Prior to the January meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council, chairman Clr. Brabon asked members to stand for a minute's silence in memory of the tsunami earthquake. When the meeting began, the following matters were discussed:
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Clr. Brabon said he hoped everyone had enjoyed the Christmas dinner held at the Gower Hotel and said he had sent a card to thank the staff for the excellent service provided. Clr. Brabon also thanked members for their concern during his recent stay in hospital and informed members that he was now back in good health.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Pharmacy Sunday rota services: A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council stating that the Local Health Board had considered the comments received and had determined that there would be no change in the current arrangements and that the Sunday rota in Tenby would continue and also be kept separate from the rota in Saundersfoot and Kilgetty. Highway matters: A letter was received from the county council informing the council that the road from Bevelin Hall to Sandyhill Road did not satisfy the criteria to be included in a primary gritting route and only roads carrying in excess of 1,000 vehicles per day received precautionary salting. Roads of lower use were treated respectively as secondary routes during periods of snowfall or prolonged sub-zero temperatures. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that a grit container be placed at the location so that residents could grit as and when required. The letter also stated that the road markings at the corner of St. Brides Hill would be repainted. Play areas: Clr. Baker asked what was the position with regard to the handing over of the play areas to the community council. Clr. Brabon said that the council would only take over the play areas if they were in pristine condition. Signs outside Cambrian Hotel: Members commented that community council signs had been erected outside private properties in Saundersfoot and wondered why a sign could not be erected outside the Cambrian Hotel car park. Clr. Hayes said that she would investigate. Barbecue, Saundersfoot: Clr. Brabon advised members that a decision should be made at that meeting as to what the community council was going to do with regard to taking over the building. The clerk said that the county council had asked for a decision on the matter by the end of January. Clr. John said that if the building was purchased by the community council income would be generated from the two floors and the two kiosks. Clr. Brabon said that figures had already been prepared by the clerk as to what it would cost the council to acquire the Barbecue and a further public meeting should be convened for those figures to be put to the community of Saundersfoot for their views. Clr. John said that he would get a valuation of the scheduled work to be carried out on the building very soon in accordance with the report prepared by Mr. Tom Griffiths. Clr. Cleevely advised members that the council should be clear as to who should be invited to the meeting, and continued to say that a community meeting should only be attended by residents on the electoral roll of Saundersfoot. He proposed that the council convened a public meeting first to explain the situation and follow it up with a community meeting to finalise exactly what was the best way forward. Clr. Poole seconded the proposal. All members present were sceptical at the huge responsibility it would be for the community council to take the Barbecue over. The clerk was instructed to find out what would be the repayments if the community council borrowed £250,000 and £350,000 from the Public Works Load Board. The clerk was also instructed to find out what legal powers the community had over the community council on voting issues. Remembrance Day 2004: Clr. Poole suggested that a letter be sent to Tenby Police Station thanking them for attending and laying a wreath at the Remembrance Day service. Donations to the Sensory Gardens: The clerk said that he had made a list of the donations made to the Sensory Gardens as follows: Mr. P. Odley - £100 Mr. D. Cormack - £90; St. Issell's WI - £50. Members commented that Saundersfoot WI had also made a contribution of daffodil bulbs to the garden. Payphone at Sardis: The clerk read out a letter from BT informing the council that the payphone at Sardis had not been targeted for removal under the current rationalisation programme. Clr. Hayes asked if the council would apply for the 'phone to be listed and all members agreed. Toilets, Saundersfoot: Clr. Baker said that he understood that the council had asked for the Regency Hall toilet to remain open during the winter months rather than the Harbour toilet. Clr. Hayes said that this was the case, but in her opinion the Harbour toilet was the best one to remain open. She continued to say that the county council were reviewing their policy on winter closures in resort areas and hopefully both could be open next winter. Clr. Baker hoped that would be the case and also asked if the toilets in Saundersfoot could be refurbished as they were in disgraceful condition. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that consideration be given to refurbishing the toilets in the village. Clr. Hayes then read out a letter she had received from a holidaymaker which had been sent to Saundersfoot Sailing Club. The letter stated that after walking from Amroth to Saundersfoot with her family, the writer's grandson had wanted to go to the toilet and they had to ask at the Sailing Club if he could use their toilet because there were no toilets open. The holidaymaker questioned why both public toilets were not open in Saundersfoot and asked for an explanation. The clerk was instructed to write to the holidaymaker and explain that the community council had on many occasions asked for both toilets to remain open throughout the year without success. Clr. Brabon commented that it was disgusting that on New Year's Day when thousands of people were present in Saundersfoot, only one toilet was open.
AGENDA
Donation to the Tsunami Earthquake Disaster Fund: It was proposed by Clr. Baker that the council made a donation of £1,000 to the fund and this was seconded by Clr. Brabon. All members agreed. Restricted parking, Cambrian Terrace: The clerk advised members that at the council's October meeting, it was agreed that the county council went ahead with the scheme. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that they went ahead with the scheme for a trial period of 12 months.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Extension, Nythfa House, Saundersfoot. Bungalow, plot at Penlan, Saundersfoot. New two-storey extension, Woodside Farm, Saundersfoot. New shop front, Arcade, Saundersfoot. With regard to the application for Nythfa House, members queried if the roof-line of the extension was compatible with the adjoining property.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
A letter was received from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, with regard to the Town Scheme Partnership 2005 for Tenby, St. Davids and Saundersfoot, asking if a contribution could be made. The letter went on to say that every £1 contributed resulted in a leverage of £10 worth of conservation work. The clerk informed members that a contribution of £1,000 had been made to the scheme last year, however, members decided to delay making a decision until after they had determined their precept . A list of public entertainment license renewals for 2005/06 was received from the county council.With regard to the renewal for the Sands, members requested that the closing hours of the club be 1 instead of 2 am. A letter was received from the county council stating that a yellow box junction at the mini-roundabout by the Harbour entrance could not be installed, but an alternative would be to consider the use of 'Cadwch Yn Glir, Keep Clear' marking on the road. Members agreed with the proposal and asked that it be installed for a trial period. Two newsletters were received from the Pembrokeshire Rail Travellers Association, which members decided to place in the library and the Post Office. A letter was received from Mr. Philip Evans regarding a landslip on The Strand. After considering the letter members agreed to contact those concerned asking what action was being taken in order to mitigate the situation.
REPORTS FROM VARIOUS COMMITTEES INCLUDING COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
Clr. Hayes said that the JUDP findings closed on December 18, 2004, and would be published in late spring. The biggest issue in the plan was the development in New Hedges. Clr. Hayes also reported on the flooding in Westfield Road which was being caused by the stream silting. Clr. Hayes had contacted Mr. Hugh Marriott at the county council who said that it was the responsibility of the Environment Agency and that he would contact them about the matter. Clr. Lawrence said that he had attended the Regency Hall Committee meeting when detailed costings were produced for its refurbishment.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Clr. Cavell informed members that the dog fouling sign had still not been replaced at the bottom of the Doctors Surgery and asked when it would be replaced. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council again asking for the sign to be replaced. Clr. Cavell also reported that an area at the entrance to the Health Centre by Larcot was littered with plastic rubbish. The clerk was instructed to write to the practice manager asking for it to be removed. Clr. Baker again informed members that the county council had still not produced the safe walking route from Saundersfoot to Tenby. The clerk was again instructed to write to the county council requesting that they produce the route. Clr. Brabon said that the new sewerage scheme had been completed in Saundersfoot and said what a wonderful job the contractors had done. Clr. Brabon asked if letters could be sent to the main contractor, McApline, and to GJS, the tarmac contractor, congratulating them on an excellent job. Clr. Brabon also asked if letters could be sent to Mr. Fry, of the Cambrian Hotel, thanking him for assisting with the installation of the Christmas tree lights, and to Mr. Andrew Evans, chairman of Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism, thanking the group for the wonderful fireworks display on New Year's Eve.
PRECEPT
At a special meeting of the council, members decided to levy a precept of £30,000 for the year 2005/2006, an increase of £1,500 on the previous year. Projects to be carried out in 2005/06, include extending St. Issell's Cemetery, purchasing extra Christmas lighting and supplying the fireworks for New Year's Eve 2005 in Saundersfoot. The next meeting of the council will be held in the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, on February 3, at 7 pm.
FOOTNOTE: A public meeting will be held at the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, tonight (Friday) to discuss the future of the Barbecue. The meeting will begin at 7 pm.