Among matters discussed at the February meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council were the following:
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Chairman Clr. Hayes said she had attended the opening of the E. J. Head exhibition at Tenby Museum on January 9, which was very enjoyable.
On January 17, chairman Clr. Hayes said that she had attended the council dinner at the Cambrian Hotel and a very pleasant evening was had by all.
On January 21, chairman Clr. Hayes informed members that she had attended the senior citizens' dinner, again held in the Cambrian Hotel, and was a very well attended and successful evening.
She said that Mr. Mike Fry should be thanked again for organising this event year after year and was very much appreciated by all who attended.
MATTERS ARISING
FROM THE MINUTES
Parking in the Glen: The clerk read out a letter from Mr. Jaap from the Glen enclosing a copy of a poll taken of the residents' views on this issue. The letter stated that of the 25 properties on the Glen, 18 were residential and seven were holiday homes, and the result of the poll was that 16 have voted in favour of parking restrictions on both sides of the road, one for restrictions on the left hand side only and one abstained.
Chairman Clr. Hayes added that Pembrokeshire County Council had written to all properties and had until January 31, to give their views. She said that she would liaise with Mr. Jaap on the outcome.
Litter, cycle track: Chairman Clr. Hayes said that she had received a telephone call from a resident requesting that dogs were kept on leads whilst walking through the tunnels. She said that there were no lights in the tunnel at present and thye would not to be replaced due to vandalism. She added that an enforcement order would have to be raised and she could not see why this could not be done as there was an order in force on the harbour at present.
Clr. Hayes asked the views of the members and all agreed that an enforcement order be raised for dogs to be kept on leads for the whole of the cycle track.
Street lighting: Chairman Clr. Hayes said she had received a request from a resident for street lighting on the corner of Frances Lane and Wogan Terrace. She had telephoned the county council and was told that it would be added to a list of schemes to be considered when funds became available.
Clr. Talbot added that the street light between Stammers Road and Sandyhill Road had been repaired and the hedge had been cut back as a result of a telephone call to the helpline. She advised members of the public to use this service, the number being 0845 6021386.
Hedge, Stammers Road: Chairman Clr. Hayes informed members that the owner of the property concerned was away and difficult to contact. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that the hedge be cut back and bill the owner of the property for the work carried out.
Cockling in Saundersfoot: The clerk informed members that Clr. Baker had requested that this issue be raised for discussion. The clerk said that he had received mail from Clr. Baker stating that he had spoken at length to Mr. PhiIl Coates from the SWSFB and was told the following:
i) Any fisherman can ask for the cockle beds to be tested and the county council have to carry out an inspection. Pembrokeshire County Council have just started the 10-week testing and it is very likely that the cockles will fall into categories A, B or C, which means that they can be harvested commercially.
ii) Once the county council confirm the cockles are fit to be harvested, a licence will be issued to harvest commercially and there will not be a limit to how many people can take the cockles or how many they take.
iii) When the cockles fall below a certain size, the licence will be revoked and the beds will be only available for private use (as at present).
iv) The only way to prevent tractors and trailers driving onto the beach will be by bye-laws and if these already exist people could use wheelbarrows to take the cockles away.
v) Mr. Coates asked why the community council was not in favour of commercial cockling.
Clr. Poole said that cockles in Saundersfoot were of excellent quality, but the beds were small and cockling was not sustainable.
Clr. Talbot agreed and said she was totally against commercial cockling in Saundersfoot due to the fact that the beds were too small and are not sustainable and she thought it would affect the quality of the beach.
Chairman Clr. Hayes then invited Mr. Tew to address members.
Mr. Tew was a member of the Saundersfoot Sea Angling Club and was totally against commercial cockling in Saundersfoot and at their meeting on February 3, agreed to lodge an immediate objection, the reasons being:
vi) The cockle beds are an integral part of the delicate food chain and should remain so.
vii) The beach upheaval would have a knock-on damaging effect on the existing clam, razor and lug worm beds.
viii) The club promotes shore angling which as a sport attracts many visitors to Saundersfoot and it follows that depleted fish stocks could affect the tourism economy of the village.
ix) It would cause upheaval to the beaches.
x) Interfering with the beaches could cause harm to the tourist industry.
xi) It could affect the Blue Flag status of the beach.
xii) The safety of visitors would be a serious issue on the beach and around the beach access.
xiii) Contamination and litter could be a concern.
xiv) Any safety net provided by licence control would be non-existent as the necessary funds needed to police the activities when cockling is taking place would not be available.
Mr. Tew did add that he was not against local people cockling and wished that this activity continued.
The clerk was instructed to write again to Mr. Coates, SWSFB, objecting to commercial cockling taking place in Saundersfoot and highlighting the reasons for this decision. All members agreed.
Seats, Sensory Gardens: The clerk informed members that he had spoken to Mr. Don Johns, and was told that the four seats had arrived and suggested that a handover ceremony takes place in the Sensory Gardens.
The clerk informed members that the old seats would have to be removed prior to installation and Clr. Poole said he would organise the removal and installation of the new seats. The clerk also informed members that the new litter bins would be placed in the gardens prior to the handover.
Cemetery: The clerk informed members that he, along with members of the grounds committee, had met Mr. Duncan Hilling to discuss what type of hedge to plant there. Mr. Hilling advised the best option would be to plant a hedge of griselinia littoralis which was fast growing and could be purchased locally.
The clerk also informed members that he, along with Clr. Lawrence, had met with Mr. John Bellarby, tree surgeon, to discuss the removal of the large ash tree.
Mr. Bellarby advised that the tree be pruned rather than be felled and said that permission would have to be obtained from the National Park prior to removal.
He continued to say that approximate costs would be for pruning £680 and removal £850. Mr. Bellarby said that he would contact the National Park and report back with their findings.
Members agreed to await until this information was obtained prior to carrying out any work.
Chairman Clr. Hayes thanked Clr. John for erecting a sign at the cemetery informing the public of the work to be carried out there.
Wisemans bus shelter: The clerk informed members that Clr. Baker had prepared a specification for the work to be undertaken to the bus shelter, which included removing the seating, preparing wall surfaces for painting, pressure washing the concrete blockwork, internally and externally, priming, undercoating and painting external fascias and weatherboards and internal ceiling and clearing away all debris.
Clr. Baker said that this would cover the work for this year and said the roof looked fine and could be inspected annually before any further work was carried out.
Clr. Brabon thanked Clr. Baker for preparing the specification and suggested carrying out this work as soon as possible. Members all agreed and the clerk was instructed to make enquiries as to who could carry out this work.
Emptying of bins, cemetery: Clr. Poole informed members that a great deal of litter was collecting in the cemetery and not all of this was cemetery litter. The clerk informed members that Mr. Glyn Stephens was in hospital at present and would be unable to empty the bins for some time and that he would liaise with Mr. Graham Brace in carrying out these duties.
Various issues: The clerk informed members that he had received a letter from Pembrokeshire County Council regarding the list of outstanding matters raised over a number of years by the community council.
Members were pleased that such a comprehensive response had been received and the clerk was instructed to write to back thanking them for the information.
Surgery steps: Chairman Clr. Hayes reported that she had seen a person sweeping the area around the surgery and was pleased that the work was being carried out.
Footpath, Ridgeway/Incline Way: The clerk read out a letter from the county council stating that funding was made available for a footway from the Incline Way along the Ridgeway to tie into the existing footway outside the property known as White Park. Unfortunately, problems occurred securing terms associated with the land acquisition and the improvement has been held in abeyance until this land issue can be sorted out.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Extension of fence - 68 Incline Way, Saundersfoot.
Sign - Pembrokeshire Mortgage Centre, Saundersfoot.
Extension - 50 Whitlow, Saundersfoot.
Decking - Morningside, Frances Road, Saundersfoot.
Decking - 2 Rosemont, Saundersfoot.
Rebuild garage - Lynchmere, Saundersfoot.
Extension - Swallowdale, Saundersfoot.
Use of land for touring caravans - New Park Farm, Saundersfoot.
With regard to rebuild garage at Lynchmere, members asked if this application could be discussed at committee level rather than by delegated means. Also, members requested that no large trees are removed during development.
With regard to the decking at Morningside, Frances Road, members were not happy with this application due to the fact that it would be unsightly from The Strand area.
Members raised no other objections.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
A letter was received from the Hermon Community School Campaign requesting a donation to fund the legal costs in fighting the decision to close Hermon Community School in August, 2004.
Clr. Poole proposed that no donation be made and this was seconded by Clr. Allsop. All members voted in favour.
A letter was received from the Bush and Park Tenants and Residents Association seeking the support of the council in opposing the decision by Pembrokeshire County Council to hand over the full responsibility of maintaining of play areas to community councils.
The letter stated that the county council would discuss the issue on February 26, and asked if members either turn up on the day to voice their opinion or complete a petition supporting the decision to be overturned.
It was proposed by Clr. Allsop and seconded by Clr. Poole that members sign and return the petition.
The Draft Local Housing Strategy Plan was received from Pembrokeshire County Council.
The Saundersfoot Conservation Area Proposal document was formally approved by the National Park on January 28.
A letter was received from Bizzy Play, The Old School, Llawhaden, stating that they were a company specialising in all aspects of children's playgrounds and could assist in all areas of play from designing and maintenance and inspection of existing units.
Members decided to keep the letter on file.
A letter was received from the elections officer, Pembrokeshire County Council, stating that the European, county, town and community elections would all be held on June 10.
The fourth issue of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum newsletter was received.
A letter was received from East Williamston Community Council expressing their concern at the condition of the carriageway leading to, under and on the Saundersfoot side of the railway bridge.
Clr. Allsop commented that flooding does occur regularly there, especially when work is being carried out in the nearby field and after heavy rain.
Members agreed to support the council in requesting that these repairs be carried out.
A letter was received from Mr. Philip Roach, projects officer, National Park, with regard to the Tenby, St. David's and Saundersfoot Town Scheme Partnership and asked if the council would consider making a contribution to this vitally important work for 2004/2005.
For every £1 donated, the scheme delivers over £10 of conservation work, so the leverage on the investment is considerable.
Members commented that this was the first time a request like this had been received, and the clerk was instructed to investigate.
A letter was received from Mr. Alan Arnold, from Mason and Mitchell, property consultants, stating he was the sole agent for the owners of the Teggers Discount Store in Saundersfoot and that it was his intention to improve the building in the very near future. He asked if members had any ideas as to the refurbishment of the property. The clerk was instructed to contact Mr. Arnold with a view to attend a future meeting of the council.
REPORTS FROM
VARIOUS COMMITTEES
Clr. Lawrence had attended a Regency Hall Committee meeting and informed members that the development on the hall was progressing very slowly, but hoped to have more news at the next meeting.
ANY OTHER
BUSINESS
Clr. Poole informed members that the St. Issell's WI had completed their Winding House project and should be congratulated for the hard work involved.
The clerk informed members that Clr. Cleevely had been asked to represent the council on the Implementation Committee looking into the new Tenby hospital and asked if members were in favour of Clr. Cleevely serving on the committee.
It was proposed by Clr. Poole and seconded by Clr. Allsop that Clr. Cleevely be their representative.
The clerk asked members for a list of issues to be raised when Inspector Clarke attends the March meeting of the council, so that he can research responses to these issues.
The next meeting of the council will be held in the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, on March 4, at 6.30 pm, when Inspector Clarke, Tenby Police Station, will be in attendance.