MINUTES OF LLANGWM COMMUNITY COUNCIL

TUESDAY 19th NOVEMBER 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: CSO Andy Jones and Shirley Hughes, Clerk.

1. OPEN SESSION

a) POLICE REPORT

CSO Andy Jones was present and reported that there had been several Quad Bikes stolen in the local area, with a Land Ranger being stolen from Llansoy. Andy stated that CCTV is a good idea to protect your property, especially if your property is isolated.

Following his report, CSO Jones left the meeting.

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 15th October 2019 were agreed and signed as a true and correct record.

5. MATTERS ARISING

a) Update from Broadband Sub-Group

The Clerk had sent the addresses to Kathy from Country Connect, and she came back to say the only tricky address for Line of Sight, was our Chairman's!

Cllr Peter Gough AGREED to arrange a sub-group meeting in the near future, and report back.

b) September Minutes

John Pask has asked that we amend the minute 6c) in the September Minutes where Mrs Price from the Carna called the field 'Pasks Field', when it should be called The Argoed Field. AGREED that this is amended.

c) Speed Limits

Following last month's meeting, CC Greenland has asked Highways to look at our request to add extra metres to the planned speed limits.

d) Road Sign for Llangwm

The Council's request for the 4 Road Signs has been acknowledged, and once they are ordered, Mark Watkins MCC will let us know

6. HIGHWAYS

a) Update on Matters Reported

Overgrown Trees on Llanynant Road - LOW PRIORITY

b) New Highway Issues raised by Councillors

i) Cllr David Williams reported that there were potholes throughout the whole length of 60.2 between Llansoy and Nant-y-Gelli crossroads

ii) Cllr Bob Trigg reported that the gullies were covered over and blocked on the B4235 (Usk bound) at the bottom of Jnt. 60.9 and Belmont Farm

c) New Highway Issues raised by others

There were none

7. FINANCE

Barclays Bank

Balance at the Bank as of 29th October 2019 was £3,196.80

Monmouthshire Building Society

Balance as of 31st March 2019 - £1,783.53

INVOICES FOR PAYMENT

i) Wales Audit Office - £283.75 - Chq no 772

ii) Shirley Hughes - £285.95 - Salary for Nov and Back pay for Oct - Chq no 773

iii) HMRC - £45.80 - Tax & NI for Oct-Dec - Chq no 774

iv) Shirley Hughes - £231.75 - Salary for December - Chq 775

v) S Hughes - £32.73 - Clerk's Expenses for Oct-Nov - Chq no 776

AGREED that the above invoices are paid.

The Monthly Finance Reconciliation for November was:

Receipts: £5,346.30

Payments: £3,051.03 (Net)

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

7a) TO DISCUSS DRAFT BUDGET AND PRECEPT FOR 2020/2021

BUDGET - The Clerk circulated a rough Draft Budget, with projected Income being £7,280 and projected Expenditure being £7,760. Councillors were asked to look at the figures and this will be further discussed in the January meeting.

PRECEPT - Last year it was £5,500, and now the Clerk's hours have been increased, and possibly additional Road Signs to be purchased, should this be reviewed?

AGREED that the 2020/2021 Budget and Precept will be discussed in full at the January meeting.

7b) TO ENGAGE AN INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR 2019/2020

The Clerk stated that unfortunately Mr Royds has now moved from the area, the Council would need to appoint a new Internal Auditor for 2019/2020. Mr Royds was thanked for all the assistance he has given to Llangwm CC over the years.

AGREED to ask Mr Lyn Bennett if he would be prepared to take on the task.

7c) CLERK'S HOURS

The Clerk reported that she had worked 25.25 hrs since the last meeting.

8. CORRESPONDENCE

From MCC

a) Agendas for various MCC Select Meetings, but majority have been cancelled due to the Election

b) Council News

c) October Enforcement Cases (Nothing for Llangwm or Llansoy)

d) Pre-Election Period - Purdah Guidance

One Voice Wales

a) News Bulletin for October

b) Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems

c) News about the 75th Anniversary of VE Day 8th-10th May 2020

Welsh Government

a) Amendments to SUDS Enforcement

Business

a) AB Health Board - Can you help the Health Board Connect with your Community Poster

b) Local Health News

c) Older People's Commissioner's Newsletter, plus Everyday Ageism Campaign Pack

d) CAB AGM on 2nd Dec
e) Community Health Council News

f) Planning Aid Wales

General

a) Invitation to visit Gwent Archives

b) Photo of Ted & his wife last Sunday being presented with their leaving plate

c) Part time job as Clerk for Llanbadoc CC

9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

9a) Planning Application No: DM/2019/00014

Amended Plans received changing the scale and design of the proposed plans, which includes the demolition of existing side extension and construction of new extension and new single storey rear sun room at the Laurels, Llansoy.

AGREED - to support this application

9b) PLANNING APPLICATION NO: DM/2019/01729

Proposed 2 storey extension to existing detached dwelling at Ty Gwyn, Llanynant Road, Llangwm.

AGREED - to support this application

9c) PLANNING APPLICATION NO: DM/2019/01700

Secluded intimate and unique glamping development at New House Farm, offering non-permanent structures, comprising of an American School Bus, one Horsebox conversion and one Showman's Wagon

At New House Farm, The Duffryn, Llangwm

Councillors discussed this application in depth, and the following comments were made:

a) Road Access - Cllrs were concerned about the road access to this property, as The Duffryn lane is single file and not suitable for additional traffic

b) The Plans do not mention what arrangements for drainage/sewage from the Showman's Wagon and Horsebox

c) Query regarding the colour of the American Bus - 'deep pastel red' - Cllrs felt that this will stand out, and not blend into its surroundings, and perhaps should be painted green?

d) If this application is approved, would it set a precedence for other landowners to abandon old vehicles on their property? Cllrs feel that nothing looks worse than old vehicles dumped in rural locations

AGREED that this application be refused as it stands.

10. COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT

As County Councillor Bob Greenland was not in attendance, there was no report.

11. WARD REPORTS

The Clerk attended a meeting of the Usk Cluster Group on 22nd Oct.

Usk Town Council reported that they are working with MCC and Arup to come up with a suitable plan for traffic in Bridge Street. The most favoured option is a One Way System loop, using the same route as they did when the Gas pipe was done.

They are working on the parking by the Chip Shop. Mike Powell is working to get older people voice-activated sensors in their homes. Big issue with Dog Waste Bin emptying.

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a) Best Kept Village - Cllr Trigg informed the Council that Llangwm had won a Silver Award for the 2019 GAVO Competition, and the Council thanked Joan and Lyn Bennett for all the work that they put into keeping the village looking so good.

b) Bridge Inn - Cllrs reported once again the state of the property, and that there was now a large hole in one of the doors, so anybody could access the building, and it was very dangerous, so it was AGREED to contact the Enforcement Officer, plus our MP & AM.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday 21st January 2020.

Meeting closed 9.11pm