Minutes of the meeting held in the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot on December 1, 2005.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
At the outset of the December meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council, chairman, Clr. D. Poole, thanked everyone who had helped with the installation of the lights and Christmas tree in the village, especially Mr. Dave McDermott who had carried out the electrical work. Chairman Poole said that the Chamber for Tourism had purchased a Christmas tree for the village and he had loaned the council's Christmas lights to be used on the tree. He also thanked everyone who had assisted in the delivery of the Poppy boxes and the counting of the money.
MINUTES ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Bus Services Provision, Bevelin Hall and Sandyhill Road: The clerk read out a letter from Pembrokeshire County Council regarding this matter, which stated that bus shelters were in demand across the county and were provided according to need as follows: the frequency of bus services along the route; the density of loadings at the location; the willingness of the community council to take on the obligation for the cleaning and maintenance of the shelter. The letter went on to say that the request had been passed to Mr. Ceri Rees, who was the officer responsible for bus shelters. With regard to the bus timings, the letter stated that the published time tables showed a regular service at two-hourly intervals throughout the day on bus number 351, with a further four journeys daily on number 361, and this seemed to be a very good level of service for this area. The letter concluded by saying that if the residents had requirements for bus services in addition to the existing journeys to let Pembrokeshire County Council know. Clr. Brabon said that the services were not adequate at present and the request of the residents was for a more regular bus service to travel through the estates of Bevelin Hall and Sandyhill Park. The clerk was instructed to arrange a meeting with Mr. Hubert Mathias, of the county council, to discuss the matter. The clerk informed members that he had studied the parking restrictions due to be implemented on the Strand and said that the order was for permanent no parking from the Pharmacy to the tunnel. Chairman Poole said that he would consult with Inspector Clarke to request that during the winter months a more lenient view be taken to prosecute motorists for parking there. Pavement outside Mr. Price's shop: Clr. Hayes reported that he had spoken to Mr. Rhodri Jenkins, of the county council, who stated that repair work would be carried out, but it had been discovered that several cables and pipes were directly under the drain and further investigation had to take place prior to work commencing. Clr. Brabon wondered how much work would be carried out and hoped that the kerbing and pavement would be replaced, as this stretch of pavement was in a terrible condition. Play area, Saundersfoot: A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council stating that the painting and power washing of the equipment was in hand and new swing hangers and chains would be installed as soon as possible. The letter went on to say that the issue of litter picking at weekends was being dealt with by the area maintenance officer. With regard to the traffic sign on the footway at Westfield Road, the letter stated that this sign was erected in error and would be re-positioned as a matter of urgency. Poppy Appeal: Clr. Hayes informed members that following the counting of the donations, an amount of £3,065.88 was banked, with some cheques still to be received. Sensory Gardens, Saundersfoot and Barbecue Building: The clerk said that he had received a quote from Crofty Nurseries for the pruning of Sensory Gardens and it was for £195 plus VAT. Members asked Clr. Brabon to instruct Crofty Nurseries to go ahead with the work. The clerk reported that Mr. Hugh Watson, properties department, Pembrokeshire County Council, had telephoned and said that the lease for the Barbecue was likely to be completed either just before Christmas or in early January 2006. The clerk said that he had also spoken to Mr. Haydn Williams, solicitor, with regard to a meeting to discuss obtaining grants and setting up a charitable trust and he said that Mr. Peter Davies, PLANED, was the expert in this field and perhaps it would be advantageous to meet him as soon as possible. Leak, Regency Hall: The clerk informed members that a meeting with Mr. Harry Smith had not taken place and was instructed to convene a meeting with him to discuss what the current arrangements were for the supply of water to the four organisations. Home to school transport: A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council stating that there were two ways in which pupils could be conveyed to schools: i) A dedicated contract bus; ii) Normal public transport. The letter stated that contract buses were usually provided when there were sufficient numbers of entitled pupils to fill the vehicle and where there was no alternative local transport. Where there was a mix of pupils who were entitled to free transport and those who were required to pay fares, it was standard practice to carry these on conventional local bus services. This process was legal, routine, and accepted throughout the UK and hundreds of pupils were carried to schools in Pembrokeshire every day by local bus services with a impeccable safety record. The letter went on to say that the regulations in respect of service buses stated that seat belts were not required, and pupils under 14 years of age could be asked to sit three to a seat and standing was allowed up to the maximum licensed capacity of the bus. The letter concluded by saying that inspectors would continue to monitor the situation on the buses from New Hedges to Tenby and if the problem persisted, they would raise the matter with the bus operator. Clr. Baker said that although the provision of the bus services for school children was legal he was still not happy with the situation. AGENDA
Proposed development at Bonvilles Court Coach Park, Saundersfoot: A letter was received from Mr. Shimmin from Moreton Lane, Saundersfoot, who owns the Model Village near Bonvilles Court Coach Park. Mr. Shimmin requested that he attends a council meeting to address members on the proposed development at Bonvilles Court Coach Park. He went on to say that any development there would be ruinous to his Model Village and it would rob Saundersfoot of considerable employment and economic benefit and the development would be expensive to build and the end result of housing on a spoil heap would be far from satisfactory. Chairman Poole said that it was difficult for the council to comment at present until the application was received from the National Parks and Clr. Cleevely agreed and suggested waiting for the test results which were being carried out on the site.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Clr. Cleevely commented that Saundersfoot council installed the Christmas lights in the village at a very low cost compared with other councils. This was due to the community spirit shown and they should be thankful for the voluntary contribution made to make this possible.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Temporary marquee, St Brides Hotel, Saundersfoot. Dwelling, Stammers Rock, Saundersfoot. Bedroom, 4 Sandyhill Park, Saundersfoot. Conservatory, 55 Scandinavian Heights, Saundersfoot. Residential Development, Gorse Hill, Saundersfoot. Extensions, Bonvilles Court Cottage, Saundersfoot. Clr. Baker declared an interest in the St Brides and Gorse Hill applications, while Clr. Brabon declared an interest in the Stammers Rock application, and they took no part in these debates. With regard to the St. Brides application, members raised no objections, but hoped that the decision would be consistent with all marquee applications, due to the fact that a previous application for a temporary marquee at the Gower Hotel was refused. Members raised no objections to the other applications either.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Notice of applications were received from Pembrokeshire County Council for new premises licences for The Lounge, Saundersfoot and The Claremount Hotel, St. Brides Hill, Saundersfoot. Members raised no objections. An application was also received from the Sands Club, Saundersfoot, for an extension of hours from 2 am to 3 am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and for Mondays and Tuesdays to close at 2.30 am and 1 am on Sundays. Clr. Baker proposed writing to Pembrokeshire County Council to ask that the hours remain as at present and Clr. Brabon seconded this proposal. Clr. Allsop abstained from voting. A letter of thanks was received from Adam Hensman for the donation received for playing the Last Post at the Remembrance Day Service at St. Issell's Church.
REPORT FROM VARIOUS COMMITTEES, INCLUDING COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
Clr. Hayes reported to members that workmen had cleaned the stream of debris three times in the last few weeks. Clr. Hayes also reported that the area around the Cenotaph had been cleaned three times in the week prior to Remembrance Sunday. The entrance to the church had also been cleaned. Clr. Cleevely reported that he had attended the Dyfed Powys Police meeting recently. The proposal for one Police Force in Wales was discussed and there was very little time allowed for comments to be made. Clr. Cleevely also reported that the Friends of Tenby Hospital had resources available and had decided to purchase new digital X-ray equipment for the new hospital. It was also proposed that 25 beds would be made available, possibly, at Park House, of which 10 would be National Health beds. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Clr. Brabon expressed his concern at the dangerous condition of the pavement by the Sensory Gardens corner following cable laying work being carried out there. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that it be made safe. Clr. Brabon also commented on the spate of vandalism that had occurred in the village recently, including several windows smashed and the picnic tables upturned in the gardens. The clerk was instructed to write to Dyfed Powys Police informing them of these incidents and also ask who were the allocated officers for Saundersfoot. Members did emphasise the importance of reporting all incidents to the police so that they could be documented. Clr. Cleevely said that he had attended a Dyfed Powys Police meeting recently and that the government were advocating a community policing policy in the county. This was already operating in Carmarthen and would no doubt come to Pembrokeshire in due course. Clr. Cleevely suggested arranging a meeting as soon as possible to discuss the report into the Saundersfoot Harbour Enhancement Scheme prior to the Stakeholders meeting taking place. It was decided that the council meet at 6.30 pm on Thursday, January 5, to discuss the report prior to the main meeting. Clr. Cleevely also reported to members that the toilets in Saundersfoot were closed on Monday, November 28, and this was possibly down to the severe weather conditions. Clr. Allsop asked if a grit container could be located on Sandyhill Road, as promised several months ago. The clerk was instructed to write to Pembrokeshire County Council requesting that a container be located there. Clr. Baker again expressed his grave concern at tasks not being carried out in Saundersfoot and suggested that a large amount of money needed to be spent improving the image of the village. He highlighted the following as urgent tasks that needed to be carried out: Barbecue building - exterior: Following the recent sale and development of the Barbecue building in the heart of the village, the promised enhancement of the exterior had not been addressed. The demolition of the outbuildings was part of the newsagents agreement; the exterior improvement was to be carried out by the county council. There had been no action to date. Roads and pavements: Existing roads and pavements were now a patchwork quilt, due to recent Welsh Water work and BT works. The anti- slip surface at the pelican crossing and up St. Brides Hill was in need of replacement, due to the trenches and poor initial workmanship. Kerbs around the Sensory Garden were now collapsing into the trenches. White and yellow lines were badly worn; this was now highlighted following the Welsh Water work (which only replaced the section damaged by the trench). With regard to yellow lines in the village, this was a Catch 22 situation. The police would not book parking offenders if the lines were not complete, while the county were loath to spend money on repainting the lines if the restrictions were not enforced. The mini roundabout at the Harbour entrance had caused a bottleneck and gridlock in the summer. A hatched box was suggested in June '04, but apparently this was not possible; 'no waiting' was to be added to roundabout. There had been no action to date. Street furniture: Requests had been made for many years to have bollards, lamp-posts and litter bins painted. Originally these were all the responsibility of separate county departments. Limited work had been carried out. Public toilets: Refurbishment of both toilet blocks was now urgently required, and winter opening of both was essential as Saundersfoot was a tourist resort appealing to visitors all year around. The £300/week quoted to the community council to run the toilets in the winter was not viable. The money saved following seasonal closures had not been spent in Saundersfoot. Clr. Baker said that he would raise all these issues at the Area Liaison meeting. Clr. Baker also informed members that Clr. Cavell had asked him to raise the issue of the poor condition of the footway from Pyarts Nest to Saundersfoot School and said that this matter had been raised several months ago. The clerk was instructed to write to Pembrokeshire County Council requesting that consideration be given to improving the footway. The next meeting will be held in the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, on Thursday, January 5, at 6.30 pm, to discuss the Harbour Enhancement Scheme.