The following matters were discussed at the February meeting of Martletwy Community Council:
Planning: it was agreed to object to a planning application for the construction and use of a building for a bee farm at Windmill Hill, Coedcanlas, on the same grounds as submitted against a previous application in January 2003, namely its visual prominence.
Play areas: it was agreed to support a petition co-ordinated by the Bush and Park Tenants' Association in Pembroke Dock urging the county council to reverse its policy of transferring responsibility for the ownership and maintenance of play areas to community and other groups.
'The Role, Function and Future Potential of Town and Community Councils': members had considered in detail the findings and recommendations of this Welsh Assembly Government-sponsored study, and concluded that – although its implicit aim of creating local authorities that are more 'professional', relevant and responsive were appreciated - little account had been taken of the implications for small rural authorities composed of voluntary and part-time members and operating with extremely limited budgets. The notion of 'accreditation' of such authorities, and the consequent increase in the commitment of time, bureaucracy and other obligations such as training could prove to be a disincentive to both serving and potential new members. Any suggestion of the payment of allowances, further increasing the cost to the local Council Tax payer, was resisted. The clerk was to respond, elaborating these reservations.
Website: it was agreed to exercise caution in dealing with the proposal from 'The Local Channel', a new Wales-wide network of community websites, and to see how it develops. In the meantime, links to the county council website were to be investigated.
Community Association: the chairman reported the decision of the management committee to dissolve the Community Association (of Landshipping, Lawrenny, Martletwy and Minwear). Moneys held by the association would be distributed to other organisations in the community, which would continue in their own right.
Next Meeting: Monday, March 1, at 7.30 pm in Lawrenny Village Hall.