Chairman’s Report: Cllr Brace reported that the Remembrance Service will be conducted by Rev. John Morgan on Monday, November 11, at 1 pm at the New Hedges Village Hall. Tea and Welsh Cakes will be served after the service.

Cllr Rawson Humphries will make the final arrangements for the tea and Welsh Cakes.

Matters Arising from the Minutes

Millbay Homes – Section 106 Agreement: Millbay Homes have completed their Section 106 obligation by providing three homes that are considered as affordable housing. This has been confirmed by the Pembrokeshire County Council.

Planning

Applications

NP/19/0491/TPO Loxley, Sandy Hill Road, Saundersfoot - Removal of lowest limb on Eastern side to achieve clearance 2 to 3 m from adjacent structures; NP/19/0490/TPO 3 Nyth Gwennol, Saundersfoot - Deadwood, thin crowns by approximately 20 per cent.

Following discussion the Council have no concerns regarding the above two applications.

Correspondence

Notice received from Pembrokeshire County Council – Conditional planning permission approved for 11 Cwm Gwennol.

Notice received from Pembrokeshire County Council – Conditional planning permission approved for Taylor Park, New Hedges.

It has been note that the tree at the bus stop at the bottom of the village is becoming dangerous and having an effect on road users. The Clerk to request Pembrokeshire County Council to cut back this tree.

Reports from Councillors and Committee

Representatives

County Cllr Jon Preston: Concessionary Bus Pass Renewal - Current concessionary bus passes are due to expire on December 31. Renewals can only be made online at: tfw.wales/travelcards.

Following some concern regarding making online applications for the renewals I contacted the cabinet member for IT with a view to PCC providing support for those in our community who may not have access to the internet.

A series of events have now been arranged where a range of support officers will be on hand. This will include Library Digi Volunteers, Older People’s Partnership Digi Champions, PAVS Community Connectors and PCC Community Transport staff. Several computers at each library will be reserved for this sole purpose on the day, as numbers needing help are yet unknown.

Those who plan to attend one of these events will need the following information to make an application: The 19-digit card number printed on the front of your (green) bus pass, your date of birth, the postcode your current card is registered to and your National Insurance number, if you’re over 16, which is on pension statements, disability statements or pay slips.

Library drop in events will take place at Tenby on Monday, November 11 from 10am to 1pm; and Friday, November 22 from 10 am to 1pm. Other local library events will be held at Narberth 10 am to 1pm and Saundersfoot 2 to 5 pm.

Millbay Housing Development - Officers from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) recently met on site with representatives from Millbay Homes.

Disappointingly officers of the PCNPA did not consider it was appropriate to invite the local County Councilor. I have however received a report regarding the outputs from that meeting. Millbay Homes confirmed that they will be passing ownership of relevant sections of the development site land beyond the approved timber fence line over to the new owners of residential units which back on the rear gardens of properties at Hunters Park.

It is considered that as the area will be given over to an ecological habitat corridor the maintenance will be very low with the usable rear gardens ending at the approved timber fence line. The provision of a hedge bank and native planting will also assist in the low maintenance and habitat creation.

With reference to the membrane and stone chippings finish, which was agreed with Millbay Homes, Hale Construction have confirmed to PCNPA that this will be installed within the next 6 to 7 weeks and then the relevant native landscaping will be installed after this date and within the appropriate planting season.

The existing topsoil heap located within the lower end of the development site was of an appropriate size for use within the landscaping of the remaining residential units within the development site.

In regard to any potential growth or blockage within the existing drainage ditch located along the eastern boundary adjacent to the agricultural field it was noted that the ditch is located within the field and therefore within Hean Castle Estate ownership.

PCNPA have advised me that any queries regarding the current condition of this feature and any future maintenance required should be directed to Hean Castle Estate. To this end I have contacted Hean Castle Estate who have directed me to their land management office.

I have invited their representative to meet with me on site to discuss the issues raised. Construction work is due to be completed by the end of the year, however it is likely to extend into January 2020

Faulty Street Lights - Following Cllr. Rawson-Humphries email regarding faulty street lighting I have contacted PCC’s street care department to provide rectification work on the streetlights at Cross Park junction, New Hedges Tavern (opposite side of road), outside Tees R Us, New Hedges Village Hall and Lake Drive.

Repair work has also been reported for the Give Way sign on junction at the bottom end of the village, the sign at the same junction and also the Twy Cross roundabout 50mph signs by the mobile phone mast.

It is worth noting that some streetlights may not be illuminated due to the overall reduction in street lighting in the county. I have asked street care to clarify this matter.

St. Anne’s Church - PCC have provided me with an update regarding the drains at St. Anne’s Church.

I understand that arrangements had been made for the pipework in this area to be cleaned and checked.

I am informed that this has been carried out and all the drains are all were found to be in good condition. It is possible however that the ditch downstream needs some clearing and I understand that this is being dealt with. together with some minor additions to the existing system.

Therefore, PCC’s engineers conclude that it does not appear that a full reconstruction of the system is needed.

A survey of the existing drainage system has shown that the main pipework is in good condition and that surface water is able to flow through efficiently.

However, clearing work is still required to the pipe outfall and the ditch on the opposite side of the road.

As suspected the problems being experienced appear to be associated with poor gully arrangement.

Maintenance work is now proposed to improve the efficiency of water collection with an additional larger standard road gully’s being installed and some of the existing side entry gully’s to be replaced by standard road gullies.

Work will also be undertaken to reshape the ditch on the south side of the church and a new outlet from the ditch constructed because it is clear that at some point in time earthworks have been carried out by persons unknown resulting in one of the manhole covers and a water stop valve cover being buried under about half a meter of soil.

There is also a high pressure gas main in the vicinity of the church which I am told may have had a bearing on how the drainage system was originally installed and may affect what the engineers are ultimately able to do to improve the layout PCC are arranging for a site meeting with Wales and West Utilities to discuss their proposals prior to proceeding with planned works.

Cllr Rawson Humphries – PACT Tenby Rural: Cllr Rawson Humphries reported that the local Policing Team have now dedicated a Police Officer to cover Saundersfoot and one to cover Tenby. Saundersfoot’s Officer will cover New Hedges Village and Tenby’s Officer Broadfield Hill.

Further unsociable behaviour has been reported at Glen Beach. Regular Police patrols will take place.

Agenda Items

To consider the effects of the Ironman Wales event on the Village - It was reported to the Council that the recent Ironman event had a negative effect on the Village. Following discussions the Clerk is to relay the following considerations to Pembrokeshire County Council and event organisers:

The number of toilets available for use by the public. Persons watching the event used the hedgerow and fields as toilets; The event organisers are invited to request the use of the village hall car park to locate toilets in; The number of bins provided. The bins provided filled up within a very short time with rubbish being placed in gardens and the roadside.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 12.