Present: Chairman Councillor T Evans, Vice Chairman
Councillor D Floyd, Councillor P O’Connor, Councillor J Saunders, Councillor D
Bennett, Councillor S Shewell, and R Hopson clerk.
141.
Police Report – Constable Andy Mason:
Constable Mason stated that there had been two incidents that occurred during the month that require noting by the public. The first is the appearance in the area of bogus charity collectors who distribute leaflets regarding the collection of clothing for charity but are infact collecting clothing and selling it.
Secondly, a group of Irish workers are going around the area and laying tarmac drives etc. to order. The constable pointed out that these contractors are not committing an offence but that the quality of workmanship may be suspect.
The constable also reported that a shelving unit had been stolen from the Laurel Stores outside of the Abbey during daylight hours.
The vehicle speed-checking unit had also been in operation in the village three times in the last two weeks.
Mr Bristow commented that there are vehicles speeding
through the Sawmills area and he had especially noted a black
Mrs Preece asked if planning permission
had been granted for the sign for The Cherry Tree on the village green. The
clerk stated that although no official notification had been received he
believed permission had been granted. The clerk will clarify this matter.
Mrs Smart commented on the possibility of a roundabout outside of the Royal George hotel or a pedestrian crossing in the village as means of improving road safety. Councillors Evans and Floyd stated that these two items had been discussed with M.C.C. but that no progress had been made.
Mr Bristow asked if the council were aware of a new forestry road being constructed at Abbotswood, which could possibly be for a cycle track. Councillor Evans stated that the council had received no notification of any such development.
Councillor Saunders asked a question on behalf of Mrs H. Bristow of
Rose Cottage,
143. Apologies for absence.
Councillor B Young, Councillor A. Webb.
144. Declaration of Interest on items on the agenda.
None.
145. Minutes of the meetings of 9th January
2006:
Minutes were signed as a true record of
the meeting.
146. Matters arising from the meeting of 9th
January 2006: (Actions arising are in italics)
127. Public Forum
Councillor
Webb to raise the matter of permissions regarding the Café Mango
Permission granted to Mango Café was for A3 usage – any objections to use of land outside IMAGINATION would need to be new via the ‘Enforcement Officer’.
128. Police Report
Councillors reported that gravel from the forestry track to Barbadoes had spilled onto the main road. The clerk to contact
Forestry Commission
Meeting held with Richard Gable, Forestry Commission Wales Steward – Monmouthshire. Problem is caused by bad drainage on road leading down from Barbadoes Hill. However, as this is a public access road maintenance responsibility is vague. He will ask his engineers to come and look at problem and report back.
129. Apologies for Absence
Councillor B Young is in hospital. It was agreed that the clerk should send him a ‘Get Well’ card.
Done on 10th January.
132. Matters Arising from Previous Meetings
a. Sgt. Brown report – The Sgt. Had not notified the clerk of the visit
to the village to survey speeding restriction requirements. The clerk will follow contact Sgt. Brown before next meeting.
Sgt. Brown has reported that MCC have stopped the use of ‘street furniture’ for Cabinet. No new equipment until this is resolved. Sgt. Brown will report progress.
b. Councillor Webb to refer presumed occupancy of building next to Monkswood Bungalow to Planning Enforcement Officer.
Property is ancillary accommodation to Monkswood Bungalow with no bathroom or kitchen and no facilities that require it to be classed as an individual residence.
c. The council authorised
the clerk to go ahead with the purchase of community maps
Done.
d. The clerk was asked to check insurance position on boat usage of wharf. Allianz-Cornhill
have stated that although Wharf is insured for public liability this does not include access to the river. This would require a ‘risk assessment analysis’ by an organisation such as ROSPA. (N.B.Original ROSPA survey has been consulted and it states and it states that a fence should be erected at least 1100mm high. On the river side of this fence ‘emergent marginal aquatic vegetation’ particularly with sharp foliage should be planted. It also states that safety audit should be carried out regularly).
Clerk to write to
Messrs Simpson and
e. Clerk to get laminated
notices made for communal refuse bins, which would state that all rubbish had
to be contained in appropriate bags and sealed.
Done. Two notices for bins, inside lids, outside Cherry Tree and at Fairoak Farm. Bin in Glyn wood has one notice outside as Forestry are still repairing lids.
133. Finance and Administration Reports
f. Parking at the Wharf: The
clerk was asked to forward a copy of the agreement
for
this rental to Councillor Shewell for discussion at
the next meeting.
Done.
136. Questionnaire
b. It was also agreed that
Councillor Floyd should decide on a date for the public meeting.
Done. Meeting on 15th February at 7:00 p.m.
137. Other Reports/Issues
a. Clerk to check status of Sawmills project with Lower Wye Area manager.
Done- Speed trials at top entrance ongoing.
138. Any Other Business
a.
The clerk to check to see if M.C.C. had carried out skidding trials
as promised.
Still awaiting response from MCC
139. Correspondence
a. A letter had been received form M.C.C. regarding delegation of duties to
Community Councils.
It was agreed that the clerk should
respond to this
stating
that the council had no wish to take over county council duties.
Done.
147. Finance
and Administration Reports:
b. The payments for January were approved, that is:
R Flashman for village verge maintenance 2005 Chq 100451 £150.00
(Cheque made payable to St. Michael’s Church)
R Hopson for clerks salary and expenses Chq 100452 £209.47
c. Councillor Shewell expressed concern that the course on ‘Basic Councillor Skills’, which four councillors and the clerk attended at a cost of £150, was poorly presented and contained little of value. The clerk was asked to write to the Society of Council Clerks (S.L.C.C.) asking for a refund of the costs.
d.
The Financial Standing Orders
which had been issued at the previous meeting were discussed, modifications
made at the request of several councillors and the final version agreed. The
clerk will issue these to councillors at the February meeting.
e.
The contracts for ground rent
at the Wharf were discussed and Councillor Shewell
noted that this was on a personal basis with the previous owner of the Parva Farm
Hotel and hadn’t changed for the last ten years. Councillor Shewell to contact Mr Stubbs (previous owner) to find out if
contract had been transferred to new owners and if so on what understanding.
f. Resolution on Council Standing Orders regarding Sunday Meetings
Councillor Webb had asked for an amendment to council orders to be put to the council. i.e.
‘No meetings to place on Sunday. That is full council meetings, council
committees, and councillors meeting with members of other organisations or with
members of the public on official council business.
The chairman may call an
emergency meeting with councillors at any time it is deemed necessary. The
emergency must constitute an event that requires immediate attention and cannot
wait until a reasonable date (i.e. after 72 hours notice)’.
This was proposed for acceptance by Councillor Saunders and seconded by Councillor Shewell. The motion was unanimously passed.
g.
Councillor Floyd asked that the
council draw up a list of suppliers for services and goods from local
businesses to enable tenders for work to be issued on a formal basis in keeping
with the new Financial Standing Orders. All Councillors agreed to bring
lists of potential businesses to February meeting.
h. Grants for the Village Hall:
Councillor Floyd said that she was confused about the situation regarding grants and donations from the council regarding the village hall. Councillor Saunders stated that in the budget meeting it was agreed that £2500 be allocated from the 2006/7 precept towards capital work in the hall. It had also been agreed that the council would consider the possibility of a similar amount being allocated from the 2007/8 precept. Councillor Evans reported that the Hall Committee had agreed to seek funding themselves for the creation of a disabled person’s pathway to the hall and security lighting. It was agreed the clerk should write to the Hall Committee secretary clarifying the council’s situation.
i. Change of Procedure at Council Meetings:
The clerk proposed that the ‘Matters Arising’ item on the agenda be replaced by a ‘clerks report on actions’, which will be distributed with the agenda for the next meeting. The clerk also proposed that the ‘Correspondence’ item be removed and that the clerk will place on the agenda any correspondence seeking council decisions. A full list of all correspondence will still be issued at council meeting and all items of correspondence will be available for councillors to consider outside of the meeting.
M/12427: Two storey extension to existing lounge & main bedroom with en-suite, White Gables, Parva Springs, Tintern
Recommendation: Approve
b. Appeals
None
c. Planning Withdrawals
None
d. Planning Decisions
M/12212: Erection of Conservatory, Swn Yr Afon, Tintern
MCC Approved
e. New Enforcement Cases
E06/007 Imagination, Tintern Alleged change of use
f.
Resolved enforcement cases
None
g. Other Items
Letter
from Mr & Mrs Howe regarding The Globe development:
A letter had been received from Mr & Mrs Howe regarding, what
they believed, to be an infringement on the public footpath of the wall of the
new dwellings being constructed. Councillor Saunders had spoke to them
regarding this and believed that if there had been an infringement it was very
small. However, it was agreed that the clerk should write to the planning
enforcement officer at M.C.C. asking that the problem be investigated.
a. Village Hall Committee:
All matters relating to the Hall had been discussed within other items on the agenda.
b.
No report.
c. Friends of Tintern:
a. Councillor Floyd reported that the survey resulting from the questionnaire had been issued to all councillors and would be distributed to community householders at the public meeting. The council unanimously agreed to purchase posters advertising the meeting at a cost of £23.00.
151. Other Reports/Issues
a. Traffic/Highways
Sawmills Project:
The clerk, and several councillors, reported that speed trials are ongoing at the northern entrance to the area. This is to ascertain the speed of vehicles approaching the entrance so that the visibility requirements for making an official entrance are known.
b. Other Issues
Public Seat on the
No progress had been made on replacing the damaged seat and councillor Saunders stated that before we contract any work
to replace the seat the exact specification of work to be carried out be known.
Councillor Bennett believed that the council should wait until a list of
tradesmen is available before contracting the work. However, it was agreed that
the clerk specifies the requirements to Mr. Tansill
and asks for a quotation.
c. Councillor Saunders expressed concern at
the state of fencing in the community and
agreed
to present a list repairs she believed necessary at the next meeting.
152. Any Other Business
None.
a. The following item were noted;
(i). A letter had been received from St. Arvans Community Council stating that they were proposing that the whole of the A466 within their ward be changed to a 40 m.p.h. limit. They asked Tintern Community Council to consider doing the same in their wards. It was agreed this item should be put to the public at the Survey meeting on 15th February.
154.
Date of Next meeting:
The next meeting will be held on 27th February in the Village Hall at 7:00 p.m.
The Meeting closed at 9:30 p.m.