MINUTES OF LLANGWM COMMUNITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY 17th SEPTEMBER 2019 AT THE PARISH HALL, LLANGWM
COUNCILLORS PRESENT: Cllr John Watkins (Chair), Cllr Colin Evans, Cllr Malcolm Hatfield,
Cllr Peter Gough, Cllr Bob Trigg, Cllr David Williams, Cllr Gwyn Rowlands
IN ATTENDANCE: Richard Williams, Marc Edwards (Broadway Broadband) and Shirley Hughes, Clerk
1. OPEN SESSION
a) POLICE REPORT
CSO Bethan Winstone and CSO Rebecca Evans attended and had nothing to report in the area.
Cllrs asked about the speeding motorbikes, and they stated that Operation SNAP had been ongoing during the summer along with GO SAFE and had been patrolling the B4235 in marked and unmarked vehicles using dash-cams. Shirenewton seemed to be the trouble spot for speeding.
It was also asked about the 3 car accident near the Bridge Inn, and the CSO's stated nothing had been logged, but as Llangwm comes on the border with the Usk Division, they would check and get back to the Clerk.
The Chair thanked the Officers for their attendance, and they left the meeting.
b) Broadway Broadband
Cllr Hatfield introduced Marc Edwards, who's company had been recommended to him, and engineers had visited his home to survey his property for broadband using their connections.
Mr Edwards said his company had made waves in the press a few years ago using Whitespace on the Aran Isles to connect fast broadband.
An RDP scheme was set up with Monmouthshire County Council, using Broadway masts, if properties could get 'line of sight', they could get up to 10Mbps. At present there is a trial taking place in Llandewi Rhydderch and this will be available to 2,000 homes. All work is done through their own engineers, and there is 99.995% reliability.
Many questions were asked of Mr Edwards by Cllrs, and it was AGREED that a small sub-group of Councillors meet up very soon, and plan a Drop in Session between 4.30pm - 7.30pm, when Marc Edwards and his engineers would come along and all residents from Llangwm & Llansoy would be invited to attend.
The Chair thanked Mr Edwards for attending, and he then left the meeting at 8.32pm.
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 16th July 2019 were agreed and signed as a true and correct record.
5. MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising.
6. HIGHWAYS
a) Update on Matters Reported
i) Route 64.3 (Trevella Lane) between the B4235 and the rear entrance to the Curlews, there are 2 large Potholes - with Supervisor
ii) B4235 between Mill House and Yew Tree - footpath has been patched up, but not finished - Under Review
iii) Hedge Opposite Parish Hall
It was noted that the hedge opposite the Hall had now been cut and the junction sign was visible once again.
b) New Highway Issues raised by Councillors
i) Cllr Trigg had sent the Clerk photographs of overgrown trees on Llanynant Road. The Clerk will raise this with MCC as they are growing on MCC land.
c) New Highway Issues raised by others
Linda Price from the Carna had contacted the Clerk about erosion of the bank by 'Pask's Field', due to lorries using their sat navs to avoid Usk. Lorry load of pallets using Llanynant Road to get to Usk Garden Centre.
It was noted that vehicles and farm machinery are getting larger, and the only option was to erect a No Lorries sign at the end of the road, but this then would prevent legitimate vehicles travelling this road.
d) New Speed Limits
MCC have issued Consolidation Reports on the proposed lowering of speed limits from 40mph to 30mph for both villages, Llangwm & Llansoy.
The Clerk had sent these around to Cllrs due to a limited time to respond, and Councillors were in agreement with the reduction, with just a few comments about positioning of signs and where the limits start and finish.
7. FINANCE
Barclays Bank
Balance at the Bank as of 29th July 2019 was £2,086.11
Monmouthshire Building Society
Balance as of 31st March 2019 - £1,783.53
INVOICES FOR PAYMENT
i) Green Grafter - £47.00 for grass cutting on 6th August - Chq no 763
ii) Shirley Hughes £177.95 - Salary for August - Chq no 764
iii) Shirley Hughes £177.95 - Salary for September - Chq no 765
iv) HMRC - £5.40 Tax & NI Jul to Sept - chq no 766
v) Beverley & Williams £39.36 Admin for Payroll July - Sept Chq no 767
vi) S Hughes £54.16 Clerk's Expenses for June-Sept - Chq no 768
AGREED that the above invoices are paid.
The Monthly Finance Reconciliation for July was:
Receipts: £3,513.30
Payments: £1,903.36 (Net)
This was signed by the Chair, and will be circulated to the Cllrs in the near future.
7a) UPDATE ON EXTERNAL AUDITORS REPORT
The Clerk reported that she has had a few issues with BDO, the External Auditor. Three times they have contacted us regarding the date of the Electors Rights Notice which had to be displayed on a local Notice Board and on our Website. This has now been resolved.
7b) CLERK'S HOURS
The Clerk reported that she had worked 32.25 hrs since the last meeting. (8 weeks ago), and as requested at the last meeting, during the 2018/19 year, the Clerk's hours averaged out at 5 hours 45 mins per week.
Cllr Evans proposed and Cllr Trigg seconded that the Clerk's hours be increased by 1.5 hours to 5.5 hours per week. The meeting AGREED.
8. CORRESPONDENCE
From MCC
a) Agendas for various MCC Select Meetings
b) Council News
c) MCC meeting on 18th Sept to discuss closure of Mounton House Special School
d) Changes to Bus Passes (emailed to Cllrs)
e) Changes to Recycling and Green Waste Services
f) Update on Boundary Review (sent to Cllrs)
g) Mon Road Works (sent to Cllrs)
h) July & Aug Enforcement Cases (Nothing for Llangwm or Llansoy)
One Voice Wales
a) OVW Conference - 5th Oct
b) News Bulletin
c) Minutes of the Area Committee on 18th July
d) Training Dates
Welsh Government
a) Results of Wales Survey regarding LDP & Planning
Business
a) Ageing Well - Facebook Page
b) Three top issues for Councils
c) Your Local Health News
General
a) Age - Friendly Wales Newsletter
b) CAB looking for a donation
c) Homemakers - looking for a donation
9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
9a) PLANNING APPLICATION NO: DM/2019/00014
Demolition of existing side extension and construction of new extension and new single storey rear sun room. The Laurels, Llansoy, Usk, NP15 1DE.
AGREED that Llangwm Community Council have no objection to this Planning Application.
9b) PLANNING APPLICATION NO: DM/2019/01376
Removal of condition 6, 7 and 8 relating to application in 2007 at Wagon House Cottage, Church Farm, Llangwm, Usk, NP15 1HA
AGREED that Llangwm Community Council have no comments to make on this Planning Notice.
9c) PLANNING APPLICATION NO: DM/2019/01497
Replace existing conservatory with a garden room at Cefn Buchan Farm, Llanynant Road, Llangwm, Usk, NP15 1HG
AGREED that Llangwm Community Council have no objection to this Planning Application.
9d) PLANNING UPDATES
Land adjacent to Oakfield Farm, Llangwm - it has been brought to the attention of the Clerk that the 15 acres of land that had gained 2 x Planning Applications for a Stable Block DM/2018/01902 and Agricultural Storage Shed DM/2019/00446, has now appeared for sale on Social Media.
She has been told that the owners have removed a great deal of topsoil from the site, and have imported hard-core and rubbish to fill in. Councillors feel that following all the issues over this site, MCC Planning and Enforcement Officers should be told of this recent development, plus the local neighbours.
AGREED that the Clerk will inform the above of this news.
10. COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
County Councillor Bob Greenland was not at the meeting, so no report was given.
11. WARD REPORTS
There were none.
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a) Llansoy Parish Records - the Clerk had received a message from a gentleman who has traced his family back to 1830 from Llansoy, and wondered if anyone local had any knowledge of local history? No names came forward, so the Clerk will inform the gentleman to contact Gwent Archives in Ebbw Vale.
b) Removal of Gaer Fawr Phone Box
The Council had received correspondence from BT via MCC stating that the Phone Box at 'Beech Tree Corner' was to be removed, and the consultation period will close on 5th November. Notices have been placed on the Box. It was noted that no phone calls had been made from the Phone Box during the last 12 months. The Council decided not to take up the offer of purchasing the box.
Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday 15th October 2019
Meeting closed 9.30pm