Among matters discussed at this month's meeting of St. Mary Out Liberty Community Council were the following:

Planning applications

Erection of two dwellings, Knightston Lodge, New Hedges (the clerk reported that he had emailed the planning officer to request a site meeting. The reply advised that they would consider council's comments. They did not think it necessary to hold a site meeting. The clerk reported that he had also received correspondence from the developer, Mrs. Hadley, enclosing photographs etc, which he had passed to the chairman who had circulated them to members. It was agreed that there was little else that could be done by the community council with reference to this application, other than to await the outcome); alterations and extensions to the last application - Sundowner Motel, Twycross, Saundersfoot (this application was examined very thoroughly. Again, the clerk advised that he had received two telephone calls from local people. In conclusion, it was agreed that council had no objections to the application being approved).

Appeals

Paul Sartori Foundation - a donation of £10 was proposed by Clr. T. Morris, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Turner.

County Councillor Mr. Jon Preston report

Civic amenity site, Brooklands: It was Clr. Preston's understanding that the planning application for the civic amenity site at Brooklands would be put before the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority on the week commencing May 20 at the earliest. Although members of the committee were governed by a strict code of conduct which prevented them being able to comment on this proposal prior to its presentation, Clr. Preston thought it was in the public's interest to know who the members of the committee were and he named the Pembrokeshire County Council members appointed to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park committee, as well as the other members of the committee who were appointed by the Welsh Government. There was one member who lived near the Brooklands site, the remainder resided at addresses in Narberth, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Fishguard, Pembroke Dock, and Swansea. Opposition to this proposal was now well-documented and in recent weeks steps had been taken to study the planning application in detail. This had resulted in a number of planning issues being raised and produced in an extensive detailed document which would be put to the members of the committee for consideration. He also quoted a letter to Simon Thomas (AM) from the Welsh Government Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Carl Sargeant.

Tenby MIU: Clr. Preston met with South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network members who had invited Welsh Assembly Members Rebecca Evans and Joyce Watson to discuss a way forward and to seek further support in the campaign to retain services at Tenby MIU. The minutes of the meeting would be published shortly. However, it was generally agreed that the proposals put forward by the Hywel Dda Health Board failed to recognise the extended tourist season that is experienced in the Tenby and Saundersfoot area. Clr. Preston would be also be writing to the commanding officer at Penally Barracks to gain an understanding of the medical resources that were required to support the activities at the camp. He would also be seeking the possibility of engaging with the armed forces within the area through military covenant which had been established to support servicemen within local communities. This may be an opportunity for a joint medical provision serving both the military and the local community. This was an idea in its infancy and he would liaise with SEPCHN as this idea develops.

The South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network held a meeting at New Hedges Village Hall. Welsh Assembly members Rebecca Evans and Simon Thomas were in attendance. In response to the concern about the impending closure of the Minor Injuries Units at Tenby Cottage Hospital and South Pembrokeshire Hospitals, SEPCHN, with the help of Tenby Town Council, circulated health board questionnaires. Eighty-three per cent were returned, which was the highest number returned for all regions. With the support of county, town and community councillors, two petitions were circulated and sent to the petitions committee at the Welsh Government. Clr. David Lloyd had advised the group against a judicial review to challenge the decision as it would be expensive and unlikely to be successful. The Welsh Government had referred the decision back to the Community Health Council to look at viable alternatives to the MIU based at Tenby Cottage Hospital.

With regards to the proposed re-organisation of the National Health Service, Professor Morton Warner from the University of Glamorgan had made observations and had highlighted three main points - the inflexibility of the Health Board, a need for a clear understanding of the benefits to be gained by the closure of the minor injuries units and the detrimental effect of the transferring of the services to the general practitioners surgeries.

The current proposals seemed to contradict Hywel Dda Health Board chief executive Trevor Purt's vision of providing services closure to home.

The Community Health Council had been informed that the retention of the Minor Injuries Unit at Tenby Cottage Hospital 'is not an option'. However, this service would not be withdrawn until a viable alternative had been established. The Community Health Council had been told to factor in options such as using pharmacies and a third sector, such as the Red Cross, during the peak holiday season. The Community Health Council preferred the option of utilising the two local surgeries.

It was again stressed that the surgeries were already struggling to cope without the additional responsibilities that the minor injuries service would place on them. The transfer of the service to the local surgeries would be in effect a degradation of service due to there being no access to the current X-ray facility

Despite a report in the Western Telegraph of a rumour generated following Clr. Preston's question to full council in which he sought to establish whether or not an approach had been made to PCC with regard to the disposal or alternative use of the MIU building, it was confirmed by the council leader that an approach was in fact made last summer, and was in relation to the possibility in some capacity of the building becoming surplus to requirement. The Hywel Dda Health Board had recently written to Pembrokeshire County Council with a view to appointing an independent member as representative on the health board. This would be open to all members, with the successful candidate being appointed for a four-year period.

Park House Court: Clr. Preston had received six pages of correspondence from Terasa Davies, head of the decision branch of the department for the environment and sustainable development at the Welsh Assembly, which was available to anyone wishing to see it. The document detailed many planning considerations relating to Park House Court development. It stated that the planning inspector recommended planning permission be granted subject to conditions. For the reasons given (in the document), the minister (Mr. John Griffiths AM) was minded to disagree with the inspector's conclusions and did not accept his recommendation. This was not a formal decision on the application and Clr. Preston would continue to seek updates from the minister.

Sundowner Motel: Following objections made regarding this development, Clr. Preston had contacted Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority who had advised that the issue raised regarding the gate at the rear of the development did not require planning permission and could not be challenged. Clr. Preston had been advised that the walkway was a desired planning inclusion to enable pedestrian thoroughfare on to a public road. The application, however, was withdrawn due to concerns regarding traffic manoeuvrability. The application would be re-submitted when this issue had been addressed.

Drain outside Knightston Farmhouse: Clr. Preston contacted area maintenance on March 11 regarding the blocked drain at this location, but had not yet received confirmation of its completion. Clr. Preston escalated this to PCC head of service on April 10 and would monitor its progress.

Devonshire Drive: There was nothing further to report on this matter as the work was ongoing. Clr. Preston had, however, reported poor drainage in the area around the Snooty Fox Cottage and the damage that was being caused to the verges by heavy traffic.

Village Matters

Dog fouling - nothing significant to report, but the situation would continue to be monitored.

Litter within the village - the problem did appear to have improved since the mechanical road sweeper was operating.

Playing Field and Village Hall

There was nothing further to report other than the request by the clerk to place a filing cabinet in the storeroom at the Village Hall had been refused due to lack of space. Council were disappointed with this reply.

Any other business

The area of land used by the recent gas works still needed some reinstatement work. The clerk would contact Mr. Codd at Pembrokeshire County Council.

Comment was passed on the excellent work that had been done in tidying the area near the bus shelter by Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The clerk would convey council's thanks.

The next meeting of council, the AGM, will be on Tuesday, May 14, at 6.30 pm.