No meeting of Lampeter Velfrey Community Council was held in October due to the clerk's unfortunate accident. So the minutes of the September meeting were discussed at the November meeting and read as follows:
Before the minutes of the previous meeting were considered a letter from the vice-chairman was read to those present. He has resigned his position as a councillor for the Lampeter Velfrey/Llanmill community. A new vice-chairman was now needed to cover until June, 2004, when the elections will take place and should be added to the agenda for the October meeting.
Elections are to take place next year for councillors to the community council. The clerk was to seek advice as to how this practice operates.
Minutes of the previous meeting were then deemed to be good.
MATTERS ARISING
'Bends for half-a-mile' sign and suggested chevrons at Blaengwaithnoah: It was agreed by all present that the reply from Pembrokeshire County Council was not acceptable.
Therefore, the clerk was to reply to the county council stating that if they will only move signs or place chevrons in-situ after there has been a serious or fatal accident, then Lampeter Velfrey Community Council are prepared to take the matter to the National assembly for Wales and seek their views.
The same letter also included comments regarding the following subjects:
Speed signs: This refers to the 30 mph limit signs at Lampeter Velfrey and Tavernspite where traffic is speeding through the villages and causing major concerns. The clerk was to send a letter stressing that should a fatal accident occur due to the negligence of the county council to try and alleviate the problem of speed, in conjunction with Dyfed-Powys Police, then they (as in Pembrokeshire County Council) should be held responsible for same.
Parking - Tavernspite School/Village Hall: New plans need to be drawn up and Lampeter Velfrey Community Council are to try and bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion in due course. The clerk was to send a letter to the county council to stress these points and that the council are looking to them for assistance as a matter of urgency.
Request for footpath from Tavernspite Garden Centre to Ash Lane was to be considered in their (PCC) bid for funding in the autumn. The clerk was to re-address this point before the end of the year.
Footpath/verges at Princes Gate: Pembrokeshire County Council have 'arranged for an inspector to visit the site to investigate the council's concern over the poor state of the grass verges.
A letter is to be sent to the county council requesting the trees be cut at Glanrhyd crossroads. There have been a lot of objections about visibility from locals and road users alike.
The clerk instructed to write to the county coucil regarding road resurfacing at Longstone Lane and Farm.
The clerk was also asked to include in this letter the matter of HGVs crushing the newly laid verge at Ludchurch crossroads.
A letter has been sent to the county council on behalf of the Ludchurch Village Association regarding traffic at Crooked Meadow, Ludchurch. Due to increased traffic through the village this section of the road is causing some concern with regard to speed, the width of the road, and visibility. The council now await a reply.
Flytipping has again raised its ugly head between Llwynpinner and Whitland. In fairness, the county council have been pretty quick at removing any rubbish as soon as they receive a 'phone call with the location.
Dog fouling was mentioned, although the subject was covered in the recent issue of the Lampeter Velfrey Community Council Newsletter. Let's hope people take note.
The clerk has been unable to contact Sgt. Andrew Miles, of Dyfed-Powys Police, regarding speeding issues in the local area, but did speak to Inspector Steve Matchett who is the Roads Police Inspector for Pembrokeshire.
He suggested the council write a letter of complaint so that they can take action on any matters raised.
The clerk was instructed to write a letter of thanks to the police after a police vehicle was placed in the Tavernspite village in September, and reached the desired effect of slowing traffic down. The clerk was was also to ask if this practice take place on a regular basis.
One question was raised at this meeting regarding this matter was: How do other communities get funding to get calming measures put in place?
Other questions raised on this subject were: Where does the money go from fines paid for road/traffic offences? Can the community council have a percentage to fund road issues?
The audit for 2001/2002 was duly completed and sent to HLB AV Audit in Southampton for verification. It was returned as a complete document with conditions that an independent external auditor was consulted to verify the accounts and 'sign them off'. The clerk was to contact RBS Auditing Solutions for them to complete the work.
The question of excess Jubilee mugs was raised as to what to do with them. Any suggestions will be most welcome.
The new interpretation panels for Tavernspite have now been replaced and look good. The clerk was to send a letter of 'thanks'.
The Joint Unitary Development Plan for Pembrokeshire 2000-2016 made very good reading.
The state of the 'back roads' through local villages is causing some concern since the opening of the Gelli-Halog quarry and the continuing heavy traffic working from Blaencilgoed quarry. The clerk was to send a letter to Pembrokeshire County Council to see what remedial action they will take to ensure safe driving facilities for other road users.
The insurance policy for Lampeter Velfrey Community Council needs some updating which the clerk will complete in due course.
CORRESPONDENCE
A book containing all the new bus timetables for Pembrokeshire has been received and it was suggested that it should be left at the Post Office in Tavernspite for public use.
Pembrokeshire County Council are 'unable to carry out any additional cutting to the highway verges adjacent the crematorium other than what is already carried out'.
The matter regarding the paper igloo that was situated next to the bus shelter in Tavernspite has been reviewed by the contractor. The type of container and servicing vehicle for newspapers and magazines has now been deemed unsuitable for the present location. However, South Carvan Holiday Park now has a paper igloo on site for all to use.
Letter of 'thanks' and a receipt from Dyfed-Powys Police for donation to 'Bobby Van' scheme was sent to Lampeter Velfrey Community Council.
Pembrokeshire County Council: Letter regarding to the bus shelter at Princes Gate which will be erected in due course, at a cost. However, as a legal requirement, Lampeter Velfrey Community Council will be responsible for: 1. A commitment to clean and maintain thereafter the new shelter in a good condition to the satisfaction of the authority; 2. Liability for the condition of the shelter with a requirement to indemnify the county council from and against any claims costs in respect of injury, damage, loss or expenses arising from or in connection with the condition or maintenance of the shelter.
This will have to be added to the insurance policy at a later date.
Ludchurch Village Committee letter regarding the 'installation facilities to help in the removal of dog mess from our streets'. It is their intention to install a dispenser containing plastic bags and a bin for the offending article. The cost of £120/£130 was put to those present and it was proposed that a donation be made to help this cause. All agreed. The Village Committee will take responsibility for emptying of the bin and the situation will be monitored to see if the scheme works.
Tavernspite CP School: Response to Lampeter Velfrey Community Council letter regarding litter outside the school. Upon 'examination of the litter there appears to be a high proportion of 'adult' litter, alcohol cans and bottles, cigarette packets, pint glasses and newspapers and magazines, clearly not originating from the school'. It was agreed that no further response will be made. However, the situation will be monitored.
Llewellyn Humphreys Chartered Surveyors, Land Agents and Valuers: Letter requesting bore holes be made in the car park of Lampeter Velfrey Church to monitor groundwater levels within the underlying mudstone and sandstones. No objections made, but they should contact the Welsh Church Authority in Cardiff before they start any work. The clerk was to send a letter of confirmation.
PLANNING
Certificate of Lawfulness -Occupation of dwelling without complying with agricultural occupancy condition - Mountain Town Farm, Tavernspite (this is a matter for the county council to deal with as it had no bearing on Lampeter Velfrey Community council).
Conservatory - Plot 9 Egypt Meadow, Ludchurch (no objection).
Erection of double garage - Green Meadow, St. Catherines Close, Princes Gate (no objection).
Erection of agricultural dwelling for herdsman - Hill Farm Dairy, Ludchurch (no objection).
Proposed granny annexe - Black Country Cottage, St. Catherines Close, Princes Gate (no objection).
New dwelling and garage - Land at South Carvan Holiday Park, Tavernspite (no objection).
Outline planning permission granted for two residential dwellings - Jubilee Autos, Jubilee House, Tavernspite.
Planing permission granted for erection of six dwellings and garages at the rear of Rosemount, Princes Gate, with 10 conditions attached, the main one is that the wall fronting the main B4314 should be demolished to give clear visibility before any work commences.
Publicity for planning applications - Pembrokeshire County Council: The county council are now obliged to inform neighbours of particular categories of planning applications. This one relates to the proposed Activity Complex at South Carvan Holiday Park.
Letter from Pembrokeshire County Council regarding the planning permission of six dwellings and garages at the rear of Rosemount, Princes Gate: As objections have been made by local residents and Lampeter Velfrey Community Council drawings have been sent to the community council giving details of the types of dwellings to be built on the site.