The annual general meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council was held recently at the Regency Hall.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Firstly, Chairman Allsop welcomed all those members voted back on to the council and commiserated with Angela Woods and Martin Williams for not being elected. Chairman Allsop welcomed Clr. Hugh Morris to the meeting following his election.

Chairman Allsop had the pleasure of bowling the first wood of the season at Saundersfoot Bowling Club. She said she had enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon and wished the club every success for the coming season.

Chairman Allsop said that she had thrown the first dart in a 12-hour marathon in Saundersfoot Sports Club for charity.

Chairman Allsop said that she had attended New Year's Day Swim awards at the St. Brides Hotel which raised over £40,000 for various charities. She said Mr. Martyn Williams thanked the community council for their continued support.

Finally, Chairman Allsop thanked the council for allowing her to carry out the duties of chairman for 2011/2012, which she had thoroughly enjoyed, and gave special thanks should to the clerk John Griffiths for his help and support during her year. She wished Clr. John all the best for the coming year.

HANDOVER OF CHAIN OF OFFICE

It was proposed by Clr. Poole and seconded by Clr. Baker that Clr. John be installed as chairman for 2012/2012 and all members agreed.

Chairman John thanked members for voting him in as chairman and said that he would carry out his duties to the best of his ability.

Appointment of vice-chairman: It was proposed by Clr. Poole and seconded by Clr. Hayes that Clr. Cleevely be installed as vice-chairman. All members agreed.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

Planning application: A letter was received from National Park regarding the poor condition of the Jones and Teague building on the harbour and enclosing a form to be completed by the council highlighting the main concerns of the council. Clr. Baker agreed to complete the form.

Headstones, St. Issell's Cemetery: Clr. McDermott informed members that he and the clerk had drafted a notice for the local press informing the grave owners whose headstones had been banded that they would be laid flat within 30 days if not made safe and also that the cemetery was a lawned one and nothing should be placed on the plots purchased. Clr. Poole said that this notice should also be placed on the gates of the cemetery.

Regency Hall, rebuild: The clerk said that he had spoken to Mr. Harvey Thomas, Price and Kelway, and was told the original lease between the council and the Regency Hall was for 99 years and the payment was £20 per annum.

The clerk was instructed to contact Price and Kelway again to ascertain whether a new lease would have to be drawn up once the new hall was build.

Cambrian Hotel: Clr. McDermott informed members that work should commence at the end of the summer and Clr. Brabon asked if the car park be cleared of debris. Clr. McDermott said that he would speak to the developers on the matter.

Clr. Baker's report: Clr. Cavell said that residents should have been informed regarding the partial extinguishment of the street lighting and Clr. Baker said that he would investigate these concerns.

Tree, crazy golf area: The clerk informed members that he along with Chairman John had met with Mr. Mike Higgins, tree officer, National Park, and Dan Badham, tree surgeon, to examine the tree concerned and Mr. Higgins said that the tree was an ash and was protected and some of the branches were rotten and needed to be removed. The clerk went on to say that he had received a quotation from Dan Badham for this work to be carried out which amounted to £275 which also included cutting back the branches of the hedge towards the sports field. It was proposed by Clr. Baker and seconded by Clr. Poole that this quote is accepted. All members agreed.

Street lighting, Stammers Road: Clr. Brabon informed members that Mr. Preece was now delighted that the lights were now on and thanked the council for sorting this problem out. The clerk was instructed to establish from the correspondence received from Mr. Rob Evans, Pembrokeshire County Council, as to which street lighting in Saundersfoot would be left on during night hours.

Agenda

Donations 2012/2013: The clerk informed members that £5,500 had been allocated for donations for 2012/2013 and £1,000 was donated to the Regency Hall later in the year. Members decided to make donations as follows: Saundersfoot in Bloom - £1,000; Saundersfoot Historical Society - £300; All Pembrokeshire Cruse - £50; Saundersfoot Caring Association - £150; Pembrokeshire South East Energy Group - £100; Samaritans - £50; Saundersfoot Footlights - £350; Saundersfoot Guild of Friendship -£150; 2nd St. Issell's Brownies - £150; St. Issell's Girl Guides - £150; Sardis Parks and Gardens - £100; Saundersfoot Playgroup - £100; Bobby Van Scheme - £100; South Pembrokeshire Young Performers - £100. Total - £2,850. Members decided to donate only to organisations who wrote letters to the council and consider any further letters received during the year.

The clerk was instructed to find out more information regarding the Celtic Challenge request from Wiseman's Bridge Rowing Club prior to making a decision.

Members decided not to make donations to the following: Sardis Congregational Chapel, Girl Guiding, Urdd Gobiath Cymru, Bobath Children's Therapy, NSPCC, Vale of Glamorgan Eisteddfod, Llangollen Eisteddfod, Pembrokeshire YFC, MacMillan Cancer, Pembrokeshire Mencap, Paul Sartori, Citizens Advice Bureau.

Acquisition of Regency Hall Car Park by Saundersfoot Harbour Commissioners: Clr. Poole said that he was disappointed to hear that Saundersfoot Harbour Commissioners had taken over the running of the Regency Hall Car Park from National Park and thought, out of courtesy, the community council should at least been made aware of this. Clr. Hayes advised members that, although she was the council's representative on the Harbour Commission, she was not allowed to present a report on their meetings to the council. Clr. Baker stated that as the county council appointee he did report to the county council on matters which they would have an interest. Only one commission meeting has been held as 'private and confidential' and he further suggested that the chairman and vice-chairman of Saundersfoot Harbour Commission be invited to a community council meeting to share the management arrangements of the Regency Car Park and also to clarify that as the community council appointee Clr. Hayes is not prohibited from sharing relevant information with the council. Clr. Cleevely said that the area was once marshland and Pembrokeshire County Council built a road over the stream and National Park then converted the area into a car park. After a lengthy discussion, it was proposed by Clr. Poole and seconded by Clr. Morris that the council wrote to National Park querying why the offer was not made to other potential interested parties and also write to the Harbour Commissioners asking why their representative could not report back to the council on their meetings. All members agreed.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Screening opinion, amenity site, Tenby Road, Saundersfoot; agricultural building, Griffithston Farm, Saundersfoot; change of use, Netherwood School, Saundersfoot; conservatory, 33 Bevelin Hall, Saundersfoot; alterations, 9 The Strand, Saundersfoot; alterations, Beachwood, The Glen, Saundersfoot; conservatory, 8 Castle View, Saundersfoot; sun room extension, Amber Cottage, Saundersfoot.

With regard to the first application, Clr. Baker reminded members that this was a screening report requested by National Park only and a planning application would follow soon.

Clr. Baker also informed members that he was not happy that the responses to the consultants report were to be received eight days before the responses from the community council. The clerk was also instructed to write to Pembrokeshire County Council stating that members were not happy with the relocation of this amenity to this site as it was the gateway to Tenby and Saundersfoot for holidaymakers and it had poor access for the increased traffic which this facility would generate and it would not create a very good image for the area.

Members raised no objections to the remaining applications.

Clr. Baker said that he had been contacted by Mr. Shimmin, from Bonvilles Court Coach Park who had expressed his concern at events taking place in the park which had become disturbing to him and his family and asked if the community council would consider lifting the covenant in place which stated that the coach park remained open for public use.

Members again, said that Mr. Shimmin knew of this covenant when he purchased the site and unanimously agreed that the present covenant remains in place.

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

Applications for tree works were received for the crazy golf area and Morningside from National Park.

A letter of thanks was received from One Voice Wales for membership for the year 2012/2013.

REPORTS FROM VARIOUS COMMITTEES, INCLUDING THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT

Clr. Baker reported as follows: A litter bin had been installed at St. Issell's Cemetery. The street lights had now been restored during night hours in Stammers Road following a complaint from a resident.

Clr. Hayes presented a report from Friends of Saundersfoot.

Both traffic calming humps in Church Terrace were reported to be sinking.

Dog mess and rubbish and crumbling wall were reported in Stammers Road from The Beeches upwards.

The non-slip surface on St. Brides Hill was breaking up and needed attention.

The Regency Car Park toilets were in a disgusting condition and needed refurbishing.

Concerns were expressed with cars entering Cambrian Terrace against the one way system and asked if a 'no entry' be painted on the road.

The clerk was instructed to write to Pembrokeshire County Council with regard to the concerns.

Clr. Cavell reported to members that, along with Clrs. John and Brabon she had celebrated the launch of the new library in Saundersfoot School. Also present on the day was Dan Anthony who officially opened the fantastic computerised library system called Junior Librarian. Many thanks should go to FOSS for all their hard work over the last term. The school has had a great deal of success on the sporting front with football, netball, swimming, cross country and rugby teams all achieving medals in a wide variety of competitions. Several pupils had been selected to play for county teams in cricket and football and a large number of pupils are swimming for district and area teams.

Clr. Brabon reported that both seats had now been installed in the crazy golf area by Mr. Phil Belfield and they blended in well with the equipment there.

A quote had been received from Smart Gardens for £120 to clear the hedge by the shed in the cemetery and Clr. Brabon proposed that we accept this quote. Clr. Baker seconded this proposal. All members agreed.

Clr. Brabon reported that two brackets had been erected on the Mulberry Restaurant wall leading to the car park for hanging baskets to be placed there. Clr. Hayes said that she would arrange for two extra hanging baskets to be made available.

Clr. Brabon said that the crazy golf course was unplayable due to the recent heavy rain and asked if extra drainage be installed there to improve the situation. Clr. Poole advised Clr. Brabon that a meeting was due to take place with Welsh Water shortly regarding arrangements for the new hall and asked Clr. Brabon to wait until the outcome of this meeting was known.

Despite the bad weather, Mr. Terry Lewis was continuing to keep the Sensory Gardens tidy and he was experiencing problems with litter being deposited in the gardens.

The stream had now been cut back and all rubbish cleared away and thanks should go to Pembrokeshire County Council for this work. Clr. Brabon asked if the clerk could write to Pembrokeshire County Council requesting that the work be included in the grass cutting schedule for Saundersfoot so that it would be cut three times a year.

Mr. Tony Allen would commence work in the cemetery soon on digging out plinths for the seats as the conditions had not been suitable to carry out this work as planned.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Clr. Brabon expressed his concern at the large amounts of Japanese Knotweed present in various areas of Saundersfoot. Clr. Baker suggested discussing this problem when a walkabout was arranged with Mr. Glen Codd, Pembrokeshire County Council soon.

Clr. Brabon said that traffic calming humps were present when entering the harbour car park, but not on exit. The clerk was instructed to write to the Harbour Commission requesting that consideration be given to installing traffic calming measures when cars exit the car park.

Clr. Morris expressed his concern at cars turning from the B4314 into Fan Road having difficulty when they had to veer to the right to manoeuvre the difficult turn, as the visibility was severely restricted and suggested installing a mirror on the opposite of the road. He also said that there was a lack of signage at this very dangerous junction.

Clr. Baker informed Clr. Morris that this is an ongoing issue and as it was a capital project it was unlikely major works would be carried out there, but it was possible intermediate improvements could take place and the community council should keep pressurising Pembrokeshire County Council for these improvements to take place.

Clr. Morris also commented at the lack of vision for motorists turning left from Westfield Road onto the Ridgeway and suggested a mirror would help visibility. Clr. Baker informed Clr. Morris that Pembrokeshire County Council did not install these mirrors at poor visibility spots anymore.

Clr. McDermott asked for consideration to be given to installing a bench at the top of St. Brides Hill for people to pause and look at the fantastic view. Members all agreed that this location would not be suitable due to restrictions for wheelchair users and lack of space.

Clr. Baker asked if the could council write to Angela Woods and Martyn Williams thanking them for time spent as community councillors.

Clr. Cavell again expressed her concern at the condition of the footway from Rhodewood to Cwm Gwennol. The clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Darren Thomas, Pembrokeshire County Council, requesting that improvements take place there.

Clr. Hayes reported that Japanese Knotweed was present in Church Terrace back land, Sardis, and needed to be eradicated.

Clr. Hayes said the bank opposite Golygfa'r Mor, Sandyhill Road, needed cutting back, and asked for it to be attended too.