MADAM,

What a state of affairs when the Portskewett Community Council pay to have the grass cut in a dog walking field (Harold’s Field) and yet reject the application for grass cutting services to the recreation hall.

The children’s play area and the football pitch surrounds are popular facilities, freely available to the community, our community council reject any sense of responsibility for their maintenance.

Prior to the Monmouthshire County Council passing over responsibility for grounds maintenance to community councils, they assumed the grass cutting responsibility at no cost. From that time the community council has rejected many requests to have our grounds maintenance expenses met from community funds.

When setting a budget the council are required to give consideration to running costs of the council, and maintenance and running costs of existing assets eg play parks, emptying litter bins and grounds maintenance.

For clarity the trustees are a committee that the community council (some years ago) set up to administer the recreation hall and playing fields. The reality is, that should the trustee committee fold, the community council will become responsible for the asset.

My letter to the community council dated 6th April 2018 received a reply dated 9th July “The council has taken time to review its assets and considers that all responsibilities in respect of those assets are being met.”

I don’t agree and ask residents of the village to lobby their community councillors to change their decision.

Eric Taylor

(Chairman of Trustees Portskewett and Sudbrook Recreation Hall)