The annual general meeting of Manorbier Community Council was held last mont when Clr. Ray Hughes was re-elected ad chairman and Clr. Rob Hall as vice-chairman.

Thanking members, Clr. Hughes revealed that this would be his 11th terms as chairman of the council.

Matters Arising from the minutes

The clerk said he had now produced the ‘opt-out’ form for the £150 payment to councillors, as set out in the IRPW Annual Report 2019. Councillors present signed the ‘opt-out’ form accordingly.

Clr. Hughes read out an email response from Dominos Pizza (but not from McDonalds) following the discussion on litter at last month’s MCC meeting. This highlighted the efforts made by Dominos to prevent littering and encourage recycling. Full council was grateful for their reply.

Clr. Hall said he had spoken to the shift manager at McDonalds. They responded in a similar way and also organised litter picks.

Clr. Hall also considered that MCC should seek the views of Angela Burns AM and the Welsh Government on the matter, in particular, on encouraging or possibly legislating that all fast food outlets should display more forceful and stand out lettering on anti-littering on their packaging.

The clerk was asked to write to Angela Burns AM for her views.

Correspondence

Emails were received from Jean Sheppard and John Voysey expressing their concerns about the condition of the Park Farm footpath. MCC had contacted PCNPA about the matter. PCNPA responded promptly and initiated an inspection which resulted in new steps being completed up the slope near Park Farm. Full council were grateful to PCNPA for acting promptly and asked the cerk to write to Anthony Richards at PCNPA to thank him for the work. Clr. Hughes agreed to check first that the work had been undertaken.

Clr. Hall reported that the manhole cover on the road between Skrinkle and the RAR was still missing. The clerk was to seek an update.

Various emails were received from Andrew Comrie about graffiti on road signs at the top of the old Pembroke Road and asking if there were problems with Signal Crayfish in the stream at Manorbier beach. The clerk reported that County Clr. Kidney had kindly cleaned the sign. County Clr. Kidney had also investigated the crayfish query and had confirmed that there was not a problem with Signal Crayfish at the present time in Manorbier (although some parts of north Pembrokeshire do have an issue).

A letter of thanks was recived from Paul Sartori Hospice at Home for MCC’s charitable donation of £200.

An email was receiv ed from Katherine Bowen about planning application NP/18/0762/FUL and querying councillor interests. The clerk had replied confirming no declarations of interest had been given.

Copies of emails between County Clr. Kidney and Russell Scourfield were received about the emptying of litter bins at Manorbier beach. These were emptied three days a week at present and daily during the summer months. Clr. Clark said that the bottle bin was constantly full at the beach car park and needed emptying more regularly.

Copy of an email was recived from County Clr. Kidney to PCC about dog fouling in PCC play areas. PCC had confirmed that it could not ban dogs from its play areas without having to provide alternative fenced areas for dog owners to exercise their dogs. Clr. Williams suggested that the waste bin in the PCC play area in Manorbier should be located outside the play area.

An email was received from Clr. George Hislop about the width of the footpath between Vicarage Fields and Manorbier Post Office (currently on MCC’s Action Tracking) and the overgrown state of the Bier House garden (this item had been previously addressed by MCC). Clr. Hislop also asked that a mirror be placed at the junction of the church lane with the road leading down to Manorbier beach. This would aid drivers turning right out of this blind turn.

The clerk was to seek the latest views of PCC on this matter.

A letter was received from PCC on changes being implemented at PCC Recycling Centres. All black bags will be checked to ensure there was no recycling material therein.

A press cutting was seen about a local resident being fined £17k for contravening planning notices at Ridgeway, Manorbier. The clerk was to send a copy to Clr. Williams.

Planning

Use of the land for six touring caravan pitches and camping pitches (10 years) and the siting and use of a toilet block (four years) at Wynd Hill, Manorbier. Clr. Hughes reminded members that MCC had previously given its views to the applicant’s agent. Clr. Williams proposed that this application be recommended for approval. Seconded by Cllr Hall. All in favour. 

Tree works at Fernley Lodge, Manorbier. Clr. Hughes reported that as an extension of time for comments could not be granted by PCNPA, the clerk and he had sought the case officer’s views. Clr. Hughes read out the case officer’s comments. As a result of receiving these views, Clr. Hughes had agreed to raise no MCC objections to this tree works application, in advance of the full council meeting, which involved dismantling an Alder tree to ground level. Members were content.

Plot development: Plot 6, Green Grove, Jameston. Council noted this was an amended plan. Clr. Long proposed that this application be recommended for approval. Vote taken - four in favour.

Erection of a four-bed house with integral garage at Plot 5, Green Grove, Jameston. Clr. Long proposed that this application be recommended for approval. Vote taken - four in favour.

Erection of a four-bedroom house with integral garage at Plot 3, Green Grove, Jameston. Clr. Hall read out a letter from Kevin and Ann Pullen which had been sent to PCNPA and copied to MCC, about concerns over loss of privacy as a result of this proposed development. Clr. Hall provided some historical background to the adjoining Spencer Close development. Clr. Long proposed that, whilst noting the points set out in the letter of concern from Kevin and Anne Pullen sent to PCNPA, this application be recommended for approval. Vote taken - four in favour.

Removal of condition no.5 from NP/13/0015 at Awelon, Manorbier. Clr. Hughes said that the applicant had now decided to cease trading as a bed and breakfast establishment and wished to use the summerhouse as a self-catering holiday let. Clr. Clark proposed that this application be recommended for approval. Vote taken - all in favour.

Other planning and licensing decision notices were noted, including that for Westival. This licence now included conditions relating to reduced hours for the selling of alcohol and refreshments.

Action Tracking

Jameston Play Area - equipment inspections and vegetation update: Clr. Williams reported that the zip wire was in a bad state; it needed lubricating and the wire had now frayed. The bucket seat had also disappeared. Clr. Hall said he would find out from Save Our Skrinkle Park who had supplied them with a zip wire. Clr. Hughes asked that this information be passed to the clerk for action. The clerk wa to ask PCC if they had taken the bucket seat away following any quarterly inspection. An update would be needed for next month. Councillors noted that the zip wire could not be accessed and did not need taping off. Clr. Williams said he trimmed back any vegetation in the play area, as required.

OTHER?MATTERS

Update on the casual vacancy process for Manorbier ward and agree next steps. Clr. Hughes said that MCC had four councillor vacancies (three in Manorbier ward, one in Jameston ward) to fill by co-option. PCC’s Electoral Services Office had now confirmed that they had not received any petition from local residents for an election following the resignation of Clr. Parker. Clr. Williams proposed that the clerk now commence a casual vacancies co-option process for the four councillor vacancies. Vote taken - all in favour. Council agreed to consider responses at its July meeting.

To consider and approve a nomination for additional community governor at Manorbier CP School. Clr. Hughes reported that MCC had been approached by Governors’ Support Services at PCC, asking that a nomination be put forward for the position of additional community governor (ACG) at Manorbier CP School. Clr. Hughes understood that Andrew Griffiths was looking to stand again as the ACG. Council was content with Andrew Griffiths continuing in this role and did not wish to put forward any new MCC councillor nomination. The clerk was to respond to PCC accordingly.

Emergency Items

Clr. Williams reported that he had greased and moved the roller from the North sports field to the South sports field. Clr. Hughes proposed that Clr. Williams move the roller to his premises for safekeeping and undertake due maintenance when required. In return for this work, Clr. Williams could use the roller privately on his fields. Vote taken - all in favour. Clr Williams was thanked accordingly.