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Community Council Meeting 5th November 2002
Item one on the agenda was the letter of concern (Click on the underlined to see the letter) from Roy Thomas. A response had not been provided for this letter, which was a matter of concern as it had been received three months ago.
The village bus shelter, maintained by Pembrokeshire County Council, was described as dilapidated by Mr Thomas. Councillor Eades suggested that the children responsible for the graffiti could be identified by the names etched on the walls and therefore should be made to cleanse the shelter. Councillor Morgan remarked it would be difficult to apprehend the culprits as the graffiti had been there for years and some if not all would have left the village. Councillor Calver, whilst accepting the culprits should be made if possible to rectify the damage they caused, said that realistically it would be difficult to enforce. Therefore he said that a request should be made to PCC to redecorate the shelter as they had not carried out any maintenance since just before the last county council elections.
After a long delay repairs had been carried out on the stone wall it is assumed that this was completed by Pembrokeshire County Council. Councillor Calver commented on the poor workmanship in relation to the repairs of this wall particularly concerning as it occupies such a prominent location in the village. He reminded the council of all the training schemes that had been financed out of European money and set up by Ms Asby of SPARC, to train stonemasons for the future. It was obvious from the repair carried out on the wall there was a shortage of trained personnel and that the previous system of training apprentices was better.
Councillor Griffiths advised the council that the toilet block now been taken down by PCC so that was no longer a problem. Councillor Calver pointed out that it had only been partially demolished, which in such a sensitive location next to Manorbier Castle was a disgrace. The contractors on the instructions of Pembrokeshire County Council had collapsed the top half of the block building and deposited it inside the bottom half. The area was then top soiled and the result was that now debris was already being deposited on the area. He suggested that Pembrokeshire County Council be instructed to remove the building completely and restore the area to its original appearance. He also pointed out that Pembrokeshire County Council was asked to construct a parking area to replace the toilet block. Councillor Griffiths stated that this would be difficult.
Another point raised in Mr. Thomas' correspondence namely the damage caused to the grass verge outside his house was evidenced by photographs showing inconsiderate parking by a vehicle in the narrow lane. Councillor Morgan realised it was his vehicle pictured and therefore declared an interest in the matter. The chairperson Ms Beynon stated that it was up Mr Thomas to contact the owner of the offending vehicle to rectify the situation.
There was general agreement with Mr Thomas regarding the poor appearance of the village areas that were the responsibility of Pembrokeshire County Council. Councillor Calver wondered what was happening to our rates and taxes that the Pembrokeshire County Council should be using to maintain the village.
The council would write to Mr Thomas regarding the points he raised.
Recycling Facilities
Mr Peter Hart from Pembrokeshire County Council e-mailed the clerk in relation to recycling facilities in the community. He suggested that the car parking area on Skrinkle Estate, which had been cleared after the garages had been demolished would make an ideal location. Councillor Calver suggested that the STAR Association should be consulted over this suggestion. Councillor Meyrick was concerned about the proposal to site recycling facilities at the Celtic Haven centre in Lydstep, which had been offered as a possible location in Lydstep. Councillor Meyrick was advised that perhaps he should declare an interest but on the advice of Councillor Thompson took part in discussions. His concern was the use of the back road to the complex as a possible route for vehicles using the facilities.
Planning Application for Conference Facility and Spar at Celtic Haven
Councillor Meyrick pointed out that the proposed extension was outside the village plan and that there cannot be one rule for some and another rule for others. He remarked that the parking for the additional facility was not identified on the application and again he raised his concerns regarding the use of the back lane. Councillor Calver proposed a site meeting, which was agreed by the rest of the council.
Hedge bank on Pembroke Road.
Councillor Calver asked that as we were discussing hedges that a letter be sent to Welsh Water regarding the poor reinstatement of the hedge bank along Pembroke Road. It is no use calling the area a "conservation area" when the public utilities do not reinstate hedge banks when they are damaged in the process of repairing water mains.
Letter from Mr D Beddoes, Jameston Community Association.
A letter was received from Mr Beddoes of the Jameston Community Association who felt that he had been that he had been let down by the Manorbier Community Council on the discussion regarding the final draft of the community appraisal. Councillor Calver informed the council that on realising it had not contacted the organisations and individuals who had contributed to the appraisal discussions, he gave Mr Beddoes a copy of the draft appraisal to enable him to keep abreast of the situation, particularly as both Mr Beddoes and Mr Gough had put more work into the document than anyone else. Councillor Thompson was of the opinion that as Mr Beddoes had been given a copy of the appraisal and it was an agenda item for the meeting on the 1st. October that if he was interested he should have taken the time to attend the meeting. Councillor Calver pointed out to Councillor Thompson that at the meeting to discuss the appraisal attended by Mr Beddoes and Mr Gough the chairperson, Ms Beynon had promoted the idea that more networking was required and at the first opportunity to carry this out the council did not bother to inform the organisations that had contributed.
The clerk informed the council that Mr Allison from Pembrokeshire County Council was concerned that the timetable was not being met. Grave concerns were raised by Councillors Morgan and Calver that Mr Allison was objecting to alterations that they had raised to the original draft, on the grounds that the computer software would not allow changes and there was insufficient space to include the questions. They reminded the clerk that it was the communities' questionnaire and the amendments were being restricted by Mr Allison. Councillor Calver raised the concern that although the questionnaire was being funded by Objective One (taxpayers) money to the time of £5,500 who would be liable once the questionnaire was printed if the required number returning it was not met. Confusion and disagreement arose between the councillors as to who would be liable and they agreed that the clerk would seek clarification before any further action was taken. At that point Councillor Thompson suggested that the scheme be abandoned but Councillor Morgan disagreed. Councillor Griffiths proposed that the draft be returned to Mr Allison in order to qualify. Chairperson Ms Beynon called for a vote, which was carried with Councillor Calver insisting he would only agree providing the questions were entered as he had requested.
Letter from Police Sergeant Miles
A copy of a letter sent from Police Sergeant Miles to Mr Wales regarding the traffic monitoring was read out. The letter is reproduced here - Click on underline
Mr Wales was disappointed that the police had taken such a long time to set up the monitoring that the results produced during a quiet time of the year did not demonstrate the full extent of the road usage. The clerk intervened to say she had received a letter from Pembrokeshire County Council which included the results of a survey they had carried out. It indicated a speed of 51 mph whilst the police monitoring had shown 38 mph. Mr Wales queried the difference in the figures produced considering they would have used the same monitoring equipment. Councillor Griffiths to Mr Wales' surprise revealed that Pembrokeshire County Council had used a radar gun. Mr Wales had written to Nicholas Ainger MP proposing that a meeting be arranged between the community council and interested parties to which the clerk replied the MP had informed her that he would be unable to attend during the week. Christine Gwyther the WAG member would be asked to attend as a replacement for the MP.
Data Protection Act
A request had been received by the clerk from Mr Hainsworth of Bierwood to inspect the Community Council documents. A meeting time had been arranged with Mr Hainsworth but had been cancelled on the instructions of the Council Chairperson. The Community Clerks Letter is reproduced here - Click on underline.
A letter handed to the clerk from Mr Hainsworth was read out with a complaint to the chairperson that he had been denied the right of access to the council documents.
His Letter is reproduced here - Click on underline
Councillor Griffiths informed the meeting that she had advised the clerk to contact Mr Huw James from Pembrokeshire County Council regarding the rights of inspection. However as Mr James was on sick leave the person delegated by Pembrokeshire County Council to advise the clerk was a Mr Tom Williams. Councillor Calver had been contacted by Mr Hainsworth and he informed the council that he had contacted Mr Williams regarding the matter after first telephoning the clerk to ask who had given her the advice which had prompted her to cancel Mr Hainsworth's appointment. He was concerned that an official from Pembrokeshire County Council had given advice to the clerk, which had denied an elector his right of access to council documents. Mr Williams when questioned by Councillor Calver, about his advice stated that the question put to him was " a member of the public had made a request to view all correspondence received by the community council over the last 2 months" and that his response was that he didn't think he/she was entitled to this privilege although he was not a Local Government legal expert. He then qualified the statement saying that he was not referring to council minutes and other items already in the public domain but general correspondence received by the council. Councillor Calver was not satisfied with the reply from Mr Williams, so he contacted Mr Huw Miller from Pembrokeshire County Council. Mr Miller agreed that all correspondence that was in the public domain was open for inspection by a local elector or his agent and that no fee could be charged for this service. Councillor Calver asked Mr Miller if he would pass this advice on to the clerk and council chairperson. Councillor Calver was concerned that the Chairperson was confused about the Data Protection Act and reiterated the point that it was never meant to restrict access to public documents. The chair admitted she did not understand the implications of the Data Protection Act. Ms Beynon then apologised to Mr Hainsworth for denying him his rightful access.
Safe Routes to School
A letter had been received from the school commenting upon their efforts made in relation to the problem regarding safety on school routes. Councillor Griffiths, Chairman of the Manorbier School Governors, explained that over the years she had tried to reorganise the bus timetable without success however she had discussed the safety of children with the relevant officials on Pembrokeshire County Council. She then stated that there were more children from Manorbier and the Skrinkle Estate attending the school who have no safe route to school, than the six or seven children from Jameston. In any assessment for priority, preference would be given to the route used by the greatest amount of children and that the recent findings/ report by Pembrokeshire County Council was that as long as the children are accompanied by parents, it is safe for them to walk along the existing main road. Mr Wales disclosed that in his letter to Nicholas Ainger the Director of Highways had said it was deemed to be "reasonably safe" for children to walk to school if they were accompanied by their parents. Councillor Griffiths then informed the meeting that in twelve years only one parent had voiced their concern over the safety of children and that had been from the Manorbier village area. Councillor Calver remarked that the onus seemed to be on the school, through its governors or staff, to make representation to Pembrokeshire County Council for a project to be put forward under the safe routes to school funding scheme. If no application was made there was no possibility of any future project starting. He then asked Councillor Griffiths if, in her position as chairman of the governors, she had ever been informed by Pembrokeshire County Council that in order to secure funding it was necessary for a route to be first identified and then forwarded to them.
Councillor Griffiths admitted that she was not aware of any application by the school or the governors for inclusion in the safe routes to school scheme. Councillor Calver was of the opinion that although more children attended the school from the Manorbier catchment area the Jameston road was the most dangerous because there was a tendency for traffic to speed on a straight road, even though it was narrower.
The meeting finished at 10.30 pm with several items of correspondence still to be discussed and not one item on the agenda having been discussed.
It was agreed that the next Community Council meeting would start at 7.30pm on Tuesday 2nd. December.