Winter 2016/17  Working for Raglan and wards How to contact us PennyJones@.gov.uk 01291 673674 [email protected] 07787 522809

intouch UPDATE ON BROADBAND EVENTS RAGLAN SCHOOL UP AND RUNNING PETITION UPDATE Two community events held as we Pupils and staff are enjoying the new 21st Century Two petitions are underway continue to press the case for SuperFast School which was delivered by MCC, providing a relating to the A40 trunk road in broadband in our rural communities learning environment for future generations both Raglan and Llanover wards.

RAGLAN AND LLANOVER ‘SUPERFAST’ BROADBAND? NEWSLETTER ■ Adequate broadband ■ Sara and Penny are your local County Councillors for the Llanover and continues to be a concern for Raglan wards on Monmouthshire County Council. We work closely with rural residents the Community Councils in your area—Llanover, Llanarth Fawr and We have been working closely with Raglan — to identify local issues of concern. BT and the Welsh Government to understand when our communities Representing large rural wards we will be able to access SuperFast feel that it is helpful to send out a broadband. Sara has held two newsletter to residents in addition community events this winter in to our ward surgeries which are Llanover and Llanvapley where we held monthly. The aim of our newsletter is to provide a received presentations from BT on snapshot of some of the activity the rollout plans and residents had we have been involved in over the the opportunity to raise their own previous few months and what’s concerns. coming up on the horizon.

We are always keen to hear from Under the current programme the you about what matters most in objective of BT and the Welsh your community and how we can Government was to see 96% of address this through local Wales receive access to SuperFast government services and action. Please do let us know how we can Sara and Penny with David Davies MP at Usk speeds. We are concerned that support you or address any issues Show Monmouthshire is no where near you have,. this figure and our communities are losing out, creating a digital divide.

LOCAL ROUND-UP We continue to press for better provision and for our own With the Llanvapley Solar Park now operational Sara is working closely communities to be included in the 1 with Llanarth Fawr Community Council and local residents to ensure that current rollout plan which ends this we see a return on the community benefit that has been promised as part summer. We ask that any residents of the scheme, which would help support local projects. who would like to learn more about The new car park in Raglan has proved very successful for both school bus when they may be able to access 2 provisions and parents alike as it provides a safe environment for school SuperFast broadand, or would like drop off and pick up. Penny has worked with officers to ensure more sign- to hold a community event, to get in age will be placed around Raglan to encourage greater use of the car park touch. There has been continued concerns around the enforcement of speeding 3 issues throughout the local area. Sara has worked with officers and mem- bers to set up a Road Safety Task and Finish Group which will examine the county wide policies in relation to speeding and enforcement. intouch If you have a problem or concern call us on 01633 644644 RAGLAN SCHOOL— A SUCCESS STORY Action on flooding Following the opening of the Sara has been working with residents new Raglan CIW VC Primary in Llanfair Kilgeddin to identify how we School in autumn 2015, as can resolve issues within the local part of Monmouthshire area. County Council’s 21st Century School programme, pupils We have had agreement from the Dio- and staff are enjoying the cese to use the school as a storage for new learning environment sandbags for the community in the and the facilities provided. event of flooding. The Governors and pupils Longer term we have been successful welcomed Adelaide Dunn as in our funding bid to Welsh Govern- the temporary head teacher ment to conduct a local Project Ap- in situ until September. praisal Report to hopefully identify a Official opening of Raglan School with the Bishop of and Leader of the long term solution to the ongoing Council Peter Fox alongside Penny, staff and pupils flooding issues. REPORTING BACK... ACTION AROUND ■ In January Sara and Penny THE AREA supported the RABI fundraiser at the Monmouthshire Livestock Market

Joining other Councillors after a full day of meetings we enjoyed a light hearted quiz evening raising funds for RABI, supporting agricultural families in hardship throughout the county. This is a charity close to our hearts and, as always, the food at the Livestock Market was a winner (even if we weren’t quite so ■ A40 Noise Petition—Road ■ MUGA—Multi Use Games Area Resurfacing successful in the quiz!) After much negotiation, Raglan Communi- Sara continues to campaign for the ty Council are taking possession of the resurfacing of the A40. A petition ■ Raglan Teas MUGA as an asset transfer from MCC, and was presented to the National an Area grant has been awarded to make Assembly for Wales in the summer Raglan Teas was started in 2014 by the some improvements to increase its overall and we continue to press the Welsh Raglan Project Team and volunteers, and use by Raglan residents. Government to honour the supports people with dementia and associated health issues who feel commitment in the Noise Action Plan which stated that the road isolated in the community. It is a monthly ■ Highways Issues would be a priority. The noise social event held in the Raglan Old A Consultation/Exhibition Day is being held by MCC through Raglan Community impact from this road is of particular School on the first Wednesday of every Council to enable all residents to have a concern to residents living in the month at 2pm. Everyone is very say in any highways issues that concern Bryn and Bryngwyn . welcome! them. The comments will then be collat- ed, alongside the feedback of the recent ■ A40 Raglan Trunk Road Petition survey, and this will be presented at a pub- Resident Sarah Griffiths has lic meeting. The date is to be confirmed organised a petition requesting the but will be widely publicized. Welsh Government to provide signage regarding the pedestrian ■ Ward Surgeries crossings and to implement a speed All are welcome to our ward surgeries, no restriction from the A449 to the appointment is needed: Raglan roundabout. The petition is  Raglan Old School, 6th March available in the Raglan Post Office  Llanvapley Pavilion, 27th March or online—letters of support have  Both 4.30-6pm been sent to Welsh Government by David Davies MP, Nick Ramsay AM, Penny and RCC. CARING AND CAMPAIGNING FOR OUR COMMUNITY