CROESYCEILIOG AND LLANYRAFON COMMUNITY COUNCIL.
CYNGOR CYMUNED CROESYCEILIOG a LLANYRAFON.
Minutes of a Meeting of the Community Council held on the 24February 2014, in the Council Meeting Room, Woodland Road Social Centre.
Present : Councillor C. Crick(Chairman)
Councillors :Mrs T. Caruana,R. G. Clark,Mrs V. Crick, N. Davies,D. Dewar, C. Evans,T. Irons, S. Matthews,A. Rappell, B. Rosser, W. Steiner,G. Welsh.
Apologies : Mrs S. Chaloner, Ms C. Coombe
In attendance R.F.Deakin, Clerk.
28(2013/2014)
1. MINUTES.
The minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 20January 2014 together with the minutes of the Finance & General Purposes Committee of the same date, and also the Business Planning Group Meetings held on 23& 29 January 2014 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
2. MATTERS ARISING.
It was recommended page numbers be added to the minutes to allow easier accessibility. After discussion it was:
RESOLVED that: The clerk numbers the pages on future minutes.
COUNCILS BUDGET & PRECEPT.
RESOLVED that: The clerk will convene a meeting to discuss the budget for 2014/2015, for Monday 10 March 2014 commencing 7pm.
3. REPORT PROJECT ADVISER.
The newly appointed Project Adviser Mr Alistair McDougallwas formally introduced to all members of the Council. Mr McDougall presented his first report relating to the
Woodland Road Joint Business Planning Group. Mr McDougall stated that the name of the new CIO had been agreed and would be called “The Woodland Road Community Trust”. A board of trustees needed to be set up for Governance purposes, it had been agreed that there should be 3 nominees from the Community Council, 3 from Woodland Road Sports Association and 3 others, one of which will be a TCBC member.Mr McDougall was asked was he optimistic about the project being successful, Mr McDougall replied he was very optimistic about the project and added
29(2013/2014)
TCBC had reacted positively because the Community Council and the Sports Association mean business. Mr McDougall stated that legal advice was needed further down the line of negotiations. Cllr. C. Evans stated that if acceptable he would ask his daughter in law would she be willing to act on the Partnerships behalf. This was agreed. The full report had been given to members for their perusal. Mr McDougall was thanked for his attendance and his report noted
4. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL APPRAISAL SUB – COMMITTEE.
The Community Council in line with the Business Plan need to annually prepare an appraisal of the Clerk to the Council. After discussion it was:
RESOLVED that: The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council together with the Chairman of the Business Planning Group form the appraisal panel.Cllr. A. Rappell would deputise if previous nominees unavailable.The panel would meet after 1 April 2014.
5. UPDATE ON PROJECTS 2013/2014.
The clerk circulated a copy of a report outlining progress made by TCBC, Countryside Officer, Andrew Neville on projects relating to the Community Woodland, mature tree planting, dog fouling signage and the tidying up of Mill Wood, Llanyrafon. After discussion it was proposed by Cllr. R. Clark and seconded by Cllr. S. Matthews that the sum of £1000 be funded out of Special Projects Budget towards the setting up of a Community Woodland in the area. This was carried unanimously. Ward Councillors R. Clark and V. Crick would also contribute £400 out of their small schemes budget towards the project.
With reference to the tidying of Mill Wood, clerk will arrange with Andrew Neville to meet with Cllr. A. Rappell for a site meeting.
It was suggested that mature trees could be planted in local schools and churches, clerk to contact.
The clerk had taken photographs of benches belonging to the Community Council and passed them to TCBC, Neighbourhood Services to quote for upgrading. It was apparent that there were also benches in the ownership of TCBC in the area, clerk to contact TCBC with regard to indexing the ownership of benches which are present within the Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon area.
A question was asked regarding this Council funding the possibility of bus shelters in the area being modified to accommodate an overhead canopy to keep out inclement weather. After discussion it was felt that this would incur a huge expense at this time but could be revisited at a later date.
6. NEWSLETTER.
The Newsletter had been circulated for members to view. Amendments had been made and approved by Council. Cllr. R. Clark would prepare final draft and send to clerk for publishing. Regarding delivery of the Newsletter, the clerk had contacted
30(2013/2014)
leaflet delivery company called dor2dor who had quoted £45 per thousand to deliver the Newsletter in the Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon areas. After discussion it was:
RESOLVEDthat:Dor2Dor are given the contract to deliver the latest edition of the Newsletter at the price quoted of £45 per thousand.
7. MEETING WITH COUNCILS INTERNAL AUDITOR, MR G. HOLMES.
The clerk had issued a report relating to Cllr’s C. Crick & A. Rappell meeting with the above. Both members were extremely happy with the meeting with Mr Holmes and stated that the Council are getting value for money.
RESOVED that: The report is accepted with Mr G. Holmes to continue as Internal Auditor to this Council, and that Mr Holmes be invited to present his report on the completion of the audit to Full Council.
8. CORRESPONDENCE.
(i)Letter received from One Voice Wales accompanying the renewal fee notification stating the benefits that Community Councils have from being a member.
RESOLVEDthat: This year’s renewal fee is paid with a review to be undertaken by the Business Planning Group regarding membership next year. Other Community Councils to be contacted for their views.
(ii) Letter received TCBC regarding this Council making a contribution to the Big Event.
RESOLVED that: This item is considered at the Councils Budget
Meeting to be held on 10 March 2014.
(iii) Correspondence regarding the Street Lighting at Garw Row,
Croesyceiliog had been received. The lighting attached to the front
elevation of the properties was installed by Cwmbran Development
Corporation when the properties were renovated. Ownership of the
lights have been a contentious issue for some time therefore the
Community Council have been investigating ownership.
David Davies MP had been asked by the residents of Garw Row to
investigate the ownership and responsibility of the lights. Mr Davies
had written to the Community Council Chairman, Cllr. Colin Crick
outlining his investigations and enquiring if the Community Council
could help in any way. It was apparent from a reply to Mr Davies from Mr
Andrew Villars at TCBC that when Garw Row was renovated back in the
1980’s the Cwmbran Development Corporation had responsibility of the
31(2013/2014
lights. Following the demise of the Corporation the Community Council
continued to pay for the energy costs of running the lights and it is
believed the Community Council transferred the ownership of the lights
to the local authority. Mr Villars added that no documentation has been
found regarding the ownership of the lights and in the absence of any legal
documentation can mean that the lights remain in public ownership.
RESOLVED that: The correspondence is noted and further
investigation needed.
9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
No Applications.
10. CHAIRMANS REPORT(ATTACHED)
11. CLERKS REPORT (ATTACHED)
12. REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES.
Torfaen Local Council Partnership Committee (LCPC) Report Attached.
Cwmbran Centre for Young People, Report Attached.
Copy of the Audited Accounts for the CCYP, year ending March 2013 is requested.
Cllr. C. Coombe had resigned as Community Councils representative on the Community Farm due to work commitments, Cllr. C. Evans was nominated as the new representative.
Cllr. G. Welsh stated there was a vacancy for a governor at Llanyrafon Primary School, after discussion it was unanimously agreed that Cllr. Alun Rappell be nominated to represent the Council as a governor at Llanyrafon Primary School.
It was also stated that a community governor would also be needed. Clerk to follow up.
1