Among matters discussed at a recent meeting of Penally Community Council were the following:

Village warden post: Following council's decision, the new warden had now started. He would commence with the 12 hours per month for January and February. As instructed, the clerk would also be able to add additional hours as required to enable the warden to catch up on required work. Any work which was required to be done should be notified to the clerk who would arrange for it to be carried out.

Carol concert: The concert had been a great success and a wonderful evening had been had by all who attended. The council asked that the clerk ensure letters of thanks went to the Rev. John, the church choir, David Shepherd at the Village Shop, and to Mr. Andrews who provided the food. Efforts would be made to ensure that the next concert would not clash with any other event.

Parking on the Village Green: The clerk reported that he had ordered the posts and they would be ready within the next couple of weeks. When they were ready, they would be collected and the warden would begin positioning them as instructed by the clerk. This would take a month - two months to complete dependent on the weather.

Temporary closure of Tenby MIU: The clerk presented the letter that he had sent on behalf of the council to Mr. T. Purt, CEO of Hywel Dda Health Board, in respect of the late notice of the alleged temporary closure, the failure to follow its promise to 'involve and engage...citizens and effectively communicate what we are doing', the reasons for closure and to extract assurances to ensure that the closure is only temporary. Councillors had also received a copy of a letter sent by Mr. Alun Jones, chairman of the Pembrokeshire Locality Hywel Dda Health Board Community Health Council, outlining the council's concerns over the misrepresentation of certain facts connected with the matter. The council agreed that they would continue to support any campaign to in relation to the reopening and/or retention of the Tenby MIU.

Precept 2012/13: The clerk informed the council that he had submitted the request for a precept for the next financial period of £11,000.

Correspondence received

The following items were discussed from Pembrokeshire County Council: Tenby Town Rider Service -Due to a withdrawal of funding by the Welsh Government, this service and similar ones throughout Pembrokeshire were in danger. There were meetings being held throughout the area and the one relating to the Tenby service was being held on Monday, February 6, at the De Valence Pavilion Café at 10.45 am. The clerk stated he would attend on behalf of the council and other councillors stated they would attend if possible.

A letter outlining a licensing application by Kiln Park was discussed by the council. The clerk stated that he had examined the application and there were only minor variations to the existing licence. There were no grounds which could be evidenced to object to the application. The clerk was instructed to reply accordingly.

Letter of thanks were received from Pembrokeshire Samaritans, Paul Sartori Foundation, and Llangollen Eisteddfod for the donations.

County Councillor's Report

Village speed limit: Clr. Cavill has now received a plan of the proposed 20mph speed limit through the centre of the village. The extent of the limit had been based on the speed survey data gathered at two locations and also where it was physically possible to place the signs. 20mph limits were set where recorded speeds are in excess of 24mph and extending the limit further to where the road widens and speeds were likely to be slightly higher was likely to result in the limit being ignored. The plan had now been given the go-ahead and, if the community council was in favour, Clr. Cavill had only to sign the plans and the necessary procedure would be implemented. This included consultation with the police and formal advertising of the plans. Following a discussion, council agreed to support the plan.

School Lane: It seemed that the most suitable signage for the entrance from the by-pass into School Lane would be the 'Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles' advisory sign and would replace the existing 30mph signs. The sign would discourage non-local traffic from using the lane whilst residents would be unaffected. (The same applied to this signage as to the above speed limit proposal). Clr. Cavill has again reminded the area maintenance officer that both this lane and Middlewalls Lane had large potholes and these were now a trip hazard for pedestrians and she had asked for them to be filled in as soon as possible. In the case of School Lane, Clr. Cavill had also spoken with the school transport officers. They had visited the site looking at the possibility of the school transport not using School Lane, but the other entrance to the school. However, space was too limited there for vehicles to turn. The transport department were also going to put pressure on to have the potholes filled in as their vehicles were contributing to the damage on the lane.

Items of Business Submitted by Members

Clr. Roberts reported that he had made some further enquiries regarding the boules 'pitch' on the playing field and would now be speaking with the county council to progress it.

Clr. Paul reported that there had been a build up of gravel at the junction of the Village Road and the road down the side of The Green. It was suggested that the warden could clear this up and keep an eye on the problem in the future.

Clr. Penn reported that gullies by The Green were getting blocked again and the footpath down the south side of the green needed cleaning. The clerk would speak with the warden.

Clr. Jenks reported that the drains had again become blocked near the old pump. She had reported it to the county council, but nothing was done. After more heavy rain, there had been some flooding and she had again contacted area maintenance who had sent someone around almost immediately to resolve the problem. She thanked the county council for their prompt action on the second occasion which had averted the possibility of more serious flooding.

Clr. Richards reported there were bad potholes outside Giltar Terrace and by Alma Gardens. County Clr. Cavill and the clerk said they would follow the matter up.

Clr. Roberts reported that it appeared a window had been damaged in the bus shelter at the top of the village. Clr. Cavill and the clerk would look at the matter.

Date of Next Meeting

7.15 pm, Wednesday, February 8.