Prior to the start of the July meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council, Chairman Cleevely welcomed Inspector Smith to his first meeting with the council and invited him to address members. Chairman Cleevely then invited members to ask Inspector Smith some questions. Clr. Brabon asked if the incidents attended by the police were caused by local people or holidaymakers. Inspector Smith said that incidents vary.. Clr. Brabon then commented on the problem of boy racers in Saundersfoot which was ongoing and what were the police doing about this problem. Inspector Smith agreed it was a growing problem and said the police were doing all they could to alleviate it and speed checks were taking place. He said that the police had powers to confiscate the vehicles if the drivers had no insurance etc., and added that the owners of the vehicles seized had to pay £130 to get it back. Clr. Hayes said that problems were being experienced in Beddoes Court with regard to skateboarders and asked what could be done about this. Inspector Smith said that the new Neighbourhood Policing Team would certainly look at resolving this type of problem. He added that he was pleased to inform members that there would be a full-time traffic warden on duty in Saundersfoot during the summer months and there would also be extra police presence during July and August. Clr. Brabon then asked as a large amount of money had been spent on the CCTV camera in Saundersfoot, had any arrests been made due directly to the camera presence. Inspector Smith said the camera had been an excellent addition to detecting crime in Saundersfoot and arrests had been made directly due to the camera being there. Inspector Smith said that the camera was monitored as often as possible and pointed in directions where crime was more likely to occur and said the presence of the camera also acted as a deterrent in itself. Chairman Cleevely informed Inspector Smith that the Harbour Commissioners were applying for barriers to be erected at the entrance to the harbour car park due to boy racers, and most people were against this happening and hoped that the problem could be resolved prior to making a final decision on the barriers. Inspector Smith said that hopefully the problem could be resolved prior to making that decision and that he would do all he could to alleviate the problem. Clr. Baker asked if there had been any volunteers to monitor the CCTV camera in Saundersfoot. Inspector Smith said that he had acquired the services of one volunteer for these duties. Clr. Poole asked if anything was being done to reduce the speeding problem in Saundersfoot. Inspector Smith said that speeding was a problem, not only in Saundersfoot, especially with taxis, but unfortunately, only one speed gun was available in the whole of Dyfed Powys Police area. However, officers were doing all they could to prosecute drivers who did break the speed limit. Chairman Cleevely then thanked Inspector Smith for attending the meeting and being so open and honest with members. He said he was delighted to hear that a full-time traffic warden would be on duty in Saundersfoot during the summer months and said that in past, meetings with the police had not been very successful , but he hoped following this meeting, Saundersfoot would see an improvement. Chairman Cleevely hoped that Inspector Smith would attend again later in the year to review the summer season. The meeting proper then started. Chairman Cleevely asked members to stand for a minute's silence in memory of Oliver Morgan who had tragically died in the village.
chairman's report
Chairman Cleevely informed members that he had attended the Saundersfoot Sports Club to judge the Carnival Queen and King contest, which proved to be very enjoyable, but a very difficult task. He had also attended a function in the St. Bride's Hotel, organised by the Saundersfoot Chamber of Tourism and PLANED thanking everyone for the work done in Saundersfoot over the last year.
matters arising from the minutes
Inspection of headstones: Chairman Cleevely informed members that a meeting with Stewart Treharne had taken place and an excellent presentation was given to members. At the meeting, Mr. Treharne said that there could be problems establishing who actually owned the grave if both the purchaser and spouse had died. He went on to say that prior to any testing taking place, the public should be made aware of this by public notices etc., and the owner of any headstone found to be unsafe should be notified in writing and warning signs should be erected around any unsafe headstone. Chairman Cleevely said that £10,000 had been put aside for the testing to take place and Mr. Treharne would have to know from the community council what exactly was required to be done. The clerk then informed members that he had spoken to Memsafe Ltd., with regard to costings and was given a very detailed list of what each test would cost from a simple test to a more major repair. Chairman Cleevely suggested obtaining a similar list of costs from Mr. Treharne and all members agreed. Cambrian Hotel development: The clerk informed members that he had received a letter from the National Park which stated that despite pressure from them to resolve the matter, the legal agreement in respect of affordable housing had yet to be finalised and until such time as this had been completed, the planning consent could not be issued and regrettably the delay was with the applicants. The letter concluded by saying that the concerns of the council would be passed onto the agent and it was hoped the matter would be resolved in the near future. Grounds committee report: Clr. Brabon reported that no progress had been made on any of the issues raised by him at the June meeting of the council. He added that he, along with the clerk, had purchased shrubs for the border by the Information Centre and these had been planted. Chairman Cleevely conveyed his thanks to Clr. Brabon and the clerk for carrying out this work. Clr. Brabon reported that a shrub by the ice-cream kiosk had encroached on to the path and needed to be staked. Clrs. Poole and Brabon said that they would arrange to carry out this work. Clr. Brabon informed members that Mr. Phil Odley had kindly cleared the grid by the ice-cream kiosk, which was blocked, and Clr. Hayes said that she would contact Pembrokeshire County Council to arrange that all the grids in the gardens be cleared. The clerk informed members that he had sent the list of issues compiled by members to Mr. Ian Westley, but had not received a reply. Clr. Hayes said that she would contact Mr. Westley to see if progress could be made. Chairman Cleevely asked if the car park area by the Regency Hall could be cleaned more regularly and the grassed area leading to the sports field be cut. Clr. Brabon said that he would arrange for these tasks to be carried out. The clerk was instructed to speak to Mr. Rhys Thomas, Smart Gardens, with a view to landscaping the area leading to the sports field and to cut the overgrowth on the hedge in the cemetery. PLANED Community Composting and Recycling: Chairman Cleevely reported to members that a public meeting was held in the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, on July 3, and 20 members of the public were present. At the meeting, it was decided to form a Community Group and Clr. Baker was installed as chairman of the group. Funding of £1,000 was available, plus £300 per annum for three years. Chairman Cleevely suggested that when the next meeting was convened, Clr. Brabon acted as the council representative on this group, and all members present agreed. Wogan Terrace, Saundersfoot: Clr. Poole advised members that, in his view, the governors should take the initiative and do their utmost to commit the school to preparing a Travel Plan for a Safe Routes to School grant. The clerk informed members that he had not heard from Clr. Peter Stock on any progress on improvements there and said that he would contact Clr. Stock again on the matter. Sewerage spill: Clr. Hayes reported to members that another sewerage spill had occurred at Incline Way recently and Pembrokeshire County Council would be writing to all residents in Ridgewood Gardens outlining the remedial actions that they would undertake to rectify the problem. Affordable housing: Chairman Cleevely informed members that the council had decided not to carry out a Housing Needs Survey due to costs, but he had spoken to Joan Asby, PLANED, who had agreed to sent out the questionnaires free of charge with the Action Plan leaflets being sent to every household in Saundersfoot. The only cost to the council would be approximately £150. Members agreed to go ahead with this proposal. Clr. Baker said that Matthew Owens, the Housing Needs Enabler, would arrange for press coverage of the survey as it was important that the questionnaires were returned. Youth activities in Saundersfoot: Chairman Cleevely said that the council had met with Lyn Chattoe from PLANED recently regarding the above. At the meeting, Clr. Brabon produced a list of activities currently available in Saundersfoot which indicated that there was, in fact, a great deal for youngsters to get involved with in Saundersfoot. Chairman Cleevely then read out a letter from a local youngster, Dewi Thomas, who asked for more activities in the village, especially a skateboard park. The clerk was instructed to reply to Dewi stating that there were many facilities in Saundersfoot at present, but unfortunately, not every community could have a skateboard park due to lack of space. Grounds Committee - Cenotaph: The clerk was instructed to arrange a meeting of the Grounds Committee as soon as possible to assess what work needed to be carried out there.
planning applications
Extension, Regency Hall, Saundersfoot. Extension etc., Brambley Hedge, Saundersfoot. Refurbishment, Greenfolds, Saundersfoot. Conservatory, 48 Whitlow, Saundersfoot. The clerk informed members that a site meeting had been held on June 29, at Fig Tree Cottage, Saundersfoot, and that although the amended plans were greatly reduced from the original, there were questions over the measurements of the extension and until accurate measurements were received no further comments could be made. Members raised no objections to the applications.
correspondence received
The clerk read out a notice from the Local Health Board informing the public that from July 7, emergency dental services would be held on Sundays at Tenby Cottage Hospital and for further information the telephone to ring is 0845 6010128. Members of the public can contact the Local Health Board on 01437 771257 to add their name to the dental unregistered patient waiting list. A letter was received from Saundersfoot Bowling Club requesting that a gazebo-type tent be erected on the grass, very near the ticket office on the occasion of the Rossiter Golden Charter Tournament on August 26. It was proposed by Clr. Hayes and seconded by Clr. Allsop that this request be granted. Clrs. Poole and Brabon declared an interest and took no part in this debate. A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council stating that it was the council's commitment to reduce the number of empty homes in the area and they have been given new powers to tackle empty dwellings following the introduction of the Housing Act 2004 and could also serve improvement notices, use compulsory purchase orders and enforce the sale of problem cottages. A list of successful candidates under the National Park Conservation Area Grant Scheme for 2007/ 2008 was received. A letter was received from the Mid and West Wales Fire Service with regard to a Free Home Fire Safety Check, which would provide information on how to stay safe should a fire occur. The service would also check, replace and install smoke detectors and other equipment free of charge. A notice of the AGM of One Voice Wales was received which will take place at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells on October 13. Members decided that Clrs. Baker and McDermott should attend. The Ombudsman Annual Report 2006/07 was received from the Welsh Assembly Government. A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council regarding dog control orders which the council had introduced under the Clean Neighbourhood Act 2005. The Act provided five offences when dog control orders can be made. i) Failure to remove dog faeces from land to which the public have access. ii) Not keeping a dog on a lead. iii) Not putting and keeping a dog on a lead when requested to do so by an authorised officer. iv) Permitting a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded. v) Taking more than a specified number of dogs onto land.
reports from various committees, including county councillor's report
Clr. Hayes reported to members that the taxi rank opposite Spar would remain, as officers from Pembrokeshire County Council had visited Saundersfoot and observed taxis using the area late at night. Clr. Hayes said that a tree in the cemetery had lost a large branch, and this tree, along with two other Cypress should be removed following advice from Mr. Matt Smail, tree officer, National Park. The clerk was advised to contact Smart Gardens for a quote regarding the removal of these trees. Clr. Hayes reported that in response to the quality of the green bags issued by Pembrokeshire County Council, she had received an e-mail from Mr. Ian Westley stating that the bags had been checked and appeared to be of adequate strength and fit for purpose, but anyone who was unhappy with the quality, the authority would be happy to exchange them. Clr. Hayes informed members that enforcement action would be taken by the National Park on traders using the beach in Saundersfoot if they continued to trade without planning permission and the situation would be monitored closely by health and safety officers. Clr. McDermott said that he had attended the AGM of the Regency Hall Committee and all current officers were re-elected. He said concern was expressed at the closure of the old school on August 31, and lack of improvements with regard to groups moving to the Regency Hall. He added that the Caring Association was moving to the sports club to hold their meetings. Finally, Clr. McDermott said that plans for refurbishment of the hall had been submitted to National Park and a response was awaited. Clr. Baker said that he had attended the One Voice Wales AGM on June 26, where a presentation of the Rural Development Plan was given by Joan Asby. He went on to say that "Appointments of officers by town and community councils were made in accordance with the new procedure, and it was proposed and seconded that all councils were to be balloted." Clr. Baker informed members that he had been appointed the Pembrokeshire representative to the South West Wales Integrated Transport Committee. He went on to say that general concern was expressed at the meeting to the electoral review proposals and what difference it made to County Hall how many councillors were serving on community councils as there is no cost involved. Finally, Clr. Baker said that the Welsh Language Board was chasing community councils for their Welsh Language policy following the Welsh Language Act 1991.
any other business
Clr. Hayes reported that bags of grass were being deposited inside the gates of the old cemetery and the clerk was instructed to contact the contractor regarding this. Clr. Hayes asked if the contractor could also clear brambles and overgrowth from the old cemetery. The clerk was instructed to arrange this. Clr. John reported that the footpath leading up Stammers Road was overgrown, making it difficult for pedestrians. Clr. Hayes said that she would investigate and arrange for the overgrowth to be cut back. Clr. Brabon expressed his concern at motorists driving into the one way system from Brewery Terrace into Cambrian Terrace and asked if anything could be done to prevent this from happening. The clerk was instructed to write to highways requesting that the signs indicating 'No Entry' be lowered, making motorists more aware of the one-way system there. Clr. Baker asked if the joint meeting between Mr. Matthew Owens, Housing Enabling Officer, Housing Association, and National Park could be arranged as soon as possible to discuss making progress on affordable housing in the area. The clerk was instructed to organise this.