The Council's Role
Like all Community Councils in Wales, members of St Arvans Council have an interest
in the well-being of the community and volunteer their time as councillors.
The council sees itself as having a major role of consulting the community on local issues, making known the views of St Arvans residents to the unitary authority and other public bodies and being the hub of communication on matters affecting the village.
It is the duty of Monmouthshire County Council to consult Community Councils on how local services are delivered and other issues affecting the neighbourhood. Community Councils have the right to be consulted on any planning applications in their areas and are also kept informed about licensing applications.
St. Arvans Community Council comprises seven Councillors. Elections are usually held every five years; with the next election due in 2027. Nomination papers are sent to the Clerk for distribution and the completed forms are returned to Monmouthshire County Council (MCC). If more than seven applications are received, an election is held; if seven or less, those candidates are automatically elected and vacancies subsequently filled by co-option. Casual vacancies are filled by election and through co-option if an election is not called. Any vacancies are advertised; should you be interested in joining the Council, please email or
phone the Clerk or any
Councillor.
Advisory Groups
St. Arvans Community Council has 4 Advisory Groups. Individual councillors can belong to one or more of these groups; the chair and vice chair are members ex officio. Interested residents are invited to contribute to these meetings.
Advisory Group meetings take place prior to the main monthly meetings. This allows for lengthier discussion on subjects than can be experienced at the monthly meeting, engagement with MCC officers or other interested parties, site visits etc. No council decisions are made at these group meetings but recommendations are made to the whole Council, usually in the form of a written report in advance of the meeting. This assists with the management of what can be lengthy Ordinary Meeting agendas. Agendas for the Advisory Group Meetings focus on matters arising from the previous Ordinary Meeting.
The Chair of each group is chosen by the group itself, except for the Finance Group where the Chair is elected by the Council.
The groups and their remits are:
- Highways Advisory Group (HAG): To recommend to SACC action in response to matters relating to Highways, including traffic management; to report on progress made towards completion of projects.
- Environment and Recreation Advisory Group (ERAG): To recommend to SACC action in response to matters relating to the Environment and Recreation, including King George's Field, the Playing Field, Fountain, trees, village maintenance.
- Finance Group: The Council's Responsible Financial Officer attends these meetings. This group sets the Precept, supports the RFO in the maintenance of good financial records and the presentation of the end of year accounts.
- Communications and Community Engagement Advisory Group: Provides advice to the Council and recommends actions regarding communications and engagement including the website, social media, public events, and relevant aspects of information technology (IT).
Freedom of Information
The Council has accepted the Model Publication Scheme approved by the Information Commissioner. A list of documents available to the public, and where they can be found, is
available by clicking here.