Six members and the clerk were present at the September meeting of Manorbier Community Council held at Skrinkle Community Centre.

In matters arising, the clerk said he had spoken with the monitoring officer about his proposed visit to Manorbier Community Council to update on the Code of Conduct and had been offered two dates for his visit, October 22 or 29. Councillors agreed that October 22, at 7 pm, be the preferred date and time.

The clerk had received a response from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (PCNP) about the issue of caravan parks needing to apply for retrospective planning permission for decking. PCNP had confirmed that they do not 'pick out' particular caravan sites, but were following up allegations of a breach of planning control, a statutory duty of the planning department. They also said that if there were other sites that should be drawn to their attention that had alleged similar breaches of planning control, they would be happy to investigate further. PCNP had also said that if its case officers became aware of breaches of planning control (either through their own investigations or through these being brought to their attention) they would follow these up. Councillors noted the response.

CORRESPONDENCE

The clerk reported that two letters had been received from members of the public. One of these letters alleged various contraventions of planning controls and regulations at a caravan and camping site. Councillors asked the name of the sender. The clerk confirmed that the letter was unsigned. Clr. T. Williams queried whether correspondent names had to be disclosed as there had been previous discussions on whether this was necessary. Clr. Hughes remarked that there could be confidentiality issues. Councillors agreed that MCC could not reply to the letter as no contact details had been given and that, in any case, this was a matter for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (PCNP) Authority. Councillors voted by a show of hands in favour of asking the clerk to forward the letter to the PCNP.

The clerk also reported that another unsigned letter had been received relating to alleged restricted access to a public footpath on land close to the playing field in Manorbier. Councillors familiar to the area wondered if there was a right of way and Clr. Long said that if so, then it would be marked on an Ordnance Survey map. Once again, as this was not a matter for MCC, the clerk was asked to forward this letter to the PCNP.

PCNP's warden manager (south) had asked if the council knew the contact details of owners of land near to and including 'Half Moon Field' in Manorbier, as PCNP were looking to grade the footpath near to the upper corner of Manorbier Churchyard and needed to consult the owners on this work. Councillors did not know the new owners, but Clr. John Williams offered to try and find out.

Hywel Dda's consultation document 'Your Health - Your Future': Clr. M. Kidney suggested that MCC should write to Hywel Dda to express concerns about the future of Tenby Cottage Hospital's Minor Injuries Unit. All were in favour of this.

Annual report for 2011/2012 by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales: The clerk reported that MCC featured in tables associated with Code of Conduct complaints. Seven cases had been closed for MCC; six after initial consideration and one where there was no evidence of breach.

planning applications and notices

New vehicular access, Meadow View, Manorbier: Councillors considered that this new access could cause potential bottleneck and safety issues as it would be close to the School and Garden Centre. Members considered that the views of the highway department should be requested and that a deferment on this application be agreed until such time as these were known.

Two-storey extension to eastern elevation, Workshop Cottage, Manorbier (recommended for approval).

Application for a variation of condition no 2 of planning permission NP/378/95 (new dwelling) to provide for alterations to the approved plans including an increase in ridge height of 0.5m, the addition of two dormer windows to the front elevation and three roof lights, plot 7996, Jameston (recommended for approval).

Removal of existing cabinet and erection of two new cabinets, two replacement antenna, a new dish and associated cabling and stock proof fencing at Hill Farm, Manorbier. Councillors noted that this was an upgrade to equipment by the applicant and recommended approval.

Certificate of lawfulness for siting of static caravan and metal container at Erw-lon, Lydstep: Councillors recalled that a similar application and a refusal had already been seen by full council. The clerk reported that PCNP had informed him that the previous application had been refused due to a lack of information and proof of residency. Councillors debated the residency issue and looked at the supporting letters, and agreed that there were no objections.

RWE npower renewables - notice of proposed application for development consent to construct and operate Atlantic Array Offshore Wind Farm - notification of commencement of formal pre-application consultancy period: Clr. T Williams remarked that this was an expensive project and materials being used were not considered environmentally friendly. If poor weather occurred, turbines could not be maintained and would be considered an eyesore. Clr. Long mentioned the renewable energy obligations to carry out such projects, but that there would be a far worse eyesore if such projects were carried out on land. Clr. Hughes suggested that MCC's views could be forwarded at the time of any formal application. Clr. T. Williams offered to look at the supporting DVD.

County Councillor's

Report

County Councillor Philip Kidney presented his report.

There was concern over the lack of hedge cutting.

There was an accumulation of rubbish on Manorbier Beach. A local resident had been collecting rubbish voluntarily, but bags were not being collected.

Bus subsidies were being withdrawn on certain routes. Service providers would decide on future delivery.

Clr. Peter Morgan, chair of PCC, had recently suffered a stroke and MCC members joined County Clr. Kidney in wishing him a speedy recovery

Clr. Kidney was thanked for his attendance and useful monthly update.

OTHER MATTERS

Letter of thanks for the voluntary cleaning of Swanlake Bay beach: Clr. Hughes declared a personal interest in this item as the person concerned was one of his tenants. Clr. T Williams informed members that the person concerned cleans up the beach voluntarily throughout the year and provides the bags too. These bags of rubbish are, however, left there for some time and not regularly collected by PCNP. Clr. T. Williams proposed that a letter of thanks be sent to the person concerned and a letter be sent to PCNP to ask them to pick up the litter and supply the bags. All were in favour.

Update on minor road repairs on A4139 (flooding) and between St. James' Church, Manorbier, and on dropped kerbstones at Gaynor Way, Jameston. The clerk reported that no response had been received as yet from PCC. County Clr. P Kidney was asked to investigate, but the clerk was also asked to chase PCC too.

Closing and sealing of a letterbox in Lydstep: Clr. Hughes reported the sealing of a letterbox, without consultation, in Lydstep at the end of August. Letterboxes near The Grange and Lydstep Haven remained open, but in far more dangerous locations for residents to post. Clr. T. Williams proposed that a strong letter be sent to the Royal Mail about the sealing and the lack of consultation on closure. All were in favour of this.

Dog fouling on Manorbier Beach: Clr. Philip Kidney said that he had spoken to the appropriate team in PCC and they had reported that not a lot could be done about the issue as it was not a 'Blue Flag' beach. 'Blue Flag' beaches could have restrictions. There were only three dog wardens covering the whole PCC area. Clr. Hughes reported that dog faeces could be seen on the beach and bags containing faeces had also been discarded at various points. There were no bins provided to collect such bags and in addition, dogs ran wild on the beach. Councillors wondered if a public footpath crossed the beach and whether signs could be erected asking for dogs to be kept on a lead as families used the beach. They also considered this a big public health issue. Clr. M. Kidney proposed, seconded by Clr. J Williams, that the clerk send a strongly worded letter to PCNP asking for signs to be erected asking for dogs to be kept on leads and for PCNP to provide bags and bins to collect waste, in line with many other places. All were in favour. County Councillor Kidney was also asked to look into these requests, too.

'Connecting Communities': The clerk reported that he had spoken with the Connecting Communities team and had invited them to visit MCC to talk about support for Jameston Play Area and for Superfast Broadband installation at Skrinkle Community Centre. The clerk was asked to pursue the arrangements for a future meeting, possibly with an initial 'stand alone' meeting between the chair, clerk and PCC's team before a meeting with full council.