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C Ovenden - Chairman
D Merrett
F Sainsbury
C Morton
N. Bailey
County Councillor Down
Clerk - Mrs Jane Kelley
Public: None Police None 56/09
(i) Public Comment
Police Report
A list of minor incidents was circulated. (iii) Apologies
Councillors McHugh, Gittins, Hughes and Harris (iv) Declarations of Interest by members of Mathern Community Council
There were none (v) Minutes of Previous Meeting The minutes of the meeting held on 12th October were circulated with the agenda, together with planning minutes for 16th and 17th October. The Chairman signed both the minutes as true and accurate.
57/09 County Councillors Report
REPORT TO MATHERN COMMUNITY COUNCIL 2010/11 Revenue grant settlement
The Authority has now been notified of the provisional grant settlement for 2010/11, which shows an increase over last year of just 1.1%. This is amongst the lowest increases of any local authority in Wales, and yet again means that the Council will be faced with difficult decisions as it seeks to balance the need to retain services and keep any council tax increases to reasonable levels.
I would welcome receiving any general comments, which I can feed in to the budget setting process.
Wales Audit Office report: Coastal Erosion and Tidal Flooding Risks in Wales
Last month the Wales Audit Office published a report entitled Coastal Erosion and Tidal Flooding Risks in Wales. A copy of the WAO press release is attached, and a copy of the full report is available from the WAO website (www.wao.gov.uk).
There is also a Shoreline Management Plan, which is currently open for consultation, I believe until the New Year, on which the Mor Hafren Flood Forum hopes to receive a presentation later this month, following which it should be able to provide further and better information to Members.
This is an issue, which, as the Council is already aware, has potentially significant consequences for our community.
Road resurfacing in Mathern
The road resurfacing has now been completed. I am particularly pleased that it ultimately proved possible to deal with the longstanding footpath issues in St Tewdric's Place.
Comments from residents have been positive, both in respect of the quality of the work and in terms of the attitude and co-operation shown by the workforce working on the scheme. I have passed those comments on to the relevant quarters, with my thanks.
3 Baileys Hay, Mathern
I am pleased that my letter to the Chief Executive of Monmouthshire Housing Association had had the desired effect. I understand that a programme of work has been agreed between MHA and the tenant, and a timescale has been set for completion. MHA have promised to monitor progress.
Unnamed watercourse, rear of Bishop's Mead/Birdwood Gardens
I understand that formal notice to clear the watercourse has now been re-served on the landowners. I understand that the area behind Birdwood Gardens has been cleared, and that the part of the watercourse which flows through the wooded area to the rear of Bishop's Mead is expected be cleared very shortly.
New Hall Lane
I have had a discussion with Paul Keeble about the longstanding issues of traffic in New Hall Lane. I have now arranged to meet Paul at 8.30am on Thursday, 19 November for a site meeting, and would welcome it if the Community Council were represented (meet in the New Inn car park).
I would suggest that the village entry sign, and what may or may not be allowable, is discussed at the same meeting.
Mathern traffic calming/Proposed speed limits on A48/Bus shelters
I have had no further information from the Highways Department on any of these issues and have now taken the matters up with the Corporate Director. PACT is a police initiative, which asks communities three priorities that they have for their community, which they would like police to address. Our County Councillor will contact P C Cowburn to ask for this scheme to be introduced to our Community with an annual meeting being held.
And finally ...
As this is my final report of 2009, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Community Council for its help in 2009, and to wish the Members and Clerk a very happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.
58/09) Progress report on actions from last meeting
(i) Welcome to Mathern Sign
Councillor Hughes has contacted Alan Kirkham who is obtaining a digital ordinance survey map of the entrance into Mathern.; Once this is received a drawing will be made of the proposed new "Welcome" sign.
The drawing will be submitted to both the Planning and Highways Depts. at County Hall to check if the design is acceptable
When approval is received from both departments, Councillor Harris will obtain a written quotation for an aluminum sign. (Wording to be discussed at a future date).
Councillor Merrett to arrange for a quotation for the stone- work element of the proposed sign. ( See Minutes for October)
Action: Councillor Merrett to contact Councillor Hughes to try and get the drawing available for 19.11.09 when Councillors will be meeting Paul Keeble from Highways.
ii) Site meeting with Paul Keeble - Newhall Lane
Paul Keeble has now been contacted and a meeting has been arranged for 8.30 in the New Inn Car Park at Pwllmeyric.
iii) Ownership of land behind St Tewdrics Church
County Councillor Down has instructed solicitors to investigate this on our behalf.
iv) New Notice boards
Andrew Llewellin has started work on one of the notice boards This to be erected in Mathern.
v) Councillor McHugh: report on alternative website providers for Community Council website.
Councillor Hughes has contacted St Tewdrics Church to discuss the feasibility of the Community Council having a page on the Parish website. The Church has linked our site to theirs and Andrew Mead will look into helping us modernize and generally tidy up our site.
vi) Feedback, Coffee Morning - 17.10.09 The raffle made £69.00 and this was donated to the Village Fireworks display - a letter of thanks from the joint committees has been received. The "Adopt a Telephone Box" scheme was discussed with the attendees at the coffee morning. They unanimously decided that the box should be retained without the workings for a nominal fee of £1.00. Clerk to write to a kind resident who is prepared to assist in reasonable costs in connection with the maintenance of the telephone box, once owned by the community. Councillors discussed ideas for a future use for the telephone box. County Councillor Down suggested utilising the back wall to advertise Free Cycle items.
Another item brought up at the coffee morning was the speed of tractors passing through the village. The Clerk to write to P C Cowburn expressing villagers concerns regarding this. vii)Response M C C re dead tree at the entrance to the village
Jim Keech, M C C tree officer, will inspect the tree when he is next in the area.
59//09 Highways
- Large Pot Holes Adjacent to Mounton Church Cottage and Monks Rest Mounton
Large Pot Holes Newhall - Trelleny
Large Pot Holes Newhall - Shirenewton
Junction on to the A48 at St Pierre: Councillors feel this should be a Stop sign, not a Give Way sign as markings on the road indicate.
60/09 Councillors' reports -
a) Best Kept Village/Wales in Bloom competitions
60 trays of winter pansies have been distributed for planting in the village flower boxes
The Valentine Dance (the main fund raiser for Wales in Bloom), will be held on Friday 12th February in the Village Hall - Tickets available from Councillors Merrett and Hughes.
b) O V W
Counciilor Sainsbury reported that the main speaker spoke about digital television in Wales. There are still a few problems but these should all be sorted within the next few months. Next Meeting 14th January 2010. in Usk
c) Mor Hafren
No date for next meeting.
61/09 Special Projects
a) Footpaths leaflets
A Sub committee met on Friday 6th November when Robin Lewis. Mary Pitt and Derek Shottin were invited.
Both Robin and Mary have produced some wonderful photos, which will be used.
Meeting with Adventa on 26.11.09 at 7pm in the small room of the Village Hall. As many Councillors as possible to attend.
b) Interpretation panels:
Adventa have advised that no further text/graphic work will be needed for the panels, as information obtained for the walks leaflets is adequate. Adventa is funding this part of the project. This also to be discussed at the meeting on 26th November 2009.
62/09 Planning
Planning Applications One application received for Crick, which is not in our area. Clerk to contact M C C Planning explaining this. Planning Appeals - There were none Other Planning Matters:
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Enforcements - Clerk to contact Enforcements regarding: - Marie Dark Solicitors Sign. No response received.
- No Fear garage at Park Wall industrial Site. No response received.
New Enforcements: - Signage at Hawthorns Farm, Crick. Clerk to check if signage is within planning regulations.
Clerk to advise of cars parking around the lakes at Mathern Fisheries. - Historic slipway at the rear of Ship Inn (Applecross Cottage) is gradually being filled in by the owner. Chairman to contact Amy Longhurst to find out if the slipway can be preserved.
63/09. Financial Matters Receipts and payments for October/November 18/09 Receipts None
18/09/ii Payments Amount Cheque No
Coffee Morning 27.82 100994
M J Trading 42.25 100995
O V W 22.00 100996
PAYE 79.75` 100997
J Kelley 318.83 100999
A Fry 100.00 101000
Councillor Ovenden signed the cheques together with the Clerk.
Clerk to produce new financial regulations by 7th December 2009, when Councillors were asked to attend a strategic finance and planning meeting.
This will take place at 7 pm in the Village Hall and the 2010 - 2011 precept will be discussed. 64//09 Correspondence and Forthcoming meetings
Site Meeting New Hall Lane 19th November 2009 - 8.30 am. Meet at the New Inn Car Park, Pwllmeyric.
Councillor Training Thursday 19th November 6.30 at Sessions House Usk.
Councillors Ovenden, Bailey, Harris and McHugh to attend. Aventa Meeting 26.11.09 - Village Hall 7pm Stategic and Finance Meeting Monday 7th December 7pm Village Hall. Councillor Ovenden thanked everyone for attending the Cenotaph and Church services on Remembrance Day, Sunday 8th November 2009. 65/09 Other Matters for discussion
Councillor Morton noted that the ivy had not been removed from the
bus shelters -
Councillor Sainsbury will arrange for this to be done when he has adequate time. Councillor Morton asked for Chepstow Councll to be approached regarding the untidy fencing on the Larkfield Roundabout -
County Councillor Down to discuss this with the Councillors for Larkfield Ward. The Clerk asked if Councillors could consider producing a Mathern Directory to be given to all new residents of the village. Mrs Pitt produced one of these in 2008. It included all local Club details and general details of activities available in the community and was very well received by residents. This to be discussed at a further date. 66/09. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for Monday 11h January 2010 at 7pm.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30.
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