A British Heart Foundation analysis shows that Monmouthshire has one of the higher air pollution levels in Wales – the health damage equivalent of 91 cigarettes a year.  Cardiff has the equivalent of 105 per year, Newport 102, and Torfaen 94.  BHF Cymru wants the Welsh Government to introduce a Clean Air Act and to adopt WHO guidelines.

MCC has recently issued a draft Planning Advice Note on Archaeology for comments by 10 January.  Supplementary Planning Guidance on Affordable Housing was adopted earlier in the year, and SPG on Infill Development was adopted recently, at the same meeting as draft SPG on Landscape was adopted for consultation.

MCC’s Strong Communities Select Committee will scrutinise a Green Infrastructure Strategy prepared by Chris Blandford Associates for the county on Thursday, 7 November: https://democracy.monmouthshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=139&MId=4002

Volume 1 is 160 pages long but there is an executive summary.  Volume 2, the delivery plan, is as yet unavailable online.

Monmouthshire’s full Council Meeting will consider a draft Climate Emergency Strategy on Thursday, 24 October – details at https://democracy.monmouthshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=143&MId=3878

MCC are advertising for a full-time Active Travel Officer at £27-30k pa to help develop walking and cycling plans and projects.  Closing date 25 October – details at https://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/app/uploads/2019/10/191025-ROHT39-Active-Travel-Officer.pdf

Monmouthshire’s first household waste reuse shop has made a great start.  ‘The Shop’ is based at the Llanfoist Household Waste and Recycling Centre with the purpose of contributing to Monmouthshire County Council’s commitment to tackling climate change.

Since opening its doors in June, the reuse shop has already diverted seven tonnes of material from the waste stream and back into use. The Shop’s second purpose will see all profits made from sales go to supporting climate change initiatives such as tree planting, community orchards and community gardens projects. Since June £10,000 has been raised.

The daily running of the shop is supported by volunteers and the council is calling on more people to come and volunteer at the shop to expand the service. This can be helping with sales and general assistance around the unit.

The Shop is open on Thursday and Friday between 10am and 2pm for more information visit: http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/reuse-shop

Future Generations Commissioner Sophie Howe has said she will name publicly public sector bodies that don’t improve their sustainability performance. The occasion was the publication of a report – A Journey to a Prosperous Wales – aimed at helping public and private sector bodies to improve their performance.

Monmouthshire County Council has produced a Draft Countryside Access Improvement Plan (also known as Rights of Way Improvement Plan), which outlines objectives for Monmouthshire’s public rights of way and wider public access for the next 10 years.  The vision of the plan is to provide high quality, well maintained public rights of way network and countryside sites, that will support the Monmouthshire economy, encourage active lifestyles and sustainable travel choices, and contribute to making Monmouthshire a great place to work, live and visit.

The draft strategy is available to download along with the assessment reports which provided the evidence for the Draft ROWIP.  You can find it with this link:- https://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/rights-of-way-improvement-plan-rowip/

Your views and comments can be sent direct to RuthRourke@monmouthshire.gov.uk or to countryside@monmouthshire.gov.uk.  The postal address is on the above link. The consultation closes at midnight on 26 November 2019.

Following the Welsh Government’s rejection of the M4 relief road, CALM (the successful campaign against the new road) is to continue in order to counter any revival of the proposal. It will also aim to safeguard the Levels from other development, perhaps by a higher protective designation, and to ensure that land already acquired for the road is returned to suitable uses. The group will also engage with the Burns commission in favour of a sustainable transport infrastructure and seek to add more power to the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.

If you would like to play a part in this interesting new approach by CALM please email catherinelinstrum@me.com

Do you have an interest in public rights of way and countryside access?  Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) is searching for new members for the Monmouthshire Local Access Forum.  The forum provides advice on the improvement of public access in the county for open-air recreation and enjoyment and it advises and assists with the implementation of the council’s Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan.  Members of LAFs are volunteers and include a range of people from the local community, including landowners and land managers, access users and those representing other interests, such as health and conservation.  MCC is hoping to find members who will be able to contribute to the forum for the next 3 years.

For more information and application forms can be downloaded from http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/monmouthshire-local-access-forum/  Completed forms are required by 18 September.