1. Welcome and Apologies

The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting. There were apologies from Silwyn Evans, Steve Carter, Don Touhig MP, Deb and Dean Tucker, Cllr. Pritchard and Irene James AM.

2. Guest Speaker

There was no guest speaker this month.

3. Minutes of the last meeting

Item 11 - an application for Penmaen Woods is being prepared but has not yet been made to CydCoed. It is hoped that it will be submitted at the end of the week. Spelling of name - Mair's surname is spelt Gwynne. Streetlighting - Clarification was needed regarding for which lighting no funding is available. It was with regard to additional safety lighting for 3 back lanes.

4. Matters Arising

Item 3 - the Church yard has posted notices regarding dangerous gravestones in an attempt to appeal to living relatives. Letters have been written to the Churches in Blackwood.

Streetlighting - for the back lanes. Costing of the lighting is still awaited from Lee Evans of CCBC. It was explained that the Local Authority does not light back lanes in CCBC. Howard Rees has offered to speak to the Partnership and Graham Thomas (Safety Officer) will look into these areas. We are currently waiting for an appropriate date. At present nothing has been received from Irene James AM regarding the role of the Welsh Assembly in community safety and street lighting. Welsh Audit Office - they are currently carrying out a review of community safety in Caerphilly. They have requested that they come and talk to the Partnership.

Item 8 - public toilets. The questionnaire results have been forwarded to Cllr. Paul Ford. Tony White, the officer responsible at CCBC has said that he would need appropriate evidence from the community that the toilets should be demolished. At present there have only been 56 responses. Tony would need to see a bigger consensus. If there is an issue in terms of environmental health this must be taken up with the relevant department. The local Councillors all agree that the toilets should be demolished as the continual repairs and maintenance have drained funds. The committee reported that although only 56 responses had been received the questionnaire had gone out to 1600 houses, giving everyone the opportunity to respond. Of the responses received the result was almost 2:1 in favour of demolition. Could the results of the survey be published via the noticeboard and website and give people the opportunity to protest to the Partnership if they disagree? In the 9 months that the toilets have been out of use there have been only 2 complaints that they were closed. A vote was also taken at the Partnership meeting. Emma will contact Tony White to take this further.

5. Financial Statement

£6,113 has been paid to CCBC. There have been donations (from the dissolution of Oakdale Bowls Club and from the new Bowls club). The Partnership also paid for the bus to take residents to visit the National Assembly building. Balance at £2,000.

Allan Dallymore (CCBC) will pay for the upgrading of the bollards on the village square.

Area Forum Balance - Members have been asked for ideas to spend the budget. A list of suggestions and ideas were then circulated at the meeting. Emma will ask the relevant CCBC officers to cost the various projects, see if on CCBC land, liaise with Councillors etc.

6. Centenary Committee

Time is now running out. An action plan of activities has been developed. It is hoped to have one function each month throughout 2007. June the 9th will be the pageant, April 21st the unveiling of the village square 'marker'. Karen and the committee are currently looking into potential funding sources including the Welsh Arts Council and private funders. A meeting was also held with GAVO and Heritage Lottery to develop a young roots project involving young people in a project reflecting the area's mining heritage eg. play or mosaic. The marker will cost in the region of £50,000 - £100,000 including village square garden improvements. It would also be a good project to twin the village with another village in Poland.

7. Project Updates

Village Square - Flower beds are planted and tubs placed around the square. No damage has been reported. Granville and Geoff talking to and involving the young people has helped prevent vandalism.

Skate Park - The project is progressing. Alan Elliot is currently carving the skateboard seating. Would also like to create a graffiti wall. The equipment will be installed starting 10th of July. There will be an official opening next month with displays from skateboarders etc. The young people will also set up a skatepark club - they will run it and raise their own funds. In the next newsletter (August) a feature will be included on the new youth facilities in Oakdale. Granville and David visited the TLC Shop in Ty Sign. They will be speaking at the next meeting. The Ty Sign Partnership has a very active youth committee.

Community Access Route - A meeting was held on site. Work has been carried out on the bridge although there are some issues still to resolve. It is necessary to wait and see how the surfaces weather to assess which is best. The representative from the British Horse Society is to visit on the 10th of July. CCBC will bring all bridges up to the acceptable standard, as laid out by the British Horse Society.

Penmaen Woods - A bid to CydCoed has been prepared with the help of Groundwork. An answer is expected within one month. A copy will be put on the website. The Partnership had an excellent response when asking for letters of support for this project. Schools could also use the area for Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Thanks was given to CCBC Parks Department for the very attractive tubs. Could volunteers come forward to help with looking after them (Penrhiw Terrace).

8. Reports of other meetings attended

Granville attended the GAVO / CCBC funding Day There has been no response to the poster to set up a drama group in Oakdale.

9. Any Other Business

Play equipment has been removed from the recreation ground. Many residents have made complaints. The equipment was moved on safety grounds (to be repaired or replaced). CCBC are looking to resurface these play areas with rubber surfacing. Nigel Powell has since spoken to Cllr. Pritchard. There is also the possibility of looking into relocating the play ground.

Charity Trustee Training - Karen reported that training on the roles and responsibilities of charity trustees will be arranged in partnership with the Ty Sign Partnership. It will take place 6.00 - 8.30 at Oakdale Community Centre on the 15th of August.

Sand slitting on the recreation ground - quad bikes have been riding around the recreation ground. Who should residents contact? Ring the police.

Date of the next meeting is 6.30pm Wednesday the 2nd August.

Everyone wanted to express a big thank you to David Davies for all the help he has given the Partnership. David will be leaving the area at the end of the month. Granville also thanked DAvi, Karen (GAVO) and Emma (CCBC) for all their help.