Among matters discussed at the December meeting of St. Florence Community Council were the following:

VILLAGE ISSUES

Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) had confirmed that upgrading of the signage of the one-way system would be carried out before end March, this having been agreed as a 2003/04 budget item.

The community council's concerns raised in July 2002 that the Joint Unitary Development Plan for Pembrokeshire did not include issues specific to St. Florence had been addressed and the changes relating to public/private open spaces proposed by PCC were unanimously agreed.

A number of items were to be raised with PCC, including blocked drains, repairs to the ford, and replacement of a traffic bollard.

The community council's attention had also been drawn to a number of hedges needing cutting back within the village and quotes were to be obtained.

As agreed at the November meeting, daffodil bulbs had been purchased and planted by the Old Mill, Flemish Chimney and the village noticeboard to further enhance the area.

PCC had advised that they were in negotiations with the developer of Parklands over road adoption, but the process had stalled due to difficulties over the discharge of storm water to a suitable water course. It was agreed to make this information available to Parklands residents in order that they could decide what further action to take.

Drainage

PCC were still establishing who was to be responsible for improving the surface of the lower part of Castle Lane before being able to resolve the drainage problem. Concern was expressed that in the meantime drains were being blocked by the mud and debris being carried onto the highway.

Electoral Arrangements

A request from PCC to review the current electoral arrangements for the wards of St. Florence and Gumfreston was considered. No changes were felt to be necessary as the existing arrangements were working satisfactorily.

Road Closure

Notification had been received of the closure of Devonshire Drive to through traffic from Monday, January 5, for approximately eight weeks, in order to carry out drainage and carriageway reconstruction work.

Planning

Residential dwelling - plot opposite Woodview, St. Florence. This application was approved with the reservation that the site of the communal village water tap in the boundary wall needed to be retained and preserved as it was an important part of the village's history and within the conservation area.

Planning permission had been received for a new garage and garden store at Plot 3, Fiddlers Lane, St. Florence.

A date of January 14 had been set by PCC for the appeal by Carn Rock Developments against the imposition of planning conditions on land at Carn Rock, Devonshire Drive, St. Florence. The hearing is to commence at 10 am at East Williamston Village Hall.

The next meeting is on Monday, January 19, at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall.