At a recent meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council, Chairman Allsop welcomed Mr. Paul Treweeks, a member of the 3 Amigos, who was present to request permission from the council to proceed through Saundersfoot on Sunday, April 1, with approximately 700 other motor cyclists.

Mr. Treweeks said that the procession would leave the Commons Car Park in Pembroke and proceed through Tenby and Saundersfoot and finish at Haverfordwest Rugby Club.

It was hoped that the group would stop in Saundersfoot for approximately 45 minutes, hopefully in the Harbour car park so that the public could inspect the bikes present.

Clr. Hayes said that permission would have to be granted by the Harbour Commissioners for use of the car park prior to April 1.

Mr. Treweeks said two options could be considered, one to assembly in the Harbour car park and the other to proceed through Saundersfoot from Stammers Road, around the one way system and exit Saundersfoot up St. Brides Hill.

Clr. Baker said that the group could assembly from the slipway towards Jones and Teague if that area was cordoned off. Members agreed with this option and the clerk was instructed to write to the Harbour Commissioners asking for their support for this proposal.

The meeting proper then started.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Chairman Allsop said that the council dinner in the Gower Hotel was very successful and a wonderful meal was provided by the hotel.

Chairman Allsop asked if extra tables could be provided for the jubilee celebrations on June 3 in the BBQ area and it was agreed that these be provided by the Regency Hall.

Chairman Allsop said that she had purchased flags and bunting in bulk and hoped that she could sell off the surplus to businesses etc in the village.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

Salt bins: The clerk reported to members that all the salt bins had been delivered and installed and keys had been purchased for the bins and the key holders would be as follows: Whitlow (Don Poole); Vanderhoof Way (Graham Poole); Bevelin Hall (Bob Parsons); The Glen (P. Parker); North Close (Mary Cavell); Incline (to be decided); Ridgeway Close (Bill Cleevely).

Clr. Cavell asked if consideration could be given to ordering more bins next year for Swallowdale and Ridgeway Gardens and members agreed this could be done if they were still available. Clr. John said that he had purchased seven dustpans to be placed in each bin to spread the salt.

Site visit, Mountain Ash, Saundersfoot: An email was received from National Park stating despite several attempts to discuss a site visit to the above property, National Park was obliged to proceed with the application and it was granted permission on December 22, 2011.

Dog fouling signs: Clr. Baker produced to members no dogs signs for the Sensory Gardens.

New Year's Day Swim: Clr. Hayes said that the Coppet Hall Car Park was full to capacity on New Year's Day and were even parking on the road leading to Saundersfoot.

Lopping of Trees, Incline, Saundersfoot: A letter was received from Mr. Mike Higgins, tree officer, National Park, stating that he had made a visit to the site to assess the further works reported by the community council. He said, following the initial site meeting, he had sent out letters as discussed to the householders and he had also spoken to the developer on the matter.

Clr. Cavell said that she had walked this path with a member of CADW and had noticed illegal dumping of overgrowth in this area and the clerk was instructed to write to Pembrokeshire County Council requesting that it be cleared.

Stream, Saundersfoot: Clr. Baker said that it had become more difficult to clear the stream since Tesco had opened in Saundersfoot and he would be arranging a walkabout with Mr. Glen Codd in the spring to discuss the clearance of the stream.

Litter Bin, St. Issell's Church: Clr. Hayes reminded members that the old bin should not have been removed from the cemetery until the new one was installed. Clr. Brabon again asked when would the new one be installed as it had been promised for some time and Clr. Baker replied and said when requests were submitted, a card was issued for the job to be done, and unfortunately things did not happen overnight as requests were received from over 60 community councils throughout the county.

Wall, near Regency Hall Car Park: The clerk reported that he had not received a response with regard to the above matter and Clr. Baker said that he would investigate.

Moreton Lane, Saundersfoot: A letter was received from Mr. Anthony Richards, National Park, stating that the route had been inspected and would undertake repairs to the pot holes when the next spell of dry weather provided them with a suitable opportunity.

The letter went on to say that it had been observed that heavy goods vehicles had been using the lane causing damage to the surface and asked if members had any information that may be of assistance on the matter, they looked forward to hearing from them.

Clr. Hayes produced an email from a resident on Moreton Lane stating that he had carried out repairs to this road in 2006 at his own expense and the main problem was the large amount of surface water flowing down this lane eroding everything in its path and unfortunately no one would admit to owning the lane as they would probably be required to maintain it in the future.

Headstones, St. Issell's Cemetery: The clerk informed members that he had spoken to One Voice Wales and was told that after a certain time had elapsed the council would be in their right to lay the headstones flat, but this would be a last resort. He said that he had also spoken to Mr. Andrew Davies, Tenby Town Council, and they had not carried out an inspection on their headstones at all following a directive that this inspection need not have taken place. The clerk said that he had also spoken to Mr. Stewart Treharne and he was prepared to meet with members to inspect those headstones which were still banded and assess which was the best way forward.

Clr. Hayes said that if the council decided to make these headstone safe, this would not be fair on those who had paid to repair their headstones.

Clr. Cleevely expressed his concern that if the banded headstones were deemed to be unsafe and did fall and injure someone, the council would be liable for any injuries incurred.

The clerk was instructed to speak to Mr. Stewart Treharne with a view to laying all the banded headstone flat.

AGENDA

Fan Road, Saundersfoot: Clr. Brabon expressed his concern at the condition of the above road and he believed that the county council should seriously consider making improvements to make it safer for pedestrians and motorists alike. He said the road was the main entrance into Saundersfoot from the Kilgetty side and asked if consideration be given to providing a walkway from the junction to the dangerous corner towards Saundersfoot to make it easier for pedestrians to access Saundersfoot from the Railway Stations. He went on to say that Saundersfoot was a popular family resort and the community council had been asking for years to improvements to take place on this stretch of road and especially at the junction with Station Road. Clr. Brabon asked if a letter could be sent to Pembrokeshire County Council voicing council's very strong concerns and asking that they consider making some improvements there.

Clr. Poole agreed with Clr. Brabon, but unfortunately very few fatalities occurred on this stretch road and this was taken into account prior to major improvements taking place.

Clr. Baker also agreed, and asked how many people used this road and said the county council would have to prioritise all major projects.

Clr. Hayes said that she walked that stretch of road regularly and it can be very dangerous and there was a big drop on the side of the road making it dangerous if any vehicle left the road.

Clr. John said that it was the main access road into Saundersfoot and it was very busy and did need improving.

The clerk reminded members that in October 2010 PLANED had carried a survey and one of the proposals put forward was to create a footway from Saundersfoot Railway Station to Saundersfoot via the Fan Road.

Members decided to ask the county council to carry out a traffic census on this road, for sight of the original drawings of the planned improvements drawn-up many years ago and also ask for improvements to be carried out there.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Sun Lounge, Brooklands Nursing Home, Saundersfoot; extension, 5 Ocean Point, Saundersfoot; conservatory, Cranmere, Saundersfoot. No objections were raised on the applications.

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

A letter was received from St. Issell's WI requesting permission to erect a plaque in the Sensory Gardens next to the shrub they are donating to the gardens. Members commented that requests similar to this one had been refused in the past. Members decided to erect a noticeboard on the outside of the gardens and highlight any organisations on this board who had made contributions to the gardens. Clr. Baker said that he would speak to National Park to establish if planning permission is needed to erect this noticeboard.

A letter of thanks was received from the Saundersfoot Festivities Committee for the financial support given to the New Year's Day Swim and also to members for distributing the medals on the day.

A letter of thanks was received from the Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism for the fireworks display in the village on New Year's Eve which was funded by the community council and also for the contribution to the hiring of a generator for the Christmas market.

A letter of thanks was received from Mr. Bob Parsons, Scandinavian Heights for the supply of a salt bin for his area. He also thanked County Councillor Phil Baker for giving of his time in his very busy schedule and meeting to discuss the location of the new bin.

A letter was received from Mr. Alex Allison Pembrokeshire County Council, requesting he attended a future meeting of the council to discuss broadband access in the area. Members decided to ask Mr. Allison to attend the April meeting of the council.

An application for tree works to be carried out on the Incline was received from National Park.

REPORTS FROM VARIOUS COMMITTEES, INCLUDING COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT

Clr. Brabon reported as follows: Clr. Brabon reported that Mr. Terry Lewis had commenced replacing the rotten posts around the perimeter in the Sensory Gardens. He went on to say that Mr. Lewis continued to keep the gardens in an excellent condition despite dreadful weather so thanks should go to him for his work.

Clr. Brabon said that he had emptied the bins in the cemetery and was pleased that no black bags had been deposited there.

Clr. Baker reported: Resurfacing - a huge thanks to Pembrokeshire County Council who have undertaken a long awaited re-surfacing project in The Glen, much to the satisfaction of the local residents; St. Bride's Hill - the anti-skid surfacing will be renewed in the spring due to the gradient and the volume of traffic the existing surface has stood up quite well, but was now in need of attention; new waste bins - the new bin had been installed at the Wesleyan Chapel; benches - the refurbished bench has been installed at Rushy Lake; other items of work in the pipeline included - new bin at St. Issell's new cemetery, dog fouling sign for the play area, post and rail fence at Brooklands Place; civil parking - following a recent exchange of letters and e-mails, the CPE wardens had been seen more regularly in Saundersfoot and a corresponding increase in tickets issued noticed. 

Clr. McDermott reported that he had attended a Regency Hall committee meeting and the sports and social club had now signed a new lease with the hall committee. He said that a new website had been set-up for the hall committee, namely regencyhall.org.uk. He said thanks should go to Clr. John for his input in setting this up. Clr. McDermott said that bookings remain good.

Clr. Cavell reported: a mobile planetarium had been acquired in Saundersfoot School where pupils would be able to explore the cosmos. The mobile planetarium had a projector which provided high resolution images of the universe, as well as a computer simulated star field display designed to bring cutting edge science to all students in the county. Clr. Cavell went on to say that the planetarium had been based at Saundersfoot School and it had been a welcome addition to the school's activities and it has benefited pupils and staff alike.

Clr. Cavell reminded members that when the rebuild of the Regency Hall commenced, Saundersfoot School was available and enquiries should be directed to Janet Bevans on 812819.

Clr. Hayes reported to members that she had attended PACT meetings and the following was discussed: parking tickets were discussed and a letter from a resident was sent to Pembrokeshire County Council regarding the difference in tickets issued in Saundersfoot compared with Tenby and Narberth. The reply from Pembrokeshire County Council stated that officers visited Saundersfoot on a regular basis and issued tickets based on what they encountered, and they visited the school regularly which was welcomed by the headteacher. She went on to say that 24 tickets were issued in Saundersfoot in January and the half hour spaces were being monitored closely. She said residents should ring 101 if they see people parking on a zig zag area.

Three reports of burning rubbish near the school had been reported to the environmental health department as the smoke was effecting the pupils of the school.

The police have requested that the developers of the Cambrian installed a CCTV camera near the gate of the car park and requested that the community council supported this request by writing to National Park.

Youths had been reported for ringing door bells and this would be monitored closely.

Residents were asked to be vigilant and were asked to lock-up outbuildings and to fit padlocks to oil tanks.

There had been an increase in fraud offences and the public were asked to hang up if a 'phone call was received regarding a virus on your computer.

There were reports of skateboarders and scooter riders causing problems in front of moving cars and these incidents were being monitored.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Clr. Hayes reported that, some time ago a van left the road near St. Issell's Church and ended up on the hedge and after the van was removed, debris still remained there and a tree needed to be removed. The clerk was instructed to write to Dyfed Powys Police requesting that the area be cleared of this debris.

Clr. Cavell reported that the area at the bottom of the Incline near the Westfield Road flats was in a dreadful state and needed to be cleared up. The clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Glen Codd, Pembrokeshire County Council, asking if the area be tidied up.

Clr. McDermott asked if the community council would write to PAVS supporting the Saundersfoot Historical Society in their quest for obtaining display boards.

Clr. McDermott updated members regarding the Cambrian development by stating that the application had been submitted to the National Park and a few minor adjustments were needed to be made prior to a final decision being made.

Clr. Woods said that she had had several meetings with Mr. Terry Lewis with regard to the Sensory Gardens and he was disappointed that the village did not enter the Wales in Bloom competition last year. She went on to say that we should enter this year and possibly set-up a sub-committee to oversee the preparations prior to entry. Clr. Woods said that it was difficult to find suitable scented shrubs for the gardens and she had delivered manure to Mr. Lewis for use in the gardens. Clr. Woods said that it would be nice if colourful plants could be planted for the jubilee celebrations and Mr. Lewis would speak to Pembrokeshire County Council employees on this matter.

Clr. Baker was concerned that Saundersfoot Community Council had still not set-up a website which had been discussed on several occasions. Clr. John said that he would take steps to setting one up as soon as possible and report back to a future meeting.

Clr. Williams said that line marking had been carried out on the Whitlow, but no line marking had taken place at the entry to the estate. The clerk was instructed to write to Marc Owen, street manager, Pembrokeshire County Council, to request that this is done.

Clr. Williams advised members that the lights were not working in the tunnel towards Wiseman's Bridge. Clr. Baker reported that water had got into the solar panels and the problem was being investigated by Pembrokeshire County Council.