Among matters discussed at this month's meeting of St. Mary Out Liberty Community Council were the following:
Provision of defibrillator: The clerk reported that Mr. Steve Roberts, of the Welsh Ambulance Trust, was unable to attend the meeting again this month. It was agreed that the chairman should look into the possibility of another qualified person attending a meeting to explain the machine. The clerk would liaise with Mr. Roberts regarding the funding of the project.
Planning applications: workshop and summerhouse - 11 Nyth Gwennol, Rushy Lake, Saundersfoot (after a general discussion, council had no objection to the proposed application being approved); conversion of agricultural building to office and reception - Trevayne Farm, Monkstone, Saundersfoot (the detailed application was studied and council had no objection to the proposed application being granted).
Update, Electoral Boundary Changes: The chairman read a letter advising that a draft decision had been made. There would be a meeting to discuss the findings, when objections could be lodged. Council agreed to oppose the proposals on the grounds that during the original canvassing of the local electors, it had been found that a big majority preferred to stay within St. Mary Out Liberty area. Council accepted that some of the proposed changes were unavoidable, but agreed to object to some of the changes. A case would be prepared and the chairman and vice-chairman would represent council at the meeting when the case for the community council would be presented.
County Councillor Mrs. C. Cavill's report
Footpaths 43/7 and 43/8: The contractor employed by the county council had visited these paths three times in the last year to remove fallen trees, but still they keep falling. He had been there recently and had told the footpath officer that they needed to discuss other problems on this path. When the matter was discussed later during village matters, Clr. Hall volunteered to inspect the path and report back to the next meeting.
Local Development Plan: The candidate sites submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council were now published on the county council website. The officers responsible would be sifting through these during the next few weeks and the accepted sites would be included in the draft local plan. When this was completed, the community council would be consulted for their comments. Several sites within New Hedges had been submitted.
Dog fouling: Clr. Mrs. Cavill said she had obtained a number of stick on 'No Fouling' notices for the community council which could be placed wherever there was a problem.
Sundowner Motel: Though these premises were within the National Park, the demolition of the building was within the remit of the county council. A building regulations officer had written to the owner advising them of the proper procedure.
Village matters
Sale of cars at the garage: This matter was now closed as the owner had decided not to proceed with this venture.
Grass cutting 2009: The clerk had inserted an advertisement in the local paper inviting tenders and was meeting three different contractors after the meeting to give details of the council's requirements.
Playing Field and Village Hall
Clr. Hall reported that he was negotiating to have the field rolled which would improve the surface considerably after the winter rains.
Correspondence
The chairman read a letter from the Dog Trust, enclosing details of the canine card. A poster would be displayed. A list of the local surgeries for Nick Ainger and Nerys Evans, was received and would be displayed. Letters of thanks were received from Pembrokeshire Cruse Bereavement Care and from Withybush Radio for donations that council had made.
Brochures from the Boundary Commission for Wales were circulated for members to study. The chairman read a letter from Dyfed Powys Crime Prevention Trust regarding the Bobby Van Scheme. A lengthy discussion followed, after which it was decided that the clerk should write to the trust to ask how many people had benefited from the scheme in New Hedges before any decision was made reference a donation. PIPPA post was circulated to members.
The chairman read a letter from Pembrokeshire County Council enclosing road safety posters, which council agreed to display.
Any other business
Clr. Mrs. Caswell enquired if there was any progress about the lighting situation at High Grove. County Councillor Mrs. Cavill agreed to make enquiries.