Among matters considered and discussed at last month’s meeting of Manorbier Community Council were the following: Matters Arising from the minutes - The clerk read out a response from Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) to MCC’s report about the growth of Himalayan Balsam in Haylands Lane, Jameston. PCC confirmed that Haylands Lane was a Public Right of Way (PROW), but adjoining banks would be the property and responsibility of the landowner. PCC’s environment team would get the surface of the PROW treated, but the rest would be down to the landowner. Members were unsure whom the landowner was, but asked the clerk to contact Clr. Miall to see if he was able to identify the exact location and landowner.

Correspondence

Clr. Hughes and the cerk summarised some of the key items of correspondence, including;

• Email from Peter and Jane Kidney about their concern on the condition of the north sports field, Manorbier. Clr. Hall reported that he had undertaken some clean-up work, but confirmed that some metal and other waste was present. Further clean-up work was planned to be undertaken shortly, including by use of a digger.

• Email from Clr. Williams about the near state of collapse of a wall in Kiln House Lane, Jameston.

• Email from PCC enclosing a final draft of the Charter between PCC and Town and Community Councils in Pembrokeshire. Members agreed to discuss at the October meeting.

• Email from Network Rail about the outcome of a court case involving a collision between a taxi and a train at Beavers Hill crossing last year. Reports had also appeared in the Tenby Observer.

• Email from Pembroke Dock Town Council (PDTC) asking for suggestions on availability of a band to march in Pembroke Dock on November 11. Members to let PDTC know if they had any suggestions.

• Email update from PCC on variances to the Off Street Parking Orders for Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA). Clr. Hughes read out those variances affecting Manorbier Beach and Skrinkle Haven.

• Email from PCC asking MCC to encourage constituents to return their Household Enquiry Forms to PCC as soon as they can.

• Notification of various events in Letterston, Swansea, Cardiff and Llandudno.

• Hywel Dda correspondence on their recent consultation, ‘Our Big NHS Change’.

PLANNiNG

Extension to provide a single storey garden room together with minor alteration at Norchard Farm, The Ridgeway, Manorbier. Members had no objections and all were in favour.

Second storey extension above existing garage including three dormer windows, single storey rear gabled extension, replacement front porch and extension of decking at Slade Farmhouse, Jameston. Members noted the location of this application and after a brief discussion, Clr. Long proposed that this application be recommended for approval. All in favour.

Other notices were noted by full council.

Clr. Hughes offered to retain copies of those planning applications set out on the agenda at his house, should members wished to see them, between publication of the agenda and full council meetings. Members welcomed this offer.

County

Councillor’s Report

County Clr Phillip Kidney provided the following report:

• A festival had been held in Manorbier Station recently. Some local residents had not been given advance warning of the event, although articles had appeared in the Tenby Observer. No major issues had arisen, including on noise pollution. Clr.Hughes hoped that MCC would be given advance notification next time by the organisers.

• Hedge/wall issues near to The Slough and Buffalo Lodge had been sorted out.

• Children in Poverty Action Group had warned that Universal Credit was being rolled out in Pembroke Dock during the autumn. Could cause some concerns.

• Kiln House Lane, Jameston, residents had not had their bins emptied recently. This was due to a new driver unfamiliar with the route.

• Beavers Hill Crossing: PCC had now said that street lighting would be required to be installed along with the speed ramps. This would increase costs. PCC would now need to return to Network Rail to discuss cost increases.

• Manorbier Station Car Parking: PCC had now confirmed that earlier proposals (in 2014) had shown that cost estimates were around £60k and exceeded available funding by £10’sK. A reduced scheme was undertaken which involved erection of signs directing passengers to and from the bus stop at Bier Cross. County Clr. Kidney agreed to get back to PCC to request that a car park scheme be revived based on reduced costings.

• Bins at Manorbier beach: lack of manpower had caused issues, but PCC would endeavour to get things right next year.

• Hedges at Skrinkle: PCC had proposed that the hedges be taken down to improve visibility. Full council was happy to see the hedges taken down to improve matters.

County Clr. Kidney was thanked for his helpful update.

Footpath meeting

Update on site meeting held to discuss changes to Public Footpath SP23/9 - Park Farm.

Clr. Hughes reported back on a site meeting that Clr. Long and he had attended with PCNPA (Anthony Richards and Meurig Nicholas), the landowner and the estate’s agent.

Clr. Hughes outlined the proposed new route of the public footpath. He also read out a letter from Anthony Richards, PCNPA, which set out the proposals in detail.

Clr. Hughes and Clr. Long reported that the site meeting had been constructive and suggestions that they had both offered to improve the route of the footpath had been well received.

Members discussed the proposals, together with the suggested improvements. Some concerns were raised about aqua flows, material used for the footpath and distance from livestock. PCNPA had also confirmed that MCC would be a statutory consultee as part of the formal procedure to divert a public footpath.

After further discussion, council agreed that, in principle, it was in favour of the proposed new route, but that it reserved its right, as a statutory consultee, to comment further at the formal consultation stage. The clerk was asked to respond to PCNPA accordingly.

Action Tracking

Installation of a vehicle actuated speed (VAS) sign and rumble strips on the approach to Jameston from the Pembroke direction and in Manorbier. No further update. County Clr. Kidney was still attempting to arrange for the local PCSO to attend full council and offer advice.

Installation of footpath -Windy Ridge to Hounsell Avenue, Manorbier. No further update.

Jameston play area - inspections update. Clr. Williams provided his latest report. The matting under the swings had expanded following rainfall and had nearly knitted back together. A small gap (quarter-inch) existed which he would fill. Clr. Williams mentioned the overgrown trees at one end of the play area and which might now need cutting back. Clr. Hughes and Clr. Williams agreed to meet on site to discuss next steps.

Bier House - update on vegetation clearance. Clr. Hughes, Clr. Williams and County Clr. Kidney had cut back the vegetation and this had filled three stock boxes. The garden was now tidy. Clr. Williams had dealt with the buddleia and proposed that MCC undertake similar work every two years. Councillors were thanked for their work at Bier House.

North and South sports fields, Manorbier. The clerk reported that Mike Brown, MUFC, had confirmed that the roller had now been returned to the North sports field. Mr. Brown had asked about hiring of the field to local community groups. The clerk had confirmed that this was in line with the underlease agreement with MCC, providing no formal landlord/tenant relationship was established. Clr. Hall said the hiring of the field would mainly be for friendly or early season matches, usually with Kilgetty, Saundersfoot and Lamphey. Clr. Hall also mentioned that two sets of gang mowers had been found following the cutting back of the periphery of the field. Members agreed that Clr. Hall could dispose of these rusting mowers. Clr. Hall added that the old railway hut was also rotting away in a corner of the North field. This would also need to be disposed of in due course. Members congratulated Richard Mason on his work in the South sports field which was now looking very tidy.

Brief update on the casual vacancies process: The clerk confirmed that relevant notices had been placed in the community notice boards (for the three councillor vacancies) and had also been placed on the MCC website. Councillors on email had also been sent copies.

Update from Clr. Hall on ways of reducing use of plastic within MCC’s area. Clr. Hall reported that work was still ongoing and that he was speaking about the matter to other councils and groups, including those based on the coast (including those in Devon and Cornwall). An ex-Manorbier resident, Paul Cowper, had expressed an interest in being involved in local and national work in Wales. Clr. Hall had provided Mr. Cowper with his email address.

Emergency items

Clr. Williams reported that a wall was in a near state of collapse in Kiln House Lane, Jameston. This was near to Tudor Glen. The wall was being pushed out by a sycamore tree.

County Clr. Kidney agreed to look into the matter, as well as other walls near to collapse in old Pembroke Road, Manorbier and near to May Cottage, Manorbier.