ROGERSTONE COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF A MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD AT TYDU COMMUNITY HALL, WELFARE GROUNDS, TREGWILYM ROAD, ROGERSTONE, NEWPORT, ON WEDNESDAY THE 3 RD JANUARY 2017 Members present: - Chairperson: Councillors: Councillor C. Evans N. Ireland S. Bowen, Y. Forsey, C. Lacey, D. Parker, Mrs V. Dudley, M. Hoidn, S. Mlewa, Mrs J. Toleman. Apologies for absence: - Councillors: T. Bond, A. Gunn, Mrs A. Bailey. S. Jones, Mrs P. Ambrose The Chairman wished members a Happy New Year. 1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest at this point in the meeting. 2. PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION There were no questions submitted. 3. MINUTES The minutes of the following meeting were approved: - Full Council 7 th December 2016 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 4.1 Chartist Memorial Councillor S. Bowen advised members that the application for funding of the Chartist Memorial has been submitted to the Heritage Lottery fund. 4.2 Accounts/Audit The Clerk read out further correspondence to and from BDO, which members discussed. The Annual Return has still not been returned as BDO are still conducting the audit, which has taken over six months so far. 4.3 Adoption of Steps The Clerk advised that Lewis & Lewis are in the process of obtaining quotes for the work discussed. Following discussion, to progress matters it was agreed to invite the Head of Streetscene, to the next meeting of Council to discuss this ongoing issue. 1
4.4 Adoption of Telephone Boxes The Clerk advised that BT have agreed to sell the two telephone boxes previously discussed for 1 each. The land will not belong to the purchaser of the boxes and it will be necessary to put a sign on them advising the public that BT is no longer responsible for them. It was agreed that the Clerk will ascertain who owns the land before purchasing the boxes and if the purchase goes ahead the community will be consulted on the use of them, possibly via the Rogerstone Directory. 4.5 Keep Wales Tidy Green Flag Award Members discussed: - The advantages and disadvantages of having a Green Flag award for the Welfare Grounds Initial and ongoing costs for the award (currently 350 for the initial application and 350 per annum thereafter). The extensive application progress and management plan. Submission deadlines and judging. Other parks that have the award. Whether to apply this or next year. Conflicting priority with Jubilee Park and the additional work being undertaken by staff. 4.6 Wi Fi 4.7 Bins It was agreed that Councillor Y Forsey and the Head Groundsman (along with any other member wishing to participate) will look more closely at what is involved for the management plan and other paperwork and report to the next meeting so that members can decide how to proceed. The Clerk agreed to ask for the management plan used by Belle Vue Park who already have the Green Flag award and forward it to Councillor Y Forsey. Councillor C. Lacey advised that the website working group have yet to arrange a meeting to discuss the provision of wi-fi. It was agreed that the group will arrange a date to meet as soon as possible. The Clerk read out further emails regarding the progress of obtaining bins for Afon Village; the matter is ongoing. 4.8 Over 75 s Event Councillor S. Bowen advised that Newport City Homes has forwarded a cheque for 350 to pay for the hall hire etc. for the event; however, Whiteheads has not sent a bill for this yet. 4.11 Remembrance Sunday It was agreed to send a letter of thanks to Russell Newton for organising the 2016 Remembrance Sunday arrangements. Members discussed moving the British Legion flag pole. 2
The police arrived at this point and PCSO Chris Evans requested that the Community Council apply to Newport City Council for road closure signs at least 8 weeks before the 2017 event. Police Matters were discussed before finishing Matters Arising to allow the officers to return to their duties. 5. POLICE MATTERS PCSO Chris Evans read out the Police Report for December (Appendix 1) and members discussed the following: - The crime figures and detection rate. Parking issues outside Rogerstone Primary School. Ward priorities and how the public can influence this via Your Voice (now half yearly not quarterly), next opportunity is March 2017. The Your Voice Priority - priorities have been set for Rogerstone as: - Anti-Social Behaviour - Anti-social behaviour in the area of the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre and Thornbury Park. The number of officers available - Members were advised there is 1 Officer and 2 PCSOs to cover 7 wards. Are there more burglaries in December? Members were advised that there are no more burglaries in December that at any other time. Bicycle theft and crime prevention measures. Animal bones found in Rogerstone. Neighbourhood Watch schemes and how to get them set up. Councillor C. Lacey suggested that the Community Council should take the lead on this, however, members agreed that it was up to individuals to communicate with their neighbours if they wish to set up a Neighbourhood Watch. Members were advised that the Newport Neighbourhood Watch Vice Chairman and Secretary is Paul Gregory (Chairman of Graig Community Council). PCSO Mandy Dean agreed to pass on information on Neighbourhood Watch so that individuals can set up schemes if they wish. OWL is now Gwent Now. At the last meeting members discussed burglaries in Rogerstone by organised gangs stealing keys and high performance cars. It was suggested areas with a low police presence are being targeted. PCSO Chris Evans has looked in to this and has been advised there are no reports of organised crime in the area. It was agreed to invite the Police and Crime Commissioner to a meeting of the Community Council. The Chairman thanked the Officers for attending. 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES continued. 4.12 Citizens Panel Councillor S. Mlewa declared an interest in matters relating to St Anne s Church. 3
Councillor S. Bowen spoke about the work that the 28 th Newport Scouts do at St Anne s Church grounds and the poor state of the mower they are using, which has no guard and is therefore thought to be dangerous. Members discussed: - The purpose of the Scouts and the good work that they do. It was suggested that it is not usual for a Scout Group to undertake full responsibility for grounds work in Church Grounds. It was suggested that the Church should pay for grounds maintenance; members were reminded that a similar request from St John s Church was turned down. The Community Council invited the Citizens Panel to request the Scouts resubmit the application asking for a more practical mower and equipment that may be of benefit to the local community and this has not been forthcoming. Further correspondence received has not altered the equipment request. A sit on mower would have limited use, it was not thought practicable for it to be used in St John s Church Grounds, nor pensioner s gardens, its only use would be for St Anne s Church. It was suggested that the Community Council s ride on mower could be borrowed once a year if necessary, subject to insurance, risk assessment, timescales, repairs and transport being arranged by the Scouts. Following further discussion and a vote, the majority of members rejected the application from the Scouts. The Clerk advised that the Citizens Panel discussed replacing the current toilet block at the Welfare Grounds with a new multipurpose toilet block to include unisex toilets, baby changing and disabled facilities. Lewis & Lewis have been asked to provide specification and costs for consideration, which the Panel will consider. 4.13 Fire Service At the last meeting the following was agreed - The fire report be requested from the Fire Service for discussion (if available). The Fire Service and Fire Authority be invited to a subsequent meeting to pose the questions outlined by Councillor Y. Forsey, as well as raise any other concerns. This matter is ongoing. 4.14 Brown Tourist Sign Welfare Grounds The wording on the sign was agreed to be Rogerstone Welfare Grounds (also in Welsh). 4.15 Carol Service Members discussed attendance at the Carol Service and the clash with the Liaison Meeting at Newport City Council. 19.72 was approved to be paid for refreshments for the event. 4.16 Wi Fi & Community Council Open Day Meetings will be arranged by the working groups as soon as possible. 4
4.17 School Governor Governor Support has advised there will be one Community Councillor representative on the Governing Body of the new Jubilee Park School. 6. CLERKS REPORT Members noted the contents of the Clerks Report. Licencing Application LICENSING ACT 2003 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE UNDER SECTION 17 Notice is hereby given that on the 16th December 2016 Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC applied to Newport City Council for a Premises Licence in respect of Morrison s Daily Petrol Filling Station, Azalea Road, Rogerstone, Newport NP10 9SA. The proposed licensable activities are: - 1. The supply of alcohol on Mondays to Sundays between the hours of 00.00 to 24.00. 2. To permit late night refreshment on Mondays to Sundays between the hours of 23.00 and 05.00. Any representations by a responsible authority or any other person regarding this application must be received in writing by: - Licensing Services, Information Station, Old Station Building, Queensway, Newport NP20 4AX no later than the 13th January 2017 stating the grounds for representations. The register of Newport City Council and the record of the application may be inspected at the address given above between the hours of 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday. It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. The fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is unlimited. After an extensive discussion on the above, Rogerstone Community Council unanimously agreed to submit an objection to the above application. Members object to this application on the following grounds: 1. Concerns for the security of staff 2. Alcohol, being made available 24 hours a day from a petrol station does not send out the right social message. 3. Antisocial issues in a residential area - the area where this petrol station is situated, is popular with youths who meet at the adjacent Mc Donald s restaurant; there is already evidence of excessive alcohol consumption and a vendor selling alcohol 24/7 could be a magnet for anti-social behaviour. 4. There are sufficient vendors in the area selling alcohol. 5. There is no need for alcohol to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 6. The application is for a general licence, which means 'shots' single 'cans' 'miniature bottles' can be sold; studies have showed these drinks encourage irresponsible drinking. This will be put on the Council s website and the community page. Members can individually comment on this on other methods of social media. 7. CORRESPONDENCE Correspondence not on Clerks report: - 5
Jubilee Park The Clerk updated members on the Jubilee Park land transfer and members discussed the Drill Hall used by the Bowls Club, which was previously discussed at the presentation given by the Walters Group in June. The Clerk has requested that the Walters Group arrange for an asbestos survey on the building and demolition costs (should this be necessary at any point in the future), so that the Council has an idea of the price. A formal full repair and insurance lease has yet to be drawn up for the Bowls Club, which will need to be in place prior to completion. Some members advised that they did not know that the Drill Hall (which appears in a poor state) was to be taken on as part of the land transfer. Members discussed this and other liabilities, as well as the report from Lewis and Lewis regarding a high level income and expenditure estimate for Jubilee Park; and the Clerk assured members that if terms are not acceptable contracts will not be exchanged. The collection of annual fees was also discussed. 8. ACCOUNTS Payments on Clerks Report were approved plus: OCD December cleaning service 541.66 9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS Members considered the planning applications below and had no objection to the proposals. 16/1294 Jubilee Park, Rogerstone, Newport 16/1227 90 The Uplands, Rogerstone, Newport 16/1264 32 Ruskin Avenue, Rogerstone, Newport 10. OTHER MATTERS 10.1 Newport City Council Budget Consultation Following debate on the above, a vote was taken and members of Rogerstone Community Council unanimously objected to the planned budget cut by Newport City Council, which will mean the withdrawal of the X16 bus service. Public transport is a necessary community service. 10.2 City Council Feedback Forum. (Ward Members) There were no matters discussed. 6
11. MATTERS CONSIDERED URGENT Public Transport Members discussed other cuts and changes in public transport services, which impact on residents wishing to get to work etc. Rogerstone Community Council object to any cuts in public transport and it was agreed to advise Stagecoach South Wales of this; it was suggested that individual representations are also made to Stagecoach. Website Following discussion, it was agreed that staff will update the new website before it goes live after the next Council meeting. Members will be forwarded log in details to view the website at their convenience. 12. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL 1 st February 2017 7