More uniformed police officers in villages, better speeding detection on rural roads as opposed to trunk roads, and a reduction in death and serious injury accidents. These were the three objectives agreed by councillors at the recent meeting of Amroth Community Council, held at the Parish Hall, Summerhill, to put forward for consideration when the Dyfed Powys Police Plan was formulated for 2004-2005.

Other matters discussed at the meeting included:

Highways - Despite repeated requests to the county council, nothing had yet been done to rectify the worsening drainage situation on Rectory Hill, Llanteg, where surface water was now running across the road. The clerk was asked to write again.

Rights of way - The footpath sign on PRoW 42/43 at Elrose Cottage was to be included in the next contract for signage, together with others in the Amroth area.

Precept - The precept was agreed at £2,500 for the period 2004-2005. This reduced amount was due to councillors waiving their allowances for the current year, but £3,000 would still have to be available should the situation change.

Risk assessment - Following discussion of the county council's new Play Park Policy, councillors expressed concern about the responsibilities community councils would now face with regard to the safety of playground equipment in their areas. Petition forms were signed asking that the county council retain responsibility.

Llanteg - A request for a seat on the verge opposite the Captain's Pond was rejected on the grounds of insufficient room; however, a seat could safely be placed at Stanwell Corner, and the clerk was asked to write to Highways accordingly.

Mountain Chapel Garden - It was suggested that the new site entrance needed to be widened to allow wheelchair access, and the original metal gate should be repositioned there.

Lighting - Dissatisfaction was expressed with the lack of street lighting in the Amroth area, and councillors directed the clerk to write to find out why it was that other villages in South Pembrokeshire were so well lit. Lights were particularly required at Llanteglos, the top of Trelessy Lane, the foot of Rectory Hill, the Stepaside to Pleasant Valley Road, at Folly Cross and at the road junction at Pen-y-Bont on the A477.

Any other matters - It was reported that the Nursery at Stepaside School was up and running, and everyone was very pleased with it. The clerk was directed to write again to the county council regarding car parking on Amroth seafront: bollards were needed by the flagpole, and also in place of the wooden posts. A request would also be made for the provision of a walkway inside the wall over the bridge. A report was made on the recent Informal Communications Network meeting, involving local community councils.

Questions asked by Amroth Council were answered as follows: fly-tipping - if on public land, the county council service line should be phoned on 0845 602 1386 for investigation by the Environment Agency; if on private land it was the landowner's responsibility, but the Agency would investigate if requested. Hedge cuttings - If causing a hazard on the public highway the police should be informed, otherwise the same rule applied as to fly-tipping. White stones on verges - these were generally illegal, depending on proximity to the highway. Street lighting - It was pointed out that each light cost in the region of £1,000; however, some of the lighting already requested was now in the pipeline.

Correspondence - A letter of thanks had been received from St. Elidyr's Church, Amroth, for the grant of £150.

Planning - Applications had been granted for electrical hook-up points at Merrixton Farm (Clr. George Jones declared an interest), and for land adjacent to Pen-y-Cwm, Trelessy Lane. Objections were raised to an extension to 6 Waters Edge, Amroth, and to two residential developments at 2 Kilgetty Lane. An appeal had been dismissed for the field behind Caldey View, Green Plains. New applications - change of use of land at Little Kings Park, Ludchurch (Clr. George Jones declared an interest); revision of static caravan layout at Meadow House Holiday Park (Clr. George Jones declared an interest); infill of land to accommodate repositioning of storage compound at Wisemans Bridge Caravan Park (Clr. George Jones declared an interest); double storey extension at Ashdale, Llanteg; amusement with prizes permit for The Nelson Room, Amroth Castle. Wisemans Bridge Inn - transfer of Justices Licence and Off Licence both acknowledged.

Before closing the meeting, chairman Alan Davies on behalf of all the councillors paid tribute to the clerk, Mrs. Sue Enfield, who had tendered her resignation, and in thanking her praised the professionalism she had brought to her work for Amroth Community Council.

The next meeting will take place at the Parish Hall, Summer Hill, on Thursday, January 22, at 7 pm.