St. Fagans Community Council
Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Monday 5th October 2015
at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
Present: Councillors B. Critcher (Chairman)
J. Griffiths, J. Hughes, F. Lewis,
M. Parry, T. Pallier & C. Price.
In Attendance: County Councillor G. Thomas
Welsh Assembly M. Drakeford, AM
Clerk D. Barnard
Apologies: Councillors S. Chedzoy (retrospectively)
Police PCSO M. Jordan (retrospectively)
Cooke & Arkwright C. Hyde
The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone present.
291.10.01 – Declaration of Interests
No interests were declared.
291.10.02 – Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 7th September 2015
Members approved the Minutes and the Chairman signed them accordingly.
291.10.03 – Matters arising from the Minutes
No matters were raised.
291.10.04 – Police Reports & Neighbourhood Watch
a) General
The Clerk reported that, other than an email from Inspector Randell that he had circulated to Members, he had had no communication from either police area. Cllr. Hughes expressed his disappointment at the response from Insp. Randell which he considered had not really addressed the issues. Cllr. Lewis agreed and opined that, because St Fagans doesn’t have the problems impacting on other areas, the police don’t take the Council’s concerns seriously.
b) Off-road bike nuisance
Cllr. Pallier said that he thought it had been a bit quieter recently, but it is still going on. He had discovered one source of quad bikes in the vicinity and would supply details to the Clerk for the matter to be reported. The Chairman suggested that Mrs Pizer should be contacted to let her know what is happening.
Cllr. Parry referred to the news that PC Huw Thomas had been transferred to another part of Cardiff as an Acting Sergeant and suggested the Clerk send a message from the Council thanking him for his service to the St Fagans community over the past few years. Members agreed and the Clerk was asked to write to PC Thomas accordingly.
291.10.05 – Village Association – Alterations to the Village Hall
Cllr. Lewis reported that the works to the Hall are mostly complete, but there are plans to upgrade the hatch between the kitchen and the main hall. Two or three functions have been held in the Hall and they have worked well. Cllr. Lewis reported a problem with the ladies toilet as a result of a broken pipe that is causing a blockage. She thought that it could prove to be expensive to carry out the necessary repairs and questioned whether the Council would consider helping to meet the costs. Some discussion ensued as to exactly where the problem lies and how best to deal with it. The Chairman said that he was planning to apply for a grant via Carolyn Veal-Shaw.
Cllr. Hughes proposed that arrangements be made to get it properly investigated, establish exactly what the problem is, obtain a quotation to get it resolved and for the Council to meet the cost. The proposal was seconded by Cllr. Pallier and agreed.
The Chairman reported that arrangements for the formal reopening are still to be finalised.
291.10.06 – Planning
a) Cardiff LDP
Cllr. Lewis reported that the two days of additional Hearing Sessions had been held. Transport was the longest session and was the best attended. Cllr. Lewis expressed the view that the Inspector was not happy as there are obvious flaws with the transport infrastructure, and it will be interesting to see what she will say, though she still expects that the LDP will go through. Cllr. Lewis advised that there is to be another period of consultation regarding a Green Belt or Green Wedges, and possibly other things. It is likely to start very soon and will last for 6 weeks. The Inspector’s report on the LDP won’t be out until after the consultation ends.
Mark Drakeford said that some ground had been gained during the Hearings with some important concessions on the transport front. The Plan will have to be reviewed if Cardiff Council doesn’t succeed in getting the modal shift required in two successive years. He said it is the closest we have got to requiring phasing. If development goes ahead before the infrastructure is in place and targets are not reached, the development will have to pause. With regard to the further consultation he explained that green wedges only last for the length of the plan, whereas a green belt lasts for around 50 years.
Cllr. Pallier said that he thought the Inspector looked very worried during the Transport session as the Cardiff Council officers were not answering her questions. He expressed the view that the Inspector seemed to be under pressure to get the LDP through.
County Cllr. Thomas agreed that the LDP seems to be fundamentally flawed on transport. To achieve the 50/50 balance on travel some form of Rapid Transport will be needed, but that is not something that Cardiff Council can deliver. Cllr. Lewis agreed and said that all the focus is on the on-site infrastructure, whereas it is the off-site infrastructure that will be crucial.
b) Redrow / Plasdwr proposals
The Clerk advised that this application was still pending. Cllr. Lewis referred to the application for 630 houses on either side of Llantrisant Road, for which further information has recently been received. The North West Group was planning to respond to the new information and she suggested that St Fagans should do likewise. She agreed to forward a number of points to the Clerk as the basis of a response.
c) Museum Development Plans
Cllrs. Griffiths, Hughes, Lewis and Price agreed to attend a meeting at the Museum on 13th October.
d) Planning Application at Clos-Y-Cwarra
Cllr. Hughes reported that Simon Gilbert had phoned him to advise that the matter is still with the legal people in relation to the S106 agreement.
e) Other Planning Applications
County Cllr. Thomas referred to the development off Michaelston Road. A marketing suite has recently been erected off Cwrt-Y-Cadno and he queried whether planning permission was required. A discussion about the development ensued in which issues raised included the access arrangements, the traffic lights sequence and the use of Michaelston Road by construction traffic. The Clerk was asked to raise these concerns with Cardiff Council.
The Clerk gave details of the following planning applications:
New:
15/01806/DCH – 4, Caer Ceffyl, Parc Rhydlafar: Loft extension with modified hip to gable ends. No comments.
15/02259/DCH – The Cottage, Crofft-y-Genau Road: Removal of section of stonework on either side of site entrance and rebuilt curved to improve vision and safety. No comments.
15/02374/02389/02393/02394/02395/MJR – Land off Michaelston Road: Discharge of Conditions 7, 20, 15, 10 & 12. No comments.
Decided:
15/01906/DCH – The Cottage, Crofft-Y-Genau Road: Partial discharge of Conditions 1 & 2.
15/01288/MJR – Land off Michaelston Road: Reserved matters re access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale. Permission granted.
15/01271/MJR – Land off Michaelston Road: Variation of Condition 1. Permission granted.
Other Planning issues:
Broadband box: The Clerk reported that Harlequin had informed him that they don’t know when it will be installed. They have advised their client that it can go ahead; it is up to them to include it in their build schedule. The Clerk was asked to try and contact the client.
291.10.07 – Environmental Matters
a) Highways / Lighting / Traffic Concerns
Cllr. Hughes reported that the problem with the Welsh Water manhole cover had been resolved but the Highways one is still causing problems.
Cllr. Lewis referred to the parking problems in the Village on Museum event days. Greenwood Lane is a real concern as residents have difficulty accessing their properties and the emergency services, if needed, would find it impossible to get through. County Cllr. Thomas had circulated an email from Claire Moggridge (Cardiff Council) advising that additional cones will be positioned on this road for future events. Claire also confirmed that only the police have the power to remove a physical obstruction.
b) Street Cleansing / Litter
Cllr. Lewis reported that more rubbish had been dumped on St Bride’s Road. Cllr. Price added that some had also been dumped in Persondy Lane. In both instances it was thought to be builders’ rubble. The Clerk was asked to report it to Cardiff Council.
Cllr. Lewis commented on the continuing problems of litter around the Village.
c) Village Walkabout
Cllr. Price and Cllr. Parry agreed to arrange another walkabout.
d) Council’s land at the railway line
Cllr. Hughes reported that he had repainted the wooden fencing and the furniture and mentioned that a couple of fence posts and railings need to be replaced. He advised that the plaque is in need of professional attention and the other sign was also showing signs of wear. Members agreed that the Clerk should ask Signs Express to inspect both the plaque and the sign and give a report on what needs to be done with an estimated cost.
Cllr. Hughes also advised that the manned signal box will be closed in December 2016, from which date it will be automated.
e) Other environmental issues
Cllr. Pallier enquired about the position regarding Westfield Park. Cllr. Hughes advised that there had been no further information from that reported at the last meeting. (Minute No. 290.09.07 a) refers.)
291.10.08 – Wales National History Museum / St Fagans Castle
No new issues were raised.
291.10.09 – One Voice Wales
Cllr. Hughes reported that he had been unable to attend the OVW AGM. He was advised that it had been very well attended. Leighton Andrews AM, Minister for Public Services, had addressed the meeting and was very supportive of community councils.
Cllr. Hughes advised that at the next meeting of the Area Committee, the Head of Planning at the Vale of Glamorgan Council is giving a presentation on S106 and CIL. For the meeting in January it is hoped that the Director of Cardiff Airport will attend.
291.10.10 – Charter with Cardiff Council
Cllr. Hughes reported that he had attended the meeting of the Standards & Ethics Committee in September. The Clerk had circulated an email from the County Solicitor advising that the Charter would be considered at the meeting of that Committee on 15th December. A revised draft will be circulated to community councils very soon. Cllr. Hughes said that Richard Tebboth (Chairman of the Standards & Ethics Committee) had been pleasantly surprised when he had attended the Council meeting last month, and he was keen to get the Charter through.
291.10.11 – Correspondence and other communications
The Clerk reported on the following:
· Cardiff West Neighbourhood Partnership – Weekly updates.
· 06/09/15 – WG: Shared Purpose : Shared Future. Draft Statutory Guidance for the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. Consultation (C/d 16/11/15)
· 16/09/15 – WG: Landfill Disposals tax – summary of consultation responses.
· 24/09/15 – OVW / WG: Public Service Boards. Giving details of a Conference to be held on 26th November in the Millennium Stadium.
· 24/09/15 – Wales Audit Office: Advising that the Auditor General for Wales will become the statutory auditor of the Council, following the completion of this year’s audit by Mazars. The newly appointed auditor for St Fagans will be BDO LLP. (The Clerk had circulated an email to Members on 26/09/15 with the letter attached, for further information).
· 02/10/15 – Carolyn Veal-Shaw: A reminder that the next Cardiff West Elected Members Partnership Meeting will be held on Tuesday 20th October at 6.30pm in Whitchurch Community Centre.
No matters were raised in relation to the correspondence.
291.10.12 – Finance
a) Requests for Financial Assistance
The Clerk advised that one request had been received from the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod to support the event in July 2016. In accordance with Council policy the request was declined.
The Chairman reported that the Village Association is struggling to balance its books, but no specific request for assistance was made at this time.
b) Monthly Report / Payment Approvals
The Clerk had circulated the monthly finance report (as annexed hereto), which was approved by the Council. The Clerk advised that the following items were now due for payment:
Mazars External audit fee re 2014/15 accounts 354.00
D. Barnard Salary & expenses 1,083.85
J. Hughes Expenses August & September 175.55
T. Pallier Expenses re LDP Hearing 64.46
Members approved these payments and cheques were signed accordingly.
c) Budget monitoring – half year position
The Clerk had circulated a schedule showing the receipts and payments to 30th September compared with the approved budget and his projection for the full year. Even with the grant to the Village Association it seemed that the budget was likely to be underspent by some £2,500. The position was noted.
d) Statistics
The schedule of Members’ attendance and web site statistics was noted. The Clerk reported that Cllr. Chedzoy had now missed 6 consecutive meetings and he had tried to contact her without success. Cllr. Pallier advised that Cllr. Chedzoy was still suffering from illness. Members agreed that her continued absence on the grounds of illness be accepted. The Chairman said he would try and contact her.