The December meeting of East?Williamston Community Council was held at the Community Hall recently, when present were Councillors C. Hopkinson, R.?Day, I. Wilkinson, G. Soar (chairman) and J. Williams. An apology for absence was received from Clr. A. Radcliffe.

In Matters Arising, the following matters were raised:

Remind Hubert Mathias about the site visit to the bus stop on Templebar Road.

Clr Charles Hopkinson advised that he has spoken to the resident at Broadmoor and they will only take down the hedge if PCC will replace it with a fence. The 30mph sign needs to be moved as well. We need to meet with PCC and the clerk was requested to ask Darren Thomas who is dealing with this matter.

The street light outside Donald Beynon’s house was not working and this needed reporting to PCC.

The following planning application was considered. Clr Jacob Williams left the chamber for discussion as he had declared an interest.

Planning application: New Park, Wooden – extension and alterations: support.

The following financial information was circulated, accepted and approved:

a) The Bank Account Reconciliations Summary showing a balance of £19,364.29 in the Current Account, £3,090.17 in the Deposit Account, £24,070.87 in the Park account and £2,000 in the Jubilee Park Account.

b) The Financial Statement – Cashbook showing income of £19,328.02 (gross) and expenditure of £16,195.36 (gross).

c) The Financial Budget Comparison showing the Budget set, the actual income and expenditure figures and the balance remaining under each heading.

It was agreed to transfer £2,000 from Jubilee Park acct back into current acct and transfer a further £2,000 back in April when it is made into a separate budget heading.

Accounts were approved for payment, including Frosts Hardware – Fencelife for Pentlepoir fence: £84.90

It was agreed that Colin Phillips be asked to paint Pentlepoir fence in the Spring.

Draft Budget: The County Council had advised that the Council Tax base for the year 2019-2020 would be 911.01, slightly up on last year’s 908.52. The clerk and Members then drew up a Draft Budget. It was resolved that a draft precept be set of £27.00 per household which equates to an annual Precept of £24,597.27 which will be finalised at the January meeting.

Update of playparks: Members advised that at present all play parks looked reasonable for the time of year.

Several requests had been made by the East Williamston Community and Hall Association:

a) Signs directing the public to defibrillators would prove to be useful with one located at the bus stop in East Williamston which should be visible from both directions and with a directional arrow directing the public to the Community Hall. The clerk was asked to obtain a quote from PCC’s Sign Factory and any sign should have the appropriate defibrillator logo included.

b) The noticeboards within the community area require replacing and the Hall Association is looking for funding to do this from the Enhancing Pembrokeshire grant. Members are in agreement with this course of action and the clerk was requested to provide a letter of support to Kathy Talbot.

c) The Hall Association were hoping to produce and distribute a newsletter/leaflet and they were faced with a shortfall of £515.00. A cheque was written for £2,000 which was Council’s annual contribution to the Hall Association which should cover this shortfall.

d) The Hall Association were holding their Annual Dinner on February 8, 2019 and Members of Council were invited to join them.

REPORT OF COUNTY COUNCILLOR JACOB WILLIAMS

Clr. Williams referred to a recent flooding incident at Vineyard Vale during heavy rainfall. The fire brigade attended and pumped away the water, which had covered the road and come close to but not reached any homes.

Council maintenance workers say the drainage system was not blocked but the attenuation tanks which regulate the discharge of surface water were unable to cope with such a deluge. It had been suggested that there was evidence of a collapse in the underground pipework and that this may be contributing to the flooding incidents experienced at this location. Further enquiries were to continue as, although this incident was an extreme example, flooding occurrences were increasing.

Council highways officers had now formalised plans allowing the authority to paint double yellow lines on both sides of the main A478 Tenby road in Pentlepoir in the vicinity of its junction with Station Road. Implemented under two separate traffic orders, the lines are to be painted in the New Year, and will also extend partly down Station Road.

ITEMS SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLORS

a) Members were advised by Clr. Soar who had attended the Police Liaison meeting, that should your Co2 alarm go off you should contact the Fire Brigade.

b) There are problems with the road surface at Pentlepoir bus top. This road was resurfaced five years ago and GD Harries have been back several times. Three rainwater gullies and a manhole need to be reported to PCC Highways.

The next meeting will be held next Thursday, January 10.