Magor with Undy Town Council voted in favour of supporting changes to the Sycamore Playing Field’s Deed of Covenant.

The vote took place during the standard session on April 13, conducted both at Magor Baptist Church and through Zoom.

Those present included mayor Councillor Frances Taylor, deputy mayor Councillor Paul Cawley, and members Penny Kirkham, Victoria Hammett-Johnson, Dr Mario Bisi, Mike Boyland, Zuzka Hilton, and Owen Hammett-Johnson.

Councillors Mike James and Donna James submitted their apologies for absence.

Mr Dixon-Gough, the headmaster of Magor Church in Wales Primary School, submitted the amendment proposal.

He sought the deletion of clause 1.8, which requires the schoolyard to be open to the public beyond school hours.

He additionally requested an extension of the Designated Time provision.

Mr Dixon-Gough maintained that allowing public access to the yard outside school hours created an unacceptable safeguarding risk and undermined school security.

He stated that children’s safety must be the top priority.

The chair of the school board of governors backed Mr Dixon-Gough’s justification, referencing their legal duty to maintain stringent safeguarding measures consistent with Welsh Government requirements.

Mrs Randall-Smith, appearing on behalf of Monmouthshire County Council’s education department, also endorsed the proposal.

She pointed out the extra workload for staff in ensuring the hardstanding remained clean and safe for children if members of the public could access it outside school hours.

The council approved support for removing clause 1.8 and extending the Designated Time clause.

The council also resolved to obtain guidance from Monmouthshire County Council’s legal team concerning the legal requirements for modifying the Deed of Covenant.

Regarding other business, the council confirmed the draft minutes from the standard meeting held on March 9, 2026, with one amendment, and accepted the financial records and reconciliation statements for March 2026.

The yearly investment strategy and reserves policy for 2026/2027 were adopted as well.

A policy review working group was established, consisting of councillors Donna James, Mike James, Mike Boyland, Penny Kirkham, and Owen Hammett-Johnson.

The council agreed to enter a service level agreement with Monmouthshire County Council Youth Services for two staff members to operate a youth programme at Magor Hub on Tuesday evenings for individuals aged 11-16 years.

The sum of £15,000 will be drawn from designated youth provision funds.

The council additionally agreed to enter a service level agreement with Monmouthshire County Council for two personnel each undertaking 37 hours per week.

The yearly expense totals £91,948.

The council agreed to award £2,640 to Ready Steady Go, a local charity assisting autistic children and families, to support the annual family fun day this summer.

A sum of £1,500 was also approved for S.W.A.N. (Single Women Alone Now), a local community group, to cover the cost of hiring coaches for upcoming group day trips and events.

Magor Primary School PTFA received £1,000 to support their fundraising expenditure.

The council agreed to arrange a community litter pick on a date yet to be confirmed, pending completion of a risk assessment.

The subsequent full council meetings are set for May 11 and May 18, 2026, at Magor Baptist Church.