At the January meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council, the following matters were discussed:

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Chairman Cleevely reported that all the events held in Saundersfoot over the Christmas period had been well supported by members of the council.

He said that he had attended the senior citizens dinner, both as a pensioner and chairman of the council, and it proved to be a very successful evening. He added that a special thank you should go to the Tenby and District Lions Club for their financial support and their participation on the night. It was proposed by Clr. Poole and seconded by Clr. Baker that letters be sent to the Regency Hall committee and Tenby Lions for organising the event so successfully.

Chairman Cleevely said that he along with Clr. Baker attended a meeting with the leader of Pembrokeshire County Council to discuss the financial cut backs the county council has to make for the next two years.

Chairman Cleevely also reported that he, along with fellow councillors, had attended the very successful New Year's Day Swim where they distributed medals to the swimmers.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

Electricity supply to ticket office: The clerk informed members that a meter had been installed in the ticket office, but had not been connected as yet.

St. Issell's Cemetery: The clerk informed members that he had spoken to Mr. Rhys Thomas regarding the clearance of the graves and the reason he had not commenced this work was due to him having difficulty in accessing top soil for fill in for the graves, but would carry out the work as soon as possible.

Sensory Gardens: Clr. Poole said that he had been approached by a member of his family requesting if a plaque be placed on one of the council's seats in the gardens. Clr. John said that the council could charge a nominal fee, providing it was of a similar design as the other plaques there. The clerk informed members that only two seats were available in the gardens for plaques to be placed on and Clr. Baker would obtain information from Mr. Glenville Codd, Pembrokeshire County Council, with regards to costings and the clerk would obtain similar information from the supplier of the seats. Clr. Poole would also obtain further information from the applicant and report back at the next meeting.

Christmas lighting: Clr. Poole informed members that there had been some problems with the lighting this year and Mr. Nigel Ayers had sorted these problems out. The clerk also informed members that Clr. McDermott would like to thank Mr. Ayers and his son for carrying out a superb job in erecting and dismantling the lights.

Flags for Regency Hall: Clr. John reported that he had spoken to the company supplying the flags and they would supply six flags at £45 each, plus vat. It was proposed by Clr. Brabon and seconded by Clr. Cavell that Clr. John went ahead with this order and all members agreed.

CCTV Camera: Clr. John informed members that no progress had been made. Chairman Cleevely said that it was important that the camera remained in the village. Clr. John said that to install a recorder would cost between £500 and £600 and suggested saving some of the maintenance charge each year to cover the maintenance of this recorder. He said that he would continue to pursue these options.

Lights in long tunnel: Clr. Hayes informed members that funding would be made available from the Friends of Saundersfoot for these lights and the clerk said that Clr. McDermott had passed his report to Lionel Allen for checking. chairman Cleevely said that the Council should await these figures prior to progressing.

Gates at Regency Hall: A lengthy discussion took place with regard to the above gates and Clr. Poole said that they should be closed once a year to prove that the council owned the car park area and the clerk was instructed to contact the council's solicitors to establish what the legal position was. Clr. Poole said that he would speak to Mr. Brian James, JEHU, with regard to being able to close the gates more easily.

Saundersfoot Community Council website: The clerk was instructed to contact Mr. Lawrence Harding, monitoring officer, Pembrokeshire County Council, for progress.

County Councillor's report on salt bins: With regard to the two salt bins to be located in Pennant Avenue, members asked if one be placed at the entrance to the estate and the other further into the estate. The clerk was instructed to contact Mr. Rob Evans, Pembrokeshire County Council, with this information.

County Councillor's report on storage container: The clerk informed members that Tenby and District Lions Club had a 10-foot container for sale which was surplus to requirements, the cost being £750. It was proposed by Clr. Brabon and seconded by Clr. John that the council purchased this container, subject to inspection by Clr. Baker.

Kissing gate, St. Issell's Cemetery: The clerk read out an email from Mr. Anthony Richards, National Park, informing the council that the gate had been removed after consultation with the landowner. Several requests had been received from local residents who were encountering difficulties using this public footpath with pushchairs and buggies.

AGENDA

Discuss joint senior citizens dinner, 2014, with East Williamston Community Council: Clr. Baker said that last year's senior citizens dinner proved to be a great success and he had been asked if Saundersfoot Community Council would consider including East Williamston residents (approximately 13-14 people) in the dinner. Clr. Boughton Thomas said that the caterer could cater for 120 people maximum and thought that number could be filled easily by Saundersfoot residents. Members thought the dinner was not publicised enough and next year notices should be placed in the Post Office and the surgery and also addresses be included to prove eligibility to attend. Members decided not to include East Williamston residents due to the fact that the event could easily be filled by Saundersfoot residents. The date for next year's dinner would be held on December 14.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Demolition of bungalow – Little Court, Saundersfoot; single storey extension - The Firs, Sandy Hill Road, Saundersfoot; extension - 33 Scandinavian Heights, Saundersfoot; new roof and windows - Jalna Hotel, Saundersfoot. Members raised no objections to the applications and fully supported them.

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

A letter was received from Saundersfoot Bowling Club stating that following Mr. George Cavell's retirement as treasurer, Mr. Mike Ashbridge was elected as the new treasurer.

Approval of tree works at the frontage of Ardwyn, Wogan Terrace, Saundersfoot, was approved by National Park.

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

Clr. Baker reported to members as follows:

Tenby MIU - Tenby Town Council continued to co-ordinate the campaign relating to Tenby MIU. Although the unit was now closed, the concerns remained with regard to alternative provision for all residents and visitors and especially the busy periods of the year which were no longer fixed to the eight weeks of the summer period. Correspondence continued with the Welsh Government petitions committee, Hywel Dda Health Board, local MPs and AMs. Clr. Baker confirmed his continued support for the Tenby MIU and the threatened services at Withybush Hospital.

Withybush Hospital: A series of protests and marches were being held at Withybush Hospital to highlight the loss of services currently underway in Haverfordwest. There would be a protest at Cardiff Bay on March 5. Announcements were due soon from the Minister responsible for health relating to the special care baby unit.

Pembrokeshire County Council: A series of meetings and seminars had been held at County Hall explaining the theory behind the £20,000,000 savings required over the next two years. Officers had confirmed that there would not be compulsory redundancies with the focus on delivering services in an innovative way. This included a review of the use of different buildings for different purposes, many services could be delivered in the same building saving heating lighting and rates. An example of this was the combining of the TIC and library service in the village, both services would be enhanced with longer opening hours, but with only the running costs of one building.

Civic amenity site: Pembrokeshire County Council had announced that they were in the process of acquiring a new site for the relocated Tenby CA site. The location had not yet been disclosed, but was located on Devonshire Drive close to Crane Cross. The exact location would be discussed at the next cabinet meeting and it was likely to fall in the Saundersfoot ward, but in the county council planning area. Clr. Baker will report to the community council as soon as he has further information. Clr. Baker was extremely pleased that the uncertainty regarding the field next to Brooklands has now been resolved. Post meeting note; The site had been identified as being on the left hand side of Devonshire Drive, just before the railway bridge when heading west.

Ysgol Greenhill School: As chair of governors, Clr. Baker was delighted to report that Greenhill School had retained its band two position and coupled with other indicators and results had secured the school once again as the most improved school in Pembrokeshire.

Footpaths: PCNPA had provided details of a realigned public footpath around the lodge area of the Stepaside Heritage Park. The alterations allowed for improved layout in the Park and also provided a more user-friendly and accessible path for all ability of walkers.

Proposed microbrewery: Clr. Baker had been informed that the planning application relating to the proposed microbrewery in the old school had now been referred to PCNPA full planning committee. On investigation, the head of planning had used her discretion to take this application out of the scheme of delegation due to the amount of public concern and the conditions suggested by Saundersfoot Community Council.

Pennant Avenue, grit bins: Clr. Baker confirmed that the area maintenance team were ready to install the two grit bins as soon as the locations had been confirmed as he had requested in the December meeting.

Clr. John reported on the urbanists review meeting. He attended the review of the original 'Powell Dobson' study of the development of Saundersfoot. There were several apologies and the proposed six tables of attendees was reduced to just three large tables, where they were asked to discuss items seen as priorities in the village now, some four years or so later. Whilst some of the original ideas had matured, like a new Regency Hall and improvements to Coppet Hall, others had either gone in a different direction, like the harbour and Tesco area development, or had not happened at all, like turning the Regency Car Park into multi-level. The tables discussed items amongst themselves and then a spokesperson presented the ideas to the room. In summary, these included: underused BBQ/Coal Office building and gardens, with shops at its rear currently for sale; lots of things about the harbour - lack of a pedestrian friendly entrance, the Jones & Teague Project, their vision to provide passenger boat connection to Tenby and a harbour festival which is complimentary to Tenby's, decking over the sluice to create boat parking; the Regeneration Heritage Trust seeks to widen the appeal of the village and its hinterland, including the surrounding communities of Amroth, Wiseman's Bridge, Stepaside, Monkstone and potentially Kilgetty. A heritage hub needed to be provided in the village; demand for a series of guided walks/tours for older and younger generations; Saundersfoot needs to strengthen its 'niche' appeal alongside Narberth and Tenby, but continued coordination and communication would be key to its future growth and prosperity; needed a destination manager; a unique selling point was required for the interpretation/celebration of the heritage; better signage was drastically needed - way-finding, other features and parking; the green-spaces adjacent to the Coal Office/BBQ Building were well used in the summer; can boat parking be exclusively moved to the sluice to free up more car parking space to offset spaces lost by any potential events space?; BBQ/Coal Office should be retained as heritage hub for the region with a linked events space. A contemporary solution to the building design/renovation was not unfeasible; all-weather facilities would retain visitors if they were provided; connection to Coppet Hall Car Park important, currently poorly signed; evening economy/better food offer is needed; railway station connections not maximised.

Clr. Boughton Thomas reported to members on the Regency Hall meeting. The chairman's report covered the events held in December, including the senior citizens dinner, which was a great success, and the initial film show held just prior to Christmas. He confirmed that the committee was moving forward with regards to becoming incorporated and the initial meetings will commence next week. PCSO Moffatt reported that support for the set-up of a youth club in the hall was extremely positive and they had received 60/70 signatures from the village showing support. He said that the LEA would pay for the hire of the hall, and there are also funds to pay for CRB checks for those people who had volunteered to run it. An update would be made at next month's meeting. The chairman thanked Cathy Hare for entering the NYDS on behalf of the hall, and the hall manager confirmed that there were now five wedding parties booked at the hall in 2014 and an inspection was being made next week by the ABRSM to see if the hall was suitable for holding music exams. New classes are starting all the time, the latest being karate, and a sub-committee was formed to discuss the possibility of setting up a lunch club and/or a film show, with afternoon tea for elderly and isolated residents of the village. It was proposed by Clr. Baker and seconded by Clr. Allsop that the council purchased a film from the Imperial War Museum to commemorate the practices of the D-Day landings on Coppet Hall which could be shown in the Regency Hall. All members agreed.

Clr. Brabon conveyed a big thank you to all members who had worked in the Sensory Gardens prior to Christmas, especially to Clr. Poole for powerwashing the paths which looked much better. He expressed his concern at the flooding by the ice-cream kiosk and wondered if anything could be done to improve the situation. Clr. Hayes suggested pumping the excess water into a container as was proposed by Wales in Bloom judges. Clr. Poole said that as this was a soak away drain, it would be difficult to solve this problem.

Chairman Cleevely reported on the police forum meeting. The formation of a youth club was discussed. Crime figures for December were one violent crime, no burglaries, six auto crimes, one property theft and one criminal damage offence. During the past year, there were 117 crimes in Saundersfoot, with 67 detected. Three new Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators have been appointed. Priorities were: support forming a youth club; continue monitoring illegal parking outside Tesco where six tickets have been issued.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Clr. Cavell expressed her concern at the litter collecting in the culverts on the path to Wiseman's Bridge from Coppet Hall. Clr. Baker said that it was difficult to access this litter to remove it, but would investigate the matter.

Clr. Allsop reported that several street lights were not working in Saundersfoot and Clr. Baker said that he would notify Pembrokeshire County Council of this.

Clr. John asked if any member of the council had been on the course to obtain the 'Safeguarding Children Certificate' and suggested that all members of the council should have one.

Clr. Baker asked if the clerk could contacted Mr. Lawrence Harding, monitoring officer, Pembrokeshire County Council, to establish the position of declaring an interest for Regency Hall committee members when discussing issues relating to the Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism as they were now affiliated members of this organisation.

Clr. Poole expressed his concern at the poor quality of the black bags supplied by Pembrokeshire County Council. Clr. Baker informed him that it was down to cost and to establish what was inside them, but Pembrokeshire County Council were reviewing this complaint.