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

Matters Arising from the minutes

The clerk reported that the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales Annual Report for 2018/19 had been approved. This report had been amended from the draft report, including on instructions around payment of the £150 allowance to councillors. The report now stipulates that this is not a mandated payment, but an authorised payment and councils could opt to not approve this payment. Members asked that this matter be placed on the agenda for the April meeting.

The clerk also updated council on correspondence with Margaret Thorne about Jameston Play Area and other issues including MCC comments on S106 elements of planning applications. He read out MCC’s letter of reply to Mrs. Thorne and had now received two further letters from her.

The chair read out the relevant paragraphs (to this agenda item) of these letters. Clr. Hughes clarified two points raised in these letters about Section 106 payments. He said that the proposed development on land opposite Bush Terrace, Jameston, was only at Ppre-application consultation stage.

Clr. Hannon said that MCC did not negotiate Section 106 agreements. In the Bush Terrace case, MCC did make a list of recommendations sent to the developer (based on comments from local residents who had attended an earlier MCC meeting). These recommendations had included comments on any proposed open space/play area. Some of these recommendations could find their way into discussions around Section 106 agreements with the relevant planning authority.

Clr. Hughes added that the affordable homes development at Green Grove was for three bungalows for over 55-year-olds. There had been no request for play equipment, but he wished to place on record that his contribution toward the S106 agreement for the development was that he had sold the plots for the three bungalows for £1 to Pembrokeshire Housing.

Clr. Marcia Kidney mentioned the discussions with Manorbier School about the new play equipment in Jameston Play Area.

Clr. Hughes confirmed that both ex-Clr. Terry Williams and he had visited the school and met pupils. Pupils had looked at suggestions for play equipment. The pupils had provided ideas in letter form which MCC retained.

The correspondence with Mrs. Thorne on these matters had now reached 24 items of letters or emails. Clr. Hannon thought that this was now vexatious correspondence.

Clr. Hughes agreed that this correspondence was now vexatious and repetitive.

The clerk, however, suggested he reply to Mrs. Thorne summarising the above points.

Clr. Hannon proposed that the clerk reply to Mrs. Thorne stating that there was nothing to be gained by continuing the correspondence with her on these issues and that the correspondence had now run its course. All were in favour.

correspondence

A letter was recived from D. A. Morse requesting that a defibrillator be kept in Jameston Village Hall. Clr. Hughes thought this a good idea, but said that County Clr. Kidney’s report would cover this matter.

An email was received from Ray Hine thanking County Clr. Kidney for undertaking help for the elderly in Jameston during the recent cold weather.

An email and poster were received from PACTO providing details about a Sunday bus service to Withybush Hospital.

A letter from PCC confirmed receipt of MCC’s precept request of £22,900 for the year 2018/19.

An email was received from Mark Elliott, PCC, about irresponsible dog ownership in the county and the reduced resources in the dog warden team. The clerk was asked to copy to all councillors on email.

An email was received from the BBC about the filming of Countryfile in Pembrokeshire, including at Lydstep. MCC had referred BBC to Tim Jones at PCNPA.

An OVW letter was received confirming that MCC had been successful in the draw for invitations to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party in 2018. Clr. Hughes would be attending.

A Welsh Government email confirmed £35k was being made available for projects around the clustering of councils, etc.

PLANNING

Replacement of chalet attached to side of house with extension at Lime House, Manorbier (approval recommended).

Tree Works at Glanymor, Manorbier (approval recommended).

Action Tracking

Car parking at Manorbier Station: Clr. Hughes confirmed he had met with Angela Burns AM/AC following the last MCC meeting and a letter had subsequently been received from her. This had confirmed that a member of her staff had contacted Network Rail (NR) and Stephen Benger (PCC) about these issues (in (a) and (b)). A response was awaited.

Beavers Hill Crossing - installation of road ramps - see (a) above. The clerk had also received an email from NR confirming that NR would be arranging another ‘Stop and Educate’ event at the Beavers Hill crossing and that the ‘Give Way’ signage was standard for these crossings. NR had also sent through links to information leaflets about safety issues at level crossings.

Installation of a vehicle actuated speed sign and rumble strips on the approach to Jameston from the Pembroke direction and in Manorbier: County Clr. Kidney had sent through to the clerk some quotes for various VAS signs. Clr. Hughes read out the quotes, including for solar powered signs and for mobile signs. Clr. Hannon thought that the Highways Authority and or the Police would have a key role in installation of such signs. He also highlighted speeding delivery vans in the area and wondered if the local Police could be consulted in the first instance. Members asked that the local PCSO, Andrew Griffiths, be approached to attend a meeting in order for his views to be taken into account.

Installation of footpath – Windy Ridge to Hounsell Avenue, Manorbier: No update.

Public footpath SP23/9 -Park Farm, Manorbier to Bush Terrace, Jameston, request to fully open up to the public. No further update from PCNPA, but work should be ready ithat month.

County Councillor’s Report

County Clr. Phillip Kidney provided the following updates:

Damage at Manorbier beach toilets again.

PCNPA officers had recommended approval of the planning application for 23 affordable homes in Station Road, Manorbier. The development management committee would be considering the case at its meeting that month.

Clr. Kidney had contacted Pat Davies, health and social services at PCC, about provision of a defibrillator in Jameston and to see if any local schemes were offering provision of defibrillators. Defibrillator pads do have to be replaced at a cost of £900 every two years or so or after each use. Clr. Marcia Kidney said she would have a look into the matter, including training.

Greenhill School: Although the school had been placed into a red band, this was not based on results, but on the extra training of mathematics. Kate Evans-Hughes, director of education, PCC, had offered to attend a MCC meeting to explain the position. Members asked County Clr. Kidney to invite the director to the next MCC meeting.

OTHER MATTERS

To consider and approve work at Jameston Play Area; to receive an inspection update and an update (if any) on the notice relating to the application for a modification of the Definitive Map and Statement - Meadow Road to Kiln House Lane, Jameston: Clr. Williams had provided his latest monthly inspection report. Lubrication of some equipment was needed, but matting did need scrubbing and cleaning to eradicate the moss and algae growth. The clerk was asked to get a quote for this cleaning work from MCC’s grass cutter.

At this point, Clr. Hughes read out a statement about activities that took place during the public participation session at the February meeting. This is reproduced here:

‘I feel compelled to read a statement out before we address this agenda item. At the last full council meeting on February 8 during Public Participation session, this council and in particular our clerk and proper officer, Ian Morris, was put under scrutiny by a member of the public, who questioned not only his credibility as clerk, but also asked if he was not bringing forward emails to present to MCC, without evidence to support her statement. She also stated that, in her opinion, it was part of the clerk’s job to go to Narberth Royal Mail Sorting Office as many times as necessary to collect any mail sent by recorded delivery, if he was not at home when the postman did his round. I am not prepared for Ian Morris or any member of MCC to be accused of not doing their job satisfactorily, if I know the accusations are unfounded. I stood up to the bombardment of accusations made toward this council. I admit I raised my voice and at times it got heated, but I did not swear at the accusers or leave my seat during this public participation. I am led to believe that a member of the public sent a letter to Angela Burns AM and also reported me to the Police. On February 27, two police officers visited a member of the public’s home in Jameston and then drove to Templeton and questioned Ian Morris in his home for half-an-hour. Ian has told me he accepts that this could be looked upon as part of his job, but it was not pleasant having two police officers in his home and a large police car parked in his drive for that length of time. It appears to me that there are one or two people in Jameston village hell-bent on not only trying to close the children’s play area, or at the very least are determined to have a public footpath through the middle of it, but are also putting the credibility of this council and its members under question’.

The clerk retained a copy of this statement.

Clr. Hughes then read out a letter from Angela Burns AM/AC about representations she had received from Clr. Hughes and from members of the local community, concerning access to Jameston Play Area, including for those wishing to walk their dogs. The letter had suggested that a walking area around the perimeter of the field be installed to enable dog walking to take place through the field.

Angela Burns had also confirmed that she had spoken with PCC about the application for a modification of the Definitive Map and Statement: Meadow Road to Kiln House Lane, Jameston, and had been told that this issue could take around eight years to resolve because of the level of outstanding cases.

Clr. Marcia Kidney expressed her strong views that this was a children’s play area and as the county had 50 dog friendly beaches, 186 miles of coastal path and miles of country lanes, footpaths and bridle paths locally, why would dogs want to be let into a children’s play area.

Clr. Kidney highlighted recent increases in dog attacks on children (by 81 per cent in Wales over the last 10 years) and of those children attacked, aged 14 or under, 1,257 had been admitted to A&E. She also highlighted diseases that were spread through contact with dog faeces, even when dog fouling had been cleaned up, through residue left on the surface.

She considered that even with a cordoned off area for dog walkers in the play area, the reaction of dogs to children playing, kicking a football or those picnicking could not be predicted.

The only NHS Obesity Clinic in Wales had stated that 25 per cent of children in Wales were overweight or suffered from obesity, with lack of physical activity being one of the factors to blame.

Clr. Kidney said that it was paramount for the health and future well-being of all children in Pembrokeshire to have safe access to a recreational children’s play area where dogs were banned.

She proposed that the position at Jameston Play Area, where no dogs were allowed, should remain the same, with no perimeter walkway for dogs. There were other areas locally where owners could walk their dogs. All members present agreed.

Clr. Long thought that the children’s play area was relatively small. Clr. Williams said that it was a minority of dog walkers that let their dogs off a lead in the play area.

Clr. Marcia Kidney proposed that the position of banning dogs from Jameston Play Area stays the same. All were in favour. Clr. Hughes agreed to respond to Angela Burns AM/AC accordingly.

To consider an update on the installation of the De Barri Coat of Arms on signage in MCC’s area: Clr. Marcia Kidney confirmed that she had undertaken some research into the Coat of Arms and had spoken to SignSpeed. There were two options for signage -an aluminium sign (cheaper option) or a resin sign (giving a 3D appearance). Paint used would have a five to 10-year outdoor life. Some design costs could be incurred if the Coat of Arms images needed to be redrawn. An A4 standard composite ‘digital’ sign would cost about £60 plus VAT, but if a sign needed re-drawing, this would incur the additional design costs. Clr. Kidney said she had not approached the De Barri family nor undertaken further research on the correct Coat of Arms. She agreed to update full council in April.

Renewal of MCC’s membership of One Voice Wales for 2018/19: Members were content with MCC’s existing membership of One Voice Wales and noted a slight increase to the costs of membership for 2018/19 which now stood at £198. Clr. Marcia Kidney proposed that MCC renew its membership and all were in favour.

To discuss ways or reducing use of plastic within MCC’s area: Clr. Hall was absent and the clerk reported that he had not received any paperwork from Aberporth Community Council. Clr. Hannon suggested a local working group be set up to look into this work. Clr. Marcia Kidney reported that Tim Evans, local milkman, was now delivering milk in glass bottles. Members agreed to postpone further discussions until April.

Grass cutting contract for 2018/19: Clr. Hughes reported that MCC’s existing grass cutter had offered to keep the price for cutting the relevant areas at the same level as last year. Clr. Hughes and Clr. Williams noted that the outer boundaries alongside the south field would need cutting, but care would need to be taken as lumps of concrete were present and often hidden within the long grass. After due discussion, Clr. Long proposed that Richard Mason be retained as MCC’s grass cutter for 2018/19, at the same price (plus boundaries) as in 2017/18. All were in favour.

Donation requests from Paul Sartori Foundation and Cruse Bereavement Care (West Wales area): Members noted that both organisations were locally based and donations of £100 were approved for each.