At the start of last month’s meeting of Manorbier Community Council, chairman Clr. Ray Hughes welcomed Clrs. Clark and Miall following their recent co-option. Both had been co-opted as councillors for Jameston and Lydstep ward.

Among matters considered and discussed at the meeting were the following:

Correspondence

Clr. Hughes and the clerk summarised some of the key items of correspondence, including:

An email from Clr. Hannon offering apologies, commenting on a planning application and asking about progress on the provision of a mirror to help with the blind and dangerous junction out of the road to St. James’s Church, Manorbier.

An email was also received from Andrea Thomas providing details of the registered charity number of Save Our Skrinkle Park.

An email and letter from the Boundary Commission provided details of a consultation on the draft ‘Guidance for Principal Councils on the Review of Communities’. This review was to also affect Town and Community Councils (possible reduction in wards, clustering, etc). Council asked that the documents be copied to members in readiness for a discussion at the November meeting, with the deadline for comments being December 21.

Details were received from Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) of community meetings to discuss domestic waste and recycling and its face to face facilities; as well as a PCC consultation regarding a proposal to increase their direct fees and charges.

A donation request from Macmillan Cancer Support South West Wales was to be considered at the November meeting.

Other correspondence was brought forward and taken as noted. Clr. Hughes suggested that the clerk be contacted if any member wished to see the specific details of any items of correspondence discussed.

PLANNING AND LICENSING APPLICATIONS

Roof alterations to garage, replacement extension to side and rear at Beachcroft, Manorbier. Clr. Parker proposed that this application be recommended for approval. Seconded by Clr. Williams. Vote taken - six in favour, one abstention.

Licence application to update plan of internal licensed area at Brown’s Country Club and Restaurant, Buttyland Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Manorbier. Clr. Hughes reported that PCNPA had advised PCC that there was currently no planning permission for the first floor to be used as a function room. Council noted and agreed that it could not consider making a judgement on this licence application, as the owner did not have planning permission for the first floor to be used as a function room.

Erection of three-bedroom dormer bungalow with separate garage at Plot 1, Green Grove, Jameston. After a brief discussion, Clr. Marcia Kidney proposed that this application be recommended for approval. Seconded by Clr. Clark. Vote taken - five in favour, one abstention.

The clerk wondered if enough time was being provided for councillors to look at planning applications in order to help inform discussions. Members discussed options, including asking PCNPA for email copies of planning applications. Members agreed to arrive at 6.30 pm for the next MCC meeting, in order to view in more detail the planning applications under consideration.

Pre-application consultation for proposed erection of 23 affordable homes with associated access, parking, landscaping and engineering works at land at Station Road, Manorbier: Clr. Parker declared a personal interest in this item. Clr. Hughes informed councillors that details of this pre-application consultation were now displayed in Jameston Village Hall and comments were requested by the applicant (Pembrokeshire Housing) by October 28. Clr. Williams proposed that the clerk be asked to request an extension to this deadline for comments, in order for MCC to have more time to consider its comments (and those from local residents) on this pre-application consultation. Seconded by Clr. Miall. Vote taken - six in favour, one abstention.

Other notices and correspondence, including approvals for various tree works, were discussed and noted by council.

Clr. Hughes also provided an update on his attendance at a recent PCNPA development management committee (DMC) meeting at which he provided comments (re-iterating comments and objections made previously by MCC) on two recent planning applications - One Planet Development for single household and retention of temporary caravan at Willow Farm, north of Rock Farm, Cow Park Lane, Manorbier Newton; and conversion and extension of existing redundant buildings to two holiday let cottages at Manor Farm, Lydstep. Both applications were, however, approved by the DMC.

County Councillor’s Report

County Clr. Phillip Kidney provided the following updates:

Memorial seat in Jameston: PCC’s highways team had passed the matter to their Streetcare team (Marc Owen) and a response was awaited. Relevant photographs had been sent to Marc Owen.

Vehicle activated speed signs in Manorbier: PCC were seeking the views of residents who lived adjacent to the proposed location. One resident had given their approval. The views of one other resident were awaited before matters could proceed.

School bus not using bus stop bay to drop children off near to Station Road: First Cymru was the operator involved. A meeting between the safety officer at PCC’s highways team and First Cymru was planned to try and resolve the matter.

Local residents had noticed the placement of a caravan in the field where the new community centre was planned to be built in Manorbier. There was no sign of anyone living in the caravan and it was possibly being used for storage purposes by horse owners.

Will Lloyd from PCC would shortly be visiting Manorbier Newton to look at locations where the road was breaking up.

PCC had voted against PCNPA proposals to re-locate into County Hall, Haverfordwest. Some cross/joint working between the two bodies had not been ruled out.

PCC Review of Traffic Regulation Orders: 30 mph speed limits were being looked at first. Most, if not all, in Manorbier’s area were unlikely to change. The exercise was more about tidying up legislation, but if any changes were proposed, PCC would ask for comment/feedback first. Clr. Parker asked about extending the 20 mph speed limit through Station Road as far as the railway station. County Clr. Kidney agreed to email PCC to ask about this extension.

County Clr Kidney was thanked for his helpful monthly update.

CASUAL VACANCY

The clerk reported that the Electoral Services Office at PCC had confirmed that no requests to hold an election (following the resignation of Clr. Haynes) had been received by them from local electors, before the expiry of the deadline of September 25. MCC had been requested to fill this vacancy by co-option in due course. Members agreed to consider the matter further at their January meeting.

OTHER MATTERS

A request was received from Manorbier United Football Club (MUFC) to provide support for the purchase of a second hand roller. The clerk reported that MUFC had now confirmed that all rubbish had been cleaned away from around the sports pavilion and rubbish at the site of last year’s bonfire night event would be cleaned away after this year’s bonfire night. A skip was in place to clear everything away within one week of this year’s event.

As a result, MUFC would like MCC to further consider its request for MCC to purchase a second hand roller for £350 plus VAT, for use by MUFC.

The clerk reported that Richard Mason had cleared vegetation, including intrusive ivy, away from around the pavilion.

Clr. Hall confirmed that organisers of the bonfire were now working with MUFC.

The clerk also confirmed that MUFC had now appointed a committee to run its affairs. Membership was read out by the clerk.

MUFC had confirmed that any roller purchased would be pulled by a 4x4 vehicle.

Clr. Hughes said that by purchasing a second hand roller, MCC would save costs over a short period of time. (MCC currently pays for its grass cutter to roll the field at £250 per time).

Clr. Williams proposed that MCC purchase a second hand roller for use by MUFC at £350 plus VAT, providing it remains the property of MCC; MUFC maintains it and MCC insures the roller. Seconded by Clr. Marcia Kidney. Vote taken - six in favour, one abstention.

Update on the notice relating to application for a modification of the Definitive Map and Statement - Meadow Road to Kiln House Lane, Jameston: The clerk had not received anything further from Matt Cloud, PCC. Clr. Miall was brought up to date on this issue, including previous suggestions on applying for a Public Spaces Protection Order.

Commissioning of two dog waste signs for Manorbier beach: The clerk reported that no further update had been received from PCNPA. He was asked to chase up PCNPA. Clr. Clark reported that the mill stream had been clogged up with vegetation on the beach and was flooding the ground at the base of the walkway. The clerk was asked to report the matter to PCNPA.

Action Tracking

Car parking at Manorbier Station: No update had been received from PCC. News was awaited from County Clr. Kidney. Clr. Marcia Kidney agreed to chase this up. Clr. Hall wondered if Simon Hart MP could be involved. If no progress was made, councillors agreed to approach either Simon Hart MP or Angela Burns, AM.

Jameston Play Area: The clerk confirmed that Clr. Williams had completed his latest inspection. There was nothing further to report.

Re-surfacing of land/painting of yellow lines in front and adjacent to Lydstep bus stop: The work had not been undertaken, but Clr. Marcia Kidney agreed to chase up County Clr. Kidney for an update on progress.

Public footpath SP23/9 -Park Farm, Manorbier to Bush Terrace, Jameston, request to fully open up to the public: Anthony Richards, PCC, had confirmed that a site meeting had been held at Park Farm and an assessment of the suitability of a proposed alternative route was undertaken. The farmer would now be undertaking some more work to define the exact alternative route in readiness for a further inspection by PCC. MCC would then be consulted on the proposal.

Emergency Items

Clr. Williams reported on the condition of a wall in Manorbier next to Inglenook Cottage and adjacent to the play area. PCC had now cordoned off this wall, but wondered if repair work was being followed up. Clr. Marcia Kidney agreed to report the matter to County Clr Kidney.

Clr. Hughes referred to Clr. Hannon’s email comment about the need for a mirror to assist drivers exiting the road from St. James’s Church, Manorbier. Clr. Marcia Kidney agreed to report the matter to County Clr Kidney.

Clr. Hughes reported that a third signatory was now required to be put forward and authorised (by Barclays Bank plc) in respect of cheque signatures. At present, Clr. Hughes and Clr. Marcia Kidney were authorised signatories. Following Clr Haynes’s resignation, a new third signatory was required. After a brief discussion, Clr. Hall proposed that Clr. Clark be approved as MCC’s third authorised signatory. All were in favour.