Chair of Amroth Community Council, Clr. M. James welcomed Alex Allison, Bryn Nicholas and Natalia Miles from Pembrokeshire County Council to a recent meeting to discuss the improvement of broadband reception in some problematic spots in the area (in particular, Pleasant Valley, Amroth and Llanteg).

They discussed a project, funded through the Rural Development Plan, called Connecting Communities. It is aimed to help communities get faster connection where fixed-band broadband is problematic. The project will look at alternative broadband solutions derived from a central source, eg. fixed wireless/satellite etc.

Bryn Nicholas explained that fibre quality broadband is a possibility via fixed wireless routed through a mast which may or may not currently exist). This mast must be high enough to provide a clear line of sight to the problem spots in the area. It would be up to the community to decide what facility they would wish to opt for.

If you have slow broadband speed - below two megabytes - then this solution might be an option which will help. If you are interested in finding out more, then please register your interest by contacting the clerk on 810360 or at [email protected]">[email protected]

If there is sufficient interest in pursuing this, then a meeting will be held in the Parish Hall, Summerhill, where the county council project team will explain how this might work in the area and illustrate the different possibilities.

If you are unsure of your current speed, then you can log on to http://www.speedtest.net">www.speedtest.net and carry out a broadband speed test on your computer.

Outstanding issues to be addressed

Fly tipping by Pen-y-Bont on the old A477, 100 yards from the new A477 road junction: This problem had been addressed.

Sign for free parking by toilets opposite the Templebar to encourage visitors to use the car park and not park in front of the village amenities and risk getting a parking ticket: This was in hand, awaiting the work schedule.

Branches overhanging road between Summerhill and Meadow House: These were still there and damaging the big statics as they come down the road. The matter would be reported once more.

Pothole: A large pothole had appeared near the garages at the council houses in Summerhill and another at the entrance to the estate. This matter had been addressed temporarily, but was awaiting a thorough job to be undertaken.

Stile: The stile at White Leys was still not repaired. The upright post of the step is missing and could cause a bad accident if not addressed. This was a heath and safety issue. This issue was to be presented again.

Roads: The roads in the Wiseman's Bridge/ Pleasant Valley area were in serious need of repair. Individual matters had been reported many times. Photographs had been sent in to show the problem. Council believes that this is on the action list of repairs, but was still awaited. The situation would be monitored.

Coast path sculpture

The plaque design was now complete and ready for manufacture. It was reported that Howells, of Marros, had donated metal reinforcements for the sculpture. A letter had been sent to thank them for their generous contribution. It was hoped that the plinth would be in place within the next six weeks. Grateful thanks were expressed to two Amroth councillors for their on-going work on this and to the National Park Authority for their kind donation of £500 towards the cost.

County Councillor's Report

Clr. Brinsden reported that a grit bin had been requested for Llanteg Park. This was agreed and the cost was £120. It was requested that one was also obtained for the hill in Amroth. Clr. Brinsden would order this. On February 21, the road in Pleasant Valley would be closed. Also on February 22, Crosslands in Llanteg would also be closed. Both of these short closures were to enable roadworks to take place.

Clr. Brinsden reported that seven new vehicles were arriving for refuse collection. This would mean that glass would then be collected. The additional service could begin at the beginning of April if the area is selected as one of the first cohorts to be serviced.

The chief of police had requested an increase in his grant funding from PCC of five per cent. This would equate to the equivalent of 18p per person.

There had been complaints of speeding vehicles on the A477 and a request had been made that the whole length of this road be made 40 mph. The police were currently monitoring the situation.

Llanteg Community Association

Pembroke Male Voice Choir: Sunday, March 11, tickets £5. It was reported that the Llanteg noticeboard would be erected shortly.

Amroth and District Community Association

The hall had been redecorated. A very good job was done. Everything continued to go well with the hall being very well-used.

Planning

Bronlyn, Stepaside - alterations and extension (permission granted); Trelessy Farm, Amroth - screening opinion for proposed wind turbine (insufficient information given); Brynhowell, Wisemans Bridge - variation of Condition 4 NP/262/93 to allow extension be used for holiday lets (no objection); The Mead, Amroth - conversion of double garage to dwelling (no objection); Penglyn, Amroth - alterations to outbuilding to provide holiday accommodation to vet in association with main dwelling (no objection); Birds Lane House, Stepaside - alterations and extension (permission granted); land west of Surf Haven, Llanteg - erection of dwelling (permission granted); Rose Park Farm, Llanteg - erection of a rural enterprise dwelling (permission refused); land north of the Rookery, Stepaside - erection of a dwelling (permission granted); land south of Crosslands Road, Llanteg - erection of a temporary 40.5m anemometer mast (concerns have been raised on this matter); Old Victorian School, Stepaside - erection of three two-storey houses and associated access, car parking and landscaping, amended plans (objections raised); Bronlyn, Stepaside - erection of a garden shed (no objection).

Despite advising PCC and National Park about the clerk's vacation and interim arrangements for dealing with planning, and receiving confirmation of receipt of this notification, planning applications for December/January were not forwarded to Clr. James as requested. This meant that regrettably, the following applications had not been viewed by the community council: Laurel Cottage, Stepaside - erection of two storey extension; land south of Greendale, Stepaside - erection of a dwelling and garage; Longstone Manse, Ludchurch - erection of dwelling; land south of Cheriton, Wesley Close, Pleasant Valley - erection of dwelling; Sea Breeze Cottage, Pleasant Valley - alterations and front and rear balconies.

Correspondence

Opening of All Wales Coast Path, May 5/6 - funding available for events. Llanteg and Amroth and District Community Associations may organise some event to mark this historic weekend.

Angela Burns - closing of Minor Injury Units at South Pembrokeshire and Tenby hospitals. The community council would send a letter of support for keeping these units open.

Ironman feedback from community councils - a letter was to be sent outlining the community council's views on the matter.

Other Matters

It was requested that a letter of thanks go to Gordon Davies for keeping the bus shelter neat and tidy.

It was also reported that the footpath notice on the path no. 42/43 had been removed and the words private drive had replaced the footpath sign. This was still a public footpath and the community council would request a replacement sign be put up.

It was reported that the Good Neighbour Scheme was asking for volunteers to join the scheme and also that local residents in Llanteg would appreciate a bus service through the village to the main centres.

It was reported that there was nothing PCC could do regarding parking outside the Stepaside Inn. The police had been contacted and they would have a word with the car owners (those that are normally parked there). Hopefully the issue would then be addressed.

The noticeboards in Amroth needed looking at. They leaked and it was difficult to put notices behind the glass. A letter would be sent to try to get the issue addressed.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 22, at Llanteg Village Hall.