Among matters considered and discussed at last month’s meeting of Amroth Community Council, which was again held online via Zoom, were the following:

Chair’s

Welcome

Vice-chairman Clr. Roger Harries took the chair and welcomed all councillors to the meeting. He congratulated Clr. Mills on her appointment as Specialist Lay Member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales and gratitude that she will continue in her role as community councillor at this time.

Matters

Arising

• An old copy of the beach byelaws has been obtained showing that horses are limited to before 10 am and after 6 pm on Amroth Beach. This has been sent to PCC for verification to ensure it has not been amended since.

• Road speed monitoring equipment has been deployed for a short time across the ward to evidence average speed on roads where vehicle speed is a concern.

• Domestic rubbish filling street bins in Amroth. PCC have requested photographic evidence to support enforcement action.

• Clr. Harvey has secured free online toolkits to guide play following attendance at a Play Wales Seminar.

• Parking wardens will increase visits to Amroth to deal with obstructive or illegal parking on double yellow lines.

County

Councillor’s Report

I have written to Clr. Paul Miller, cabinet member for the economy, about the current inadequate train service provided by Transport for Wales for Pembrokeshire residents, asking him to take up the issue with the company. As yet, I have had no reply, but my past conversations with him assure me that he is keen for a better rail service for Pembrokeshire.

I have written to Richard Brown, interim chief executive, asking why the Building Maintenance Department will not give paint to ACC members to paint the Bus Shelter in Summerhill. This seems to go against Cabinet policy to encourage town and community councils to take a more active role in the upkeep of their local environment. As yet, I have had no reply.

Following contact from a concerned resident, I have written to Clr David Simpson, PCC leader, to ask him to confirm that snares are not allowed to be used on council land. Snares are indiscriminate and can cause prolonged suffering for both wild and domestic animals. Clr. Simpson has asked Richard Brown to investigate. As yet, I have had no confirmation that snares are not used on council land. If no confirmation is forthcoming, I will submit a notice of motion to the next frull council meeting asking for snares to be banned on council land.

Another resident has raised the issue of speeding farm contractors asking for the whole of Trelessy Road to be designated a 30 mph area. Before raising this matter with PCC, I would like guidance from ACC. Agreed. councillors support this action.

I attended the Ultrafast Broadband seminar set up by Mark Harvey on August 16. This was a very useful meeting. One main takeaway from the seminar was that anyone who does a self-assessment tax return can register as a business. I know a number of self-employed people in the ward who have registered as domestic customers, not as businesses. It is important that they register as businesses as the grant afforded to the area is £7,000 for a business, but only £3,000 for a domestic customer.

Planning

20/0585/PA. Land adjacent to Fern Villa, Llanteg. Proposal - Demolition of outbuildings and construction of new house. This application was refused

21/0153/PA The Haven, Pleasant Valley. Proposal - replacement dwelling. This application has been refused

21/0182/PA Merrifields, Amroth. Proposal; Demolition of existing house and annex and construction of a new dwelling with outbuildings and associated landscaping. This application has been approved.

21/0382/PA Carousel, Summerhill. Proposal - Erection of a garage. This application has been approved.

21/0266/PA Thorny Bush, Rosemary Lane, Ludchurch.Proposal - Use of existing log cabin for holiday let purposes and erection of a garden room. No Objection

Meadow House Caravan Park. PCNPA have responded to say that there were no planning issues with the field clearance or cutting the neighbours hedge for them. There is a planning application in and pending at the moment NP/21/0085/FUL.

21/0382/PA. 18 Summerhill, Stepaside.Proposal - Erection of a dwelling. A discussion took place as several objections had been received. Councillors do not believe all the points, that resulted in a refusal last time, have been addressed. An objection will be submitted.

21/0372/PA Cheriton, Wesley Close, Pleasant Valley. Proposal - Replace and enlarge conservatory at the front of the property. No objection.

Correspondence

• Road speed. A resident has written again expressing concern regarding the speed of cars through Summerhill. Agreed; the clerk will respond, and outline actions being taken to try to reduce speed.

• Fire stations – safe havens. Any member of the public, including children and young people, can go to a fire station if they feel unsafe in any situation or call 999 if the crew is out and immediate help is needed.

• Better signage. A resident from Church View, Summerhill, has written to request better signage to Amroth to prevent the number of cars overshooting the junction and turning in Church View. With the current increase in tourists in the area, this was occurring over 20 times per day.

Councillors agreed that the sign is not fully visible to drivers until it is too late to turn and would be better moved. The clerk will contact PCC regarding this.

• Residents have written to ask if some roads in the wards could be cut later to preserve the environment for wildflowers and wildlife. Agreed; Road safety is paramount both for the visibility for drivers and safety for walkers who need to step off the road. It may be possible to take a smaller cut on some roads or identify roads where late cutting could be an option. The community council is supporting a policy of wildflower planting. A project is underway to introduce wildflowers at sites across the ward in conjunction with PCNPA. Also, the community gardens have been planted up to encourage wildflowers and pollinators.

• The Queens Platinum Jubilee. The Guide To Taking Part in The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons has been updated and can be viewed and downloaded from - www.queensjubileebeacons.com.  Agreed; Add to a future agenda for discussion

• Health and Social Care. During autumn 2021, the Health and Social Care Committee will be considering its strategic approach and forward work programme. In order to take into account what you think the most important issues are, the committee is consulting on its priorities for the Sixth Senedd.

In particular, the committee would like to hear what you think about:

1. The initial priorities for the Sixth Senedd identified by the committee.

2. What other key priorities the committee should consider during the Sixth Senedd in relation to: health services, social care and carers, and Covid recovery. The consultation closes at 4 pm on September 17.

• Request from Welsh Government for Bertie the Sea Bass to attend a two-day event in the International Convention Centre in Newport on October 27 and 28 called Blas Cymru/Taste Wales.  The overall theme is ‘Sustainability’ etc. Agreed; Councillors have agreed Bertie can attend. The clerk will respond regarding transportation and costs.

• A consultation has been launched with Welsh Government working with One Voice Wales on Town and Community Council responses to a consultation on the draft Local Elections (Principal Areas) (Wales) Rules 2021 and draft Local Elections (Communities) (Wales) Rules 2021. The clerk has all the information.

To discuss and resolve asset and ward

maintenance issues

• An increase in dog fouling in Stepaside has been reported by Clr. Mills. She has asked if a dog poo bag dispenser and bin could be installed in the village. Also, the bin by the bus stop was removed as it was being filled with domestic waste. The clerk has requested it be returned. Agreed; There are dog poo bag dispensers along the tramway in Heritage Park. The Clerk will write to ask who is responsible for them.

• Road maintenance. Another large hole has appeared on the road opposite the toilets by Amroth Castle Caravan Park. It has been railed off. Agreed; Clr. Baron to investigate when work will be carried out.

• PCNPA have said a new directional sign to the car park will be installed soon, following removal of the old one.

Report By Amroth and

District

Community Association

The hall is open, and clubs have resumed.

Clr. Tippet Maudsley thanked Clrs. Morris and Harvey for all the work carried out to repair the multi play in the play area and for the installation of the new play equipment.

Report by

village hall committee

The hall is open, and clubs have resumed.

• The slate chippings have been laid in the Old School Garden and the Pollinator Project started in conjunction with PCNPA. Fruit trees and wildflowers are being planted and a bug hotel installed.

• Coffee mornings will resume in person in the hall. Masks must be worn and Covid rules followed.

• The hall has received funding from the Coop for improvements.

Report by

Summerhill Play Area

Representatives

• The chairman expressed the gratitude of the council to Clrs. Harvey and Morris for all the work that has been carried out to install the new play equipment and repair the multi play.

• The multi play is now back in use following repairs advised by the playground inspector. Work has started on sourcing funds for a replacement.

• The new equipment has been well received by users and is attracting families from neighbouring wards. All the manuals and maintenance information are stored with the clerk on One Drive.

• The new signs are now in place.

• The grass has been cut by contractors. ACC are grateful for the care taken around the new equipment and safety flooring.

• A replacement fence will be installed in due course.

• Positive confirmation reports following visual monitoring are still needed from PCC to comply with insurance terms. Agreed; The clerk will set up a meeting with PCC officers to discuss monitoring and reports

Discuss and Resolve responsibility for the small play Area in Stepaside

PCC has posted a public notice under the Local Government Act 1972 Section 123(1), (2A) stating their intention to dispose of the area currently used as a play area (in Stepaside) for garden land. Objections relating to the proposed disposal should be made in writing and addressed to the Chief Property Officer, Pembrokeshire County Council, County Hall, Haverforwest. SA61 1TP, or sent via email to [email protected]

The area has been maintained in recent years by Clr. A. Evans.

Agreed; The clerk will write to PCC objecting to the disposal of this community asset. It is the only play area in walking distance for Stepaside and Pleasant Valley and contributes to the wellbeing of the community. The play equipment is in good condition. The community council will request that responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep be transferred to the community council.

Ultrafast broadband Update

• PCC report an increase in interest in the Amroth wards, but more is still needed to attract a service provider. It is likely that sometime in the next five years the current superfast copper lines will be decommissioned in favour of the Ultrafast Broadband infrastructure. This will affect landline telephone as well as broadband service.

• Current users in other project areas are receiving 100mb service for £20/month.

• Installation will take place over the next 18 months.

• A service supplier choice meeting will be held at the end of September. No cost is involved until households sign up to a supplier. Agreed; ACC will post again on Facebook to encourage interest.

Project ideas and Updates

Amroth Free Wifi – Installation has been delayed and is now due to take place in time for next summer. A key issue is agreeing a formal agreement with PCC. Clr. Cormack has drafted one and sent it to PCC for comments.

Exercise Jantzen – work on the interpretation board is ongoing

Historic Road Signs Project – No further update

Milestone markers – The clerk is pursuing this.

Update from planning meeting:

Several ideas were discussed at the meeting and a short list drawn up including

• Replace the multi play in the play area, Summerhill

• Look into restarting a film club

• Continue to identify sites for wildflower planting/Village in Bloom

• ‘Happy to Chat’ Seats around the wards

Community matters

• The Welcome Visitor team are carrying out regular litter picks in Amroth. They report that most people are respectful of the dog restrictions and that PCC vans are patrolling regularly to discourage obstructive parking in the village.

• Discussion continues with PCC re. adjustments to bus timetables to improve the service across the wards. Clr. Harvey and Clr. Baron are also pursuing better connection for trains to South Pembrokeshire.

• The Stone Bridge is still not repaired at Wisemans Bridge. The clerk will request an update.

• The tap is still not working outside the toilets in Amroth. The clerk to contact PCNPA again.

• A Digital Over 50s forum has been set up and they are looking for members of the community to join to support other members to improve their digital skills.