Among matters considered and discussed at the April meeting of St. Mary Out Liberty Community Council were the following:

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

The clerk advised that he had obtained quotes with reference to dog fouling apparatus.

FINANCE

The chairman advised that he would not accept the chairman's allowance of £150 this year. Instead he wished that the monies be allocated to the new bench that had been purchased, and to the bulbs planted during the winter period.

Appeals: Welsh Ploughing Association - after consideration, it was agreed to note this appeal only.

Government

White paper on Reorganisation

This was a very comprehensive document. Clr. H. Rawson Humphries advised that he had studied the white paper and the part that may affect St. Mary Out Liberty was the reorganisation of community councils. He intended going to the next meeting of One Voice Wales, when he thought this matter would be on the agenda. It was agreed to await Clr. H. Rawson Humphries' report from that meeting.

REPORT OF COUNTY CLR. JOHN PRESTON

I have contacted Mr. Codd to request an update on the outstanding village matters. Mr. Codd has still to update me, but has advised that he had planned to meet with Mr. Waters, the council clerk, to discuss the situation.

If the maintenance required remains incomplete, I would suggest to council that I contact the head of service to gain some understanding on the delay due to at least one of the jobs having been on the agenda for over 12 months.

You may have read in the local press recently that I have supported a call-in made by Clr. Jacob Williams on the decision to close some of the county's adult education facilities. The cabinet's plan is to begin closures during the summer of 2015, with as yet no information on alternative provision of these facilities. I think it is vitally important that these services remain in the heart of communities and I will continue to support Clr. Williams with his challenge.

As a member of the older person's overview and scrutiny committee, we recently received a presentation from the head of cultural services. During that presentation I challenged the proposal to move the Library currently at Tenby to the Leisure Centre on Marsh Road. It was encouraging that this plan has not been finalised and the library would remain at Greenhill Road for the time being. It was, however, pointed out that should the Further Education Centre be moved, then maintaining the library in its current location would be a matter for consideration. This reinforced the need to continue to challenge the plans to relocate adult education services in the county.

At a recent meeting with the leadership team of the Hywel Dda Health board, I raised the question regarding primary care in the area since the new model has been rolled out last summer. The feedback I have received from members of the public was that the provision made by the pharmacies in the area has proved to be quite effective and that the services currently provided at the former MIU building have been efficient, with patients being seen at the time of their appointment for X-rays etc. This I explained supported the fact that medical services should remain at that site and the building be fully utilised.

My question to the health board which unfortunately remained unanswered was how would the GPs cope with a multiple injury scenario as we experienced some years ago when the sandbank collapsed on the South Beach and many children had cut feet. I was assured, however, that Tenby was an ongoing piece of work, with more to be done going forward.

VILLAGE MATTERS

Dog fouling: The clerk advised costs on street furniture to assist with this problem. After a discussion, it was agreed to investigate costs of signs to be erected in the locality, as a cheaper option.

Litter was not a problem at this time. The clerk advised that the bin had been re-sited near the bus shelter opposite Cross Park by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The only outstanding matter was the road markings near Trevayne Lane. County Clr. J. Preston would contact Mr. Codd at Pembrokeshire County Council on this matter.

Council website: The formation of a website was discussed. The clerk would obtain advice from One Voice Wales on the matter, and report back.

Playing Field and Village Hall

Clr. D. Mitchell reported that the playing field had recently been cut and now looked very good, despite the very wet areas. The Village Hall management committee would discuss the matter with Pembrokeshire County Council in the first instance.

The matter of the condition of the doors at the Village Hall was discussed. They are in need of urgent attention, otherwise the cost would be much higher if nothing was done to preserve the timber.

Council agreed to support this urgent repair. A donation of £200 was proposed by Clr. R. Herrick, seconded by Clr. D. Brace. Councillors who had declared an interest earlier did not vote on this matter.

CORRESPONDENCE

The clerk advised that he had received a quote from Zurich Insurance. It was considerably less than council paid last year. The clerk had examined the cover and it was very similar to the policy that was now in place. After a discussion, it was agreed that the clerk should contact Zurich to advise that the renewal date was June 1, 2015, and that they were very interested.

Letters of thanks were received from Kidney Wales and the British Heart Foundation for donations.

The clerk advised that he had received an e-mail from Tenby Town Council with reference to the consultation period re. amended times etc. for the new civic amenities site. The clerk had consulted most councillors and replied objecting to the proposed changes. The county council had acknowledged receipt of the objections.

The clerk read a letter from the Hywel Dda Health Board on how to access women and children's services. He would display the notice in the notice board.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Clr. H. Rawson Humphries reported that the condition of the milestone outside the Village Hall needed painting. The clerk would investigate.

Clr. Herrick reported that the street light near Knightson Close was faulty. The clerk would attend to this matter.

The next meeting of council, the annual general meeting, will be held on Tuesday, May 12, at 6.30 pm.