Among matters considered and discussed at the most recent meeting of Amroth Community Council were the following:

Matters arising from previous minutes

• Donation to St Elidyr’s for construction work to increase the size of the graveyard. Councillors suggested ACC apply to the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund to part fund this. Total cost is estimated between £8 - 10k. Agreed; Clr. Mary Megarry to investigate if the project is eligible.

• Bertie the Sea Bass travelled to Dublin to attend the annual reception given by the British Ambassador to Ireland. All costs were met by the British Embassy. Clr. Pauline Davies has also been interviewed on Pembrokeshire Radio about Bertie and the Clean Sea’s Project and information was sent to Bethan Thomas, community reporter for Wales Online, for an article she wrote.

• Rubbish and recycling bins in Amroth. The clerk has been in touch with PCC on several occasions about this issue. Bins were emptied on August bank holiday which helped; however, the issue of rubbish being left by the recycling bins, by both visitors and some residents, persists. Leaving rubbish by bins is fly-tipping, however councillors recognised that it is better than dumping it elsewhere. The recycling bins are an asset to those who use them properly and so removing them would be a shame. PCC are looking into the possibility of using CCTV to identify culprits and discourage fly -tipping in future. CCTV will also be installed in Kilgetty when their recycling bins are re-installed. Holiday accommodation providers should have a trade waste agreement or a Duty of Care Certificate stating how they deal with visitors’ rubbish. The county council are willing to prosecute if fly-tipping offenders are identified.

Agreed; The clerk will request that street bins are emptied more regularly at busy times of year or the size of the bins are increased to accommodate the increase in rubbish. Councillors suggested to Clr. Baron that PCC write to accommodation providers to set out the law regarding waste disposal.

• The steps down to the beach just up from the New Inn are to be removed from the dog restriction area. This is to allow safe access for dog walkers to the unrestricted section of the beach. Access has been via a steep bank of pebbles which is not safe. It will require an amendment of the byelaw and possibly may also require an amendment of the designated bathing water area, neither of which will be quick to resolve. However, given the steps are only just within the restricted area and Richard Brown of PCC suggests that it would be a proportionate approach to provide signage on the access indicating that dogs allowed to one side and no dogs to the other and that the enforcement officers are provided with this information and requested to only enforce on the restricted side to the steps. The council can then explore the appropriate process for amending the byelaws.

• The clerk has been in touch with PCC and District Enforcement, the company that has the enforcement contract, to ask for more regular visits to Amroth and Wisemans Bridge during the summer season to address the issue of litter and dog fouling in both villages and the beach. Issues can be reported to the clerk or directly to PCC on 01437 764551.

Agreed: The clerk will speak to the District Enforcement team leader to ask that both villages are accorded regular visits on the team rota.

• A solar streetlight opposite Beach Haven Guest House has yet to be installed. PCC report it will hopefully be done this financial year. Councillors reported that poor lighting is an issue between Mole End and the New Inn

Agreed: The clerk to investigate lighting options.

• The recommendation to move the 30mph speed limit sign further out from Summerhill and the proposals for changes to the parking on Amroth front to try to limit obstruction in front of the shops have both been advertised. This is a legal requirement before a parking or traffic order can be changed.

• Beach Sculpture Festival/event for 2020. A sub-group was set up to meet with Tina Cunningham to plan the events and look for funding. Agreed. Clr. Mary Megarry to look at an application to the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund.

County Councillor’s Report

• Waste collection. The council’s kerbside sorting waste collection scheme will be rolled out from November 4 for most Pembrokeshire residents. The responsible department is willing to demonstrate the new collection system to interested residents in each ward. I have made an initial request for such a demonstration to be given in Amroth Parish Hall at 10.30 am on Monday, October 14, and 10.30 am on Friday, October 25, at Llanteg Village Hall. Dates will be confirmed on community websites and Facebook pages. All welcome.

• Long Course Weekend. ACC chairman, Clr. Stephen Phillips, requested that I obtain a report from Clr. Baker on his meeting with the organisers of the Long Course Weekend with a view to mitigating the disruption caused to Amroth residents and businesses. His response is given below along with a comment about the Ironman event:

At the recent LCW wrap-up meeting we have asked the organisers to:

1. Consider an earlier start for the closed road cycle element.

2. Compress the road closure period, now that they have more detailed information on the peak of travel through the closure.

3. Consider organising the event to be ‘part closed road’ and ‘part open road’, with a specific time included in literature and briefing.

4. Review the route to provide some relief to those most affected.

We await feedback and responses from the organisers, all discussions and conclusions will be included in a report to Cabinet, as ever Marc and I would be more than happy to meet with Amroth Community Council to discuss concerns. 

As we go live for Ironman 2020, I note the large number of properties in Amroth, Saundersfoot and Tenby which are advertised to rent (or already have been) for that event; it really is a great opportunity for the county.

 This year I have received a significant number of complaints about the impact of these two events, which, while benefiting Pembrokeshire as a whole, do have a significant impact on residents and our seafront businesses. I will continue to liaise with Clr. Baker to seek a more equitable solution.

• LAG funding. There is still a small amount of funding left unallocated in Pembrokeshire’s share of the EU LEADER funds. The LAG is likely to try to spread those funds over a large number of small projects and it could be that the amount of required match-funding will be less than the 30 per cent that has been required up to now. The Pembrokeshire LAG has performed very well compared with other Welsh LAGs and Planed are going to showcase the international reach of ‘Bertie’.

• Council Tax 2020-2021. I have been appointed to the council’s Finance Panel and to sit on the Treasury Management Panel. There remains much uncertainty, for example, over whether the UK Chancellor’s public spending increases will be passed. And whether, if they are, the implied increase in Welsh funding will be passed on in its entirety by the Welsh Government. Nevertheless, the financial position of the council, while tight, is not as perilous as in previous years and I detect no appetite amongst members for an increase above five per cent.

•.Pleasant Valley/Heritage Park. As you are aware a planning application for a major development of Heritage Park has been lodged. I am in receipt of various objections to the application. The planned meeting concerning compliance with the terms of the lease granted to Heritage Park was cancelled at very short notice and has not yet been re-arranged.

• I have checked with PCC and the marking of trees in Pleasant Valley was not undertaken by council operatives.

Planning

Little Whiteleys, Cliffe Rd, Wisemans Bridge. Proposal - Variation of Condition 2. PCNPA has given notice that consent to vary or remove conditions for the execution of the works referred to has been granted.

Woodlands, Pleasant Valley. Proposal - Kitchen and garage extension. Conditionally approved

Rose Park Caravan Park, Llanteg. Proposal - Provision of 5 no additional touring caravan pitches and 4 no lodge pitches at existing caravan park. Application refused.

Penglyn, Amroth. Proposal - Demolition of existing conservatory and replace with single storey lean-to side extension together with a two-storey rear extension. Comments; no o.bjection submitted

Land at West Llanteg Farm.Proposal - Signage for residential development. Formal objection on basis of insufficient detail being made available.

Caledonia, Summerhill. Proposal - Proposed single storey sun lounge extension. No objection.

Heritage Park, Pleasant Valley. Proposal - Installation of 75 bases for the siting of holiday lodges (which fall under the definition of a caravan), a spa facility, four holiday apartments, café and cycle hire, an equestrian stables, ménage and associated office, rebuilding of Plum Tree Hall for wardens accommodation, main park office, car and cycle parking, two residential garages, landscaping, access, retaining walls, foul and surface water drainage, related infrastructure and engineering works.

Agreed: A meeting to discuss the application has been organised on Monday, October 7, at 8 pm, at Amroth Parish Hall. All welcome.

Correspondence

• Residents reported that the wall opposite Miners Arms Cottage needs repairing following damage by a passing car. Land Registry indicates that the land and wall are the property of Heritage Park. The clerk has written to Heritage Park to inform them of the issue and to ask if it can be repaired.

• An email was received from a resident reporting that, despite signs, dog walkers continue to ignore the beach restrictions. The clerk will highlight this when talking to District Enforcement Officers.

• Consultation draft Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Management Plan 2020-2024.

In 2018, the National Park Authority sought people’s views on opportunities and challenges facing the National Park. Those views have been used to prepare a draft Management Plan, on which views are welcomed.

The consultation documents, a response form and supporting information can be found on the National Park Authority’s website via www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/HaveYourSay.

The consultation period runs until October 31.

• Age Friendly Wales are running a community event in Letterston Memorial Hall on October 23. The theme is making your community more age friendly. They can be contacted at [email protected] or 03442 640 670

• Hannah Bailey has written to say she had a great time in America at the 24th World Scout Jamboree and is happy to come to a meeting and do a presentation on her experience.

• Sue James has written on behalf of Llanteg Hall Committee to say the contact pads are to be replaced in the defib ASAP by the Tenby and Saundersfoot First Responders. The Hall Committee have requested that a survey be carried out on a large ash tree in the Old School Garden which is affected with ash dieback virus. They also requested that ACC arrange to make the gatepost at the chapel graveyard removable. This would widen the gateway and allow Tony and other volunteers to use a ride-on lawn mower to cut the grass.

Agreed: Clr. Roger Harries will get a quote from Paul Turpin to carry out the work.

Report by Amroth and District Community Association

Winter schedule is up and running. Hall is fully used during the daytime and evening.

Report by Llanteg Village Hall Committee

• Items for the Village newsletter to be submitted to Ruth Roberts by October 15

• A new craft class starts on October 15 between 10 am and 12 noon for crochet and knitting.

• Ash dieback - Roy James to review the tree in Old School Gardens and report back to John James who will report to ACC

• Pride in Pembrokeshire Award. The Hall was awarded £200.

• The lighting project is progressing. Hoping new lights will be installed by Christmas.

Monthly Police meeting

• NHS now has own non-emergency medical helpline. The number is 111.

• 67 motorcyclists were killed in the Force area last year. Drivers and motor cyclists are asked to be more aware.

• There has been an increase in theft of purses and bags from trolleys in supermarkets.

• Certain lost property is accepted by the police such as mobile phones, identifiable cash, cash sums over £500, computers, high valuable jewellery, wallets, bank cards and statements, passports.

• There has been an increase in the theft of gates and bicycles locally.

• Shop lifting is increasing

• Beware of anyone asking for money via the internet, even if it looks genuine.

• Camera cars are out and about to detect illegal parking.

• Recycling bins have been removed from Kilgetty Co op car park.

VE Day May 2020 Celebration

• Include the official launch/unveiling of the Exercise Jantzen information board

• Ideas include a party in Amroth, band to play, get the community involved, stalls for organisations that helped with the war effort such as the Lifeboats, British Legion, Help for Heroes, WI, Red Cross. May be possible to get Army Training to carry out a demonstration. Pig roast. Hold it by the flag on the sea front. Further discussion will take place at the October meeting.

• Anyone interested in taking part please contact the clerk or Clr. Roger Harries

Update on the possibility of free Wi-Fi for Amroth

Clr. Alec Cormack presented the project proposal to councillors. The aim is to get free WiFi cover along the front from the toilets in Amroth to the Amroth Arms. The system proposed can be added to incrementally assuming a clear line of sight is available. Some local businesses have been approached as partners and been enthusiastic. The project has been thoroughly researched and quotes obtained.

Agreed: Councillors agreed unanimously to approve the project.

 To discuss a possible one-way system to/from St. Elidyr’s Church to Amroth. The clerk informed councillors that 14 responses had been received to date on this matter. With an equal number for and against. Discussion was postponed to the October meeting.

Improvements for disabled residents in the community. Clr. Rosemary Tippett-Maudsley reported on the possibility of a beach wheelchair for Amroth. The National Park are willing to donate a free wheelchair. A refurbished chair is available now or a new one can be ordered to arrive in three months. The Amroth Arms have been approached to host and recharge it, final decision pending. It is for use by locals and visitors. Clr. Tippett-Maudsley still has to clarify some points. Maintenance for a year is approximately £300 to be met by the National Park. Users are asked for a small donation to use it and the money goes towards its maintenance.

Agreed; Councillors unanimously supported the initiative.

Any other or urgent business

• Hedges between Cambrian Cross and the 30 mph speed limit into Amroth in bad repair and need cutting. Agreed: Clerk to write to the National Trust to ask that the work is carried out.

• Location of new seats purchased - as previously discussed.

• Road up from Amroth by Castle is not suitable for trailers. Agreed: Clerk to request signage

• Clr. Pauline Davies is looking at ways to quantify Bertie’s impact on helping reduce the use of single use plastics. She will ask Keep Wales Tidy for help.

Next meeting: The next meeting will be held at Llanteg Village Hall on Thursday, October 24, starting at 7 pm.