CAERWENT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Regrettably we have another vacancy.  If someone becomes a Community Councillor but misses six consecutive meetings they become ineligible.  This has happened in Crick and therefore MCC have published a notice seeking requests for an election.  If an election is not called the vacancy will be filled by co-option.  Previously there has been criticism that residents of Crick have not been aware of elections or vacancies so here is your chance.

We were saddened to hear of reports of dead and sick Buzzards in the Carrow Hill area.  Please keep an eye out and tell the Police if you find any.  If anyone knows how this is happening we would welcome any information, anonymously if you prefer.

There is a suspicious van in the area registration number NH05 JDE.  Please be aware and report any sightings.  We were pleased to hear that Neighbourhood Watch schemes will be expanded over a period and hopefully will have great success.

The latest on Merton Green is that the Developer hopes to have the first properties ready for occupation in March 2010.  For their part Welsh Water have undertaken to provide an additional storage tank and associated equipment at the Centurion Court site in time to co-inside with these occupations.  They will also see to the various breakages in the infrastructure, contracts are currently being drawn up.    At a meeting in December the matter of the number of affordable houses was raised.  As the Developer would prefer to increase the mix (in view of the present climate) without any increase to the number of homes overall, they were requested to consider sheltered housing instead and, we await their proposals in this regard.  Negotiations on this are already taking place with MCC Housing.  The consultation over traffic movement is soon to take place.  Work is progressing and the proposals will be put to a Public meeting.  Please watch for notification of this. 

Many residents often ask about unsightly or derelict buildings and what can be done about them.  The position is that where these are reported to MCC Planning Enforcement, the circumstances are investigated and the owners can be prosecuted.  This has happened recently and will continue to happen until the owner rectifies the problem.  There is also the option of an “Order to Improve”.  Such work can be carried out by the local authority and cross charged to the owner.

There is increasing concern over the bracken encroachment on Gray Hill.  A few years ago a bracken rolling programme was carried out which was starting to have an affect.  However, as usual, funding became a problem.  This Council is making enquiries, with the consent of the Commoners, to see if this programme of works can be reinstated and hopefully get to the stage where livestock can return to the Hill.  This is an ancient heath and habitat, one of the oldest in Wales and it would be a pity to lose it.  It is possible to borrow a bracken roller off MCC.  What we need is someone who would be prepared to get up there with a tractor to pull it – Any volunteers?

Phil Murphy

Chairman

Mrs L McKeon, Clerk to the Council, Caerwent Community Council,

Mayfield, Pill Row, Caldicot, Monmouthshire, NP26 5JD.   Tel:  01291 424802