Among matters considered and discussed at this month’s meeting of St.?Mary Out Liberty Community Council were the following: Chairman’s Report - Clr. Brace advised the council that the grass verge at the ‘top’ of the village had been damaged, pressingly, by the tyres of a heavy vehicle which had driven over it.

Also, the drains at St. Anne’s Church had not been repaired yet. Clr. Preston confirmed that he had spoken with Pembrokeshire County Council and the repairs were on the work schedule. He further confirmed that he would chase this matter and possibly arrange a site visit.

Planning

Notice was received from Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning department advising that the planning application appertaining to Knightson Lodge had been conditionally approved.

County Clr. Jon Preston’s Report

Streetcare: The ‘Welcome to Saundersfoot’ sign was reported to PCC on February 28. I had not received a response, so I chased it up again on March 11. The situation as it stands is that the sign is currently fit for purpose. Any cosmetic change would need to be paid for by the community council. I’ve been in contact with Clr. Phil Baker with a view making this a joint project if the community council agree. The damaged verge at the top of Broadfield Hill was also reported on February 28, but remains outstanding. This has also been chased up with PCC.

Maintenance tasks: Maintenance tasks in the village can be reported to PCC as they arise and do not need to come via the community council for approval. The PCC website:- (https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/report-a-problem) is the most effective way to report matters such as street lights, a missed bin collection or damage to pavements. Community councillors can also contact the helpdesk on: (01437) 764551 or in an Emergency (0845) 601 5522 or email [email protected]. To report issues not listed on the website.

Budget: Full council agreed the final budget at its meeting on February 21. The 9.92 per cent increase will add an estimated £100 per annum to a Band D property equivalent to £1.92 pw over 52 weeks if a customer wishes to choose that option. The Council Tax premium for second homes started in 2017-18 and PCC will also be introducing a Council Tax premium for long-term empty properties in 2019-20. Since the introduction of the premium, the local authority have agreed to progress with a target of 10 affordable homes each year, with Solva, Llangwm and Fishguard/Goodwick being identified as priority areas for building. Also the introduction of the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant fund, which provides resources to support local organisations to offset the impact of second homes within their communities. All other council services have been asked to identify cost reductions and efficiency savings of eight per cent (of their controllable net expenditure budget for 2019-20).

PCC ran several seminars for council members and proposals were looked at in detail by all five of PCC Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

They also ran a public consultation from December 17 - January 18, 2019, in which over 500 people took part. Over 8,000 Facebook users also viewed the three Facebook Live sessions PCC held to publicise the consultation and to answer people’s questions. Relevant documents can be viewed via the council’s website.

Long Course Weekend: The cabinet member for infrastructure has informed members that Activity Wales are looking at road closures for this year’s cycling element of the Long Course Weekend on July 6. The formal legal process for the road closure has not yet begun, but Activity Wales have already issued letters to town and community councils and other community groups.

PCC will be holding detailed traffic management meetings with Activity Wales, so any concerns raised by the communities can be reviewed. The Long Course Weekend has grown in popularity and there is a need to review the current ‘open road’ policy for the safety of the motorists, athletes and the public.

Litter enforcement: The statistics that have been provided by District Enforcement, who are the company working with Pembrokeshire County Council to address enviro-crime, shows Milford Haven to be the location where most Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) for dog fouling have been issued (12 in total).

Dog walkers in Pembroke Dock and Tenby are the joint second worst offenders in Pembrokeshire for not cleaning up after their dogs, with four FPNs issued in each town across the same period.

Fixed Penalty Notices for environmental offences such as dog fouling, littering, fly-posting and graffiti carry a charge of £150 reduced to £75 for early payment.

Agenda Items

Approval of community council grounds maintenance tender document: The clerk presented the grounds maintenance tender schedule to the council for their consideration. This schedule sets out all the parcels of grass that the council maintains through New Hedges village and the cleansing of the two block-built bus shelters. Clr. Preston proposed that the council circulate the schedule of works to interested contractors offering a three-year contract with a six months’ probation period to the successful contractor; Clr. Mitchell seconded the proposal, with all councillors in full agreement.

The clerk was to circulate the schedules, with tenders to be received by no later than 5 pm on Sunday, April 7, when they will be opened and discussed at the April meeting of St. Mary Out Liberty Community Council. The successful contractor will be expected to complete the first cut by Thursday, April 18.

If anyone is interested in tendering for this contract, please contact the clerk on 07525 007068 for further details.

Date for next meeting: Tuesday, April 9.