Community Council Meeting

Gilestone Farm – 
​Matters arising from the validation of the UVCG survey by Cllr Burdon, Advice from OVW and the notice agreed by all Councillors which was posted on the Community Councils Facebook page and website 
 
The Clerk was asked by the chair to explain the item.
Cllr. Burdon confirmed that the community poll organised  by UVCG was verified by himself.
Following this verification, the clerk received inquiries regarding the independence of the Community Council in relation to this matter.
These inquiries were being made due to the fact the UVCG had stated on their website that the poll had been verified by the Acting Chair of the Community Council, Cllr Burdon. 
 
Cllr. Burdon has explained that the verification was carried out in a personal capacity only and not in his capacity as a member of the council. The Community Council  at no time had given Cllr. Burdon the authority to undertake this action on behalf of the Community  Council. 
Following his explanation, advice was sought from OVW, who advised that a retraction needed to be issued confirming that Cllr Burdon had carried out this verification, not as a member of the council, but in  his own personal capacity as a private individual. 
After this discussion had taken place, Councillor Moorman asked what the council could do to address the fact that  the UVCG had also previously tried to  indicate that they were working with the Community Council. 
In order to clarify the fact that Council is not and has never been working with the UVCG against the Green Man at any point , either in the past or at present, a proposal was put forward seconded and unanimously  agreed,  to issue a public statement that “the Usk Valley Conservation Group keeps making statements that are not true, regarding the Community Council. The Clerk said that the  Community Council had not yet taken a decision concerning its  position relating to the Green Man, as it is still waiting for the business plan to be published and circulated. 
Only following the publication and review of this document by the Council will they  then make an informed decision on their position.
In addition, it was suggested that the statement should indicate that any persons or any organisations currently trying to suggest that they are working with the Council against the Green Man are in fact incorrect.
The  draft statement to be circulated to all Councillors for agreement prior to it being published on the Community Council Website and Facebook page. 
 
The Community Council awaits a date to meet with Welsh Government to discuss the business plan.