sign in sign up
<<
Home , Abergavenny, Devauden, Mitchel Troy, Penterry, Tintern

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of St Arvans Council held via StarLeaf on Tuesday 13th October 2020 at 7:00pm

The Chair welcomed a full complement of SACC Councillors, along with MCC Cllr Webb. New Councillor, David Griffiths, was also welcomed to his first meeting, with special thanks to him for facilitating access issues to StarLeaf.

2010.01 ATTENDANCE: Cllrs R Edwards (Acting Chair), M Davies, P Farley, D Griffiths, B Howells, V Kennedy, M Sunderland ALSO: Mrs K Houghton (Clerk), MCC Cllr A Webb, one resident APOLOGIES: PC A Jones

2010.02 DECLARATION OF INTEREST IN ITEM(S) ON THE AGENDA: none

2010.03 PUBLIC SESSION: no comments from the public

2010.04 MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING 8th September 2020: approved, prop Cllr Howells, sec Cllr Farley.

2010.05 MATTERS ARISING: 2009.12b Message of thanks received from former Councillor, Sheena Banfield, for her card and bouquet.

2010.06 TO RECEIVE REPORTS: a. Community Police Crime and Traffic, PCSO Andy Jones: 9/9/2020 Report of off-road bikes in the / Greenwood road area. 04/10/20 Sunday. & Caldicot Neighbourhood policing team operation conducted high visibility patrols in known hotspots for off-road bike activity in / areas - quiet day but spoke with 2 off-road bikers in the Penterry / Greenwood road area, on the main lane; bikes found in order but advice was given ensuring riders are aware of where they can and can’t go, including their responsibilities & consequences. 08/10/20 2 separate reports of outbuildings broken into overnight in the rural area. Locks cut off to gain access and chainsaws, mowers and garden tools taken. b. MCC, Ward Cllr Webb: i. Four extra part-time staff engaged to cover booking system for Recycling Centres at , & Chepstow. Recycling Centre to close permanently. ii. Community Hubs are re-opening & offering part-time education courses. iii. MCC remote meetings have attracted interest from the public; Cllr Webb to inform Clerk which meetings these are in order to inform us what is available. iv. Covid-19 Track-and-Trace in Monmouth is going smoothly. c. The recommendations in Cllr. Farley’s report were accepted: i. The Communications Group will include Covid-19 communications in its programme of work. ii. Councillors agreed unanimously to recognise individual efforts within our Community: Kate Price for music concerts, (plaque to be purchased from Ned Heywood Recognition of particular efforts within our Community: Kate Price for music concerts & support for Jean Davies/Parkfield Stores (plaque from Ned Haywood £80); Karen Chase and staff at Ride & Stride for initiating & facilitating veggie box collection scheme (card); SA Covid-19 Volunteer Co-ordinator, Jason Race, for food shopping & prescription delivery (card). Councillors also acknowledged the invaluable support given by a number of people to Jean Davies at Parkfield Stores. d. The Dell School Governing Body meeting 13/09/20, Cllr Edwards: report to be emailed to Members. e. One Voice - Boundary review update: WG Minister is not mindful to order fresh review; OVW seeking further legal advice.

2010.07 FINANCE a. Balances at bank & building society HSBC @ 30/09/20 £8,858.68 MBS @ 30/09/20 £9,201.16 total of cheques not presented at 13/10/20 £1,347.41

b. Schedule of payments and receipts since last meeting was approved, prop sec, all agreed.

PAYMENTS Agenda 2009.06 13th OCTOBER V ORDINARY MEETING) £ Monmouthshire 1 box dog waste bags (ref 01363) 08/09/2020 101376 County Council 38.22 Three Mobile (Hg3) Clerk mobile phone (monthly) – 11/09/2020 DD September 2020 14.00 K Houghton Clerk salary - August 2020 12/09/2020 101377 242.22 Planning Aid Wales Training course online - Planning (RE) 22/09/2020 101378 30.00 K Houghton Clerk admin allowance (01/04/20 - 22/09/2020 101379 30/09/20) 75.00 St Arvans Memorial Hall hire (Sept meeting) 23/09/2020 101380 Hall 19.25 Artwork setup - KGF Covid-19 & Dog 24/09/2020 101381 Empire Print Solutions Fouling Posters 20.00 K Houghton 29/09/2020 101382 Clerk salary - September 2020 289.24 E Bennett 30/09/2020 101383 Village maintenance - September 2020 66.00 Merlin Waste 30/09/2020 101384 Emptying dog waste bins monthly 4302 46.80 Playsafety Ltd 05/10/2020 101385 RoSPA publications 28.50 A Jones 05/10/2020 101386 Rosettes 33.50 Monmouthshire Installation of hand sanitiser unit 121.82 05/10/2020 101387 County Council 2 x MCC keyed-alike padlocks & 4 keys 88.68 Chepstow Accountancy Accounts & payroll services October 2020 05/10/2020 101388 Services 55.00 Monmouthshire Supply post & install defibrillator cabinet 05/10/2020 101389 County Council (included in 2018/19 budget) 369.12

1,537.35 RECEIPTS Parkfield Stores Sponsorship of Rosettes for 06/10/2020 Garden/Hanging Baskets competition 33.50

c. New cheque to be reissued to replace cheque 101316 for £100, payable to Citizens Advice 2 Bureau, reported as lost. d. Internal audits of accounts: i. accounts to 31st March 2020 – adopted, prop Cllr Farley, sec Cllr Sunderland, agreed by all. ii. amendments (from Income and Expenditure format to Receipts & Payments) to accounts 31st March 2019 - adopted, prop Cllr Farley, sec Cllr Howells, agreed by all. iii. amendments (from Income and Expenditure format to Receipts & Payments) to accounts 31st March 2018 – adopted, prop Cllr Sunderland, sec Cllr Davies, agreed by all Internal Auditor, Mike Taylor, was thanked for all the hard work he has put into this role. e. WG Remuneration Panel draft annual report 2021/22: Section 13, CC & TC councillor payments to cover costs & expenses £150; mileage expenses 45p per mile; financial support available for councillors who need to cover care & assistance costs.

2010.08 PLANNING a. new planning application(s): ii. DM/2020/01021 Parkfield House, Tintern Road, St Arvans. Removal of conditions 3,4,5 of application DC/2016/01126 to create one residence. An enquiry has been received asking if this application will result in the closed entrance (double gates between stone pillars) being reopened; Clerk to write to MCC Planning and Cllr Webb. b. current planning applications: i. DM/2020/00971 3 The Row, Devauden Road, St Arvans. Conversion of loft in mid-terrace to provide additional bedroom. MCC approved 02/10/20. ii. DM/2020/01054 Grove Cottage, Grange Road, St Arvans. Tree works subject to TPO and/or notification of work to trees in CA. MCC decision awaited. iii. DM/2020/00977 3 Laurel Park, St Arvans. Internal alterations to existing ground floor wc room to form new wet room with wc. MCC approved 22/07/20. iv. DM/2019/00727 New Barn Workshops, Tintern Road. Demolition of workshop, construction of two detached dwellings. MCC approved 16/09/20 subject to S106.

2010.09 HIGHWAYS a. MCC works order 07/09/20 Wyndcliffe Road: MCC has moved fence post from centre of gout to the side, although soil and stones have since appeared on concrete surface. Protruding metal / barbed wire in verge has been removed. b. Protruding rock(s) on B4293, near Cophill Farm, have finally been removed by MCC. c. Devauden Road: Advisory Group site meeting 06/10/20 re residents’ complaints about overflowing drains (MCC promised response within 12 weeks to logged complaint 8300476690 in May), speeding traffic included cyclists, pedestrian safety, blind corners etc. are to be combined into SACC Project to move forward with solutions. It was agreed to purchase hi-vis waistcoats for Councillor safety on such site visits, as well as for Maintenance Contractor & Volunteers – approximate cost £4 each, prop Cllr Farley, Sec Cllr Davies d. (AONB) Villages Plan – MCC Roger Hoggins 07/10/20 reported two bids (£42K & £49K) for consultation study; he suggested a possible contribution of £2K per CC to help support MCC with this cost . Remote WVVP meeting 03/11/20 for further information and discussion.

2010.10 ENVIRONMENT & RECREATION a. King George’s Field Playground i. Covid-19 monitoring: monthly update, Clerk continues to receive confirmation from Councillors; Cllr Kennedy agreed to carry out Wednesday visits. ii. RoSPA 2020 Inspection Report to be discussed in next advisory meeting. iii. Repairs to zip wire, wooden post, hole in swing matting await quotations. iv. Cllr Webb has received several favourable comments from users about the quality of maintenance following the re-opening 20/07/20. b. SA Playing Field i. Licence with Chepstow Racecourse: date for virtual meeting with legal advisor 16/10/20. c. Steering Group – site plan to be carried out shortly by company, along with costs to include equipment required, d. Defibrillators: Monthly update, Cllr Howells confirmed all in order. 3 e. 2020 Front Garden/Hanging Baskets competition: presentation and distribution of cup and salver, rosettes & results has been completed. Clerk to send message of thanks to Jean Davies of Parkfield Stores for kind sponsorship of attractive rosettes, well received by residents. f. General Maintenance: Councillors to consider which maintenance tasks are required within the ward in order to formulate an appropriate schedule of work, including safety arrangements. Responsibility for removal of debris, such as leaves and conkers, from pavements to be discussed further; Cllr Webb will also report back with MCC advice. Eddie Bennett, maintenance contractor, has recently been provided with metal safety jerry can for fuel (for leaf blower). g. Dog-fouling - Stud Footpath Project: posters, monitoring. i. Monthly update, Clerk has received confirmation from Councillors; Cllr Kennedy agreed to carry out Wednesday visits. ii.Positive comments about reduced fouling received from Stud Manager and residents . Resident issue with one poster which was relocated; two posters have been vandalised since start of project. Existing and new dog bins are very well used, as is the supply of waste bags. iii. Project started 05/09/20 until end November. h. Upper Wyndcliffe car park - overnight stays: complaint received by walkers re human waste on side of path. Photos of vehicles parked overnight on almost constant basis, some for several nights, have been forwarded to NRW. Response from NRW awaited. i. The Fountain i. Clerk has written to MCC to establish ownership – reply awaited. ii. Ideas and quotations for replacement planters to be sourced. iii. Potability of drinking water to be ascertained by MCC Environmental Health department - Clerk to write to MCC and Cllr Webb. j. Trees: MCC advice re Devauden Road and Road trees awaited. k. Purchase and planting of bulbs on Monmouth Road verge (outside Forge Gardens) by volunteers was agreed; permission from MCC has been granted. A kind offer of sponsorship toward cost of bulbs has been made by MHA, to whom SACC has written to thank for their efforts in wall rebuild.

2010.11 COMMUNICATION a. Following the practice session and support provided by StarLeaf video conferencing system on 16/10/20 in preparation for Ordinary Meeting, it was agreed to take out 12-month contract, prop Cllr Farley, sec Cllr Kennedy, all agreed. Cost £12 per month. b. Progress of website upgrade, including accessibility requirements, was agreed with quotations to be sourced by Cllr Griffiths, who will circulate Google Form survey to Members for input suggestions; Clerk to re-send original email from Vision ICT’s D Hillier to Cllr Griffiths. c. Councillor email service with Vision ICT is now used by all SACC Members. Cllr Griffiths offered to assist (subject to his work commitments) any Councillor with operating issues on their devices; Cllr Kennedy to contact Vision ICT for support in accessing Council emails on his phone. d. Holders of keys for noticeboards agreed: Clerk, Chair, Vice Chair, ANO e. WG Good Councillor Guide is highly recommended for all Members: available online, or Members can purchase a paper copy for £6.

2010.12 SACC COUNCILLOR VACANCY i. Clerk has provided MCC Monitoring Officer with details of newly co-opted Councillor, David Griffiths, and resignation of former Cllr Banfield. ii. MCC Amy Gullick has provided Clerk with election notice which is displayed on noticeboards, valid until 27th October, after which (if no election is requested), SACC may instigate co-option procedure for new Councillor.

2010.13 CORRESPONDENCE a. Received and noted miscellaneous email (unless otherwise indicated) correspondence listed below:

03.09.20 MCC Press Release: Care leaver backs campaign to recruit more Monmouthshire foster carers 04.09.20, 18.09.20, 05.10.20 Welsh Gov – various consultations 07.09.20 Playlist for Life (dementia music charity, Monmouthshire branch): Musical Memories for older people shielding at home; a project based around the value of playlists during lockdown 4 07.09.20 OVW Support for the Heritage Sector in Wales 08.09.20 MCC Press Release: recycling centre in Monmouth reopening 09.09.20 ABCHC – Executive meeting on 18.09.20 10.09.20, 14.09.20, 21.09.20, 23.09.20, 30.09.20, 02.10.20, WLGA Coronavirus email updates 11.09.20 OVW Community & Town Councils loss of income funding; deadline for claim forms 18th Sept, 5pm 11.09.20 Beyond Recycling (Welsh Gov): Circular economy strategy - Summary of outcome 12.09.20 St Arvans Memorial Hall – 11th September Welsh Gov coronavirus announcement briefing 14.09.20 MCC Press Release: Residents views sought on future garden waste collections 14.09.20 MCC Strong Communities Select Committee – special meeting 28th Sept, 2pm to conduct pre-decision scrutiny of waste matters ahead of decision on 07.10.2020 14.09.20 Welsh Gov: Natural Resources bulletin – Issue 55, September 2020 15.09.20 St Arvans Memorial Hall Committee: Film Programme event cancelled due to Coronavirus regulations (1st October 2020); please await announcement on November film and future events 15.09.20 Dyfed-Powys Police (via OVW) – Parking scam emails 17.09.20 Welsh Gov - GWLAD Newsletter (Top story: Basic Payment Scheme [BPS] 2020 support scheme now open for applications) 17.09.20 Wales Rural Network News Round-up 2020 - Issue 09, September 2020 18.09.20 MCC Future Provision of Household Waste Recycling Centres and Garden Waste Service notification of Special Meeting of the Strong Communities Select Committee, 28th September, 2pm 21.09.20 Wye Valley AONB: virtual Wye Valley River Festival 23.09.20 email from resident re priority supermarket delivery slots, response awaited 25.09.20 Welsh Gov: Ministers written statement Phase 2 of the Diversity in Democracy programme 25.09.20 Dog Fouling Action Group – Do Fouling Action Day 1st October, Abergavenny POSTPONED due to Coronavirus regulations 28.09.20 Welsh Gov update: Remembrance November 2020 29.09.20 Fields in Trust September 2020 e-bulletin 01.10.20 Welsh Gov - GWLAD Newsletter (Top story: Simplification of Basic Payment Scheme [BPS]and Rural Development (RD) Schemes for 2021) 05.10.20 ABCHC – Full virtual meeting (via MS-Teams) on 14.10.20, 5:30pm 06.10.20 Ageing Well in Wales: Older People's Commissioner for Wales Newsletter - September 2020 06.10.20 request for historical St Arvans photo(s) from member of the public – Cllr Sunderland to action 06.10.20 ABCHC: Annual Plan 2021-2022 – views sought 07.10.20 OVW - Helping Councils Provide Better Access for the Deaf Community

2010.14 DATE OF NEXT ORDINARY MEETINGS & ANNUAL MEETING via StarLeaf Ordinary Meeting 10th Nov, 7pm Annual Meeting, followed by Ordinary Meeting, 8th Dec, 7pm

The Chair thanked Cllr Farley for hosting StarLeaf so ably, and closed the meeting at 9.05pm.

5