Meeting on 13 October 2008

MINUTES OF MEETING OF LANGSTONE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

HELD AT LANGSTONE VILLAGE HUT MONDAY 13 OCTOBER 2008

Present:

Cllr Alan Henderson (in the Chair)
Cllr K Lowndes
Cllr J Kennett
Cllr Mrs C Bryant
Cllr A Haycock
Cllr Mrs Y Edwards
Cllr Lisa McMail
Cllr Mrs Chris Pike
Cllr Mrs Mary Sanders
Cllr Manship
Cllr Mrs S Mogford

In Attendance:
Cllr S Lane

1.Apologies:

Cllr D Atwell

2. Police Report

There was no police report.

3. Previous minutes

The Chairman signed the minutes of the September meeting as a true record. Proposed by Cllr McMail and seconded by Cllr Lowndes.

4. Planning Applications

Conex/08/1264 Hendrew Farm Hendrew Lane Llandevaud. Change of use of agricultural land for use of horses incidental to the occupier. No objection.

Conex08/1202. Hendrew Farm Hendrew Lane Llandevaud. Erection of single storey extension to the west elevation. No objection.

Conex/08/1171. The Old Rectory Old Roman Rd Langstone. Replacement of storeroom with domestic garage and storage space. No objection.

Conex/08/1254 14 Rosecroft Drive Langstone Erection of two-storey side extension. No objection.

Conex/08/1068 Old Barn Inn Magor Rd Llanmartin Erection of 2-storey bedroom block-variation to planning permission. No objection

Conex/08/1156 Land at A449 east of Abernant Farm Bulmore Rd Caerleon. Formation of special events coach car park & drop off area for major events. No objection.

5. Matters arising previous meeting

Trees Rosecroft Nature Reserve. Cllr Lane reported that an additional £3500 had been spent by NCC on further tree cutting. He would follow this up since he felt this was an unnecessary expense.

Grey House Caerlicken Lane. Cllr Lane reported that he was still waiting a report back from the enforcement officers.

Garage conversions. Clerk reported that one of the recent planning approvals indicated that planning permission was required for converting an integrated garage into living accommodation because the planning permission for the whole housing development stated that all permitted development rights had been removed.

Park End play area. Clerk reported no progress by NCC on the preparation of a draft agreement with LCC for the use and maintenance of the area.

Village Plan Exhibition Clerk advised that there had been problems with the distribution of the latest Community First magazine and some areas had not yet received them. This was likely to have an adverse effect on attendance at the exhibition planned for Friday evening 18 October.

6. Correspondence

Cheques signed Clerk’s expenses in purchasing a Remembrance Day Wreath and Clerk’s salary for September and October.

Newport CC- letter relating to the Local Development Plan 2011-2026. This was a call for major candidate sites and for input to a draft scoping report on the sustainability appraisal for the Plan.

WAG Guidance Report for Community and Town Councils on the ‘Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act’. Clerk read the introduction which explained that Councils will have the ability to take Powers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for offences such as dog fouling, littering and graffiti. Chairman would study the document in more detail.

Police Newsletter Cllr Lowndes had received a copy with highlighted major issues were: - speeding on Magor Rd, fly-tipping and ASB. The next PACT meeting will be at St Johns Hall 2 December.

Clerk’s Resignation Chairman read out a letter from the Clerk indicating his resignation for personal reasons. The Clerk would complete any business relating to the October meting and then prepare for an orderly hand-over to a temporary or permanent replacement. Chairman gave his thanks on behalf of the Council for the Clerk’s work and contribution.

7. Ger-Y-Parc

Chairman referred to the public consultation meeting and asked for any comments. Cllr Manship suggested that the proposed December date for a follow-on meeting was not good, pre-Christmas preparations tend to take priority and suggested January. This was accepted by the meeting and Monday 19 January fixed, subject to the hall being available.

Cllr Mrs Mogford said that the initial offer of 2500 trees by ONS had been halved, due to another site having been selected. However because of the opposition shown by local residents, senior management at ONS has now withdrawn the offer, not wishing to attract negative publicity. The Chairman expressed his disappointment.

The Chairman then summarized the conclusions from the consultation meeting and asked for any final comments. Cllr Lane felt the presentation at the meeting did not give a lot of detail. He also felt that other facilities should have money spent on them, he also questioned whether the project would become too large to manage and finance. Cllr Mrs Sanders commented that a simple project would be preferred. Cllr Mrs Edwards also felt a simple track for walking and running would be sufficient.

Cllr Haycock felt the scheme could be simplified and modified to reduce costs.

New plans would have to be prepared before the January, which take into account comments raised by the various meetings. Cllr Mrs Pike thought other development funding was more important ie village hall and Park End play area. And also from her experience projects can fail if not phased slowly and for local residents to progressively accept the changes. She also felt that the police would not be heavily involved due to it’s remote location but that local residents will ‘police’ an area if they are proud of involved in an area.

There was need for a working group to develop these ideas and plans. Chair proposed that Mrs Pike should organise a group and set up meetings. Cllr Mrs Bryant seconded this and the meeting voted 8 to 4 in favour of this.

The Planning Group would consist of the following Councillors: -

Cllr Ms Pike; Cllr Manship; Cllr Lane; Cllr Mrs Bryant; Cllr Atwell to be asked on his return; Cllr Mrs Sanders; Cllr Kennett; Cllr Woods to be asked on his return. Chairman suggested the group be self managed and elect a chairman. Clerk would email the contacts list to Cllr Mrs Pike to enable her to make a start.

Cllr Manship suggested ‘ring fencing’ monies to develop Park End play area. Chairman suggested waiting until the legal agreement with NCC is finalized. Cllr Kennett reported recent damage to the top of the cage area.

8. Park End Play Area

The Clerk briefly advised the meeting: a) the draft agreement relating to ownership and lease arrangements was still not available from NCC b) the personal accident claim was in the hands of our insurers but there was nothing new to report c) Newport CC had now commenced twice monthly litter and general clean and safety check.

10. Village Questionnaire update

The second exhibition showing the responses to the village questionnaire will be held at the village hall starting at 6.30pm on 17 October. Clerk asked for volunteers to help with setting up the exhibition from around 5.00pm and requested the support of Councillors at the exhibition.

11. AOB

· Clerk advised the meeting that all was in hand for the Remembrance Service in the Village Hall on Sunday 9 November. Rev Joe Rooney from Langstone Methodist Church had kindly agreed to conduct the service and Mrs Rita Noel will bring and play her keyboard. The Clerk had purchased a wreath and he had the supply of the Service sheets.

· Clerk would agenda the charity donations and grants to be decided at the November meeting

· Cllr Mrs Bryant advised the meeting that a door knocker was operating in Llandevaud as a decoy to enable theft from garages to take place

· Cllr Lane asked if the Village Hall Committee reported back to Community Council. Cllr Haycock explained that the Village Hall committee operated as a Charity and therefore was fully independent but since many of the Trustees and Management group were Councillors there would be a lot of feedback.

· Cllr Mrs McMail said that a lot of parents wanted to see a youth club to start again. It was stated by others that the youth club folded due to lack of parental support. Also that NCC has previously refused to pay a youth leader in this area, although other areas within Newport are funded. This subject would be put on the November agenda.

· Cllr Lane asked if a replacement Langstone Primary Governor would need to be selected to replace the Clerk, who is the current Governor. This would be put on the November agenda.

· Cllr Manship pointed out that the membership of the planning sub-committee was due to reviewed. The Chair asked for volunteers. Cllr Manship said he would like to be involved but after Christmas. The sub-committee would therefore continue as Cllrs Henderson, Mrs Bryant and Woods.

Meeting closed 9.15pm