Latest news with #MonmouthshireCountyCouncil
South Wales Argus
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Parc Road, Llangybi, to close for Welsh Water works in July
Parc Road in Llangybi will have restrictions as Monmouthshire County Council enforces a temporary traffic regulation notice. The closure is to enable Welsh Water to carry out essential works safely. The closure will take effect on Monday, July 7, and is expected to last until Wednesday, July 9. However, the order will be in place for up to 18 months, allowing time for any potential delays. The affected section of Parc Road spans approximately 440 metres from its junction with Cochyn. During this period, properties fronting the affected lengths of road will still have reasonable access. A diversion route will be in place, taking traffic via the R106 Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel to Dowlais Brook, the R106 Dowlais Brook to Woodside Trading Estate, the R102 Oak Ridge to Llanbadoc, and the R102 Parc Road to Oak Ridge. The route will be clearly signposted to assist drivers in navigating the area. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys accordingly to avoid any disruption. Monmouthshire County Council has issued a reminder that under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, anyone contravening a restriction or prohibition imposed under Section 14 of the Act will be guilty of an offence. The notice is dated June 25. Welsh Water has assured residents that the works are essential and will be carried out as swiftly as possible to minimise disruption. Further updates will be provided as the works progress.
South Wales Argus
19 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Temporary licence sought for Raglan Festival fun day
The Raglan Festival organisers are seeking approval for the event on the sports field in Station Road. The fun day is planned for August 24, 2025, from 12pm to 7pm. Residents have until July 16 to express any support or concerns regarding the plans. Representations can be made to Monmouthshire County Council's licensing section at County Hall, The Rhadyr, Usk, NP15 1GA. The application is available for public viewing at the council's hubs and County Hall in Usk. This can be done Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm, and Friday, 9am to 4.30pm, excluding bank holidays, by prior arrangement. The application is also available to view online at An official notice has warned against providing false information in relation to the application. The notice stated: "It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. "The fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is unlimited." The application was submitted on June 18, 2025. If approved, the fun day will be open to the community, offering a variety of activities for all ages.
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire mosque lease for former library confirmed
Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet agreed to grant a 30-year lease for the empty Abergavenny Library to the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association in May but three backbench councillors forced a review using the council's call in process. Just two days before a scrutiny committee considered that request the grade II listed building, last used as a pupil referral unit after the library closed and transferred to the to the town hall in 2015, was targeted by Islamophobic vandalism. The decision had to come back to the Labour-led cabinet's Wednesday, June 25 meeting where leader Mary Ann Brocklesby reminded those present the call in 'asked us to review the decision made and does not have the authority to overturn the decision.' Councillor Ben Callard, who is responsible for resources including leases, addressed the seven points made by the scrutiny committee which sent the decision back to the cabinet, on the chair's casting vote, but said he wasn't convinced the tender process should be run again as the committee wanted. A photograph showing the anti-Muslim vandalism of the former Abergavenny Library. The Llanfoist and Govilon member said: 'I've reflected on them but at the moment I'm not minded to change the original decision. I think it was the correct one and Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association will be good tenants for this property.' Of those reasons Cllr Callard said the council hadn't set a target rent for the building, and doing so could have 'depressed' the price, and defended the four week timeframe for the tender process. He said a number of 'competitive' bids were received and he didn't agree the council should have got an independent survey of the building as the authority has the capacity to do so itself. He also dismissed the suggestion, he said made by a Conservative councillor, the library built and funded by Scottish-American philanthropists Andrew Carnegie should be sold. He said: 'I don't think it should be disposed of, it should remain in the council's ownership'. Conservative opposition leader Cllr Richard John claimed taxpayers would be 'subsidising' the mosque at the agreed rent of £500 a month, or £6,000 a year. He said a previous council budget paper suggested it could produce a rental of between £20-25,000 a year. Cllr Callard said: 'The tax payers of Monmouthshire will not be subsidising it. It was put out for a competitive tender and it returned the figures proposed by the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association, which was the highest submission.' From left, Cllrs Ben Callard, Mary Ann Brocklesby and Richard John. (Image: Monmouthshire County Council.) He added the lease is on a 'full repair' basis which will pass all maintenance responsibilities to the tenants and he described the building as having 'significant liabilities'. The lease was also described as a commercial deal and Cllr Callard said the Muslim association isn't benefiting from a rental agreement, which is a subsidy, that other community groups leasing council buildings enjoy. Cllr Callard also acknowledged it was an 'ambition' of the cabinet the local Muslim community should have a mosque but denied, under questioning from Cllr John, there was any 'done deal'. He also said independent councillor Simon Howarth was wrong to say the council had 'put' the mosque in the library as it offered the building through a tender process open to all. Concerns from residents over car parking in the area were also acknowledged at the meeting and Cllr Callard said the association has committed to using the three nearby public car parks. All seven members of the cabinet confirmed their support for the original decision when asked by Cllr Brocklesby who said the unanimous decision means the lease will be offered to the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association. During the meeting Cllr Callard also acknowledged questioning over how the council should subject potential leases to scrutiny before decisions are made which he said requires further thought.
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Footpath over Usk Island railway bridge to close in July
The unnamed path will be closed from July 1 due to maintenance work. Monmouthshire County Council announced the closure, stating it would remain shut until December 1, or until the work is completed, depending on which comes first. An alternative route will be available, as indicated on the order plan. The closure is in accordance with a temporary traffic regulation order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The council has warned that anyone who disregards the closure will be committing an offence under the same act. For more information, people are advised to contact the Rights of Way Section of Monmouthshire County Council on 01633 644850 or via email at Countryside@ The announcement was made by James Williams, the council's chief officer for law and governance, on June 18.
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire County Council Armed Forces Week flag raising
The flag-raising ceremony on June 23 at County Hall was led by the council's chair and armed forces champion, Councillor Peter Strong, and council leader, Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby. Throughout the week, the council will host coffee mornings to bring together veterans, the community, and local schools to share stories. Councillor Strong said: "This week gives us the time to come together and show our appreciation to the Armed Forces Community. "We are proud to support our Armed Forces and look forward to hosting Wales' National Armed Forces Day this Saturday, June 28." The week will conclude with Monmouthshire County Council hosting Wales' National Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 28, at Caldicot Castle and Country Park. This free event is a celebration for the Armed Forces community, including serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadets, and their families. Attendees will enjoy a parachute display by the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team, a Spitfire aircraft flight display from the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and a performance by the Band of the RAF Regiment, among other exhibitions. Councillor Brocklesby, said: "If you've not already secured your ticket, I'd urge you to do so quickly. "Wales' National Armed Forces Day event at Caldicot allows us as a council and our communities to show our support to active service men and women and the entire Armed Forces community. "I look forward to seeing you there." The council encourages people to secure their free tickets by visiting the Monmouthshire County Council website.
