Gwehelog Fawr Community Council s2

GWEHELOG FAWR COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Minutes for Meeting No 332 Wednesday 27th January 2016 8pm

Clerk: Olivia Beaumont, The Glade, Trostrey, Usk NP15 1JH. Tel. 01291 673515 email. [email protected]

Present: Cllr. Simon Carbury, Cllr. Maggie Godwin, Cllr. Charles Kirby and Cllr. Rob Baker (arrived at item.3)

Members of the public: 2 and County Councillor Val Smith

1. Apologies for absence Cllr. Judith Bayliss, Cllr. Kay Davies and Cllr. Chris Tooze

Declarations of interest Cllr. Rob Baker declared a personal and prejudicial interest on any matters relating to the property and residents of White House, Gwehelog, Usk NP15 1RE. Not to par take in any discussions or decisions, and if deemed appropriate to leave the room.

2. Minutes of Previous Meeting a. The minutes of meeting 331 held on Wednesday 25th November 2015 at 8pm were proposed by Cllr. Maggie Godwin and seconded by Cllr. Charles Kirby, approved by all present as a true and accurate record and duly signed by the chair. To publish on website ACTION: Clerk Done

3. Matters arising a. Electoral Register 2015/16 available from MCC for councillors individual wards on email only. Please request a copy via the clerk. b. Noticeboards – Cllr. Maggie Godwin provided an update on the new noticeboard, this has been painted and two bird boxes are also built in. Due to be finished at the end of the week and the invoice of £275 will be submitted to the clerk. c. Cllr. Simon Carbury read out correspondence received form a member of the public in relation to light Pollution coming from the buildings next to Pentwyn Farm, now owned by Mrs Saran Allott-Davey. It is understood the lights are being used to illuminate a horse arena. ACTION: Cllr. Maggie Godwin to speak to Mrs Allott- Davey to see if they can have ‘hoods’ to direct light down directly onto property and avoid the glare from the lights themselves to neighbouring properties. A member of the public present also raised the issue of light pollution at the candle workshop at Neath House, the outside floodlights appear to be on constantly from dawn until dusk and shines through the windows of the properties opposite. ACTION: Cllr. Charles Kirby to speak to owners to see if lights could be put on a movement sensor. Cllr. Simon Carbury commented on the excessive use of flood lights on a property on Wainfield Lane, activated by passing vehicles and pedestrians on the highway. County Cllr. Val Smith suggested the clerk contact MCC Environmental Health / Officer Roger Joy who deals with lighting requesting guidance for the Community Council. ACTION: Clerk Done – Light Pollution guidance brochure d. The clerk read the bulletin regarding the pot of funding for £2.79m available through the Vale of Usk Rural development programme. Suggested use Bridleways and footpaths. ACTION: Clerk to contact [email protected] to pursue. Done – Funding info evenings in March e. The clerk provided information to the council on the consultation on draft local government Wales bill, detailed proposal to reform local government. – Closing date for responses is 15th February 2016. Councillors request to recirculate ACTION: Clerk Done Signed: Date: Page 1 of 4 f. A service for grave digging has approached the council to advertise its services. Information in circulation box. Noted. g. The clerk informed the council that a representative from a Channel 5 series had been in touch as looking for people to take part in new TV series. Wanting to speak to people who intend to set up a B&B business. Information in circulation box. Noted. h. The clerk highlighted the recent correspondence received in relation to the Queens 90th Birthday celebrations. - Clean for the Queen Friday 4th – Sunday 6th March 2016 – Community Litter pick, concerns raised over health and safety of individuals and responsibility. - The Patrons Lunch – Sunday 12th June 2016 – the clerk suggested a street party themed lunch at Gwehelog Village Hall. ACTION: Clerk to contact Village Hall committee to see if they would be interested in supporting. Done emailed Brian Paul – Usk also has planned Lunch at Memorial Hall Field - Birthday Beacons – 21st April 2016 noted. – Usk Scouts pursuing

5. Police and Neighbourhood Watch Report a. OWL correspondence included in clerks report attached. b. Neighbourhood policing and Crime report – November and December received and circulated to council members.

6. County Councillor Report

County Councillor Val Smith reported on a number of local issues including:

 MCC to increase percept by 3.95%  Monmouthshire Education now out of special measures  Attended recent meeting on the Draft local government Wales bill and what this proposes.  All MCC meetings to be electronic and user friendly encouraging participation of children and young people where appropriate.  Elected members to be scrutinised on performance, surgeries – potential to recall  Elections next year on current boundaries. Community Council review to be undertaken by boundary commission. Suggested Community Councils work more closely with one another.

7. Community Meetings a. Cllr. Maggie Godwin attended the One Voice Wales Area meeting held on 21st January 2016 – presentation on Superfast broadband in the local area. Notes circulated and presentation from guest speaker also circulated. b. Cllr. Simon Carbury provided his apologies as unable to attend the next Rural Forum meeting on 28th January 2016. (other dates confirmed for 2016) c. Prison Liaison – Minutes from 2nd December 2015 received and circulated. Date of next meeting 07/03/2015 at the Whitehouse Boardroom HMP Prescoed d. Usk Chamber of Commerce – Minutes received from 14th January – circulated. Next meeting Thursday 18th February at 17.30 at The Three Salmons Hotel

8. Highway Matters

8.1. Highway Correspondence a. Request for mapping system of drains and ditches – Gill Hazard – nothing received to date – Clerk pursued on highways report b. 3/12/15 Road markings outside Long Wood Farm c. 11/12/15 Route 33-4 Gwehelog to Bettws Newydd (unsuitable for heavy vehicles sign). 27/01 County Councillor Val Smith confirmed that MCC officer, Pheadra Cleary was looking into this. On highways report and emailed Pheadra Cleary directly d. Monmouthshire Roadworks reports received e. Rural Forum meeting on 28th Jan to discuss Velathon route which will take place on 22nd May 2016 (Usk proposed resting place) Signed: Date: Page 2 of 4 f. MCC Waste and Street Services Satisfaction survey – Cllr. Maggie Godwin to complete and submit.

8.2 Highway Report a. The road leading to Trostrey Church requires immediate attention due to potholes. b. Request for a sign ‘unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles, outside Gwehelog Village Hall on the road leading to Trostrey. c. Pools of water in layby opposite Great House Farm – Drains cleared by Cllr. Charles Kirby. d. In same location as above, blocked ‘catch pit’ drain, leading to water on the road, turning to ice in bad weather. Apparently the cause of one accident recently e. Gully requires clearing outside the property ‘shop house’ in Gwehelog, on the Usk- Raglan road. f. Drains blocked at bottom of driveway of ‘Hunters Lodge, Gwehelog’ resident confirmed the pressure of the water is moving the kerb and taking the drive up. g. Water from Wood Farm fields in Gwehelog is running out across the road at the road junction at location of New House, Gwehelog. The ditch is full and the excessive water is causing the road to fall away. h. Water pipe under the road by Neath House, Trostrey is blocked i. The location of drains on the Trostrey – Llancayo road by Camp wood, seem to be in the wrong location for the water flow.

ACTION: Clerk to report above issues to MCC Highways Done, emailed Gill Hazard

9. Planning Matters a. The clerk reported that Mark Hand, Head of MCC planning gave a useful presentation to members of Llanbadoc Community Council on new planning act and CIL payments. Councillor Val Smith informed council members of an MCC Seminar on this topic 28/01 2pm at County Hall. Members of the public welcome to attend. To invite Mark Hand to a meeting with Gwehelog Fawr members. ACTION: Clerk Done, Presentation available b. New T&C Council reply form to MCC – requesting voice at planning committee. Noted

9.1 Planning Correspondence and Agendas

9.2 Planning Applications None

9.3 MCC Enforcement Cases Email received from MCC dated 5/1/16 - no new or closed cases for the ward.

10. Correspondence Please see clerks report for full list of correspondence

11. Finance

11.1 Responsible Finance Officer Report a. A copy of the most recent and up to date council accounts were distributed to council members, who reviewed the financial position of the council, including income and expenditure against the budget. b. Passbook Balance £4588.28 confirmed and signed by the chair. c. The clerk presented a report on the 2016/17 Budget. After discussion the council members unanimously voted to keep the Precept at £4500 for the 2016/17 financial year. ACTION: Clerk to notify MCC Done and receipt received d. VAT repayment from HMRC for 2014/15 - £148.89 noted

11.2 Clerks Expenses £67.22 Invoice, receipts and withdrawal slip presented – December 2015 and January 2016. Proposed by Cllr. Maggie Godwin and seconded by Cllr. Charles Kirby

Signed: Date: Page 3 of 4 11.3 Other Expenses a. MCC Invoice 70087667 - £527.79 b. OVW Annual membership - £58.00 c. Gwehelog Village Hall – April 2015-March 2016 - £252.00

Item 11.3a – 11.3b - Proposed by Cllr. Maggie Godwin and seconded by Cllr. Charles Kirby

ACTION: Clerk to pay all invoices due Done

12.0 AOB (at the discretion of the chairman)

 Some confusion on developments at White House in Gwehelog. Clerk to request that MCC confirm if all works (extension of buildings, boundary fences and new concreate impacting on drainage) are all compliant with planning consent and permission. ACTION: Clerk Done, emailed Guy Delemere  A member of the public brought to the attention of the council a landowner installing a drainage ditch across a public right of way ACTION: Clerk to contact MCC Rights of way. Done, sought advice from Shaun Pritchard  Cllr. Maggie Godwin has been asked if the tree outside the village hall is affecting the highway. ACTION: Clerk to inform Village Hall Committee of concerns

Date of next meeting – Wednesday 24th February 2016

There being no further business the meeting closed at 22.10

Yours faithfully,

Olivia Beaumont (Clerk)

Signed: Date: Page 4 of 4