Prior to the start of the October meeting of Amroth Community Council, members met with local resident, Mr. K. Williams, of Bryerwood. Llanteg.

Mr. Williams told council that he had been a resident in Llanteg for six years. He said that he and his family had always tried to keep the place tidy. He reported to council that the previous residents had left large stones on the corner from the lane going down and they were asked to remove them. They were replaced with white plastic bollards. These were run over by tractors over time, causing significant erosion to the verges. It was reported that heavy vehicles frequently came down the lane and the grass was churned up. Many of the vehicles were far too big and heavy and were spoiling the lane.

Mr. Williams showed councillors photographs of some recent damage done to the area. It would appear that the whole lane was unadopted. Mr. Williams asked if it could be adopted by the council or if the maintenance could be taken on by somebody to ensure its good order.

Clr. Brinsden said that this lane was a BOAT - Byway open to all traffic. Unfortunately, nothing could be done about it.

Mr. Williams pointed out that it was important to stop the erosion. Clr. Brinsden said that he had requested extra piping on both sides to ensure drainage was maintained. However, there was no way the BOAT condition could be reversed. Clr. Brinsden would keep up the pressure to get the pipework done.

Mr. Williams asked if a sign could be placed there. Clr. Brinsden said a sign could be put up saying 'unsuitable for motors'.

The chair, Clr. James, thanked Mr. Williams for attending and he said that the community council would do all it could to improve the situation and keep the position monitored.

The chair then welcomed Professor David Kay, Dr. Mark Wyer, Michelle Price and Rod Thomas from the Environment Agency to the meeting.

Rod Thomas told the meeting that Amroth lost its Blue Flag last year and that results were poor across the whole of Western Britain for this year. He said he was working with some of the local farmers who were undertaking addressing some of the problems.

Dr. Mark Wyer then explained that a study was undertaken this summer on behalf of the EA and similar to a previous study done in 2001, due to the highly variable water quality results over the years. He said that FIOs (bacteria) could be present both in rivers and streams and that they could be sewage related - both from septic tanks and animal. Several streams could potentially impact on the bathing waters at Amroth. The worst conditions followed after it had rained. A microbial tracer study was done together with microbiological analysis measuring the FIO concentrations in association with measurements of rainfall and stream flow. Temporary gauge sites were set up in two streams, together with rain gauges.

The study took place over three months during the summer in the bathing season. During this period, one 'event' of rainfall was recorded every four days. Tracer organisms were put into the streams following heavy rainfall and then half-hourly samples and hourly samples were taken through the night.

The tracer organisms were traced in the sea water at the given point near the castle slipway. The 'event' took place on August 23 and 24 following heavy rainfall. There were five beach tracer sites along Amroth beach. No tracers were found at the New Inn stream.

The conclusion was that the current travelled eastwards, hence it was not found at the designated sampling site. Low concentrations were found at Colby river and then tracers were found at Wiseman's Bridge 10 hours after it being put in. There was greater impacting observed over time.

Councillors raised concerns about effluent running across the highway and ending up down a main drain into the Colby river.

Rod Thomas said that he would look into this matter. He believed that some of the cause for this had now been removed. He said that the spreading of slurry when it was wet or raining should be avoided.

He stressed that there were measures that could be taken by farmers to reduce the spread of animal pollutants into rivers. Catchment sensitive farming in and around Amroth may be a reality with additional funding from the Welsh Assembly Government. The EA were pursuing this and any initiative would be closely monitored.

A councillor raised the issue of pollution coming from Carmarthen Bay area and whether any of this could reach Amroth beach. However, it was pointed out that because of the eastward drift, it was unlikely that any of this pollution found its way onto Amroth beach.

The chair thanked the EA for attending and for such a detailed presentation of the analysis that had taken place over the summer in Amroth.

Matters arising

Broadband: It was reported that BT had said that the line down Pleasant Valley from Wiseman's Bridge was in desperate need of repair, but that the council would not allow the road to be closed to do it. Clr. Brinsden reported that BT were replacing lines through Amroth. It was also reported that there had been no news from Nerys Evans following her input at the last meeting regarding broadband. Anyone in the area who has a problem accessing broadband should write to Nerys Evans at 52 Lammas Street Carmarthen, SA31 3AL.

PLANED Community Action Planning: A newsletter editorial group was now established and the first edition would be published early December.

It was agreed that the final Action Plan, drawn up as a result of several Community Action Planning meetings over the summer months, would be an agenda item at the next meeting to discuss what the community council could do in meeting some of the Community Action Plan objectives.

Newsletter: The clerk, as editor of the newsletter, asked if the community council could contribute a donation to the publication of subsequent newsletters. It was agreed that the council would contribute to both the Amroth and Llanteg newsletters. It was proposed that a donation of £100 be available to both newsletter groups. This was very much appreciated.

Enhancement of promenade in Amroth: It was reported that this work was nearly finished. However, there were marks in the newly-laid soft concrete. This happened when the concrete was setting. Clr. Brinsden said it would probably be covered by clerk of works. A request had been put in about benches for the remainder of the promenade. It was reported that the existing new benches were very slow to dry and whether there was another material that could be used which would dry more quickly.

County Councillor's Report

Clr. Brinsden said that a motion had gone through to the scrutiny committee on the sewage system (Llanteg and Pleasant Valley). A give-way sign in Stepaside had been re-requested. Where council tenants live in areas that are subjected to floods, flood gates had been requested.

There was to be a cutting back on street lighting due to cost of electricity. When a lighting system came to the end of its life, it would not be replaced. However, there was an assurance from the cabinet that Clr. Brinsden and the community council would be informed when there was a likelihood of this occurring in their area. Clr. Brinsden said he had asked that the street lighting was turned off at 1 am in the morning, rather than midnight.

Clr. Brinsden added that he had retained his seat on National Park and was still the chair of the National Park planning committee.

Other items

Morgan's Way: Although there was nothing to report at this stage, a photograph was shown to the council of a skid mark from a vehicle going into Morgan's Way. It was again noted how dangerous this area was and that it was an accident waiting to happen.

Amroth sign in village: This had still not been returned, but would be chased up.

Pathway from Pleasant Valley to Wiseman's Bridge: It was reported that people passing were infringing onto a resident's land. Clr. Brinsden said that he had had a complaint from a resident in Pleasant Valley. He said that they had a small digger out there, but it needed further work. However, with the current financial situation, it would take a little more time. Clr. Brinsden would follow this up.

Slip-way to beach by New Inn: It was suggested that the disability access group be contacted about this to get their support.

Zoar Chapel of Rest, Llanteg: It would appear that the PCC would not widen the road and plastic bollards were not helpful. Clr. Brinsden said that there was not a lot that could be done about this.

BT phased removal of public 'phone boxes: A letter had been received from the PCC stating that the pay 'phone box at Wiseman's Bridge would remain.

Steps on Amroth seafront: It was reported that this work should be done when the sea defences were dealt with.

Pembrokeshire coastal path: Mr. Tim Jones was to attend the November meeting to discuss proposed signage/information at the beginning and end of the coastal path at Amroth. This would be an opportunity to discuss other issues regarding footpaths in the area.

Heritage Centre meeting with other community councils: It was reported that in addition to the two councillors from Amroth, there were two members from Saundersfoot Community Council. However, there was no representative from Kilgetty and Begelly, hence nothing could be decided. The council was shown a map indicating the National Park going right up the valley to Stepaside. Clr. Brinsden said that this had come from the definitive map in Pembroke Dock. It was felt by some councillors that the map was incorrect and they would try to get this clarified.

Flooding at Woodview: It was reported that there was nothing to add at this stage and that the work seemed to have stopped completely.

Overhanging trees on Amroth hill: Several concerns had been raised by local caravan site owners about the damage being caused to caravans being transported to and from the village from overhanging trees on the road down from Summerhill to Amroth. A letter had been sent to Glenville Codd, of PCC, asking for some action to be taken on this matter.

Planning

Clr. Brinsden declared an interest and took no part in discussion.

New premises licence - The Parish Hall, Summerhill (no objection, all agreed).

Blaencilgoed Quarry - Clr. Brinsden had had a response to his letter and he should have some news by January.

Cwmrath, Summerhill - erection of signs (no objection, all agreed).

Land adjacent to Morfa, Amroth - withdrawn.

Llanteg Park, Ledgerland Lane, Llanteg - replacement sewage plant with ancillary pump/meter housing (permission granted).

Variation of operating dates - Pleasant Valley Caravan Park (approval granted with conditions. No caravan shall be occupied between January 10 to February 28 in any one year to ensure that the caravans were not used as permanent residential accommodation).

Correspondence

The clerk said that a letter had been sent to PCC raising a concern about the length of time to get responses to issues raised at community council meetings. In future, the community council was to deal directly with Mr. Glenville Codd for all matters concerning their area.

Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act: There was a report back to the council on this. It was felt that employing law enforcement officers would be very difficult and could potentially cause more problems than solutions. It was agreed that the community council would not go down this route. Other options for monitoring litter, graffiti and dog related issues would be discussed at the next meeting.

The Community Action Plan would also be an agenda item when there would be a discussion on elements of the plan considered suitable to be tackled by the community council.

It was reported that some documents had been received from Mrs. Aldgate of the old Amroth Seagulls Football Club. These were now archived at the County Record Office at Haverfordwest if anyone was interested in looking at them.

The next meeting will be on Thursday, November 20, at 7 pm, at Llanteg Village Hall.