Among matters considered and discussed at last month’s meeting of Amroth Communuty Council were the following:

Matters arising from previous

minutes

• The letter reporting councillors’ concerns on the safety of the A477, sent to the South Wales Trunk Road Agency, has been forwarded to Welsh Government for comment, as are all letters sent from elected officials.

• An enquiry into the level of use of the BT telephone box in Amroth established that BT have no plans to remove or offer the box for adoption. It is required to provide emergency call cover for the village.

• A flyer has been produced by ACC and distributed showing the dog friendly areas and restrictions on Amroth Beach during the summer season, to inform visitors and encourage them to comply with regulations.

• Following a review and feedback from communities regarding road closures over the Long Course weekend there have been amendments made from the original circulated plans. A key element has been starting the bike element at 6.30 am rather than 7 am allowing closures to be removed earlier. The link below connects to the live google map of the event. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1EtbxYu0ojCTpPxzQwpiJSbn8ngIjNIvO&usp=sharing

• David Rees Charity - three children have been identified as qualifying to receive an educational gift. Each child will receive an English/Welsh Dictionary this year.

• The bus stop in Summerhill has now been marked on the road and been successful so far in preventing cars parking in it.

• The 30mph speed limit extension in Summerhill has been approved by PCC and will now be publicly advertised as required for any change to traffic orders. The sign will be moved in due course.

• Following extensive coverage in the national press and Clr. Tony Baron’s interview on BBC Radio Wales, PCC are looking at official signage to prevent the removal of pebbles from the beach as they are a significant part of the sea defences for the village.

• Planning enforcement enquiry re Meadow House Caravan Park. An email has been sent to PCNPA asking for an update.

• PCC are looking to see what repairs are necessary to the groynes at the New Inn end of the beach and are sourcing the wood required. It is a tropical hardwood and not easy to get hold of.

• Re. dangerous footpath by Amroth Arms. The footway surface by the Amroth Arms is a little uneven due to wear and tear (previously used as vehicular access to car park) and steeper than necessarily desirable, due to the difference in level from the carriageway to the private car park or beer garden. PCC will arrange for this section of footway to be resurfaced to improve the surface although the steepness will remain.

• New white lines to encourage responsible parking have been painted at the New Inn end of the village. PCC have informed ACC that a disabled bay will not be marked due to lack of funding.

• The reason for the refusal of planning permission at Goitre Farm was questioned and a discussion took place. It was agreed that the clerk will write to PCNPA for clarification on the ruling, which stated that the refusal was due to distance from public transport services in the area. As financial cuts continue to threaten rural services this decision could have a negative impact on future rural development and its economy.

Planning

Temple Bar, Amroth Narberth. Proposal - New conservatory/entrance lobby to front of existing property. No objections

Woodlands, Pleasant Valley, Stepaside. Proposal - Kitchen and garage extension. No objections

Temple Bar, Amroth. Proposal - Partial conversion of public house to a two-bedroom flat. An appeal has been made to the planning inspectorate in respect of the above mentioned site. Any comments made at application stage will be forwarded to the inspectorate and copied to the appellant and will be considered by the inspector in deciding the appeal. Further comments can be submitted to the Inspectorate within 4 weeks of the starting date of June 12. Comments supporting this application were made. No further comments will be submitted.

Butterfly Haven, The Downs, Llanteg. Proposal - Eco-tourist attraction with Conservation Biomes, Café/Reception, Education Centre, Birdhouses, ponds, landscaping, and associated access and car parking. Amended plans submitted. Note this application will now be heard by PCC planning committe in July.

Island View House, Summerhill, Proposal - Nonmaterial amendment to permission 18/0742/PA. Granted.

Correspondence

• ACC have received an invitation to the PLANED AGM and Conference on July 9 at the Merlin Theatre in Haverfordwest.

• Mr. and Mrs. S. Adams wrote to ask for ACC intervention in getting the road repaired outside their property Mellieha, Amroth Hill. Poor drainage has led to severe furrows at the side of the road. The road is narrow here and Mrs. Adams has seen a number of vehicles damaged after being forced to the side of the road. PCC had commented that the road is wide enough for two vehicles to pass. The clerk asked Clr. Tony Baron to intervene and following this, Mrs. Adams has been contacted to say that the road will be top dressed over the summer which should rectify the issue.

• Stephen Phillips also wrote to highlight a similar issue outside his property in Llanteg. He is still waiting for the work to be carried out.

• Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places. PCC are carrying out a review of the polling districts and polling places in Pembrokeshire, as they are required to do by law.  The purpose of the review is to ensure that all polling districts and polling places are, as far as possible, suitable and accessible to all voters. 

The polling place is the geographical area in which the polling station is situated.  It is common practice to define each polling district as the polling place, rather than designating a particular building, which allows some flexibility. The (Acting) Returning Officer decides on the location of the polling stations.

PCC will give notice of the formal commencement of the review and will publish the comments from the (Acting) Returning Officer. A public consultation period has commenced and will end on  July 26. PCC will consider the representations received when making the final recommendations.  

The final recommendations will be considered by full council in the meeting on the October 10.

Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales review of the electoral arrangements of the county of Pembrokeshire: Following a request from the chairman of ACC, the clerk has written to the chair of the Boundary Commission for Wales asking for a formal reply to the alternative proposals sent on 8-9-2018. Councillors do not agree with the draft proposals that amalgamates North Saundersfoot with Amroth.

For further details on the review of electoral arrangements in Pembrokeshire see -https://ldbc.gov.wales/reviews/06-18/pembrokeshire

• From the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust: Over the course of the last year the Patient Experience and Community Involvement Team within the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust have been engaging with and collating feedback from carers (especially older carers) that has demonstrated the importance for us to better understand their needs.  Carers have told us that they are reluctant to seek help for themselves due to carer responsibilities and their expectations when it is the person they care for needing help.  We have developed a survey that is being carried out to capture more in-depth information to help develop our approach to improving experiences and outcomes for carers.

The Carers Survey is now live and can be completed bilingually via the same link.  https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WAST-CARERS/

• Hywel Dda Health Board are proposing to develop Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen, as the interim Trauma Unit in the years leading up to the building of the new Urgent and Planned Care Hospital. This is alongside work by the national Major Trauma Network to locate a Major Trauma Centre for South Wales at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

 All current acute and emergency services will remain at Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth and Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, and they will continue to deal with less severe traumatic injury.

The engagement period will run until August 5. More information will be available on www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/traumaservices

• Tina Cunningham, of Art and Education by the Sea, has been in touch regarding the possibility of running a sculpture festival on the beach in Amroth. Last year five events took place around Swansea and the Gower. The Sculpture Festival in the Gower is run with three to four artists a day, working with the public on a drop-in basis. They use only what is found on the beach and its unique landscape to create artworks that promote sea life and endangered marine creatures.

All ages, abilities and cultures, are welcome and there is something for everyone to enjoy. By the end of the day the beach is covered in sculptures, celebrating the marine environment and made only from that day’s found materials. Any man-made materials are disposed of responsibly at the end.

Tina asks for advice in gaining permission and any help ACC can give as she needs to secure funds for insurance, artists, etc to make the festival happen. She also hopes to include another local beach too on another day. She hopes to run the event in mid-August with a neighbouring beach. Agreed. Invite Tina to attend the next meeting to discuss.

Report by Llanteg Village Hall

Committee

• Community activities are increasing and are well supported by the local community.

• The walking group continues its programme. Details are available from Jill Roberts on 01834 831142. On August 26 there is the annual village walk followed by a BBQ. Assemble at the Clay Pits at 5 pm.

• Ludchurch Show takes place on Friday, August 2, 2 –- 5 pm. Closing date for entries is August 1. Contact Eve - 01834 814826

• Unfortunately, the fun day will not be held this year. The sum of £6,240 has been raised over the last four years for local charities.

• On September 22, between 2.30 and 5 pm, there will be a local craft exhibition in the hall. For information, contact Ruth 01834 831298 or Sue 01834 831468

• The hall has installed fibre Wifi with money from the Co-op Charity fund. The committee are also looking at better lighting for the main hall. Wifi is available to all hall users and will be an asset.

• A nature group has started.

• The hall committee are busy with several different grant applications to try to secure money for other hall improvements.

• After 20 years, the History Group will be finishing in September, which councillors were saddened to hear.

Monthly Police meeting

• County cines criminals are now thought to be targeting Pembrokeshire. This is mainly connected with illegal drug distribution.

• The Police are running a national campaign to detect motorists using mobiles phones while driving.

• Recent intelligence has highlighted an increase in suspicious door to door salesmen active locally. If approached, please call 101 with a description of the person

• The gathering of cockles at Glen Beach is allowed for personal use, however a large transporter van has been recently sighted at the beach. Commercial gathering is illegal. Please report any sightings of the vehicle to the police.

Update on Exercise Jantzen

Supporting information required for the grant is still being obtained. The application will be considered at the September meeting of the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Committee. All information must be submitted by August 6. Three quotes are required for the interpretation board. Clr. Mark Harvey is comfortable that all required information will be in place in time.

Other matters

A history trail with QR codes is being created in association with the National Park. Discussion is ongoing as to the best locations to place the QR codes. Agreed; a QR code will go on the board at New Inn end of the village.

VE Day May 2020 Celebrations: Include the official launch/unveiling of the Exercise Jantzen information board

Wifi bench for Amroth: Various quotes are being gathered for Wifi benches. Clr. Alec Cormack agreed to look at alternative technologies that could also supply an internet service for visitors to Amroth

Next meeting: Thursday, July18, at Amroth Parish Hall, starting at 7 pm.