Bedwas, Trethomas & Machen Community Council
Minutes of the meeting of FULL COUNCIL held at the Council Offices, Bedwas on Tuesday 3 November 2009
Present: Chairman: P Matthews
Councillors: L Aldworth, R T Davies , D Barry, D J Davies, J R Davies, E J Gale, B James, R Otter, W D Thomas
Also Present: Sally Chick (Clerk)
Apologies: D Havard, G Hollywell
91. The minutes of the previous Meeting to be approved as a correct record with the amendments as below: This was proposed by Cllr D Barry and seconded by Cllr D J Davies.
Minute No 74 to read – Cllr Otter proposed a motion with regard to Petty Cash which was seconded by Cllr J R Davies. Cllr Hollywell proposed an amendment that the matter be referred to the Scrutiny Committee which was seconded by Cllr Havard. The amendment was put to the vote and carried with a majority of 8 votes in favour.
It was omitted from the minutes that Council had decided against adopting the BT red kiosk.
It was omitted that Cllr James pointed out that the Police Pledge given to Council by the local Police Force was not the full version.
It was omitted that the Clerk had been asked whether the overall budget exceeds £100,000.
7.07 Cllr Otter arrived – apologised for lateness.
7.15 Cllr R T Davies arrived – apologies given.
As there was some confusion over the correct wording of Minute No 74 Cllr James kindly offered to write it out for me in order that there could be no confusion as to the Minute. (See above).
92. The Audit information is now ready to send to the External Auditors having been checked by the Internal Auditor. Cllr James requested a Special Meeting to look at this. Cllr James informed Council that he has been in touch with the External Auditors and that they had not received anything from this Council for 2 years – the Clerk pointed out that this is incorrect as there is documentation in the Office from the Auditors where they signed off the Accounts for 2006 – 2007 in April 2009. Cllr Aldworth proposed that the document for Auditors be signed immediately and stated that she no longer wishes to be a member of the Scrutiny Committee. This proposal was moved by Cllr R T Davies and Seconded by Cllr Aldworth following a vote with 5 for the proposal, 1 against and 3 abstaining.
Following the resignation from the Scrutiny Committee by Cllr Aldworth, Cllr J R Davies was put forward as a replacement but refused the position. D J Davies was then proposed and he accepted the position.
93. The Scrutiny Committee stated that their report was an interim report as their investigations were ongoing. They had had a second meeting without an Agenda however, they said that the meeting was ongoing and therefore did not require a new agenda. Cllr R T Davies asked that Council have a written report to consider. Cllr Barry said it could only be an interim report as they did not have all the answers to the questions they had asked the Clerk. Clerk went through the questions and answers which had already been provided. Cllr R T Davies proposed that a written report be given. Cllr Gale seconded this.
Cllr Barry proposed another meeting with the Clerk. This was seconded by Cllr R T Davies, who also stated that the Council has every confidence in the Clerk. Cllr D J Davies seconded this.
CHAIRMAN DATE
Bedwas, Trethomas & Machen Community Council
Minutes of the meeting of the LAND & BUILDINGS COMMITTEE held at the Council Offices, Bedwas on Tuesday 3 November 2009
Present: Chairman: D Barry
Councillors: L Aldworth, J R Davies, E J Gale, D Havard, G Hollywell, B James, P Matthews, R Otter, W D Thomas
Also Present: Sally Chick (Clerk)
Apologies: D Havard, G Hollywell
94. The minutes of the previous Meeting to be approved as a correct record.
95. Chairman’s Report The Chairman reported that the repair work to the gates at the Workmen’s Hall had now been completed. Permission was requested to obtain an electric switch to operate the roller shutter doors from inside.
Councillors discussed whether this posed a safety issue. Council requested that Cllr Barry obtain quotes for the installation of this switch.
96. Clerk’s Report Quotes had been received from Cofely and Lorne Stewart for work required to heating system in the Council Offices. Clerk has contacted C.C.B.C. asking for a copy of the report which led to these figures being quoted. Cllr Barry proposed that any decision be deferred until the report comes through. Cllr R T Davies seconded this.
97. The Condition Survey has now been received and all Councillors have a copy of it for information. Cllr Barry proposed that the most important jobs be put out to tender. Cllr Matthews seconded.
98. Cllr Barry reported that there is a problem with the heating system in the Education Centre at the Workmen’s Hall. The lease agreement would seem to state that any maintenance is the responsibility of C.C.B.C, Clerk to check with County on this.
99. Cllr Thomas proposed that a notice board be purchased for outside the Council Offices. Cllr Otter seconded this.
8.20 Cllr R T Davies left the meeting
8.30 Cllr D Barry left the meeting.
CHAIRMAN DATE
Bedwas, Trethomas & Machen Community Council
Minutes of the meeting of the FINANCE COMMITTEE held at the Council Offices, Bedwas on Tuesday 6 October 2009
Present: Chairman: J Gale in the Chair
Councillors: E Aldworth, D J Davies, J R Davies, B James, P Matthews, R Otter, W D Thomas
Also Present: Sally Chick (Clerk)
Apologies: D Havard, G Hollywell
Declarations of Interest: P Matthews
100. The Full Council Meeting approved the minutes of the previous meeting.
Clerk pointed out the there were some cheque numbers omitted from original report and issued an amendment to Councillors .
8.35 Cllr Thomas left the meeting.
101. Councillors approved the expenditure payments
102. Councillors noted the Ward Project Report
103. Applications for financial Assistance
RESOLVED that the following grants be awarded:
Urdd Gobaith Cymru – unable to make a donation Young at Heart, Grove II - £100 (Trethomas Ward) Undercurrents – Unable to make a donation Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales – More information required Taur Goleuni – Unable to make a donation Bedwas Ladies Evening Club - £75 (£25 from each Ward) Seren Formation Team - £50 (Bedwas Ward)
104. Acknowledgements of Financial Assistance were noted.
105. Clerk confirmed that poppy wreaths had been ordered and were already in the office for Councillors to collect at their convenience.
CHAIRMAN DATE Bedwas, Trethomas & Machen Community Council
Minutes of the Meeting of the PLANNING COMMITTEE held at the Council Offices, Bedwas on Tuesday 3 November 2009
Present: Chairman: P Matthews in the Chair
Councillors: L Aldworth, D J Davies, J R Davies, E J Gale, B James, R Otter,
Also Present: Sally Chick (Clerk)
Apologies: D Havard, G Hollywell
106. Declarations of interest were given by Councillor J R Davies in respect of the appeal received by Chapel Schoolroom, Ebenezer chapel, Wyndham Street.
107 . Applications for Planning were decided as follows:
Case Ref. 09/0759/COU Location: Bridgend Inn The Square Bedwas Caerphilly CF83 8DY Proposal: Convert the existing coachouse to bed and breakfast accommodation, allied to the existing use at the Bridgend Inn Applicant: Mr N Willetts The Bridgend Inn The Square Bedwas Caerphilly CF83 8DY Agent: Mr D I Jones 8 Birchgrove New Tredegar NP24 6AH RESOLVED: No Objection Case Ref. 09/0809/FULL Location: 79 Grays Gardens Graig-Y-Rhacca Machen Caerphilly CF83 8TQ Proposal: Erect Store Applicant: Mr S Mahmood 37 Bedford Road Newport NP19 0BW Agent: Mr G Morris The Bungalow Rose Heyworth Road Abertillery NP13 1SB Case Officer: Mr T Pearce _01495 235197 _ [email protected] RESOLVED: More information required Case Ref. 09/0820/FULL Location: 36 Ridgeway Graig-Y-Rhacca Caerphilly CF83 8RD Proposal: Construct a single storey extension for use as kitchen and utility area on left hand side elevation Applicant: Mr T Cannon 36 Ridgeway Graig-Y-Rhacca Caerphilly CF83 8RD Case Officer: Mr T Pearce _01495 235197 _ [email protected] RESOLVED: No Objection
CHAIRMAN DATE Bedwas, Trethomas & Machen Community Council
Mrs Jan Walsh gave a presentation to Councillors about C.A.L.O.N. (Community Action & Learning Opportunities Network), a new Community Action Group in the Area. The aims of the group are to prepare to face the challenges associated with fossil fuel depletion and climate change and to use an approach which involves combining the furtherance of social cohesion and education. A handout is available in the Office for anyone requiring more information on this group.
Minutes of the Meeting of the POLICE & ROAD SAFETY COMMITTEE held at the Council Offices, Bedwas on 17 November 2009
Present: Vice Chairman: D J Davies
Councillors: J R Davies, E J Gale, D Havard, G Hollywell, B James
Also Present: Gareth Jones PS600 Sally Chick (Clerk)
Apologies: P Matthews, L Aldworth, B Thomas
108. The Police Sergeant gave a written report to Councillors giving an update on events, issues in the area, what is being done to tackle problems and plans for the future.
This included the off road bike project whereby anyone handing in an off road bike to be destroyed would be given a voucher to exchange in Halfords for a new mountain bike package. Funding has been applied for and turned down by one source but awaiting feedback from other potential sources.
A sum of £500 has been received to assist with funding the Friday Night Project. This is well attended by local youths and has been very successful.
The PACT process updates are: Machen – vehicle crime – Operation Vintage. Graig Y Rhacca – off road bikes & Anti Social Behaviour – High visibility during peak periods. Off road bike scheme still awaiting launch. Bedwas – anti social behaviour – Total of 4 ASB calls this month. Trethomas – speeding on Llanfabon Drive – No complaints.
Cllr Hollywell thanked the Sergeant for his detailed report to Council.
109. The Committee noted that the previous Full Council meeting approved the minutes of the Police & Road Safety Committee.
110. There were no matters raised by the Chairman.
111. The Clerk had no matters to report.
CHAIRMAN DATE
Bedwas, Trethomas & Machen Community Council
Minutes of Meeting of ENVIRONMENT & LEISURE COMMITTEE held at the Council Offices, Bedwas on Tuesday 17 November 2009
Present: Vice Chairman: E J Gale
Councillors: D J Davies, J R Davies, D Havard, G Hollywell, B James
Also Present: S Chick (Clerk)
Apologies: P Matthews, L Aldworth, B Thomas
112 The Full Council Meeting approved the minutes of the previous meeting of the Environment & Leisure Committee.
113 The Chairman reported to Councillors that the River Walk in Machen had still not been cleared.
114. The Clerk referred Councillors to the correspondence Tyn Y Waun Road - the problem with school buses parking and turning in the road is being looked into by C.C.B.C and we will be informed on outcome of investigations.
Overgrown brambles at White Hart Drive, Machen have not been cleared yet but should be in the next 2 weeks.
The 5 man cleansing team have given an update on areas cleared.
An email has been received regarding Autumn/Winter Weed Control asking Councillors to highlight any areas requiring attention. Areas identified were:-
The lanes/ footpaths around Bedwas Park Estate, Bedwas Jerry’s Lane, Bedwas 31 – 39 Pandy Road, rear of properties and opposite properties River Walk, Machen White Hart Drive, Machen
115. Cllr Hollywell raised the issue of the Waste Transfer Station. The judicial review that we had requested has been turned down by C.C.B.C. It was proposed that we contact Jeff Cuthbert for advice on the next step. Cllr Havard seconded this proposal. Cllr J R Davies suggested that a public meeting be organised so that the public can be made aware of the situation. Cllr Havard offered to write a letter to the press.
RESOLVED: Clerk to reply to letter from C.C.B.C. stating that this Council consider this to be the unnecessary expenditure of public monies when Ty Duffryn is available as a more economic option.
CHAIRMAN DATE