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Meeting on 9 February 2009
Postponed appointment of new Clerk to the Council until next month

Present

Cllr A Henderson (in the Chair)

Cllr C Bryant

Cllr Y Edwards

Cllr J Kennett

Cllr C Manship

Cllr S Mogford

Cllr M Pike

Cllr M Sanders

Cllr W Woods

Also in attendance: Cllr S Lane

 

Apologies Cllrs L McMail, K Lownes, A Haycock & Cllr D Attwell

 

Previous Minutes (12/01/09)

The Chairman signed the minutes of the January 2009 meeting as a true record.

Proposed by Cllr Mogford and seconded by Cllr Edwards

Planning Applications (No Objections)

Erection of Agricultural Storage Building

Kemeys Farm Barn, Usk Road, Kemeys Inferior

 

Proposed Detached Garage

The Glen Chepstow Road

 

Conversion & Extension of Garage to provide Indoor Swimming Pool & Single Storey Rear Extension with Enlarged Balcony Area

Affecting Public Right of Way 394/5 Brook House, Old Roman Road, Langstone.

 

Planning Applications (Objections)

Demolition of Dwelling & Erection of Replacement two Storey Dwelling & Detached Garage

(Resubmission following Refusal 07/1343 and Dismissed Appeal APP/G6935/A/08/2070422)

No substantial change from previous application.

Object on the following grounds:

Over development of the site, unsustainable development in a remote rural area and in particular restrictions on drainage by Welsh Water until sewer improvements is completed. The feelings/objections of the local residents were noted.

 

Matters Arising From Previous Minutes (12/01/09)

Although the PSO no longer operates in Langstone area gains have been made by the appointment of a Police Inspector and a Sergeant specifically dedicated to Llanwern and Langstone. Councillors were however urged to lobby for the reinstatement of the PSO.

 

Rosecroft Drive Woodland - No further developments.

NCC to be asked for a list of Tree Preservation Orders in the Langstone Ward

 

Grey House, Caerlicken Lane.

Cllr Lane informed the meeting that the barn in question had planning consent.

 

Park Bench on Chepstow Road - Ongoing

To be discussed with Highways Dept NCC

 

Cllr Bryant informed the meeting that the Grit Boxes in Llandevaud have been installed but an additional box is required and the existing boxes need replenishing.

 

Advertising Boards on A48 – Ongoing

 

Correspondence

Kidney Foundation – Wales

Ty Hafran – Superhero day, Friday 1sy May 2009.

Neighbourhood News

WAG – Borrowing by Community & Town Councils 2009 - 2010

WAG – Discretionary Expenditure by Community Councils

Reserve Account Bank Statement

One Voice Wales publication – interesting article on double taxation.

 

Park End Play Area

A further meeting with NCC is to be arranged to sort out the legalities.

 

Fence repairs are progressing, the materials required have been ordered and repairs to the gate & latch in hand.

 

Several complaints have been received about litter and dog excrement in the play area. It was agreed that the litterbins would be removed for a trial period of three month to encourage people to take their litter home. Notice to be placed in Community First.

It was also agreed that tenders for Park Maintenance would be sought.

 

Proposed by Cllr Manship seconded by Cllr Sanders.

 

Clerk to the Council

Interviews for the position of Clerk to Langstone Community Council were held on Monday 02 February 2009. The Chairman recommended that the Council appoint Sandra Hancock to the position.

 

The process and methodology used to select the candidates for interview and the filter through the applications was debated at length.

The robustness of the whole process was questioned and one member of the selection panel felt that there had been a total breakdown of internal communications.

 

Advice received in confidence about the process undertaken and in comparison with best practice, both in the private and public sectors highlighted deficiencies within the procedures carried out, and it was felt that the unsuccessful candidates could have a grievance with the selection process.

 

It was agreed to postpone the appointment of the Clerk until the next meeting.

 

Proposed by Cllr Manship seconded by Cllr Pike.

 

Youth Club

As the Councillor investigating the possibility of setting up a Youth Club had given her apologies and was not present at the meeting this matter would be carried over to the next meeting.

Village Plan

The next Meeting, to be held on 9 March 2009 is to commence at 18:15 & the first hour will be devoted to suggestions & action plan.

 

Village Hall – Request for Funding

Cllr Mogford circulated a business proposal and gave a detailed description of the work to be undertaken. It was noted that the proposal was extracted from the details provided for the grant application.

 

Cllr Mogford answered various questions about how the costs were established & how the project was to be managed. As the refurbishment proposal is at an early stage it was felt that the information available would be updated as more details came to hand. It was felt that both value for money and the most economical procurement method were important aspects of the proposal.

 

As the Community Council were Trustees of the Village Hall then direct monitoring of the proposed project could be on going.

 

It was agreed to grant Langstone village Hall Trustees £10000.00 subject to the following.

a) The grant to be used only for the refurbishment of Langstone Village Hall.

b) Should the grant application be unsuccessful then a new business plan must be submitted showing the priority of works necessary to comply with current legislation.

c) Other forms of funding should be investigated by the Village Hall Trustees

 

Proposed by Cllr Woods seconded by Cllr Manship.

AOB

Cllr Woods informed the meeting that he had met Jessica Morgan MP, and she was very supportive of the Ger - y – Parc initiative. WW is to arrange a meeting with her.

(Jessica Morgan is to attend the Hamlet of Llanmartin AGM on Wednesday 25th March at Llanmartin Church Hall at 19:30 to which all councillors are invited.)

 

Cllr Lane informed the meeting that he still had approximately £1000.00 remaining in his “Good Causes” budget that could be used to benefit the community. Ideas requested.

 

Our donation of £100.00 to fund the Priory Christmas Carol community singing event had raised £176.00 towards the Village Hall restoration.

 

Kemeys Manor restoration is to be shown on Grand Designs on Wednesday 11 February 2009.

 

The condition of the footpaths between the GATSO and Britannia Motors on the A48 was noted as well as the flooding alongside the wall.

 

It was agreed to postpone the Village Plan discussions until the March Meeting.

 

Councillors thanked the various people who provided refreshment for the meeting.