Matters arising from previous minutes - A meeting was held with Kilgetty/Begelly Community Council to discuss the proposed developments at Heritage Park. Heritage Park lies mainly in the Kilgetty/Begelly CC area while the residents it will affect reside mainly in Amroth CC area. It was agreed to share information and to meet again once a planning application had been submitted.

Clare Williams, Assistant Transport Planner at PCC has written regarding the relocation of the 30mph sign at Stepaside following requests by residents to ACC.

The extent of the limit is defined within a Traffic Regulation Order and so it is not quite as simple as relocating the sign to a preferred location.

Any modification to the limit needs to consider several factors. The characteristics of the road, such as its geometry and adjacent land use and the motorist’s compliance with the existing limit. A request to undertake a speed survey has been made to the PCC survey team, as the existing data was collected in 2011 (near the Old Stepaside Inn) plus an onsite review of the existing signing will take place shortly.

No speed data exists for Pleasant Valley, so a speed survey has been requested here also. The Surveys will be carried out sometime in the next few months as there is currently a backlog. Clare will update ACC once the surveys have been completed.

Educational Charity of David Rees. Cllr Roy Lewis met with Head of Year at Greenhill School who suggested a clear pencil case with contents or scientific calculator would be of value to Amroth students on their transfer to secondary education. Agreed; Clerk to research prices.

Road Subsidence on Amroth Front. This is under the remit of PCC and is on their job list for early action.

The Clerk has been contacted by Sean Tilling, Access Officer at PCC to say the trees had been cleared from the Coast Path between Amroth and Wisemans Bridge.

The Clerk has been in contact with Angela Burns Office regarding the request for a light on the A477 opposite Pen Y Bont and other road safety issues on the A477 in Llanteg. Mrs Burns will write to the Trunk Road Agency on behalf of ACC.

County Councillor’s Report

Amroth Car Park – Cllr. Baron had made representations to the Parks in favour of Amroth taking on the Car Park on a repairing lease but, despite some Board members speaking out against charges, the vote at the National Park meeting on March 20 was carried in favour of the introduction of charges.

Following discussion it was agreed that ACC will lobby all PCC Councillors prior to the PCC meeting which is required to vary changes to the traffic order.

Cllr. Baron met with Helen Mcloed- Baikie (PCC) and County Cllr. Bob Kilmister re the proposals at Heritage Park.

A date is to be arranged for them to meet with the owner of Heritage Park to discuss the proposals and Helen will investigate that the terms of the lease between PCC and Heritage Park are being adhere to.

Cllr D Pugh will be invited as the Park is in his ward. PCC wish to be reasonable, but Cllr Baron is of the opinion that the size of extension to the Park is not compatible with area. A Planning application is still to be submitted and so hopefully plans will be amended to consider objections.

Cllr Baron reminded Councillors that money from the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant is still available for a community project.

County Councillors are still considering issues concerning finance and budget deficit. PCC are hoping that the Welsh Government will provide money to cover an increase in teachers pensions which will ease pressure on schools.

There is a concerted effort to raise the profile of Greenhill school to encourage increase in pupil numbers

Cllr Baron reminded Councillors that PCC had laid aside £1m as a contingency for unexpected Brexit issues.

The Wales Local Government Association has warned that money that was previously being allocated to West Wales will likely be re routed to East Wales and Cardiff.

Planning Applications

18/1185/PA; 19 Summerhill, Stepaside, SA67 8LX. Proposal; Rear two-story extension (No Objection).

18/1189/PA, Butterfly Haven, The Downs, Llanteg, SA67 8QE. Proposal; Eco-tourist attraction with conservation biomes, café/reception, education centre, birdhouses, ponds, landscaping and associated access, and car parking.

ACC have received two written objections to this proposal. Amroth Councillors visited the site and have no objection to the project itself and commended the project as a good initiative.

ACC do have concerns regarding safe access to the site off the A477. Ideally a 3-lane road would allow visitors to turn in in safety.

ACC have already objected to previous applications by Tenby Tourers and Llanteg Service Station on road safety grounds. Councillors felt strongly that urgent action is needed by the Trunk Road Agency (TRA), to improve the safety of the A477 through the village, as it is adversely impacting economic activity. The TRA have a public duty to ensure the road does not adversely impact village life.

Agreed; Following discussion it was agreed that, of the three proposals recently considered by the Council that require vehicles to turn off the A477, this proposal is similar in terms of road safety. ACC have submitted their concerns regarding this aspect of the application. As previously stated, a letter has been sent to the TRA, via Angela Burns AM, asking for safety improvements.

18/1289/PA; Brook View, Llanteg, SA67 8QA. Proposal; Detached double garage (No Objection).

18/1296/CL; West Llanteg Farm, Llanteg. SA67 8QA. Proposal; Certificate of Lawfulness to establish the lawful commencement and continued implementation of planning permission ref; 05/0856/PA (For the replacement of outbuilding with three new dwellings) - (No Objection)

Correspondence

Cllr Brian James wrote to resign from the Community Council following several years’ service. Councillors were sad to receive this news as it was agreed that Brian had been a valuable member of the council.

Chairman Stephen Phillips wrote to express the council’s appreciation for all his work on behalf of the Community. Agreed; A public notice, advertising a councillor vacancy will be posted.

Enquiries to host Bertie the Sea Bass have been received from The Havens and Neyland Town Council. An enquiry into the project was received from Alderley Edge CC, Cheshire.

From One Voice Wales - ACC entered The Clean Sea’s project (Bertie the Sea Bass) into the environmental category for the One Voice Wales National Awards 2019 and it has been nominated to receive an award.

There are three categories of award - winner, highly commended and commended. This year has seen the highest number of Community and Town Councils entering and the quality of the applications was excellent.

Cllr Pauline Davies agreed to attend the OVW Innovation Conference to give a presentation to the judges on the project.

Several comments were received from residents regarding the appearance of a lodge building at Meadow House Caravan Park. As no planning application was received the Clerk queried this with PCNPA Planning department who have opened an enquiry.

Pembrokeshire Community Asset Fund was launched in March. The aim of this project will be to encourage community fundraising and generate much-needed funds for community groups in Pembrokeshire. The project is supported by Arwain Sir Benfro, the LEADER group for Pembrokeshire.

The project is seeking new committee members for the fund and anyone interested in joining the committee or who would like more information on the fund can contact the project on 01239 831968 or alternatively email: [email protected]

Email from Clerk to Llanddowror Llanmiloe CC re safety improvements to the A477.

Following our email of support, the Clerk for Llanddowror and Llanmiloe has asked if ACC would be willing to write to Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Infrastructure in support of some action to improve the safety on the A477 specifically around Red Roses.

She attached both the letter sent to Ken Skates and his reply which indicated that the Welsh Government “consider the road was built within all relevant safety criteria”. Agreed; ACC will write is support of improvements to A477

The proposed road closures for the bike element of the Long Course Weekend, July 6, 2019 have been received, although the formal legal process for the road closure has not yet started, Activity Wales have issued letters to Town and Community Councils and other community groups. PCC will be holding detailed Traffic Management meetings with Activity Wales so any concerns raised by the communities can be reviewed. Mair Goddard from Activity Wales is happy to come to speak to the Council if they have any queries.

Gary Meopham from PCNPA has reported that Seasonal Parking Charges will not be introduced in Amroth Car park this year as the paperwork was not completed in time.

ACC’s interest in assuming control of Amroth Car Park by either Community Asset Transfer or some form of leasehold interest was presented to the National Park Authority (NPA) at their meeting on March 20.

Following a discussion, the Board declined to progress your interest and have instead resolved to continue managing the car park in the Authority’s capacity as owner operators.

At the meeting in May, the NPA will be considering an update report on the ongoing process to vary the pre-existing Car Park Order in readiness for the start of the 2020 car park charging season.

The 2020 charging season will commence on March 15, 2020 and you will be aware from the earlier consultation process that amongst other measures, the proposed variation includes provision for the introduction of seasonal parking charges at Amroth Car Park.  

Concern has been received regarding the poor state of disrepair to steps and accompanying handrails connecting lower levels with the upper wooded areas at Heritage Park.

Their natural constitution makes them prey to the elements resulting in erosion of the earthen steps and rotting/displacement of the wooden struts used to ‘strengthen’ them.

Similarly, with wooden handrails, some of which lie hanging and/or broken or absent.

This facility is open to the general public in addition to lodge occupants, so this apparent failure to address the disrepair may be in contravention of Health and Safety legislation. Agreed; Inform KBCC, although the responsibility of this issue lies with the owner of Heritage Park.

Donation requests were received from Cruse Bereavement Care and Pembrokeshire YFC. Agreed; As per ACC policy, donations are only made to organisations located in the Amroth area.

Monthly Police meeting

It was reported that Scams are still prolific. Elderly people especially are receiving phone calls allegedly from HMRC asking them to make urgent contact to avoid expensive legal consequences. This is a scam.

Theft of dogs is on the increase in the area.

A Knife amnesty took place starting from March 14.

There is a White transit van in the area collecting scrap. Contrary to claims, it is not from PCC. Fraud. Beware persons knocking on doors asking for work. Cost elderly lady £1,000 for minimal work done.

Any other or urgent

business

Update on Exercise Jantzen. Cllr Mark Harvey displayed a proposal for a notice board with information and photographs. The proposal is for a bilingual Lectern style board such as those in Saundersfoot, measuring approx. 1000 x 800mm. The information includes pictures specific to Amroth with reference to Tenby and Saundersfoot who also played their part.

Cllrs suggested including a map outline of the coast to inform visitors where they are and where the activity took place.

QR codes will be included to allow smart phone users to view video footage from the Imperial War Museum.

Cllr Harvey is planning to apply to the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant to cover costs. Councillors commended Cllr Harvey on the work done to date.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday, April 19, at Llanteg Village Hall starting at 7 pm.