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

Matters arising from previous

minutes

• The road issues by Staggers Hill. A grit bin can be supplied for a one-off cost of £120+vat. The location must be agreed with PCC. Clr. Roger Harries proposed a bin should be purchased and councillors all agreed. Mr. Evans is willing to meet with PCC to agree a suitable location.

• Gritting. The road through Summerhill is not a primary gritting route, but would be treated as a secondary route if cold conditions are forecast to extend past 9 am. PCC can also respond to requests for post-treatment should problems be observed, however road users should be aware that approximately 80 per cent of the county’s road network is untreated and should drive accordingly in cold conditions. A discussion took place and it was agreed that 9 am is too late to account for school bus journeys. The clerk was asked to contact Darren Thomas at PCC to ask if bus routes could be considered a priority after the trunk roads are treated.

• Car blocking entrance to the Clay Pits. The owner has been identified and has been asked to move the car immediately to allow the felling of diseased trees. PCSO Jim Moffatt will report back to Clr. John James. Councillors were concerned that community councils and members of the public have no recourse to move a vehicle parked illegally or blocking an entrance. The clerk was asked to contact Simon Hart regarding the issue.

• Re changes to the bus service 351 Tenby to Pendine. Clr. Harvey submitted a detailed response to the consultation and a reply was received. In brief - Carmarthenshire CC will not fund the service from where it enters Carmarthenshire due to lack of settlements. PCC and CCC are in discussions regarding a single service from Tenby to Carmarthen, removing the need to change buses at Pendine. Welsh Government, who fund Trawscymru (some cross border) services have rejected the proposal, adding the 351 to the service due to the nature of the route. Clr. Harvey proposed some changes to the service during the four months of winter which would give passengers a better service than currently proposed, without increased cost to the operator. PCC will propose these to Taf Valley coaches. Bus damage was mentioned in the consultation document. The issue is low passenger numbers during winter months rather than additional damages occurring in the winter months. The ticket cost was queried compared to the cost of travel by car. A maximum fare is set for all subsidised bus routes and the concessionary bus pass scheme still operates. Ticket cost compared to the cost of travelling by car accounts for all the costs of operating a car not just fuel and parking costs re. Clr. Harvey’s comments regarding a quicker more direct route. It is a balancing act between journey time and ensuring enough areas of population are covered to ensure enough passenger numbers. Also, coverage for school transport. It was suggested further discussion took place with PCC. Clr. Baron agreed to speak to Clr. Phil Baker.

• Damaged bridge at Wisemans Bridge. Hean Castle Estates were contacted and are aware of the issue, however the bridge is located on the boundary of the estate and the estate have provided evidence that the bridge is not in their ownership. PCC are the rightful owners. The clerk has emailed PCC again on the matter. Note - the stones at the side of the bridge are not on a footpath and users who climb on it do so at their own risk.

• The 400 free tree saplings from the Woodland Trust will be arriving with Llanteg Village Hall Committee in March. These will be planted to offset the loss of trees through Ash Dieback Disease.

County

Councillor’s Report

• Council Tax increase 2020-2021: The draft PCC Budget for 2020-21 has been drawn up on the basis of the Provisional Local Government Settlement and is now out for consultation. On a like-for-like basis Pembrokeshire’s Aggregate External Finance (AEF) provided by Cardiff is provisionally set to rise by 4.9 per cent or £8.1 million. This substantially reduces the financial pressure on PCC. As a result, the projected funding gap is now £6.2 million compared with a £16 million gap if there had been no increase in AEF. PCC’s Cabinet propose to close this gap by finding a further £3.2million in cost reductions and efficiencies and by raising Council Tax by five per cent to give an extra £3.0 million. A five per cent increase in the Band D rate would cost such a ratepayer £54 a year.

• Clr. Bob Kilmister, the Cabinet Member for Finance, presented budget options to ACC members and residents on Wednesday, January 22, in Llanteg Village Hall. He explained that the provisional AEF enabled the Cabinet to allow some departmental expenditure in the draft budget to rise above the flatline budget that had previously been instructed. Education and Social Care are the major beneficiaries, but other areas too have seen some extra allocations such as Environmental Service including public toilets and fly tipping. In addition, money has been allocated from the Programme for Administration Reserve to fund road safety schemes (£1 million), repairing potholes (£0.5 million) and for tackling Key Stage 4 Performance (£1 million).

• The distribution of the extra financial resource provided by Cardiff has been heavily influenced by the response of Pembrokeshire residents’ responses to last year’s budget consultation. It is therefore very worthwhile for residents to let their views on the current draft budget be known

• Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant: The current administration is recommending that the current Second Homes Council Tax surcharge of 50 per cent should continue at least to the end of the current council term. The Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant Scheme financed by the Second Home Charge is gathering momentum. So far 58 schemes have been successful in being granted funding to the tune of over £917,000 with match funding of over £2.8 million.

Amroth Ward has available at this time a total allocation of £36,376, of which £15,902 is rolled over from 2018-19 and £20,474 for 2019-20. We can expect a further £20,000 or so for 2020-21. Note that, while unused allocations can be rolled into 2020-21, no rollover will be permitted into 2021-22.

• I am very pleased to support the application being made by Mr Roy James on behalf of Llanteg Village Hall for audio-visual equipment. I see this as an excellent proposal, which will benefit the whole community. I am happy to assist any group of residents with an application that would add value to our community.

• Amroth Sea Defences: At the Policy and Pre-decision Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday, January 21, Clr. Bob Kilmister was asked a number of questions about what PCC was intending to spend on tackling climate change. At this moment, apart from installing LED lights, the answer is not much. I asked about what monies were being set aside for adaptation plans for coastal villages facing rising see levels. Answer, none. To use Clr. Kilmister’s own word, Amroth would be ‘abandoned’ to its fate. To be fair to him the problem of dealing with rising sea levels requires action by both the Welsh and UK Governments, who have a policy of ‘managed retreat’. There appears, however, to be little evidence of management. Residents are entitled to have as much information as possible about long-term plans for their community.

Planning

Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg. Proposed conversion of existing garage to mortuary, reception, two family meeting rooms, staff changing room and construction of new garage to house hearse, mourners limousine, mourners car and private ambulance. No bbjection.

Great Merrixton Bungalow, Stepaside. Extension to Dwelling. No objection.

Woodland Heights, I Clos Yr Ysgol, Stepaside. Erection of single and two-storey extension. No objection.

Church View, Summerhill. Alterations and extension to dwelling. No objection.

Correspondence

• Llanteg Hall Committee have written asking for a letter of support for their application to the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund. They are applying for the following equipment to be installed at the hall: electrically operated ceiling mounted projector and screen; sound system, speakers and microphones etc; inductive loop hearing system; stage lighting; portable TV monitor.

If successful, this audio/ visual equipment would have a positive impact on the community, improving social interaction, well-being and fostering neighbourliness.

ACC unanimously agreed to support this application

• Following their monthly meeting, Llanteg Hall committee have also politely requested - the gateway widened at the Mountain Chapel, to allow access for a ride-on mower. Clr. Roger Harries reported that the work had not been carried out due to the inclement weather, but would be as soon as possible.

Improvement to the paths around the Old School Garden as it is increasingly more difficult to maintain these areas. Clr. Harries reported that the paths would be cleared as part of the work to fell the diseased trees. A donation of £100 has already been given for maintenance purposes.

A couple of replacement seats for the OSG, since the ones there are rotten through age. It was agreed that replacement seats would be discussed by councillors at the February meeting after the other work has been done.

• A resident has written to Clr. Baron, copy to ACC, regarding the increase in fly-tipping which they have noticed since the changes in recycling and rubbish collection at the beginning of November. They have been personally affected as someone deposited a large number of bottles in bags and boxes behind their car, on their land, in the parking area adjacent to the house. They also left food wrappers. In addition, there is rubbish now along the A477 to such an extent it can only have come from a fly-tipped bag or bags. There are also large rubbish bags alongside or rammed in litter bins in several locations.

The resident requested that these comments be sent to PCC and to ask if the recycling/rubbish collection decision is being appraised and reviewed? Councillors also commented on the fly-tipping situation and how in Summerhill, litter is falling from bags while being collected and this was not being retrieved and disposed of.

This issue had been addressed at the budget meeting with Clr. Bob Kilmister the evening before. He reported that while the council were pleased with how well the new recycling scheme had been adopted overall, there were still issues to be addressed and PCC were aware of areas where improvement was needed including the collection of the purple bags.

PCC continue to monitor the situation. Incidents of fly-tipping can be reported directly to the council who will then arrange to have it collected. The response time for this is currently nine days. Clr. Harvey reported that the field by Meadow House caravan park is full of rubbish that has blown there. Clr. Harvey to report it directly to PCC.

• A resident has written regarding obstructive car parking from Bryn Beudy past the old Stepaside Inn in Stepaside which is still causing a danger to residents. An incident occurred on Saturday, December 28, involving a resident and an aggressive driver in a speeding van. Robust restrictions on parking are needed. Not only does it affect access to Staggers Hill, but also the traffic coming down the road into Stepaside itself where traffic calming measures have already been requested. There is a need to extend the existing 30 mph limit and to have a 40 mph limit prior to the existing 30mph sign. There are far more residences now of which many are family homes. Traffic calming is also needed from Stepaside under the bridge and into Pleasant Valley. It was agreed that the clerk contact the Enforcement Officers re. the parking issue and request additional traffic calming measures.

• The National Park Authority had resolved to introduce car parking charges at Amroth car park, conditional upon obtaining a variation of its pre-existing Car Park Order. That variation process was completed towards the end of last year and came into legal effect from the 1/12/19. The authority have subsequently reconfirmed their decision to introduce seasonal car park charges at Amroth car park from the start of the 2020 car park charging season.

Information about the National Parks charging car park operation is available on the PCNPA web site. 

The charging season runs from March 15 to November 7 (inclusive). During this period all vehicles must display either a valid Pay and Display ticket or a pre-purchased Season Ticket. Charging hours run from 9 am to 7 pm. There is an initial free 30 minutes with no return within four hours. After this period, charges will apply. Clr. Harvey asked if it was possible for an initial reduced payment for residents and staff of local businesses for a season ticket by the Park.

The clerk was to write to Gary Meopham to request this.

• Pembrokeshire County Council is undertaking an eight-week consultation on the Deposit Local Development Plan from January 15 until March 11, when it will close at 4.30 pm. Please email your representation forms to [email protected] or post to The Development Plans Team, County Hall, Freeman’s Way, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 1TP.

Supporting documents can be viewed on PCC’s website https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/local-development-plan-review/deposit

• Friends of Narberth Library have written to ACC requesting an annual contribution of £20 per annum to support the Library and the many services they provide to the community. Councillors agreed unanimously to support this and the clerk will contact Friends of Narberth library to arrange this.

Monthly

Police meeting

• NHS now has own non-emergency medical helpline. The number is 111.

• Officers can now only attend in duty time which means the meetings may be less regular or change times intermittently to enable them to attend. These meetings have been welcomed by residents and it was agreed that the clerk would write to Police headquarters and the Police Commissioner to ask that officers be allowed to continue to run and attend these meetings.

• Royal Mail scam. A card is left at a house pertaining to be from Royal Mail requesting the resident to contact a telephone number and when they do so are asked for bank details.

• Underage drinking remains a problem. The police are monitoring the situation.

• County lines drugs is still a huge issue.

• New law - It is an offence to have a TV screen visible to a driver of a vehicle.

• Drink driving is increasing

• Dyfed Powys are to be allocated 70 new police officers by the Government.

Update on

projects

• Update on Amroth Free Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, it is not possible to proceed with this project due to several technical difficulties. Clr. Cormack detailed the issues to the meeting. Councillors agreed, on the advice of Clr. Cormack, that the project will be shelved. Councillors thanked Clr. Cormack for all his work and expressed their disappointment.

A Solar Seat was discussed for the Memorial Garden. Compared to the original project idea, a bench would offer limited coverage. A discussion took place regarding using the public toilet as a base for antenna. A telephone line could be installed to the toilets with a repeater on the flagpole. Further investigations are needed.

• Exercise Jantzen: Clr. Harvey has been in contact with Imperial War Museum to source digital images with Amroth in background. He has also liaised with the sign maker and printer. Once the text is written and agreed, the interpretation board will take about two weeks to produce. It is to be located by the flagpole. Work is continuing on the history point codes. It will be in place by VE day celebrations.

• VE Day Celebration, May 2020, Amroth: Clr. Harries has organised a small fairground and bouncy castle, as he is keen to involve all ages in the celebrations. The event will run over the weekend of May 8/9/10, with the unveiling of the Exercise Jantzen interpretation board on the Saturday. Clr. Harries would like to get all local organisations involved, including the WI and the British Legion. Clrs. Harvey and Harries will draft a press release to all media. Clr. Davies will help to co-ordinate activities with the businesses.

Any other or urgent business

• Pembrokeshire Coast Path will be 50 years old on May 16, 2020. Clr. Harvey queried if any celebration activity is taking place? It would be nice to commemorate it somehow. A banner was suggested. Maybe local businesses would like to do something?

It was agreed that the clerk contact PCNPA to ask if any celebrations are being organised officially.

• A light is needed on the Amroth sign off A477 opposite Pen Y Bont. The turning is hard to see especially in winter and there have already been accidents there. The clerk was to write to SWTRA to request a light.

• Clr. Tippett-Maudsley asked about repairs to the slipway. The slipway is for access for vehicles needed for work on the beach. It belongs to PCC who have already said they will not carry out work unless absolutely necessary due to the cost and complexity of the work. Clr. Tippett-Maudsley and Clr. Davies reported that it was a health and safety issue.

It was agreed that the clerk should query if the potholes can be filled?

• Clr. Phillips reported on the LDP 2 and local candidate sites. There is to be a very minor change at West Llanteg Farm and one site at Llanteglos has been approved for four houses.

• Clr. Harvey reported that the car parking signs in Amroth currently state that parking is free. These need to be changed prior to the introduction of parking charges. The clerk was to contact PCNPA to remind them.

Date of next meeting: Thursday, February 20, at Llanteg Village Hall, starting at 7 pm.