During the recent monthly meeting of St. Mary Out Libery Community Council, the chairman, Clr. K Hall, reported on progress in respect of the playing field development. He said that the field had been ploughed, and further work was to be carried out prior to seeding once the weather improved.

Planning

Advice of approval - Plot 13, St. Anne's Drive, New Hedges, house and garage, Mr. P. Evans, Rhymney. Advice of refusal - Conversion of bedrooms to flats, Sundowner Motel. Advice of approval - Plot St. Anne's Drive, New Hedges, house and garage, Mr. S. Williams, Saundersfoot.

Finance

The clerk advised that the precept instalment of £1,200 had been received. Correspondence was also read from the auditor questioning the asset value included on the annual return. The clerk advised that the only asset was the two bus shelters, which had been put at £14,180. The insured value was £11,319.67 and Clr. Johns proposed that the return be amended to show this figure. This was seconded by Clr. T. Morris. Appeals: Torch Theatre - a donation was proposed by Clr. Morris and seconded by Clr. Johns.

County councillor's report

Footpath - Broadfield Hill: Clr. Mrs. C. Cavill said that everything was in place (plans, permissions, finance etc.) for the work to commence, but there was still a slight problem with the acquisition of part of the land. It was hoped that this would be resolved soon. Speed on the A478 New Hedges bypass: Results of the recent survey showed the speed of vehicles hour by hour and, although the 85th percentile speed seemed reasonable, there were some high speeds recorded. Sundowner Motel: The National Park committee felt that the area coul* sustain the loss of hotel beds and discussions were ongoing about future plans.

Correspondence

The chairman read an invitation to a training seminar from One Voice Wales. This was noted. He also read a letter from British Telecom with reference to the reduction in the number of telephone kiosks situated locally. Letters of protest to the proposed reductions were also read. The council agreed to support the initiative to retain the kiosks in spite of the downturn in usage, and the clerk would write to British Telecom, enclosing the letters of protest. Lists of the surgery dates for both Nick Ainger and Christine Gwyther were received. It was agreed that these should be display.

OTHER MATTERS

Village Park: The chairman raised the problem of the sign, which was in a poor condition. The clerk agreed to write to Pembrokeshire County Council about this. Local footpaths: There was no further progress to report other than the details covered in report from county councillor Mrs. Cavill. Highway matters: The chairman requested that the clerk contact county councillor Mrs. Cavill with a view to arranging a site meeting with Mr. Price, of Pembrokeshire County Council, when several matters could be discussed. Christmas tree: The clerk was requested to obtain costs for the provision of the village Christmas tree by the next meeting.