Manorbier.com
Two Rats Left the Ship
A member of the audience Mr Crockett who was in his normal vocal mood again stated that two rats had left the sinking ship. It is presumed he was talking about two of the four councillors Wales, Neads, Coleman and Lloyd, who had not accepted office?
Mr Crockett then turned his attention on Cllr Calver and suggested that if Cllr Calver was concerned regarding housing he should "sell his holiday properties in the village to first time buyers, as they were only used for part of the year". Cllr Calver pointed out to the chairman that Mr Crockett should consider what he was saying as the properties in Cllr Calver's ownership was his private business. Cllr Hughes who also owns a holiday complex in the parish agreed with Cllr Calver
Website Comments
Mr Crockett is very vocal in his views so perhaps he should have sought election to the council by way of adoption or better still through seeking election. It would be interesting if Mr Crockett would confirm to this website who he suggests the rats are and what they have done wrong as he seems to have inside knowledge, a useful tool if you want to be a member of Manorbier Community Council. Whilst not knowing of Mr Crockett's personal circumstances or what property he owns or rents and not wishing to know either, perhaps Mr Crockett should keep his opinions to himself on other peoples property. Some members of society may decide that drinking is there forte in life and spend all their money on drink, others may smoke themselves to death whilst yet others may invest there income wisely.
Mr Crockett should really consider his position when interfering in the private affairs of councillors and he does have the services of the Local Government Ombudsman open to him if he wishes to complain about a councillor.
Pembrokeshire County Council Monitoring Officer Visits the Council
In attendance at the meeting was Mr Laurence Harding the Monitoring Officer for Pembrokeshire County Council. The website is unaware if Mr Harding just happened to be in attendance or if he was invited to the meeting as no explanation was given for his attendance or if the chairman had been in contact with him.
Website Comments
The website is aware that Mr Harding had been contacted many months ago regarding irregularities within Manorbier Community Council so perhaps he should be looking at the past correspondence he has received and reporting to the council on any observations he has on the concerns that local taxpayers, raised with him.
Cllr Wales
Mr Jim Lewis was concerned that ex Cllr Wales had been broadcasting his opinion on local housing need through the media and was concerned that it was council policy. Cllr Calver pointed out that Mr Wales was speaking as an individual and whilst understanding the concern of Mr Lewis it was the personal opinion of Mr Wales and in a free society he could express his opinion.
Lowless and Lowless
Cllr Calver again asked if Lowless and Lowless had informed the chairman of its advice to council regarding the employment tribunal. The chairman did not disclose this in open council but would release the information later.
Letter received from Ex Cllr Wales
Cllr Wales had written to the chairman complaining about matters being discussed at the last meeting which were not on the agenda. Cllr Davies pointed out that Ex Cllr Wales was a fine person to advise the council after the fiasco he had created over the last four years.
Police
Cllr Calver proposed that a letter be written to Tenby Police regarding allegations made to them by Cllr Wales and Neads over money they had alleged had been stolen from Manorbier Community Council. He informed Cllrs that Wales and Neads had made the allegations personally without the Manorbier Community Council being informed in advance of their visit to the police or of the allegations they were making on behalf of Manorbier Community Council. A letter seeking clarification was to be sent to the Tenby Police station.
Vacancies for Community Council Members
The council chairperson Cllr Hughes produced letters he said he had received from members of the public asking to be co-opted on to the council. Cllr Calver strongly objected without any knowledge of the applicants that they should be considered at this stage as no public notice had been issued which would allow members of the parish to apply to be co-opted too the vacant positions. He proposed that the decision be left for another month after notifying all residents of the village of the vacancies. Cllr Hughes asked the monitoring officer of the legal position regarding co-option who agreed with him that it could be done this way. Cllr Calver suggested to the Monitoring Officer that it might be OK to do it that way but it was not fair to other potential applicants in the parish.
The vote was split with three members Cllr's Hine, Gourlay, and Hughes voting for co- opting two of the applicants and three against Cllr's Calver, Jones and Davies. Cllr Hughes used his casting vote to carry his own proposal.
Website Comments
The idea that three people could write to the council asking to be co-opted and be discussed and approved as a fair method of co-option without informing other parishioners of the vacancies is another sad day for Manorbier Community Council and could be considered a back door method of joining the council. It must be remembered that no one on Manorbier Community Council has been elected by the electorate of Manorbier. The four other vacancies will have to be filled by election should that be the wish of Manorbier residents. A Mr Williams and Mr Hughes were co-opted with Mr Haynes being the rejected candidate. It will be interesting to see if any of those who wrote in had any connection with the chairman or the Proper Officer as this website is not aware who received the letters. No declarations were made by councillors to their relationship with prospective applicants or if they had been in contact with them. The website will follow this up to see if any of the candidates were connected with Cllr Hughes or Cllr Hine at the election on May 1st 2008 or if they were members of any group within the parish such as village associations with Cllr Hine or Hughes. This website remembers the last council when Cllr Calver suggested that to be fair to all those that had applied to be co-opted, after it had been properly advertised that there were vacancies, was to pick the names out of a hat.
Planning Applications
The Grange Manorbier
Cllr Calver reported that he had instigated a proposal to alter the road outside the entrance to the development and proposed that if any development was to take place a Section 106 agreement should be agreed with the applicant to assist with road improvements to the area as there had been several road accidents of late near the entrance.
Hounsel Avenue, Manorbier
Pembrokeshire Housing was applying for a two storey development of six flats on the site. Cllr Gourlay made an incredible suggestion that since the Housing Association had fenced off the area anti social behaviour had increased in the area due to the loss of amenity area. Cllr Calver pointed out to Cllr Gourlay that owners of land had a right to fence of their property. He proposed that the council object to the building of two storey buildings on the site as it was an elevated position close to an old Pembrokeshire cottage. and suggested that it was an ideal place for a disabled property. He was also concerned over the buses stopping on a 90% bend on the main road alongside the proposed development and proposed that the council ask for a contribution from Pembrokeshire Housing towards a bus stop. Cllr Gourlay again with her knowledge of construction methods suggested that this was not possible as Pembrokeshire County Council would not be able to join on to the existing road. Cllr Calver pointed out to Cllr Gourlay that PCC where capable he was sure of joining a bus stop to an existing road. The debate then revolved around her suggestion that PCC had not made a very good job on the estate roads. Cllr Calver was amazed by the suggestion of Cllr Gourlay and her lack of knowledge as to what was taking place and had to point out that the work carried out to date was just road repairs before the final surface dressing.
Dewing Avenue.
Concern was raised over parking problems regarding this development and again Cllr Calver had to point out that Highways would stipulate the parking requirements of the development..
Website Comment
Cllr Gourlay had pointed out during discussions on planning at Hounsel and Dewing Avenue about anti social behaviour. It was noted by several attendees at the council meeting that some very young children had been crossing the main road to the army camp that did not seem to be under any parental control. It is the duty of parents to supervise children especially the very young. More importantly both Cllr Jones and Gourlay live or have relatives living close to the developments proposed by Pembrokeshire Housing and whist not objecting to the proposals should have considered a possible conflict of interest when coming to a decision. Cllr Hine declared an interest when the discussion relating to Dewing Avenue came up but seemed annoyed when Cllr Calver asked him to declare the nature of his interest but did reveal his interest. He informed the council that he had spoken against the development on behalf of the adjoining house owner. This website has been made aware that Cllr Hine is related through marriage to the objector and wonders if this was declared when Cllr Hine spoke in relation to this issue at the Pembrokeshire Coast national park meeting.
Manorbier & District Community Association.
Manorbier & District Community Association made an appeal to the council for funding for repairs to the football field fencing. Cllr Davies pointed out that the Association receives money on an annual basis from the council to maintain the playing fields. Cllr Calver pointed out that it was incumbent on the association to recognise their obligations to maintain proper fencing for safety reasons. They have over the past years been receiving money from the Manorbier Council taxpayers and have to date failed to supply the council with copies of their accounts.
Website Comments
Again we do not know who but it is believed that several councillors are members of the local community associations and in the interest of openness should be declaring an interest. This website from now on will be keeping an eye on any councillor who has a vested interest in any subject.
Manorbier Conservation Society
The association had written to the council seeking funds for a new notice board for the village hall. Cllr Calver pointed out that there was already two notice boards and if the association wanted to provide another one they should fund it themselves.
Website Comment
Cllr Hine is a member of this body and surely in the interest of openness he should have declared an interest and not taken part in the debate after all they were seeking financial recompense from the council and its taxpayers. This society seems to be party of a secret society as no minutes have ever been made available to the council and as far as this website is aware they seem to meet in private houses as no public notice has been displayed showing times or places were it meets.
External Auditor
It was revealed to the council that the former proper officer and chairman had not presented the council with correspondence from the External auditor resulting in a fine of approximately £2,500 being levied on Manorbier Community Council. The fine was being added onto on a weekly basis and resulted from the failure of the council through Mr Wales and Neads to produce necessary documentation requested by the Auditor. It was resolved that urgent action needed to be taken with all details being forwarded to the councils internal auditor for verification.
The Employment Tribunal
Confidential session regarding Employment Tribunal over dismissal of Mrs Davies. Held at the Manorbier Community Council meeting on the 5th June 2008-06-06
It was resolved by the council that it go it to private session regarding this item.
The case revolves around the dismissal of Mrs Davies by the council approximately two years ago. The employment tribunal case has been delayed by Ex Cllr Neads, Wales and Coleman with the result that the new council has been left with the problem. Lowless and Lowless first represented the council before being dismissed by the council on the advice of Mr Neads with the reason given being that he could do a better job than them.
Website Comments
Whilst accepting that when discussing the merits of the case the council should go into private session but there are certain elements which should remain in the public arena when being discussed. In the past when this item has been discussed only three councillors have been aware of the merits of the case and no reports of any meetings they held on the issue or decisions taken have been available for the full council. Cllr Calver has asked on many occasions for details of the case and has been refused by the past chairman with the collusion of other councillors. It is the intention of this website to keep members of the public fully informed of any new shenanigans as there is no reason for minutes once agreed not to be made available.