Eight councillors and two members of the public were present at the annual general meeting of Carew Community Council held at the Memorial Hall.

The chairman, Clr. A. P. Blayney, welcomed everyone and informed the meeting that he would not be standing again as chairman.

In his second year of office he had joined the governors of the school and had started the litter picking initiative.

The chairman thanked all for their good companionship and conduct.

On behalf of all councillors, Clr. Brock thanked the outgoing chairman for his good chairmanship and congratulated him on the way he conducted himself and with an easy manner.

The clerk then thanked the chairman, vice-chairman and all councillors for their support and help and the excellent way they communicated and conducted themselves throughout the year.

Election of officers: new chairman - Clr. Vanessa Thomas; vice-chairman - Clr. Marina Griffiths.

Clr. Thomas took the chair and thanked all for their nomination. It was also unanimously agreed to a time change for future meetings of 7.30 pm rather than 7 pm.

Matters Arising from minutes

Sports Club: A letter was read out from the honorary secretary of the club relating to the previous discussions on the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and leases.

Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd were invited to participate in the discussion on the ways forward and the opportunities for funding for a MUGA along with the leases.

Following these discussions, it was agreed that Clrs. Brock and Blayney should contact the agent to Carew Castle Estates.

Laybys Carew Cheriton: An e-mail was received from Pembrokeshire County Council saying that, although they appreciated the need for a parking facility at Carew Cheriton Cemetery, their priorities were for maintenance and renewal of existing infrastructure and that this application was unlikely to be given funding in anything other than medium to long term. County councillor Neale was to pursue this matter further.

Goal posts: Clr. Squirrell had written to ask if the provision of goal posts for Redberth and Milton could be expedited. Following discussion on the implications and the previous costings, it was agreed that the cost of provision of these two sets of goal posts (around £850 in total) be added to next year's precept.

PLANNING

County councillor Neale withdrew from discussions on all the following planning applications.

Brookeville, Lawrenny Road - conservatory (following a recent site visit by officers of PCNPA , the conservatory has already been constructed on the site and the agent has now requested that the planning application be changed to a retrospective application. No adverse comments or evident reasons for objection from councillors). The chairman declared an interest and withdrew from discussion.

Change of use of Post Office to residential (It was with dismay that councillors learned that the initial application had been refused due to PCC suggesting that the proposed change of use was considered to represent an unacceptable loss of a community facility when the Post Office itself closed the branch. However, a further application outlining these facts had been submitted and following discussion there were no adverse comments or evidence for refusal noted by councillors).

Approval of reserved matters for demolition of existing outbuildings and redevelopment for four dwellings at land adjacent to Cromwell Drive, Redberth (following perusal of the plans and discussion, there were no adverse comments from councillors).

Erection of new garage at 22 Kesteven Court, Carew (no adverse comments or objections from councillors).

Councillors noted that an application for the erection of four dwellings at 19-22 Sageston Fields had been withdrawn.

Correspondence

Carew Castle Holdings Project: Following discussion on the project to provide enhancement and updated and upgraded facilities at Carew Castle, it was agreed that Phil Bennett, Theresa Hogsflesh and Phil Roach be asked to the next meeting to discuss the options further.

Daffodils: A letter was received from Really Welsh relating to the purchase of Welsh daffodils. Following discussion, it was agreed to purchase 500 bulbs (25kg sack) at a cost of £20 with a second for free.

County Councillor's Report

Milton Marsh Walk: Matters were now coming closer to fruition and should be finalised shortly.

Carew Newton Cemetery: Work was needed on the plans relating to the entrance and this was ongoing. Clr. Neale had contacted local residents to update them of future plans and keep them in the picture.

Litter bins: More money had been allocated for litter bins and these would be located throughout the parish.

Keep Wales Tidy: Clr. Blayney nominated council to continue with this project for litter picking and environmental tools.

Parish Matters

The postbox at Milton had been removed and needed to be resited at Summers Villas near to where the Outreach Van stopped and being more in the centre of the village.

The website was launched on April 14, with 2,235 hits. A not-for-profit directory had been launched and it was being added to. Registration forms for clubs and societies were available for completion and submission from the unofficial website. It was suggested that forthcoming events could be added to this. Clr. White asked for all councillors to be present at the next meeting for photographs to be taken for the website.

The bank was falling away at the bottom of the steps at Kesteven Court due to land slipping away with mud and sludge. The clerk was to contact PCC, with a copy to County Councillor Neale.

The Post Office letterbox at Sageston was heavily corroded. The clerk was to ask the Post Office to repair or replace it.

The gullies needed cleaning out and pavement washing along Birds Lane and the detrunked road in Sageston.

The enforecement office was to be asked to investigate Freestone Meadow as there now appeared to be a second storey to the property.

With regard to dog fouling along the paths to the school, new litter bins were to be sited there.

The clerk was to investigate the naming of Dill Road/Deer Park in Stephens Green, Milton.

The clerk was to contact the quarry for advice on what to fill pot holes at Carew Memorial Hall Car Park with.

Litter picking: Saturday, June 6, meet at 9 am at Ashleigh House.

The next meeting will be on Thursday, June 11, at 7.30 pm.