Meeting on 10 November 2008

MINUTES OF LANGSTONE COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT LANGSTONE VILLAGE HALL HUT
ON MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2008

Present

Cllr A Henderson (in the Chair)
Cllr W Woods
Cllr K Lowndes
Cllr J Kennett
Cllr C Bryant
Cllr A Haycock
Cllr Y Edwards
Cllr L McMail
Cllr M Pike
Cllr M Sanders
Cllr C Manship
Cllr S Mogford

Also in attendance: Cllr S Lane

1. Apologies

Cllr D Atwell

Prior to the meeting Cllr McMail agreed to take the Minutes

2. Police Report

No Report Available

3. Previous Minutes

Cllr W Woods had previously given his apologies for the last meeting.

Ger-Y Parc. It was noted that the Working Party was established to progress Cllr Atwell’s proposal. Delete Cllr Kennett & insert Cllr Lownes.

The Chairman signed the minutes of the September meeting as a true record by all present after the above amendments.
Proposed by Cllr Haycock and seconded by Cllr Lowndes.

4. Planning Applications
Diversion of Public Footpath No. 394/68
Bracken Cottage, Pencoed Lane.
No Objections

Erection of 1st floor Side Elevation
2 Rosecroft, Langstone
No Objections

1st Floor Side Extension & Erection of Rear Conservatory
10 Miller Close, Langstone
No Objections

Demolition of Existing Conservatory & Construction of an Orangery
28 Tregarn Close, Langstone
No Objections

Retention of Gates affecting Public Right of Way
Brook House, Old Roman Road, Langstone.
Insufficient details so assumed resubmission relates to pedestrian access gates if this is the case then no objections provided the access is sufficient to allow disabled access and the gate is never locked giving free access to all walkers at all times.

Erection of Dwelling & Garage
Land Adjacent to Fairfield, Upper Road, Llandevaud
Object on similar grounds to previous. Over development and in particular restrictions on drainage by Welsh Water until sewer upgrades.

5. Matters Arising from Previous Minutes
Grey House, Caerlicken Lane.
Cllr Lane to meet with the Enforcement Officer, as she was unable to find the property. (Original building has “Agricultural” permission which is not subject to the same planning regulations)

Rosecroft Drive Woodland
At the end of September several additional trees (majority being fir trees) had been cut down at a cost of £3500.00. Awaiting further developments from NCC but we must ensure that no further trees are removed.

Village plan exhibition on 18th October 2008 poorly attended (1 Person)

PACT Meeting at 19:00 on Tuesday 2nd December at St. John's hall, Penhow to be attended by Cllrs Lane, Kennett & Manship

Guide for Clean Environment
The new potential powers were noted for future reference. Litter/Fly tipping has been noticed at the farm gate on the A48 just east of the Coldra Roundabout. NCC to be notified

The Chair thanked everyone who attended the Remembrance Day Service at the Village Hall on Sunday 9th December 2008. Future action point – arrangement for a British Legion collection.

6. Correspondence
Fire & Rescue – National Framework for Wales 2008 – 2011

Leading a Fulfilling & Health Life 2008 - 2011

Swansea Building Society details

Clerk & Councils Direct Publication

Review of Community Council Election Results 2008

Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales – Workshop 2008

Newport Local Development Plan 2011 – 2026

Community Web Site Details www.langstonevillage.co.uk

Park End Play Area Insurance Claim. Rejection of liability

NOTE
Cllr Lane asked if any correspondence had been received from the After School Club seeking funds. Nothing received & the Chair asked for a copy of the letter to be sent to him.

7. Ger-Y-Pac Working Group
Working Group notes from the meeting held on 4 November 2008 were circulated.

Cllr Atwell’s plan will be used as a basic model.

The Group require a clear mandate. The Chair reiterated the fact that the Village Questionnaire gave this mandate (disputed by Cllr Lane) & the vote at the last Council meeting gave the project the full Community Council backing.

Cllr Lane raised concerns about the dilution of the Council’s resources & condition of the Village Hall & the Park End Play equipment were raised.

The lack of Community spirit was raised – possible Summer Fete?

The January 2009 village consultation meeting is to be cancelled as the Group thought insufficient information would be available to make it worthwhile.

The Group are planning a Community meeting, perhaps at the Hilton to:
a) Raise awareness of the work of the Community Council (see 9 below)
b) Consult with the people of Langstone with regard to Ger-Y-Parc.
Detailed costings would be needed.

The Next meeting would be held in the Village Hall Hut on 3rd December at 19:00

8. Park End Play Area
NCC have prepared a draft agreement:
Annual rent £30.00/anum
15 year Lease
Added responsibility for the Council

It was agreed that the proposal was unacceptable & a meeting would be arranged with NCC, Cllrs Lane, Henderson & Lownes to attend.

Cllr Lownes had inspected the play area earlier today & apart from the pen area fence requiring repair, no other problems were noted.

9. Village Plan

What can we do?
Community spirit needs to be created.
Signage – the “Langstone” sign no longer exists. NCC to be contacted.

February 2009 meeting to commence at 18:30 & the first hour will be devoted to suggestions & action plan.

10. Grants & Charities
Salvation Army £50.00

Shopmobility, Newport £50.00

St David’s Hospice £50.00

Samaritans, Newport £50.00

Childline Cymru £50.00

Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital £50.00

Gwent Talking Newspaper £50.00

Wales Air Ambulance £50.00

Bobath Children’s Hospital £50.00

Langstone Church £250.00

Llanmartin Church £500.00

Llandevaud Church £250.00

Langstone Village Hall £250.00

Langstone Methodist Church £250.00

Old Hamlet of Llanmartin £350.00

Langstone After School Club (a) £200.00

Priory Christmas Carols (b) £100.00

TOTAL £2,600.00

(a) It was agreed that a donation of up to £200.00 would be granted subject to a request letter being received (see 6 above)

(b) Cllr Mogford informed the meeting that Mr & Mrs Jones of Priory Gardens have, in recent years, held a carol concert on their property. Because of the fantastic local response & increased numbers attending they are reluctant to hold the concert this year because of the cost. It was agreed that the Council would give a grant of £100.00, provided all attendees made a suitable donation (£2.00 suggested) to the Village Hall restoration fund.

Proposed by Cllr Saunders, seconded by Cllr Edwards

11. Youth Club

Cllr McMail updated the meeting on current progress
Spoken to Local Area Youth Worker, previous Youth Club Worker & various Youth Leaders without too much success.
Cllr Mogford is in the process of applying for Grant Aid for the Village Hall, part of which was applicable to Youth Club Capital Expenditure.

12. Langstone School. Nomination of Governor

Eric McKeand has stepped down as the Council’s representative to Langstone School Governing Body. The Chair explained that the Council’s nomination does not have to be confined to a Council member but was open to all residents in the Langstone Ward. He stated that, in his opinion, Langstone area was well represented on the Governing Body & that Penhow had no representations.
After a discussion it was agreed that Cllr Manship would be nominated.

13. AOB

Car parking at the School and the resultant congestion at peak times on both Tregarn Road & Old Roman Road was discussed. It was felt that this was a matter for the school who were well aware of the problem.

Cllr Wood inquired whether a 30MPH speed limit could be imposed on Magor Road from the Old Barn Pub going south to the motorway bridge.

Two people have shown an interest in the vacant position of Clerk to Langstone Community Council, Alison Aston & Richard Rayment. It was decided to advertise the position to allow any resident to apply for the position. Cllr Lane would investigate the possibility of using part of the NCC job advertisement as a vehicle. Closing date would be two weeks after the advert appears. In the meantime the Chair would act as temporary Clerk.

Cllr Pike asked if a Person Specification/Job Description was available. The Chair confirmed that a Job Description had been written but not a person Specification.

Cllr Kennet enquired if the Clerk should be asked to attend other meetings apart from the monthly Council meeting. The Chair confirmed that this was in the Job Description.

Cllr Pike enquired if a petty cash system was in operation to cover the additional cost of the Ger-Y-Parc Working Group. The Chair confirmed that the Council held no petty cash but if receipts were produced than the costs would be reimbursed.

The Meeting Closed at 21:25