Among matters considered and discussed at last month’s meeting of Penally Community Council were the following:

Matters Arising

First Cymru Bus Route: First Cymru advised that they aimed to continue the bus route through Penally for the time being and would continue to monitor passenger loading and delays incurred from irresponsible parking.

Re-siting of WWI Veterans Board: Councillors met with the History Group and both parties agreed that the plaque would be situated on the lefthand side of the bench on The Green.

Horse Chestnut tree: Phil Davies, a local tree surgeon, was in contact with Richard Staden with regards to the pruning of this tree. Councillors were also informed of a rotten tree near to Penally Abbey that required attention. As this tree was in a conservation area, permission would have to be granted before any work could be carried out. However, it was unclear who owned the land that the tree was situated on and the clerk would contact Penally Abbey and enquire if the land belonged to them.

Cleaning of plaques: It was suggested that a specialist solution be purchased and the village warden be asked to clean same.

Moss on path: The clerk would re-contact Glenville Codd and request that the path outside St. Teilos Cottage on the edge of The Green be cleaned of moss to avoid anyone slipping over and injuring themselves.

Planning

Sharnbrook House, Penally: Clr. S. Paul left the meeting. Following the approval of planning at Sharnbrook last month, this was a new application for further development at the property for an extension to the living room with balcony above. Councillors looked at the plans available and concluded that it was over-development of the site and therefore objected to the planning. Clr. S. Paul returned to the meeting.

Proposed temporary farm shop with café at Bubbleton Farm, Penally - no objections.

Correspondence

Pembrokeshire County Council- precept requirement for financial year 2016/2017: Proposed by Clr. Cavill that there be no increase in the precept and this remain at £11,000 per annum. All were in favour.

Western Power - Substation work at Penally: Western Power were to renew the apparatus in the substation at Penally. There was some confusion as to what substation the work would be carried out on - the one situated on The Green, or the one situated near to the school. The clerk would contact Western Power for clarification.

An email had been received from a local resident expressing their concern that, due to the inclement weather, the grass in front of their property had become increasingly muddy and that the refuse collection vehicle, service vans and the general public also tended to use the lane where their property was situated as a turning point. They would like to propose widening the entrance of their property by no more than a metre and edging the grass to restrict vehicular access. County Clr. Preston had advised that the resident contact the planning department at Pembrokeshire County Council.

County Clr. JON PRESTON’S Report

PCNPA car park charges: At the November meeting of the PCNPA, members were asked to consider the proposed introduction of charging at all of the 37 car parks within the National Park. As council would be aware, the car park at Penally railway station was a car park within the PCNPA. It was put to members that to continue to provide well maintained and presentable car parks within the National Park, it would be necessary to raise revenue to fund a continuous maintenance programme. Members agreed in principle to the proposals subject to consultation, discussion with negotiation with all relevant partners before any subsequent approval.

“Although I understand that revenue may need to be raised to maintain Penally railway station car park, I fear that if any such charge is introduced then irresponsible motorists may choose to park on the verges of the bypass and increase the risk of an accident on an already very hazardous road,” said Clr. Preston. “It will be necessary to ensure this is raised during the consultation phase.”

Chalet development: Following the approval by the local authority planning committee for the development to the rear of the former Night Owl building, payments per unit would be due to the community council under the Section 106 agreement as per the planning application. Payments should be made when certain key stages had been reached on the development, for example on the completion of the 10th dwelling.

“I am told that Pembrokeshire County Council will then have five years to distribute the funds,” said Clr. Preston. “However it is important to note at this stage that as far as I am aware no agreement has yet been signed which was an enabler for the original planning application. I will remain close to the situation as it develops.

Trefloyne Lane: The wooden structure under construction on Trefloyne Lane had been passed to the enforcement officer at PCC to ensure due planning process had been adhered to if required.

Tenby Avenue Centre: “I have grave concerns regarding the future of the Social Activity Centre at Tenby,” said Clr. Preston. “The decision was recently made by cabinet members to pass this matter to the older persons scrutiny committee. I am a member of that committee and will put my case forward when the matter comes before us. I have also been invited to meet with the head of Social Care at PCC. My stance is quite resolute in this matter. My mother was a volunteer at the centre for many years and I have witnessed first-hand the excellent and tireless work that the staff at the centre do to support the vulnerable adults. The leadership at PCC will try to defend a proposed closure by stating that they wish to provide ‘care closer to home’. However, the Avenue Centre is home for many of its customers and I will, along with other like-minded colleagues at PCC,  do my utmost to prevent its closure.”

Dog signs: “Councillors may have noticed that I have now secured the dog signs at three locations in the village as suggested by the community council. The problem areas identified and where these additional signs have been displayed are: the top of School Lane; at the Railway Station entrance to the range towards Penally beach; and at the Green in the centre of the village.”

Items Submitted

by Members

Clr. Bradbury asked if Penally had an emergency action plan. This would be included as an agenda item for January.