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There is no summary of this meeting yet. One is written once the council publishes the minutes. The agenda and papers are below.
Mandy George (Llanwern), Russell Bevan (Langstone) and Judy Clatworthy (Wentlooge).
None.
The minutes of the previous meeting held on the 2 October 2025 were agreed as a true and accurate record. A Community Councillor queried that they had asked in the previous meeting whether the aim of the Review of Community Boundaries and Electoral Arrangements was to reduce Community Councils and this was not reflected in the minutes. Upon checking, this question had been asked in the meeting that took place on 26 June 2025 and was reflected in the minutes of that meeting.
Chris Jeynes from Run4Wales provided a verbal update to the Committee on the Newport Marathon that is taking place on the 19th April 2026. Questions: • A Community Councillor noted that the measures taken to overcome issues around post-race clean up faced by the event last year were welcomed and disruption to residents should be minimised as much as possible. • All the relevant information can be found on their website here www.newportwalesmarathon.co.uk
Chief Inspector (CI) Mark Soderland of Gwent Police provided the following update to the Committee: • An update on crime statistics for Newport East, West and City Centre. • An update on a multi-agency operation around creating safer spaces for women and girls in the nighttime economy. • An update on Neighbourhood Matters and Neighbourhood Alerts and informed the Committee that resources are deployed based on the reports received from residents to ensure that they are used effectively. The website is here Home Page - Gwent Neighbourhood Matters. Questions: • A Community Councillor asked how Gwent Police deal with e-Bikes and Scooters around Newport. The CI informed the Committee that there is a focus on these as they are usually associated with neighbourhood crime or anti-social behaviour and added that a more comprehensive update can be provided to the Committee in writing. • A Community Councillor asked whether any communications can be circulated to Community Councils about Neighbourhood Matters. The CI informed the Committee that they will check on what has already been provided and will look at getting it recirculated. Actions: • CI Soderland’s email to be sent to Community Council Clerks to be distributed amongst the Councillors as agreed in the meeting.
The Democratic and Electoral Services Manager (DESM) provided an overview to the Committee and covered the following: • The purpose and importance of the review • Key milestones of the review • The consultation arrangements • The Terms of Reference for the consultations • Links to the relevant web pages for the consultation - Community boundaries review | Newport City Council and Community boundaries review | Newport City Council Questions: • A Community Councillor asked what happens with the recommendations put forward by the Task and Finish group. The DESM informed the Committee that they will be put to full Council for Members to consider and make a decision on. • The Head of Law and Standards (HoLS) informed the Committee that information about the consultation has been sent to the Community Councils Clerks and this current open consultation is their opportunity to provide feedback. • A Community Councillor asked whether they would have an opportunity to speak to the Ward members. The HoLS informed the Committee that they can speak to their Ward member but the best way for their views to be heard is to provide feedback through the consultation, by completing the form online or submitting view by email. • A Community Councillor asked if a Community Council provides feedback that they don’t want a change to their number of Councillors, would this be accepted by the task and finish group. The DESM informed the Committee that they would not pre-empt the outcome of the consultation but added that the consultation form asks for specific feedback as all Community Councils have different circumstances. They added that as well as the online feedback form they will also accept feedback via email from Community Councils. • A Community Councillor asked what value there is in reducing the number of Councillors as it is not a paid role so there are no savings to be made. The DESM informed the Committee that there is a legal requirement for the review and part of the review is looking at the effectiveness of electoral arrangements as much as the boundaries themselves. They added that the consultation closes on the 22nd March 2026 and view can be submitted until that date. • A Community Councillor enquired about the figures in the table on the proposal as they thought that the residents for Castleton had not taken into consideration but the Community Council area is Marshfield and Castleton. The DESM informed the Committee that they will pick this up following the meeting with the specific map for the area. Actions: The presentation shown in the meeting to be sent to the Committee. The Marshfield boundary map to be sent to the Marshfield Councillor.
The DESM informed the Committee that this report is for information only and there were no questions from the Committee.
The DESM informed the Committee of the items on the Forward Work Programme. Questions: • A Community Councillors asked for an update on the Local Development Plan. The DESM informed the Committee that they have a representative from One Voice Wales who can come and speak to the Committee at the next meeting. • A Community Councillor enquired whether the meeting in April 2027 can be pushed back to May 2027 due to the election period. The DESM informed the Committee that this can be looked into. • A Community Councillor asked whether the Police could provide an update specific to rural areas rather than the City Centre. The HoLS informed the Committee that if they have specific issues for the Police, these could be sent ahead of the meeting.
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