Saundersfoot Community Council held their Annual Meeting at the Regency Hall, on May 2, when Clr. Neil Sefton was elected as Chairman to serve for 2019/2020.

Clr. Sefton received the ‘Chain of Office’ from outgoing Chairman, Clr. Martyn Williams BEM, and thanked him for all his work as Chairman.

Clr. Sefton went on to thank his fellow councillors for their dedication and hard work through the past year and that he was looking forward to chairing the Saundersfoot Community Council in an open and transparent manner in the year ahead.

Clr. Sue Boughton Thomas was duly elected to serve as vice-chair.

Planning Consideration: NP/19/0132/S73 Mountain Ash, Sandy Hill Road: Extension of Time on NP/16/0141/OUT - Following discussion, the Council confirmed they have no objections or concerns over the application.

Consideration of

Correspondence Received

Mr A Lewis has been requested to remove out of date Notices and posters from around the village.

Cllr Boughton Thomas will forward suitable wording to the Clerk for the MUGA Plaque.

Condition of the Ridgeway - It was reported to the Council that Pembrokeshire County Council will be repairing the potholes, as reported, on the Ridgeway.

• Notice received from Activity Wales Events advising of certain road closures through Saundersfoot village during the Long Course weekend – Following discussion regarding the impact of the proposed road closures on business and residents, it was concluded that a meeting be held inviting Activity Wales Events representatives to talk with business owners and residents to reassure them regarding the proposed road closures.

• Various Planning Notices received from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Planning Authority advising of certain planning application approvals.

• Letter received from St Issell’s Church- Requesting certain trees within the Cemetery be trimmed. The Clerk to advise the Church that certain works have been diarised for later this year. Also, for the Clerk and Cllr Williams BEM to arrange to meet with the Church representatives to discuss the proposed works.

• Letter received from Grant Thornton – The Clerk to draft a letter of recommendations for the internal auditor for presentation to the Council at the May meeting.

• Letter received requesting further information regarding certain graves and grave markings within the St Issell’s old graveyard. The Clerk to write for further information to ascertain where these graves are.

• Telephone call received requesting further information regarding the date when the tennis nets were due to go up. The Clerk advised that the nets were due to go up within the next few days.

Following the meeting it has been noted that there is still a problem with the net supports and children sitting/swinging on the nets. The nets will be up for the Easter holidays but will be taken down thereafter.

Reports from Committees Including County Councillor’s Report

Cllr P Baker – County Councillor County Hall matters:

At the recent Full Council meeting the increase in Council Tax was set at 9.8 per cent, this funds £5 million of the £20 million that is required to be saved through a review of services and efficiencies.

Ward matters

A successful meeting was held with PCNPA Officers to review the options around a possible additional car-park alongside the Bowls Club. A pre-application has been submitted and a response awaited.

Pembrokeshire County Council continue to inspect and repair the playground in the Village, however it is coming toward the end of its life and PCC do not renew equipment and will happily work with the Community Council and other groups.

The Long Course weekend are proposing road closures through Saundersfoot for the cycling element of the event. PCC are asking for feedback from Town and Community Councils. Cllr Baker suggested a meeting with the organisers as soon as could be arranged.

Cllr Baker advised that the Planning Inspector will be holding the Public Inquiry in relation to the Local Development Plan 2 in July.

Cllr Cleevely – On Behalf of the Saundersfoot Neighbourhood Policing Forum:

Officers Present – PCSO’s Moffatt and Kendall Attendance – 16 members of the public. Patrols in Sandyhill area have continued and there have been no problems; Parking opposite the Kookaba restaurant - This has continued to be a problem with a report being sent to senior officers in the near future.

Behave or Be Banned - stopping people who misbehave in public houses in Saundersfoot and Tenby now have 25 persons listed.

£300 has been given to the new Youth Club by the Police Commissioner. Money left by the old youth club was put towards a defibrillator equipment, £600.

It was confirmed that the Sands Nightclub now have the appropriate Licence to remain open until 5 am on Sundays.

Cllr Pearson – On Behalf of Saundersfoot In Bloom: The annual general meeting of Saundersfoot in bloom was held on March 18.

Chairman Keith Williams said that members were all in agreement that alternative arrangements for the planting and weeding of the many planters in the village should be considered.

The President said how important it was to maintain the high standard of planting as Saundersfoot ranks 10th in Places to Visit in Wales. All officers were reappointed en bloc for the coming year.

A successful coffee morning was enjoyed at Little and Large Bites with the raffle raising an excellent amount of £215. The Chairman drew lots for places for the positioning of village organisation’s flower displays within the church for Saundersfoot in Bloom Flower Festival on August 6. Judging for Saundersfoot in Bloom gardens will be on July 17.

Cllr Ludlow – On Behalf of Saundersfoot Community Primary School Governors meeting held on March 26: With the exception of Councillor Baker, all Governors were present. The new chairman, Mr John Griffiths started the meeting with a brief outline of the schools activities since being in the Chairman’s seat. The Governors welcomed and voted that Rebecca Noyce act as the new vice chair for the next term.

At the start of the meeting year four pupils gave a demonstration of the ‘Chrome Books’ (iPads) which have been a new addition to year five and six and budget allowing further books being purchased for key stage two and year two to enable the younger children to take advantage of this great tool for learning. Children will be encouraged to work at home, emailing their work into teachers for instant feedback. This enables all their work to be electronically filed in one place. The governors were also told that this would cut down on photocopying costs hence helping to save the planet.

Mr Allen spoke regarding the head teacher’s termly report for Spring 2018. This is a report with the collection of data regarding how year groups are performing in all areas and subjects. Following the recommendations from the EYSTEN report last year, the brief overview of this data shows that currently over half of certain year groups are not achieving the desired target set. Only year six is currently showing an improvement across the board.

It was reported that communication to parents is to improve.

Budget Overview: 2019/2020 a decrease in budget of £89,000 increasing in 2020/2021 to £115,000 the school currently has the lowest funding per pupil in the Local Education Authority.

Attendance - 95.32% - Slightly below expected; Loss of Staff - Two teachers namely: Mr Richard Davies will be taking up a position in Greenhill School - not to be replaced. Miss Morris from year 2 take over his classes.

Miss Scorcher year six will take up a position in Southampton. Mrs Adele Evans returns from the Welsh Sabbatical and will take over her classes.

A member of the administration staff has taken redundancy to save further costs.

The overall message conveyed was one of optimism with the school showing signs of self- improvement that is what the ESTYN report wanted to see.

The school worked well together to raise a total of £430 for the recent children in need appeal.

Agenda Items

a) EE Proposed Mast Installation – Update: The Clerk advised the Council that a final price for the California Bearing Ratio Value test had been received, following presentation of such to the Council. Cllr Boughton Thomas proposed that the quotation be accepted; Cllr Mattick seconded the proposal with all Council in full agreement. The Clerk to advise Mr Rees accordingly and arrange for the test to be completed. The Clerk further advised the Council that the Council’s Surveyor had been in communication with representatives from EE.

b) Proposed Car Park Update: Cllr Baker advised the Council of a very positive meeting held at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Offices in Pembroke Dock on 1st April 2019. Present - Nichola Gandy – PCNPA, Sarah Hirst – PCNPA, Gary Meopham – PCNPA, Cllr Martyn Williams – Chairman SCC and Cllr Phil Baker – SCC. Various matters were discussed including planning considerations and operational matters. Cllr Baker further advised that the pre application for the proposed car park had been submitted with the £250 fee paid in full.

Amongst many other items discussed, two points raised by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park related to the Sports and Social Club using the field as a car park. This appertains to the Council as access to this field is across land in the ownership of the Council.

• On fulfilling a number of criteria, no planning permission is required by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Planning Authority for car-parking up to 28 days a year.

• PCNPA note that the charges made for parking on the field is less than that offered by the National Park Authority.

The Clerk to seek further advice from the Council’s insurance company regarding the 28 days Planning Approval for parking on the field and the passing and repassing over Council owned land (Licence for vehicular use over this land put in place August 2018). The Council do not have any influence as to the parking charges imposed by the Sports and Social Club.

c) The Harbour Letter Response: The Council considered the response letter to the Harbour Commissioners. Cllr Mattick proposed that one sentence be removed as it was not of any significance; Cllr Boughton Thomas seconded the proposal with a majority vote in favour. (One councillor abstained from the vote). The Clerk to forward the response letter to the Harbour Commissioners.

d) Mr Steve John Task and Finish Group Meeting Notes and Recommendations: Cllr Sefton reported to the Council the recommendations of the task and finish group.

Councillors thanked Cllr Sefton for his participation in this matter. Cllr Williams BEM proposed that Cllr Sefton write a draft response to Mr Steve John regarding his letter of resignation for approval by the Council; Cllr Boughton Thomas seconded the proposal with all Council in full agreement. Cllr Sefton to forward his draft response to all Councillors via Email for final approval at the May meeting.

e) Sensory Garden Update: A report regarding the Sensory Garden was forward to all Councillors by Cllr Williams BEM. Concerns were raised over the fact that new plants are required to be planted as soon as possible. Cllr Beedles requested that the Council consider purchasing plants from local nurseries. It was agreed that Cllrs Williams BEM and Hayes MBE along with Cllrs Boughton Thomas and Pearson would visit certain nurseries and seek prices for plants as specified by Mr Hilling and agreed upon by the Grounds Committee. Once the prices have been sought the Grounds Committee will then decide on what plants are purchase from where. Cllr Cleevley proposed that the Grounds Committee be given the authority to purchase plants, as per the arrangements above, to the value of £1,000; Cllr Boughton Thomas seconded the proposal with all Council in full agreement.

f) Large Flower Pots Around the Village: The Clerk advised the Council that the Licence granted by Dyfed Council had been located and that the positioning and size of the flower pots along Brewery Terrace and the Stand are listed therein. The Clerk to confirm that the proposed pots to be purchased by the Council are of a suitable size and will fit in the locations listed.

Once the above information has been confirmed, Cllr Beedles proposed that four flower pots, as depicted within photographs taken by the Clerk, be purchased and placed in the correct locations on Brewery Terrace; Cllr Boughton Thomas seconded the proposal with all Council in full agreement.

g) The Community Council Owned Bus Shelters: The Clerk advised the Council that The Council is responsible for two bus shelters namely one at the entrance to North Close and the other at Wisemans Bridge. It was agreed that these shelters require a Spring clean now and thereafter regular cleaning. The Clerk to request Mr Lewis to clean the two bus shelters as soon as possible and then to maintain the cleaning thereof every two months.

j) Date for Litter Pick Along Saundersfoot Beaches: Cllr Baker requested consideration be given to a date for a beach clean. This will be confirmed either via Email or in the May meeting.

k) Wales in Bloom Entry: Cllr Hayes explained that the entries for this year’s Wales in Bloom have been slightly altered. After consideration it was agreed that Saundersfoot would be eligible for the Large Village Class.

Cllr Cleevely proposed that Saundersfoot Community Council enters Saundersfoot into the Wales in Bloom competition in the class for Large Villages at a cost of £85; Cllr Pearson seconded the proposal with all Council in full agreement.

l) Hanging Baskets Around the Village: Cllrs Hayes MBE and Pearson advised the Council that they had visited certain businesses within the Village regarding the distribution of the Community Council hanging baskets and that they had collected donations to the value of £260. It was confirmed that receipts and thankyous had been given to all businesses. The hanging baskets are due to be delivered during May 2019 and watered by Mr Lewis. The majority of the smaller pots around the village have now been removed and therefore will not require watering by Mr Lewis.

m) St Issell’s New Cemetery Noticeboard: The Clerk presented to the Council five prices of two differing designs of notice boards, taking into consideration preferences stated by the Council at the March meeting. Following discussions, Cllr Mattick proposed that the Council order Breeze Post Mounted External Notice Board at a price of £649 plus VAT and fitting; Cllr Boughton Thomas seconded the proposal with all Council in full agreement. The Clerk to order the notice board in Green with St Issell’s Cemetery depicted on the header in gold lettering, also to arrange for it to be fitted in the location as agreed at the March meeting.

n) The Play Park Fence Consideration of prices: The Clerk advised the Council of the three prices received from three contractors for the fencing works as per the schedule of works.

Following consideration of such Cllr Baker proposed that the Council use the contractor who had completed fencing works previously in this area; Cllr Boughton Thomas seconded the proposal with all Council in full agreement. The Clerk to advise the contractors accordingly.

o) The Regency Hall Fence Consideration of Prices: The Clerk advised the Council that confirmation had been received from Iestyn Scourfield, Solicitor, that the responsibility of the fence lies with the tenants ie the Regency Hall Community Centre. It was also advised that quotations had been sought to complete the refencing works.

Following consideration for public safety and the cost of replacing the fence, Cllr Cleevely proposed that the Council pay the £1,000 plus VAT for the fence to be replaced, as per the schedule of works, in return for £1,000 worth of credit towards Council meeting room hire costs; Cllr Mattick seconded the proposal with all Council in full agreement. The Clerk to present the proposal to the Trustees of the Regency Hall.