The chair welcomed Libby Taylor and Elaine Jones from the National Park to the February meeting of Amroth Community Council. He also welcomed residents Mr. and Mrs. Hoad.
National Park: It was reported that funding had been made available for a sign to be placed in the car park in the middle of Amroth village. A similar design had been done for different areas along the path. Samples of the sign and location were shown to councillors. Some minor additions were made and the plan for the sign was accepted. It was also suggested that council had another similar sign for the promenade enhancement area. National Park staff would see if there was funding to provide another sign for the area. The new sign should be in place by the beginning of the season.
The plan for the start of the Pembrokeshire path by the New Inn was discussed. One of the councillors attended a meeting at St. Dogmaels to see their plans for the start/finish of the coastal path which would it was hoped be linked to the plans in Amroth. The preferred option was a plinth with a footprint of pebbles. A local artist was assisting them with the design. They invited Amroth to see how they might complement this idea. Libby and Elaine said they would liaise with St. Dogmaels over this matter.
Council would let Elaine know the views of the community council regarding the plinth for start of the coastal path following discussion. It was suggested that some simple seating would be welcomed on the newly-renovated Pleasant Valley path. Elaine said that she would look into this.
When discussed later, Clr. Brinsden said that he hoped that the National Park could obtain money from the Countryside Council for Wales to build a sign by the New Inn like the one at St. Dogmaels. It was agreed by council that this would be welcomed.
Other matters arising:
Mr. Kalvin Williams: No sign as yet, but drain work had been addressed. The signage was now under review reported Clr. Brinsden.
Broadband: Clr. Brinsden had a meeting with Nerys Evans and Broadband should be available for everyone who wanted it by April 1.
Coastcare group: The next meeting would be March 29, 2 pm, on Amroth beach
Enhancement of promenade in Amroth: Seating at the far end of this new development was still under discussion.
County Councillor's Report: Clr. Brinsden reported that it was going to be a lean year for the council. He stated that the local Government settlement was down to 2.9 per cent. Council tax had risen by 4.2 per cent, equating to a rise of £26.84 on a Band D property. The rent increase for council houses in Pembrokeshire was 5.9 per cent.
A public bridleway in Stepaside had been proposed. This would be an extension of the existing new path which came from Wiseman's Bridge and would continue into the Heritage Park through to the old Post Office. The new footpath at Telpyn would take walkers off the road down to Tinn Pits. This work was in hand.
There were currently two waiting restrictions, one in Amroth and Wiseman's Bridge, where the double yellow lines would be in force 365 days a year and not just seasonally as happens now.
Complaints had been received from residents in Cliff Road about the speed of cyclists coming down the hill. Additional signage had been requested, but it did not seem that this action would have the desired effect and it had been returned to PCC to look at what other action might be taken.
Salting of the roads in frosty weather had been spasmodic. A salt bin would be sited in the village for easy access. It had been recommended that a new sign - Unsuitable for HGV's - be sited at Crosslands because lorries were still accessing this road and preventing access for walkers and other road users. Clr. Brinsden is seeking signage for this area.
Sewage: Neither Welsh Water nor the Environment Agency attended the January Scrutiny Committee. It was hoped that at the next one, there would be representatives from both these organisations and that some positive action could then be taken. Clr. Brinsden said that he had spoken at length at the last meeting and would be happy to speak just as persuasively at the subsequent meeting. It was hoped that something positive could come out of this.
Morgan's Way: A non-regulated concealed entrance sign had been put up, but it was thought that it concealed the speed restriction sign. A slow sign needed to be painted on the road. Clr. Brinsden would look into this.
Bus shelter: Money had been requested in the precept to be able to build this.
Corner by Pen Glyn: Road markings were required. Clr. Brinsden would look into this.
Access onto beach at New Inn: It was reported that it was impossible to take wheelchairs onto the pebbles at the end of the promenade at the New Inn. It was suggested that a slab of concrete be put there to remedy the drop from the end of the promenade onto the pebbles. Clr. Brinsden would look into this.
Lay-by in Summerhill: The 'no overnight parking' sign was still not in place. Clr. Brinsden would look into this.
Dog fouling signs in Summerhill: These were still on order. There was concern that dog walkers were not cleaning up after their dogs. This was resulting in many complaints both from local people and visitors. It was requested that there be much larger signs along the sea front explaining the restriction in the summer season, together with a fine for dog fouling. It was stated that prominence was the key. Clr. Brinsden would act on this. Concerns about dog- fouling, especially on the promenade and on the beach in the summer months, could be raised in the Coast Care press release and also in the two newsletters for the area.
Church View Summerhill: The sign had now been moved onto the footpath.
Pleasant Valley 30 mph sign: This had been done.
Blocked drain in lay-by in Summerhill: Still no action on this. Another e-mail was to be sent to Pembrokeshire County Council.
Overhanging trees on Amroth Hill: This work has been done.
Overhanging hedge on Cliff Road: This work has been done.
Double white lines underneath the bridge at Stepaside: A give way sign was required in this location. Clr. Brinsden would chase this up.
Major problem in Amroth regarding drainage: This area needed new piping to adequately address the issue. Clr. Brinsden would pursue this.
Energy conservation: A possible meeting to be held with Amroth and District Community Association and Llanteg Community Association regarding energy conservation was discussed at the last community council meeting. It was suggested that council ask a member of the Energy Group to come to one of the council meetings.
Road at back of council houses in Summerhill: It was reported that the state of the road at back and front of the council houses in Summerhill had not been addressed. The Parish Hall Committee understood that this work would be carried out following the completion of the hall. This had now been done and hence another e-mail would be sent to the Pembrokeshire County Council stressing that it was both the front and the back road that needed work.
Meadow House Caravan Park: Drains outside Meadow House Caravan Site were always blocked following heavy rain. A further e-mail would be sent to Pembrokeshire County Council.
New noticeboard in Amroth: It was suggested that a new noticeboard be put up in Amroth as the metal one that was there at present was damaged. However, the existing one had now been repaired by one of the councillors. Thanks go to him for doing this work.
Wiseman's Bridge: The road going from Wiseman's Bridge to Wiseman's Bridge bridge was in a bad state of repair - badly pitted, making the road surface extremely poor. Council was still awaiting action on this matter.
Planning: Clr. Brinsden declared an interest and took no part in discussion.
There were issues raised by residents in the November meeting around planning consent for Pen-y-daith. A letter was sent to the planning department seeking clarification of the matter. The clerk read out the response which stated that adequate planning consent had been sought and granted in November 2007. The owners were concerned that issues around this had gone into the press release in the usual way, prior to receiving information back from the planning department. Councillors agreed that this was an oversight. However, it was hoped that residents could see that any issues brought to council were acted upon.
The Mead, Amroth - planning permission had been refused.
Laurel Cottage, Pleasant Valley - erection of bungalow with garage (no objection); Rose Villa, Amroth - proposed extension and internal alterations for sun room and additional bedroom (permission granted); Stella Maris, Wiseman's Bridge - two-storey extension including new kitchen and new porch (no comment made); Amroth Car Park - new interpretive panel in car park (no comment made); Tig Bhan, Llanteg - sub-division to create two residential units (permission granted); Wiseman's Bridge Inn, Saundersfoot - replacing tent space for tourers and resite car park - planning application May 16, 1997 (permission granted); Somerset House, Summerhill - alterations/extension to form two dwelling houses (no comment made); Vale Wood, Pleasant Valley - use of annex as single dwelling/certificate of lawfulness (refused); Blind Wells, Summerhill - two-storey extension (permission granted); Amroth Castle, Amroth - application for tree works (no comment made); public bridleway in Stepaside - response needed (development welcomed/no objection raised); proposed diversion of Public Rights of Way - Telpyn, Amroth (no objection); The Manse, Ludchurch - erection of one dwelling (no objection); The Mead, Amroth - conversion of existing garage to two bedroom house with conservatory and parking (permission refused).
Correspondence:
Textile recycling - to be discussed with Llanteg Community Association.
Pembrokeshire County Council South East Area Liaison meeting - March 18, 7 pm, at East Williamston Community Hall.
A letter of thanks was received from Llanteg Village Hall for £100 towards costs of Newsletter.
Matters for discussion at the next meeting:
Four car wheels in hedge in lay by in summerhill - Clr. Brinsden will look into this.
Llanteg Community Association would be running environmental youth workshops on April 16 and 17. Local schools would be contacted with publicity shortly.
Derelict chalet opposite Amroth Arms - there had been many residents complaints to councillors. There was vandalism - no maintenance has been done. A large vermin problem is growing. It was an eyesore for the village. The asbestos building was a real health and safety threat. There was concern over potential use for drug users during the summer. It was a fire hazard with asbestos dust being a real threat. It had been requested by the community council that a letter be sent to Pembrokeshire County Council's public health department detailing the concerns and requesting that the area was made safe and tidy in time for the summer season. The letter would be copied to National Park.
The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 19, 7 pm in Amroth Parish Hall.