Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

An issue was raised in respect of the Abergavenny Public Realm.  However, as there was already an item on the agenda in respect of this matter, the issue was addressed later in the meeting under this item.

The minutes of the Bryn y Cwm Area Committee meeting dated 15^th November 2017 were confirmed and signed by the Vice-Chair.

In doing so, it was noted that Full Council, at its meeting on 14^th December 2017, had agreed to a temporary amendment to the constitution of the Bryn y Cwm Area Committee to allow town and community council members who sit on the Bryn y Cwm Area Committee voting rights for the duration of the area working pilot, ending in September 2018.  The quorum of the Bryn y Cwm Area Committee will be one quarter of the whole number of voting members.  There will be 23 voting members with a quorum of six voting members being required to be in attendance.

Goetre Fawr Community Council confirmed that its representative on the Area Committee was Councillor Owen Dodd.

We received a draft report regarding the Monmouthshire Local Development Plan (LDP) Review.

The Area Committee was informed that the County Council is seeking stakeholder views on the matters set out in the Draft Review Report. Views are sought on the issues that should be considered in any review of the LDP, together with the subsequent potential changes required to the LDP.

Stakeholders are invited to comment on and suggest any additional issues and / or changes that should be considered in the full review of the LDP. Any comments should be supported by evidence.  Opinions are also sought on whether the changes identified warrant a short form or full revision to the LDP.

It was noted that it is important to engage / consult with stakeholders on the Draft Review Report in order to gain views on how the adopted Plan is functioning and what changes are likely to be needed to the revised LDP. Notifications have been sent to those LDP consultees identified in the Welsh Government Local Development Manual including specific consultation bodies, UK Government departments and general / other consultation bodies.

All town and community councils have been consulted, along with those individuals and organisations that are currently on the LDP Review consultation database. The consultation runs from Monday 11th December 2017 to 5th February 2018. All consultation replies will be analysed and responses / amendments reported for Monmouthshire County Council’s consideration when seeking a resolution to finalise the Review Report with a view to formally commencing the LDP revision process.

Having received the report it was noted that the Welsh Government planning legislation provides the opportunity for Strategic Development Plans (SDP) to come forward at the regional level.  However, it was noted that local issues within Monmouthshire also needed to be addressed, hence the requirement for Monmouthshire’s LDP to be revised.

We resolved to note the contents of the Draft Review Report.

We received a verbal update by the Head of Operations regarding progress in respect of the Abergavenny Public Realm.  In doing so, the following points were noted:

·         A meeting with Team Abergavenny had been held on 17^th December 2018 with a view to work commencing in January 2018. Officers are meeting with Team Abergavenny regarding the design of the scheme.

·         Plans are in place to repave and resurface Lion Street and Frogmore Street.  The works will include the entrance to the new Morrison’s store.

·         As part of the plans it is proposed that the area fronting the new Morrison’s store will be a shared space.

·         Broader consultation is required for the next phase of the scheme.

·         It is anticipated that the scheme will be completed as scheduled.

Having received the verbal update, the following points were noted:

·         In response to a question raised regarding whether the development is DDA compliant, and whether the materials being used for Lion Street will match the materials proposed, the Head of Operations stated that he would liaise with the Planning Department regarding these issues.

·         It was hoped that the scheme would be finished before the annual cycling event which will be held in July 2018.

We resolved that the Head of Operations liaises with the Planning Department to ascertain whether the development is DDA compliant and whether the materials being used for Lion Street will match the materials proposed.

We received a report regarding the newly formed Community and Partnership Development Team within Monmouthshire County Council.

The Area Committee was informed that public service delivery is changing.  With an ageing population, reducing budgets and ever increasing demand, dependency upon public services is increasing when budgets are decreasing. 

As a local authority we need to rethink our relationship with our local communities to enable us to successfully redesign our services.  We need to think longer term about how we work together to identify and co-produce the right services that will help us tackle the challenges that lie ahead. 

As the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act requires co-delivery with partners, the historic disconnect between the Public Services Board (PSB), the Authority and the local community needs to be addressed. To enable this, community engagement has been repositioned within a more centralised role. 

The new team also provides:

• Specialist support in strategic PSB areas such as health and wellbeing issues, isolation, ageing well and community cohesion.

• Support for the Authority in its Cluster Area activities.

• More direct Town / Community Council engagement / liaison to increase knowledge of needs and priorities and ensure these can feed into strategic decision-making at local authority and PSB level. 

Having received the report, the following points were noted:

·         When the Monmouthshire Wellbeing Plan has been established, key performance indicators will be put in place, as well as a structure, which will determine how the Team will work.

·         The Area Committee was pleased that the Team had been established which could provide a steer in respect of the various plans within the Bryn y Cwm Area.  The Team will act as enablers, unlocking potential and supporting sustainability through collective impact, providing a resource and tangible link between local communities and a wide range of partners, enabling the delivery of measureable and sustainable programme of activities that will constantly look to the future.

·         Consultation in respect of the Wellbeing Plan needs to include the views of disabled people.

·         The Team will be able to help with engagement with partners and champions of wards within the community.

·         The Area Committee considered that a regular agenda item be placed on future Area Committee agendas regarding the development of the Wellbeing Plan, as it relates to the Bryn y Cwm area.

·         It was noted that Abergavenny Town Council’s Plan was currently being prepared, which will be completed in 12 months. The Area Committee suggested that Abergavenny Town Council could present the Town Plan to future Area Committee meetings.

·         Consultation in respect of the Wellbeing Plan will be commence on 7^th February 2018 with a view to the final draft being presented to the Public Service Board (PSB) on 4^th April 2018.

We resolved that:

(i)            a regular agenda item be placed on future Area Committee agendas regarding the development of the Wellbeing Plan as it relates to the Bryn y Cwm area.

(ii)          the Democratic Services Officer contacts the Clerk to Abergavenny Town Council to ask if the Town  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

We received and noted Team Abergavenny‘s update report on progress to date.

County Councillor S. Woodhouse provided the Area Committee with correspondence between County Councillor S.B. Jones, Cabinet Member for Operations, and the Right Honourable Chris Grayling MP regarding the accessibility improvements at Abergavenny Railway Station.

It was noted in the letter from the Right Honourable Chris Grayling MP that further funding for the station accessibility will be made available for the next Rail Control Period (2019-24).  As Abergavenny Railway Station has previously been selected for the programme, it was anticipated that it would be a very strong candidate for funding, particularly if it retains the support of the Welsh Government and train operator.

We resolved that County Councillor Woodhouse raise this matter at the next Strategic Transport Group Meeting.

We resolved that Councillor G. Nelmes would be the Bryn y Cwm Area Committee’s representative to serve on the Grass Routes Partnership Board.

We received and noted the Monmouthshire Scrutiny Work Programme.

We received and noted the forward planner for Cabinet and Council business. 

We received the Bryn y Cwm Area Committee future work programme.

We resolved that the following items be added to the work programme:

Subject to senior officer availability, a special meeting of the Bryn y Cwm Area Committee be held to receive a presentation regarding the Alternative Delivery Model (ADM), before it is presented to a special meeting of Full Council on 15^th February 2018.

14^th March 2018

·         To receive the draft Town Plan for Abergavenny Town Council.

·         To receive a report regarding the development of the Wellbeing Plan with a focus on the Bryn y Cwm area.

·         Invite a representative from Morrisons to attend the Area Committee meeting to provide an update on progress in respect of the development in Abergavenny.

·         To consider changing the name of the Area Committee.

Wednesday 14^th March 2018 at 1.00pm.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 14^th March 2018 at 1.00pm at a location within Gilwern, subject to availability.