Old Chepstow Road that he said had been ain that condition for some weeks. Clerk to contact highways department.
Action SH

Cllr Bryant raised the issue of the grass and hedges requiring trimming in Llandevaud and the possibility of erecting bus shelter on the Common. Clerk to contact NCC.
Action SH

Cllr Pike attended the inauguration service for Rev. Mark Jones at Magor Church.

Cllr Edwards queried whether the new widened pathway at the Coldra roundabout is part of the cycle track. Clerk to contact NCC.
Action SH

Cllr Kennett raised the issue of signs at the Coldra roundabout and also replacement of the bulbs removed during the work to the grass verge on the A48 adjacent to the sped camera. Clerk to contact NCC.
Action SH

Cllr Mogford raised the issue that Catsash road was closed in both discretions due to the Welsh Open without information to or consultation with residents. Clerk to contact NCC.
Action SH

The Clerk advised that Council that Gwent Police had booked the Village hall for a PACT meeting on Thursday 18th June.

There being no other business the meeting was closed at 22.20 pm

The date of the next meeting is Monday 13th July 2009

Signed:
Chair LCC

Date: 13th July 2009

Previous Planning Applications - Decisions BY NCC Planning Department
APPLICATION DETAILS

No: 09/0419 Ward: LANGSTONE
Type: DISCHARGE OF CONDITIONS
Expiry Date: 19/06/2009
Applicant: TRIBUNALS SERVICES
Site: COLUMBUS HOUSE CHEPSTOW ROAD NEWPORT SOUTH WALES NP18 2LX
Proposal: PARTIAL DISCHARGE OF CONDITION 02 (TRAVEL PLAN) OF PLANNING APPEAL REF 03/514331 FOR IMMIGRATION APPELLATE AUTHORITY HEARING CENTRE
DECISION
APPROVED

APPLICATION DETAILS
No: 09/0224 Ward: LANGSTONE
Type: FULL
Expiry Date: 30/04/2009
Applicant: MR M CLARKE
Site: LAND ADJACENT TO HOLLY TREE COTTAGE CHEPSTOW ROAD NEWPORT SOUTH WALES
Proposal: ERECTION OF DETACHED DWELLING AND GARAGE
DECISION
GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS