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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE?MINUTES

Speed ramps - The Area Maintenance Team had been out to inspect the speed ramps at Sageston School, Birds Lane. The representative felt the ramps had exceeded their ‘natural life’ and would be putting in a request to have them replaced. Following discussion, it was agreed by all present to ask for full width graduated speed ramps in line with other ramps outside local schools in the area.

County Councillor’s teport on matters arising:

Hot food outlet - It was hoped that the suggestion of a change in vehicle priority on the road may alleviate the parking problem. Streetcare had not responded to the community council’s email and a sharp response to be sent.

Kesteven Court and drainage issues on playing field - The county councillor was to arrange a site meeting with representatives from the sports club, cabinet member, and residents and members of the community council.

Residents were to be asked to put their concerns to County Clr. Paul Rapi and to the community council regarding flooding in the gardens of the bungalows as a result of the drainage issue.

Llandigwynett - flooding, drainage and verges. Progress report received.

Amenity bins - Again there had been problems with fly-tipping at PCNPA in Carew. The county councillor had been in contact with the refuse manager regarding this.

A resident also informed the clerk of the problem with litter and refuse and her attempts to clean up with the purple litter bins.

Defibrillator - The First Responders required payment up front for the defibrillator before installing it and also cleaning of the kiosk first.

VE2020, May 8 - 10, 2020 - Updates on progress with regard to the fundraising event for this were received. Councillors agreed on a sum of money to be set aside towards the weekend activities.

Website - Progress was well underway, with a plan to launch in the next few weeks.

BIODIVERSITY

Environment (Wales) Act 2016, Section 6 - biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems duty: Councillors had been circulated copies of the documentation from Welsh Government on the duty of town and community councils to maintain and enhance biodiversity, safeguard special sites and species and restoring and creating habitats.

Councillors considered this an import initiative and wished to work towards achieving the specified goals. However, with frequent pollution occurring in the Carew River that feeds an SSSI mill pond with a rare species therein, the ability to be able to deliver this was fraught with pitfalls. Also, with the outflow pipe at Radford Point in need of repositioning, the problem of backflow/backwash of untreated sewage onto the foreshore and marshes at Milton (adjacent to the play area), coupled with the slow flow of the Milton river due to blocked arch at Milton Bridge causing flooding of the Milton tributary in Carew Cheriton/Paddock Walk, the community council’s options and decisions were affected. Following detailed discussion, it was agreed to contact Natural Resources Wales, Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency regarding their plans to alleviate the problem in Carew River in order for the community council to begin work on their strategy.

New planters and bird boxes at Carew Memorial Hall involving Sageston Community School was considered important.

A Climate Emergency had been declared by Pembrokeshire County Council and the county councillor reported on this.

Also Planning Policy Wales sets out that any application where biodiversity enhancement was not proposed as part of it, significant weight would be given to its absence and probable refusal of permission.

PLANNING

The minerals and waste planning manager had responded to NP/12/0601 regarding Carew Quarry and the contents of the communication noted.

Variation of condition 3 of permission 13/0429/PA to increase caravan pitches from two to three, one additional day/uility room and relocation of storage building approved under 09/0479/PA (Resubmission). Following perusal of the plans and noting the amendments, Carew community councillors did not support this application and recommended refusal.

Residential development (12 dwellings) Sageston Fields, Sageston. Following perusal of the detailed plans and accompanying documents, there were no adverse comments and no obvious grounds for refusal identified. Councillors recommended granting this application.

Conversion of two stone outbuildings to two residential units and one stone outbuilding to annex/home office; new build agricultural storage shed on land at Llandigwynett House, Sageston. Following perusal of the detailed plans and accompanying documents, there were no adverse comments and no obvious grounds for refusal identified. Councillors recommended granting this application

CORRESPONDENCE

Carew Senior Citizens’ request for a donation towards the Christmas Lunch was agreed.

CAREW NEWTON CEMETERY

Chair pleased to report that the ashes area for Carew Newton Cemetery had been completed. Discussion took place on a suitable ornament/memorial for the centre of the area. Arrangements wer to be made to dedicate the area.

PARISH

MATTERS

• Stream in Redberth needed clearing out as the blockage and overgrowth was causing flooding on the play area.

• Footpath from Kesteven Court to Carew Park needed sweeping as the rotting leaves were making the path slippery.

• Also, the footpath from the Plough to Sageston roundabout was slippery and needed sweeping.

• Dog fouling in the parish. Reports noted in Whitehill area.

• Road up through Stephens Green and traffic. Improvement issues previously discussed including improvement to passing bays and work on the pinch points by Highways Department especially with larger vehicles using this road.

Also floods both sides at the top of Stephens Green at the lefthand bend.