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Minutes of Meeting 8th March 2010
 

Date: 8th March 2010

Time: 7.15pm

Present: Cllr Henderson (in Chair)

Cllr C Bryant

Cllr G Hancock

Cllr T Haycock

Cllr C Manship

Cllr S Mogford

Cllr C Pike

Cllr S Lane

 

Apologies: Cllr K Jeffs Cllr J Kennett Cllr J Broben-Darney Cllr Y Edwards

In Attendance: Cllr D Atwell (NCC) Lucie Taylor Planning Policy Liaison Officer (NCC) Rob Storr Planning Aid Wales

The Chair welcomed Ms Taylor (NCC) and Mr Storr Planning Aid Wales to the meeting.

1. Apologies

The Chair noted that whilst Cllr Jeffs had offered her apologises, she had not attended meetings for 6 consecutive months and therefore automatically ceased to be a member of the Council. The Clerk confirmed that a Notice of Casual Vacancy would need to be posted.

Cllr Hancock declared a prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 8(i) – (iii) due to his relationship to the Clerk.

3. Previous Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on the 8th February 2010 were accepted as a true record and subsequently signed by the chair, as required in law.

4. Clerk’s Report

The Clerk's report of 8th March 2010 was accepted for appending to the minutes.

1920 hours Cllr Manship joined the meeting.

5. Local Development Plan for Newport.

The Council received a presentation from Lucie Taylor Planning Policy Liaison Officer (NCC) on the Preferred Strategy for the Local development Plan 2011 – 2016, the Candidate sites for the Langstone area and the Village Appraisal Information.

During her presentation Ms Taylor highlighted that for planning purposes Langstone was classed as an urban settlement of Newport, not a village. This was the subject of much debate, particularly as Langstone receives none of the amenities or services taken for granted in urban areas. It was also noted that the boundary of Langstone on the map provided extended to the Coldra roundabout and beyond whereas the recognised boundary was at the Langstone sign north?? of the Hilton roundabout. It was agreed that Langstone needed to protect its identity as a village and as such all members of the community should be encouraged to complete the Village Appraisal Information questionnaire; and make their views on future development plans for the area known.

Resolved:

· that this Council will arrange with NCC for sufficient copies of the Village Appraisal Information questionnaire to be proved and deliver a copy to each household within Langstone Ward · will donate a sum of £300 to 1st Wentwood Scout Group to deliver questionnaires

6. Planning

a) Planning Applications

(i) CONEX/10/0092 Proposed new access to agricultural land and closure of existing dwelling access, including erection of new means of enclosure, Oakfield Pencoed lane Llanmartin Newport – No objections

(ii) CONEX/10/0107 Erection of rear conservatory, 28 Priory Way Langstone – No objections

(iii) CONEX/10/0120 Change of use of land to be used as residential cartilage, 10 Priory Grove Langstone – No objections

(iv)CONEX/10/131 Change of use of land to be used as residential cartilage, 12 Priory Grove Langstone – No objections

(v) Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 Tregarn Road and Robin Hood Lane Langstone Prohibition of stopping and waiting order – No objections

(vi) PG/SAD/09/0441 Planning Appeal - Retention of Replacement Farm Building (Storage of Agricultural Machinery) Land Adjacent to Roker Lodge Llandevaud – The Clerk is to write in support of NCC rejection of this application.

(vii)CONEX/10/0174 Erection of two storey side extension 42 Park End Langstone – No objections

b) Coed y Caerau Common

Cllr Mogford informed the meeting that now there were scheduled buildings on the site it could take on a different status as a conservation area.

c) Hurran’s Garden Centre

The Chair confirmed he had spoken against the development at the planning meeting, as had Cllr Atwell and that the application had been refused on the grounds of overdevelopment, traffic (access), and drainage, and that no appeal had been submitted to date.

The condition of the site was discussed and it was agreed that NCC should be approached regarding what action they could take to impose an enforcement order to tidy the land.

Welsh Assembly Government

Consultation document – Review of Councillor’s Allowances Regulations

The document was reviewed and the Council response agreed.

Consultation – Inquiry into the accessibility of railway stations in Wales – circulated via e-mail

Invitation to training event Monday 15th March 2010, 10.30 am County Hall Cwmbran – Cllr Pike and Clerk to attend Action SH

GAVO

Invitation to meeting at 10.00am on Wednesday March 3rd 2010 (circulated via e-mail)

SLCC

Notification of Cemetery Management Course Wed 24th March 2010 – noted

Shelter Cymru

Details of new Shelter Cymru Housing Advice Surgeries in Newport - noted

8. Finance

(i) Bank Charges £11.35

S/O Mrs S Hancock – Salary £490.29

(ii) Receipts:

None

(iii) Payments requiring approval for payment:

Resolved that this Council authorises the following payments:

Cheque No 000744 £645.07 WM Garden Services Ltd – Bench Jct Catsash/A48

Cheque No 000745 £332.51 Clerk’s Salary & Expenses

Cheque No 000746 £566.30 HM Revenue & Customs

Cheque No 000747 £95.36 Transfer to Petty Cash

Cheque No 000748 £311.00 One Voice Wales membership renewal

(iv) WWYC Workshops

The Chair proposed that the Council approve the Clerks attendance at 2 workshops as part of her ongoing training, and it was

Resolved that this Council approve the Clerk’s attendance on 2 one-day work shops on 7th April & 5th May

2010 in Swindon at a cost of £110 + VAT, plus 2 days pay @ £133.50 and Travel and subsistence expenses.

(iii) Clerk’s Salary

The Chair recommended that following a satisfactory annual appraisal the Council approve the Clerk’s progress on to next pay point. (Cllr Hancock took no part due to declared prejudicial interest)

Resolved: that this Council approve the Clerk’s annual pay increment to Spinal Column Point 16 (£8.545 per

hour) with effect from 9th March 2010.

(v) Internal Auditor

The Chair proposed that Mrs Hazel Marshall be re-appointed as the LCC Internal Auditor.

Resolved: that this Council instruct the Clerk to write a letter of re-appointment to Mrs Hazel Marshall offering her the position of Internal Auditor to LCC.

(v) Installation of window 7

The Chair advised the Council that the Clerk had researched the cost of installing windows 7 onto the Council Laptop and found that due to its age it would cost in excess of £250, to install windows, upgrade the memory and replace the battery therefore it would make more sense to purchase a new computer with windows 7 already installed. Following a discussion it was agreed the Clerk should research the various options available including the purchase of a projector system and report back to the Council next month.

9. Internal Audit of Systems

The Chair informed the Council that he had completed his audit of the effectiveness of the Council’s Internal Audit Systems and found them to be effective. A full copy of the Audit would be circulated prior to being accepted by the Council at the next meeting.

The Chair confirmed that he and Cllr Pike attended the One Voice Wales meeting where there had been little discussion regarding the proposed charter with Monmouthshire County Council. However the Charter between Community Councils and NCC was on the agenda for the next NCC liaison meeting with Community Councillors’ on Thursday 25th March

2010, and he and Cllr Pike would be attending that meeting.

12. Park End Play Area

The Chair confirmed that ownership and rights of way to North and South access points had not been established; it was agreed that the Clerk should write to Solicitor and request land registry searches on area.

Following a discussion it was agreed that the Council would continue to meet at 7.15pm on the 2nd Monday of the month, and would hold 12 meetings per year, but the meetings in August and December would be Planning Meetings only whilst the rest would continue to be full Council meetings. Clerk.to displayed dates of meetings on all LCC notice boards.

14. Best Kept Village Competition

Cllr Hancock informed the Council that he had read the feedback from last years competition and would be addressing points raised by judges with New Inn; organising a Litter Picking Event and arranging for planters to be replenished prior to this year’s competition in June.

15. Village Fete

Cllr Pike informed the meeting that the working party had not met to date, and as she would be unavailable due to work commitments for the next 8 – 12 weeks she was unable to become too heavily involved, but would offer what support she could. Cllr Edwards had agreed to take the lead, but was on holiday, so in her absence it was agreed Cllr Pike would contact the Ryder Cup organisers to establish what other events were taking place and the Clerk would liaise with Penhow Clerk to see how they organised there Fete.

16. Business Cards

The Clerk said that she would like to look at obtaining business cards as she often needed to give her details to people and raised the question of whether Cllrs would benefit from having business cards too. Cllrs did not feel the need for them and it was agreed that the Clerk should look at obtaining free cards from Vista print in the first instance.

17. Matters of Interest

(i) Cllr Manship commented that the NCC hadn’t turned up for the Tree Planting on Saturday 6th March nor had they sent letters to residents, which was very disappointing. Cllr Mogford agreed to Contact David Morris to find out what was going on.

(ii) Cllr Pike reminded everybody that the Neighbourhood Watch meeting was on Friday 12th March at 7pm in the Village Hall.

(iii) The Clerk reminded members that there was a Neighbourhood Committee Meeting at 7pm on Thursday 1st April in St John Hall Penhow.

At 2220pm there being no further matters for discussion the meeting closed

The date of the next meeting is Monday 12th April 2010

Signed:

Alan Henderson

Chair LCC

Clerk’s Report 8th March 2010

1. Matter Outstanding from Previous Meetings

(a) Park Bench on Chepstow road Minute No 4(i) 11th January 2010

The work has now been completed and the Bench is in situ – Item Closed

(b) Consultation on Accounts and Audit (Wales) Amendment Regulations Minute No 7 8th February 2010

Response sent on behalf of Council agreeing with proposed amendments.

(c) Damage to Notice Board Minute No9 8th February 2010

Following a letter being sent - new lock has been fitted at no cost to the Council

(d) Non Attendance – Cllr Lane Minute 16(ii) 8th February 2010

A letter has been sent both to Cllr Lane’s last known address and via e-mail.

(e) PCSO Minute 16(iii) 8th February 2010

An e-mail has been sent to Gwent Police – awaiting response.

(f) Road Name Sign Tregarn Court Minute No16

(V) 8th February 2010

Letter sent to NCC who have confirmed that they will supply a Road Name Sign.