Among matters considered and discussed at the November meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council were the following:

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Chairman Hayes informed members that she had attended the presentation of a Healthy Eating Certificate to the Cavalier Restaurant recently.

She had also attended the Saundersfoot Sailing Club on the occasion of the presentation of a RIB to 12-year-old James North, which he had won in a national competition.

MATTERS ARISING

FROM MINUTES

Meeting with Police: Chairman Hayes informed members that the reason for the bollards outside the Apple Tree Gallery was for the proposed work to be carried out there in constructing a pavement and asked that they remain there.

Toilets: The clerk read out a letter from Pembrokeshire County Council stating that a review had taken place with regard to winter closure of toilets.

After taking into consideration the comments and complaints received from the public, the review decided that the Regency facility would remain open all the year, as would Coppet Hall and Wiseman's Bridge, but the Harbour toilet would remain closed during the winter.

Members were pleased that the Coppet Hall and Wiseman's Bridge toilets were to remain open during winter and agreed that the Regency toilet was the best toilet to remain open.

Clr. John said that in other areas of the county, notices were displayed informing members of the public which facility was open and hoped this procedure would apply to Saundersfoot.

The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that both toilets remain open during Christmas and the New Year.

Sensory Gardens: Clr. Poole said that a meeting of the grounds committee should take place as soon as possible to discuss further work to be carried out in the gardens.

Chairman Hayes reported to members that she had received complaints of dogs entering the gardens and suggested erecting signs banning all dogs except guide dogs from the gardens.

Clr. Talbot commented that many residents and visitors sat in the gardens with their dogs under control and a ban would not be a good idea.

Clr. Brabon then said that donations had been received from businesses for the gardens and they should be informed how that money had been spent.

Clr. Talbot informed members that she had spoken to local people who were willing to make donations to enhance the gardens and they should also be acknowledged.

The clerk informed members that the gate into the grounds would not open properly and had spoken to the county council and they were unable to help. He said that he then contacted the Pembrokeshire Engineering Co. and they had repaired the gate the same day.

As the repairs to the gate were deemed to be urgent, members thanked the clerk for his prompt action.

Parking, the Glen: Chairman Hayes informed members of a letter in the press from a Tenby resident suggesting enlarging the existing car park at the Glen to accommodate more cars and possibly have toilet facilities and an ice cream van located there. Chairman Hayes reminded members that this area was not in Saundersfoot's ward. Following a lengthy discussion, the clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that double yellow lines be placed on the right-hand side of the road leading to the beach.

Skateboard Park: The clerk informed members that a JCB was unable to enter the park to remove the wooden posts and asked if members would give permission for part of the fence to be removed for access to be made possible. He went on to say that the fence would be replaced after the work had been completed.

Members all agreed that permission be granted. Clr. Cleevely asked that Mr. Graham Brace be instructed to remove the black bags from the park.

Seats, Sensory Gardens: Clr. Brabon asked if one of the seats from the Sensory Gardens could be relocated to the area by the Arcade as it was a popular seat for people waiting for buses? Clr. Poole suggested noting this request and discuss it when the new seats arrived.

Projects: The clerk informed members that he had met with David Rees Fencing with regard to new fencing around the tennis court. He went on to say that the quote for supplying and erecting 65 metres of 9' chainlink on two sides and also supply line wires and re-tensioning existing chainlink was £1,350.

It was proposed by Clr. Cleevely and seconded by Clr. Baker that this quote be accepted.

Fireworks event: Clr. Brabon said this event had been very successful and asked that a letter of thanks be sent to all who made donations to make the event possible.

Clr. Poole said that the community council was not involved in the event, but had paid for the insurance cover and said that the organisers were sending out letters of thanks to all contributors.

Train Service Wales and Borders Franchise: Chairman Hayes said she had spoken to Mr. John Gabb, SERCO Rail, and the franchise for running Wales and Border trains had been awarded to Arriva Trains and hoped that the proposals discussed with SERCO for improving Saundersfoot Railway Station would continue with the new operator.

The clerk was instructed to write to Arriva informing them of the proposed improvements discussed with SERCO and ask if they intended to support these proposals.

Bush shelter, The Ridgeway: The clerk informed members that he had spoken to Mr. Ceri Rees regarding this and was told that a bid had been made to the Welsh Assembly for funding for new bus shelters and would know in January 2004 if this bid had been successful. He said that 40 requests for new shelters had been received and these would be prioritised.

Christmas lights: The clerk reported to members that three new Christmas lights had been received, but six new brackets were needed to fix these lights to the lamp-posts. He went on to say that Pembrokeshire Engineering were unable to supply these brackets as they were made of aluminium, but was recommended to contact Alco of Ammanford who could supply them.

Members decided that prior to contacting Alco, the clerk find out from Lumalite if they could supply the brackets.

Members also discussed the ordering of the Christmas tree from Hean Castle and decided to order two this year, with one being located in the Sensory Gardens subject to a socket being made to accommodate it.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

New House, 2 Frances Cottages, Sandyhill Road; potting shed, New Horizon, St. Brides Lane; extension, 21 Hean Close, Saundersfoot; redevelopment, London House, The Strand; fell tree, Lynchmere Cottage, The Strand.

With regard to the Sandyhill Road application, members expressed their concern at the access and visibility on an already narrow stretch of road would be impaired to traffic.

With regard to tree felling, members commented that as there was a preservation order on this chestnut tree it should remain.

Councillors Cleevely, Cavell and John declared an interest in the redevelopment at London House and took no part in this debate.

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

A request for a donation was received from Dyfed Victim Support. Members decided to discuss this request at the April 2004 meeting.

Notification was received of the transfer of licence of the Monkstone Restaurant to the Royal Oak, Saundersfoot.

A letter was received from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park regarding the recruitment of tree wardens. The aim is to recruit one or two people from the community who have the time, energy and enthusiasm and commitment to become a warden and they do not have to be a tree expert, just have a love of them. Chairman Hayes said she would make enquiries as to potential applicants.

A letter was received from Surflink from Whitland which was formed in 1997 to provide training and promote water sports and make water sports activities accessible to local people of all ages and backgrounds. Members decided not to make a donation, but suggested that the clerk contacts Mrs. Anne Jones from the Sands Nightclub to ascertain if a donation could be made from the money raised last summer for the purchase of a safety vessel.

A letter was received from Pembrokeshire Coast National Parks informing members of the diversion order of the Foxenholes public footpath.

A letter was received from Dyfed Powys Police requesting the priorities for policing to be included in their Policing Plan 2004/05. Members decided to include the following:

i) More police presence; ii) clampdown on speeding motorists; iii) traffic warden presence in Saundersfoot.

A letter was received from Tenby Town Council seeking the views of members on the proposed development of land at New Hedges as a new strategic employment site allocated for a new food store and other retails units. This project is included in the Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Parks Joint Unitary Development Plan.

Members discussed these proposals and all were in agreement that this development would not affect the businesses in Saundersfoot and should go ahead.

The Saundersfoot Draft Conservation area proposals will be on display at a public exhibition to be held in the Regency Hall, on November 25, from 10 am to 7.30 pm.

The clerk informed members that he had received four quotes for the cutting down of the conifers in St. Issell's Cemetery. Following a meeting of the council, it was decided to offer the contract to Acorn Garden Services from Tenby. The work would take approximately four days.

Clr. Poole had liaised with Mr. David James from the Old Mill Caravan Site regarding the work and he was happy with the work progressing. Clr. Poole said he would monitor the work being carried out.

Chairman Hayes thanked Clr. Poole for speaking to Mr. James and for offering to monitor the progress of the work being carried out.

REPORTS FROM

VARIOUS COMMITTEES

(including county

councillor's report)

Clr. Cleevely said that he had attended a Dyfed Powys Police Liaison Meeting recently and the Deputy Chief Constable and Superintendent Paul Amphlett were present.

In their report to the committee, they highlighted the problems facing the force in the county. They reported that 12,000 people had attended a Street Fair in Milford Haven, 9,000 had attended a Regatta in Newport and 600 had attended a Rave at Marloes and they only had 20 officers at their disposal to cover these events.

Chairman Hayes reported that she had been in contact with Mrs. Anne Robinson, the projects co-ordinator, on several occasions with regard to progress on the Barbecue building, and had been told that the concluding comments from Mr. Robin Coombs had not been received and had now decided not to wait any longer. Mrs. Robinson said that the fee for the feasibility study would now have to be paid by Pembrokeshire County Council, Planed and Saundersfoot Community Council and continued to say that the county council was carrying out a review of all properties in Tenby and Saundersfoot. She said that there would be no quick outcome to the future of the Barbecue and asked if Saundersfoot Community Council could come up with any ideas for the future of the building? Members agreed to wait for the outcome of the properties review being undertaken by the county council.

Chairman Hayes said she was pleased that a photograph of Saundersfoot was printed on the front pate of the Park Life magazine produced by the National Parks. She said a copy of Park Life was to be distributed to very household in Pembrokeshire.

Chairman Hayes reported that a new litter bin had been placed on the Strand and this bin would include a rat poison compartment in the base.

Chairman Hayes informed members that she was totally against the £20,000 golden handshake being offered to long serving members following a directive from the Welsh Assembly. She said that members should retire when they wanted to and age should not be a factor.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Clr. Cavell said that since the cycle track had opened debris and litter was collecting behind the seats. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that it be cleared.

Clr. John questioned why the light had not been erected near the Doctor's Surgery as promised some months ago? He also asked if the steps leading to the surgery could be cleaned as they were becoming dangerous?

Clr. Talbot said that she had raised this issue on several occasions with no success. The clerk was instructed to contact the practice on both issues.

Clr. Talbot said she had contacted the county council Hotline to report a light not working outside Bethany Flats and this had now been repaired.

Clr. Talbot again asked where had the litter bin gone from outside the Chinese Restaurant? Chairman Hayes said that this bin had now been relocated to outside the Mulberry Restaurant.

Clr. Baker asked if a further letter could be sent to the county council regarding their policy on school transport to schools. The clerk said the council had written to Mr. Gobbi, the road safety officer, on September 8, but had not received a response and would write again.

Clr. Baker asked if the council could investigate the possibility of providing insurance cover for all public events held in Saundersfoot as the cost to organisations was getting very expensive? Members decided to discuss this matter in January when the precept was set for 2004/2005.

Clr. Cleevely expressed his concern at horses using the footpath from Brooklands Place to the Incline and asked if signs could be erected there prohibiting horses using this footpath? The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting this.

Clr. Cleevely also expressed his concern at the erosion of the beach in Saundersfoot and that the sewer pipe could be in danger of being swept away. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council expressing these concerns.

Clr. Poole asked if an inspection could take place of the street lighting in Saundersfoot as several were not working. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that an inspecting takes place.

Clr. Brabon commented that the hedge planted on the new stone wall on Stammers Road was overgrowing onto the pavement. Clr. Hayes said that the owners of the property were responsible for cutting back this hedge.

The clerk was instructed to report on the matter to the county council.

Clr. Brabon also reported that moss was growing on the pavement leading to Bevelin Hall and was becoming very dangerous for pedestrians. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council reporting on this matter.

Clr. Talbot reported that the pedestrian crossing lights were faulty and had reported the fault to the county council via the Hotline.

The next meeting of the council will be held on December 4, at 7 pm.