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

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Sinead Henehan attended the meeting to update the Council on matters appertaining to Penally Camp.

Sinead advised that the Camp is now empty of all asylum seekers, with reinstatement works being carried out and the Home Office is working through its exit strategy. It was confirmed that all asylum seekers had been housed elsewhere and were continuing with their applications for asylum.

The Council thanked Sinead for all her support and hard work in ensuring Penally Community Council and the residents of Penally were represented at meetings and kept informed of all matters appertaining to the Camp.

MATTERS ARISING

Rubbish being tipped on the grass verge opposite the Grange. This is still a major problem with additional rubbish being added to what is already there. A further email to be sent to Pembrokeshire County Council advising it remains a major problem.

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

• Email received advising of training sessions being offered by One Voice Wales regarding Local Council Legislation, Policies and Procedures.

• Various Consultations received and forwarded to all Cllrs.

• Email received advising of broken glass within the children’s play area – Pembrokeshire County Council advised.

• Increased fly posting around the village and along the Marsh Road – The Clerk to advise PCC regarding the increase in fly posting.

• PCC Planning Authority – Planning Decision Notice 20/0650/PA the Old Vicarage, Penally - Refused.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

• 20/1163/PA Highcroft, Penally, SA70 7QE - First floor extension over existing decking, rear balcony and ground floor patio area: Following consideration of all information presented by the Planning Authority, Clr. P Bradbury proposed that the Community Council support this planning application; Clr. Neal seconded the proposal with all Cllrs in full agreement.

•NP/21/0167/FUL Whitewell In The Ruins, Penally, SA70 7RY - Demolition of existing kitchen and rebuilding new kitchen/dining area extension: Following consideration of all information presented by the Planning Authority, Clr. Neal proposed that the Community Council support this planning application but request that the recommendations of the Planning Authority be adhered to; Clr. P Bradbury seconded the proposal with all Cllrs in full agreement.

REPORTS FROM COUNCIL COMMITTEES

Clr. C Bradbury (On behalf of the Grounds Committee) - Rhys Thomas of Smart Gardens has completed the new planting at the Penally Heights entrance to the village. This is a great improvement.

Mark Sneezum has completed the refurbishment of the pump and trough. The cobblestones have been treated with strong weed killer and the gaps have been re-sanded. Mark has done an excellent job and the whole area looks very smart. The bench is to be removed and renovated.

A new sign replacing the one on the rubbish bin has sadly been removed. Mark will replace and include Penally Community Council, perhaps making it less desirable.

Mark Sneezum is providing a quote for painting the picnic area. The committee is considering paint colours. The colour will be chosen shortly.

It has been reported that litter has been left on the beach in Penally after people held a barbecue. The foil barbecue, cans and bottles were cleared away by a resident of the village.

Consideration was given to the reinstatement of the low post and chains around the pump. Various safety implications were raised. This will be addressed at a later meeting.

The lack of bins on the Penally end of South Beach was raised, it is understood that this is due to the implications regarding emptying such. The Clerk to report the Council’s concerns to PCC’s Beach Warden and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

AGENDA ITEMS

• To receive any updates regarding Penally Camp - Chairman Clr. P. Bradbury made a statement regarding the recent events at Penally Army Camp: “To conclude this matter I would record the fact that the Camp was closed as an Asylum Refugee Camp on March 21, 2021, this being some 6 months from its opening on September 19, 2020.

“This was when our community was confronted with a strange and disturbing situation by the Home Office without consultation or pre warning of any kind.

“Various and numerous doomsday scenarios were voiced by opposition groups especially on social media. Throughout this 6 month period I would note that generally our residents held a very positive response and none of these scenarios came to pass.

“I would like to thank our community for their forbearance and congratulate them on their positive and welcoming nature.”

All Councillors unreservedly endorsed this statement. Councillors thanked Clr. P Bradbury for all his time spent regarding all matters appertaining to the Penally Camp being used to house asylum seekers.

• To receive an update regarding the History Group’s Information Boards – to be placed in the village to replace existing outdated boards

Clr. Neal advised the Council that the information boards are now ready to be printed once payment is received by the printers. The wall is ready to be painted, the Grounds Sub-Committee are deciding on a colour to compliment the boards. Cllr Neal requested if he could take possession of the old boards, this was agreed by the Council.

Clr. Rilstone requested Clr. Neal to thank the History Group for researching and designing such informative boards.

• Parking on the grass verges opposite the station Car Park – to consider the issue of cars parking on the grass verges within Penally.

Clr. P Bradbury gave a synopsis of the Penally Community Council’s actions regarding the ongoing problem of vehicles being parked on the grass verge opposite the Station Car Park.

A Public Meeting was held in 2018 and was well attended by residents of Penally as well as a representative from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. During the meeting residents of Penally stated that they did not wish double yellow lines to be installed through the village, although the major parking issues were acknowledged.

It was further acknowledged that vehicles have been parking along this stretch of grass verge for a number of years prior to the public meeting and the introduction of charging for parking in the Station car park.

Clr. P Bradbury confirmed that Seargent Price, at the Public Meeting, advised that parking on grass verges on the Bypass road was only illegal if it was necessary to mount the pavement or the road was an urban clearway, therefore the police are unable to enforce any restrictions.

The Council acknowledged that although it is not illegal to park here, it is a major hazard with persons getting out of parked vehicles adjacent to a busy, main road with a 50 miles per hour limit and no footpaths.

This has been an ongoing problem exacerbated by car parking charges being introduced at the Station car park.

Clr. Hooper, whose property overlooks the car park, reported that even if there are spaces in the car park vehicles are still parked along the verges.

The Council acknowledged that there is no feasible solution to this major problem but following the speed survey scheduled to take place in the summer months, the Council will request that consideration be given to the speed limit along this stretch of road be lowered.

• Prior to the meeting closing Clr. Rilstone requested a Vote of Thanks to Cllrs Piers and Carol Bradbury for all their dedication to the Penally Community Council over the past seven years. Clr. Rilstone stated that due to their dedication Penally Community Council has become compliant and professional in its actions. All Councillors agreed.

Clr. P Bradbury thanked all Councillors and added that it had been an honour and pleasure to Chair Penally Community Council for the past five years.

The next meeting will be held on May 12, at 6 pm. This will be Penally Community Council’s Annual Meeting.