MINUTES OF LLANGWM COMMUNITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY 21st MAY 2019 AT THE PARISH HALL, LLANGWM
COUNCILLORS PRESENT: Cllr John Watkins (Chair), Cllr Colin Evans, Cllr Bob Trigg, Cllr David Williams, Cllr Gwyn Rowlands, Cllr Malcolm Hatfield
IN ATTENDANCE: Shirley Hughes, Clerk
1. OPEN SESSION
POLICE REPORT
It was noted that CSO Andy Jones had been invited to the meeting but will not be available for the foreseeable, so AGREED to write to the Inspector to see who our Police contact is now.
2. APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from County Councillor Bob Greenland, and Cllr Peter Gough
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 16th April 2019 were agreed and signed as a true and correct
record.
5. MATTERS ARISING
5a) Update on Broadband and Mobile Phone Signal
Cllr Peter Gough had agreed to gather a small group of local concerned residents together to form a Sub-Group to plan the best way forward, but this had not taken place to date. AGREED - that the Clerk write to Cllr Gough to remind him, so hopefully the Council will have more news by the June meeting.
5b) Update on Road Signs for Llangwm
It was noted that Head of Operations, Mr Roger Hoggins has agreed to attend the June meeting to discuss a way forward for the Road Sign, and it was AGREED - to invite Mr Ted Royds and Mr Mick Sheath to the meeting.
6. HIGHWAYS
a) Update on Matters Reported
i) Route 63.1 - Outside Llanynant Cottage - reported early March and has still not been done - Under Review
ii) B4235 Near Mill House - Junction sign for Route 80 has broken off and in the hedge - Under Review
iii) Dangerous hole near the bridge on Chapel Lane, and it has been like it for 2 years. Cllr Trigg had put orange barrier around the hole, but it was extremely dangerous - Under Review
iv) B4235 - Pavement between Mill House and Yew Tree Cottage is overgrown and covered in debris and prevents walkers using it, and they have to walk on the road which is extremely dangerous - CLOSED
The Clerk also received the following response:
Dear Shirley, Having read your comments, I have put in place for any debris found to be removed. A general tidy up of the path followed by the application of a moss killer to affected areas. My anticipation is that the required work will be carried out in the next four weeks, however, unplanned work and emergencies on our network in the meantime might increase this timescale. Regards, Wayne Hodge
AGREED to write to Mr Williams at Meadow View to ask him to cut back his hedge in anticipation of the work on the pavement being done.
The Chair asked if the Clerk could find out what is the Timescale for work which is Under Review?
b) New Highway Issues raised by Councillors
i) Cllr Trigg - Route 63.1 - Pothole outside Llanynant Cottage - reported early March and has still not been done
ii) Cllr Trigg - Route 81 - Pothole near Duffryn Cottage
iii) Cllr Watkins - Pothole on the B4235 20mts Llangwm side of Toll House
iv) Cllr Williams - Cow Parsley was now becoming a safety hazard at road junctions across the whole ward
c) New Highway Issues raised by others
There were none
7. FINANCE
Barclays Bank
Balance at the Bank as of 29th April 2019 was £1,666.97
Monmouthshire Building Society
Balance as of 31st March 2019 - £1,783.53 (Interest of £12.33 added on)
INVOICES FOR PAYMENT
i) Green Grafter - £47.00 for grass cutting on 24th April - Chq no 749
ii) Shirley Hughes £177.95 - Salary for May - Chq no 750
iii) Zurich Municipal £309.69 - Insurance - Chq no 751
iv) S Hughes £43.94 Clerk's Expenses for April/May - Chq no 752
AGREED that the above invoices are paid.
The Monthly Finance Reconciliation for March was:
Receipts: £1,666.97
Payments: £814.28 (Net)
This was signed by the Chair, and will be circulated to the Cllrs in the near future.
The Clerk asked the Cllrs to note that her Salary & Expenses Cheques for April had gone missing between the Post Office and her Bank, and once the Statement comes for May, we will be able to check if they have been cashed, and if not, they can be stopped and re-issued.
7b) CLERK'S HOURS
The Clerk reported that she had worked 17.5 hours since the last meeting.
8. CORRESPONDENCE
From MCC
a) Agendas for various MCC Select Meetings
b) Numerous Press Releases: CC Sheila Woodhouse is the new Chair of MCC, CC Bryan Jones, Vice and CC Peter Fox remains as Leader. Max Boyce coming to Caldicot LC on 5th Oct
c) April Enforcement Cases - Nothing for Llangwm or Llansoy
d) Notice about changes to Household Waste Recycling Centres
e) Notice Re Traffic Regulations and Speed Limits across the County
f) Emergency Contact No's - Cllr Trigg & Cllr Rowlands
g) Planning RE: any issues re; the WG Survey that MCC may be able to address
One Voice Wales
a) Call out for any Motions for the AGM on 5th Oct
b) Training in Chairing Skills in Undy on 3rd June
c) Welcome Letter following membership payment
d) Model Informal Resolution Protocol
General
a) Details from Glasdon - Street furniture
9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
a) UPDATE ON APPLICATION DM/2019/00446 - Notification of Agricultural Shed on land adjacent to Oakfield Farm, Llangwm.
The Clerk had been in contact with the MCC Enforcement Officer who said:
As for the stable block I have been on site, and I have written to Mr Digby to request that he stops dumping the materials on site and clear what is there. I am awaiting for a response
Cllrs reported that the logs have been removed, but they have just been taken to the bottom on the field.
Concern was also raised about the way the whole process of Planning Notification takes place, as it seems very wrong that close neighbours are not notified by the Planning Department, and when local residents do give objections via the Planning Portal, their views are not taken into consideration!
Cllrs also commented that now there is a large opening onto the B4235, perhaps a SLOW sign should be erected? The Clerk noted that she had received a lovely phone call from Richard Gregory to thank us what we had done to try and prevent the shed being built.
Also the minutes of the Special Planning Meeting are on the village website so that residents can see what action LCC had taken.
10. COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
County Councillor Bob Greenland was not able to attend the meeting, so no report was given.
11. WARD REPORTS
There were no Ward Reports
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a) Mobile Phone Signal
Cllr Trigg stated that the Mobile Phone signal is still causing problems in the village and perhaps it was time that LCC contact both our MP and AM.
AGREED - that David Davies MP & Nick Ramsay AM are both written to about Mobile Phone signal and Broadband.
Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday 18th June 2019
Meeting closed 8.46pm