The annual meeting of Manorbier Community Council took place last month, when Clr. Ray Hughes was re-elected as chair and Clr. Rob Hall as vice-chair.

Matters Arising from the minutes

The clerk reported that PCC and Natural Resources Wales had visited Cow Park Farm, Manorbier Newton, following earlier concerns raised about slurry pollution. Findings were read out and there was confirmation that there was no evidence of sewage fungus or pollution and the watercourse was running clear. Clr. Hughes confirmed that the farm had now been sold, but might now be back on the market.

The clerk reported that Clr. Marcia Kidney had provided a written update on the ‘Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant’ following her attendance at a PCC briefing meeting. The clerk read out the update, including on the application process. Clr. Marcia Kidney had confirmed that any applications from MCC’s area would need to come in front of full council. PCC had suggested that MCC hold a public meeting to help advertise the availability of the grant. A representative from PCC would be willing to attend such a meeting. Members asked that a PCC representative be invited to attend the July meeting of MCC to outline the eligibility criteria. Members of the public could be invited to attend. Cllr Hall said that South Ridgeway Community Association had applied for a grant from the scheme and that Save Our Skrinkle Play Park would also be interested in applying.

Clr. Hall said that Manorbier United Football Club (MUFC) existed in name only at the present time and that John Drury, secretary, was ‘holding the fort’. Mr. Drury had asked that a copy of the underlease between MCC and MUFC be sent to him. The clerk was to action. this

Correspondence

Copy of a letter sent by Pembroke Town Council to Vaughan Gething AM, expressing concern about Hywel Dda University Health Board’s proposal to downgrade Withybush Hospital. Clr. Long proposed that MCC also send a letter to Vaughan Gething AM in support of retaining Withybush Hospital with an A & E department. All in favour.

Notification was received from PCC of road closures during the Long Course Weekend, July 13-15.

PLANNING

Three Sycamore - climb trees and sectionally dismantle to ground level leaving stumps in situ chemically treated to prevent regrowth at Lydstep Holiday Park, Lydstep. All in favour.

At this point, Clr. Hall and Clr. Parker declared a personal Iinterest in the following two planning applications:

Erection of signage to front elevation at Jameston Village Store, Jameston. Members welcomed the re-opening of the village shop. Clr. Long proposed that this application be recommended for approval. Seconded by Clr. Clark. Vote taken – four in favour, one abstention.

Change of use from retail to residential dwelling at Jameston Village Store, Jameston. Clr. Hughes read out comments from PCC’s contaminated land inspector which recommended refusal of this application at this time due to a potential explosive risk that remained at this location. Members discussed the history of the site and whether there was any amenity space associated with the application. Full council did welcome the re-opening of the shop, but expressed concern about the potential of an explosive risk remaining. Clr. Long proposed that the application be recommended for refusal in light of the information received from PCC. Seconded by Clr. Clark. Vote taken - four in favour, one against.

Extend existing property to rear, demolish existing garage and erect double garage/workshop on western boundary at Old Police Station, Lydstep. All in favour of approval.

Clr. Hall declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following application and left ther room:

Community hub building (variation of condition 2 of NP/17/0187 - alterations to previously approved design to reduce scale of building) at land to rear of Hounsell Avenue, Manorbier. Members noted the reduced scale of the building and the omission of the shooting range. Clr. Parker proposed that this application be recommended for approval. Seconded by Clr. Clark. Vote taken - four in favour.

Tree works to large Monterey Pine at West Hills, Lydstep. All in favour.

Proposed 1.5 storey extension to the rear of existing dwelling to enlarge utility room and bathroom on ground floor and en-suites at first floor level, single storey extension to the side of existing attached garage to provide storage space for mower and garden equipment and a detached double garage at Cuckoo Grove, The Green, Lydstep. Members noted the location of this application. All were in favour of it being approved.

Creation of new access at Highlands, The Green, Lydstep. Councillors again noted the location of this application, on a bend in Lydstep. All wre again in favour.

Other notices, including letters about planning issues, were noted by council. These included five emails from local residents objecting to the erection of a new bungalow at Mead Lane, Manorbier. Clr. Hughes reminded members that MCC had previously recommended refusal of this application. These letters were passed to County Clr. Kidney, who was due to attend a development management committee meeting.

Action Tracking

Car parking at Manorbier Station: Clr. Hughes reported that Angela Burns AM had written to MCC confirming that Tom Joyner, Arriva Trains Wales (ATW), had written to her about car parking at Manorbier Station. MCC had been encouraged to contact Tom Joyner, but meantime ATW had confirmed that amendments to station properties would be dealt with by Network Rail (NR). ATW confirmed that provision of a car park would require changes to groundwork and therefore PCC would need to get involved with NR and thereafter to inform ATW of changes made. Clr. Hughes hoped a site meeting could be arranged. The clerk said that Ray Greenwood appeared to be the PCC contact.

Beavers Hill Crossing -installation of road ramps: The letter from Angela Burns, AM had also mentioned Beavers Hill crossing. This confirmed that NR had almost secured £11k of funding for work at the crossing. This would match £11k from PCC; £22k being the amount of funding needed for the safety work to be undertaken by PCC. NR had also undertaken to consider traffic calming measures at Manorbier Newton crossing if deliberate misuse continued.

Installation of a vehicle actuated speed (VAS) sign and rumble strips on the approach to Jameston from the Pembroke direction and in Manorbier: County Clr. Kidney agreed to contact PCSO Andrew Griffiths to invite him to MCC’s July meeting.

Installation of footpath – Windy Ridge to Hounsell Avenue, Manorbier: No update again. County Clr. Kidney thought that this could be the type of project funded through the new ‘Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant’.

Public footpath SP23/9 - Park Farm, Manorbier to Bush Terrace, Jameston: Request to fully open up to the public - no update. The clerk was asked to chase PCNPA for an update.

County Councillor’s Report

County Clr. Phillip Kidney provided the following updates:

PCC was advertising for voluntary beach wardens, although equipment and insurance would be supplied. In particular, the stretch of land between the toilet block in Manorbier and the beach was a concern in respect of litter.

A new initiative entitled ‘Encompass’ was being taken forward by PCC and Dyfed/Powys Police. This related to domestic violence and its effect on children. Schools would be notified by 9 am the following day where pupils had witnessed any domestic violence in their home. The initiative was working well.

Windows in St James’s Place, Jameston: A contractor (solar) had been appointed and would contact residents in the near future.

Defibrillator in Jameston: An application had been made for a free defibrillator via First Responders in Tenby.

Clr. Parker reported that waste bins in Manorbier appeared to be not being emptied as regularly as previously. County Clr. Kidney agreed to chase this up.

Clr. Parker also mentioned the possible extension of the 20mph speed limit between the school and railway station in Manorbier. This had been discussed a number of times in the past by MCC. County Clr. Kidney agreed to investigate.

In addition, the Water Garden directional sign needed to be taken down, as this attraction had closed some time ago.

OTHER?MATTERS

Update from Clr. Hall on ways of reducing use of plastic within MCC’s area. Clr. Hall said he had researched the internet and had seen a listing of items considered to be single use plastic and not easily recycled. He noted that there was a Zerowaste website and that a Zerowaste week was planned for September 3-7. Clr. Hall asked that copies of this information be copied for Members for the next MCC meeting. Clr. Hall hoped to speak to Laurence Blackhall at Tenby Town Council (TTC) soon.

Donation request from Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales. Members noted that the Bobath organisation was based in Cardiff. After a brief discussion, Clr Hall proposed that MCC do not provide a donation on this occasion. All in favour.

Clr. Hughes reported that he had received a letter from Peter Kidney about the state of the North sports field. Clr. Hughes read out Mr. Kidney’s letter. Clr. Hughes said that he had inspected the field, as had the clerk ahead of the meeting. Clr. Hughes reported that the entrance gates were not locked; there was a pile of artificial grass in the corner of the field; old decking had been dumped alongside the clubhouse and there were remains of the bonfire which included hundreds of nails and screws.

Clr. Hall said that MUFC had paid for a skip to clear much of the bonfire debris.

Clr. Hughes agreed that most of the debris needed burying or taken away and then the ground reseeded. In addition, he reported that the MCC heavy roller had been taken away or stolen from the sports field. If damage had occurred to the roller, this could be costly.

Clr. Hall said that he had agreed that Mark Meyrick could borrow the roller, following his agreement to roll the sports field for free (using his tractor to pull the roller). Clr. Hall agreed to chase up the situation with the roller.

Clr. Hughes suggested that the MCC agreement with MUFC should clearly show that the roller should not be taken off site and that it be used for the rolling of the two sports fields only. Clr. Hall offered his apologies and said he should have asked MCC for permission.

Clr. Clark proposed that the agreement with MUFC for purchase of the roller by MCC be amended to show that the roller be kept at the North sports field for use in the North and South sports fields only. Seconded by Clr. Parker. Vote taken - four in favour, one abstention.

Clr. Hughes mentioned that the peripheries in both sports fields needed cutting back. The clerk confirmed that he had met Richard Mason at the North sports field ahead of the meeting. He reported that there were divots in the field playing area which needed filling, to avoid injury. However, the clerk said that Richard Mason had quoted £650 as his cost to cut back the peripheries in both fields. This would be an extension of his current contract. In addition, Richard Mason had also quoted £225 to power wash the matting in Jameston Play Area.

Clr. Hughes reminded members that MCC had invested a substantial amount of funding in MUFC and the two sports fields over the last few years and needed to keep the land in reasonable condition in order to comply with the parent lease with Peter Kidney.

After further discussion, Clr. Hall agreed to speak with members of MUFC about clearing the bonfire debris and repairing the guttering to the rear of the clubhouse. He also agreed to find out about the missing keys to the pavilion and the sports fields.

Clr. Long proposed that the quote from Richard Mason of £650 to cut back the peripheries of both sports fields be approved. All were in favour. Members agreed to discuss the quote for power washing the matting in Jameston Play Area on another occasion.

Clr. Hughes said he had received a request from South Ridgeway Community Association to hold a car boot sale in the North sports field. Members had no objections provided the bonfire debris (including nails etc) had been cleared first.

Clr. Hughes mentioned that a resident was still parking on the path at the entrance to Meadow Road. County Clr. Kidney agreed to investigate.

Clr. Hughes also said that Cob Lane verges were overgrown with Cow Parsley, particularly near the crossroads which led to the beach. A cut was urgently needed. County Clr. Kidney agreed to investigate.

Finally, Clr. Hughes reported that a resident in Gainer Way was parking on the pavement. This was preventing an elderly resident from passing in his wheelchair. County Clr. Kidney noted this.