Tall Trees: Before the start of the March meeting of Penally Community Council, the chairman introduced Mr. and Mrs. G. Whitehead to members. Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead had again written to the council requesting further consideration be given to allowing a new vehicular area from the road to the frontage of their property. The chairman, Clr. Mrs. J. D'Arcy, suggested that members visit the site to decide for themselves whether or not this request should be allowed, as a previous application had been refused by the council. Members agreed to this, with a date to be arranged during the following meeting. Before leaving, Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead, who had been givein permission to speak, said that councillors would be free to look around the site when necessary. Members agreed that if this application should be granted, there would be several legal matters that would have to be dealt with, the cost of this to be met by the applicants.
MINUTES
When the meeting proper commenced, the minutes of the meeting with Sgt. D. Malin, of Dyfed Powys Police, were approved and signed, as were the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, February 3. It was agreed that a request be made to Sgt. Malin for the persons recently trained to use the speed gun to visit the village, particularly the area between Kenystyle and the school.
Matters arising
Donations: Letters of thanks for the council's donations were received from Wales Air Ambulance and the Senior Citizens Lunch Committee. Wales Air Ambulance costs: A letter from Christine Gwyther AM stated that she had written to Brian Gibbons, AM Minister with responsibility for Health and Social Services, on the council's behalf. She would be in touch again as soon as a response had been received. South Beach: An acknowledgement to correspondence was received from Nic Wheeler, of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. Tenders for grass cutting: Two tenders were received from Acorn Garden Services and J. and J. Stevens. It was proposed by Clr. Mrs. Dassen, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Penn and agreed that the tender from Acorn Garden Services be accepted for the nine months summer season. Notice of firing: Notice of firing on Penally Rifle Range for the month of March was received. New licensing laws and the South East Pembrokeshire Area Liaison Forum: Details on these two meetings recently attended by Clrs. Mrs. D'Arcy and Mr. Thomas were distributed to members, who were asked to bring any queries or comments to the next meeting.
PLANNING
Planning decision: Single storey extension, 12 The Paddock, Penally - permission granted. Planning application: Widen existing entrance into park to improve access and visibility, Crackwell Holiday Park, Penally. It was proposed by Clr. Tulley, seconded by Clr. Thomas and agreed that no objections be raised to this application.
FINANCE
Donations: Applications for financial assistance were received from Pembrokeshire YFC and the Bobby Van Scheme. It was agreed that no donations be made. Clerk's gratuity: An agreement made in 1989 regarding a gratuity payable to the clerk when she finished her duties with the council, as set out by the National Association of Local Councils, agreed to a payment of five per cent of final salary times the number of years service. To date, the clerk had worked 38 years and the sum required for a gratuity would amount to £2,074. This amount was covered by money held in the reserve account. The clerk had been in touch with the secretary to the Pembrokeshire Association of Local Councils to have these details confirmed. It was agreed that the clerk's salary be placed on the agenda for the April meeting. It was also agreed that a regular check be made of the accounts and that the balance figures at the end of the year be put before the council.
OTHER BUSINESS
Dispensation: It was agreed that code of conduct dispensation be obtained for Clrs. Mrs. D'Arcy, Mrs. McMahon and Mr. Thomas regarding the Village Hall management committee. Rail at St. Teilo's: It was hoped that this footpath would be pressure-washed after the frosts. It was further agreed that a price be obtained for the provision of a rail. Precept: It was agreed that members bring suggestions to the next meeting for the use of money put aside from the precept. One suggestion put forward was the tidying up of the verge below the Abbey wall opposite May Tree Cottage.
County Councillor's Report
Fly-tipping: Fly-tipping was still occurring along Trefloyne Lane. A fridge/freezer had been left at the entrance to Trefloyne Quarry. This had been reported. Foothpaths: Footpath 33/10, Penally Nature Trail had been added to the list of footpaths to be maintained by the county council. Eyesores: From time to time there had been various complaints about several eyesores in and around the village, including the outskirts. In a village heavily dependent on the tourist industry, this was particularly worrying for the damage it does to the image. It seemed that the first approach, if possible, should be made by the community council to the owners of the land concerned. The next stage would be to report the problem to the county council. They would then approach the owners and if this also failed, the county council, if they deemed it necessary, could serve a Section 215 on the owner to take appropriate action. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 7, at 7.30 pm.
East Williamston Community Council
Eight members were present at the March meeting of East Williamston Community Council when among matters discussed were the following: Valley Road - school drop-off point: A letter received from Janet Pickersgill, Pembrokeshire County Council transport co-ordinator, was read, stating that it would be contradictory and possibly unsafe to encourage children to cross elsewhere nearby. "At this time, I am unable to arrange a meeting with yourselves to discuss the drop-off point near the Valley Road due to staff shortages and can be of no further assistance to you," the letter added. Councillors agreed that this reply was far from satisfactory. The clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Ian R. Westley, director of transportation and environment, requesting that an alternative member of his team meet with a member of the community council at the Valley Road school drop-off point. The date and time to be mutually convenient to both parties. Pavement adjacent to 'Summerhill', Pentlepoir: The railing on the pavement represented a hazard and should be reduced in height and width to allow for a safer passage of pedestrians past the Youth Hostel. The clerk had received a reply from Mr. Barrie Davies, of the county council, stating that providing the community council obtained permission from the land owner, they were prepared to carry out the works necessary to resolve the problem. A member of the council would visit the owner with a view to obtaining consent and report his findings at the next meeting. Surface drains at Ford Lane, East Williamston: This area at Ford Lane continued to flood even in moderate rainy conditions. A member of the council reported that he had met Mr. Hugh Merrit, of Pembrokeshire County Council, with little to encourage. He stated that it was unlikely that extra pipes would be laid to this length of road to improve drainage. Mr Merrit categorised the roads throughout the county as A, B, C. The road in question would receive a 'C' category, resulting in a low priority status. Ditches would continue to be cleared periodically to prevent further problems. Councillors felt that as this matter had been reported to the authorities within PCC, little else would be achieved in the near future. Perhaps the category status would improve in time, resulting in a successful conclusion at a later stage. Provision of a permanent 'Slow Down' sign to be sited on the A478 at Pentlepoir adjacent to school: A letter from Barrie Davies, head of transportation and environment services, stated that four signs had been ordered ready for installation by the end of March. The signs would be on each side of the school and at each end of the village. These would react to overspeed vehicles by displaying 'Araf Slow'. Proposed installation of mains sewerage for Cold Inn and East Williamston: A letter from Dwr Cymru stated that programming of the works to be carried out under the five-year plan was reaching its concluding stages. The company was currently refining details of the plan, but had identified dates when they were due to complete construction work of the sewerage network pertaining to the scheme. Details were now under discussion with a company, namely Morriston Capital Projects, who would be undertaking the work. The dates would be available shortly for presentation to Offwat and the Environment Agency Wales, shortly followed by general release. Jubilee Park and Nature Trail. It was reported that excellent progress had been made during the month, with all the trees now planted and in position. The play strategy for he adventure trail had also now been agreed. Members were told that the scheme was continuing at a good pace and, if sustained, would result in completion on schedule. Planning: Proposed lean-to extension to existing shed, North Vatson, off Devonshire Drive, Saundersfoot - no objection; two-storey bedroom and garage extension, Kilawen, Kilgetty - no objection; erection of garage, 22 Sun Valley Drive, Valley Road, Saundersfoot - no objection. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 7.