1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. The Chair was conducted by Rob Onions.

2.Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Karen Taylor, GAVO, Jean Summers, Rev Jefferies, Jan Bennett, CCBC, Cllr Alan Pritchard

3.Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes from the last meeting were agreed as a true record.

4.St David’s Church Hall/Community Centre

A lengthy discussion took place and investigations are to be made into costs and a Technical Assessment sought through Caerphilly County Borough Council.

It was also suggested to access studies from GAVO.

5. Project Groups

6. Greening Greater Oakdale Area

Roger suggested it would be necessary to identify land to develop and that a walk around the village to identify needs to involve local people and school children.

There would also be a need to establish that of private and public land.

Shrubs in the Cenataph Area of the Square were to be changed in favour of flower beds.

7. Penmaen Chapel

There was a discussion relating to Penmaen Chapel Graveyard clean up and it was suggested the autumn time was the best time of year to deal with weed and bramble using a solution to kill off roots. It was suggested by Mair Gwyn that there is a need for annual maintenance.

8. Bouncy Castle

Roger suggested a Fun Day for the children and suggested the Partnership fund such an event. It was agreed that the Partnership would be happy to do so.

9. Skateboarders

Granville reported that progress was being made in the investigation of the possibility of a Skateboard Park. A visit has been made to the Aberbargoed Hanger 81. It was suggested that the Partnership invite the Manager to address the next meeting.

One significant factor was that a report conducted by Gwent Police into Disorder Calls produced the following results:-

Period 2002 - 2003 the number of Disorder Calls to Aberbargoed totalled 325

For the period 2003 - 2004 the number of Disorder Calls were 136

That equates to a 58% reduction in Disorder Calls. The report concludes:-

This project shows how the Multi Agency approach to disorder has a very positive result in reducing disorder incidents.

10. New Hospital

It was announced that a Consultation Meeting was to be held in the Institute Blackwood on Monday 10 June at 6.30 pm.

11. Logo Competition

Granville outlined the progress of the Logo Competition. A revised timetable had been produced offering more flexibility.

12.Talent Data Bank

It was once again stressed the importance of filling in the Talent Bank Form and a suggestion was made to extend to members of the Community.

13. Bridle Way

Richard Jones reported on the progress of the Bridle Way project and was encouraged by the invitation to a meeting with CCBC but reported that the meeting was not conducive to the points in question.

14. Website Oakdale Village.Net

Granville commented on the website posting

Important - Please Read:-

The Oakdale Village website is proving too popular for its own good. The host computer company has a threshold limit of 250 postings on the forum and the site well exceeds 200+ so far. It is so far free as the Webmaster has paid for the forum content.

It is good for people to chat to each other but however valuable that may be, the Webmaster outlined four options:-

1. To find another free forum (that’s almost impossible - not one that provides ease of use or flexibility).

2. Find someone to sponsor the forum. Bear in mind thresholds could be reached four times a year.

3. Make the forum subscription based by password login

4. Close down the forum completely.

User comments on the Forum :

" Great pity to lose the Forum - never realised what went into running it. "

"Better the drop in casual type of posting. "

"Get a sponsor would seem an ideal way to end "

The Officers of the Partnership, at their previous meeting decided to recommend that the Partnership sponsor the Website Forum which will be in the region of £250 per year = £5 per week.

The Partnership agreed that it would only be too happy to do so.

15. Telephone Masts

Richard Jones reported to the meeting that the residents of Ynys-y-Coed were upset at the relocation of telephone masts. Richard went on to say that a meeting had been arranged with Vodofone.

16. Any Other Business

St Fagans

As suggested in the last General Meeting minutes, that it would be a good idea to forge links with the Bevin Boys and that the Partnership be represented at the Bevin Boys’ Regional Get Together. This was attended by Granville and David Davies. Attached is a report from Ralph Thomas as Granville had to leave early owing to another commitment.

Date of Next Meeting:

7 July, 6.30 pm, Oakdale Community Centre.