DRAFT
MINUTES OF LLANGWM COMMUNITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY 19th JANUARY 2016 AT THE PARISH HALL, LLANGWM
COUNCILLORS PRESENT: Cllr. Colin Evans (Chair), Cllr. Bob Trigg, Cllr Lyn Bennett, Cllr David Williams,
IN ATTENDANCE: Shirley Hughes, Clerk
1. OPEN SESSION
There were no members of the public present.
2. APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence received - Cllr Michael Foster, Cllr Peter Gough, Cllr Gwyn Rowlands & County Councillor Bob Greenland
3. DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Declarations of interest will be made as and when required.
4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of 17th November 2015 were agreed and signed as a true and correct record by the Chairman.
5. MATTERS ARISING
5 a) Community Speedwatch
The Clerk reported that Sgt Steve Parsons has confirmed that all the equipment has now been received and he is asking for a date for the training. This can be done in the evening.
AGREED that Cllr Colin Evans will contact the Llangwm Co-ordinator - Caroline Evans, and ask her to contact Sgt Parsons direct to arrange the training evening.
5 b) Llangwm Bus Shelter
The Clerk reported that out of the 4 Builders contacted, only one has come back with a quote and that was John Powell from Raglan. She had tried to get other quotes, but to no avail.
AGREED that the Clerk contact Mr Powell and accept his tender for the work on the Bus Shelter at a cost of £1,160.00.
5 c) i Enforcement Case E15/29 Bridge Inn, Llangwm - On the 7th January, the Clerk received
notice from the Case Enforcement Officer to say that she has been given authority to issue a Section 215 notice on the owners of the site. She will inform LCC when the paperwork has been served.
ii. Enforcement Case E14/096 Mill Meadow Stables - It was noted that although MCC have closed this case, Cllrs reported that there are people living at the site, especially on weekends.
6. HIGHWAYS
a) Update on Matters Reported
Highways Enquiry Form 019486 - response received from MCC in bold as follows:
66.3 Replacement of Grit Bin at the top of Georges Delight - More specific location required
66.3 Heavy Goods Sign missing - Found relevant sign which was in situ
60.9 Jnt B4235 to Toll House Cottage gullies covered by grass & hedges - Added to gully emptying programme 1- 8 weeks
81 Blocked culvert at Pont-y-Caith - Added to gully emptying programme 1 - 8 weeks
81 Duffryn Cottage to New House Farm drainage problems - Investigations ongoing
63.3 Nant-y-March lane 3 grit bins requested by residents of Trelay Farm, Ty-Gwyn, & Ty Wilson - Could you please state what section of road you requesting for? Is it the steep up and down section as you approach the B4235? As this is the only section that scores
80 1 grit bin requested by residents of Pwll Farm, Owl Barn & Ty Berllan - This section of road does not score highly enough to warrant a salt bin. A site visit on Monday 07/12/15 showed no signs of seepage after the weekend's rain. Although there is a slight incline by these properties it isn't 'steep'
B4235 Approx 100m Usk side of The Bridge Inn blocked 300mm diameter culvert. Original complaint sent 21/1/15 - This will be added to the gully emptying program for unblocking 1 - 8 weeks
60.10 & 60.11 Give Way lines have faded near Pentre Farm - This has been added to our road marking schedule
63.1 Opposite the Croft, Road Narrows sign (diag 516) is missing - Ordered sign. Will program to be done. 1 - 8 weeks
The Clerk reported that some of the queries above had been discussed with Cllr Trigg, and it had been decided to request a Site Meeting with the MCC Engineer so that these could be answered directly. Cllr Trigg stated that he had not been contacted as yet. AGREED that the Clerk write again to request a Site Meeting with the Highways Engineer for the area.
b) New Highways issues raised by Councillors
1) Route 60.2 - Collapsed/blocked drain in the narrow stretch near Ty-Llwyd Farm
2) B4235 - Gullies full of stones near Bridge Inn
c) New Issues raised by others - There were no additional Highways Issues
7. FINANCE
Balance at the Bank as of 29th December 2015 - £2,571.95
Monmouthshire Building Society - £2,344.39
INVOICES FOR PAYMENT
· Invoice - MCC Clerks Salary for Jul/Aug/Sept - £358.28 Chq No 011644
· Invoice - Shirley Hughes expenses for Nov/Dec/Jan Expenses - £71.43 Chq No 00643
The Parish Hall, Llangwm Invoices:
Hire of Hall for Clerks Interview 15/1/2015 - £22.60
Hire of Hall & Electricity for 2015 Meetings - £160.76
The Clerk reported that we have received requests for donations for Grass Cutting of local Churchyards:
Llangwm Baptist Church, Llansoy PCC, Llangwm PCC
AGREED that all Churches should be donated £50 each and will be paid following the February meeting, and the Parish Hall invoices to be paid in February also.
The above Invoices were agreed for payment.
The Monthly Finance Reconciliation was signed by the Chair, and will be circulated to the Cllrs
7 a) TO SET BUDGET FOR 2016/2017
The Clerk had previously circulated a Draft Budget to Councillors as a starting point for discussion at this meeting.
The Budget for 2016/17 was discussed and AGREED. Copies to be distributed by email.
7 b) TO SET COUNCIL PRECEPT FOR 2016/2017
It was noted that the Precept has remained at the same level since 2011/2012, and it was felt that the 2016/2017 Precept should include monies for:
· Provisional figure for funding of specific works which would have been financed directly by MCC but which are in danger of not being completed because of MCC's austerity measures. This could include minor road repairs, verge cutting & gulley emptying. This had been outlined by MCC in its budget deficit to Community & Town Councils (circulated to Cllrs prior to meeting)
· Part payment towards repairs to Bus Shelter in Llangwm
· Clerks Salary Increment be taken into consideration plus if hours are increased (if agreed at February Meeting)
AGREED that the Precept for 2016/2017 would be set at £4,500
7 c) TO APPOINT INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR 2015/2016
It was proposed by Cllr Colin Evans and Seconded by Cllr Lyn Bennett that Mr Ted Royds be appointed as Internal Auditor for the 2015/2016 financial year. This was AGREED by the meeting.
7 d) TO ADOPT FINANCIAL REGULATIONS FOR LLANGWM COMMUNITY COUNCIL
The Clerk had previously emailed copies of the Draft Financial Regulations which had been taken from the One Voice Wales Website.
Cllr Bennett suggested that the Clerk add in figures that are relevant to LCC, and email to Councillors to be discussed at the February Meeting.
7 e) REVIEW RISK ASSESSMENT
AGREED to hold this item over until the February Meeting
7 f) REVIEW OF CLERK'S HOURS
AGREED to hold this item over until the February Meeting when more Cllrs would be in attendance.
8. CORRESPONDENCE
From MCC
a) MCC Briefing Paper on Devolution of Services - These documents had been sent to Cllrs prior to the meeting, and the Clerk read out emails from the Clerks of Devauden, Shirenewton and St Arvans Community Councils outlining their discussions on these papers. AGREED - Cllr Bennett proposed that as this was an important issue, this item be discussed at the next meeting when it was hoped more Cllrs would be in attendance.
b) Enforcement Lists for December - Nothing for Llangwm or Llansoy
c) Link to MCC Evaluation of Performance for 2015 BB
d) Details of Careline and Community Meals Service - Copy of Building Sustainable and Resilient Communities Improvement Plan BB
e) Rural Forum - Agenda for meeting on 28th Jan plus dates for the 2016 round of meetings BB
f) Link for the MCC Flood Risk Management Plan Community Consultation BB
g) Numerous Press Releases ranging from Sports Relief event at Tintern Old Station - to RDP Fund BB
h) Breakdown of Social Care & Health Directorate and Democracy - Structure Charts AGREED to circulate to Cllrs
h) Xmas Card from Chair of MCC
i) Notice that the Consultations on Llanfair Kilgeddin School & Deri View have concluded BB
j) New CC Planning Representation Form
k) MCC Emergency Contacts Directory - Confirmed that the contacts would be Cllr Trigg for Llangwm & Cllr Rowlands for Llansoy
l) Electoral Register - New lists AGREED to forward email addresses of Cllrs to Democratic Services so they can receive new lists in due course.
One Voice Wales
a) Agenda for meeting on Thursday 21st January at Sessions House Usk & Minutes of last meeting
b) Poll to attend Garden Party at Buckingham Palace for Chair
c) NRW January Newsletter BB
Welsh Government
a) Wales Remembers 1914 - 1918 Conference BB
Business
a) Police report on 15th December & reminder to fill in Your Voice Survey online BB
b) Email from Simon Boyle regarding the planned celebrations for the Queens 90th Birthday Celebrations including 'Clean for the Queen' on April 21st plus invitation to make and light a Beacon - BB
General
a) Winter Newsletter from Monmouthshire Home Start BB
b) Information from Welsh Hearts BB
c) Information from a new business Jason James - Gave Digger/Grass Cutting etc BB
d) Information from Bobarth Children's Therapy Centre Wales BB
e) British Hearth Foundation - Funding for Defibrillators
f) Email from Roger Edwards Trust regarding seeking new Trustees - no names came forward
g) Count the Birdlife with RSPB on 30th & 31st January
9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
a) New Applications - There were no new applications
b) Update on other applications
Cllr Bennett asked if the Clerk could write to MCC Planning Department to express an Objection to Planning Application DC/2015/01424 (Land adjacent to Upper Maerdy Farm, Llangeview for a Travellers Site) for the same reasons as the 2009 application. AGREED
10. COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
County Councillor Bob Greenland was not in attendance.
11. WARD REPORTS
There were no Ward Reports
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no further business.
Date of Next Meeting,
Tuesday, 16th February 2016
Agenda items to include:
· To Discuss MCC Briefing Papers re: Devolution of Services
· Adopt draft Financial Regulations
· Draft Risk Assessment
· Review Clerk's hours
Meeting closed: 8.55pm