County Borough of Caerphilly

Nelson Community Council

 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

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

 

 

Present:                                  Cllr. A Candy (Chairman)

                                                Cllr. A Blackman

Cllr. M Derrett

Cllr. P Lapsa

Cllr. B Miles (from 8.00 pm)

 

Mr A. Hoskins (Clerk)

 

In Attendance:                     Inspector Tony Green and Chief Superintendent Howard Rees (Gwent Police)

 

Apologies for Absence:      Cllrs. P Baldwin, P Cartwright, A Gray and L Lewis

 

 

478.        Minutes:

             

·         Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 11th November 2004 were Received and Approved

 

479.        Matters arising from the Minutes:

               

None

 

 

480.        Report from the Police representative:

 

CS Rees reported:

 

The Chief Superintendent introduced himself and gave an outline of his approach to policing matters.

 

His intention was to visit each Community/Town Council in his area during his first year in post.

 

He noted the concerns expressed by many Councils regarding the turnover of officers and lack of continuity. He hoped that this would improve and he was seeking a commitment from his inspectors that they would remain in post for a minimum of two years. This was essential if a relationship was to be built up with local communities. He felt that such a speedy turnover was not good, either for the officers or their communities.

 

CS Rees had already had considerable involvement in matters relating to the community of Nelson and he was firmly of the opinion that a return to the former system of local officers working in and with communities was the best policing model and one that was welcomed by members of the communities.

 

Nelson now enjoyed a much higher profile of policing and in particular more officers were working on foot within the community. It was the intention to allow officers to become more closely involved and closer to the communities they served.

 

Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) were not an answer to such problems by themselves. It was essential that underlying causes of behaviour were identified and addressed as part of the process.

 

Statistics also were not as important as assessing whether the public actually felt safe or safer within their communities.

 

Inspector Green reported on local matters:

 

The problem with off-road motorcyclists was being addressed on a Divisional basis.

 

Noted that burglaries had decreased but vehicles now appeared to be targeted instead. Vehicle crime was being addressed – an Action Plan was being developed. Currently intelligence was being gathered.

 

CCTV came on line at the end of November and was proving to be very effective, having led to some arrests on its first night of operation.

 

There were currently four PCs working out of Nelson Police Station and covering three wards until other officers complete their training. The CSO scheme was also being well received.

 

Some additional names had been added to the ASBO list.

 

Questions/Comments:

 

The main comments received by Council over the years were regarding the lack of police presence in the community. It was noted that this had now increased measurably and was very welcome.

 

Thanks were expressed for the way police were dealing with incidents in the village – aided by the provision of CCTV.

 

Noted that a number of residents and the Community Council were objecting to an application by the Village Inn for renewal of its Public Entertainment Licence. It was considered that this was one cause of the ASB in the vicinity of the Inn by attracting the elements who tended to be involved in the incidents.

 

Members requested support from the Police at the Licence Committee. The Police would provide data on incidents in the immediate area, but could not attribute these to any particular cause or establishment.

 

Police presence patrolling the village was required during evenings and late into the night. It was noted that CCBC were providing a warden (professional witness) service until 12.00 midnight.

 

Residents were still experiencing a poor response to incident reports telephoned to the call centre.

 

Noted that 12-16 year old “gangs” now appeared to be targeting older residents and there was an increase in vandalism at Trafalgar Park. Standards of acceptable behaviour had become lowered over the years as a consequence of many factors. Parental control and personal standards was one of these factors and this needed to be addressed if things were to improve.

 

Noted that for particularly serious offences the courts could issue a Criminal anti-social behaviour order (CRASBO) and that there was also the option of accelerating the normal ASBO in certain circumstances.

 

The Chairman thanked the Officers for their attendance and reports and wished them a peaceful festive season.

 

 

Cllr. Miles joined the meeting at 8.00 pm

 

 

481.        Report from the Chairman:

 

The Chairman had nothing to report.

 

 

482.        Report from the Clerk:

 

 

a.             PLANNING:

 

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

 

None to report

 

 

The following Applications were approved by the County Borough Council:

 

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/04/1470            Mr D Rees                              Full – Erect conservatory at 8 Maes yr Onen.

 

 

The following Applications were refused by the County Borough Council:

 

None to report.

 

 

Applications for Public Entertainment Licences:

 

None to report

 

 

b.                   ACCOUNTS:

 

The following payments were approved:

 

1.             British Telecom                       Telephone - Chamber                                              £54.63

 

2.             SWALEC                                Electricity Supply - Institute                                    £29.89

 

3.             Kevin Mayhew                       Carol sheets (Christmas Event)                               £19.80

 

4.             Clerk                                       Salary (3rd quarter)                                                  £973.68

 

5.             Inland Revenue                       Tax and NI (Clerk)                                                  £296.02

 

6.             Clerk                                       Arrears (2 quarters)                                                 £43.19

 

7.             Inland Revenue                       Tax and NI (Clerk) Adjustment                              £31.95

 

8.             CCBC                                     Commercial refuse collection                                  £35.25

 

9.             Makro                                     Christmas event (chocolates)                                   £243.74 dc

 

10.           Makro                                     Christmas event (gifts)                                            £47.89 dc

 

11.           Audit Commission                  Audit fee 2002-2003                                               £293.75

 

12.           Masterfoil                                Newsletter (printing)                                               £200.00

 

 

 

c.             CORRESPONDENCE:

 

The following correspondence had been received:-

 

1.             CCBC

 

Feedback report on proposals for a central integrated local hospital facility.                                           Noted

 

               

2.                    CCBC

 

Minutes for meetings – 4th October to 9th November 2004.                                                                    Noted

 

 

3.                    The Mayor - CCBC

 

                Request for support for Mayor’s Appeal                                                                                                Noted

 

 

4.             International Musical Eisteddfod

 

Request for financial assistance

 

Grant Aid application form sent

 

 

5.                    CCBC

 

                Response to letters re: Salt Bin maintenance and The Basement.

 

Resolved the clerk to write to CCBC requesting information on locations of existing

salt bins. Consider the possibility of the Village Partnership funding additional bins.

 

 

6.                    CCBC

 

                Training for Community Councillors re: Code of Conduct                                                                     Noted

 

               

7.                    National Eisteddfod of Wales

 

Application for financial assistance

 

Grant Aid application form sent

 

 

8.                    Somerfield

 

Transfer of Justices Licence application deferred to February transfer sessions                                     Noted

 

 

9.                    Nelson Village Partnership

 

Minutes of meeting held on 18th October 2004                                                                                       Noted

 

 

10.                 Mrs M A Regan

 

Letter regarding various issues at Wern Crescent

 

Passed to Local Members for action

 

 

11.                 CCBC

 

EDLines Newsletter                                                                                                                                Noted

 

 

12.                 Cllr. A blackman

 

                Copy of letter to CCBC re: item 10 above.

 

Noted Local Members had followed the matters up. CCBC

CEO would respond in due course.

 

 

13.                 British Red Cross

 

Application for financial assistance

 

Grant Aid application form sent

 

 

14.                 CCBC

 

Proposal to cease to maintain Ystrad Mynach Junior School and to extend the age range at

Ystrad Mynach Infant School to form a 3-11 Primary School from 1st September 2006                        Noted

 

 

15.                 CCBC

 

                Licensing Act 2003                                                                                                                                 Noted

 

 

16.                 WAG

 

“The Good Councillor’s Guide” for Community and Town Councillors

 

                Copies were distributed to Members present at the meeting

 

               

17.                 CCBC

 

Corporate Christmas card from the Mayor and Mayoress                                                                      Noted

 

 

18.                 Right from the Start

 

                Invitation to join management committee                                                                                                Noted

 

 

19.                 CCBC

 

                Reply to letter re: hanging baskets

 

Resolved that the Clerk responds that Nelson had been deprived of its Rose Garden

maintenance for some years. The request for installation of hanging baskets was

intended to be on a partnership basis if necessary, but the units needed a commitment

from CCBC in respect of maintenance.

 

 

20.                 CCBC

 

Nomination of Governor at Llancaeach Junior School

 

Agenda item.

 

 

 

483.        Nomination of a Member to represent the Community Council on the
Board of Governors at Llancaeach Junior School:

 

Resolved that Cllr. B Miles be nominated to serve as Minor Authority Representative at Llancaeach Junior School.

 

 

484.        Proposal to extend the Pub Watch scheme:

 

It was proposed that the scheme might be extended to include other establishments in the commercial centre, such as Takeaways.

 

Resolved Cllr. Candy would raise the matter at the next Pub Watch meeting for consideration.

 

 

485.        Village Centre Enhancement:

 

It was reported that the matter had been discussed at the recent Village Partnership meeting.

 

It was noted that the money was provided for the scheme as proposed in the bid and although the design could be adjusted to accommodate minor changes, it was not possible to include any substantial changes at this stage. It would be irresponsible to campaign in any way for major changes at this stage due to the risk of losing the funding altogether.

 

It was however important that all parties continued to be kept informed of developments and provided with further information as it became available. An artist’s impression of the proposed scheme from various “eye level” viewpoints would be helpful to assist in visualising the completed project.

 

 

486.        Report from the Village Partnership Board:

 

The following items were reported:

 

·         There would be consultation with local youths (via the “Basement”) regarding the possible provision of a BMX/Skateboard area at Nelson.

·         Names of representatives for the Nelson Institute Management Committee had now been provided. An inaugural meeting to be arranged for early January 2005.

·         Work on the Maes Mafon estate was on-going

·         The Village Centre Enhancement scheme was further considered.

·         Furher items were being considered for inclusion in a longer term Village Action Plan.

·         There was a proposal to set up a Girl Guides group at Nelson. There was already a Brownies group in operation.

 

 

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

 

Concern regarding the operation of the bus service to and from Lewis Girls School: A number of concerns were expressed regarding the service between Nelson and the school. These included insufficient vehicles being provided and the dropping of children at inappropriate locations.

 

The Local Members would follow up the issues with CCBC Education Department.

 

 

The meeting closed at 8.45 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Min/Dec/04