Present: Chairman Councillor T
Evans, Vice Chairman Councillor D Floyd, Councillor P O’Connor, Councillor J
Saunders, Councillor D Bennett, and R Hopson clerk.
155. Police Report – Constable Andy
Mason:
Constable Mason stated that there had been one theft in
the village. That of a moped from the rear of the
Mrs Preece asked, again, if planning permission had been granted for
the sign for The Cherry Tree on the village green. The clerk will seek
clarification of the situation with MCC Planning Dept. Mrs Preece also stated her concern over
vehicles being parked within the double yellow lines adjacent to the village
green. Constable Mason agreed that the design of the shape of the yellow lines
on this specific corner junction meant that interpreting their meaning could be
difficult. The clerk will ask MCC Highways their opinion of the confusion
that has arisen.
Mr Bristow asked if the Sawmills area were converted into a car park would it be properly sign posted. Councillor Saunders said that at present MCC had an embargo on street furniture. Mr Bristow also asked what would happen to overflow vehicles if the car park was full. Councillor Saunders said that this would be considered if and when a decision is made to convert it into a legal car park.
Mr Bristow asked if the council really believed a low cost housing policy would become a reality as had been stated as a council action during the Survey 2006 public presentation. Councillor Evans agreed that this was probably very optimistic.
Mr Bristow asked if the council had any plans should the ‘bird flu’ scare become a reality in the area. Councillor Evans stated that although MMC had probably discussed the problem no communication had been received by the Community Council.
157.
Apologies for absence.
Councillor B Young, Councillor A. Webb and Councillor Shewell.
158.
Declaration of Interest on items on the agenda.
None.
159. Minutes
of the meetings of 30th January 2006:
The reference in paragraph 142 to Mrs Sharp should have read Mrs Smart. Minutes were then signed as a true record of the meeting.
The Clerks report has now replaced the Agenda Item ‘Matters
Arising’.
The January report is included below;
Item 142. Public Forum
Mrs Preece asked if planning permission had been granted for the sign for The Cherry Tree on the village green. The clerk will clarify this matter.
The application M/11886.
Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) approved ‘Change of Use to A3 Use’ on 29th
November 2005. However, the following conditions were imposed;
1.
The building shall only
be used for the purposes of a sandwich bar and shall be used for no other
purpose (including any other purpose in Class A1 of the schedule to the Town
and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (including any other purpose in
Class A3 of the schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order
1987) without the prior written approval of the Local Planning Authority.
2.
There shall be no
storage of the tables and chairs outside the premises when the sandwich bar is
closed.
Reasons;
1.
To ensure that no
alternative use is made of the premises which is likely to be a nuisance to
adjoining properties.
2.
To protect the existing
visual amenities of the area.
Mrs H. Bristow of Rose Cottage (question asked by Councillor
Saunders), wanted to know who was responsible for the water, which flowed from
Cat Brook under the house next to ‘Up
the Creek’. This has recently been the source of flooding. The clerk to
contact Martyn Evans of M.C.C. to clarify ownership.
Discussions were held with Martyn Evans and it was quickly
established that the source of the problem was unknown. A meeting with Mrs
Bristow (18/02/06) established that the problem had occurred once early in the
new year and that both MCC and Dwr Cymru had visited the sight promptly and
established no leaks in either mains water, sewerage and surface drainage
systems (Mrs Bristow stated that the flooding appeared to be due to clean water
and not sewerage). The drainage in the area is complex and a new culvert system
has been recently installed close to the property for the purpose of the brook
bypassing a new house. Since both MCC and Dwr Cymru will accept no
responsibility for the flooding it would appear that Mrs Bristow has three ways
to pursue the problem;
1.
Modify the surface water
drainage entries into her property by getting Dwr Cymru to fit non-return
valves.
2.
Taking legal advice.
3.
Do nothing. Assume the
problem was a ‘one-off’ event whose cause has now disappeared.
Item 146. Matters arising from the minutes of 09/01/06 meeting.
132 d. The clerk was asked to write to Messrs Simpson and
Done.
Item 147. Finance and Administration Reports
c. Councillor Shewell expressed concern on the quality of the course on ‘Basic Councillor Skills’. The clerk was asked to write to the Society of Council Clerks (S.L.C.C.) asking for a refund of the costs.
Done. The Society has verbally responded and promised to refund 50%
of course fees.
d. A final version of Financial Standing Orders was agreed. The
clerk will issue these to councillors at the February meeting.
Done. A new version of all council legislation will be issued at
28/02/06 meeting.
e. Councillor Shewell to contact Mr Stubbs (previous owner) to
find out if contract on parking at the Wharf had been transferred to new owners
and if so on what understanding.
Done. Councillor Shewell had attempted to contact Mr Stubbs but was
told he was away and might not be contactable until the end of February.
However, Councillor Floyd had seen Mr Stubbs who stated that he had tried to
contact Councillor Shewell but without success. Mr Stubbs then contacted the
clerk and stated that he had verbally advised the new management of the Parva
Hotel about the agreement for garage rental and car parking. He now wished the
management of the hotel formally take over the contract and asked that the
council contact them about this.
f. Councillor Floyd asked that the council draw up a list of
suppliers for services and goods from local businesses. All Councillors
agreed to bring lists of potential businesses to February meeting.
Item on agenda for February meeting.
It was agreed the clerk should write to the Hall Committee secretary
clarifying the council’s situation regarding grant funding of the Village Hall.
Done.
Item 148. Planning
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. It was agreed that the clerk should write to the planning
enforcement officer at M.C.C. asking that the problem be investigated.
Done. Copy
sent to Mr & Mrs Howe.
Item
137. Other Reports/Issues
b.
Public Seat on the
It was agreed that the clerk specifies the requirements to Mr.
Tansill and asks for a quotation.
Done. No response received.
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.
Item on agenda for February meeting.
160. Finance and Administration Reports:
b. The payments for February were approved, that is:
MCC for cleaning of Communal Bins Chq 100455 £235.00
‘One Voice Wales’ annual subscription Chq 100456 £72.00
Graveyard maintenance donation to
St. Michaels and St. Mary’s churches Chq 100457 £100.00
Graveyard maintenance donation to
Graveyard maintenance donation to
R Hopson for clerks salary and expenses Chq 100460 £332.98
c. Rental Charges for Garages on Wharf
Councillor Floyd agreed to discuss with the owners of Parva Farm
House whether or not they wish to continue with rental of garages at
d. List of Council Service Suppliers
Councillor O’Connor stated that she had produced a list. Councillor Saunders suggested that tradesmen etc. did not understand what services were required and that a list of potential requirements should be produced and advertised in the ‘Village News’. The clerk to compile the list from services supplied in the recent past.
e.
‘One Voice
Councillor Evans stated that he had read the free copy of this book supplied by ‘One Voice Wales’ and recommended that the council purchase a copy for each councillor at a total cost of £40.00. Councillor Saunders seconded this and the motion was passed. (Cheque No.100462 for £40.00).
f.
Clerks Contract of Employment
The model contract agreed by the Society of Local Council Clerks and
the National Association of Local Councils was issued to councillors. This
is to be discussed by the council in the absence of the clerk and a version agreed
before the March meeting.
None
b.
Planning Appeals
None
c.
Planning Withdrawals
None
d. Planning Decisions
Section 257 – Town & Country Planning
Act 1990. Public Footpath No. 1 (part)
Great
House Farm, Trellech Grange. Order for change has been made. Confirmed on 6th
February 2006. Challenges must be received by High Court within six weeks of 8th February 2006.
e. New Enforcement Cases
None
f. Resolved Enforcement Cases
E05/137 Monkswood Bungalow Alleged
change of use Decision: Planning
Permission
Granted
E06/00 Imagination, Tintern Alleged
change of use Decision: No Breach
a. Village Hall Committee:
No report
b.
New head teacher now spending one and a half days a week at school.
c. Friends of Tintern:
a. Councillor Floyd reported that copies of the Survey 2006 were available to all households in the community from her shop – Tintern Antiques.
b. Councillor Floyd reported that the meeting with the youth of the village was to go ahead on 22nd March in the Village Hall. MCC had agreed to be represented by its Youth Service.
c. A
plan for Community Council work as a consequence of the survey will be drawn up
by the clerk based on the Actions in the report.
164. Other Reports/Issues
a. Traffic/Highways
i. A466 Accidents
It was agreed that more issue should be made of the accident rate on the A466. The clerk will make the local press aware of the council’s concern.
ii. Response to St. Arvans re 40mph speed limit
It was agreed that the resurfacing of the A466 between St. Arvans
and Tintern together with the erection of appropriate safety barriers would be
a higher priority on this stretch of road than imposing a speed limit.
Councillor Saunders doubted if such a speed limit could be enforced. Clerk
to write to St. Arvans Council informing them of the decision.
b. Other Issues
i. Fence Repairs Required
Councillor Saunders presented the following list for the council to
consider on the
3 rails need either replacing or putting back in place.
Ravensnest to Wenallt Mill
Concrete post and metal pole fence in total disrepair. Sections have had orange barrier netting strung up, much of which is descending into Angiddy.
Pontysaisson
Pond, eastern boundary
Much of this post and rail fence is broken or missing
Beaufort Pond
One portion of the fence appears to have broken as a result of RTA. Other sections have been removed and not replaced by the Tintern Angling Club. The metal pole barrier on the road bridge has not been replaced, nor the capstone.
Pontysaisson to The Fountain Inn
Another concrete post and metal pole fence, all of which is in need of attention.
Furnace
Pond
Not only is this fence slipping into the pond, but again the Angling Club has removed sections of it.
Black Gate
This was recently repaired but somebody has reversed or driven into it again and it needs attention.
Generally, plants on the
Councillor Bennett reported that such problems do not exist to such
a scale on the
Clerk to report the situation to MCC Highways.
165. Any Other
Business
a. Dentist Services in Chepstow and Monmouth
Councillor Evans raised the issue of the termination of dentist
contracts with the National Health Service in Chepstow and their possible
withdrawal in Monmouth. The clerk is to establish the exact situation with
the local health authority.
b. Village Hall and the Community Council
Councillor Bennett raised the issue of exact ownership of the
village hall and what was the council’s liability towards it. Clerk to
establish exact situation by reference to hall deeds etc.
Councillor Bennett also asked if the Council could see the minutes
of the last three Hall committee meetings so they could get an understanding of
how the Hall was managed. Clerk to write to Hall secretary to make this
request.
c. Correspondence
The clerk reported that the only urgent correspondence received had been the request by ‘One Voice Wales’ for nominations of council chairmen as guests of H.M. The Queen at a garden party at Buckingham Palace in July. The council
unanimously agreed that Councillor Evans be proposed. The clerk
will write to ‘One Voice
166. Date of Next meeting:
The next meeting will be held on 27th March in the Village Hall at 7:00 p.m.
The Meeting closed at 8:30 p.m.