In his report at the outset of the recent monthly meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council, the chairman said it had been a very sad month for the village, with the tragic death of Kim Butler.

"I know that the whole council would wish to extend its condolences to her family, friends and neighbours," he remarked.

Moving on to an incident at the bowling green, he said on Thursday, August 14, he had been contacted regarding an accident there and a number of bowlers were concerned about the level of water in the lower ditch alongside the crazy golf.

"I visited the area and noted that the ditch at the edge of the golf green was full," said the chairman. "I also noted that the ditch to the perimeter of the bowling green had no visible standing water, this ditch being lower than the golf ditch.

"I also noted that the accident had occurred following prolonged unseasonal rainfall, with this August being one of the wettest on record. I have not received any other phone calls regarding the incident."

MATTERS ARISING

FROM THE MINUTES

Drains on Ridgeway: A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council stating that the clearing of these drains would be carried out as soon as possible and Clr. S. John informed members that this had not been done.

The clerk was instructed to telephone Mr. Glenville Codd, Pembrokeshire County Council about this.

Speeding, Valley Road: A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council stating that a sample of speed could be gathered in Valley Road to determine what speed abuse was occurring in the area and asked for the data to be collected.

The letter went on to say that if inappropriate speed was established, the Police could be asked to take enforcement action. Traffic calming could be considered on roads with high speed and a poor history of recorded injury accidents, but the record for this area was a single injury accident since 2000 and it would not be appropriate to recommend to council a comprehensive calming scheme based on that accident record.

Consideration could be given to a vehicle activated sign which would be cost sharing with the community council.

Clr. S. John said that it was a very busy stretch of road and was very narrow, especially for buses and lorries.

Clr. Cleevely proposed that a sample of speed be gathered for Valley Road from the Railway Bridge to the bottom of the hill and this was seconded by Clr. Hayes.

Gates: The clerk informed members that the gates had been completed and reinstated.

Sensory Gardens: The clerk informed members that Mr. Tony Lewis was continuing to work in the garden and several bags of garden waste had been removed and members agreed that there had been a great improvement there.

Clr. Hayes said that as no one was sweeping the paths at present, could they ask Mr. Lewis to do this for the council and Clr. Brabon said that he would do this.

Cockle picking: The clerk read out a letter from the Environment Agency, Wales, stating that the letter sent to them had been forwarded to the Pembrokeshire County Council Environmental Health Officer for their attention.

On another matter, the Agency informed the council that they monitored the bathing water taking 20 samples over the summer and results this year so far were not encouraging due to the wet weather, and at the moment the results were within the limits to pass the guidelines standards set out in the directive to keep the Blue Flag. However, should the remaining results be poor, this would not be the case, which was a concern for members.

The clerk continued to say that a letter had also been received from Pembrokeshire County Council regarding the collection of cockles from the beach and it stated that there would not be sufficient time or quantities of shellfish to facilitate the collection of shellfish by hand on Saundersfoot beach to make it commercially viable.

The letter went on to say that the shellfish beds on Saundersfoot beach were not classified and were not part of the monthly testing programme and therefore they were unable to comment on whether the cockles collected from the beach were safe for human consumption.

Clr. Pearson was surprised at this response and said that recently she had witnessed 14 people taking seven tubs, seven bags and four duffle bags full of shellfish from the beach and argued that this was not for their own consumption, and had taken the number of a Euro taxi present at the slope.

Clr. Pearson said that she would write to Pembrokeshire County Council enclosing this information.

Tree works: Clr. Hayes informed members that she had met with Mr. Mike Higgins, tree officer, National Parks, and was told that the horse chestnut tree by the Captains Table was dying and the floor tiles were too close to the base of the tree and was being damaged by sea salt. She said that Mr. Higgins would monitor the situation and meet again at a later date.

With regard to Brookside, Clr. Hayes said that Mr. Higgins would liaise with the owner and report back his findings.

Cemetery: Clr. Hayes said that laurel, trees and brambles needed cutting back in the old cemetery and large saplings were growing out of the supporting pillar by the gates at the rear of the churchyard.

Members expressed their concern that the work being carried out in the cemetery was not up to standard and Clr. Brabon and the clerk were asked to speak to the contractor with these concerns.

Crazy golf course: The clerk informed members that he had forwarded a copy of the risk assessment report to the owners of the Shrublands Caravan Park and had not received any response.

The clerk added that the additional controls required in the report should be addressed in due course and advised members that some had already been carried out.

Castle View, Saundersfoot: The clerk said that he had written to National Parks urging them to take direct action and appoint a contractor to carry out the terms of the 215 Notice.

Clr. McDermott said that he had attended the meeting with National Parks and it was decided that two courses of action should be taken and added that clearance work had already commenced.

Clr. McDermott said that thanks should go to Clr. Mike Evans, Tenby, for his support in the matter.

Drains: Clr. Hayes said that the drains in High Street needed gully sucking badly and Clr. S. John asked if all the drains in Saundersfoot would be cleared or only the ones highlighted by the council. The clerk was instructed to contact Mr. Glenville Codd, Pembrokeshire County Council, for information.

Stepaside Heritage Park: The clerk said that he had contacted the clerks of Kilgetty/Begelly and Amroth Community Council and their members were in agreement with holding a joint meeting to discuss this.

Planning applications: It was decided to hold a meeting on Monday, September 29, at 7 pm in Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, to discuss the planning applications.

Overgrowth, Coppet Hall to Wisemans Bridge: The clerk said that he had spoken to Mr. Frances Johns, Pembrokeshire County Council and was told that he had received an invoice for the work and Clr. Poole said that the work had been carried out.

The clerk added that Mr. Johns would visit the area and carry out repairs to the damaged seat there.

Seat, Bevelin Hall: Clr. Brabon said that he would ask Mr. Alan Brace for advice on how to improve the slope on the seat.

AGENDA

Stream at top of crazy golf course: Clr. Poole said that the stream needed clearing out badly and should be fenced off.

Clr. Brabon said that he would obtain quotes for this work to be carried out.

Clr. Cavell asked if the bottom ditch could be monitored for flooding and the clerk replied and said that this was already being done.

Clr. Cleevely asked if this ditch could also be cleared and the clerk said that he would arrange this.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Conversion, Powerhouse, Bonville's Court Caravan site.

Discharge Section 106, Figtree Cottage, Saundersfoot.

Sun Lounge, 14 Ridgeway Close, Saundersfoot.

Tree works, The Plantation, Saundersfoot.

With regard to the Bonville's Court application, members thought as a council, that their heritage should be preserved and would welcome the views of CADW on the matter.

With regard to Figtree Cottage, members said that on past discussions regarding this application, no more vehicular access should take place on this lane and asked if this still stood. Members also asked if the fig tree could remain there.

Clr. Cleevely declared an interest in the Ridgeway Close application and took no part in this debate.

Members raised no other objections.

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

Correspondence was received from National Parks regarding the Joint Local Development Plan for Saundersfoot. The clerk suggested, as the correspondence was lengthy, to circulate it around members and discuss at the next meeting.

A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council regarding key sites in Saundersfoot where redevelopment was needed. The sites highlighted were: Teggars Site; Brewery Court Car Park; Coppet Hall Car Park; Harbour Car Park; Barbeque building area.

The letter stated that Pembrokeshire County Council, WAG and National Parks had appointed a consultancy team led by Powell Dobson Urbanists to carry out the work over the next few months.

Clr. Brabon said this had been discussed at the TGA meeting and it was a draft vision for Saundersfoot and was in its very early stage, but he was pleased that Saundersfoot was on the agenda for improvement.

Members agreed that these ideas were in a very early stage and would await further correspondence on the progress made.

A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council informing the council that the public phone box in Wisemans Bridge would be removed.

An invitation was received from National Parks to attend their seminar in Pembrokeshire College on Saturday, October 18, Members decided that chairman P. Baker and vice-chairman C. John should attend.

A letter was received from East Williamson Community Council expressing their sincere condolences at the loss of Aubrey Lawrence, who had served the community of Saundersfoot for many years, part of which encompassed the areas of Pentlepoir and Kingsmoor prior to reorganisation.

A letter was received from Cathy Milner, development management officer, National Park, thanking the council and members for their good wishes and card whilst she has been off work due to sickness.

The South East Area Liaison meeting would take place on Tuesday, October 28, at 7 pm, at a venue to be confirmed nearer the time.

A Tree Preservation Order was received for trees on the land to the rear of Greenfolds, Saundersfoot.

REPORTS FROM VARIOUS COMMITTEES, INCLUDING THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT

Clr. Hayes reported that she had attended the Police Forum meeting on Monday, September 1, and six members of the public were present.

Clr. Hayes said that lorries were still entering Saundersfoot between 11 am and 4 pm and the parking problems on the Strand were ongoing, and it was suggested that it should be pedestrianised except for access, and the problem would not be resolved until Pembrokeshire County Council became responsible for the traffic wardens.

Clr. Hayes said that CPSO Lewis would speak to his senior officers regarding the presence of extra traffic wardens in Saundersfoot.

Clr. Hayes said that concern was expressed at the lack of information regarding the number of offences committed in the area and CPSO Lewis was unable to obtain this.

The next meeting of the forum will be held on October 6, in the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, and it is open to members of the public.

Chairman Baker informed members that on August 18 he made a presentation to the National Park Authority regarding No.6 Castle View. Following the expiry of the Section 215 Notice regarding the property on July 28, the officers recommended and the committee agreed that both prosecution and direct action should be undertaken to rectify the situation. The Best Practice Guide relating to the Section 215 Notice could be widely used to kickstart enhancement of rundown areas and by its application could cause a ripple effect to other similar properties throughout the area.

Chairman Baker said the county council items raised at last month's meeting had all been relayed to the local maintenance department, but due to the very wet weather the items were running behind schedule. This applied particularly to the white line from Rhodewood to St. Brides Hotel and around the one-way system near The Gower Hotel.

Clr. McDermott informed members that he had attended the Regency Hall committee meeting on September 3, and Pembrokeshire County Council had agreed to support the refurbishment of the hall and this was most encouraging news.

The next meeting of the committee will be on October 1.

Clr. Pearson said that she had attended a meeting of the South East Energy Group on August 23, and Vanessa John, PAVS, and Darren Gibbs from West Wales ECO Centre, were present.

Clr. Pearson said that it was a very useful and constructive meeting and wind turbines and energy saving measures were discussed.

Clr. Brabon said that the gates had been replaced and asked if the area on the Bowling Club side could be levelled so that the gate could open fully.

Members decided not to carry out major works there, due to the hall refurbishment, but to level the area and replace with chippings.

Clr. Brabon also asked if the car park could be re-lined and members again decided not to carry out this work due to the refurbishment work to the hall.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Clr. Hayes expressed her concern that the disabled toilet in the Regency Hall Car Park was padlocked and wondered why?

The clerk was instructed to find out from Pembrokeshire County Council and request that it be unlocked.

Clr. Hayes said that the footpath from Hopeland to the Ridgeway was churned up and impossible to walk. She said that the stile was removed to encourage disabled access, but it would be impossible for wheelchairs to access this stretch of footway.

The clerk was instructed to contact Anthony Richards, National Parks, to ascertain if some improvements could take place there.

Clr. Poole informed members that he had fixed new bolts on the Sensory Garden gates and they were opening more freely, and asked if green bags could be obtained for disposing of green waste from the gardens.

The next meeting of the council will be held on October 2, at 6.30 pm, when the police will be present.