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

MATTERS ARISING

Speed ramps at Sageston School: Head of Highways had agreed to afford a degree of priority to the replacement of speed ramps.

Milton Marsh Walk: Following a site inspection, the previously noted damage to the pathway seemed to have settled somewhat. Further inspection would take place up to the Spring when any remedial works would be looked into.

Hedgerow cutting from Carew Roundabout to Carew Castle Car Park: This work had now taken place, but there was a considerable amount of debris on the dual purpose footpath that rendered it unsafe for cyclists, dog walkers and mobility scooters due to the thorns from the hedges. It was agreed to urgently seek sweeping of the path by PCC.

The grass cutting contract was discussed and a price agreed for 2020-21.

Website: The community council website was due to go live. A huge thank you went to Pembrokeshire Web Design for building the website. All present viewed the information contained on the carewparish.org website to date and suggestions made for additional information to be included.

Biodiversity Policy: Natural Resources Wales had replied to the council’s concern about pollution in the parish and how this affected the creating of a local biodiversity policy. It was agreed to invite NRW to the meeting on March 12 to discuss the mattere.

Defibrillator training dates wer discussed and agreed.

Adopt a Kiosk - Whitehill: Following discussion, it was agreed to proceed with the adoption of this kiosk to prevent its removal and to arrange cleaning of the kiosk shortly.

Hayes Lane: The clerk reported on discussions with PCC regarding absence of parking places for residents of the houses in this development.

PRECEPT AND BUDGET

There was detailed discussion on the budget and predicted expenditure and income. Also the anticipated substantial expenditure for the resurfacing of the car park. County Clr. Rapi also reported on the anticipated increase in Council Tax by PCC of around five per cent.

It was proposed and seconded that the precept from PCC for 2020-2021 be increased from £10,000 to £12,000. It was further proposed that the precept be increased from £10,000 to £11,000. There was no seconder for this proposal. Therefore, it was agreed by a seven to one show of hands to proceed to ask PCC for a precept for the coming year of £12,000. The increase is the first since 2017.

PLANNING

Residential development (outline with all matters reserved for future consideration. Indicative layout one dwelling. Oak Lodge, 12 Milton Meadows, Milton. Following perusal of the plans and accompanying documentation by councillors there were no adverse comments and obvious grounds for refusal identified. Councillors recalled that this application had been considered by the community council in the recent past and recommendation made for granting of this application.

VE2020 EVENTS

Further in-depth discussion took place on the organisation of the events for the weekend of Friday to Sunday, May 8 to 10, 2020. A paring down of the previous plans was discussed. The decision on the application made to Valero for hire of a 6 x 15m marquee was awaited. If successful, heating and lighting would also be required. Discussion also took place on the possibility of a marching band, bugler and drummers, as well as outside caterers versus inhouse caterers.

A bingo fundraising event today (Friday, February 7) was also discussed and an invoice for payment of raffle books purchased was put forward. It was proposed and seconded that the invoice be paid. The cost of bingo books was discussed and agreed.

It was resolved to invite the Sports Club, British Legion and members of the clergy to a meeting at 6 pm on Thursday, February 13 (one hour before the next community council meeting) to discuss further arrangements for the VE2020 commemoration over the Bank Holiday weekend. Items for discussion - Picnic, sports events, dance, ecumenical church service, standard bearing.

ENHANCING

PEMBROKESHIRE GRANT

Further information was provided on donations in lieu of payment/donation of skills for erection of benches and picnic areas, solar panels, planters and landscaping provided for the completion of the application form.

CAREW NEWTON CEMETERY

Burial fees: Church in Wales fees from January 2020 were received. It was agreed to proceed in line with their fees and the clerk was to prepare a list of fees and circulate to councillors. Councillors also agreed to stipulate a grey memorial tablet for the Ashes Area in keeping with the colour of the surrounding stones. An ornamental centre piece was discussed. Suggestions were a sundial/birdbath and a cross. It was agreed to obtain quotes for both these ornaments for next meeting.

It was further agreed to postpone the commemoration/dedicatation of the Ashes Area until March or April when the weather was better and after further embellishments and paving had been carried out.

County CLR’s Report

Clr. Rapi was in further discussion with SWTRA and Simon Hart MP on a flashing speed reduction sign at Milton.

He had also organised a site meeting at Carew roundabout with Streetcare and cabinet member with residents of Carew Cheriton on the issues with regard to road prioritisation and hot food outlet. The chair agreed to attend.

PARISH MATTERS

The litter bin at the entrance to Carew Inn car park had been removed around the time of the recent sewerage pipe placements and wall repair. PCC were to be asked to reinstate this.

Councillors wer informed that the Memorial Hall had been booked for the election of a new police commissioner on May 7, 2020.

Potholes at Redberth: PCC were to be asked to repair these.

Advice was to be sought from PCC regarding issues with a large tree causing lifting of the tarmac along a footpath.

It was noted that the drainage pit at Carew roundabout had been cleared, but there was still a problem of flooding backing up to the layby on the detrunked road towards Carew Control Tower. PCC were to be asked for an inspection and advice.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the council will be at 6 pm on Thursday, February 13, in the Meetings Room of Carew Memorial Hall with representatives of the British Legion, Sports Club and ministers.