Attempts to tackle a ‘parking matter’ nearly landed a Saundersfoot Community councillor in trouble with the Public Services Ombudsman recently, with a member of the public accusing the member of breaching a ‘Code of Conduct’ by behaving in a ‘bullying and intimidating’ manner.

A report to a Local Authority’s ‘Ethics and Standards Committee’ under the banner of ‘Promotion of equality and respect’ states that a complaint was made regarding the matter to the Public Services Ombudsman Code of Conduct Findings.

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales considers complaints relating to the Members Code of Conduct, under the provisions of Part III of the Local Government Act 2000 and the relevant Orders made by the National Assembly for Wales under that Act.

The Ombudsman received a complaint last month from a member of the public (‘the complainant’) that a member of Saundersfoot Community Council had failed to observe the Code of Conduct for Members.

It was alleged that the Councillor approached the complainant and behaved aggressively towards him over a parking matter.

The complainant alleged the Councillor had behaved in a bullying and intimidating manner and used his position to belittle and humiliate him. The complainant said that the Member behaved in a way that was bullying and intimidating.

The Councillor acknowledged there was an encounter but said that he did not behave poorly in the interaction.

In the Ombudsman’s report it was stated as no other witness or CCTV evidence was available, having considered the evidence submitted from both of the parties involved, none of the information or evidence available suggested that one account should be preferred over the other. Therefore, in the absence of any independent evidence of the incident, the

The Ombudsman was unable to say whether the behaviour of the Member (who isn’t named in the report) was suggestive of a breach of the Code of Conduct; and further investigation of this matter was unlikely to yield any information which would alter the balance of evidence available and therefore it was not proportionate or in the public interest to continue the investigation, with the matter ‘discontinued’.

Local residents and members of organisations that meet in the seaside village have long complained that parking provision is becoming an issue, especially during holiday season.

Correspondence was received by Saundersfoot Community Council at their March meeting from the Regency Hall Trustees raising concerns relating to a vehicle that is parked for long periods of time within the Car Park alongside the Hall, which is owned by the Community Council but managed by the Regency Hall, Bowling Club and Saundersfoot Sports and Social Club.

The Trustees requested that the Community Council, as the landowner, write to the car owner advising that the car park is only to be used by persons using the sporting facilities and that a permit should be displayed. The Trustees further confirmed that they had left several notices on the vehicle, all to no avail. The Clerk has been tasked to write a suitable letter advising the car owner of the above.

The village’s county councillors have noted recently that they are looking to tackle issues with irresponsible parking, which has often resulted in instances of residents being blocked in and pavements being obstructed - on occasions forcing school children onto the road.

County councillor for the South ward Cllr Chris Williams and his fellow county councillor for Saundersfoot North Cllr Alec Cormack said they were looking at current parking problems along The Strand, after issues over the half-term holidays when cars were left parked all the way down one side of the street.

“This resulted in numerous emails and conversations involving some residents not being able to get out of their properties in their cars!” reported Cllr Williams recently.

“There were numerous cars parked on the pavements. This isn’t only on the Strand as I’ve had to deal with a few separate issues on The Ridgeway when workmen have parked, totally blocking the pavement and forcing school children and pedestrians into the busy Ridgeway!

“We seem to have that managed at the moment but need to tackle the same issues on the Strand.

“Councillor Cormack has called a meeting with the PCC Officer to look at how we can improve matters,” continued Cllr Williams who said that there will also be a review into the current state of the pavement on the Strand which is being swallowed up by overgrowth and the subsiding cliff.

In relation to additional parking options for the village, Cllr Williams said: “I’ve read some of the comments regarding parking and the old bus park being a potential site. I would like clarify that this project has been ongoing for many years. Over the last 6 months we have made real progress on this dealing with all concerned.

“Parties involved are Saundersfoot Community Council, National Parks and the land owner. We are at a point now where we are moving forward for the best interests for the village.

I hope during the next monthly report that there will be positive news as all are in agreement on this site and hoping to get it signed off and implemented. I apologise for the delay as I know all concerned are working hard to make this work,” he added.