New Councillor

At the start of Tuesday night's monthly meeting of Narberth Towqn Council, the Mayor, Clr. Eric Feetham, extended a warm welcome to new member, Clr. Denise Rigby.

Report of County Councillors

No report was received from Clr E. Morse, while a brief written report was received from Clr. W. Evans.

Leaking Pipe

The Mayor reported that the leaking water pipe problem at the castle had been caused because part of the pipe was copper and part plastic. It was agreed to get a report and repair quotation from a local expert.

French Market Company

It was agreed to have a meeting with a representative of the French Market Company next Tuesday, March 13, to discuss the possibility of the market company coming to Narberth in the spring.

Faulty Pavement

The faulty pavement saga continues to run. The clerk read out a letter from Pembrokeshire County Council outlining their policy and summarising recent investigations and work in Narberth. Clr. Henry Langen disputed some of the facts in the letter and claimed that they were "outright lies." He could produce photographic evidence to substantiate his claims. Clr. Colin Williams reported that a lady who had fallen on a pavement recently had been in touch with him. The lady had not received a claims form as promised by the county council. He himself had telephoned the council's call centre and a representative of the council had promised to arrange for the lady to receive a claims form. After another delay, the lady informed Clr. Williams that no form had arrived. He again telephoned the call centre, who said this time that it was not county council policy to issue claims forms, as it was the responsibility of the injured party to submit a claim themselves. Clr. Williams reiterated what he had been told on the previous occasion, but he was informed in reply that none of the staff in the call centre had ever spoken to him!

Narberth plans

Among planning applications considered by Narberth Town Council recently were the following: 13 Northmead, Jesse Road, Narberth - alterations and extension (no objection). Cilrath Fach Farm, Narberth - demolition of lean-to and extension to gable of existing farmhouse to provide additional office and conservatory (no objection). Cilrath Fach Farm, Narberth - extension to dwelling (no objection). Plot adjacent to Vianco, Jesse Road, Narberth - outline permission for erection of one dwelling (council wished for the proposed building to be kept in line with the rest of the existing buildings in Jesse Road). 32 High Street, Narberth - change of use of ground floor from art gallery to coffee shop/restaurant (no objection to change of use, but council was concerned with regard to where the clientele who used the restaurant were going to park). Garden of 5 High Street, Narberth - outline permission for one dwelling (objection in relation to the emergency services being unable to gain access to the proposed building and the fact that there was poor access onto the lane). Spring Gardens, Narberth - outline residential development (council felt that it would be better if the development was turned around so that the road was put at the back of the houses where the current back gardens were located. This would allow for a back access to the existing houses in Northfield Road, creating the provision of car parking for them and this alleviating the current street parking problems for the residents at the location).

South West Wales Rail Partnership

Mr. Mark Youngman, of the SWW Rail Partnership, will be invited to attend the next meeting of the town council to give a presentation on improving the links between Narberth railway station and the town.

Sewerage Charges

The clerk reported that the town council had been refunded the sewerage charges for Narberth Castle.

Permit Holders

The town council was to recommend the introduction of parking permits to the county council. The area suggested was alongside the hedge to the cricket field in Spring Gardens from the cricket field gate to the property known as 'Bowler's End'.

Water on Road

The town council was to ask the county council to investigate a smashed pipe near Eastgate Garage which was causing water to pond on the road.

Flooding of Town Moor Footpath

Clr. Colin Evans said that there was a continuing flooding problem which prevented or made it difficult for residents to use the footpath. The town council agreed to write to Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, the Environment Agency and the county council, inviting representatives to attend a meeting to resolve the problem.

High Street Water Run Off

Clr. Colin Williams reported that since the road level had been increased in height, there was a problem with water running off the road. It had caused problems at Williams Vision and other parts of the town. It was agreed that the clerk should write to the county council requesting urgent investigation. Green and Black Refuse Bags

Clr. Colin Williams said that the new issue were rubbish. There was no reference to the county council on the bags and there had been instances of the bin men refusing to collect the bags!

Rubbish in Bushes Lane

It ws agreed that a letter be written to the Rugby Club requesting that rubbish behind wire fence be removed.

More Bus Stops Wanted

The Deputy Mayor, Clr. Elizabeth Rogers, stated that there was a need for more bus stops in Narberth. The town council agreed to support her recommendation that Bus Stops should be erected at Narberth Bridge, Station Road, Narberth Railway Station and the Creative Café.

Footpath in Jesse Road

Members agreed to support a suggestion by Clr. Sue Rees that a new footpath was needed in Jesse Road, near Narberth Glass.