The annual general meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council, began by Chairman Brabon giving his report to members. He said that he was surprised how quickly his year of office had gone. He said it had been a very busy year and the main issue was the council's decision to take over the Barbecue building from Pembrokeshire County Council on a peppercorn lease and this was still ongoing. Chairman Brabon continued to say that many issues and problems had been raised at council meetings and they had still not been resolved. He said he was disappointed at the length of time Pembrokeshire County Council took to resolve these problems. He said the council was very aware that Saundersfoot was a popular resort and they tried very hard to make sure the village is at its best for the many visitors who go to Saundersfoot for their holidays. Chairman Brabon said that he had always believed that the success of the tourist economy relies heavily on the attractiveness of the village. He went on to say that the care, upkeep, and maintenance of the tourist attractions, the shops, the houses, gardens, harbour foreshore, open spaces and the environment as a whole is vital to the moral of residents and its appeal to visitors who go to Saundersfoot. Chairman Brabon said that he had enjoyed being chairman and thanked all of the councillors for their support, with a special thank you to Clr. Cleevely, his vice-chairman, for all his advice and support, he had given during his year of office. Finally, Chairman Brabon thanked John Griffiths, the clerk, for the tremendous amount of work he had undertaken during the year, which had been very much appreciated by all members. Appointment of Chairman: Chairman Brabon then asked for proposals for chairman for 2005/06. Clr. Cavell proposed that Clr. Poole be elected and this was seconded by Clr. Allsop. All members agreed. Appointment of vice-chairman: It was proposed by Clr. Baker that Clr. Cavell be elected as vice- chairman and this was seconded by Clr. Cleevely. All members agreed. In the absence of Chairman Poole, vice-chairman Cavell took the chair. Clr. Baker said that as it was usual that the vice- chairman took over the chair of office he would like to thank Clr. Cleevely for carrying out his role as vice-chairman in such an efficient way. Vice-chairman Cavell then thanked the members for electing her and would carry out her duties to the best of her ability. She said that she would be very nervous chairing the meeting and hoped members would understand. Election of officers: Clr. Baker proposed that the committee members remained as they were unless anyone no longer wished to stand and this was seconded by Clr. Cleevely. The committee members would therefore be as follows: Grounds Committee - Clrs. Poole, Cavell, Hayes, Lawrence, Baker, Cleevely and Brabon; Regency Hall committee - Clr. A. Lawrence; Manager, Playing Fields - Clr. A. Lawrence; Deputy Manager, Playing Fields - Clr. D. Poole; Saundersfoot in Bloom - Clr. M. Allsop; Saundersfoot CP School Governor - Clr. M. Cavell; Saundersfoot Harbour Commissioners - Clrs. Cleevely and Lawrence; Saundersfoot Focus Group - Clr. M. Cavell.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Properties in The Strand and Brewery Terrace: The clerk read out a letter received from National Parks which stated that the development officers had visited the sites concerned and they do not feel that they had a significant impact on the amenity of the area and thus serving a S215 Notice was not considered appropriate in this instance. The wording of the S215 notice stated: 'If it appears to the local planning authority that the amenity of the part of their area, or adjoining area, was adversely affected by the condition of land in their area, they may serve on the owner a S215 Notice'. The letter went on to say that in view of the above advice and evidence gathered on site by officers, it was considered that there were no properties of areas of land within Brewery Terrace and The Strand which had a significant impact on the amenity and character of the area and therefore it would be inappropriate to serve a S215 Notice in this instance. Clr. Hayes said that she was still not happy with this response and Clr. Talbot said that she could understand the owner boarding up the property in Brewery Terrace due to vandalism, but admitted that the property on The Strand was in a poor condition. Clr. Baker wondered as the properties were in a conservation area would grants be available to refurbish them. CCTV Camera in Saundersfoot: Clr. Brabon said that he along with Clrs. Hayes, Cleevely, Lawrence, and the clerk, had met with PC Max Bevan and the Harbour Commissioners to discuss the matter. Clr. Brabon said the cost of installing a CCTV camera at the entrance of the Harbour Car Park would be £11,400, plus £1,600 per year for the line rental, plus approximately £50-£100 for the running costs. The purchase of the camera itself (£7,000) would be obtained from the Home Office through the Community Partnership Scheme. The camera would be linked to Tenby Police Station and would view an area from the Oak Public House to the Sands night club and up to Stammers Road. Clr. Brabon said that as soon as a decision was made, PC Max Bevan would submit a planning application to National Parks for the erection of the camera. Clr. Cleevely said that the existing cameras on the harbour would also be updated and a new camera would be installed near the Mermaid Restaurant. Clr. Brabon suggested asking businesses in the village for donations towards the cost of installing the camera. It was proposed by Clr. Brabon and seconded by Clr. Lawrence that the council went ahead with the purchase of a camera. Safe Walking Route from Saundersfoot to Tenby: Clr. Hayes said that she had spoken to Mr. Gerson Davies, director of education, on the matter and was told the following: i) The authority has an obligation to transport pupils to a secondary school if they reside over three miles from the nearest school, such is not the case for pupils residing in Saundersfoot. ii) For pupils residing less than three miles, the responsibility for ensuring that pupils got to and from schools lies with the parents. iii) Similarly, whilst the authority has discretion to provide transport for pupils residing nearer the school if it is considered hazardous, parents also have a key role in this. Case law indicates that a route is available if a child, accompanied as necessary, can walk along it with reasonable safety to school. This matter had been investigated and the conclusion was that routes were suitable for walking accompanied as appropriate by an adult. iv) It is the practice of the authority to offer spare seats to pupils who do not qualify on distance grounds if these are available. However, these were essentially tenuous since they may be needed after a period of time for pupils that qualify for transport. v) It is also the case that there are public transport buses available which were subsidised by the authority. Clr. John proposed sending a map of the area to Pembrokeshire County Council and ask if the route be marked. This was seconded by Clr. Lawrence. Clr. Hayes said if this matter had not been developed to the Welsh Assembly Government she would seek advice from the local MP. Works not carried out in Saundersfoot: The clerk read out a letter from Pembrokeshire County Council stating that the overgrowth by the stream would be carried out in the very near future and the fence at the same location be repaired. Clr. Talbot commented that she raised the issue of a graduated crash barrier at the Fan Road junction in 2002 and it had still not been carried out. Clr. Baker said it had been a year since Mr. Ian Westley attended a council meeting and asked if it would be appropriate to ask him again. Members decided to invite Mr. Westley to a future meeting. Saundersfoot Sensory Gardens and Rotary Club: Clr. Hayes said that she and Clr. Brabon had met members of the Rotary Club and they had decided that the club take over the raised border in the gardens. Clr. Brabon said that the idea was to remove all the existing border and Crofty Nurseries were advising what to plant there instead. It was proposed by Clr. Brabon and seconded by Clr. Hayes that heathers be planted in the border and to meet Crofty Nurseries in the gardens to discuss when they could carry out the replanting. Collapsed hedge near Fan Road junction: The clerk informed members that the collapsed hedge had been replaced by the fence. The clerk was instructed to write a letter of thanks to Hean Castle for carrying out these works. Signs, Building Site, The Incline: The clerk informed members that he had spoken to Mr. John Collins and was told that signs were being made and would be erected once building works commences. Clr. Cavell declared and interest and took no part in the debate. Water leak, entrance to Regency Hall Car Park: The clerk said that he had spoken to Mrs. Ann Jones, owner of the Sands Club, and was told that the parcel of land in question was owned by Western Power and that he had relayed this information onto Mr. John Dugmore, chairman of the Regency Hall Committee who would contact Western Power on the matter.
AGENDA
One Voice Wales Membership: Clr. Talbot, informed members that she had been impressed with the assistance given especially in helping smaller community councils, and had received a detailed plan on the proposed dredging area from them which would be discussed at the next area meeting. It was proposed by Clr. Lawrence and seconded by Clr. Cleevely that the council join again at a cost of £310. All members agreed. St. Brides Lane: Clr. Hayes said that she had been approached by three residents from St Brides Lane requesting either the road became one-way or access only. She admitted that the community council could not make this decision and every household would have to be consulted prior to any decision being made. Clr. Hayes proposed writing to Mr. Ian Westley requesting that householders were consulted on the matter and this was seconded by Clr. Baker. Grassed area around Regency Hall: Clr. Cleevely brought to the members attention that this area was not owned by the council, but the grass was cut by their employee. He asked if the council should continue to do so. It was proposed by Clr. Allsop and seconded by Clr. Baker that the community council continued to cut this area of grass.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Plot adjacent to 2 Francis Cottages; Plot adjoining Pinewood, Bevelin Hall; Satellite Antenna, Milford Street; Sun lounge and decking, 4 Ridgeway Meadow, Saundersfoot; Conservatory, Moreton Caravan Site; Conservatory, 17 Oakhill Drive, Saundersfoot; Extension, 62 Sandyhill Park, Saundersfoot; Extension, 55 Sandyhill Road, Saundersfoot. Members raised no objections to the above applications.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Letters of thanks were received from the Royal British Legion, Saundersfoot Guild of Friendship, Town Scheme Partnership, Bobby Van Scheme, Wales Air Ambulance, Torch Theatre, Dyfed Victim Support, Pembrokeshire Crossroads, Saundersfoot Footlights and Saundersfoot in Bloom, for donations received. An application was received from Mr. and Mrs. Evans, 25 Castle View, Saundersfoot, for the granting of a licence to sell by retail intoxicating liquor of all descriptions at the Coffee Tavern, Cambrian Terrace, Saundersfoot. Members were surprised at this application as they anticipated that the planning application was for tea rooms only. A draft supplementary planning guidance was received from Pembrokeshire County Council with a questionnaire to be completed. The material contained in the draft was intended to provide advice and guidance to everyone involved with the development process in Pembrokeshire. A letter was received from National Parks who were supporting Wendy Jones who is attempting to walk the coastal path in one month. Wendy suffers from retinitus pigmentosis, an incurable condition which resulted in the permanent loss of her sight. The letter invited members and friends to join Wendy on her final leg of the walk from Tenby to Amroth on Thursday, July 7.
REPORTS FROM VARIOUS COMMITTEE'S INCLUDING THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
Clr. Hayes reported that there would be a programme of re-surfacing work commencing on May 31, and the whole of the programme will be completed by the end of July. She said the roads affected in the Saundersfoot area were the Fan Road and the Errox Hill Road, where there will be temporary traffic restrictions. Clr. Hayes said that she had spoken to Mr. Brian Maddocks, Pembrokeshire County Council, with regard to extra litter bins and he said that he could supply them, but the community council would have to empty them. She had also spoken to Clr. David Simpson on the matter and he would speak to highways to see if these extra bins were supplied they would be emptied by Pembrokeshire County Council.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Clr. Lawrence asked if the stream at the top of the putting green could be cleaned. Clr. Lawrence arranged to meet Clr. Baker at the putting green to see what work should be carried out there. Clr. Baker proposed asking Inspector Clark to a future meeting of the council as he had not attended for some time. The clerk was instructed to invite Inspector Clark to the June meeting of the council.