Cllr P Bradbury proposed that the order of the meeting be changed so the matter of the Local Development Plan, of which the members of the public wished to partake in, be discussed next; Cllr Neal seconded the proposal with all Councillors in full agreement.

Letter received from members of the public requesting certain information appertaining to the recent Local Development Plan Consultation (site 030 in particular).

The Council discussed, in detail, the Penally Community Council’s consideration in February 2019 of all candidate sites listed in the draft list of proposed candidate sites and how this was recorded in the Minutes.

Members of the public present asked questions of the Council which were answered. The Council confirmed that: the Local Development Plan was considered in the November 2108, December 2018, January 2019 and February 2019 meetings and reported in the Minutes; it is not the responsibility of the Penally Community Council to publicise the Local Development Plan Consultation. Penally Community Council, as a body, is a consultee on all planning application of either Planning Authority; one Councillor and the Clerk attended, in January 2019, a seminar held by the Pembrokeshire County Council Local Development Plan Planning Officers; the February Minutes referred to sites 255,256 and 257 which should have listed 076; all candidate sites listed in December 2018 consultation were discussed and considered by Penally Community Council at the February 2019 meeting; all agendas are publicised on three notice boards in the village and on the Council’s website at least three days prior to the monthly general meeting (second Wednesday in each month - August no meeting held); the Minutes of the meetings are made public, usually within seven days after the meeting and then published in the local paper (dependant on space available); a short list of candidate sites will be available in October 2019 for further consideration and a further 8 weeks public consultation will take place 6 members of the public left the meeting.

County Councillor

Jon Preston’s report

Local Development Plan - The extended period for making initial comments regarding the Local Development Plan ended on June 6.

All responses will now be considered, and the Local Authority will set out how comments will be considered for the Preferred Strategy. Consequently, a new schedule of Candidate Sites will also be published, along with the Authority’s initial assessment of them as part of an updated Candidate Sites Register. Later stages will include publication of the of the document for public consultation by October 2019 prior to submission to the Welsh Government.

Boules/Petanque update - The PCC officer overseeing the development of the Petanque court met with the Chairman of the Petanque club recently where discussions took place regarding grant funding. The Club has now made enquiries about grant support. PCC’s Kevin Shales has talked to Tim in some detail about an Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant application. There remains the need for a legal agreement.

The Petanque Club and PCC share the view that this would be preferable if entered in to by the Community Council as they see the facility as being for the village as whole rather than just a select group of residents.

I have advised that any decision regarding the signing of any legal agreement would have to be taken by the Community Council and that in terms of cost and administration the community council would need to fully debate the terms and conditions prior to making the decision on whether to proceed or otherwise.

However, the next step is for the club to secure grant funding to construct the Petanque area. Once funding is in place the legal agreement will be drawn up prior to ant contraction work being carried out.

Fly Posting - Fly posting continues to be a problem locally. A joint approach is now being discussed with other local Councils as the problem is now getting out of hand. It does remain an illegal activity, however it is recognised that charity and fundraising events depend on certain advertising methods to generate footfall at their events.

Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grants - The impact of second home ownership in our communities can be far reaching creating a Loss of community vibrancy and neighbourliness. Projects maintained throughout the year being difficult particularly in the winter with fewer people living full time in the community.

Many services have proved to be hard to provide due to a reduction in residents which can affect such things as Public Transport.

Other negative effects include the isolation of the elderly, inflated house prices and the need for young families to have to move away from the locality to find affordable housing.

This in turn can impact local businesses by reducing trade and lead to a lack of facilities for young people.

Older family members may also have to rely on social services due to immediate family members no longer living close by. Enchasing Pembrokeshire grants can be used to fund projects that create welcoming community hubs to address loneliness and isolation enabling residents to socialise and network.

Projects to enhance community facilities, amenities and infrastructure, develop events and activities to increase community vibrancy and increase footfall to support local businesses.

It is also important to encourage second home owners to become involved and engaged with the local community through activities and events. The criteria for such projects and the application process is available by either contacting myself or PCC.

Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places - PCC are carrying out a review of the polling districts and polling places in Pembrokeshire, as required by law.

This is to ensure that all polling districts and polling places are, as far as possible, suitable and accessible to all voters. Initially PCC will give notice of the formal commencement of the review.

They will then publish the comments from the Returning Officer.

There will then be a public consultation period which began on June 3 which will end on July 26.

The final recommendations will be considered by full council at the meeting on October 10.

Post Office Counters - Following some reports in the national press regarding the closures of Post Offices nationwide I have been asked to share the fact that this is not the case for many local Post Office’s. Due to the closure of some high street banks the Post Office has in fact seen an increase in the reliance on the services of the Post Office.

As a stand-alone unit many Post Offices may not be a sustainable business model, so the continuation of Post Office services is reliant on the footfall of the accommodating business. The message is quite clear, shop locally to support your local Post Office.

Postal Disruptions Long Course Weekend - I have had cause to write to PCC’s chief executive Mr. Ian Wesley regarding PCC issuing a joint statement with Activity Wales stating that Postal services would ‘not be disrupted ‘during the LCW cycling event on Saturday, July 6.

I highlighted this matter early in the process but unfortunately the street care team at PCC thought that it would not be an issue.

After extensive engagement with the Communication Workers Union and PCC I can advise that postal delays and delivery failures will occur due to the road closures.

This is due to the critical importance of the health and safety of both the Postal workers and the Long Course competitors. The full extent of this will not be clear until after the event at which time I will collate the available data to present to PCC to establish the effect of, and gauge public opinion on this revised plan for the LCW.

Ironman 2019 - The annual Ironman Wales event will be held over the weekend of September 14/15.

PCC have stated that it will be necessary to introduce various traffic restrictions over the weekend to enable the set up works to take place on the Thursday and Friday and to also ensure competitor and public safety along the route over the two days.

Road Sweeper - Following a general concern in the ward regarding the road sweeper I have obtained a breakdown of the periodic sweeps that should be taking place in and around the village. I would ask that we report any lack of sweeper activity to myself in the first instance so that I might address the matter with the head of service at PCC.

Vacancy - Holding two elected positions or having a dual mandate is not illegal in the UK but it is sometimes frowned upon. Although it is generally accepted at community council level, criticism has been aimed at some politicians for receiving two salaries. There have been some significant changes since the last Local Authority elections.

When it was passed that community councillors were to receive renumeration for certain aspects of the job I became a little uncomfortable with my own position and think it is appropriate that the community gains another councillor which is in effect an extra pair of hands. I was co-opted onto the community council at a time when member numbers were low and maintaining a quorate was difficult.

The council is now in a much stronger position thanks to the work of the Clerk, the Chairman and the dedicated council members who have come on board. I therefore think the time is right to encourage another member onto the community council by making my seat vacant. To be clear I will remain as the ward County Councillor which is the position I was elected to. I will also continue to work closely with the community council and provide support with council business.

Matters Arising from the Minutes

Grange development - A water leak in the area of the old Night Owl and the Grange development was reported to Welsh Water at the end of May 2019. This was resolved by June 6. If water is noted in this area again it should be reported to Pembrokeshire County Council Environmental Department.

Licensing Application

Oasis Camping (formerly Chequers) Penally – This application was discussed by the Council and at this time the council do not have any concerns regarding this application.

Consideration of

Correspondence Received

Email Received regarding the increase of dog mess through the village – The Clerk to contact the District Enforcement Department (Pembrokeshire County Council) for further information on possible patrols and enforcement of fines.

Email received from the Council’s Solicitor regarding outstanding matters relating to the Registration of Land in the ownership of the Council. Cllr Willett proposed that the Chair and the Clerk meet with the Council’s Solicitor and seek further information relating to this matter; Cllr Robinson seconded the proposal with all Council in full agreement.

Grounds Committee

Cllr C Bradbury on behalf of the Grounds Committee reported that the picnic table has been removed from the Village Green due to it being unsafe for use. The Committee are considering what to put in its place.

Village Hall Committee

Cllr M Neal on behalf of the Village Hall Committee reported that following certain email correspondence, a meeting was held at the village Hall between Clive law, Brian Barker, representing Penally Village Hall, Cllr Neal, and Ben Blake, Senior Traffic Engineer from Pembrokeshire County Council.

The situation outside the village Hall with parked vehicles causing problems for the bus service was discussed. Mr. Ben Blake agreed that extending the white lines would help to stop parking near the Village Hall gate and that he would send proposals by way of plans or drawings to Mr. Clive Law and then instruct the Pembrokeshire County Council line painters to go ahead and extend the existing line.

Village Hall members agreed to put up no parking signage. Mr. Blake asked the Village Hall members if they would monitor success or otherwise of the additions.

He also agreed that adding a dotted white line area along the wall would encourage cars to park closer to the Village Hall wall and not stick out into the roadway causing obstructions to passing vehicles. Mr Blake will also arrange for this to be done.

Cllr Neal addressed some of the problems elsewhere in the village, it was suggested that all Councillors monitor the situation Mr. Blake also made further suggestions of differing signs to be put around the village.

Mr Blake to remind Mr. Simon Barry of Pembrokeshire County Council to resolve the issues regarding the overgrown, overhanging hedge opposite the village Hall.

Agenda Items

Notice of Casual Vacancy for a Community Councillor for Penally - The Clerk confirmed that the Returning Officer of Pembrokeshire County Council has been advised of the position for Community Councillor and that the Notice of Electors Rights has been made public.

If no correspondence is received requesting an Election within the requisite time, then the Council will be able to place an advert in the local paper requesting persons wishing to be considered as a Community Councillor for Penally to contact the Clerk.

The next meeting will take place on July 10.