Nine councillors attended the July meeting of Carew Community Council.

Two members of the public, Mrs. Pugh and Mrs. James, also attended to enquire as to the plans for Carew Newton Cemetery.

A background as to the sequence of events was provided by the clerk and councillors. Elaborate landscaping plans from Pembrokeshire College had been obtained. The college plans were eventually shelved in favour of more muted, low key enhancements. There was a need to adhere to health and safety and bring the area up to date to meet today's needs and requirements, including accessibility. Provision of a gate at the far end of the cemetery to provide ease of access for a funeral hearse and a bigger turning area was also being considered. Currently, the hedgerows were being cut back and a new kissing gate was being made.

Councillors contributed that in approaching this project they were well aware that local people needed to be involved as well as funeral directors. Nothing major to the detriment of the village would take place. Indeed, the area was covered by the National Park and therefore guidance and advice would be taken from the Park's planning department before any work was carried out.

The problems of parking and accessibility were also apparent in Carew Cheriton cemetery and removal of the verge to provide more convenient passing/parking/turning places had been ongoing with PCC many years and still unresolved.

The following was then agreed: a meeting be convened for interested parties and Parishioners at the Carew Newton Cemetery on Thursday, August 11, at 7 pm; funeral directors to be asked beforehand if there were accessibility issues they feel should be addressed. All present agreed and Mrs. James and Mrs. Pugh were thanked for attending.

Councillors continued discussions on the Carew Newton Graveyard. It was confirmed that the work and provision of further facilities were entirely to meet more modern day needs and requirements and to bring the cemetery up to standard. These works would be as sympathetic as possible and would listen to the needs of parishioners, bearing in mind the need to think of the future. The objective of the meeting on August 11 would be to allay fears of intrusive building work.

Matters arising

Good Neighbour Scheme: A response from PCC was received with the results of the survey as follows: 667 letters were sent out by PCC to residents in the Parish of Carew; 55 letters were returned which was an 8.24 per cent return - the average for other communities being five per cent; 40 households were willing to be volunteers (six per cent); 29 households said they would use the scheme if it was up and running (4.37 per cent); two people said the scheme would be of no use. All figures included what was sent in via the website. It was felt that there were diverse arrangements in the parish and that the parish was not a single community. The Carew parish is an umbrella for nine communities and there were 13 organisations. It was felt that the parish was fortunate in its approach to social issues in each village and there was a readiness to respond to requests for help. Following discussion, it was agreed to ascertain the location of the 40 volunteering households in relation to the 29 households that would use the scheme, whether these two groups were clustered, who would be responsible, what responsibility would be involved. This information would be required before further deliberations could take place.

Communication received from PCC in relation to items raised had been passed onto the relevant departments for action as follows: White lines at detrunked road Carew Cheriton, lines from roundabout in Sageston past Ashleigh House and lines needed replacing over Carew Bridge; white triangle on the road at the junction of Redberth Road and Sageston; Road sign at Carew Park Estate; dog fouling; public toilets at Carew. The PCSO had been contacted regarding the public toilets in Carew and the speeding at the top of Carew Estate and his support was requested in order to enable signage to be expedited.

Communication received from SWTRA: The hedges at Carew roundabout would be inspected by SWTRA's Landscape and Environmental Coordinator.

Provision of the countdown markers at Sageston roundabout: Because the chevrons on the roundabout were being struck by vehicles on a fairly regular basis, the whole roundabout and its approaches were being assessed by SWTRA's consultants. However, a road safety audit would be needed for countdown markers and other works identified, with the timescale for assessment and proposals taking no longer than a month. WAG would need to agree and provide the funding and when this information was received, Mr. Williams would communicate the results. Councillors were informed that recently, another vehicle went through the roundabout

With regard to the landscaping project briefs for the roundabouts, a straight forward landscaping brief that would be easy to maintain was requested to enhance the area. PCC and the landscape officer had been asked by SWTRA to rework the designs to produce something that all parties would agree with. Following discussion, it was agreed to seek community council inclusion in the design process with PCC.

TRA477 Junction at Nash Fingerpost: The head of highways and construction confirmed that PCC were instructed by SWTRA to undertake a video traffic survey at the junction and further topographical survey work had now been requested, but the brief for project work had not yet been identified. A further meeting with SWTRA was planned to clarify this. PCC stated that the current junction was essentially to current standards and accident statistics were low. Also as this was a trunk road, WAG and SWTRA were the budget holders and decision makers on what actual work was undertaken and to what timescales.

Local Development Plan: The clerk provided information on the need for correct procedural ratification with regard to the submission of the Open Space for Amenity Use in Sageston to the LDP by the community council. Further discussion ensued regarding the area in particular. To this end Clr. Blayney proposed and Clr. Bosley seconded that the land known as the Paddock in Sageston be put forward as an Open Space for Amenity Use. The vice-chairman asked for a show of hands and all present agreed.

Garden plots/allotments: Following a meeting between the agent, Carew Castle estate owners and members of the community council, a letter outlining a site plan and the estate's offer of six garden plots/allotments had been received. It was proposed by Clr. Brock to accept this offer from Carew Castle estate owners. Provisional discussion ensued on the allocation of plots and it was felt that this could be via website or in writing to the clerk.

PLANNINg

New access and hard standing area - land at Freestone Cross, Cresselly (following discussion and perusal of the plans, it was identified that the development was to provide a new access into a woodland and a surfaced loading and stacking area to facilitate timber harvesting. There was a current felling licence in operation for the trees and the development formed part of a Better Woodland for Wales Management Plan. There were no adverse comments).

IRONMAN COMPETITION

Handouts were provided of the substantial website information, including road closures, that had compiled on carewparish.com for the benefit of the community. There were links from the website noticeboard and local attractions pages. Carew Sports Club were putting on a whole day event to mark the occasion. It was agreed that coordination between Carew Castle, sports club, School, Carew Inn, Plough and community council was required to find out what was planned for the day.

PARISH MATTERS

Collection of rainwater off Carew roundabout towards Carew Cheriton: County Clr. Neale had communicated with the clerk about the problem with excess water at Sageston roundabout. The clerk was to contact PCC and SWTRA regarding these issues.

Play equipment at Milton Play area: This was in need of inspection to ensure safety. There had also been some vandalism at the play area and the PCSO was to be informed.

White lines at the detrunked road to the control tower: These needed replacing urgently as cars visiting businesses and the control tower were not stopping at the junction as the lines were worn away.

Concerns were raised regarding the wall that had been taken down by PCC behind the bungalows at Kesteven Court adjacent to the Memorial Hall and not yet been replaced. The wall was leaning badly. Residents felt vulnerable and exposed. PCC had originally said the work would be completed straight away, but the wall had been down for two weeks. PCC to be asked to complete this work as a matter of urgency and County Clr. Neale was to be informed of the problem. The PCSO was also to be asked to visit to provide reassurance.

Clr. Head said that it was with regret that the Carew Playgroup would be closing in September. The playgroup started in 1986. The playgroup wished their garden project, adjacent to the hall, be handed over to the hall for the benefit of organisations to use such as the luncheon club. The playgroup also asked for a commemorative bench to be placed in the garden to mark the 25 years that the group had been in existence. All present agreed to this request.

Date and time of next meeting: Thursday, August 11, 7 pm at Carew Newton Cemetery with parishioners to hear their views, then Thursday, September 8, at 7.30 pm, in Carew Memorial Hall for the community council meeting.