Among matters discussed at the recent St. Florence Community Council meeting were the following: It was proposed to purchase a new noticeboard for the residents of Gumfreston. Clr. A. Johns agreed to advise the community council on a suitable size. It was reported that Hilling and Allen had carried out the Village Hall electrical inspection and a copy of the electrical certificate was to be forwarded to Pembrokeshire County Council in order to comply with the public entertainment licence. A response from the county council was read in connection with a request for a bus shelter at Gumfreston, which said the authority was looking into the matter and for suitable sites. Correspondence from the county council dog warden was read out, a copy of which will be displayed in the Village noticeboard. It was also agreed that the clerk would request some signs from the county council to display on the playing fields advising residents that no dogs are allowed on the playing fields. Quotations were to be obtained for new furniture for the Village Hall. The clerk was to write to the Village Association to find out if they would be in favour of contributing financially towards the purchase of new items for the Village Hall. Following complaints about the overhanging branches on one side of Eastern Lane, the clerk was to contact the county council to find out if they were able to trace the owner of the land and ask them to cut back the branches to a suitable length. It was noted that large vehicles using this lane were breaking the branches and as a result they were being left in the road often causing a traffic hazard to other road users. The clerk was to follow up the request for the county council to carry out an inspection of the trees on the road to Gumfreston passed Manor House, as some of the trees appear to be dead and could become a hazard in the winter. Following discussions about the early morning bus which serves both the local school children and local residents who use the same bus to go to Tenby for work, it was decided to approach the county council to find out the current position. It was decided to find out whether a separate service bus could be re-instated for residents needing to catch the bus to work. It was agreed by all that an excellent night was organised by the Village Association for Bonfire Night. No objections were raised to the planning application in respect of 'Nelrose' for a single storey extension. A visit from PLANED was to be arranged to coincide with the meeting on December 13, when they would make a presentation to the council and members of the public. It was brought to the council's attention that one of the radiators in the main hall was not working properly. Councillors were to investigate. A request was to be made to the county council for an extra floodlight on the path behind Parsonage Farm, as the current light does not light up a big enough area. The clerk was to ask the county council to empty all the drains and gullies in the village following the windy and wet weather. The clerk was to contact a local parent to find out what additional facilities were needed in the play area to bring it up to the same standard as other play areas locally. No objection were raised to a request by Carew Cricket Club to use the pitch next season, providing that they made arrangements through the booking clerk to avoid any duplications. Clr. Johns was advised to contact PLANED for advice on setting up a Village Association at Gumfreston. The chairman advised the meeting that he had laid the community council wreath at the Remembrance Service and it had been noted that he was the only councillor present. A letter of thanks was to be sent to the editor of the 'Village Flyer' following her resignation. The next meeting will be on December 13, at 7.30 pm.
SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting was also held by St. Florence Community Council last month to discuss a number of planning applications. Among the items discussed was a proposal to site a temporary Tetra mast on land at Gumfreston Farm, and an application to erect two dwellings at the former New Inn and on land adjacent to the premises. A large number of residents from Gumfreston were in attendance at the meeting, along with Mr. Richard Shepherd, a planning consultant from PALC, who had been invited to the meeting to give advice and guidance on the applications. After much discussion, it was resolved to unanimously write to Pembrokeshire County Council with the advice and guidance from Mr. Richard Shepherd. Councillors strongly objected to the applications and members urged the county council to reject them as well. In addition, at the monthly meeting, the clerk confirmed that she had written to the county council in respect of the planning applications for the New Inn and Gumfreston, but had not received a response. However, with regard to the mast plan, since the meetings, the owners of the land at Gumfreston Farm, withdrew their consent to allow the structure to be sited at that location due to the wealth of opposition in the local community.