Prior to the commencement of the October meeting of Manorbier Community Council, the chairman, Clr. R. Hughes, welcomed the clerk back from her maternity leave, and also welcomed Sgt. Lewis and PC R. Pearce, of Dyfed Powys Police.

Clr. Hughes then stated it had been brought to his attention that one member of the council had been absent for six consecutive months, thereby automatically losing his seat.

Clr. Hughes requested that Clr. Calver leave his seat. Clr. Calver requested confirmation of the ruling, which the clerk read out from the Arnold-Baker book, Local Council Administration.

Clr. Calver then left his seat, declining the invitation to remain in the public gallery. The meeting then continued with the remaining councillors.

Dealing with the minutes of a previous meeting, Clr. Parker noted that she believed the matter of the Diamond Jubilee was to be included on the agenda for this meeting.

Clr. Hughes explained that this had been overlooked during the transition from temporary clerk back to Mrs. Hughes and that it would now be listed for the following month.

correspondence

The clerk brought forward a number of items of correspondence, including firstly a letter from Jameston Community Association, at which point Clrs. Hughes, Cooper and Haynes declared a prejudicial interest, and Clrs. Williams and Parker declared personal interests.

After Clrs. Hughes, Cooper and Haynes left the meeting, Clr. Williams took the chair whilst the clerk read out the letter, requesting a letter of support from Manorbier Community Council for the Jameston Community Association phase 2 development of the Mission Hall.

Clr. Kidney proposed that a letter of support be sent and all remaining councillors voted in favour.

Other correspondence brought forward included a letter from Pembrokeshire County Council regarding war memorials. The clerk had followed up on this and been told that the war memorial in Manorbier was, in fact, owned by the county council, which meant that its upkeep and insurance liability lay with them not the community council.

There was a letter from the National Trust regarding the 75th anniversary of the National Trust's ownership of Lydstep Headland, explaining about events taking place to mark the occasion.

A briefing note had been received from the county council for all councillors entitled 'Gagged or Not Gagged: that is the question'. The clerk was to copy this to all councillors.

Correspondence relating to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee was requested by councillors to be listed as a separate item on the agenda for the following month.

Various other newsletters, general requests for financial support and mass mailing items were brought forward.

The clerk explained that a large amount of mass mailing emails were received monthly and that at present the first page was being printed, but this was still generating a large amount of paperwork. The clerk requested that councillors consider the cost of this in terms of paper and time, and asked for guidance as to the best way to deal with the mass mailings received.

It was agreed that the clerk should create a correspondence file monthly, and only bring forward from that file items that were of relevance to the council for consideration, the rest of the file being available for councillors to view if they wished.

PLANNING

Single storey reare xtension and internal alterations to form ground floor shower, 41 Dewing Avenue, Manorbier; retention of flue pipe on rear elevation, Fernley Lodge, Manorbier; demolition of existing chalet and outbuilding and construct new dwelling, Beavers Hill Farm, The Ridgeway, Manorbier; conversion of existing stone-walled barn to holiday let, Beavers Hill Farm, The Ridgeway, Manorbier. The clerk explained that due to the recess in September, the time limit for comments on all of these had passed.

Proposed dwelling, Plot 1, land adjacent Landway Farm, Cob Lane, Jameston. Clrs. Hughes and Haynes declared a personal interest in this application. After a brief discussion, the application was recommended for approval.

Tree works application -works to and management of trees as set out in Tree Risk Assessment Survey, Castlemead Hotel, Manorbier. Recommended for approval.

Tree works application - remove Hornbeam, 2 Morfa Terrace, Manorbier. Councillors expressed some concern that there appeared to be no reason given for the removal of the tree. The clerk said she would request further details. It was agreed that the application be recommended for approval if it was found to be on the grounds of safety.

Planning approval notice: single storey rear conservatory, Whitemoor Farm, Manorbier. Noted.

CONSERVATION GROUP

To receive and consider an update regarding the future of Manorbier Conservation Group.

Clr. Hughes explained that he had been speaking to Rob Scourfield, of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, who had enquired as to whether there was a wish to resurrect the Manorbier Conservation Group.

Councillors discussed what the purpose of the group had been previously, and what it had actually done. There seemed to be some confusion as to the scope of the group and whether there was any crossover with other groups in the area.

Clrs. Williams, Haynes and Hughes all stated that they would be happy to be involved in discussions concerning the possible future of the group and to have a meeting with Mr. Scourfield.

Clr. Williams proposed that a meeting be arranged with Mr Scourfield to discuss the matter further and this was agreed.

HIGHWAY SAFETY

To receive and consider a letter regarding highway safety between Manorbier School and Manorbier Station.

Clr. Parker referred to a letter she had sent to the community council prior to becoming a councillor, in which she had expressed concerns about the speed and size of vehicles travelling along the section of road, and the implications for pedestrian safety.

After discussing possible options to improve the situation, including speed restrictions, speed humps and warning signs, Clr. Haynes proposed that a letter be sent to County Hall expressing the concerns raised, and requesting an extension of the 20mph zone currently in existence by the school and installation of warning signs indicating pedestrians in the road.

All were in favour of this proposal.

THE BIER HOUSE

To receive and consider an update and appropriate course of action regarding The Bier House, Manorbier.

Clr. Hughes informed the council that he had received a report of the bench being vandalised to the point of destruction.

After some discussion about The Bier House, and the necessity for a bench, Clr. Kidney stated that he would seek to acquire a new bench via donations.

The maintenance work previously tendered to a local contractor had not been done, and attempts to contact the gentleman concerned had failed. Councillors decided that the work should be put out to tender once again, with sealed bids to be returned in time for the following meeting.

Clr. Kidney proposed that an advertisement be placed in the Tenby Observer for one week requesting applicants to tender for the work, in addition to local notices, seconded by Cllr Haynes.

This was agreed, while Clrs. Hall, Williams and Haynes would also meet at The Bier House to review the works required.