AGM on 11 August 2008

MINUTES OF AGM and MEETING OF

LANGSTONE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

HELD AT LANGSTONE VILLAGE HUT MONDAY 11 AUGUST 2008

Present:

Cllr G Hancock (in the Chair)
Cllr W Woods
Cllr K Lowndes
Cllr Mrs S Mogford
Cllr J Kennett
Cllr Mrs C Bryant
Cllr A Haycock
Cllr Mrs Y Edwards
Cllr Alan Henderson
Cllr Mrs Chris Pike
Cllr Mrs Mary Saunders
Cllr Chris Manship

In Attendance:

Cllr S Lane; PC Lee Gray; Mr and Mrs Woodcroft

1.Apologies:

Cllr D Atwell; Cllr Lisa McMail

2. Rhys Jones

The Chairman advised the meeting that Rhys Jones, who had been a Councillor for many years until the August election process, had died tragically very recently. A minute’s silence was held in his memory.

3. New Councillors

The Chairman welcomed 3 of the 4 newly elected Councillors: Chris Manship, Mrs Mary Saunders and Mrs Chris Pike. Mrs Lisa McMail was on holiday and had sent her apologies. The Chairman explained that there was a vacancy in the Langstone (Llanmartin) Ward and proposed that John Kennett be co-opted. He has previously served for many years as a representative of Langstone (Langstone) Ward. This was seconded by Cllr Woods and was voted in favour by the majority.

The three new Councillors at the meeting signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which includes a requirement to abide by the Model Code of Conduct.

4. Police Report

PC Lee Gray said he had intended to make a PACT (Partnerships and Communities Together) presentation but because of the heavy agenda would defer this. He commented that 5 residents, very disappointing, only attended the last PACT meeting on 26 June. The next PACT meeting is planned for 2 December-venue yet to be decided but probably St John’s Hall. He then went on to outline some of the patrols at Park End play area and surrounding roads. Mr & Mrs Woodcroft referred to youths driving cars at speed in the early hours at weekends. Cllr Manship also reported ASB in this area. PC Gray stressed the need for residents being disturbed by this type of behaviour to contact the police. It is only by building up a series of logged calls, which will influence where future police activity will take place.

5. Previous minutes

The Chairman signed the minutes of the July meeting as a true record after some amendments to section 8.

6. Election of New Chair and Vice Chair

After some discussion Cllr Hancock proposed Cllr Henderson as Chairman, Cllr Manship seconded this. Cllr Haycock proposed Cllr Mrs Mogford as Vice Chair; Cllr Mrs Bryant seconded this.

Cllr Hancock advised the meeting that due to a change of job location he had to stand down as a Councillor. He then handed the Chair of the meeting to Cllr Henderson.

Cllr Woods gave his appreciation of Cllr Hancock’s service to the Council and for his period as Chair.

Planning Applications

Conex 05/1077 Former Post Office Tregarn Rd Langstone – residential development of 6 no. flats, parking and ancillary works. Amended plans following the 2005 application. It was noted that the drawing submitted had conflicting roof details, which indicates the height may be excessive, compared with adjacent properties. Considered 6 flats is an overdevelopment of the site. Flooding concerns and drainage issues need raising. Clerk to write objection letter although Cllr Lane indicated it was going to Full Committee on 12 August.

Matters arising previous meeting

Mike Williams – some form of recognition for his long service as a Councillor has to be decided. Clerk reported that he had submitted a nomination Form for the GAVO 2008 Newport Volunteer Achievement Awards, in the Lifetime Achievement in Volunteering Award section.

Trees Ger-Y-Parc Cllr Mrs Mogford advised the meeting that ONS has now made available 2600 trees to be planted on 9 and 10 October.

Best Kept Village Cllr Woods felt much more effort and planning was needed before entering the competition next year. Cllr Mrs Mogford indicated that Admiral Insurance who are opening an office in Langstone Park are keen to be involved with the Communities where they are based. Clerk indicated he would contact Alan Williams in Tregarn Rd; he is involved in Newport in Bloom.

7. Correspondence

Cheques – signed for Clerks July salary and for expenses in purchasing laminator and other consumables.

Penhow Community Events Group Letter received requesting donation to assist in upgrading the Parc Seymour play field play equipment. After some discussion it was agreed to donate £600. Clerk to action.

Tabernacle Church Llanvaches Letter received requesting a donation to assist in the upgrading of the Grade 2 cottage attached to the church. After some discussion it was felt that this request did not fall within the normal criteria of assisting very local organizations. Clerk to respond to the letter wishing them well in their fundraising efforts

Langstone Community Cycling Clerk advised meeting of a notice with dates of 3 further cycling events starting at the village hall. The event on 3 August proved to be successful.

Newport CC Letter advising of the need to advertise the adoption by LCC. Newport able to place advertisements in Newport Matters for £70 + vat per Community Council. Meeting felt this was expensive and suggested alternatives be investigated.

One Voice Wales Update letter regarding the Annual Conference on 11 October.

8. Ger-Y-Parc

This topic generated a lot of discussion. It was suggested that PC Gray should be invited to the meeting. Cllr Atwell has now fixed the date and time for 29 September at 7.00pm in the village hall. The new Councillors and Cllr Lane felt that there had been inadequate consultation over the plans for the area. Cllr Lane said that the office involved David Morris has stated that if the majority of people in the area near the park are against the development then NCC would not support it. Cllr Mrs Mogford stressed that it was not intended that this area is a repeat of Park End play area and that it would be designed as an Eco Park. Cllr Mrs Pike enquired whether the police had been consulted.

Cllr Haycock felt it was essential that all Councillors have an update on the design by Cllr Atwell at the 8 September Council meeting in advance of the 29 September public meeting. Clerk to request Cllr Atwell to arrange an update session.

9. Park End Play Area

There has been no positive development yet with Newport CC drawing up an agreement. Cllr Lane advised that a draft had been promised to us during September. Clerk had also emailed a request to start a 2 weekly cleaning service by NCCC, but still awaiting confirmation of a start date and future schedule.

Clerk advised of a formal legal personal accident claim involving an 18-year-old local youth who was injured in late April on the Multi-Use play area. Our insurers Allianz are now involved and they will also be involving Newport CC as the owners of the land.

Cllr Lowndes advised that local resident has put a gate from his garden boundary into the playing field.

Clerk was asked to seek advice as to whether rubbish bins should be retained or removed from the area as in some other public areas.

10. Village Questionnaire update

Clerk showed examples of the type of graphical display, which will form the basis of the exhibition, planned for 15 September. He also advised the meeting that the advertisement to be placed in Community First had not appeared in the August edition due to an error by the editor. He has offered to print posters and display these in prominent positions in the area. This was agreed to but it was felt by the meeting that a second exhibition in mid late October should be held and advertised in Community First. Clerk to arrange this extra insert with the editor and book the village hall.

11. AOB

· Cllr Haycock thanked Cllr Mrs Mogford for arranging for the supply of tables for use in the hut.

· Cllr Haycock asked if Newport CC could be requested to provide a rubbish wheelie bin for the village hall.

· Cllr Haycock asked for a few volunteers to form a working party for 16/17 August to make some improvements to the village hall and surrounding area.

· Cllr Lowndes again raised the issue of the bus stop opposite Park End. Cllr Lane was still awaiting a response fro the officer dealing with this.

· Cllr Lowndes raised the problem of the fallen trees at the access to Ger-Y-Parc. Cllr Lane had involved tree officer to advise. He would also enquire which if any trees in this area are subject to TPO’s

· Cllr Kennett questioned the building work being carried out on a barn conversion at Grey House. Cllr Lane had asked the enforcement officer to investigate and he was waiting for feedback

· Cllr Kennett raised the issue of youngsters on motorbikes riding in the fields adjacent Tregarn Rd creating a noise nuisance. They are also riding on the road and pavements with no crash helmets. Cllr Henderson suggested to contact PC Gray and Cllr Lane will report this to NCC (Steve Davidson’s team)

· Cllr Mrs Mogford proposed that the Council make a donation to MIND in memory of Rhys Jones. This was agreed by the meeting.

· Cllr Henderson asked the Clerk to distribute contact details of all Councillors

Meeting closed 9.50 pm