Among matters considered and discussed at last month’s meeting of Manorbier Community Council were the following:

Matters arising from the MINUTES

Clr Hall confirmed that the community notice board had now been put up outside the Reading Room, Manorbier. The clerk reported that the re-opening of the Reading Room was held on June 3, but no official invitation to attend had been received by MCC. Members wished the owners well with the new cultural venture.

Clr. Terry Williams asked if the clerk had contacted RoSPA about the change in inspector of Jameston Play Area. The clerk confirmed he had spoken with Aon UK and they had confirmed there was no issue of concern in respect of MCC’s insurance policy over change of inspector.

correspondence

A letter was received from Mrs. Felicity Klein expressing concern about lack of notification of the application, as well as the dimensions, set out in planning application NP/15/0685/PA - New barn at Lydstep Court - and alleging MCC’s failure to inspect the plans in this regard.

Clr. Hughes confirmed that MCC did discuss this application at its meeting held in January and recommended approval. He reminded members that the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA), as the planning authority, would look at the dimensions in detail. Members noted that PCNPA would be responsible for the posting of relevant notices and not MCC. Clr. Hall proposed that the clerk reply to Mrs. Klein setting out the above points. All were in favour.

An email was received from Graham Davie requesting that a footpath be installed at the junction of Wheelers Way through to the Skrinkle bus stop. County Clr. Kidney confirmed he would be meeting with Ben Blake, PCC, and would report back. Mr. Davie would also be attending.

Paperwork from Clr. Parker’s attendance at the Standards Committee held on May 20: County Clr Kidney and the clerk had also attended and both spoke at the hearing. Clr. Hughes summarised the findings of the committee and the potential next steps available to Clr. Parker. Members wished to express their support for Clr. Parker at this time. Clr. Terry Williams wished to remind members that three other councillors had recently been reported to the Ombudsman, but had all been cleared (no evidence).

PLANNING

No planning applications had been received.

One planning notice had been received and was read out by Clr. Hughes. This related to an appeal decision (turned down) in respect of land off The Ridgeway, Manorbier Newton. This was noted by council.

Planning Aid Wales guidance on community consultation: This included a requirement in future for all major developments to be sent to town and community councils (and/or councillors representing the ward in which the major development is sited) for comment before any application is submitted to the planning authority.

County Councillor’s Report

Clr. Kidney said that Glenville Codd, PCC, would be sourcing a more ‘secure’ bin for Lydstep bus stop.

The zip wire seat would be collected for installation by Max Evans, Tawny Wood, shortly.

Clr. Kidney would be meeting with Ben Blake, PCC, to discuss the request for a pavement from Wheelers Way to the bus stop in Skrinkle.

Trimming of local hedges and clearing of vegetation around road signs was due to be undertaken during the first week of July. The hedge outside Mr Wales’s house had been trimmed back.

Clr. Hall reported that grass cutting and weed control in Skrinkle had not been undertaken recently. Clr. Chiffi also asked if PCC could consider erecting signs in Skrinkle to warn motorists of children playing. Clr. Kidney said he would broach these matters with Ben Blake.

County Clr. Kidney was thanked for his helpful update.

CASUAL VACANCY

Clr. Hughes reported that one application had been received, from Mrs. Siobhan McClelland, of Beachcroft, Manorbier Clr. Terry Williams proposed that the application be approved. All were in favour. Mrs McClelland was invited to attend the next meeting.

JAMESTON PLAY AREA

Annual inspection of Jameston Play Area and agree appropriate remedial action to equipment. Clr. Hughes referred to the site inspection held with councillors at Jameston Play Area, ahead of the meeting. The clerk also referred to the summary sheet from the annual inspection report from PCC.

The following actions (medium risks) were agreed by council:

One picnic bench to be moved from near the Rotoplay and secured to ground. Clr. John Williams was to be asked to provide a quote for this work.

Rotoplay surface needed repairing and play bark put down. Clr John Williams was to be asked to provide a quote for this work. Clr. Willcocks said that other surfaces in the play area needed repairing/improving.

Gate at Kiln House Lane entrance - two new posts required and the post at the gated entrance to the housing estate needed to be cut down slightly. Clr John Williams was to be asked to provide a quote for this work.

Slide: corrosion on hand rail and bolt hole visible. Clr. Haynes had climbed the slide during the site visit, but did not witness a loose handrail. Members wondered if Des Donnachie could be approached for help, if necessary. Clr. Hine pointed out that the PCC report had quoted 2018 as the slide’s ‘expiry of life’. The tiles, gaps and surfaces around the slide and swings, however, needed remedial work. Clr. John Williams was to be asked to provide a quote for this work.

The clerk reported that a RoSPA training course had been arranged for those undertaking weekly routine inspections of play areas. This was to take place in Neath on October 11. There were no nominations at this stage. Clr. Hine and Clr. Willcocks both confirmed that they would be stepping down from their role in carrying out weekly/monthly routine inspections. Clr. Chiffi and Clr. John Williams kindly offered to undertake these voluntary, routine inspections twice a month, to the best of their ability. Clr. Hughes thanked Clrs. Hine and Willcocks for their work on inspections over the last two years.

Clr. Marcia Kidney considered that some signage should be erected at the play area to clarify that users of the play area should be under adult supervision or words to that effect. Clr. Hughes said that MCC’s insurance policy included appropriate Public Liability insurance. Clr. Hall agreed to approach a local sign maker once the appropriate wording had been agreed. Clr. Marcia Kidney and County Clr. Kidney agreed to research the appropriate wording and report back to the clerk who would then let Clr Hall know.

Clr. Hughes brought forward an invoice from Tawny Wood for their work on the zip wire totalling £2,400. Members reported that some of the work had yet to be completed and that the supports had shakes in them. Clr. Hall said this was naturally occurring in timber. Council asked the clerk to clarify the following with Tawny Wood before the invoice was paid - the aluminium plates needed installing; confirmation that the shakes would not get any worse and treatment of the supports would not be affected; guarantee for this work, in writing, from Tawny Wood; zip wire to be re-installed/erected.

Clr. Haynes proposed that the invoice for £2,400 (including VAT) be paid by the clerk once the above had been received and cleared by the clerk and chair. All agreed.

Donation request and other issues in respect of

Skrinkle Play Area

Clr. Hughes read out an email from Andrea Thomas requesting MCC support for Skrinkle play area whilst also noting no litter bins were sited in Skrinkle. This request followed the de-commissioning and removal of some play equipment by PCC, but with no plans to replace this equipment.

Clr. Chiffi’s report of a recent site meeting with concerned parents and PCC representatives, as well as Clr. Hall and County Clr. Kidney, was read out by Clr. Hughes.

The clerk’s interim response to Andrea Thomas was also read out. This confirmed that a previous financial contribution (£254) by LNG Power Station was for Jameston Play Area and not Skrinkle Play Area. Clr. Hall said he had confirmed this fact with the parents.

Clr. Willcocks asked if PCC were happy for this play area to continue as such.

County Clr. Kidney confirmed and said that PCC would maintain and insure equipment that was installed by the parents group/charity.

Clr. Hall thought that MCC should support this approach as much as it could, both advisory and financial.

Clr. Hughes outlined the procedure that the parents would need to follow before any grant application could be considered and approved by MCC. This included setting up a ‘body’ that had a chair and treasurer; creation of headed paper for that ‘body’ and the setting up of a bank account (Section 137 grants could not be given to individuals).

Clr. Hall said the parents would be approaching other organisations for support.

Clr. Chiffi congratulated the group on their work and efforts to date.

Clr. Terry Williams and Clr. Willcocks asked about the other two PCC owned play areas in Manorbier. Clr. Hall said some equipment had also been taken out of those play areas over time.

In response to a point made by Clr. Hall about general support for Manorbier, Clr. Hughes highlighted recent financial support provided by MCC to Manorbier, including the Bier House, football club and playing fields.

The clerk was asked to send an email to Andrea Thomas, requesting appropriate information from the parents group, in order to enable MCC to consider a financial donation request.

Action Tracking

Registration of Corner House land: Clr. Hughes confirmed that Red Kite Law LLP had requested £40 to pay the Land Registry in Peterborough for a site visit to see Corner House land. This had been paid by MCC in line with a previous MCC decision, but Clr. Terry Williams proposed retrospective approval of this payment of £40. Seconded by Clr. John Williams. Vote taken - nine in favour. The clerk reported that he had received a letter from the Land Registry confirming that an Ordnance Survey surveyor would visit the site within the next two weeks.