MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE ST MICHAEL’S CENTRE, ABERGAVENNY ON WEDNESDAY 15th MAY 2019 AT 7.00PM
Present:
Chairman – Cllr T Konieczny (Mayor)
Cllr T Davies
Cllr M Hickman
Cllr G Jones
Cllr N Tatam
Cllr P Simcock
Cllr M Groucutt
Cllr T Thomas
Cllr F Morgan
Cllr M Lewis
Cllr D Simcock
Cllr S Dodd (for part of the meeting)
In attendance:
J Lee (Town Clerk)
Prior to the commencement of the meeting, Cllr Konieczny thanked Cllr Davies for her dedication during her Mayoral year.
| 1/19 | Apologies Apologies were received from Cllrs R Harris, M Harris, L Van de Vyver. |
| 2/19 | Declarations of Interest Cllr Morgan declared a personal interest in the application for a grant from Monmouthshire District Scouts. |
| 3/19 | Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 10th April 2019 The Minutes of Council held on 10th April 2019 were received and adopted as a correct record. Proposed by Cllr Jones, seconded Cllr Morgan Matters arising The Town Clerk reported that MCC Environmental Health will be installing air quality monitoring equipment on properties on Park Rd near Judds Garage. Cllrs also suggested additional sites on Brecon Road adjacent to the Merthyr Road turning. The Town Clerk to inform MCC Env Health of additional sites Action to arrange a Policy Committee to be carried forwardCllr Davies reported that the action to prepare a proposal on a Creative Youth Award is to be carried forward. Cllr Davies to send an email to all Councillors asking for ideas. The Town Clerk established that a rep from the Town Council is not able to attend Planning Committee when the Castle Pavilion application returns. The restoration of the chains will be undertaken in July/AugustThe furniture has been removed from the Chamber and Parlour and is at the Auction Rooms The repair of the robes will be undertaken in July/August The Town Clerk reported that a letter has been sent to MCC Youth Service and to date a reply has not been received The Town Clerk reported she has a meeting at the beginning of June with Roger Hoggins to discuss the toilets Comments on the MCC Toilet Strategy were submitted A letter has been sent to the Chair of MCC Stronger Communities Committee regarding 5G and health risks. The Town Clerk has received a reply from the Chair who has asked for MCC Democratic Services to agenda the item |
| 4/19 | Minutes of Planning Committee held on Wednesday 10th April 2019 The Minutes of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday 10th April were received and adopted as a correct record. Proposed Cllr P Simcock, seconded Cllr Dodd. Matters Arising The LDP Workshop will be arranged when the date for the release of LDP Growth Options is available. Cllr Konieczny informed Councillors that Mark Hand, Head of Planning is attending the July Civic Society meeting. |
| 5/19 | Minutes of Projects Committee held on Thursday 17th April 2019 The minutes of the Projects Committee held on Wednesday 17th April were received and adopted as a correct record with the exception that Cllr Tatam’s apologies were incorrectly noted. He had not given his apologies. Proposed Cllr Davies, seconded Cllr Hickman. Cllr Davies suggested that the day of the week that Projects is held should be revisited as attendance is low. Matters Arising The following recommendations were agreed: To agree that ATC take on the ongoing maintenance of Phase 1 planters.To agree to purchase reservoirs for Phase 1 & 2 at a cost of £559.80 plus delivery and for this to be allocated to the Abergavenny in Bloom budget. To agree that 4 Amberol blue planters WILL NOT be purchased this year and to allow this funding to be used to purchase 2 planters in keeping with Phase 3. To agree to take on the ongoing maintenance of Phase 2 commencing in 2020/21 To agree to take on the ongoing maintenance of Phase 3 commencing in 2020/21 Cllr D Simcock requested further information on the potential project for an extension to the facilities at the skate park. Cllr Groucutt informed Councillors that a bid for funding from the Sports Council. Cllr P Simcock asked when the Annual Report will be sent out. The Town Clerk replied that this would be determined by the workload of the Clerk so at present is likely to be July. |
| 6/19 | Minutes of Finance Committee held on Wednesday 1st May 2019 The Minutes of Finance Committee held on 1st May 2019 were received and adopted as a correct record. Proposed by Cllr P Simcock, seconded Cllr D Simcock Matters arising The following recommendations were approved: Small grant to Monmouthshire District Scouts for a panel containing names of persons killed in WW which will be displayed with the ceramic poppiesJerboa Media to be engaged to redesign the website |
| 7/19 | Finance Report The following payments were authorised J Lee (Twinning Gift) £36.00 Melville Centre (Hire Planning training) £68.00 Cable News (Papers April) £53.60 MCC (CCTV Qtr 1) £3264.00 Merlin Waste (Dog Waste bins May) £510.00 Dorrell Oliver (payroll Services 2018-19) £504.00 Angel Hotel (Installation reception) £1629.60 Viking (stationery) £46.76 Month 1 report was accepted. The Town Clerk informed Councillors that the first instalment of the precept had been received and also that the only budget that has already been fully committed is the Sponsorship of Events as all organisers have received their sponsorship for 2019/20 |
| 8/19 | Insurance Cover Councillors considered a report setting out two insurance proposals, one with the current insurer Zurich Municipal and the other from Hiscox insurance. The proposal from Zurich Municipal was more competitive and offered a similar level of cover to the Hiscox. An option to purchase Key Personnel Cover was discussed and agreed. It was unanimously agreed to renew with Zurich Municipal on a three year long term agreement and to include Key Personnel Cover. |
| 9/19 | Guidance from OVW on IRPW allowances The Town Clerk drew Councillors attention to a summary document produced by OVW on the IRPW allowances to councillors. It was agreed that the basic allowances and civic head allowances will be paid in the June payroll. Any Councillor wishing to opt out of the receipt of an allowance is to complete the opt out form circulated with the papers |
| 10/19 | Asset Register as at 31st March 2019 Councillors approved the list of Assets as at 31st March 2019. |
| 11/19 | Standing Orders and Financial Regulations as at 31st March 2019 Councillors agreed the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations as at 31st March 2019. Cllr Konieczny drew Councillors attention to the matter that the staff and suppliers are still being paid by cheque and moving to BACS should be a priority when the Financial Regulations are revised. This change is likely to require a change of bank. Cllr Dodd left the meeting |
| 12/19 | Review Representation on External Bodies The Mayor proposed that where appropriate, a lead Councillor and deputy is agreed for all External Bodies. All agreed and the following Councillors were selected. Abergavenny & District Tourist Association S Dodd, D Simcock Abergavenny in Bloom committee T Konieczny, G Jones Abergavenny Relief in Need Charity P Simcock, T Davies Abergavenny Food Forum T Thomas, D Simcock Armed Forces Champion M Hickman, M Lewis Beaupreau Twinning Association S Dodd, T Davies Borough Theatre A4B S Dodd, T Konieczny North Monmouthshire Area Committee T Konieczny, T. Davies Crime Prevention Panel T Davies, M Lewis CCTV User group M Harris, G Jones Friends of Bailey Park T Thomas, T Davies, L Van de Vyver Friends of Linda Vista D Simcock, N Tatam, P Simcock Food Festival Charity Car Parking Panel M Groucutt Governor of Cantref School T Davies Governor of Our Lady & St Michael School T Konieczny Governor of Ysgol Y Fenni T Thomas King Henry VIII Charity Trust M Groucutt, M Hickman, T Davies Monmouthshire CC Planning Committee T Konieczny, D Simcock North Monmouthshire Liaison Committee P Simcock, N Tatam Ostringen Twinning Association S Dodd One Voice Wales N Tatam, T Konieczny, F Morgan Patron of Beaupreau Twin Town Association Mayor Patron of Ostringen Twin Town Association Mayor Team Abergavenny N Tatam, D Simcock Y Fenni Business Community S Dodd, F Morgan Abergavenny Food Festival Board (Not agreed yet with AFF) ACE Already have County Councillors M Groucutt, R Harris, T Thomas on ACE Board. Monmouthshire CAB Board F Morgan, D Simcock Abergavenny Community Centre T Davies, F Morgan, T Konieczny Abergavenny Eisteddfod T Thomas, M Hickman |
| 13/19 | Attendance Records The attendance records for the past 12 months were accepted |
| 14/19 | Questions from Town Councillors to County Councillors on local issues/Information from County Councillors to Members Cllr Groucutt informed Councillors that he was stepping down as Chair of MCC Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee and will be replaced by Cllr Tudor Thomas Cllr D Simcock requested an update on progress with Mountain Warehouse moving into the former Burton store. Cllr Groucutt replied that he understood that Mountain Warehouse were still moving premises. Cllr Lewis asked about ending buses stopping outside Robert Price. Cllr Thomas informed Councillors that a letter was being sent to Welsh Government to chase up on the decision of the siting of the new bus stop on the A40 by Tescos. |
| 15/19 | Members Reports Cllr Groucutt – None Cllr Hickman – None Cllr Lewis – None Cllr Jones – None Cllr Tatam – Team Abergavenny, OVW Larger Councils Committee Cllr P Simcock – NMLC Cllr Morgan – None Cllr D Simcock – Team Abergavenny Cllr T Davies – Friends of Bailey Park Cllr Thomas – Ysgol Y Fenni Governors Cllr Konieczny – OLSM Governor, Events Safety Training and Mayoral duties – MCC Chairman installation |
There being no other business the meeting ended at 8.32pm
ACTION LIST FROM MAY COUNCIL MEETING
| Action | Name |
| To notify MCC of additional locations for air pollution monitoring equipment | JL |
| Arrange another Policy Committee | JL |
| Send out email to all Councillors seeking views on establishing a Personal Achievement/Creative Award | TD |
| To notify Monmouthshire District Scouts of the outcome of the grant application | JL |
| To arrange for the redesign of the website | JL |
| To arrange insurance renewal | JL |
| To arrange members allowances to be paid in June payroll | JL |
| To inform external organisations of changes to ATC representation | JL |
