CHEPSTOW TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting ofChepstow Town Council

held in The Gatehouse, High Street, Chepstow

on Wednesday 27th March 2013 at 7.00pm

Present:

Chairman:Cllr P Rutter (Town Mayor)

Councillors:Ms H Beach, D Dovey, Mrs S Dovey, P Farley,

Mrs Y Havard, N Heywood,Mrs J Robins, D Rooke,

G Rowe, B Smith

Apologies: Cllr R Garner

In Attendance:Mrs L Allen (Administrative Officer)

170 / DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None
171. / MAYORAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Town Mayor reported attendance at the following event:-
Saturday 2nd March 2013 – WyedeanSchool speed limit petition / protest
The Town Mayor invited all Chepstow Town Councillors and staff to attend a small reception at The Gatehouse following the next meeting of Council on Wednesday, 24th April 2013 as a thank you for the support for his time as Mayor.
172. / MINUTES
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held of 27th February 2013 were confirmed as correct and signed as a true record.
173. / MATTERS ARISING
Item 155. Matters Arising, Item 136 – Dog Waste Disposal Notices. The meeting was advised that a Monmouthshire County Councillor had obtained metal “Dog Waste Disposal” signs which had been installed in the St Christopher’s area.
Item 159. Chepstow Air Quality Management Area. Members were advised that Monmouthshire County Council had undertaken to provide a full report of the Air Quality Management meeting held on Thursday 21st March 2013.
Item 161. Vacant Shops – Chepstow. Members were advised that the Town Mayor had written to the local resident regarding vacant shop premises within Chepstow.
174. / COMMITTEES
(a) / Planning and Administration Committee
The minutes of the Planning and Administration Committee meetings held on 27th February 2013 and 13th March 2013.
RESOLVED:
To receive the minutes of the Planning and Administration Committee meetings held on 27th February 2013 and 13th March 2013.
(b) / Personnel Committee
Thedraft minutes of the Personnel Committee held on 13thMarch 2013.
RESOLVED:
To receive the draft minutes of the Personnel Committee held on 13thMarch 2013.
175. / TRAINING
(a) / Society of Local Council Clerks Wales Training Seminar
The meeting considered the attendance of the Clerk and Administrative Staff at the Society of Local Council Clerks Wales Training Seminar to take place in Swansea on Wednesday 17th April, at a cost of £167.
RESOLVED:
To authorise the Clerk’s and Administrative Staff’s attendance at the Society of Local Council Clerks Wales Training Seminar in Swansea on Wednesday 17th April 2013 at a cost of £167. (Local Government Act 1972s111)
(b) / Action for Market Towns - “Town Partnerships Workshop” 16th May 2013
Members noted that the Town Council will host the Action for Market Towns Workshop at the Drill Hall, Chepstow on 16th May 2013.
176. / BULWARK Senior Citizens
Members were advised that the 30th anniversary celebrations had been cancelled for Tuesday 23rd April 2013 with a view to rearranging in the near future.
177. / WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
The meeting noted correspondence dated 11th March 2013 received from Monmouthshire County Council which proposes the development of a joint community/town council communal web platform. Members considered a response to the questions raised and in the correspondence and representation at the meeting to be held in central Monmouthshire on 25th April 2013.
RESOLVED
The Town Clerk to attend the meeting with Monmouthshire County Council on 25th April 2013 to consider proposals of the development of a joint community/town council communal web platform.
178. / REMEMBRANCE DAY
Members considered proposals for Remembrance Day on Sunday 10th November 2013 and, if appropriate, to agree funding of approximately £350 to cover estimated broadcasting costs.
RESOLVED
Members agreed to an Act of Remembrance at St Mary’s Church at 11.00am on Sunday 10th November 2013 and to relay and broadcast parts of the service at the Town’s War Memorial at 11:00am subject to detailed planning of the service. Members agreed the funding of approximately £350 to cover the estimated costs. (Local Government Act 1972 s137)
179. / PROPOSED SALE OF LAND AT THORNWELL SCHOOL
To defer consideration of local concern in respect of the proposed sale of land at Thornwell School until the next meeting of Full Council on 24th April 2013.
180. / SEVERNBRIDGES AND POLLUTION ON HARDWICK HILL
Members considered the local residents concerns regarding the SevernBridges and Air Pollution on Hardwick Hill.
RESOLVED
The Clerk, in consultation with the Town Mayor, as the representative of the Air Quality Management Steering Group, to respond to the resident’s concern regarding the Severn Bridges and Air Pollution on Hardwick Hill.
181. / PETITION FOR THE REDUCTION OF SPEED LIMIT ON A48 BRIDGE
Members noted that arrangements had been made for the presentation of the petition for the reduction of the speed limit on the A48 Bridge at 1.00pm on Wednesday, 24th April 2013 on the steps of the Senedd, and considered funding the hire of a mini bus to accommodate up to 16 people at a cost of £140. Members were advised that approximately 8-10 students would be attending the presentation from WyedeanSchool and that there would be spaces available for those Councillors who wished to attend.
RESOLVED
To fund the hire of a mini bus at a cost of £140 to accommodate up to 16 people to make presentation of the petition for the reduction of the speed limit on the A48 Bridge at 1.00pm on Wednesday, 24th April 2013 on the steps of the Senedd. Members resolved to contact the Clerk if they wish to attend. (Local Government Act 1972 s137)
182. / FINANCE
(a) / Bank Reconciliation
The reconciliation of the Council’s Bank Accounts at 28th February 2013 was confirmed.
(b) / Accounts
Adoption was agreed for the monthly accounts for February 2013.
Total Payments £22969.96
Total Receipts £ 1629.00
(c) / Tidy Towns Led Funding Applications 2013-2014
Members noted the availability of Tidy Towns Led Funding for which the application deadline was 19th April 2013 and requested that the information be forwarded to local community groups in Chepstow.
(d) / Community Grant Application
The meeting considered the Community Grant Funding request for £500 received in respect of Boarder Boars, a newly formed Welsh Rugby League group.
RESOLVED
To agree the Community Grant Funding request for £500 received in respect of Boarder Boars, a newly formed Welsh Rugby League group. (Local Government (Misc Prov) Act s 19)
(e) / Bulwark Playscheme Admission Charges
Members considered the proposed admission charge for the 2013 Bulwark Summer Playscheme.
RESOLVED
To agree that the Playscheme charges would remain, as levied in 2012, at £3.00 per child, £2.50 per sibling and PTL3 free school meals no charge. (Local Government (Misc Provisions) Act 1976.s19)
(f) / One Voice Wales Membership
Members considered renewal of the Town Council’s membership of One Voice Wales at an annual cost of £1,404.
RESOLVED
To renew the Town Council’s membership of One Voice Wales at a cost of £1,404 for the forthcoming year. (Local Government Act 1972 s143)
(g) / Action for Market Towns
Members considered renewal of the Town Council’s membership of Action for Market Towns at an annual cost of £185.00
RESOLVED
To renew the Town Council’s membership of Action for Market Towns at a cost of £185 for the forthcoming year. (Local Government Act 1972 s143)
(h) / Local Councils Update
Members considered renewal of the Town Council’s subscription to Local Councils Update at an annual cost of £75.00.
RESOLVED
To renewal the Town Council’s subscription to Local Councils Update at an annual cost of £75.00 (Local Government Act 1972 s143)
183. / REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
(a) / One Voice Wales
Members noted the minutes of the Larger Local Councils Committee held on 23rd January 2013.
184. / MATTERS FOR INFORMATION
Members noted the following items reported for information:-
(a) / Lower Wye Area Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 30th January 2013.
(b) / Chepstow Marketing Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 12th February 2013.
(c) / Chepstow Agricultural Show – Saturday 10th August 2013
Chepstow Agricultural Show would take place at Chepstow Racecourse on Saturday 10th August 2013 and the Town Council’s pitch reservation and payment had been carried forward from the previous year.
(d) / Sale of OldBoardSchool
The meeting noted that Monmouthshire County Council had again marketed the OldBoardSchool and that on this occasion the restrictive covenant relating to community use appeared to have been omitted. Members expressed concern at the removal of the covenant relating to community use, noting that the County Council had previously defined this area of Chepstow as being an arts/cultural sector. The removal of the community use covenant was likely to result in the loss of this important venue for arts/culture.
RESOLVED:
The Clerk, in consultation with the Town Mayor, to write to Monmouthshire County Council expressing concern at the removal at the covenant relating to community use and the potential loss of an important venue to support arts/culture in this designated cultural area.
(e) / Dig It Monmouthshire
Members noted correspondence outlining that “Dig It Monmouthshire” would take place on Saturday 16th April at the Bridges Centre, Monmouth from 9.30am to 3.00pm.
(f) / Drill Hall Essential Roofing Repairs
Members noted the update from the Town Mayor following the meeting with Monmouthshire County Councils Estates Officer on Wednesday 20th March which sought to progress the essential repairs to the Drill Hall roof.
185. / CORRESPONDENCE
Members received and considered correspondence set out in theschedule circulated with the agenda.
186. / MATTERS RELATING TO THE PUBLIC AND URGENT INFORMATION EXCHANGE.
Members were advised that a waste collection campaign group had been formed following the proposed household waste collection changes from Monmouthshire County Council.
The meeting was advised that a local resident had reported that there were no Gay/Lesbian groups within Chepstow.
The meeting was advised that the Drill Hall would be showing live broadcasts from the National Theatre and The Royal Opera House,Covent Garden.
A Member suggested that the planters which have been placed around the Town be fixed to the ground to stop them from being turned over.
The Town Mayor requested that a welcome letter be sent to Howard Overman Productions Ltd whose filming at Newhouse Farm would create an additional 140 new jobs.
187. / ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Date of Annual Meeting
Nominations for Town Mayor
Review of Council Committee Structure
Donation to the Agricultural Show
Metal dog waste signs in St Christopher’s Ward.
188. / DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next ordinary meeting of the Town Council will take place on Wednesday 24th April 2013 at 7.00pm in the Council Chamber, The Gatehouse, High Street, Chepstow.

CLOSE: This completed the business of the meeting at 8.20pm

Signed …………………………..Date ………………………..

CHAIRMAN

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