MINUTES OF LLANGWM COMMUNITY COUNCIL

TUESDAY 19th JUNE 2018 AT THE PARISH HALL, LLANGWM

COUNCILLORS PRESENT: Cllr Peter Gough (Chair), Cllr. Bob Trigg, Cllr John Watkins, Cllr Colin Evans, Cllr David Williams, Cllr Gwyn Rowlands, Cllr Malcolm Hatfield

IN ATTENDANCE: Shirley Hughes, Clerk

1. OPEN SESSION

POLICE REPORT

There was no Police Report available.

2. APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from 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 22nd May 2018 were agreed and signed as a true and correct record.

5. MATTERS ARISING

5a) Keep Free Bay

The Clerk reported that she had notified MCC Highways that the Keep Free Bay was not long enough to incorporate a parking space at the South (Chepstow) end of the bay and the remainder used as a turning area.

Cllr Evans stated that he had done a test with his van and trailer exiting and entering into Llanynant Road, and the whole of the Keep Free Bay was required. His vehicle was comparatively small compared to the local farm tractors and kit.

AGREED that the Clerk writes back to Highways with the above information.

6. HIGHWAYS

a) Update on Matters Reported

No reports received

The Clerk reported that she had written to Highways thanking them for their prompt action over the potholes in Trevella Road.

b) New Highway Issues raised by Councillors

i) Cllr Trigg reported that the Route 64.4 Trelay Road has severe grazing and potholes

ii) Cllr Gough asked about when Grass Cutting was going to take place as in some of the lanes it has become quite dangerous as the grass is meeting in the lanes, and when there is a rain shower, it will be far worse. Access/visibility splays/speed limit signs and junctions need cutting ASAP.

Cllr Williams stated that he had heard that the Once a Year Grass Cutting was going to be later this year due to staff issues.

AGREED Clerk will ask for a Programme of Works from Highways, as this had been promised during the Usk Cluster Meeting held recently.

c) New Highway Issues raised by others

i) Mike Foster had contacted the Clerk to report a very large pothole near his property on Georges Delight. Route 66.3. It was so deep and on a very narrow stretch of road so it could not be avoided. He stated that you had to drive into the hole and drop down, and then drive out of it!!

Clerk has reported it on Mon App and will also be reported on our Pro Forma.

7. FINANCE

Barclays Bank

Balance at the Bank as of 29th May 2018 was £2,122.74

Monmouthshire Building Society

Balance as of 31^st March 2018 - £1,771.20

INVOICES FOR PAYMENT

Invoice:

i) Beverley & Williams Accountants - £54 Charge for completion of the Pension Regulators Declaration of Compliance Chq no 713

ii) S Hughes £136.01 - June Salary Chq no 714

iii) HMRC - £102 Tax & NI for April/May/June Chq no 715

iv) Beverley & Williams Accountants - £36 for 3 months admin for Payroll April - June Chq no 716

v) Shirley Hughes £57.15 expenses for May/June - Chq no 717

AGREED that the above invoices are paid.

AGREED - Cllr Trigg suggested asking Green Grafter for Invoices on a bi-monthly basis for the grass cutting

The Monthly Finance Reconciliation for June 2018 was:

Receipts £3,271.20

Payments £1,620.28 (Net)

This was signed by the Chair, and will be circulated to the Cllrs in the near future.

7a) CLERK'S HOURS

The Clerk reported that she had worked 33.5 hours since the last meeting.

7b) TO CONFIRM 2017/2018 ACCOUNTS AND APPROVAL AND CERTIFICATION OF

EXTERNAL AUDIT

The Clerk read through the Annual Governance Statement (Part 1) and (Part 2) and the Chairman of the Community Council signed them as being a true and correct statement of the Council's Annual Financial Statement for 2017/2018.

Proposed: Cllr John Watkins

Seconded: Cllr Bob Trigg

Copies of the Annual Accounts were distributed and confirmed by the Council.

All AGREED, and these would be sent in prior to the closing date, which has been extended to July.

It was noted that the Section 137 payments amounted to just over £700. This includes donations to the 5 Churches in the 2 Wards and these donations are to go towards grass cutting in the churchyards. It was felt that as St Mary's in Usk has now taken over the PCC for Llangwm Churches, that they be invited to apply to the Council, as long as the monies are used for Llangwm ONLY. It was also AGREED that if finances permit, an increase could be made for 2019.

8. CORRESPONDENCE

From MCC

a) Agendas for various MCC Select Meetings

b) Various Press Releases: Youth Services are arranging a Summer Camp, Council moves closer to plastic-free status.

c) Community Event in Abergavenny 5th July in the Market Hall to support volunteers, raise awareness of what is happening in your community

d) Notes from the Planning Enforcement Training Workshop - well worth a read

e) A Board, Special Event, Commercial Activity Guidance

f) Council News

g) Update on Review of Communities and Electoral Arrangements - Llangwm 222, and Llansoy 127

One Voice Wales

a) AGM of Monmouth/Newport will take place on 19th July

b) Grants available for Remembrance Day Installations - Taking Part

c) Innovative Practice Conference on 4th July Agenda

d) Copy of revised Model Standing Orders 2018

Welsh Government

a) Consultation on Diversity in Local Government

b) Ageing Well In Wales Report

c) Consultation on proposed changes to the Town & Country Planning Order

d) Sustainable Drainage Newsletter

e) Community & Town Council Database Privacy Notice

Business

a) Info regarding inviting a Deputy Lieutenant to WW1 War Memorial Service on 11th November BB

b) Power Up Energy Advice

General

a) Details of Marie Curie Great Tea Party

b) Details of Home-Start Monmouthshire AGM

9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a) Application No: DC/2018/00396 - Ty Wilson Barn, Llanynant Road, Llangwm, Usk, NP15 1LT -

The use of an existing metal framed barn to provide a spa facility, work shop for the upgrade and assembly of guitars, associated training facilities and a refreshment area in order to expand Clearview B&B, Wudtone Guitar Innovation businesses.

As there were no plans available on the MCC Planning Portal, at the last meeting, Councillors commented via email, and it was AGREED to recommend Approval for this Application.

FAST TRACK APPLICATIONS

The Clerk pointed out that quite a few Planning Applications go through the Fast Track route, and therefore Councillors don't get the chance to comment on them. Cllr Gough suggested that in future, if the Clerk could email Councillors the link and they can look online, comments may be made to the Clerk so a response can be sent to MCC Planning Department.

10. COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT

There was no report as County Councillor Bob Greenland was not in attendance.

11. WARD REPORTS

a) USK & SURROUNDING AREAS CLUSTER MEETING

The Clerk attended the meeting on 13/6/2018 and the following were discussed:

- Parking outside the Chip Shop in Usk - seems as if this may be sorted very soon, with possible yellow lines being painted ACTION - Clerk to write to MCC to ask for clarity

- Youth Council to be set up in Usk in the Autumn

- Usk TC reported back on their survey - 525 took the survey but many didn't answer all the questions. Highest issue was Traffic, followed by Traffic Management and the Future of the High Street

- MCC have won £1 1/2 million award for Rural Transport, and Community Groups can enter ideas for their local community.

The Clerk did bring up the Street Sign scenario that has been ongoing for 20 months and that we have been given no suitable answers ACTION - Clerk to write to Senior Officers over this issue.

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a) VELOTHON WALES

Cllr Trigg reminded Cllrs that the Velothon would be taking place on 8th July, so therefore Usk and surrounding areas will be closed off

b) PLANNING ENFORCEMENT

Cllr Evans brought a newspaper article about a Pub in Ross on Wye which had been boarded up for many years, and Herefordshire County Council have told the landowner that he must do it up to its original state as at present, it is an eyesore! Cllr Trigg suggested failure on MCC to move this issue on, that the AM & MP be written to and asked for their help in this matter.

AGREED - The clerk write to MCC Head of Planning to see if the same rules apply in Wales, and could be implemented to the Bridge Inn?

c) FINGER POST FOR NANTYGELLI CROSSROADS

The Clerk reported that she had contacted Countryside Services, and they have a Fingerpost and can deliver it to Cllr Williams/Cllr Evans. AGREED - to arrange it to go to Ty Llwyd Farm

d) BROKEN STILES

Cllr Trigg reported that the stiles on the footpath which runs from the B4235 to Llanynant Road are both rotten and need replacing. AGREED - Clerk to contact Mrs Bennett to confirm which footpath this is and then to report it to MCC Rights of Way.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday 17th July 2018.

Meeting closed 9.01pm