Manorbier.com
Community Council Meeting - Tuesday 1st July 2003
Annual Visit to Manorbier Army Camp
The date for the visit has been arranged for 13th Sept 2003. Anyone who is interested in attending should contact the clerk or community councillors.
Demolished Toilet Block in centre of Village.
This issue had still not been resolved to the satisfaction of Councillor Calver. The community council agreed that further letters be forwarded to the Pembrokeshire National Park employee, Mr Scourfield, as well as Pembrokeshire County Council regarding this issue. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park had informed the community council that a Mr Brian Urwin would be looking at the problem. Councillor Calver wondered what input this gentleman would have regarding the standard of workmanship or the community's needs as this employee was only an enforcement officer. Councillor Ms Thompson was concerned that extra money would have to be spent on the project and that would be an additional cost to the ratepayers of Pembrokeshire if Pembrokeshire County Council had to carry out any more work on the project. Councillor Calver understood Ms Thompson concerns regarding ratepayers paying for projects carried out by or on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council but reiterated that this building was in a conservation area next to the Castle Entrance and the work that had been carried out to date was totally unsatisfactory.
Tourism Growth Area.
The Tourism Growth Area Committee had failed to forward minutes of their meetings to the Community Council as they had promised to do. County Member Mrs Patricia Griffiths informed the Community Council that she had spoken to a Councillor Codd from Broadmoor who had indicated that he would be prepared to forward the minutes. Councillor Calver remembered the words of Pembrokeshire County Council employee Erica Fielding regarding the fact that the Tourism Growth Area group would be inclusive. He remarked that in fact he had attended a County Council meeting of late when the latest buzz words "Team Pembrokeshire" were being banded about. However, this must be a five a side event as those who were allowed to play was restricted by the cabinet at county hall. In her letter to the council Erica Fielding had stated that she felt that she would not wish to jeopardise this opportunity for it being inclusive by sending out the minutes direct to the council. She felt that it was vital to promote a channel of communication, as community involvement was essential to the success of the Tourism Growth Area experiment. Councillor Calver felt that it was not the duty of the members of the committee to send out minutes but the duty of the secretariat.
Friends of the Earth Member Selina Medwell forwards letter to Council
A letter was received from a resident of the Skrinkle estate in Manorbier Mrs Medwell regarding the quantity of rubbish on the path between the Manorbier Post Office and Stores and the Bus Shelter at Skrinkle {see letter}. Councillor Calver agreed with the sentiments in the letter but was also concerned that Pembrokeshire County Council had failed the residents of the estate by not carrying out their duties to maintain the fences and shrubbery. He had been trying for several weeks to make the council aware of their duties in cutting back and maintaining the hedges that belong to them on the estate instead of letting them grow wild. Councillor Calver informed the meeting that since the beginning of the summer he has been trying to ensure that the Pembrokeshire County Council grounds maintenance crew cut back the hedge on the side of a residents garden. However they just seem to be avoiding their responsibilities. The lady has in fact had to pay herself for the cutting back of what is a council hedge
to obtain a decent appearance around her property. The residents who pay an exorbitant amount of council tax must wonder what they are paying for. He stated that he would be suggesting to her that she try to claim the money back from Pembrokeshire County Council.
Bus Stop at Penuel Chapel
No reply had been received regarding this issue from Pembrokeshire County Council but Councillor Morgan advised the council that this was a question that Councillor Hall would most likely to be able to answer at the next community council meeting on the 12th August 2003 when he is in attendance.
Tree felling in Amenity Area alongside Manorbier Castle entrance
Councillor Morgan had attended a meeting regarding the possible trimming of trees in the area. Councillor Calver asked why was it just Councillor Morgan who had attended this event, surely this should have been open to all councillors wishing to attend. Councillor Morgan failed to answer the question. Councillor Calver was concerned that we are just scraping on the edge of the matter and what was needed was a good sort out of this area with parking facilities and felling of most of the trees. He said it was like Sherwood Forest and no matter who had planted a tree or for what reason, the area is overgrown, which deterred people from using the area. If parking was provided it would assist the village hall and the businesses located in the village.
Gate at Jameston Play Area.
It was proposed by Councillor Calver that the invoice from Mr Watkins be paid, but remarked that he had visited the site and was concerned that the gate did not close properly. Councillor Ms Thompson then asked if it really mattered if the gate closed or not. Councillor Calver was amazed by Councillor Thompson flippant remark, as surely the reason for the Community Council spending money erecting the gate after its provision by Rock Estates, who had not been prepared to erect the gate, was to make the area safe. He was also concerned on health and safety grounds that the path to the gate from the estate road was not wide enough and very undulating with roots from the surrounding trees. He proposed that the Community Council pay for a short length of path to be constructed. Councillor Morgan asked Councillor Calver if he could prepare a report on the possible construction of a path for the next meeting. Councillor Calver informed Councillor Morgan that there was no need for a report surely Councillor Morgan could understand what was required as it was only a short length of path. He had informed him what was needed and remarked that it was not a major construction project. Councillor Thompson felt that we should not be concerned regarding the health and safety issue, as she had just fallen and injured herself outside the public house in Jameston. She outlined she had called out the health and safety authorities to carry out a safety audit on the premises and they had not been too concerned about her plight. Councillor Calver informed her he was not concerned about her falling outside a public house at night, as it had nothing to do with the Community Council. He remarked what she did and where she did it at night was her own private affair. He was concerned regarding the Community Council's liability at the play area in Jameston.
General appearance and Road Signs Manorbier
Councillor Calver raised the issue of the state of the village and road signs in general. Councillor Griffiths asked Councillor Calver to identify the signs to which he remarked that all were a disgrace, which was of particular concern as this is a tourism area. He felt that since Pembrokeshire County Council has allocated a team from Tenby to cover this area it was unfortunate that we never see them in the area. Councillor Griffiths asked him if he would like to raise this with Councillor Hall who would be attending the next Manorbier Community Council at her invitation. Councillor Calver suggested that perhaps the village might be cleaned up in time for his visit.
Notice Board in Jameston
A plan was received from the Jameston Community Association regarding a proposal for a second notice board in Jameston. The council was still awaiting advice from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority regarding whether planning permission was required. Councillor Calver was concerned that the proposed location was on a dangerous corner and it was difficult enough at present to cross the road at this point as a pedestrian and surely erecting a notice board at this location would only encourage more children to cross at this position. It was agreed to write to the Jameston Community Association advising them of the Community Council's concern at the location suggested.
Signing and Countersigning of Community Council Cheques
After the minutes had been signed as correct for the 3'd June 2003, which Councillor Calver voted against because they were in his view not an accurate record, he asked the Council Chairman Morgan who had signed the payment cheques at the end of the meeting. Councillor Morgan informed Councillor Calver it was he and Councillor Patricia Griffiths. Councillor Calver then asked Councillor Griffiths if this was true to which she replied yes. Councillor Calver asked Councillor Griffiths how this was possible because she had just agreed to propose acceptance of the minutes, which had stated that she had left the meeting early because she was declaring an interest in the last item on the agenda. Councillor Griffiths then agreed with Councillor Calver that if fact she could not have signed the cheques because she was not there. Councillor Morgan then stated it must have been Councillor Sharland who had signed to which Councillor Calver asked if she still being allowed to countersign the cheques.
Letter from Mr Tony Wales
A letter {see letter} from Mr Tony Wales was again received seeking clarification from the Manorbier Community Council on their responsibilities under the safe routes to school scheme. Councillor Griffiths who was responsible for the original letter being forwarded to Mr Wales, proposed that no further action should be taken. Councillor Minchin and Meyrick seconded the proposal. Mr Wales informed the meeting that he would be continuing to write to the council regarding this as he felt they should reply to his letters.
Resignation of Councillor Eades
The minutes of the Manorbier Community Council meeting of the 3rd June 2003 which included apologies form Councillor Eades for not attending the meeting were read and agreed at the 1st July 2003 meeting of the Manorbier Community Council and duly signed by Council Chairman David Morgan. Councillor Calver under matters arising raised the point that he had been informed that two Councillors had offered their resignations to the council. Chairman Morgan stated that they had in fact only received one letter of resignation and that was from Councillor Eades. Councillor Calver asked both the clerk and Councillor Morgan on what date did they receive the letter of resignation from Councillor Eades. Councillor Morgan informed Councillor Calver that it was received on June 13th 2003, which would have been after the last meeting and he stated that he was bringing it to the attention of the council at the earliest possible time. Councillor Calver then asked the clerk if he could see the resignation letter from the correspondence file, to which she replied " I do not have the letter in the file just a note to remind me to place the resignation letter in the file". Councillor Calver informed her it was her duty to place all correspondence in the correspondence file and bring to the next community council meeting following its receipt. He found her statement incredible, as it would have been surely easier for her to place the resignation letter in the file rather than "a note to remind her to place the letter of resignation in the file at a later date"'. It was decided to notify Pembrokeshire County Council immediately of the vacancy that had arisen due to the resignation of Councillor Eades.
Land Use Seminar regarding Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
The clerk notified councillors that there was a meeting at Cresselly Cricket Club on the 2nd July 2003 for any councillor interested in attending.
Manorbier.com website .
An e-mail was received from a Mr Jenkins congratulating the council on the presentation of the website especially the minutes saying that it was a fine example of a good means of communication with the electorate. He felt that if more council bodies followed Manorbier Community Council's lead then the electoral turnout would be higher. The council clerk seemed amused at receiving the e-mail and for some reason believed it was a wind up. Councillor Calver suggested that perhaps she needs to come into the real world of modem democracy.
Legality of Council Chairman and Vice Chairman
An e-mail was received from a Mr Cochrane regarding the election of Councillor Morgan and Griffiths as chairman and vice chairman. Mr Cochrane had visited the www. manorbier. com website and noted that only three councillors had taken part in the election of these officers and therefore queried their legality. Councillor Morgan insisted that four councillors took part but Councillor Calver again told Councillor Morgan that he had stated at the start of the meeting that he would not be taking part, as he had no confidence in the candidates up for election. A suitable e-mail reply would be forwarded to Mr Cochrane by the clerk.