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

Matters Arising from the minutes

The clerk said that Manorbier United Football Club (MUFC) had written to confirm the names of MUFC’s committee members. These were read out by the clerk. Clr. Hannon was unsure if the first team was going to operate this season. County Clr. Kidney said that MUFC was hiring out the playing fields to other teams for friendlies.

The clerk read out a copy email from Tim Jones, PCNPA, about illegal overnight campers at Skrinkle headland. PCNPA do not plan to put up any barriers, but it does have enforcement powers to issue fixed penalty signs. PCC will be asked to patrol the site in this regard. Having fires at Skrinkle headland was against the 1933 bye-laws.

The clerk read out responses from Tim Jones, PCNPA, following queries raised the prevous month in respect of the following:

Cutting back of the verges in Haylands Lane, Jameston - this was for PCC to undertake.

Car parking fines at Manorbier beach - the DAK lay-by is part of the highway. PCNPA’s only involvement was the coastal path on the other side of the boulders. Cars parked at Atlantic View were on private land. PCNPA would support any enforcement on overnight camper vans, but has no powers to do so at The Dak or Atlantic View.

Broken manhole cover at Skrinkle - PCNPA to check location and consider repairs if on the footpath by the playground. The road from the mini roundabout was probably an adopted highway and would fall to PCC to repair. The road from the mini-roundabout to the Youth Hostel gate has now been passed to the YHA to manage and maintain. If the manhole cover was in that area he would speak with YHA.

Correspondence

• Email from James Miall about the growth of Himalayan Balsam growing in Haylands Lane, Jameston. The clerk was asked to approach PCC.

Planning

applications and other notices

As Clr. Hughes now needed to leave the room, Clr. Marcia Kidney took over as chair for the following planning item: Erection of a four-bedroom dwelling with separate garage at Plot 2, Green Grove, Jameston. The clerk confirmed that no objections had been received from neighbours. Approval recommended.

Installation of agricultural access gate (retrospective) at A4139 Jameston to Tenby Road, Jameston. Clr. Marcia Kidney read out a letter and supporting document sent to her by the applicant setting out the rationale for installing the gateway. Clr. Hughes expressed concern that installation of the gateway was undertaken quickly, almost overnight, without permission. He had also received numerous telephone calls from concerned local residents during the operations. Clr. Marcia Kidney thought that, if approved, this would set a precedent for pulling down hedgerows without permission. Clr. Parker said that the applicant had now applied for retrospective planning and thought that the applicant did sound repentive. Clr. Williams said that the applicant had not proven that there had previously been a gate at the location. Clr. Hannon said that he thought MCC should recommend refusal for the following reasons; it was sited at a dangerous part of the road, particularly as the road narrowed at this location. Large agricultural machinery and a range of other vehicles would be turning in and out of the field at this point. Secondly, when MCC had previously discussed a large housing development planned for Jameston, it had talked about the need for footpaths to be installed which led from the housing to Manorbier School and the station. Installation of a gate might prejudice the installation of such a footpath and noted that there was a less dangerous alternative location for an access gate into the field. Clr. Hannon proposed that this application be recommended for refusal. Seconded by Clr Parker. Vote taken - all in favour.

Pre-planning application consultation for a mobile phone base station installation at land adjacent to B4585, Manorbier. Clr. Hughes confirmed that the applicant was also now looking at alternative sites before a final planning application was made. Clr. Hannon said that MCC should make its views known on this proposal and location. After discussion, council asked the clerk to respond, as follows:

i) The size of any mast should be limited to 18m. Smaller masts in multiple areas might be considered as a better option and less intrusive.

ii) The views of residents of Skrinkle on the proposals would need to be considered and MCC would be keen to see their comments.

Action Tracking

Installation of a vehicle actuated speed (VAS) sign and rumble strips on the approach to Jameston from the Pembroke direction and in Manorbier. No further update. Advice from the local PCSO was awaited.

Public footpath SP23/9 - Park Farm, Manorbier to Bush Terrace, Jameston; request to fully open up to the public. The clerk reported upon an update from PCNPA who had confirmed that Park Farm had now undertaken more work to the proposed alternative route of the footpath and has asked if MCC would like to view it. Clr. Hughes, Clr. Long and Clr. Marcia Kidney agreed to meet with Anthony Richards.

Jameston Play Area - inspections update: Clr. Williams provided his latest report which had highlighted one low to medium risk issue - shrinkage of the matting under the swings due to the hot weather. Clr. Williams agreed to monitor and have another look at the matting after rainfall.

Defibrillator for Jameston: Clr. Marcia Kidney reported that she had spoken with Tony Wall of the Tenby and Saundersfoot Community First Responders, a local charity made up of volunteers, who had agreed to install, maintain and provide training in use of a defibrillator at a cost of £1,200 and provide an article and photograph for the Tenby Observer. Other providers had been considered, but Clr. Long proposed that the offer from the First Responders at a cost of £1,200 be accepted. All in favour.

North and south sports fields, Manorbier. The clerk reported that Richard Mason had now provided a quote for the next cut of the periphery of the football fields. This was £225 for each field periphery. Mr. Mason had also asked if he could dispose of any waste products, chairs, etc, found within the overgrowth at the south field. Clr. Hughes confirmed that the land owner, Peter Kidney, had kindly cut the periphery of the north sports field. The clerk was asked to thank Peter Kidney for undertaking this work. Clr. Williams proposed that Richard Mason be asked to cut the periphery of the south sports field and dispose of any dumped waste at a cost of £225. All in favour.

Clr. Hughes also reported that MCC’s roller had not yet been returned to the north sports field and further action should now be considered.

After further consideration, County Clr. Kidney agreed to speak to Mark Meyrick to seek return of the roller and to then inform the clerk of the outcome. If this approach was unsuccessful after two weeks, council asked the clerk to write to Mr Meyrick ahead of the MCC September meeting.

Clr. Hannon asked about progress in cutting back vegetation at the Bier House, Manorbier and requested that this matter be added to ‘Action Tracking’.

County Councillor’s Report

County Clr. Phillip Kidney provided the following report:

• Kevin Shales, PCC, had agreed to brief MCC on the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant.

• He had spoken to Darren Thomas, PCC, about car parking at Manorbier Station. Mr. Thomas had confirmed that Manorbier had been designated as an Access Improvement Station in 2013. Plans at that time had shown provision for a small amount of parking along with a footpath into the station. Conversations with Network Rail had since dried up. Mr. Thomas had agreed to investigate the matter and report back.

• A speed survey in Station Road was planned.

• Ray Greenwood, PCC, had responded about the planned speed humps at Beavers Hill crossing. The full cost of the scheme would be £22k. PCC needed to find their contribution of £11k from their Minor Works budget, but this had been fully allocated for 2018/19. The scheme would be competing with other projects for funding from the 2019/20 budget.

• The local PCSO would again be invited to a future meeting to advise on preferred locations for a mobile vehicle actuated speed sign in Jameston and Manorbier.

• The resident who had been parking his van on the pavement in Gainer Way, Jameston, had been approached and he had confirmed that the van was going to be taken away and scrapped.

• The planning application at Mead Lane, Manorbier, had been approved by the PCNPA development management committee.

Other matters

To consider and approve a response to the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales’ Draft Proposals - Review of the Electoral Arrangements for the County of Pembrokeshire. The clerk reminded members of the proposals that would see Manorbier and Penally brought together as one county council ward. Clr. Hannon did not feel a response was required. Members agreed.

To consider an update on the installation of the De Barri Coat of Arms on signage in MCC’s area. Clr. Marcia Kidney said she needed to visit Picton Castle to seek the correct design of the Coat of Arms. Council agreed to defer discussions until their October meeting.

To agree next steps on the casual vacancies on MCC. After due discussion, the clerk was asked to commence and complete the formal casual vacancy process before September 15, with a view to bring applications for co-option to full council at its October meeting.

Jameston Community Association - contribution to Jameston Hall insurance £2,000.

Clr Marcia Kidney, who had taken the chair after Clr. Hughes had again left the room, read out a letter from Jameston Community Association (JCA) requesting payment of MCC’s contribution toward the insurance of Jameston Village Hall. Members discussed the increase from previous years and asked if this was the full cost of the insurance. Clr. Parker asked if JCA had sought different quotes.

After due consideration, Clr. Long proposed that the payment of £2,000 be made and this was approved.

Emergency Items

Clr. Hughes said that a local resident had reported that a tree was growing near to the wall of the Bier House and action was required. Clr. Hughes, Clr. Williams and County Clr. Kidney agreed to undertake vegetation clearance at the Bier House.

Clr. Clark asked that a hedge be cut back at the road junction between the B4585 and the road to the RAR, to improve vision for those turning right out of Skrinkle. County Clr. Kidney noted and agreed to take forward.

Clr. Hannon confirmed that some rubbish bins in Manorbier had now been emptied by PCC, but they were not being emptied regularly enough. An oil drum waste bin on Manorbier beach had been moved and dog waste bags were being left on the beach where the oil drum had been located. County Clr. Kidney agreed to take forward this matter.