Graig Community Council has a vacancy for a Councillor to represent the Lower Machen ward
Please see our VACANCIES page for updated information and extended deadline details
Graig Community Council
Graig Community Council began life as a Parish Council in December 1894, becoming a Community Council in 1974. The Council is made up of 15 Councillors representing the three wards of Lower Machen, Rhiwderin (inc. part of Afon Village) and Bassaleg. These Councillors are volunteers who care about the community in which they live and commit their time freely to enhance the ward for the benefit of all local residents. The ward has around 3,500 homes and well over 6,000 residents.
The main remit of the Council is to make the Graig Ward a better place for residents to live and enjoy. It is responsible for overseeing the running of the community centres in Bassaleg and Rhiwderin, jointly running the community council cemetery on Penylan Road in Bassaleg together with Rogerstone Community Council and oversees the running of the Bassaleg Allotment Site. It is also responsible for the upkeep of the equipment in the play areas in Bassaleg and Rhiwderin.
Council is a statutory consultee on planning applications in the ward, is able to lobby Newport City Council on important local issues and liaises with Graig’s Newport City Councillors to ensure the best interests of the ward are represented. It becomes involved with issues such as adopting footpaths, making improvements to the surroundings, supporting local groups and carrying out projects to enhance the local area for all to enjoy.
The Council prides itself in being non-political and all inclusive.
A NOTE FROM COUNCIL RE: ST BASIL'S SHOPS BASSALEG (July 2021)
Planning Regarding the Pharmacy and Hairdresser’s Premises at St Basil’s Shops Bassaleg.
Dear Residents,
Graig Community Council is aware that there has been contention over Planning Application No. 20/0534 to convert and enlarge the current Hairdresser’s building to accommodate the Pharmacy at St Basil’s Stores, Bassaleg.
Council is also aware that many residents are upset that the Community Council did not comment on this application when it was being decided, and feel it failed its community in this regard.
Council agreed to publicise the events that took place to explain Council’s position regarding this, and to put the record straight.
Council had been notified last year prior to the date this application was submitted, that due to Covid restrictions and the difficulties Newport City Council had with operations, Council would not be receiving the usual notifications of planning applications, nor could the planning portal be updated.
It was during this period, that the application was deliberated over and approved. Neither the Community Council nor the Clerk, was aware of it at all until very recently.
At the beginning of June 2021, we received notification of an application that was to turn the Pharmacy premises into the Hairdressers and Councillors had heard rumours that there were apparently plans for the Pharmacy and Hairdressers to effectively swap premises. Members of the Bassaleg Community Woodland Trust contacted the Clerk on 4th June, as they had concerns about the trees being removed behind the Hairdresser’s building to make way for an extension for the Pharmacy.
Only upon investigating, did Council find out about the planning approval that had been given previously. By this time there was no opportunity to make comments as the application had been approved some time before. If Council had been made aware at the time, it would most certainly have commented on it.
Please be assured that Council looks at every planning application it is invited to comment on. This process is carried out at every Council meeting and is noted on every agenda and set of meeting minutes for every application received. Comments are forwarded to the City Council promptly. This has always taken place regardless of lockdowns.
Kind regards
Sian Davies
Graig Community Council Clerk