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Meeting on 14 July 2008
Several meetings have taken place of the [Village Plan] working party.
Displays are being prepared

MINUTES OF MEETING OF

LANGSTONE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

HELD AT LANGSTONE VILLAGE HUT MONDAY 14 JULY 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

In Attendance:

Cllr S Lane; Cllr D Atwell

1.Apologies:

Cllr Mrs Y Edwards (illness)

2. Election date details

Clerk reported the details of nominations received from the Newport CC returning officer. For Langstone (Llanmartin) Ward 3 nominations had been received for the 4 vacancies. These three were therefore deemed elected and were Cllr Mrs Carol Bryant, Cllr Alan Henderson and Cllr William Woods. For Langstone (Langstone) 9 nominations were received for 7 vacancies. An election would therefore be necessary. Cllr Lane indicated that he had already withdrawn. Cllr Kennett indicated that he would consider also withdrawing. The existing Councillors nominated were Cllrs Haycock; Kennett; Lowndes, Mrs Mogford. Cllr Hancock indicated that due to changed work commitments he would not be seeking re-election. Cllr Rees Jones’ nomination was received after the cut off date. There were 4 new nominations.

3. Police Report

It was disappointing that there was again no representative from the police. Cllr Atwell felt that the police were using the PACT meetings as their main communication vehicle. Cllr Hancock would write to the Divisional Commander requesting at least a Community Support Officer attend our meetings.

 

4. Previous minutes

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

5. Planning Applications

Conex 08/0775 The Glen Chepstow Rd Appears to be a residence only, too small to be economic care home. Clerk to write indication no objection but to include a condition that use should not be a care home.

Conex /08/0781 21 Park End Langstone Erection of conservatory. No objection.

Conex/08/0759 Kemeys View Coed-Y-Caerau Lane Kemeys Inferior Certificate of Lawfulness for existing use as a dwelling. Object on basis of effectively being a new building in the countryside, no building control has been involved and has been subject to many enforcement orders.

Conex 08/0823 The Cedars Tregarn Rd Langstone Following a site meeting to assess original application and a refusal a modified application with reduced roof height has been submitted. No objection. Cllr Atwell advised that the applicant has appealed against the refusal on the first application.

Conex 08/0765 Land adjacent to Fairfield Upper Rd Llandevaud Erection of detached dwelling and 2 storey double garage. Object on similar grounds to previous. Overdevelopment and in particular restrictions on drainage by Welsh Water until sewer upgrades.

 

Conex 08/0889 Bus shelter illuminated advertisement North end of Downderry Chepstow Rd. No objection.

6. Matters arising previous meeting

Mike Williams – some form of recognition for his long service as a Councillor has to be decided. Cllr Hancock was to contact Newport CC about nomination for MBE or invitation to Queens Garden Party via Jessica Morden. Cllr Woods would also contact Jessica Morden. Newport Volunteer Achievement Awards 2008. Clerk will submit a nomination form for the Contribution to the Community Award.

Cllr Atwell advised that the Planning Application For a nursing home at Langstone Hall had been turned down for a variety of reasons.

Cllr Woods felt that before next year’s best-kept village competition some organization is needed to tidy up any tatty areas in the village.

7. Correspondence

Cheques – signed for Clerks June salary and for the services of the internal auditor Paula Gerrish. At the suggestion of the Clerk it was agreed to pay the invoice for new doors locks and keys to the village hall and hut. This was from Faber and Smith to the value of £166.50.

WAG Local Government Partnership Scheme report for 2006-7 received.

One Voice Wales Notice of meeting 17 July at Usk

WAG Letter outlining details and timing of a review of electoral arrangements within Wales. Any changes to be effective 2012.

8. Ger-Y-Parc

Cllr Atwell indicated that he proposed to arrange a meeting in September and advertise the date in the August edition of Community First and other methods of communication. Cllr Mogford informed the meeting that her ONS workplace were reducing its carbon footprint by planting new trees and she had secured 250 trees for planting in Ger-Y-Parc.

9. Park End Play Area

Cllr Lane reported on a meeting attended by the Clerk and himself with Steve Davidson of NCC. He has committed to initiating actions within other departments to make progress on a future formal lease agreement and to ensure future cleaning and maintenance arrangements. Clerk would try to have repairs to the damaged MUPA carried out by Newport CC. Cllr Lowndes has some of the broken items. Cllr Hancock thanked Cllr Lowndes for his efforts in keeping the play area as safe as possible.

10. Adoption of new WAG Members Code of Conduct

The Clerk explained that it is a requirement to comply with the 2007 Act and the Community Council should formally adopt the Model Code of Conduct. It was resolved therefore to comply and to formally adopt the Model Code. Arrangements would also be made to advertise this and also advise Head of Law and Standards for Newport CC.

11. Village Questionnaire update

Several meetings have taken place of the working party. Displays are being prepared and will be brought to the August meeting for Council approval prior to the public meeting in September. Mr Chris Freegard has been written to with copies of the questionnaire and the summary report. He has been asked to comment before and also attend the public meeting.

12. Annual Return y/e 31 March 2008

The Clerk explained parts 1 and 2 of the Annual Return and the internal auditors report (part 3). The Chairman and Clerk then signed parts 1 & 2 and the Annual Return will then be submitted to the external auditors.

13. AOB

· It was agreed to try to have new doors fitted to the notice boards, which had been removed by vandals. Clerk agreed to make enquiries.

· Cllr Lane explained that Penhow Community Events Group was looking for donations to help install new play facilities at the Parc Seymour playground. It was agreed that it would be reasonable to make a donation but that Cllr Lane should have the Group write to the Clerk giving more information and make a formal request for a donation.

· Cllr Lowndes again complained about the state and location of the old bus stop on the south side of Chepstow Rd opposite Park End.

· Cllr Mrs Mogford indicated that a Sky TV producer has approached her about filming in the area. She will ask for a donation to the Community Council if it goes ahead.

· The Clerk requested approval to purchase an A4 size laminator (approx £30) together with laminating pouches. This was agreed to.

 

 

Meeting ended 9.10 pm