Among matters considered and discussed at the September meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council were the following:
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Chairman Brabon said that he had attended the Saundersfoot in Bloom presentation evening in the St. Bride's Hotel and was honoured to present the certificates and cups to the winners. In his speech, he praised the hard work that Saundersfoot in Bloom put in each year to enhance the village and he said they should be congratulated for this. Chairman Brabon also informed members that the tree had been planted in the Sensory Gardens and the contractor had been asked to submit a price for pruning the shrubs and trees in the gardens.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Drain, Brewery Terrace: A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council stating that the drain concerned was a silt collection sump and not a trapped gully and takes surface water from the highway discharging into the harbour. Filters cannot be fitted retrospectively to existing gullies, however trapped gullies can be installed in some instances. The letter concluded by stating that all drains in the area are to be surveyed by a camera to establish whether there are any faults with the system, but this work would not take place until the end of the holiday season. Uneven pavement, High Street: A letter was received from the county council stating that the municipal service division had inspected this footway and although some undulations had been noted, there were no significant defects requiring urgent repair. Members queried this response and Clr. Baker proposed that the council meets the highways department and produces a list of ongoing problems that have been raised on several occasion for responses. Clr. Hayes seconded this proposal. Dog fouling signs: There were in the process of being purchased by Pembrokeshire County Council and consideration was to be given to replacing the sign adjacent to the Doctors Surgery when they were received. Toilets: A letter was received from the county council stating that the Regency Car Park toilet was the subject of closure at 6 pm due vandalism over a period of time, but recently the closure time had been extended to between 9 and 10 pm. Thereby coinciding with the closure of the toilet on the Harbour. The letter also stated that the situation is monitored on a regular basis. Safe pedestrian route from Saundersfoot to Tenby: Clr. Baker again asked if the county council could inform the community council exactly where the safe route is, and if officers of the authority could walk the route with members of the council. Clr. Baker informed members that the exact route had to be established prior to informing the safety charities of the situation. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting this. Street light, Windsor Terrace: Clr. Baker informed members that he understood that the county council owned this road and that another street light should be installed there. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting this. Policing in Saundersfoot: The clerk informed members that he had written to the police on the matter, but had not received a reply. Chairman Brabon said that he was disappointed at the lack of traffic wardens in the village during the summer and Clr. Cleevely proposed writing to the county council and the police suggesting that all the yellow lines be removed from the streets of Saundersfoot as they are a complete waste of time and no one ever seems to be prosecuted for parking on them! Clr. Baker seconded this proposal and all members agreed. Playing fields: The clerk informed members that Mr. Brace had recommenced his grass cutting duties. Litter, Doctors Surgery: The clerk said that he had written to the practice and to the Environmental Health Department regarding the litter and rat problems and had not received a reply from the practice, but the Environmental Health Department were looking into the issue. Stream: Clr. Lawrence informed members that the Regency Hall and Sports Club would undertake clearing the bank on their side of the stream. The clerk informed members that he had not received a reply from Pembrokeshire County Council on whether or not they were prepared to do likewise on the Brooklands side of the stream. Barbecue: The clerk said that he had received a reply from the county council regarding the request for a refund of the £2,000 which the council contributed to the Feasibility Study carried out on the above building. The letter stated the following: "A Feasibility Study is a way of pulling all the information together to see if a project will work: not a way of proving that an idea is right, but about exploring the options and suggesting the best course of action. "So, whilst a Feasibility Study may show that a project will succeed, it may equally well advise that a project will not work. Basically, the study has to find out if there is a need for a project and if it is, and will be financially viable. "In our view, the cost of the Feasibility Study (£8,000 in total, £2,000 from Saundersfoot Community Council) should be viewed against the clarity of its conclusions, that the community council are unlikely to be able to raise sufficient capital funds for the extensive refurbishment works, or to produce adequate income to run the building. "The Feasibility Study has looked at need, costings, legal and planning implications and how the project should be funded now and in the long term, and have given all of us a independent, professional view to enable a sound decision to be made. It had saved unrealistic expectations, wasted effort and money, and has safeguarded the community council from significant risks. "Saundersfoot Community Council had initially indicated a willingness to invest £50,000 is a developed Barbecue Building - the Feasibility Study clearly showed this to be well short of the level of input required. "If the community council look at the Feasibility Study in the light of the foregoing remarks, I hope that they may acknowledge it to be £2,000 very well spent. It has saved them a great deal of money and responsibility in the long term, for which future community councillors may be grateful." Clr. Baker said that the community council had been mislead over all the negotiations that had taken place with the county council and they, in his opinion, never had any intention of the community council acquiring it. Clr. Hayes agreed with Clr. Baker and said that she was always being asked by residents of the village as to what was going to happen to the Barbecue. Clr. Hayes continued to say that it should be stressed that the community council were interested in purchasing the building, but it would not go on the market until the Tourist Information Centre was re-housed, which was a long way in the future. Clr. Hayes said a possible location for the new Tourist Information Centre was on the ground at the side of the Barbecue building. At this point the clerk read out a letter from the Saundersfoot Historical Society expressing their grave concerns on the sale of the Barbecue by the county council. The letter stated that the society had hoped to acquire part of the building to create a local museum and heritage centre, a facility chronically lacking in the village. The letter went on to say that the issue should be debated publicly at an open meeting in which the county council should be invited to put their case before the people of Saundersfoot to justify their decision for sale. After a lengthy discussion, it was proposed by Clr. Baker that Mr. Roger Barrett Evans, the director of development, be invited to attend a public meeting to justify their decision for selling the building and also to give the people of Saundersfoot a chance to examine all the options available prior to any final decision being implemented. This proposal was seconded by Clr. Cavell. Fireworks, November 5 and New Year's Eve: The clerk said that he had received a request from the Village Achievement Committee for a donation towards the insurance cover for November 5 fireworks display in Saundersfoot. It was proposed by Clr. Baker and seconded by Clr. Cleevely that a donation of £100 be made towards these costs. Clr. Poole said that he would liase with Mr. Fry on the matter. With regard to the New Year's Eve fireworks display, Clr. Baker proposed that a donation of £100 also be made towards the cost of insurance for this event and Clr. Cleevely seconded this proposal. Plaque, Sensory Gardens: The clerk informed members that he had spoken to Mrs. Williams from Pembroke Dock to inform her that the council had declined her request to erect a plaque in the Sensory Gardens. He said she was very upset at this decision and asked if there was anywhere else in Saundersfoot available. Clr. Hayes said that there is a designated area in the cemetery for commemorative purposes. Field, Cemetery: Clr. Lawrence informed members that he had contacted a contractor to cut the cemetery field and it would be done as soon as possible. Brookfields Close: The clerk informed members that Pembrokeshire County Council would be repairing the post and fence and would also ensure that all litter is collected prior to cutting the grass at Brooklands Close. Litter: Clr. Baker expressed his concern at the growing problem of litter in the village and said that other areas always seemed to be much cleaner that Saundersfoot. He thought that an officer from the county council should be invited to address members on their Waste Strategy Programme. Clr. Allsop agreed and said that careful consideration should be given prior to any additional eating places opening, due to the extra litter being generated. Attendance of the public at meetings: Clr. Cleevely was pleased to see more members of the public attending council meetings and thought the public should be made aware of what the council does and suggested that any member of the public wishing to attend informed the clerk of the subject they wish to raise prior to the meeting and should be allowed to speak for two minutes on the subject. Clr. Hayes asked if the noticeboard outside the Library could be cleaned and perhaps the names and telephone numbers of the members be listed there. At this point, Chairman Brabon welcomed Mrs. Mather and Mrs. Hunt to the meeting. The clerk then read out letters from them expressing their grave concerns that three trees that had been cut down by North Close in the Ridgeway, but had no idea why they had been removed or by whom. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council informing them of the removal of the trees and also inform Mr. Mat Smail, of National Parks, of the incident. The clerk then informed Mrs. Mather of the result of the traffic survey on the Ridgeway which he had received from Mr. John Price, Pembrokeshire County Council. It revealed that of cars entering Saundersfoot, the speed of 85 per cent of motorists was 37.4mph, while for the same percentage of cars leaving Saundersfoot, motorists speed was 30.5mph. The clerk said the speed of cars entering Saundersfoot was a cause for concern. Clr. John suggested having solar power warning signs installed which indicate the exact speed the motorist is doing. Clr. Hayes said that plans were in the pipeline for traffic calming measures to be installed there. Clr. Baker argued that similar measures should be installed on all entry roads into Saundersfoot.
AGENDA
Request for seat in cemetery: The clerk informed members that a request had been received from Mrs. Durban, Thistledown, Valley Road, Saundersfoot, to place a seat in the cemetery at St Issell's. It was proposed by Clr. Hayes and seconded by Clr. Baker that permission is granted subject of inspecting the seat prior to installation. Meeting in Sensory Gardens to assess work to be done: Clr. Lawrence said that he had met with Mr. Brian Harris to discuss the planting of flowers in the garden and the suggestion put forward was to plant wallflowers and bulbs which would add colour and scent to the gardens. Chairman Brabon said that he would liase with Mr. Harris as to the purchase and planting of the flowers. Clr. Cleevely then suggested that a sub-committee consisting of Chairman Brabon and Clrs. Hayes and Lawrence be set-up and meet periodically and report back to the full council on the progress made. All members agreed. Clr. Poole said that extensive repairs needed to be carried out on the wall around the garden, but suggested leaving this until later in the year. Chairman Brabon also suggested creating a raised border in the corner of the gardens by the paper shop, but again members advised to delay any work in this area until the spring.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Conservatory, Sandyhill Guest House, Saundersfoot. Balcony, 8 Captains Walk, Saundersfoot. Conservatory, 2 Francis Cottage, Saundersfoot. Off-road parking, Collingwood, Saundersfoot. Change of use to 16 Apartments, Cambrian Hotel. Development to 40 units, Rhodewood House Hotel. Clrs. Cavell, Cleevely and John declared an interest in the Collingwood application and took no part in this debate. With regard to the Sandyhill Guest House plan, members raised no objections, but did comment that the conservatory had already been erected. With regard to the Rhodewood House Hotel development members raised the following concerns: i) Road access on already dangerous road; ii) Parking spaces according to number of dwellings proposed, there should be 55 spaces, but only 44 are allocated. This could lead to cars being parked on Sandyhill Road; iii) Proximity of development to existing properties; iv) Height of development; v) Project out of character with existing area; vi) Density of development is far too ambitions for the space available. Members raised no other objections to the other applications. The clerk reported that a meeting had taken place on the Ridgeway to discuss the site line with regard to the proposed development there. Mr. Ponsford, Pembrokeshire County Council, demonstrated to those present the 2.4 metres line at the centre of the access and also the 70 metres along the highways towards Valley Road. Residents present were not happy with the 2.4 metres line as cars would have to enter the highway before ensuring that it was safe to proceed and also the 70 metres line was not clearly visible from the 2.4 metres point. Mr. Ponsford did ensure residents that the hedge along the road would be cut back to make the visibility clearer and also that traffic calming measures would be installed which would include extra signage and yellow lines possibly at the junction of Valley Road and the Ridgeway.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council informing the council of a vacancy for a governor at Stepaside CP School. The vacancy would be for a minor local authority representative on the board of governors. Clr. Cleevely said that he would be pleased for his name to be put forward. A letter was received from National Parks informing the council that tree preservation orders had been confirmed for St. Issell's graveyard, Saundersfoot and also that a tree preservation order had been placed on numerous trees on Scar Farm and Zealand. The annual general meeting of 'One Voice Wales' was to be held in Llandrindod Wells on October 23. Members decided that Clr. Talbot and the clerk should attend. Clr. Hayes reported that double yellow lines had been painted on one side of the road at The Glen, Saundersfoot, and they were causing havoc. Residents were having difficult negotiating their cars out of their driveways and Clr. Hayes said that the county council were reviewing the situation. Clr. Hayes also reported that the owner of Saundersfoot beach was cordoning off certain sections of the beach for private use. Clr. Hayes had spoken to Mr. Keith Halpin, National Park, who was going to consult with the owner for him to apply for change of use. Clr. Lawrence informed members that he had attended a Regency Hall Committee meeting and cutlery and chairs were being purchase by the committee. He also informed members that the refurbishment of the hall was going ahead as planned.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Clr. Lawrence expressed his concern at cars parking on the grass verge opposite the police station causing traffic chaos leading back past the school. Members advised Clr. Lawrence to raise this issue when the council meets the Inspector Clark at a future meeting. Clr. Lawrence requested that lights were installed outside the Regency Hall as it was very dark for people leaving the premises. Members suggested that the hall committee considers installing sensory control floodlights to light up the area. Clr. Baker asked if anyone knew when the community council would assume responsibility for the running of the play area in the village? The clerk was instructed to write to the county council to seek this information. Clr. Allsop requested that a sign be installed near the slipway informing the public of the location of the harbour toilet. Members all agreed that the signage situation should be looked at carefully and asked that it be an agenda item. Clr. Cavell expressed her concern at the condition of the pathway from Cwm Gwennol to Rhodewood Hotel which had become very overgrown and dangerous for pedestrians. The clerk was instructed to write to Pembrokeshire County Council requesting that it be cleared. Clr. Cavell reported that the 30mph sign on Fan Road had been turned around and was not visible to motorists. Clr. Cavell also reported that rubbish, including microwave ovens, was being deposited behind the 'paper bank at Bonvilles Court. Clr. Baker said that Saundersfoot was in dire need of a recycling centre and the clerk was instructed to write to Pembrokeshire County Council requesting that the litter etc., be removed from the 'paper bank. Clr. Cavell asked if the community council could support St. Issell's WI in requesting that the area around the Winding House be cut back as it was in a dreadful condition. She said that the WI had put a tremendous amount of work into preserve the Winding House and said it was sad to see to area around it in such a poor condition. The clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Hugh Marriott at the county council to request that it be cleared. Chairman Brabon reported that the kiosk near the slipway had been vandalised on a Friday and which not been cleared up until the Monday. He thought that this was not satisfactory. Chairman Brabon also expressed his concern at traffic turning left while leaving the Cambrian Hotel car park. He said that there should be a sign there informing motorists of the one way system. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that a sign be erected there. The next meeting of the Council will be held on October 7, in the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, at 7 pm.