Ten members, along with County Councillor Norman Parry, were present at the monthly meeting of Carew Community Council, when the following matters were among those discussed.

MATTERS ARISING

FROM MINUTES

Whitehill Signs: A letter was received from Derek Morgan, network manager at Pembrokeshire County Council regarding the positioning of Whitehill sign. The placing of the Whitehill signs follows the postal address locations of properties. Following discussion, it was agreed to write to Mr. Morgan stressing that the community council's historical recollection of the boundaries of Whitehill was different from the council's interpretation of the location. A check on the Electoral Register would be made.

Speeding, Birds Lane: Monitoring of car speeds would be taking place shortly by means of periodic visits by Police.

Speed limit, Sageston: A letter was received from John Price, traffic manager at PCC, informing members that this area was examined shortly after the bypass opened. At the time the speed of traffic was too high for the lower limit of 30 mph to be introduced. A further speed sample would be obtained to determine if a 30 mph limit could be recommended to the police.

Speeding, Redberth: A sample of speed at Redberth was also to be taken to determine whether any abuse of the new limit was occurring. Police attention would then be drawn to which hours this happened, for enforcement action to be considered. However, PCC did not feel that 30 mph markers on the highway were necessary as the new limit had been adequately signed and additional road markings would not be of benefit.

Graveyard, Carew Newton: Huw Morgan from Lowless and Lowless Solicitors had now called upon Mrs. Hughes at Kesteven Court and taken instructions to help prepare the Declaration for the Land Registry. He had also visited the graveyard and considered that photographs of the site and the plaque on the wall important to include with the Declaration and was arranging to photograph these shortly.

Dog fouling - E-mail from dog wardens/pest control: The present fixed penalty fine for failure to clear up forthwith after a dog was £75 or a fine of up to £1,000 upon conviction in a magistrates court. Dog warden Debbie Hart was aware of the problems in Birds Lane and on the recreation field and would visit the areas shortly.

Play areas: A circular letter was received from Maurice Hughes, leader of Pembrokeshire County Council. This explained that PCC was still awaiting proposals from the Welsh Assembly in respect of its Play Strategy, but ahead of that, PCC put forward an amended scheme listing what they would provide and what would be required of community councils.

Following discussion and input from county councillor Mr. Norman Parry, it was agreed that a reply be sent informing PCC of the community council's wish that the status quo be maintained and that they strongly felt that it was not acceptable to change play area policy until the Welsh Assembly Play Strategy was received and given full deliberation. Rural play areas such as Carew should be maintained as before and Council Tax should be unaffected.

Give Way sign at Freestone Cross: Mr. H. Marriott, senior maintenance technician, PCC, had written informing the council that the offending overgrowth of the hedge obscuring the sign would be removed as soon as possible.

Following discussion at the last meeting, County Councillor Norman Parry agreed to look into the reinstatement of the hedge at the top of Bartletts Well Road onto the detrunked road.

Croft Lane: It was understood that the resurfacing and related works to Croft Lane, Carew Newton, would be carried out in July/August this year.

Giveway road markings at Carew Newton would be carried out the next time the white line vehicle was in the area.

PLANNING

Application considered for amended plans, two-storey extension to 24 Bartletts Well Road, Sageston (no objections).

Tree Preservation Order revoked at Cresselly Estate April 2, 2004. Letter and attachments noted.

Following discussion, it was agreed that two further farmers who use Croft Lane should be contacted to ask for their co-operation in ensuring that the road was kept clear of mud.

CORRESPONDENCE

A report was received from the Carew Newton Burial Committee meeting held on April 5.

The membership of the committee was made up of four community councillors and one co-opted member.

Rules and regulations with regard to burial grounds would be forwarded to the committee from the chairman of the Association of Burial Authorities.

Matters discussed were disabled access to the cemetery, the need for a detailed plan of the graves, the acquisition of a burial register and a safe place to keep it, insurance and a contact person for burial enquiries.

Other matters: The need to make sure all graves were safe; the need to discuss ground maintenance; installation of water barrel/tap, litter bin and a seat; display of regulations and fees. The regulations applying to the Church in Wales, which the committee decided to take as a guideline, were being redrafted by Clr. Lloyd.

The community council thanked the members of the Burial Committee for their report and the clerk was to contact the insurers.

Local Council Review: It was unanimously agreed to renew the annual subscription of £12.50.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

It was understood that money was available for street parties and celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the end of WW2 next year. This information was gratefully received and it was agreed to pass it to the Carew Village Association.

The old A477 as you turn into Birds Lane had undergone work to provide a footpath, but it was pointed out that the road lines were now off-centre and the black and white bollard was dangerously placed and would cause confusion or worse at night. County councillor Norman Parry informed the meeting that only a section of work had been completed of a wider plan of work and when all completed the full effect would be obtained and these anomalies would not be evident.

Drain clearance, Birds Lane: The drain clearing vehicle had been in the area recently, but it was not clear whether the drains in Birds Lane had been included. The clerk was to look into this.

It was agreed that the clerk should write to PCC regarding the road markings at West Williamston and the 'near miss' that recently occurred.

Paddock Walk: The clerk was to write regarding the state of the wall.

One Voice Wales: It was brought to the community council's notice that the Welsh Assembly had withdrawn the start-up grant to One Voice Wales and it was agreed that Clr. Lloyd talk to Christine Gwyther regarding this.

Following discussion it was agreed to delay the annual general meeting until after the local elections, i.e. until June 17.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 13, at 7 pm, at Redberth Lodge - Community Council dinner.