Prior to the commencement of business, chairman Baker welcomed Mr. Jez Beynon to the April meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council.

Mr. Beynon was present to explain to members in more detail his planning application for an extension to 20 Scandinavian Heights, Saundersfoot.

Initially, the community council had commented that the extension was not in keeping with surrounding properties and Mr. Beynon hoped following his information, the council would withdraw their comments. He said that similar extensions had been carried out in Scandinavian Heights and his was no different from those.

Following Mr. Beynon's presentation, chairman Baker said that the application would be discussed again along with other applications received and he would be informed of the council's decision in due course.

chairman's report

Chairman Baker said that he had attended the walk around the village with Mr. Glenville Codd, Pembrokeshire County Council's area maintenance manager. A number of issues were raised and Mr. Codd took away a list of work to consider.

Chairman Baker had attended the South East Area Liaison meeting when presentations were made regarding the Pembrokeshire County Council Local Development Plan and the PCNPA Local Development Plan. He expressed his concern that Saundersfoot had not been allocated any development land within the next plan, this plan being in place until 2021. However, the element of affordable housing for Saundersfoot, would be 60 per cent, but 60 per cent of a zero allocation did not produce any houses.

Clr. Pearson and chairman Baker made a presentation to the Deputy Minister for Regeneration, Mr. Leighton Andrews AM, when all aspects of work carried out in Saundersfoot, supported by PLANED, were explained. They also took the opportunity to explain the 'Vision for Saundersfoot' project.

matters arising

from the minutes

Business rates: The clerk read out a letter from the Welsh Assembly Government which stated that business rates were tax based on rental values of properties and were assessed by multiplying the rateable value of a property by an amount known as a multiplier, which increased every April.

The letter went on to say that rates were one of the three main sources of income for local government and local authorities did have the power to grant relief to businesses on real grounds of hardship, and businesses had to prove that they would sustain real hardship if its relief was not granted.

Meeting with Mr. Glenville Codd, Pembrokeshire County Council: The clerk reported that four members of the council met with Mr. Codd to tour the village and discuss the following outstanding issues.

Disabled toilet: Mr. Codd said that the barrier would be removed from the toilet once the door had been repaired and this would be done shortly.

Bank of stream: Mr. Codd informed members that the bank was included in the grass cutting schedule for Saundersfoot and would be cut as soon as possible.

Sunken drains in village: The clerk said that the list of sunken drains compiled by Clr. Brabon was passed on to Mr. Codd for action.

Foul odours in Brewery Terrace: Mr. Codd was aware of the problem and investigations were ongoing. Clr. Brabon said that businesses in Brewery Terrace were complaining of foul odours and he had met with Mr. John Murphy from Pembrokeshire County Council's public protection department who for the previous two weeks had been trying to solve the problem and was hoping to replace the manhole covers on Brewery Terrace.

Flooding, Westfield Road: Mr. Codd said that work had been carried out there which had improved the situation somewhat and he would speak to Mr. Rob Evans on the matter with a view to carrying out further improvements to alleviate any further problems.

Incline to Winding House: Mr. Codd made notes of the concerns regarding the poor condition of this walkway.

Repainting lineage: Mr. Codd said that job cards had been submitted for the work and it would be carried out as soon as possible.

BT cover top of High Street: Mr. Codd said that he would investigate what improvements could be carried out to alleviate the problem of flooding around the cover.

Resurfacing throughout Saundersfoot: Mr. Codd agreed that certain areas of Saundersfoot needed resurfacing, especially at the bottom of High Street, and he would take these concerns on board.

Bus shelter, Wiseman's Bridge: Chairman Baker reported that he had been informed that the ceiling was asbestos and would seek advice from Pembrokeshire County Council on its removal.

Saundersfoot Railway Station: Clr. Hayes said that she had written again to Network Rail stating that no work had been carried out there and asked when some progress would be made on the problem.

Chairman Baker said that he had also spoken to Mr. Howard Williams-Jones from Network Rail who would be cutting trees in the area shortly and was willing to meet members and chairman Baker said that he would obtain dates for the meeting.

Clr. Hayes said that Mr. Wyer (the owner) was on an extended holiday and thought that the best solution would be that Network Rail purchased the land back from Mr. Wyer.

Clr. Brabon asked if he could attend the next liaison meeting where Clr. Rob Lewis would be in attendance and he would raise this issue with him, and members said that he could attend as council representative.

Street cleaner: Clr. Brabon was concerned that the street cleaner was not being used as often as it should in Saundersfoot and was also concerned that Saundersfoot could lose the new one if nowhere could be found to house it.

Chairman Baker said that this would not happen and Clr. Cleevely suggested that an area at the rear of the sports club could possibly be used for storing the machine and chairman Baker said that he would investigate this option.

Ditch, putting green: Clr. Brabon informed members that Mr. Tony Allen had started to clear the top ditch, but the ground was still wet and was cutting up badly, and he had spoken to Mr. Mike Franklin, the owner of the crazy golf equipment, who had agreed to move one set of equipment temporarily to allow work to recommence after Easter, when hopefully the ground would have dried out. Clr. Brabon said that this would allow a dumper to collect and unload rubbish near the car park to be loaded into a lorry, but this would result in an extra £100 being spent on the clearance.

It was proposed by Clr. Hayes and seconded by Clr. S. John that the extra cost be funded by the council for this work to be completed.

Clr. Brabon then reported to members that the small ditch had also been drained of excess water and the pipes had been rodded and asked if the bowling club could clear their drains around the green as agreed in a previous meeting.

Clr. Cavell declared an interest in this debate and took no part.

Footpath to Glen Beach: The clerk read out a letter from National Park stating that the improvement would would be carried out before the end of June.

Cambrian Hotel: The clerk read out a letter from National Park informing members of the conditions not met by the developers prior to commencement of work.

The clerk said that he had written to the developers and spoken to Mr. Dave Randell on carrying out minor refurbishment to the building, but had not received a reply from the developers.

Clr. Brabon expressed his concerns again at the dreadful state of the building and said that National Parks should include a clause whereby the developers maintain the property to a high standard even though the development had not commenced.

Clr. S. John agreed and said the role of National Park was to keep the areas in their control up to a high standard and this was not happening.

The clerk was instructed to write to National Park again stressing that urgent action must be taken to clean up the building and the car park area with copies sent to Mr. Nick Ainger MP and Angela Burns AM.

Sunken graves, St. Issell's Cemetery: The clerk informed members that he had spoken to Mr. David Seaman, Pembrokeshire County Council, on the matter and was told that it was the community council's responsibility to rectify any problems with sunken graves.

Members were not happy with their response and the clerk was instructed to contact One Voice Wales for guidance.

Playground inspection: The clerk said that he had contacted Pembrokeshire County Council on the matter and was told that when the equipment is installed this was the date given as the possible life expectancy, but this did not mean that the equipment was dangerous or unsafe from that date as annual inspections took place and any problems fund were rectified.

Model Village: Clr. Pearson said that she had spoken to the owner and was told that a visit to the Model Village was not convenient at present, but would inform her when a visit could be arranged.

Motor Caravan Magazine: The clerk said that he had received a telephone call from the magazine who were very apologetic at Saundersfoot not being mentioned in the article. The clerk had since sent a photograph of Saundersfoot to the magazine which would be included in a future edition.

agenda

Police meeting: Clr. S. John said that at previous meetings with the police, the inspector gave his report quoting favourable statistics etc., but nothing positive seemed to have materialised from the meetings with regard to future policing in the village.

He went on to say that the next time the police attended, members should be more prepared as to what policing was required during the summer months. He said that policing was required more often in The Strand where motorists regularly parked in disabled bays when not displaying a blue badge and also the monitoring of lorries entering the village should be enforced more closely.

Clr. John asked if members could draw up a list of priorities prior to meeting with the police and chairman Baker said that this could be included as an agenda item for the May meeting. The clerk was instructed to invite Inspector Smith to the June meeting of the council.

planning applications

With regard to 20 Scandinavian Heights, Saundersfoot, members decided to visit the site to compare similar extensions prior to making a decision.

Tool and garden shed, 19 Hean Close, Saundersfoot.

Extension, Prospect Cottage, Saundersfoot.

Solar Panels, Arosfa, Ridgeway, Saundersfoot.

Solar system, 15 Ragged Staff, Saundersfoot.

Members raised no objections to the applications.

Clr. McDermott declared an interest in the Hean Close plan, Clrs. Hayes, S. John and P. Barker in The Ridgeway application, and they took no part in these debates.

correspondence received

A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council stating that waiting restrictions in Wiseman's Bride would apply all year instead of April 1-September 30.

A letter was received from PLANED informing members of the 'Communities as the Hub of Rural Life' project which aims to support the development of key communities such as Amroth, East Williamston, Jeffreyston, Kilgetty, Begelly, Reynalton, Stepaside, Summerhill and Saundersfoot. An evening had been organised for June 9 inviting key stakeholders within each community to see how action can be taken forward.

reports from various committees including county councillor's report

Clr. Pearson said that she had attended a Regency Hall Committee meeting and environmental issues were raised as to the new hall, and all possible ecological issues would be addressed. She said the treasurer had attended three meetings with regard to the regeneration plan and PLANED was sending a representative to the next meeting.

Clr. Pearson said that she had attended a Saundersfoot in Bloom meeting and the committee was re-elected en block. She said the committee thanked Mr. Terry Lewis for all the hard-work he contributed in the Sensory Gardens which was in excellent condition.

Clr. Pearson said that she, along with Clr. Hayes, had toured the village with regard to displaying hanging baskets and the Saundersfoot in Bloom judging day would be on July 15.

Clr. Brabon updated members with regard to the Sensory Gardens and said that the fountain was now working again thanks to Clrs. Poole and McDermott and he said thanks should also go to Mr. Terry Lewis for detecting the fault. He said that the fountain had been vandalised and the stones would no longer be secured but left loose.

Clr. Hayes expressed her concern at dogs (except guide dogs) using the Sensory Gardens and asked if signage could be erected in the gardens.

Members were not in agreement with the extra signage, but chairman Baker said he would ask the dog warden to include the gardens during her visit to Saundersfoot.

Clr. Brabon asked if Mr. Terry Lewis could install small containers near the bins to accommodate cigarette butt ends, and members agreed that they could be installed for a trial period.

Clr. Cavell informed members that the grant for the Safe Routes to School Travel Plan had been 100 per cent successful and chairman Baker said that thanks should go to everyone involved in the bid process.

Clr. McDermott said that he had attended a One Voice Wales area meeting and a very interesting talk was given by a representative from the Wales Audit Offices.

Chairman Baker informed members of an improved bus service to be operated between Narberth and Tenby, and Haverfordwest and Tenby. Also Silcox Coaches would operate a connecting service at Narberth with the improved 381 route and this would improve the bus service to Carmarthen for residents living along the Narberth to Tenby corridor.

Chairman Baker said that he had contacted Network Rail (Great Western Zone) and the area manager continued to try and contact Mr. Wyer. As soon as Mr. Wyer returned from his holiday, a meeting would be convened at the station.

Chairman Baker said at a recent meeting of the environment overview and scrutiny committee, senior managers from Welsh Water confirmed that the adoption of private sewers by Welsh Water would not occur until at least April 2011 which would be of particular interest to residents on a number of Saundersfoot residential estates.

Chairman Baker said three meetings had been held in the last month of the Projects Steering Group and discussions had been held with The Princes Foundation regarding possible assistance in moving the vision forward.

Chairman Baker said that he had invited Mr. Alex Alyson to investigate how a multi-use games area may be sited and funded within the village.

Chairman Baker said a Saundersfoot Recycling Group Committee meeting had been held and it was pleasing that the local St. Issell's Guides were to continue to help in the Recycling Adopt A Site Scheme for 2009/10. Funding was reduced for the year, but funds would still be available to continue with the local projects. Subject to the community council supporting the group with insurance cover, a beach clean would be held on May 15, 7.30 - 8.30 pm.

any other business

Clr. C. John informed members that two gas cylinders had been deposited in the stream near the Sands Nightclub. Chairman Baker said that he would arrange to get them removed.

Clr. Brabon reported that branches had been removed and deposited on the parcel of land opposite the police station by a lorry towing a caravan to enable him to negotiate the bend. The clerk was instructed to contact the council's contractor to get them removed.

Clr. Hayes reported that a rose tree and vase had been removed from a grave in the cemetery. It was agreed that the incident be reported to the police at the forum meeting.

Clr. S. John expressed his concern that the telephone directories recently delivered had been dropped in driveways rather than being delivered to doors. The clerk was instructed to write to BT expressing concerns at this delivery service.

Clr. Pearson asked if two disabled parking bays could be allocated within the Regency Hall area. Members thought the most suitable bays would be immediately inside the entrance gates and the clerk was instructed to investigate.

The next meeting of the council will be held on Thursday, May 7, at 7 pm in the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot.