Declaration in respect of Acceptance of Office.
All councillors formally read out acceptance of office declarations
which enabled them to become councillors.
Website Comments
There was no election in St Florence on the 1st May 2008 as only
eight people put their names forward for election to the community
council for the eight posts. This means a maximum of sixteen
people in the village have selected the members of the council. A
list of those that proposed and seconded the councillors will appear
on this website soon.
Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman.
Chairman Mr Bateman Vice Chairman Mr Johns
The meeting commenced with all members present.
Corrections to Minutes of Meeting held on 10th March 2008
Cllr Calver was concerned that inaccurate reports that he assumed
had been sent by the clerk, Ms Williams, had appeared in the
Tenby Observer of the council meeting held on 14th April 2008.
Cllr Calver felt that reports should only be made of agreed minutes
of meetings. He also indicated that they should be accurate.
Having checked the draft minutes of the meeting he noted that no
reference was made to his indication of police objections to a mini
roundabout that had resulted in it being made a low priority.
He was also concerned that no reference was made in the minutes
to the offer by PCC to supply a table/seat games board for the
playarea. Neither had reference been made to fact that the
community council had rejected the offer at the meeting on 14th
April whilst accepting the offer at the previous meeting. Cllr Evans
intimated that it was the parents that had rejected the idea of being
supplied with a table because it would have involved someone
being responsible for the equipment that was associated with the
table. Cllr Calver reminded Cllr Evans that it was the St Florence
community council that owned the playarea and only they could
take the decision to accept or reject any equipment.
He then asked to be supplied with all signed minutes of council
meetings in future.
Village Hall Grant
Councillors were informed that the work was progressing and
hopefully would be finished on time. Cllr Calver asked if he could
be supplied with copies of all information relating to the grant
including all tenders and tender document. Cllr Wolveson
intimated that the community council did not have a record of the
information requested by Cllr Calver as the only person who had it
was a Mrs Videan. Cllr Calver respectfully advised the council and
Mr Wolveson that they are the statutory body and should have the
information not Mrs Videan as it was the council that had applied
for the grant. It was revealed that the kitchen element of the
taxpayer funded grant had cost £14,564.13. Cllr Wolveson during
questioning declared that "he knew nothing regarding the grant for
the kitchen". Cllr Calver also asked for the details of the businesses
and organisations that had been canvassed and provided their
agreement to use the hall to ascertain their accountability.
Website comments
When taxpayers' money is spent on a project, following a survey
which indicated that named individuals, businesses and
organisations would provide financial support by using the
facilities, those businesses and organisations should be held
accountable to those taxpayers. St Florence Community Council
must now produce accounts to show that taxpayers' money has
been spent wisely. Also, the Community Council should
demonstrate that income generated from the hall has increased to
cover the costs involved as an accurate business plan would have
to have been supplied with the application.
Local Development Plan (LDP)
The clerk informed the meeting of the location of the land that had
been submitted as candidate sites for LDP. The clerk only supplied
a list of the sites and councillors although living in St Florence
were unable to identify one of the sites. The clerk informed
councillors that a location plan was available for viewing on the
PCC website. Councillors were confused about the difference
between candidate sites and planning permission. Cllr Calver went
to great lengths to try and explain the difference but informed the
committee mat he could only provide information on the process of
the LDP not comment on the actual sites. He indicated that he did
not wish to prejudge the issue in case asked to comment on it at a
later stage. He also informed the council that he had submitted an
area of land around the school as a candidate site for housing and
parking for the school although he had no personal interest in the
land.
Website Comments
It is assumed that no community councillors have any personal or
family involvement regarding candidate sites as no declarations of
interest were declared when the subject was discussed by the
council.
Village Park Upgrade
At the previous meeting Cllr Calver had informed the councillors
of the conditions that PCC would require should new play
equipment be installed in the play area and the fact that PCC would
maintain the equipment. Cllr Wolveson doubted the information
given by Cllr Calver with the suggestion that he did not believe
that what Cllr Calver was saying would be carried out by PCC.
The clerk had contacted PCC who had confirmed the accuracy of
information supplied Cllr Calver. The clerk informed councillors
that all that was needed was for the community council to keep an
eye on the installation but Cllr Calver corrected her by saying that
PCC would have to be informed of any proposal to install new
equipment and would have to supervise the installation.
Cheese Farm Planning
Councillors were concerned that work was being carried out to the
building at the location of the old cheese farm without planning
permission being granted. The clerk had checked in respect of any
enforcement action that was going to be carried out on the site. Cllr
Calver reminded the meeting that planning permission had been
granted on the site for a new dwelling and the work was most
likely connected with that permission.
Felling of Trees at Millside Chapel
Cllr Bateman was concerned regarding the felling of trees at
Millside Cottage and reported that he had visited the site and tree
felling had taken place with the residue being placed alongside the
road. Cllr Evans was concerned that trees were being felled in the
village with many members suggesting that all trees in the village
should be covered by a tree preservation order.
Cllr Calver reminded the meeting that whilst accepting the need to
preserve trees to some extent we have to realise that there is a need
to cut trees.
Website Comments
It would be interesting to know how many of the councillors taking
part in the debate concerning tree felling reside in homes that are
sometimes blighted by overgrown trees whilst insisting that St
Florence should be covered by a blanket tree preservation order. It
was noted that several councillors who are involved in tree cutting
took part in the debate without declaring any interest. Any
restrictions on homeowners saving costs by carrying out the work
themselves would be affected by any regulations that services of
firms involved in the industry.
St Florence School
A nomination was sought for the community council representative
on the school governing body. Cllr Griffiths questioned the role of
the governor at which stage Cllr Evans who is the present
representative stated that she did not do a lot. Cllr Calver felt that
although Cllr Evans had stated she did not do a lot many
councillors at County Hall had uttered concerns regarding the
responsibility being placed on councillors and the amount of time
it takes up. Cllr Calver felt that it was important that someone who
takes up the position should be fully aware that changes are going
to have to be made as a result of the falling numbers in village
schools and as a result of the right of choice many parents now
travel from outside the area to the school. Cllr Nixen revealed that
half the children in St Florence school travel from outside the
catchment area of the school. Cllr Evans was again nominated as a
school governor.
Resignation of Ms Liza Williams Council Clerk.
Ms Willams informed the meeting that she intended to give up her
position as clerk mainly because other family commitments. The
council decided to advertise the position in the local press. Cllr
Calver was concerned that any replacement for Ms Williams was
fully informed in the job advertisement of the duties of the clerk
especially their role when giving advice to the councillors on legal
issues regarding council business and the role and duties of
councillors. She then confirmed that after receiving the
information regarding procedures for the meeting tonight she had
decided she no longer wished to be involved as the council clerk
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