Among those present at the December meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council was Mr. Keith Williams who was invited to address members. Mr. Williams said that he had read the council report in the Tenby Observer and questioned why the centre white line was not being replaced on St. Brides Hill by Pembrokeshire County Council due to the road not being wide enough. He said that prior to the enhancement taking place there, a centre white line was present. He went on to say that it was a very dangerous corner as motorists veered over the centre when manoeuvring it. Clr. Lawrence suggested that following the enhancement, it was possible that the road was narrower than before. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council again requesting that the centre white line be reinstated.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
In the absence of Clr. Brabon, Clr. Cleevely took the chair. He said that there was no report, but Clr. Brabon had requested that members be made aware that the two Christmas trees had been supplied by Hean Castle Estate free of charge. The clerk was instructed to write to Hean Castle thanking them for their kind donation.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Request for extra light, Windsor Terrace: A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council stating that Windsor Terrace comprised of six council properties fronting Vanderhoof Way which was not an adopted highway. Some of these properties were still under council ownership and one light would be installed at the end of the street. All the other properties fronting the lane were private and therefore they could not assist. Cars parking on double yellow lines: A letter was received from the county council informing members that yellow line restrictions must rely for the most part on voluntary compliance with selective police enforcement where abuse occurred. If the vehicles parked on double yellow lines were not causing obstruction to the flow of traffic, then logically the lines could be selectively removed. This approach was being considered for a section of Cambrian Place, but it would not be correct to remove the lines totally, thereby giving no guidance to visiting motorists. Clr. Hayes said that she was totally against Cambrian Place being designated for limited parking and would prefer to see the taxi rank opposite the Spar Shop being used for this purpose. The clerk reminded members that at their meeting on October 7, it was decided to inform the county council to go ahead with the limited waiting restriction scheme on Cambrian Terrace. Clrs. Poole and Hayes were not happy with this decision and it was decided to discuss the matter further at the January meeting of the council. Removal of trees, North Close: A letter was received from the county council stating that the area maintenance team had removed a rotten tree from outside 40 North Close, but had no knowledge who had removed the other two. Play areas: The county council informed the council that they could assume responsibility for the running of the play areas at any time and could take advantage of the council's funding scheme and the county council would look after the site until it needed replacing. Request for pathway from Cwm Gwennol to Rhodewood Hotel: A letter was received from the county council stating that there was no footway at this location and the request would be assessed along with 160 others for similar work, prior to bids being submitted for funding. It was very unlikely that this scheme would be undertaken in the near future, although the request would remain on the list of possible future works. Request for sign to be erected by Cambrian Hotel: The county council informed the council that a one-way sign would not be provided opposite the private access point and the owner of the car park could provide signage to his patrons giving guidance on the direction of exit. Response times to correspondence: A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council stating that standards were set within their Customer Charter to ensure that they communicated within reasonable time scales and this was monitored on a regular basis, and in the main they complied with them. However, there would inevitably be occasions where these were not met. They could only respond to concerns if specific information on each letter was received so that they could be followed through with the individuals involved and the reasons for the delay could be given. Remembrance Day: Clr. Poole suggested that a list be compiled to ascertain the order of wreath-laying prior to next year's ceremony, and also that the community council police the ceremony to prohibit cars driving through during the ceremony. All members agreed. Donations to Sensory Gardens: Clr. Poole was concerned that the donations made by organisations to the Sensory Gardens were not being used to purchase shrubs for the garden. The clerk said that he would make a list of all donations made and by whom by the next meeting. Speeding, The Ridgeway: Clr. Cavell asked if the traffic calming measures should be in place prior to the development commencing there. Clr. Hayes said that these measures were to be completed prior to the first house being occupied. Old School, The Ridgeway: Clr. Poole said that the window had still not been replaced at the Old School and was now extremely dangerous. Clr. Hayes said that she would investigate.
ACCOUNTS
Clr. Cleevely informed members that the clerk had recently undertaken a substantial amount of extra work relating to such matters as Remembrance Day, developments at the Incline and Rhodewood, the Barbecue and the installation of the Christmas lights, and should be considered for an honourarium for this extra work. It was proposed by Clr. Poole and seconded by Clr. Cleevely that the clerk be paid an amount of £250 for this extra work.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Dwelling - Plot 2, Frances Cottages, Saundersfoot. New access - Appletree Cottage, Saundersfoot. Alterations to shop - Cambrian Terrace, Saundersfoot (members were concerned that the style of roofing was not suitable and that no windows or serving facilities should be located on the Sensory Gardens side of the premises and that serving teas should be confined to inside only). Loft conversion - 2 Church Terrace, Saundersfoot. Demolish building - Cwm Clyde, Saundersfoot. New window - Flat 4, Strandways Court, Saundersfoot. Change of use - Old Mill Caravan Site, Saundersfoot (members commented that there were already adequate caravan sites in the area and were concerned at the visual impact they would have in that particular location). Pitched roof extension - Maryland, Saundersfoot. Extension - Sandyhill Road, Saundersfoot (members expressed concern over the access at this location on an already very busy and dangerous road). Clr. Lawrence declared an interest in the change of use at Old Mill Caravan Site and the pitched roof extension at Maryland, Saundersfoot, and took no part in these debates. Development - Rhodewood Hotel, Saundersfoot (members thought that the developers had addressed the previous concerns such as the height and parking issues and subject to the Highways agreeing, made no further comments). Members raised no other objections.
CORRESPONDENCE
A transfer of licence for the Kook-a-Ba, High Street, Saundersfoot. A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council asking if the council was interested in twinning with the seaside resort of Erquy on the coast of Brittany. Members decided to decline the offer. A letter was received from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park with regard to the proposal by BT to remove the old red K6 kiosks in the area and asked the community council to object to this proposal. Clr. Hayes proposed that they write to BT requesting that the red kiosk in Sardis remain there and this was seconded by Clr. Cavell. A letter was received from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park with regard to Bonvilles Court Coach Park, Saundersfoot. The letter stated that the coach park was owned by the National Park and its present use as a coach park was conceived back in the late 1970s as a way of alleviating pressure on the village centre. Unfortunately, over the last 25 years it had failed to function as originally intended due to its remoteness from the village centre and in practice the only beneficial public service which it now provided was for the siting of recycling bins. The National Park was reviewing the site to see what realistic alternative uses there were and requested the views of the council as to any future it might have. The senior ranger, south, was to be invited to attend a meeting to discuss the matter further. A tree preservation order was received from the National Park on four trees at Rhodewood Hotel, Saundersfoot.
REPORTS FROM VARIOUS COMMITTEES, INCLUDING COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
Clr. Hayes reported to members that another cliff fall had occurred on The Strand, but luckily there was security fencing in place. She also reported that the toilets in Amroth and Saundersfoot were closed, and following a telephone call to Mr. Gerson Davies, Pembrokeshire County Council, they were quickly re-opened and she had been told it was due to an oversight. She said that she would press for the Harbour toilets to be open rather than the Regency car park toilet. Clr. Hayes further reported that a car had been burnt out on the road from Bonvilles Court to Moreton Lane. She had telephoned Tenby Police Station to report it, but there was no reply and the call was not transferred to Haverfordwest. Clr. Talbot said that she had attended a meeting of One Voice Wales in Haverfordwest on November 17. It was poorly attended, with only six representatives attending out of a possible 21. She said that the Fire Service had attended and gave a presentation, and it was hoped that at the February meeting, the police would be in attendance. Clr. Lawrence reported that he had attended a Regency Hall committee meeting and the subject of the water collecting outside the hall was raised again. Clr. Poole said that there was no point in carrying out work there now as the refurbishment of the hall would commence in the near future.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Clr. Cleevely informed members that there was a possibility that the bus shelter by North Close would be relocated due to the development taking place on the Incline. Clr. Poole again raised the issue of dog fouling on the Ridgeway and asked what could be done. The clerk reminded members that offenders should be reported to the dog warden at Pembrokeshire County Council. Clr. Poole said that he had been approached by residents for a seat to be installed on the road towards Bevelin Hall. The clerk was instructed to write to the National Park to request that a seat be located there. Members expressed their concern at the access into Sandyhill Nurseries which had become dangerous, especially since the tea room had opened, and felt it was only time before an accident occurred there. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that improvements be carried out there. Clr. Hayes said that some time ago the community council requested that a pole be removed from outside Victoria House on Wogan Terrace, but was told that it could not be done due to various services being connected to it. She thought the position might now have changed and requested that they write to the county council asking for it to be removed. Clr. Hayes said that she had attended a Tenby Tourism Growth Area meeting on November 19, and the following points were discussed: i) Bilingual signs were discussed and the potential for differential script to make it easier to identify Welsh and English. It was decided to await the results of a visitor survey, but it did not seem to be a major concern. ii) Insurance cover for events was discussed and it was noted that events were being cancelled due to problems in obtaining insurance cover. It was suggested that town and community councils may be able to be involved, so as to include local events under their Public Liability policies. iii) It was reported that further to the concerns expressed about the timing of road works to coincide with holiday peak periods in 2003 and 2004, the Trunk Agency was aware of the issues and they were not aware of any works planned for the coming year. iv) It was also reported that Saundersfoot Harbour Commissioners were pursuing a harbour enhancement scheme involving provision of new gates which would increase the capacity of the harbour. Clr. Hayes emphasised the commitment of the commissioners to this project which they did not see as being a marina, but as an integral contribution to the All Wales strategy of providing a network of safe harbours to support the development of the Welsh coastline as a major sailing/cruising destination. Clr. Cavell again requested that the long tunnel towards Wisemans Bridge be cleared of litter and debris as it was in a disgraceful condition. The clerk was instructed to write to Pembrokeshire County Council and the National Park requesting that this work be carried out.