Among matters considered and discussed at the June meeting of St. Mary Out Libetrty Community Council were the following:

Planning applications

Conversion of garage/workshop into dwelling, west of New Hedges: After a general discussion on this application, it was felt that there was insufficient information to enable council to make a decision. It was agreed that the clerk should contact Pembrokeshire County Council to seek more information.

County CLR. Jon Preston's report

A message of thanks - I would like to thank Clr. Herrick for his kind words in his annual report to council at last month's AGM. I would also like to thank clerk Waters for his continued support and his diligent attention to matters within the ward which ensures that all issues are dealt with in an effective and timely manner. I also wish to thank our local community councillors who give up their own valuable time to strive to maintain and improve our community. These words of appreciation are a personal statement of gratitude for the way in which this council conducts its business. One only has to read the local newspaper to understand some of the difficulties our colleagues in neighbouring community councils are dealing with to appreciate the professionalism and cohesiveness of the community council of St. Mary Out Liberty. Tenby MIU and GP services - The people of Tenby were given a clear understanding that before the Tenby Minor Injuries Unit closed there would be improvements in GP services. This summer will see a massive increase to around 60,000 in population. What we have witnessed is in fact a degradation of GP services at our local surgery. Since then we have been given assurance by the First Minister that Hthe ywel Dda Health Board is working with the practice in the interim and locum cover has been identified. A nurse practitioner has been employed until the end of August to support GP services. It has also been stated that the health board is working with the practice to ensure that the service level continues in the future. These are, however, short term fixes and the longer term needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Doctor/patient relationships are built over many years, giving both the GP and the patient a clear understanding of a patien'ts condition and family history. This cannot be maintained by using locum services. I will be attending the meeting with the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network on June 23 where we agree a way forward. This situation as it stands is totally unacceptable. Invasive plant species - I attended a meeting of the environment overview and scrutiny committee on June 5 which raised a number of issues which affect us locally, one of those being the problem of invasive species of plants. As knotweed is the most destructive of these plants species, I feel it is important that we are all familiar with this plant and I have put it to the director of service that public awareness is raised on how to identify and best deal with the problem. PCC is only responsible for land under its control. PCC is not obliged to deal with knotweed on private land. There is currently information on the county council website regarding this issue. For those who do not use the internet and wish to have this information, please contact me and I will forward the information by post. In the meantime, I would like to remind members of the public that there are weed killers on the market that have been reported to increase the risk of colony collapse which may be adding to the alarming decline in bee numbers over the last 20 years .

Village matters

Dog fouling: This matter was still a problem throughout the village. Clr. Preston reported that recently there had been an increase in the problem through people walking their dogs in Knightston Lane. This was in close proximity to the caravan sites, so this may have a bearing on the matter. It was agreed to monitor the position closely to see if the culprits can be caught and reported . Litter within the village: There did not appear to be a great problem at the present time, but it was agreed to continue to monitor it. Repositioning the bin near the bus shelter opposite Cross Park: The clerk advised that this was still in the hands of Pembrokeshire County Council. several requests have fallen on deaf ears. Clr. Preston was requested to assist with getting this outstanding matter resolved. Dip in the carriageway near the New Hedges Tavern: The clerk had now asked Clr. Preston to assist with this matter. After much effort and correspondence by Clr. Preston, there was hope that the matter was in hand . The carriageway had been marked where they intended to execute the works. Street light Cross Park: The clerk had reported the damage. Clr. Mrs. Leyshon reported that the light was now fulty most of the time. The clerk would contact Pembrokeshire County Council again. Refuse at the Sundowner: It was reported that there was a problem with rat infestation in this area. Pembrokeshire County Council were dealing with the matter. There were other matters causing problems in this area. The hedgerow was obstructing vision for vehicles entering the main road from Highgrove and Crestville. Also the turning bay was sometimes obstructed in Crestville. After discussion, it was agreed that the clerk should write a letter to the owners of the Sundowner, requesting the tenants to place the refuse in the correct location at the correct time and also to request that the hedgerow be cut back in the interests of road safety. It was generally felt that these problems could be overcome amicably.

Playing Field and Village Hall

Council representative members were requested to approach the Village Hall committee at the next meeting to ask if they would consider joining forces in a commemorative event to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I which would be later in the year.

Correspondence

The clerk read a letter from Western Power with reference to helping people to cope during power cuts, enclosing significant items that may help. It was agreed that the clerk should display the letter on the notice board for people to read. A notice had been received with reference to the South East Community Health Network meeting to be held at the New Hedges Village Hall on Monday, June 23, at 2 pm.

Any Other Business

Clr. Mrs. Leyshon reported the following matters: The bin on the New Hedges roundabout did not get emptied, it was full and the lining had slipped down. As this was a health hazard, Clr. Preston would deal with it urgently. The bus shelter near Knightston Close had ivy growing inside. The chairman would investigate and deal with this matter. Finally, Clr. Mrs. Leyshon requested that a new list of councillors be prepared because the current list had faded. The clerk would attend to this. Clr. J Butland reported that the manhole outside the Village Hall entrance in the middle of the road was rocking as vehicles pass over it, resulting in it being very disturbing for the local residents. The clerk would deal with this urgently. Clr. Howard Rawson Humphries reported a faulty sign in Trevayne Lane, and also that he had attended the PACT meeting in Tenby recently. The meeting was badly attended, but he gave an update on the matters discussed. He continued to advise that nothing had been done to clear the footpaths at Knightston Bottoms. There were still many trees down, obstructing the footpaths. Clr. Preston agreed to investigate this matter because it had been a problem for some time. The clerk advised that he had been contacted by Mr. Dennis with reference to the poor condition of the seat near the bus shelter next to the Village Hall. This seat had been presented to council by Mr. Howard Brace when he was chairman of the community council. After a brief discussion, it was agreed that the clerk should obtain costs for the replacement of the seat by the next meeting The next meeting of the council will be Tuesday, July 8, at 6.30 pm.