Last month’s meeting of Amroth Community Council was again held via the medium of Zoom.

Prior to the meeting, Clr. Stephen Phillips welcomed Katie Macro, fundraising co-ordinator for Wales Air Ambulance for Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. Katie gave a short presentation on the work of Wales Air Ambulance.

After the presentation, Stephen informed Katie that ACC had agreed to donate a sum of £500 to the charity.

Matter

Arising from the minutes

• Llanteg Gardening Group had responded outlining the maintenance work they could carry out on ACC land, assuming it was agreed at the next Gardening Club meeting.

They requested that ACC pay for any equipment needed to purchase or hire in order to carry out the work. Councillors agreed to this request.

They also requested new seating at the OSG and at Mountain Chapel, since the three seats at the OSG were unsafe and currently there was no seating at the chapel. This was agreed. ACC have recently ordered seats. One will be placed at Mountain Chapel and three will be placed in the Old School Gardens. Clr. Harries will obtain costs and organise to have the work carried out.

• The Play Area, Summerhill. The playground subgroup met with an officer from PCC to discuss a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to carry out safety inspections throughout the year. The cost of the service would be £615 for 2021-22. ACC also proposed a significant extension to the lease for the ground. This would be pursued. Councillors agreed to sign the SLA with PCC and pay £615 costs.

• The PCC waste collection team has been reminded about emptying the bins in Summerhill.

• A request to power wash the bus shelter in Summerhill has been forwarded to PCC Transport Department who oversee bus shelters. Councillors requested that work also be carried out to clean the toilet block in front of Amroth Castle Caravan Park. Agreed. The clerk was to ask PCC.

• Maintenance of land in Summerhill Park Close. This land is owned by the National Trust who have plans to introduce new species to make a wildflower meadow. The land will be mowed for hay towards the end of the growing season.

• A defibrillator had been ordered for the Wanderers Rest in Llanteglos.

• PCC had surveyed the drains along the sea wall close to the New Inn and would arrange for them to be cleared.

• Natural Resources Wales cleared stones blocking the river’s exit to the sea and placed them at the end of the sea wall. They also relocated large rocks in front of the concrete by the bridge to protect this area from the sea. Recent tides had already blocked the river’s exit with pebbles and the river was pushing under the pebbles to exit closer to the New Inn. The clerk had written to NRW, copied to PCC, with photographs showing this and NRW had responded to say the maintenance team had been informed.

• Election charges. Clrs. Phillips and Baron and the clerk met with the PCC election officer to clarify likely election costs for 2022. These could only be estimated as were subject to any increase in postage or printing costs. An opposed election could cost more than £12,000 for the two wards of Amroth and Crunwere. Clr. Phillips queried why there were two wards as the community council operated as one entity. The election officer stated that PCC may carry out a review of wards across Pembrokeshire before the election in 2022, but if this did not happen ACC could request a review of the Amroth wards. It was agreed that ACC would request a review of the Amroth wards if one was not carried out across the county.

Co-option of Councillor

Following a successful interview, Clr. Phillips proposed the co-option of Beverley Mills as community councillor for the Amroth ward.

Beverley, who lives in Stepaside, brings a number of skills from her years working in the NHS and has an interest in the environment and community welfare.

Her co-option was seconded by Clr. Alan Evans and Beverley Mills was voted in and welcomed to the council.

County CLr’s Report

Council Tax 2021-22: The PCC cabinet meeting on February 15 approved the final draft budget for 2021-2022. Following the budget seminar for council members on February 11 and earlier meetings of the council’s various overview and scrutiny committees as well as the audit committee, it had become apparent that the original cabinet proposal for a for a five per cent Council Tax increase would not be passed by council members at the full council meeting to be held on March 4. Cabinet had therefore approved a proposal to increase Band D Council Tax by 3.75 peer cent in 2021-2022.

Given the stress on the local economy created by the pandemic and repeated lockdowns, many members were in favour of a smaller Council Tax increase of perhaps three per cent. Pembrokeshire is much more dependent on the tourism and hospitality sectors than most other counties and these were likely to be amongst the last sectors to be re-opened. Also, a large proportion of our population is over retirement age (25 per cent), living on modest pensions. While the speed of the vaccine rollout gives hope of a gradual return of economic activity, I would argue that the economy, particularly in Pembrokeshire, is likely to suffer the equivalent of long Covid. Businesses will need a long period of convalescence to rebuild trade, their working capital and employment. I strongly believe that now is not the time to increase the tax burden on families, but equally I understand the enormous financial pressures on schools and social services. I therefore think that it is justifiable, during a once in a century pandemic, to use reserves to fund services without increasing taxes. Certainly, the reserves would have to be rebuilt and the PCC’s finances put on a firm footing post pandemic. I believe that by the end of 2022 the local economy will be showing signs of strong recovery and that would be the time to look at raising Council Tax to rebuild reserves

It is to be noted that there was a poor response to the public consultation on the budget for 2021-2022. This is being blamed on the lockdown, but I think the difficulty of logging on to the online consultation and the fact that the paper version had the wrong closing date on it was a major cause of the limited public response. Both Clr. Stephen Phillips and I drew the attention of the cabinet member for finance to the problems of accessing the consultation forms. I do not believe that the general public has become apathetic to the level of Council Tax and public services in the county and I will argue strongly for better organised consultation in the future.

Second Homes Council Tax Charge: A Notice of Motion had been lodged for discussion at the council meeting on March 4 calling on PCC to increase the Second Homes Council Tax surcharge from 50 to 100 per cent. I believe that there is a majority of members in favour of increasing the charge. However, the Notice of Motion will be taken after the vote on the 2021-2022 budget and there is advice that the proposal to increase the charge should be the subject of a public consultation. I therefore think that it is probable that any increase in the Second Homes Charge will take place in 2022-2023 rather than 2021-2022. There is little doubt that money raised from the Second Homes Charge has been beneficial in mitigating the adverse impact of second homes on communities.

Firework controls: The cabinet meeting on February 15 voted to support a Notice of Motion to improve controls on the promotion and management of public firework displays and agreed to lobby both Welsh and UK Governments for stronger regulation of fireworks. There is little doubt that the careless discharge of fireworks has a harmful impact on domestic and farm animals, as well as on wildlife.

Councillors queried a rise in Council Tax for second home owners when they had been unable to use them for much of 2020. Clr. Baron stated that this was being considered, but felt any increase should be delayed until Covid regulations allowed owners full access to their properties. He added that empty houses still had an impact on the local community and local schools.

Clr. Harvey asked if any communication had been made by PCC on the new smoking legislation that would come into force in March. This would prohibit smoking in in such places as children’s play parks. Signage would need changing to reflect this, so visitors do not unknowingly break the law.

Clr. Baron was not aware of any communication on this subject and would query this.

Planning

20/0382/PA Yard at Band of Hope, Kilgetty Lane, Stepaside. This application had been conditionally approved.

Clr. Cormack declared an interest in the following application. 19/1340/PA Heritage Park - Clr. Philips reported that he and Clr. Baron had spoken against this application at the rights of way and planning committee meeting on Tuesday, February 16. The application was approved.

Correspondence

• Temporary Road Closure Notice for Class 111 (C3070 Kilanow to Ludchurch road, from its junction with the Class 111 (C3185) road towards Summerhill, north to its junction with the A477(T) Stepaside to Llanteg road from Monday, March 1, for 3 weeks. This was to renew the carriageway drainage system.

• Changes to bus timetables including the 349 (Haverfordwest - Kilgetty, via Neyland, Pembroke Dock and Tenby) which has moved to a two-hourly service instead of hourly. For further information see https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/bus-routes-and-timetables/bus-routes-list-all-buses

• Chris Taylor, ranger for PCNPA, had responded regarding a query about planting wildflowers in the wards. He was happy to advise by telephone or meet up after lockdown, to discuss plants to attract pollinators and also habitat log piles/exposed earth banks. It was agreed that Clr. Mills wouldcontact Chris Taylor to discuss plans.

• Donation request from Cruz Bereavement Care. Councillors requested the clerk to politely decline

• A resident had brought road maintenance needs to the attention of ACC, on the road between Tavernspite and Llanteg Park, crossing the A477. These had been reported to PCC

• A resident had queried the overgrown piece of land next to the Parish Hall and asked if it could be used for community allotments? ACC do not wish to take on more land at this time, but would support an initiative by a Community Group.

• ACC were informed that road surface dressings would take place during the year at C3014 Summerhill Cross to Amroth and U6380 Duncow Hill, Wisemans Bridge. Exact dates were not given.

RECRUITMENT

To recruit an additional volunteer trustee for the Educational Charity of David Rees. Clr. Roger Harries proposed Clr. Martin Morris. This was seconded by Clr. Pauline Davies. Clr. Morris accepted.

To agree a nomination for community governor at Stepaside School. Pauline Davies had served for the last three years and her term of office finishes on May 21. ACC were informed and asked to nominate again. This nomination would be considered along with any others received at the next full governing body meeting due to take place on May 18.  However, if only one nomination was received, the nominee would be appointed as additional community governor at the earliest opportunity, following consultation with the headteacher/chair of governors. It was agreed that Clr. Pauline Davies be re-nominated.

To discuss the recruitment of two volunteer youth representatives to ACC via the CWBR project. Six councillors and the clerk met by Zoom with Laura Lloyd from PLANED to discuss this project. Clr. Phillips presented the project aims to councillors. It is open to young people between the ages of 15 and 25 who live in or within three miles of the community council area. They will serve for a 12-month period with the option of extending this if both parties agree. It would count as community service qualifications for awards such as the Welsh Baccalaureate or Duke of Edinburgh Award. A councillor will be appointed to mentor each volunteer. Councillors agreed to take part in this pilot project.

Any young person interested can contact [email protected] or [email protected] for more information or to express an interest. Volunteers under 18 will require parental consent.

charitable donations

• Wild Bird and Swan Centre, Tinkers Hill, Amroth. Clrs. Davies and Morris both proposed ACC donate to this local charity. Clr. Davies outlined its operation and financial situation to councillors. A sum of £250 was agreed.

• Clr. Tippett-Maudsley proposed that ACC support Stepaside School, to purchase a Chrome book to aid children of the parish to learn remotely during the pandemic. It would continue to be of benefit in future years in helping year six children from the parish in preparation for transfer to secondary education. It vwas agreed that £250 be donated.

Amroth and

District

Community Association

The hall is closed for the duration of lockdown. Clr. Tippett Maudsley reported that the hall had been subject to a health and safety inspection by PCC ready for the elections in 2022 and been classified as ‘excellent’.

Other Matters/ Urgent Business

• The clerk was made aware of a Keep Wales Tidy initiative and had applied for equipment from them on behalf of ACC. Clr. Tippett Maudsley has reported lots of litter on the road from A477 to Stepaside. This had been reported to PCC.

• Clr. Harvey gave a presentation to councillors on the Pembrokeshire scheme to upgrade broadband speeds across the county. The aim was to increase speeds from an average of 30 megabits to one gigabyte for all properties. The scheme had had little interest locally probably because it was still relatively unknown. Currently only one per cent of Amroth CC area residents had expressed an interest. An increase in broadband speed would bring great benefit to the community both now and especially in the future. The infrastructure costs would be covered by Welsh Government, but for an area to be considered for upgrade a minimum of 25 - 30 per cent of properties must submit an expression of interest.

Clr. Harvey had carried out research and in many cases an upgrade to superfast fibre broadband would cost about the same as many current slower services do now. He proposed that ACC take action to actively promote this scheme and encourage residents to register. Submitting an expression of interest to the scheme would not oblige residents to sign up to a contract or take any further action unless they choose to, but would help the two areas in Amroth secure Welsh Government funding for the infrastructure. More information can be found here

Councillors agreed to a publicity campaign via social media, posters and flyers to all properties. A project team was set up to include Clrs. Harvey, Davies and Cormac.

• Clr. Davies queried the next steps for the Memorial Garden in Amroth following a site meeting earlier in the month. Clr. Phillips stated that the trustees must hold a meeting and pass a resolution that the land is no longer required as a Memorial Garden.

• Clr. A. Evans asked when the grit bin for Clos Yr Ysgol, Stepaside, would be delivered and reported that the grit bin on Staggers Hill needed a refill. The clerk would contact PCC.

Next

meeting

The next meeting of the council will be held on Thursday, March 18, at 7 pm.

This will be via Zoom unless informed otherwise.

Anyone wishing to observe online, please send your email address to [email protected]

Also, if you would like to be kept informed on matters affecting the parish such as road closures, public consultations, sea defences etc. please email the clerk and you will be added to our secure mailing list (GDPR compliant).