Minutes of the Remote General Meeting of the Penally Community Council held on January 13 via Zoom:

The meeting was open to members of the public. Inspector Reuben Palin from Dyfed Powys Police and PCC’s Sinead Henehan attended prior to the start of the meeting to update the Council on matters appertaining to Penally Army Camp.

Inspector Palin advised the Council that he had been given the role as Inspector assigned to Penally Camp –This ensures that there is continuity in all policing matters appertaining to the Penally Camp.

Pembrokeshire County Council have confirmed that currently there are 123 service users in the camp and there are no known cases of Covid 19.

Due to the Government Imposed restrictions relating to travel – service users are being transferred to dispersal centres in Wales. At this point in time, no new service users will be moved into the facility at Penally.

There have been problems relating to food being provided directly to the Service Users who do not have any means of cooking such. Representatives from Clear Springs have advised that if any food is brought to the camp it will be held for 72 hours (in compliance with Covid 19 regulations) cooked and distributed to all persons within the camp.

Due to current Covid 19 restrictions, regarding travel, the number of protests regarding the camp, by persons who travel to Penally to protest, have now come to a stop.

Service users from within the camp have held a protest, regarding the living conditions within the Camp, by walking from Penally into Tenby and back again. This was a peaceful march but major concerns have been raised regarding the lack of enforcement of Covid 19 Government Imposed Restrictions.

The service providers have been offered the opportunity of a Bicycle Project – this will entail bikes being provided and safety lessons being given regarding the use of such and maintenance lessons to ensure they are kept roadworthy.

Another point brought up by Councillors and placed before Inspector Palin was the number of visitors to Penally and surrounding areas including the Station Car park. Inspector Palin advised that this is a major concern for Tenby Neighbourhood Policing Team with patrols taking place around the coast advising any persons in breach of the restrictions the four ‘E’ approach - Engage with people, to ask why they appear to be breaking the rules, Explain the law, stressing the risks to public health and the NHS, Encourage them to change their behaviour, Enforce by issuing penalty notices, as a last resort.

But unfortunately, many people consider visiting their second homes or holiday accommodation is acceptable, which it is not under the Tier 4 restrictions imposed by the Welsh Government.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

The Chairman stated that he had a short report for this month, which had already been distributed as all the important issues will be covered in the meeting.

On the Village Green on December 19, at a very fortuitous rain free hour, residents of Penally enjoyed a Covid compliant ‘Carols on the Green’.

This was organised by Jill and Bob Lewis who had arranged for a group 5 musicians, including Stuart Burnley and Mark Davies, to play a number of well-known Carols. This was greatly appreciated and enjoyed by the residents and hope was expressed that this could become an annual event.

I would confirm that the Village Christmas Tree was taken down on January 5 and I would thank Tony D’Arcy, Jules Rilstone and Mike Neal for their invaluable assistance. Removal by Smart Gardens took place on 6th January.

CORRESPONDENCE?RECEIVED

Planning Notice received from Pembrokeshire County Council Planning Department advising of a Conditional Approval of the retrospective planning application 20/0599/PA Myrtle House.

Planning Notice received from Pembrokeshire County Council Planning Department advising of the refusal of planning application 20/0468/PA 5, Kenystyle.

Email received and distributed to all Councillors advising of virtual training sessions being offered by One Voice Wales.

Correspondence received from Redkite Law regarding the registration of the Village Green in the ownership of the Penally Community Council – Form ST3 has been signed and returned as requested.

Major concerns raised regarding the builders rubbish left on the Pembrokeshire County Council owned grass verge, opposite The Range, which is being washed onto the road – The Clerk advised that an email has been sent to the relevant department at Pembrokeshire County Council for their immediate attention.

PLANNING?APPLICATIONS

20/0817/PA: Alterations to existing kiosk to create arrivals lodge with associated infrastructure and ancillary landscaping works, at Kiln Park Holiday Centre, Marsh Road: Following consideration of all information provided by the Planning Authority, Clr. Neal proposed that Penally Community Council support this planning application; Clr. Rilstone seconded the proposal with all Cllrs in full agreement.

COUNTY?COUNCILLOR?JON?PRESTON’S REPORT

Covid-19 - The message remains to stay at home unless it is essential to go out. Cases in Pembrokeshire have increased by over 30 per cent to the week ending January 7. In the same week there have been 316 additional positive results compared to 240 in the previous week. For those who are self-isolating / shielding or need any other support the Pembrokeshire county council’s community hub can be contacted as follows:

For those who are online, the web pages contain some useful information, including a directory of community support: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/communityhub. The Hub can be contacted on 01437 776301 or emailing [email protected]

The hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Budget - The Local Authority projected funding gap for the new 21/22 financial year was in the region of £25 Million as of December 10th, 2020. However, following a better than expected settlement from Welsh government and the finalisation of some assumptions (mainly in social care) this figure has been reduced to £14.5 Million. If there is a council tax increase, then the figure will be reduced further. At the time of writing this report, there were no plans to raise the second homes council tax. However, this is still open for debate.

It should be noted that the projected funding gap has not yet taken into consideration the financial impact of Covid-19. If no financial support is forthcoming from central or Welsh government and the pandemic continues it could cost something in the region of an additional £10 Million.

Penally Camp - The Public Law team have been successful in providing suitable supported accommodation in designated areas for several service users at Penally camp. This has involved individual cases being presented by lawyers which have resulted in positive outcomes. However, a hearing that was held before Christmas was unable to provide enough evidence for the judge to rule in favour of a discontinuation of the current use of the camp. The Barrister who presented the case informed attendees at an virtual meeting in December that due to the timescales involved in putting together a robust case, it would be difficult to be granted a hearing and subsequent ruling before the permitted development expires in March.

At the time of this report the Home Office have not submitted a planning application to Pembrokeshire county council. Due to the change of use being a major development and the need for a full public consultation, time is now running out for any application to be determined before the March deadline.

As council may be aware, Simon Hart MP has contacted Jane Hutt MS with a view to ‘working together’ in finding an acceptable solution to the camp being used for asylum seekers accommodation. A collaborate strategy to achieve an acceptable resolution would have been significantly more effective if an approach had been made at the time Penally camp was first considered by the Home Office back in 2016.

It is also important to note that immigration is not a devolved matter to the Welsh government, giving the Home Office greater leverage on the outcome. The priority remains to continue to challenge the Home Offices management of the situation and if there is a political will, to pursue a Public Enquiry into the matter.

Litter/Media Reports - Litter has once again become a problem outside of the camp, so additional litter clearances have been arranged with PCC. I have been advised that media reports of Covid cases at the camp are not accurate. Covid tests have been carried out on some individuals showing symptoms but all test results were found to be negative.

Unadopted Roads - For a road to be adopted by the local authority it must be brought up to an adoption standard by the landowner or developer. I am currently working with the highways department on four areas, The Paddock, Maryland, Penally Manor access road and Hill Farm road. The most recent discussions I have had have been in respect of the latter. Hill Farm road and Penally Manor access road are both unclassified roads, which are still or were at some point in time privately owned.

As such there would be no responsibilities for the Local Authority to provide maintenance. In cases where there exists a Public Right of Way there is a requirement on the Local Authority to ensure it is available for its intended use, however after speaking with the authority’s infrastructure engineer I have been advised that this would not be for vehicular use.

Public services that do use these roads i.e. Postal and Refuse collections do so to provide a service to all properties rather than householders having to bring re-cycling containers to the end of the road for collection. Royal Mail also reserve the right not to travel along roads they deem as unsuitable for their vehicles. I am not aware of any such restrictions being made by either organisation in recent years, so I assume there are no issues with the current arrangement.

REPORTS?FROM?COUNCIL?COMMITTEES

• On Behalf of the Grounds Committee - Clr. C Bradbury was pleased to report that the hedge along the Village Road adjacent to Penally Court Caravan site has been trimmed back and the road swept clean.

A further email has been sent to Kiln Park Management Team to arrange a site meeting to review this area, but no response has been forthcoming.

Contact has been made with Mark Smeezum who has appropriate insurance and is able and willing to carry out a range of activities which are needed by the Village.

Clr. C Bradbury has undertaken a winter maintenance on the Green and surrounding areas. There appears to be an increase in litter on the Green particularly around the picnic area. Bottles and cans (containing mainly alcohol) have been removed from this area.

The Clerk to make contact with Inspector Palin and advise of such increase in littering.

• To consider potential projects put forward by Councillors (as requested at the December 2020 meeting) and the possibility of an Application for an Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant being made - Clr. Snow gave a verbal report to all Councillors regarding the information she had received (followed up by emails to all Councillors) relating to potential projects that Penally Community Council could undertake.

Following discussion, Clr. Snow agreed to compile a survey containing the most popular projects and send such to all Councillors. Councillors to reply and prioritise the projects in order of their importance.

Clr. Snow will report back to Council in the February 2021 meeting.

• To consider awarding delegated spending powers to the Grounds Committee - Clr. Williams-James requested to join the Grounds Committee.

Clr. Neal proposed that the Grounds Committee be given the authority to spend up to £200 a month on projects around the village without having to bring such requests to full Council, on the provision that it remains within the allocated budget; Clr. Rilstone seconded the proposal with all Cllrs in full agreement.

• To consider how Penally Community Council can communicate with more residents of Penally either by email, social media, Royal Mail etc - Unfortunately, Clr. Duckett was not able to attend this meeting and therefore not able to lead the discussion in this agenda item.

Following consideration of the information provided by Clr. Duckett, prior to the meeting via email, Clr. Neal advised that he would provide some additional historical information, regarding communication within Penally Village. This will be distributed to all Councillors prior to the February 2021 meeting.

Clr. Neal proposed that this agenda item be carried over to the February 2021 meeting.

• To receive any updates regarding the Pembrokeshire County Council Section 106 payment received appertaining to the footpath within Penally village - The Clerk advised that no recent updates regarding the footpath to the Eastern side of Penally village had been received but the works would be re-considered in the new financial year by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The next meeting will be held on February 10.