Over £500 was granted to fund community initiatives throughout the Pontypool area.

This funding was approved during the community council gathering, conducted across various venues on 25 March.

Councillor A Peploe led proceedings, with councillors N Warren, L Clarkson, A Gunter, J Horlor, L Hunt, G James, J James, L Jones, J Martin, R Matthews, R Overton, and C Price present.

Planning consultant C Ashman and council officers C Drew and K Smith attended as well.

Councillors J Cox, N Jones, and S Senior sent apologies.

Pontnewynydd Sports and Social Club received £500 from the miscellaneous grants budget.

The Really Amazing Charity, trading as TRAC 2, also obtained £250 from this same budget.

Councillors considered a presentation on developing a shared growth strategy for Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen during proceedings.

The strategy will provide a comprehensive overview of all settlements in Torfaen, detailing each area’s economic development potential and specific objectives.

The council agreed to provide comments on this strategy in spring.

Thanks were extended to those present at the meeting, and it was confirmed that presentation materials detailing this growth strategy would be circulated to all council members.

Members confirmed the accuracy of minutes from previous meetings.

This included the full council meeting and biodiversity sub-committee from 25 February, as well as the finance, governance and policy committee on 4 March 2026.

A list of planning applications for which Torfaen County Borough Council sought input was examined, with comments documented. Planning determinations from February 2026 were noted.

Papers concerning particular planning applications received between meetings were also acknowledged.

The clerk introduced four further late applications to the Local Voluntary Funding programme.

The finance manager had assessed every application.

The council approved all applications together with the four late submissions.

Members were invited to the Peter and Paul Festival, scheduled for 3 to 5 July.

Other agenda items included confirming continued membership of One Voice Wales for 2026/2027 at a cost of £7,649, and noting the contents of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Annual Remuneration Report for 2026-2027.

Councillors gave their backing to the Community Engagement Plan.

To enhance community participation, Councillor L Clarkson proposed collaborating with Torfaen Youth Service to gather views from young people across different youth venues.

The council resolved to present the draft Strategic Plan for formal approval at the next meeting.

Proceedings concluded with a governance item regarding the General Power of Competence, with the clerk delivering an update.

Press and public representatives were excluded from the final agenda items given their confidential nature, as permitted under the Public Bodies Admission to Meetings Act 1960.