Minutes of the Meeting of the Full Council Held On

Minutes of the Meeting of the Full Council held on

Monday 26 January 2015 at 7.00 p.m. in the

Council Meeting Room, Woodland Road Sports & Social Centre

Present: Cllr. C. Crick (Chair)C. Cllr. Mrs V. Crick

C. Cllr. N DaviesCllr. C Evans

Cllr. L. LewisCllr. S. Matthews

Cllr. A. RappellCllr. W. Steiner

Cllr. G. Welsh

In attendance:Melanie Mercer – Clerk of the Council

Catherine Hillier – Administrator (Temporary)

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1.To accept apologies for absence

Apologies were received from:

Cllr. Mrs S. Chaloner, C. Cllr. R. G. Clark, Cllr. S. O’Dobhain, Cllr. B. Rosser.

Absent: Cllr D Dewar

2.To disclose personal and pecuniary interests in items of business listed below

Councillor Stewart Matthews declared an interest in regards to item 11, relating to the fields at the rear of Cardigan Close.

3.Gwent Police

Policing Update by Sgt. Ian Green, Gwent Police

The Meeting received an update and report on Crime & Antisocial Behaviour from Sgt. Ian Green. The meeting noted:

• A reduction in the figures across Torfaen.
• Current recruiting to the OWL Project.
• In order to modernise and engage with the public Cwmbran Police have set up a Twitter account which is already being well followed.
• The new Police Inspector for Pontypool and Cwmbran is Inspector Dave Morgan who is supported by Sgt. Ian Green.
• The increase of police officers on the beat throughout Torfaen which it is hoped will increase public confidence. Three Neighbourhood Police Officers will cover the Cwmbran area and two will cover Pontypool and will be assisted by Sgt. Green in both areas.
• Recent reports in the S. W. Argus regarding percentage of cuts in policing were not validated by the Police. Sgt. Green will provide Cllr. Evans with figures regarding Gwent Police cuts.
• The cuts in policing have caused restructuring.

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• Members expressed concern regarding the constant change in Police Officers in Torfaen.
• Cwmbran Town Centre has become a target for purse dipping and shoplifting.

• The Night Club now open in Town Centre is very busy with implications for policing responsibility and implications. An application is pending for the Night Club to remain open until 3.00am, however the Street Pastors only cover the area until 2.00am and Sgt. Green’s recommendation is that this is late enough. Street Pastors have been a great success in the Town Centre and their numbers are increasing.
• Underage drinking and the use of legal highs is not a problem in Cwmbran but is more of a problem in Pontypool. There are a hard core of drugs misusers in Torfaen and cannabis market exists. A Police raid was recently undertaken in Llanyrafon.
• The Community Council has a small amount of money available for Police projects and Sgt. Green will discuss appropriate projects with his Neighbourhood Police colleagues and inform the Clerk of the Council in due course.
• Sgt. Green will also give consideration to any articles that could be included in the Community Council Newsletter.

The Chair thanked Sgt. Green for his attendance.

4.To confirm the Minutes and received Meeting Notes

4.1Full Council Meeting – 24 November 2014 (Minutes)

Resolved: That the Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 24 November 2014 be confirmed.

4.2Council Meeting Re. Torfaen County Borough Council potential areas for support from Community Councils – 24 November 2014 (Meeting Notes)

Resolved: Meeting Notes of this meeting were accepted.

4.3Finance and General Purposes Committee – 19 January 2015 (Minutes)

Resolved: That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held 19 January 2015 be confirmed subject to the following amendment:

• Declarations of Interest to show that Cllr. N. Davies is the Congress Theatre Member and not “Manager” as stated in the Minutes.

4.4Business Planning Group – 16 January 2015 (Meeting Notes)

Resolved: Meeting Notes of the meeting were accepted.

5.Matters arising from the Minutes of the Full Council Meeting – 24 November 2014

Item 7 – Garw Row Lighting:

The meeting noted that an additional report has been received from Western Power confirming that the wiring is adequate to the junction box but requires work to individual lamps. The cost of repairs will not be paid by Western Power of Torfaen CBC.

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Resolved: A meeting to be called to discuss alternatives with residents of Garw Row as soon as possible and a report to be considered at the next Full Council Meeting.

Item 11 – Drainage Progress on playing fields at the rear of Raglan Court / Cardigan Close, Croesyceiliog:

The meeting noted the photographs identifying the flooding and poor state of the ground.

Resolved: A tri-partite meeting to be arranged between the Community Council, Torfaen C.B.C. and the Football Club.

6.Budget / Precept Requirement 2015/16

The meeting considered the report.

Resolved: The Budget document was accepted and Members approved the 2015/16 Precept as £136,000.00.

7.Grants Evening – Wednesday 4 February 2015

The meeting noted that all invitations have been sent out and arrangements are in hand for this event being held at the Llanyrafon Social Club.

Resolved: A special award to be presented to Mrs Pat Bennett of Penperlleni who runs the Crown Bridge School Thursday Group for her services to the Community.

8.To Receive Feedback from the Woodland Community Group

The meeting received a verbal update from the Chair, Cllr C. Crick, and noted:

• The success of the first meeting of the small active group.
• A litter pick was undertaken from the Woodland Road Social Club car park along the riverbank to Chapel Lane and four bags of rubbish were collected.
• Andrew Neville of Torfaen C.B.C. has offered to provide litter picking equipment to the Community Council.
• The importance of clearing the overgrown edges to the pathway.
• Ruth Saunders of Torfaen C.B.C. has indicated that Torfaen Youth are keen to assist.

Resolved: The Clerk of the Council to arrange a further meeting of the Group to agree a Chair and Vice Chair and Terms of Reference. Consideration also to be given to the planting of trees.

9.To Receive an Update on TCALC & LCPC Meetings – December 2014

The Members received and noted the report which was approved.

Members considered an invitation to the Chair, Cllr. C. Crick, by Cwmbran Community Council to brief them on the experience of this Community Council in regard to the transfer of the Woodland Road Social Centre to the Woodland Road Community Trust from Torfaen C.B.C.

Resolved: The Clerk of the Council to get expansion on the invitation from Cwmbran Community Council before agreeing the Chair’s attendance.

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10.To Receive an Update on the Woodland Road Community Trust

The meeting received an update from the Clerk of the Council and noted:

• The Site Organiser Post is to be advertised as soon as possible.
• The WRCT Board Meeting 5 February 2015..
• The introduction of the new Booking System on 27 January 2015, which will include comprehensive financial information

Resolved: Acceptance of the update confirmed.

11.I.C.T. Report

The meeting received and considered the ICT Report by the Clerk of the Council and noted:

• Resolved: New PC, Microsoft Office and Printer. Approximate budget £800.
• Resolved: Fully integration of CLCC into TCBC network for IT and direct telephone contact as per attached report.
• Resolved: Website to be designed by Vision ICT Ltd. Cost £500 for Year 1 and thereafter £250 per year.

12.To consider Torfaen County Borough Council Planning Applications

14/P/00468 – Extension to the side and rear of 5 Edlogan Square, Croesyceiliog.

Resolved: Members resolved to recommend this application for APPROVAL.

14/P/00697 – Demolition of existing single story garage and surrounding outhouses to be replaced with proposed two storey extension and single garage to side elevation. Flat rood to the rear extension, to be replaced with a new lean-to roof with Velux – 10 Caernarvon Crescent, Llanyrafon.

Resolved: Members resolved to recommend this application for APPROVAL.

15/P/00011 – Proposed notification for demolition of former hotel complex – Commodore Hotel, Mill Lane, Llanyrafon.

Resolved: Members resolved to recommend this application for APPROVAL subject to further information regarding the Grade II listed building formerly known as The Stirrup Cup which houses the staircase from the Old Mill and confirmation of the TPO on the site.

13.Chairman’s Report

The meeting received a verbal report from the Chair, Cllr. C. Crick, with apologies that there was no written report. The meeting noted:

• Much of his time has been spent on Trust matters.
• Admin meetings with the Clerk of the Council.
• Attendance at the John Fielding Parade at Llantarnam.

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14.Members Reports

C. Cllr. Mrs V Crick reported on her attendance at the recent Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre and recommended that other Members visit the very interesting current exhibition. C. Cllr Crick further confirmed her attendance at the Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre AGM this week – report to follow.

Cllr. S. Matthews confirmed his attendance at Congress Theatre Management Committee Meetings. The meeting noted that the Congress is doing well and that the future of the theatre will be reported in due course.

15.Clerk’s Report:

The meeting received and noted the Report by the Clerk of the Council, Mrs Melanie Mercer.

Resolved: Acceptance of the report confirmed. The Clerk of the Council to contact Cllr. Irons.

The meeting closed at 9.00pm

SIGNED: ______DATED: ______

CHAIR

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