1. Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, particularly the young skate boarders present. The replacement Community Regeneration Officer for Oakdale, Keith Knott (replacing Tina), was also introduced and welcomed.

2. Apologies

Deb Tucker, Dean Tucker, Peter Gomer, Mair Gwyn, Barry Ebdon, Noel Young, Irene James (AM), Don Touhig (MP), Margaret Salerno (Homestart), Richard Jones, Glyn Ralph, Cllr. Allan Pritchard, Steve Carter, Sylwyn Evans, Cyril. Mike also gave his apologies for not attending last month’s meeting.

3. Minutes of the Last Meeting

No. 6 The Square. In the summer it is hoped to have a part time gardener – this is not yet confirmed.

4. Matters Arising

Highways attended last month’s meeting to discuss signs. No conclusion has yet been reached. The Area Forum budget could be used to purchase them. The Partnership is considering 4 signs around the village (junction of Groveside Road pointing to the recreation ground and community centre / bottom of Central Avenue pointing to the centre and shops / top of the village by the Church pointing to the village centre / on the corner near the betting office pointing to the community centre and recreation ground). Justin informed the Partnership that they would need to be bi-lingual. They would cost approx. £500 per sign.

There was then discussion as to road safety signs for horse riders. These are needed while the work on the road is progressing (even temporary road signs). June Piper will assess the area of road in question and signs will be installed depending on the results. One of the areas in need of signs are the traffic lights at Croespenmaen. The Trinant Partnership could also be involved in purchasing appropriate signs. Mike and Richard Jones volunteered to work on the project but have yet to meet up. It was advised that they arrange a meeting.

The decision needs to be made by the Partnership. There is a need to attract people from the main road into the village. It was voted that the 4 village signs would be purchased using the area forum budget.

In terms of the contractor chosen to carry out the work on the bridleway, this has already been decided. The Local Authority use a procurement system of approved contractors, which was agreed by the Partnership’s Executive Committee. This does not include a non-slip surface over the bridges. The Key Fund must be spent as the deadline is now approaching. The work is due to commence in the first or second week of November. The Key Fund was allocated to create a community route, not just a bridleway for horse-riders. This European funding was granted to open up the countryside to everyone, including riders, walkers and cyclists (not motorbikes). This was made very clear when the grant was applied for. There was some concern that there may be clashes between these users. The route is not fenced in and the route is wide enough to accommodate several user groups. All user groups must respect each other.

5. Correspondence

An invitation to the Voluntary Sector Awareness Day has been received. It is a day for voluntary organisations to network with each other and includes the launch of the new Community Directory. Let Granville know if you would like to attend. (10.30 – 3.00pm 26th November, Ysgol Cwm Rhymni)

Oakdale Silver Band – The Partnership have received a bill for £100 for the Homefront event. Granville and David will be finalising the balance sheet.

Royal British Legion – Thank you letter received from them regarding the donation.

Inspector Fleming, Gwent Police – A letter received acknowledging the thank you letter sent to him for their participation in Homefront.

CLURV – A cancer charity, which is looking for volunteer drivers in the area to take people to hospital appointments.

Oakdale Comprehensive School – There will be a presentation evening for certificates on the 10th of November at 7.00pm. The Officers are invited to attend if they wish.

Euphony – Information on the ways organisations can raise funds relating to the telephone calls they make. The information will be passed on to the Treasurer.

Local Health Board – Copies of Annual Report available.

6. Treasurer’s Report

There is currently £4,244.97 in the bank at present. However several items have yet to come off this balance.

There is to be a social event held for the elderly / disabled in the area on November the22nd. It has been decided to use outside caterers to provide the food. However the subgroup has underestimated the costs and would like to buy table decorations, entertainment and a small gift for each person. It was asked whether the group could have an extra £100. Any surplus left over would then go back into Partnership funds. The event will provide a meal for 36 people (meals will be sent home if there are insufficient numbers on the day). It is also hoped to provide entertainment. The Partnership agreed to increase the money by £100. It was suggested that local shops could be contacted to provide raffle prizes. Individual members of the Partnership could also donate prizes if they wish. Noel Young has also offered to help the group and will be invited to the social event. Transport may be needed for some people to be able to attend.

The sub-group were thanked for their hard work in organising this event. Everyone agreed that it was a lovely gesture to put on an event of this kind for local elderly and disabled people.

7. Projects

Skate Park / Recreation Ground – The planning application has been completed and local residents have had the opportunity to comment. There have been no objections received. The application then goes to committee on the 14th of November. If there are no problems the work can then commence. The project has to be completed by the end of December as this is when the funding must be spent by.

Granville will meet the skate boarders to decide on the type of units. Initially there is enough funding for approximately 5 units but the base will be large enough to accommodate further units in the future. If the facility is properly used and well looked after, other funding could be looked into in order to purchase further units. If however it is abused the units are only bolted in position so will be removed and taken elsewhere. Residents living near the facility must also be respected. The park will be fenced. The youth shelter will then also be installed. It is also hoped to create a graffiti wall, which will be discussed at a later meeting. Lighting will also be installed.

There are three different surfaces and it is hoped that we will be able to have the best, which reduces noise. A contractor has been chosen who is doing a lot of similar work around the County Borough. This helps to reduce the costs. The young people have suggested doing sponsored events to try and raise money towards other units. A meeting will be arranged for the skate boarders to meet the contractor to discuss designs (this is part of the contractor’s obligation). An opening of the recreation park will be organised.

The Partnership would also like to create a garden area at the bowling green for disabled people.

The Village Square – It is hoped that winter planting will take place soon. Hopefully the Christmas lights will be in place by early December.

A possible project is to open up the area around Aberconwy by taking out some of the hedging and fencing. Tina has spoken to John Ridgewell who is happy for this to go ahead if neighbouring residents are in agreement. He did however want to make the Partnership aware that this could raise some problems. The police are happy with the area as it is at present as long as the hedge is kept well trimmed. Residents will be asked about a number of alternatives – this is only a proposal at present.

Could the square be cleaned for the Remembrance Day Service? The area would be cleaned on the Sunday morning.

GreenGRO – Over the last few weekends bulbs have been planted on the inner area of the village. Some of the areas are near roads, which makes it difficult to involve schoolchildren. To date 2500 bulbs have been planted.

The skate boarders were thanked for their attendance and the attention they paid throughout the meeting. They then left the meeting.

Sirhowy Enterprise Way – Costains would now like to meet with the Partnership again. Markers have been placed on the roundabout outlining the design. There are however differences in how we expected the roundabout to look. We have a quotation for the 4 sculptures from gnosis of £4,000 and a further £1,050 for the additional pieces. Geoff and Granville will be taking this project forward. Alan Elliot will also be involved in another project.

For the opening of the bridge it is intended that local disabled children will be invited. Could members suggest individuals who might like to be involved? The event will be taking place on either the 20th or 21st of December. It was suggested that Noel Young be contacted to see if he knows of anyone following the research he has carried out.

Would it be possible to have a sponsored walk over the bridge prior to its official opening? Geoff would speak to Costains.

8. Anti-Social Behaviour

There have been some incidents lately, including a stolen and abandoned car and eggs being smashed in the local shop. Residents have noticed an increase in anti-social behaviour over recent weeks. The police advised that any incidents must be reported to the police and if possible identifications of those involved made. Several ASBO applications have been made for members of a local gang. All members of the gang will be treated alike if they are involved in anti-social behaviour. Jeanette is trying to patrol the square every evening. The problem time seems to be between 7pm and 9pm so officers will try to attend at this time.

The Oakdale area is suffering less anti-social behaviour than other areas. The CCTV cameras are also working but do move around so can miss some incidents. It is hoped some of the trees will be cut back to prevent them from obscuring the square. Statistics could be looked into to see if they are making a difference by comparing the number of incidents before and after their installation. The square has also been much quieter than in the summer.

Halloween seemed to pass fairly quietly and seemed quite well organised compared to previous years. The local shops also refrained from selling eggs and flour on that day.

Jeanette asked whether the MUGA could be opened in the evenings so that she has somewhere to move the children onto. Could the side gate be opened? The problem with the lighting has now been solved and the steps will be sorted out tomorrow. It was agreed that the caretaker will open the MUGA and leave it open after the school day has finished. The official opening is still being organised but the MUGA is available for use up until 9pm when the lights will be switched off.

Young people would like to be involved in the Partnership but it would be better if they could hold their own meetings. This would need support from adult volunteers. Other areas have young people’s Partnerships attached to the main Partnership through a representative. They would then feed back to their group. Could a representative of a Partnership which has youth involvement attend a future meeting to give us advice?

Girls have also requested facilities. They feel they would like somewhere to go to watch TV, use computers, play table tennis and speak to someone when they have a problem. Unfortunately there is nowhere to store equipment in the village. There is a youth club but there are always problems in finding volunteers to regularly run the activities.

Could the demountable building at the school be taken back for community use? Cllr. John Evans will look into this. The Christian Centre hall is open 3 to 4 nights each week as a voluntary run youth club. The young people do not have to attend Church to come to the youth club and religion is not part of the activities.

9. Any Other Business

Village Centenary – To be held during the first week of June 2007. The Partnership needs to start to think about what it wants to do for the celebrations. It is hoped to have events on the recreation ground, marquee, concerts etc. We therefore need to set up a working group to help organise everything. Could names be given to Granville – we need approximately 12 people.

Rhiw Syr Dafydd Junior School – The school participated in Homefront and we want to continue with the campaign to try and save the buildings.

Newsletter – the latest edition of the newsletter is now out. Could those volunteering to deliver copies please collect their bundles.

Remembrance Day Service – The Service will take place at 11.00am at the Cenotaph.

Visit to the Houses of Parliament – Don Touhig MP has offered the Partnership the opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament. Could names of those interested in attending be given to Granville.

First Aid – sessions could be organised at the centre either through the police or St John’s Ambulance. This could be particularly useful for the skateboarders.

Public Toilets on the square – Could the toilets be opened up in the morning for the postman? At present the village square group are consulting on whether to have them opened up or demolished. From consultations already carried out it is currently 50 / 50. Could the postman be given a key to open up the toilets?

Dog Mess – This is a particular issue outside people’s houses. Could those responsible be identified? If so a fine could be issued. This can be done anonymously. Dog bins are also needed, which could be purchased from the Area Forum budget. Horse fouling is also a problem although it is not an offence.