The Deputy Chairman, Councillor D. Parker stood in for the Chairman, Councillor C. Evans.

Transcription

1 ROGERSTONE COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF A MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD AT TYDU COMMUNITY HALL, WELFARE GROUNDS, TREGWILYM ROAD, ROGERSTONE, NEWPORT, ON WEDNESDAY THE 1 ST MARCH 2017 Members present: - Chairperson: Councillors: Councillor D. Parker C. Evans, Y. Forsey, C. Lacey, Mrs V. Dudley, S. Mlewa, A. Gunn, Mrs A. Bailey, S. Jones, Mrs P. Ambrose, T. Bond. Apologies for absence: - Councillors: N. Ireland, M. Hoidn, Mrs J. Toleman, S. Bowen The Deputy Chairman, Councillor D. Parker stood in for the Chairman, Councillor C. Evans. Members agreed to take items 10.2 & 10.1 before other matters. 1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest at this point in the meeting. 2. PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION The following questions were submitted by one resident: - Good morning, I have taken the liberty of writing to the residents panel to source potential funding for an extra warden to assist in combating dog fouling/litter in the area. I believe the costs associated with the same would be in the region of 5-6,000 per annum. I would thereafter suggest that the matter be reviewed after 12 months. A decision can then be taken as to whether to continue depending on results. Please confirm whether Rogerstone Community Council would be supportive towards this idea. The ongoing issue of dog fouling is causing immense concern amongst residents and further action to combat the same is clearly needed. A Warden adopting a zero tolerance approach would be one way of addressing the long standing problem. Clearly other initiatives have been unsuccessful so additional ideas are needed. I look forward to hearing from you. Following consideration, it was agreed that as the project has yet to be considered by the Citizens Panel, members will await the Panel s recommendation before discussing further. Members agreed to take items 10.2 & 10.1 before other matters. Councillors Lacey, Mlewa and Bond arrived during item AFON VILLAGE STEPS/ LITTER BINS Members welcomed Martin Coombes (Streetscene) to the meeting and members introduced themselves. 1

2 The following was discussed: - The background to the Afon Village steps project, the Citizens Panel s involvement and the available funding. Progress of the right of way order. The years of work put in by members to get the project to this stage. Tenders received and work specifications. Lighting and associated connection and ongoing costs will Newport City Council fund this is the Community Council pay for the installation of the lights? Low cost led lighting. Solar lighting options as an alternative (if viable). The new right of way order and planned improvements. Risk assessments and insurance liabilities. Newport City Council closing the path should they deem it dangerous (even though members of the public have been using it in the current state for over 20 years). The land owner and possible trespass issues (even though the area has been neglected for over 20 years, and used as a right of way). Perceived negativity by the City Council in supporting this community project when Rogerstone Community Council are providing funds for improvement. Drainage issues. The need for Newport City Council to take the project seriously and work with the Community Council to improve a well used and area for residents, which is used to access the train station etc. Adding the route to the Active Travel Plan. Disability use issues. Newport City Councils funding issues and the possibility of the Community Council commuting a one-off sum for ongoing maintenance of the project. The poor response time by Newport City Council to correspondence. Bins and bin survey. Cleaning the train station area. It was agreed that: - Martin Coombes, will consider the Councils proposals for the steps, including the specifications and the offer of a commuted sum. Mr Coombes will then liaise with the City Council and get back to the Community Council as soon as possible. The Chairman, Councillor C. Evans arrived during the discussion below FIRE SERVICE The Deputy Chairman, Councillor D. Parker welcomed Sean Jenkins, Station Commander for Duffryn and Usk South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, to the meeting. The Deputy Chairman reminded members that the discussion can only be in general and not about specific fires. The following was discussed:- Recent fires in the area. Response times. Local stations and the fire fighters knowledge of the Rogerstone area and the location of fire hydrants. 2

3 Attendance by fire fighters out of the immediate area. The fire coverage for the Rogerstone area. The vehicle appliances available to the Fire Service. The scope of the Fire Service. Duties on the Usk and Ebbw and flooding issues. Home safety checks and work with schools and other groups. Incidents at Friars Walk. Fire Service medical response. Joint emergency services. National terrorism and dirty bombs. Levels of Officer expertise. Key issues for the Fire Service. High level of deliberately set fires in the Newport area i.e. refuse bins, vehicles, buildings. Targeted areas such as the Tredegar Park ward. Current trends. Attendance by the Fire Service at public and private firework events. (The public are advised to attend professionally organised events). Public Services Board Newport City Council. The Deputy Chairman, Councillor D. Parker, thanked Station Commander Sean Jenkins for attending and for giving an enthusiastic and comprehensive discussion and invited him to keep members updated by and to attend a future meeting. (Correspondence thanking the Officer will be sent). 3. MINUTES The minutes of the following meeting were approved: - Full Council 1 st February 2017 with the following amendment to item 6. Clerks Report:- Councillors Mrs V. Dudley, A. Gunn and A. Bailey asked for the minutes to note that they are against unisex toilets. Leisure and Finance meeting 22 nd February MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 4.1 Accounts/Audit The Clerk read out further correspondence to and from BDO; the audit has still not been completed. 4.2 Adoption of Steps Discussed earlier. 4.3 Keep Wales Tidy Green Flag Award 4.4 Wi Fi A date for the Environment Committee will be discussed at the end of the meeting. Information regarding this is on the Clerks Report:- A meeting was held on the 8 th of February to discuss wi-fi and Rogerstone Community Council open day/s. 3

4 4.5 Bins BT will be installing Superfast Broadband on the 8 th of March This is a special offer bundle price of (saving over 25 a month), excluding installation and line rental. We have been advised that the infinity hubs have firewall protection but this will not address the Councils filtering and security needs for providing public wi-fi. There are a number of solutions that BT have to address security and filtering but it depends on the level required. The maximum 80/20 speeds are available in this area, however it would depend on the time of usage involved as to whether this would be suitable for 50+ people. For example simple web browsing and checking of s would not present a huge problem however if people are looking to stream or upload then speeds would be effected. A representative from BT has stated that he is happy to discuss options and even arrange demos if the Council requires them. Discussed earlier in the meeting this matter is still ongoing. 4.6 Jubilee Park Members discussed: - The draft letter, which will be sent to all residents of Jubilee Park; following consideration members agreed the letter should be circulated to all properties as soon as possible. The letter will go on the website following delivery. It was suggested that the letter be placed in the Council s noticeboards, however as the correspondence only affects residents of Jubilee Park it was agreed not to place a copy in the noticeboards. A noticeboard will be sited in Jubilee Park once the land has been assigned. Un-adopted land. Landscaping and other works that need to be undertaken by the Walters Group. Taking over only those areas completed to the satisfaction of the Council. The VAT element of the annual management fee, which is being investigated with HMRC. The Council would not wish to be VAT registered. Correspondence the Council s solicitors dealing with Jubilee Park. Purchasing shares in the management company for 1. Appointing the Clerk to the Council and Assistant Clerk to the Council as Directors (as requested by the solicitors). The management committee, which will be Councillors and residents of Jubilee Park. 4.7 Welfare Grounds Toilets Following lengthy discussion, it was agreed to reconsider the decision of Council made at the last meeting and discuss the outside toilet provision further before committing to anything. The Clerk advised that the work has already been commissioned, therefore cancellation or putting the project on hold will incur costs. Members agreed to discuss the outside toilet provision at 6.15pm before the main meeting of Council in April. 4.8 Over 75 s Event It was agreed to discuss this at the next meeting when Councillor S. Bowen will be in attendance. 4.9 School Competition It was agreed to discuss this at the next meeting when Councillor S. Bowen will be in attendance. 4

5 4.10 Leisure and Finance Meeting Matters Arising The following recommendations were approved by Council: - Ty Du House - Rent A 2% increase was approved. Section 137 Applications 2016/17: - HCPT Group Rogerstone Guide Association Rogerstone Welfare Cricket Club (seniors) 0 Rogerstone Welfare Cricket Club (juniors) Rogerstone A. F. C. 0 Rogerstone Bowls Club th Newport (High Cross) Beaver, Cub & Scout Group Teri B. Crafts High Cross Primary School 0 Rogerstone Routes Happy Tots Parent & Toddler Group Afon Village Rogerstone Community Flood Plan Group 0 Nineteen 0 Previously Approved Applications 2016/17 PTA New Beginnings Rogerstone Routes Members of the Leisure and Finance Committee were keen to support young people in Rogerstone and took into consideration any funding groups have received via the Citizens Panel. Facility Fees Increase 2017/18 Hall Tydu Community Hall (Off Peak: Mon Fri up until 6pm) Hall 4.50 Room 3.30 Kitchen 2.30 Hall/Kit./Room 7.75 Tydu Community Hall (Peak: Mon Fri after 6pm & all day weekends & bank holiday) Hall 8.80 Room 6.50 Kitchen 2.85 Hall/Kit./Room Adult Sports Pitches & Changing Facilities Football 8.10 Changing facilities Grass wicket Artificial wicket

6 Children s Sports Pitches (includes changing facilities if required) Football 7.25 Artificial wicket 7.25 Tennis Courts Adult Tennis Court Hire Per Hour 3.05 Child Tennis Court Hire Per Hour 1.55 Mixed Tennis Court Hire Per Hour 2.55 Racquet Hire (per hour) 1.05 Racquet Hire Deposit (Refundable when returned in original condition) 2.05 Ball Purchase (Hire not available) 1.05 Garage Spaces & Allotments Cost Per Year Garage Space (Cefn Rd) Allotment (Cefn Rd & Bethesda) (per perch) 2.30 Allotment O.A.P (per perch) 1.55 Precept - Increase Members agreed to recommend an increase of the January 2017 RPI over the past 12 months of 1.8% on the current Band D rate of (33p). 5. POLICE MATTERS The police were not in attendance and no report has been received. 6. CLERKS REPORT Members noted the contents of the Clerks Report. Living Levels Partnership/RSPB It was agreed that this organisation be invited to a future meeting when there is less on the agenda. 7. CORRESPONDENCE Further correspondence received (not on the Clerks Report) Correspondence from a resident regarding a hand rail at Court Gardens was read out by the Clerk. Councillor Y. Forsey advised that she has put in a request to the Citizens Panel for this. A precept request from the Burial Board for 2016/ was received and approved. Information from Newport City Council on the Liaison Meeting 23/3/17 was noted. A resubmission from the Scouts for funding was referred to the Citizens Panel. 6

7 Clerks and Councils Direct magazine. 8. ACCOUNTS Payments on the Clerks Report were approved plus: Julian Phillips (OCD Cleaning) February invoice Rogerstone Directory Telephone box advert PLANNING APPLICATIONS Members discussed planning applications. 10. OTHER MATTERS 10.1 Fire Service Discussed earlier Afon Village Steps/Litter Bins Discussed earlier The Chairman Councillor C. Evans declared and interest in the next item prior to leaving the meeting Food Fayre Deferred to the next meeting when the Chairman will be in attendance First Aid Training The Clerk advised that the two permanent grounds staff and the wardens will be attending a first aid training course at the hall this month. Following discussion, it was agreed to ascertain if the course booked is appropriate for the facilities and work place regualtions City Council Feedback Forum There were no matters to discuss. 11. MATTERS CONSIDERED URGENT Bank The Clerk advised that an application has been made to the TSB for a new bank account (as previously discussed). 7

8 Signatories will be required for the account and it was agreed that in addition to the Clerk and Assistant Clerk, four members will also be signatories (three signatures to authorise cheques etc.). Online banking with the TSB will be applied for once the account is open. Disabled Parking Following discussion, it was agreed that the disabled bay adjacent to the warden s hut nearest the hedge will be made a staff car parking space. The disabled bay next to it will remain and two additional disabled spaces will be made one near the hall and one near the football field. Flood Defences Councillor Y. Forsey requested that a representative of the Flood Defence Group be invited to the next meeting of Council, however due to a full agenda it was agreed to discuss this after the elections. 12. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL Environment Meeting 7pm 29 th March 2017 Full Council 5 st April pm 8