Monmouthshire County Council

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Monmouthshire’s Community Hubs want to hear from you about the library service

Monmouthshire’s Community Hubs – in Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow, Gilwern, Monmouth and Usk - want to know what residents think about their local library service.

Users of the library service who are over the age of 16 are being asked to get involved by completing a short survey, which will be available online from 13th March at https://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/community-hubs-and-libraries/ The survey can also be completed in any of the six Community Hubs across Monmouthshire until 25th March 2023 when the survey closes.

Libraries play a key role in promoting the pleasure of reading, in providing information, promoting knowledge and developing skills for people of all ages and all walks of life. Each library in Monmouthshire offers a wide range of wonderful and exciting fiction for all ages, as well as a comprehensive collection of non-fiction books.

Library membership in Monmouthshire is free and includes other free services and free activities, such as computer access, as well as eBooks and eAudiobooks via the Hubs’ Borrowbox service. Monmouthshire is also now ‘fine free’ – there are no charges for books that are overdue.

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Engagement, Cllr. Angela Sandles (pictured), said: “We hope as many people as possible will take a few minutes of their time to complete the survey and help to shape developments and offer guidance for the future. Libraries remain a very important part of our Hubs and we want to ensure they meet the needs of Monmouthshire’s residents.”

The survey will run from Monday 13th March until Saturday 25th March 2023.

For further information on the survey contact:
cherylhaskell@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Posted 08 March 2023
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Monmouthshire Cabinet publishes final budget proposals

The Cabinet of Monmouthshire County Council will consider its final budget proposals for the forthcoming financial year at its meeting on 1 March. Having engaged in a very thorough engagement exercise throughout January, councillors, residents and a range of organisations have had the opportunity to share their views on ‘draft’ proposals.

Debate has been honest, open and thorough. The majority of people that have offered views have recognised just how difficult the financial situation is and that the medium term outlook looks challenging. They have recognised pressures such as public sector pay awards, energy and commodity prices alongside a significant increase in the demand for and complexity of social care and homelessness services. A £26 million financial gap has had to be managed through a combination of service savings, income increases, Council tax rises (5.95%) and one-off use of reserves.

Cabinet has recognised a number of key concerns that have come to the fore and is recommending a series of changes to its budget proposals.

a) Cabinet acknowledges the specific challenges regarding deliverability of savings within adult social care. £1million of savings will be delayed into 2024/25.
b) To limit the fee increase to attend before school clubs from £1 to £2 per day to only the first child, thus ensuring that families with more than one child are not disproportionately impacted.
c) To remove the proposed increase in the concessionary fee for home to school transport.
d) To remove the proposed £30 subscription fee for the Grass Routes Bus Service.
e) To remove a proposed increase in the licence fees for pavement cafés.
f) To remove a proposed reduction in opening hours in leisure centres during the summer months.
g) Opening hours of community hubs across the county will not be reduced.
h) The removal of a proposed saving to delete a post in the internal audit team resulting from feedback received from the Governance & Audit Committee and concern that the level of audit coverage will fall below acceptable levels.
i) £2 million (£0.5 million per annum in each of the next 4 years) of additional investment for pothole repairs to roads.
j) An additional £50,000 to allow for surveys and assessments to be undertaken of bridges across the public rights of way network.

Councillor Rachel Garrick, Cabinet Member for Resources (pictured above) said: “This has been a very difficult process. With a financial challenge of this scale there just isn’t an easy way through. We have done our very best to come up with a set of proposals that are balanced and considerate of the impact on all of our residents. We are recommending a Council Tax increase of 5.95%. Whilst significantly below inflation, I recognise that this will be a challenge for some residents. We will be doing our upmost to ensure that people who are entitled to receive a discount benefit from that discount.”

The final budget will now be considered by Cabinet on 1 March. It will then be the subject of a full Council consideration on 2 March.

Posted 22 February 2023

Get set for half-term fun with MonLife!

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MonLife has put together a programme of exciting activities for children, young people and families to enjoy this February school half-term.

The Monmouthshire Games are returning, providing a great chance to learn new skills, develop confidence, meet new people and most importantly have fun through sport. The week-long programme runs from Monday 20th to Friday 24th February and is hosted across the county’s leisure centres (Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow and Monmouth). Follow the link for more information and the booking form. - https://www.monlife.co.uk/monactive/childrens-activities/the-monmouthshire-games/

At Monmouth leisure centre there is the indoor play centre, featuring an exciting three-storey, action-packed climbing maze, featuring a unique beat the clock timing system. There’s also a designated (enclosed) toddler area. The play centre is open seven days a week (except bank holidays) between 10am and 5.30pm and is suitable for ages - babies and toddlers (0-3), young children (4-8) and older children (9-11). Please note due to a private booking the play centre is closed to the public Saturday 18th and 25th February between 4pm-6pm.

There’s also plenty of fun for all the family in the leisure centres’ pools with some amazing sessions to keep you or your children entertained. Find out more: Swimming – MonLife Holiday Activities

There is lots of free fun to be had at MonLife Museums. Follow the play trails at Abergavenny and Chepstow museums, play dress up at Shire Hall Museum in Monmouth and get creative with our chalkboards, market stall and ‘crack the crime’ games. Children can also could also cook something up at Abergavenny Museum’s Mud Kitchen and play in the grounds with special backpacks filled with fun things to do outdoors, toys and games.

Youngsters can also go undercover at Shire Hall in Monmouth, and at Chepstow and Abergavenny museums, and test their detective skills as part of the national Montgomery Bonbon: Museum Mystery Trail, organised by Kids in Museums and Walker Books. The trail celebrates the release of new children’s book Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum written by comedian Alasdair Beckett-King and illustrated by Claire Powell. So why not visit Monmouthshire’s museums over half-term and join the free fun. To find out museum opening hours visit: https://www.monlife.co.uk/heritage/

MonLife will be also be holding free Stay and Play sessions where children and families will have the opportunity to freely choose from lots of activities including physical play, arts and crafts, den building or wherever their imagination takes them. The sessions are taking place at Raglan Old Church School on the 21st February between: 10am-noon; Shire Hall, Monmouth on the 21st February between 1:30pm-3:30pm; Magor Scouts and Guides Hut on the 23rd February between 10am-noon; Deri View Primary School on the 23rd February between 1:30pm-3:30pm. Please note that parental supervision is required for children under the age of 11. Book now via the following form: https://forms.office.com/e/w38MZvNMGp Full details of what happening over half term can be found here: https://www.monlifeholidayactivities.co.uk/activities/

Youth centres across the county will also be open on certain days for young people to visit. They're a safe space for young people to access, where they can take part in activities, hang out and meet new friends, supported by qualified and registered Youth Workers. The Attik, Monmouth, will be open Tuesday 21st between 3-5pm, Wednesday 22nd between 3pm and 8pm and Friday 24th between 3pm and 6pm. The Cabin, Abergavenny will be open Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd February, 3pm-8pm and Friday 24th, 3pm-6pm. The Zone, Caldicot will be open on Tuesday 21st 2pm-8pm and ‘The Pav’ youth centre in Thornwell, Chepstow, will be open on Tuesday 21st between 2pm and 8pm and Friday 24th February 2pm-7pm.


Posted 16 February 2023
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Views sought on introduction of council tax premium for long-term empty properties and second homes in Monmouthshire

Residents are being asked to share their views on whether Monmouthshire County Council should charge a council tax premium to people who own long-term empty properties and second homes in the county.

A consultation has now been launched following an agreement by the council’s Cabinet to explore this. The legislation, which has been in place since 2017, allows councils in Wales to charge a premium of up to 300% (100% prior to April 2023) on top of the standard rate of council tax, on long-term empty properties and second homes.

The proposals come as Monmouthshire currently faces extremely high levels of homelessness with a large amount of the Council’s finances dedicated to providing short-term emergency accommodation. In line with Welsh Government guidance, the council is able to retain any additional revenue generated from these premiums to help bring long-term empty properties back into use to provide safe, secure and affordable homes and to help to increase the supply of affordable housing and enhance the sustainability of local communities. With the objective of the premium to provide an incentive for encouraging occupation.

Cllr Rachel Garrick, Cabinet Member for Resources said: “Given the unprecedented financial challenges we are facing as a local authority exploring every possible revenue stream is vital to ensure our services are not severely impacted in the coming years. While Monmouthshire County Council has not previously sought to bring in this premium on council tax, we cannot leave any rock unturned while we navigate the financial challenges we are being exposed to. The public’s views are integral to our decision making and that’s why this consultation is important. If you have a view on this proposition, please make sure you take part in the consultation.”

Cllr Garrick added: “The potential benefits to this proposed premium on council tax are two-fold in the aim that it may encourage owners of empty dwellings to bring them back into use, helping to tackle the current housing shortage.”

If introduced the earliest the council could charge a council tax premium would be from the 1st April 2024 for the 2024/25 financial year. If approved the council will seek to notify all rate payers affected by the premium to give them as much advance notice of the change as possible.

Further information on the proposals can be found at https://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/council-tax-premiums-consultation2023/. Views must be submitted by 16th February by completing an online form which can be found on this page of the council’s website.

Posted 19 January 2023
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Monmouthshire recognised as a leader in tackling climate change

A new report has been issued by food and farming charity Sustain that recognises Monmouthshire County Council for the significant work it has undertaken to help tackle the climate emergency.

Out of the 200 local authorities in the UK, only 12% (21 councils) have made significant advances in their plans to tackle climate change according to the ‘Every Mouthful Counts’ report published on Thursday 10th November. Monmouthshire County Council is one of three councils in Wales included on the list for leading the efforts.

With an annual procurement spend of £70 billion, and as owners of up to 1.3 million acres of land, UK councils have significant opportunities to take action on climate change. Sustain found evidence of better performing councils taking action on food and farming including buying sustainable food for council catering, ensuring their county farms are sustainable, allocating land for local food growing and supporting citizens to eat more healthy, sustainable diets. But the findings from Sustain show that the majority are not doing so.

Councils’ services and food production in the UK are already being disrupted by extreme weather. Food price rises caused by climate change will cost the average UK household an estimated £170 this year. Farmers are already counting losses from extreme weather in summer 2022, and dangerous flooding is predicted in February.

Sustain examined the climate, biodiversity and food plans of 179 UK Local Authorities and found that:

Six in ten councils (59 per cent) did not include significant or meaningful action to reduce emissions from food and farming
29 per cent only had ‘barebones’ policies or plans in place
Only 21 councils (about 12%) had more developed and measurable policies in place to cut food-related emissions. These are recognised as leaders.

Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council said: “I am delighted that Monmouthshire has been recognised for the actions we take around food, farming and the climate emergency. Addressing the climate and nature emergencies is core to how we operate. We still have a long way to go and we are committed to being zero carbon while protecting our biodiversity and the well-being of residents through our support to food systems and farming. That we are seen to be making a difference is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of all our staff and the partnerships they have forged with communities, organisations and businesses in Monmouthshire and beyond.”

Cllr Catrin Maby, Monmouthshire County Council’s cabinet member for Climate Change and the Environment, said: “In Monmouthshire, our efforts to address the climate emergency are far reaching, touching every area of our work. This includes supporting local producers, introducing electric vehicles to our fleet of buses and supporting biodiversity with our Nature Isn’t Neat work, amongst other initiatives. I am pleased to see Monmouthshire’s ongoing work receiving this recognition.”

Ruth Westcott, climate and nature emergency co-ordinator at Sustain said: “In the UK we have huge potential to grow more food, more sustainably, support great sustainable farmers and tackle the cost of living crisis and the climate crisis at the same time.

“We found examples of local councils doing a great job and there is lots they can do, from making their own farms sustainable to driving down food waste and opening up school food contracts to higher standard British farmers. Our Food for the Planet programme is full of ideas, drawing on examples of places who are already working on this. We also want to encourage councils to go further - adopting responsible food advertising policies, using planning powers to support sustainable farming but block polluting factory farming, and de-investing their pensions from intensive agriculture.

“Our research also showed how much national leadership matters. We now call on national governments to step up. The Westminster government must set clear targets and a pathway for reducing emissions from food and farming in the UK’s net zero strategy. This should include targets for local governments and - as a start - set standards to ensure that all meals served in the public sector reflect the Eatwell Guide. Councils must be given the resources they need to support a transition to more sustainable farming and diets at a local level.”

Leading council actions
The report provides evidence of councils’ ability to act, with pioneering authorities including Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Cardiff, Central Bedfordshire, Cheshire West and Chester, Clackmannanshire, Devon, Dorset, Ealing, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, Glasgow, Greenwich, Middlesbrough, Monmouthshire, Somerset, Surrey, Telford and Wrekin, Tower Hamlets and the Vale of Glamorgan taking action including buying healthy and sustainable food for schools; meals in the community (‘Meals on Wheels’); social services catering; staff catering and events. Food purchasing includes in the region of three million meals daily in more than 23,000 state schools, with an annual turnover of over £360 million UK-wide. Leading councils have set up localised purchasing systems, and encouraged more climate-friendly diets through public communication. Other councils were found to be increasing allotment and community food growing provision, transitioning council-owned farms to agroecological practices and tackling the causes of food waste.
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We are a democratic organisation made of elected councillors and we employ officers who are responsible for day to day management.

Our headquarters are in Usk and we also have offices in Magor as well as ‘Community Hubs‘ where residents can call in to make enquiries.

We employ around 4,500 people. Where possible, staff have their own laptops so we can operate a policy of one desk to two people – this saves money and allows employees to work whenever and wherever suits them best. The working ethos across the council is that work is something you do, not somewhere you go.

This page on the Tintern village website picks up information from various sources, including press releases issued by the Council.
Contact
Monmouthshire County Council, County Hall, The Rhadyr, Usk, NP15 1GA
Tel. 01633 644644
email
contact@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Trading Standards officers issue warning over Council Tax scam

Friday 21st March 2019

Monmouthshire’s trading standards service is urging residents to remain vigilant after receiving further reports of fraudulent telephone calls from individuals purporting to be from the council tax team. Householders are told they are entitled to a rebate on their council tax bill and the caller then attempts to obtain bank card details.

Trading Standards Team Leader Gareth Walters warned: “Residents have reported that callers appear convincing and already know their full name and address. They may also claim that the council holds incorrect information about the number of bedrooms and the council tax band of the property in a bid to make the rebate seem more plausible.”

Residents should contact Monmouthshire’s council tax team on 01633 644640 or email: counciltax@monmouthshire.gov.uk if they wish to check any council tax information. Alternately, they can check their account on-line: www.monmouthshire.gov.uk - they are strongly advised not to respond to phone calls or text messages suggesting they may be eligible for a refund.

Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with responsibility for public protection, Councillor Sara Jones added: “As we move into the months where Monmouthshire residents receive their new council tax bills we think it’s possible that scammers will use this opportunity to target people. Residents need to be very wary of anyone requesting bank card details over the telephone.”

Residents wishing to report such calls and get practical advice should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Services helpline on 03454 040506.

Monmouthshire County Council has listened to residents and is considering Council budget changes

Friday 15th February 2019

Monmouthshire County Council will take a significant step towards setting its budget for next year when Cabinet outlines a recommended budget at its meeting on 20th February, which will then be considered by full Council on 7th March. It has been a difficult process and we have been listening to feedback from residents about our initial proposals since 19th December 2018. As a result, there are some changes that will be put forward.

Cllr Phil Murphy, Cabinet Member for Resources said:

“I would like to thank all of the people who have shared their feedback with us. We have listened to you. The proposed changes to the budget that we are considering are based on what you’ve told us matters to you. Monmouthshire receives the lowest funding per head of population of any local authority in Wales – since 2013/14 the council’s revenue support grant, the core funding received from central government, has reduced considerably. The largest reduction of any local authority in Wales – with such significant budget cuts listening to our residents is more important than ever. Our approach continues to be to change, improve and adapt our services rather than to close them down. We refuse to lose our ambition for the county although financial realities are restraining our abilities somewhat.”

‘The Council will receive £600k less in hard cash from Welsh Government next year than it received this year. Together with some £6 million of spending pressures identified through the budget process and £3.6 million of other pay and price increases we have had to find a savings package totalling some £10.2 million. £3.6 million will be found from cost reductions, £3.2 million from increases in income and £3.4 million from a Council Tax increase of 5.95%.’

Councillor Murphy added that the Cabinet’s strategy has been straightforward and is directly linked to the Councils approved Corporate Plan. Some of the major investments proposed by Cabinet are:

1. To protect schools by fully funding all pay and pension increases at a cost of £1.9 million
2. To recognise social care pressures; primarily around our ageing population and an increasing number of looked after children at a cost of £1.2 million.
3. To honour all national pay awards and continue its position to set a living wage in line with the Living Wage Foundation.
4. To make available an additional £300,000 for Disabled Facility Grants to enable more people to live independently for longer.
5. To spend an additional £1.2 million on highways maintenance schemes.
6. To continue work on a new 3-18 school in Abergavenny.
7. To commence the build of Abergavenny community hub and complete the town centre refurbishment programme.
8. To make necessary provision to bring forward a replacement for Severn View residential home.
9. To make provision to push on with feasibility works on new transport infrastructure in and around Chepstow.
10. To deliver a new post office in Usk community hub.
11. To continue on with plans to regenerate the centre of Caldicot.
12. To set aside £100k to support high street traders through a business rates discretion over and above national levels.

Councillor Murphy went on to say that a range of service changes / cost reductions will go forward, albeit some key changes arising from listening to residents views will be:

· Blue badge charges – The proposal to introduce parking charges for Blue Badge holders will not go ahead in Monmouthshire. Further, we will improve signage and enforcement for disabled car parking spaces. We will not consider the introduction of charges for the remainder of this Council term.

· Car parking charges – some residents felt that Sunday car parking charges would deter people who pop to their local high street for a short visit on a Sunday. Consequently Cabinet will be recommending that the first two hours will be free with a single charge of one pound for the rest of the day.

Christmas parking - The council will continue to provide free car parking for another year for residents and visitors to the county.

· Business rate relief scheme – Cabinet will recommend that further support will be given to businesses through a locally determined Business Rate Relief Scheme. The views of the business community will be taken on board in designing the scheme. More information about how businesses can apply for business rate relief will be shared in due course. The Cabinet also intends to make an offer to Welsh Government to work with them to examine options for the longer term reform of local taxes and to make sure such a system is progressive, fair and transparent.

· Monmouthshire Specific Learning Difficulties Service – Concerns were raised about two roles which were potentially going to be deleted within the specific learning difficulties service team which supports schools - the council is committed to supporting all learners and as a result of the feedback shared these roles will now not be deleted.