County Borough of Caerphilly

Nelson Community Council

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

HELD ON THURSDAY 9th SEPTEMBER 2004 at 7.00 p.m.

Present: Cllr. A Blackman

Cllr. P Cartwright

Cllr. M Derrett

Cllr. A Gray

Cllr. P Lapsa

Cllr. B Miles

Mr A. Hoskins (Clerk)

In Attendance: No one

Apologies for Absence: Cllrs. P Baldwin, A Candy (Chairman) and L Lewis.

Because of the absence of the Chairman, Cllr. Blackman (Vice-Chairman) chaired the meeting.

446. Minutes:

· Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 8th July 2004 were Received and Approved

· Noted: missing page four to be received and approved at the next meeting.

· Minutes of a Special Meeting held on 11th August 2004 were Received and Approved

· Minutes of the Activities Sub-Committee held on 22nd August 2004 were Received and

Adopted

447. Matters arising from the Minutes:

None that were not covered in the Clerk’s Report or on the Agenda

448. Report from the Police representative:

Noted Inspector Richard Brake had moved to another role. The Clerk had written to Inspector Tony

Green, inviting him to attend. No apologies had been received. It was reported that the Inspector

had not yet taken up his new duties.

Members were concerned that no alternative Officer was present.

Resolved to write to Inspector Brake thanking him for the work carried out in the community during

his term at Ystrad Mynach.

449. Report from the Chairman:

The Chairman reported on the success of recent events including the Annual Community Show and

Community Songs of Praise and now looked forward to another successful Christmas Event.

Cllr. Derrett commented that Members were also invited to attend other community events

throughout the year, such as concerts, etc. She felt that there was a lack of active participation in

community activities by some Members.

450. Report from the Clerk:

PLANNING:

Cllr. Blackman declared an interest and left the room during consideration of planning applications.

Cllr. Lapsa assumed the Chair during this period.

The following planning applications relating to the Nelson area were received:

1. P/04/1193 CCBC (Environment) Dcn – Reprofiling of Tredomen Tip, formation of

landform for future visitor centre, formation of coach/car parking area, provision of new footpaths,

new junction off A472 and provision of new footbridge over railway at Tredomen Tip, Nelson.

2. P/04/1216 Reginald Moore Ltd. Rsm – Erect residential development on Former

Cattle Market Site, Nelson.

3. P/04/1241 Royal Mail (M Brain) Full – Erect post person security container for short

term storage of mail prior to delivery at side and rear of 2 Pine Tree Way, Nelson.

4. P/04/1242 Royal Mail (M Brain) Full – Erect post person security container for short

term storage of mail prior to delivery at side and rear of 1 Llancaiach Court, opposite 5 Llancaiach

View, Nelson.

5. P/04/1279 Mr D Roberts Full – Construct conservatory at Plot 71, Meadow

View, Nelson.

The Clerk had already responded on item 2 above (due to the time limitation) in line with objections

raised previously by the Community Council to the development in respect of access/egress, plus the

proposed blocking off of the rear access lane behind Commercial Street properties.

The Clerk’s action was endorsed.

Resolved that no objection or comment be submitted in respect of the other four applications.

Cllr. Blackman resumed the Chair.

The following Applications were approved by the County Borough Council:

1. P/04/0250 Mr & Mrs D Hughes Full – Erect four bedroom detached house on Land

within cartilage of 1 Clos Cae Pwll.

2. P/04/0442 Mr I Phillips & Mr R Brain Full – Erect two detached houses on land adjoining

Crofty, Ashgrove Terrace, Nelson.

3. P/04/0603 Mr M K Yendle Full – Erect garage at The Bungalow, Mabon Road.

4. P/04/0665 Mr J Bevan Full – Construct domestic extension and integral

garage at 6 Taf Olwg.

5. P/04/0685 Mr & Mrs D Matthews Lbc – Carry out barn conversion at Barn A, Pen y

Waun farm.

6. P/04/0749 Mr Bain Full – Retain use of property as base for private hire

car at 66 Bryncelyn Avenue.

7. P/04/0851 Mr M Parker Full – Erect two storey rear extension at 73 High

Street.

8. P/04/0865 Mr I Figueirido Full – Change the use of land to garden on land to the

rear of 5 Clos Waun Ceffyl.

9. P/04/0886 Valley Fliers Full – Operate a model aircraft club on land at Coed

Top Hill.

10. P/04/0890 Mr & Mrs N Thomas Full – Erect two storey rear extension, front porch

and replacement single storey side extension at 48 Bryncelyn.

11. P/04/0898 TJ & GM Edmunds & Ptrs. Full – Extend existing agricultural building for general

purpose storage (agriculture) at Pantraethlon Farm, Llanfabon Road.

12. P/04/0935 Mr & Mrs G Williams Full – Change the use of barn to single residential

dwelling at Barn A at Llancaiach Isaf, Llancaiach.

13. P/04/0951 Mr S Sumner Full – Erect brick wall to make garden bigger at 16

Heol Morien, Trafalgar Park.

14. P/04/0980 Nelson Boys & Girls Club Full – Erect 2.4m high security fencing around play

area (replacing existing fencing) at Nelson Boys & Girls Club, Bryncelyn Terrace.

15. P/04/1116 Mr & Mrs M Wilton Full – Erect extension for playroom and w.c. at 43

Ffos y Cerridden.

The following Applications were refused by the County Borough Council:

1. P/04/0760 Mr B J Thomas Full – Remove wooden stables, two trees and erect

detached house and garage for owners residential use at Stable Yard, Ty Nant, Llanfabon Road.

2. P/04/0777 E Cecen Ncc – Extend opening hours until 11.30pm on Sunday

to Thursday and until 12 midnight on Friday and Saturday at 11 Commercial Street.

Applications for Public Entertainment Licences:

1. A Candy Occasional Public Entertainment Licence (live bands and disco music on 6th to

8th August 2004, at Bowen’s Field, Ty Du Farm, Nelson.

2. L M Waite Public Entertainment Licence – Transfer and Renewal at Llancaiach Fawr Visitor

Centre, Nelson.

The Clerk had acknowledged with no comments or objections

b. ACCOUNTS:

The following payments were approved:

1. T&CC Liaison Committee Annual Subscription £40.00

2. County Borough Supplies Playscheme equipment £68.10

3. County Borough Supplies Playscheme equipment £8.25

4. British Gas Gas supply (Institute) £47.04

5. L Williams Salary (Senior Playleader) £662.84

6. L Bowden Salary (Playleader) £484.84

7. L Rathbone Salary (Playleader) £484.84

8. H Giffard Salary

(Playleader) £462.59

9. J Yendle Newsletter

delivery £50.00

10. Masterfoil Newsletter printing £200.00

11. Masterfoil Annual Show Programme printing £65.00

12. M Blackman Group photograph for Newsletter £5.00

13. CCBC Buildings Insurance (Institute) £390.10

14. Zurich Municipal Insurances, EL and PL

insurance £780.89

15. Petty Cash Playscheme £150.00

dc

16. Spot-on Entertainment Playscheme Bouncy Castle &

Disco £200.00

17. M Jones (Owl Sanctuary) Birds display (Playscheme) £75.00

18. Everson Sports & Trophies Engraving (Annual Show) £60.00

19. Makro Bottled water (Chamber) £5.28

dc

20. Rowan Tree Annual Show (Judges’ lunch) £73.15

21. Heol Fawr Allotment Association Annual Show prize £50.00

22. Various Annual Show £5.00 prizes £270.00

23. Various Annual Show £3.00 prizes £135.00

24. Various Annual Show £2.00 prizes £74.00

25. Various Annual Show £5.00 prizes (cash) £25.00

26. St John’s Church Nelson Donation for use of tables (Annual

Show) £10.00

27. St John’s Church Nelson Hire of Church Hall for

Playscheme £500.00

28. R James Casual labour (Annual Show) £40.00

29. SWALEC Electricity supply (Institute) £45.73

30. GTA Travel Coach hire (Playscheme) £115.00

31. Clerk Salary (2nd qtr.) £952.83

32. Inland Revenue Tax & NI (Clerk) £280.05

33. Inland Revenue NI (Playleaders) £173.01

34. Tesco Stores Bouquet and gift (Songs of Praise) £22.45

dc

35. N Lewis Internal Auditor

fee £125.00

36. British Telecom Telephone service (Chamber) £54.53

37. Western Mail & Echo Advertisement feature (Annual

Show) £10.00

38. M Blackman Annual Show photographs £18.91

39. H D Adcock Banquet Roll (Annual Show) £14.79

c. CORRESPONDENCE:

The following correspondence had been received:-

1. Gwent Police

Item for CC Newsletter Noted

2. WAG

Local Government Partnership Scheme (revised) and Report 2002-2003 Noted

3. SLCC

Summer mailing - various items. Noted

4. CCBC

Minutes of meetings 17th May to 30th June 2004 Noted

5. CCBC

Ward Cleansing Programme Noted

6. Alexander Samuel & Co Solicitors

Accident Claim

The Clerk had replied denying liability, since the accident appeared

to have occurred in Nelson, Lancashire.

7. WAG

“The Local Elections (Declaration of Acceptance of Office) (Wales) Order 2004”

The revised requirements applied only to future Declarations.

8. WAG

“The Conduct of Members (Model Code of Conduct) (Wales) (Amendment)

(No.2) Order 2004”

The amendment had no effect on the actual Code of Conduct.

9. CCBC

Traffic Calming along Bwl Road (for information) Noted

10. CCBC

Code of Conduct training – Community Councillors Noted

11. S K Wiersma

Copy of response sent to CCBC re: Traffic Calming at Bwl Road Noted

12. One Voice Wales (OVW)

Notice of Inaugural Meeting on 29th July

2004 Noted

13. Nelson Village Partnership

Notice of meeting on 19th July 2004 plus minutes of previous

meeting Noted

14. CCBC

Public Summary Best Value “Improvement Plan 2004/05” Noted

15. K V Roberts

Confirmation of acceptance of offer to rent 35 Commercial Street, Nelson Noted

16. Caerphilly Local Health Board

Notice of meeting on 18th August 2004 re: outcome of public consultation on

“Improving Health Through Better Services” Noted

17. E Holbrook

Further expression of interest in Shop premises and request for information

re: suitable venue in which to hold classes in sewing and craft

work

The Clerk had replied indicating the availability of the Community

Room and other venues

18. Gareth Kiddie Associates

Draft Report “Heritage on the Celtic Trail – Nelson Local Interpretation Plan”

Agenda item

19. WAG

Report summary from research study into “The Role, Functions and Future Potential of

Community and Town Councils in Wales” and the response from the WAG.

Comments were invited on the WAG response to the report by 12th November 2004

Resolved the WAG response to be considered as an Agenda item at the October meeting

20. K V Roberts

Confirmation of name of solicitor acting in connection with lease at

35 Commercial Street. Noted

21. Gwent Police

Change of Inspector at Ystrad Mynach Noted

22. OVW

Minutes of Inaugural meeting plus update on latest developments and

Notice of Annual Meeting at Llandrindod Wells on 23rd October

2004 Noted

23. Griffiths Ings Solicitors

Confirmation of completion of transfer of ownership of 33 Commercial Street

and copy of Deed of Variation Noted

24. TV Licensing

Notice of visit to confirm that no TV equipment on premises is receiving

broadcast TV (no date specified) Noted

25. Nelson Village Partnership

Notice of meeting on 6th September 2004 plus minutes of previous meeting Noted

26. CCBC

Notice of Seminar on “Highway Infrastructure Maintenance” on 23rd September

2004 Noted

27. CCBC

Explanation of the effect of the WAG regulations described in items 7 and 8 above Noted

28. Cooperative Bank

Confirmation of changes to account signatories Noted

29. CCBC

Calculation of overcharged rates and interest on Institute and refund (£405.29) Noted

30. Mrs M A Morgan

Letter explaining that her husband (our Wine Judge) had recently died.

The Clerk had replied expressing the Council’s condolences

31. Cardiff and Bristol International Airports

Request for feedback on proposals to alter airspace boundaries Noted

32. Countryside Council for Wales

Request for confirmation of contact details Noted

The Clerk had responded

33. The Vision Foundation

Request for financial assistance

The Clerk had sent a Grant Aid application form

34. CCBC

Christmas Decorative Lighting – information re: grants (second copy received)

The Clerk had already submitted an application

35. Play for Wales

Summer Newsletter Noted

36. Caerphilly Children’s Centre

Summer Newsletter

37. CCBC

Winter Maintenance Plan review

Resolved to reply requesting that additional locations of Salt Bins should be investigated

within the more recent housing developments.

38. Zurich Municipal

Newsletter re: Insurance regulation Noted

39. The Orissa Society

Request for financial assistance

The Clerk had sent a Grant Aid application form

40. Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre

Request for financial assistance

The Clerk had sent a Grant Aid application form

41. Noah’s Ark Appeal

Newsletter Noted

42. NAfW

Report on “The Operation of New Political Management Structures in

Local Government” Noted

43. CCBC

Newsline Noted

44. Caerphilly Local Health Board

Consultation document “Health, Social Care and Well-being Strategy”

Response required by 30th September 2004

Resolved that the Clerk would complete the response on behalf of the Council

45. CCBC

Local Transport Plan – Annual Progress Report Noted

46. CCBC

Request for observations on Planning Application P/04/1216 as occupier of

39 Commercial Street, Nelson

Dealt with under “Planning Applications” above

47. CCBC

Play Grant report form (feedback)

The Clerk to complete on behalf of Council

48. CCBC

Transfer of Justices Licences at Llancaiach Fawr Manor

The Clerk had acknowledged receipt

49. WAG

Poster re: changes to Council Tax property banding

The Clerk to display the poster in the Community Notice Board

d. OTHER MATTERS:

The Clerk circulated a letter from the prospective tenant of 35 Commercial Street, requesting that he

be allowed to undertake some structural alterations within the premises, by making an opening in an

internal wall.

The Clerk reported that whilst he was satisfied to allow the work to be carried out provided

appropriate indemnity was in place, he was unhappy with the current Method Statement provided by

the builder, which lacked detail.

Following a brief discussion, it was Resolved that the matter be further considered following the end

of the public meeting, as there could be a disclosure Exempt Information.

451. Annual Return 2003-2004:

The Annual Accounts and Annual Report for the year ended 31st March 2004, were Received. These

included the Receipts and Payments summary, Statement of Accounts, Statement of Assurance and

Risk Assessment, Internal Audit Report and Comments from the Internal Auditor.

The Clerk reported and answered Members’ questions regarding the accounts and reports.

Resolved to Approve the Annual Accounts, Statement of Assurance and Annual Report for the year

ended 31st March 2004.

The Chairman and Clerk signed off the Annual Return.

Members congratulated the Clerk for his work as the Council’s Responsible Financial Officer.

452. National Pay Award:

The report from the Clerk was received.

It was Resolved that consideration of the matter should be deferred until after the end of the public

meeting as there could be a disclosure Exempt Information.

453. Nelson Area Local Interpretation Plan:

Members felt that the Report from Gareth Kiddie Associates was excellent in that among other

things, it highlighted many aspects of the local area that residents often take for granted.

The Report content and recommendations were wholeheartedly endorsed.

454. Report from the Village Partnership Board:

Cllr. Miles reported. The following items were noted:

· Development of the park was ongoing, with phase two almost completed and phase three just

about to begin. This involved the entrance to the park from Springfield roundabout.

· A meeting was shortly to be held to compile a Partnership Newsletter

· There were plans for the development of a Youth Shelter

· A “wish list” was required for small projects. There was approximately £3,000 available.

· The Partnership had acquired a Logo which would help with its identity.

It was felt that since the proposed Springfield entrance was only an interim solution, with the main

park entrance being via the proposed development on land south of the Handball Court, a letter

should be sent to CCBC Planning Department (copied to VPB) requesting that if the development did

not take place within a reasonable time, a strip of land be compulsorily purchased so that the

roadway and entrance could be provided. This, Members considered to be vital to the development

and use of the park.

456. Questions/Comments from members of the public present:

· Concerns regarding the state of overgrowing vegetation in the lane at the rear of Wern

Crescent. Local Members would take the matter up with CCBC Officers.

· Concerns regarding water retention on footpath at Wern Crescent and outside the Cooperative

Store. Local Members would take the matter up with CCBC Officers.

· Concern regarding the state of the entrance hall and stairway at the Institute (among other

things). Consideration would be given to employing contract cleaning services on a regular (1 to 3

monthly) basis to ensure the area was kept in an acceptable state of cleanliness. Cllrs. Gray and

Cartwright would report back to the next meeting with proposals and costing. The Clerk reported

that the area would shortly be refurbished so that it complied with the requirements of the

Disability Discrimination Act.

· It was noted that the LG Ombudsman had accepted a complaint from a resident against CCBC

regarding discrimination against the disabled. The resident was also pursuing another complaint

regarding the maintenance of verges and vegetation along Mabon Road, which also caused

difficulties to people using the footpaths.

The meeting closed at 8.45 p.m.

In accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public would need to be

excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following item in view of the nature of the

business to be transacted, as if members of the public were to remain there would be a disclosure to

them of exempt information as described in Schedule 12A to that Act.

457. Tenancy of 35 Commercial Street:

Members further considered the request to make structural alterations within the property. A

number of reservations were voiced including matters of insurance. The Clerk was asked how long it

would be for the contract to be completed by the Council’s Solicitor. The Clerk reported that it was

likely to be ready for signing within two or three weeks, but that he could request that the matter be

dealt with urgently if this was required.

It was Resolved not to grant the prospective tenant the right to undertake the structural works

requested until the rental agreement had been signed and sealed by both parties. The Clerk to

request that the agreement be drawn up and completed in as short a timescale as possible. The

Clerk would also ensure that the proposed works were carried out to an appropriate standard by an

approved builder.

458. Annual Pay Award for Local Council Clerks:

The NJC for Local Government were recommending a two-year pay award, details of which were in

the report. After some discussion it was Resolved to approve the implementation of the

recommended two-year agreement.

The meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.

Min/Sep/04