A  CALL for a north Pembrokeshire beach-side car park to be given to the local town council to use as a source of funding to keep its closure-threatened public toilet open has been backed by the national park.

Members of the December meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park were recommended to approve the surrender of the existing National Park Authority lease of the 40-vehicle Newport Parrog car park and listed lime kiln to Newport Town Council.

A report for members said the Park acquired an 80-year lease at a “nominal rent” of £268 a year on the site back in 1996.

The report says the continued existence of the lease prevents the Park or anyone else from introducing parking charges, with a special covenant in its conditions.

Adjoining the car park is a public toilet which the county council intends to close in early 2025, unless another party is willing to step forward and assume responsibility for its continuing management and operation, members heard.

“Newport Town Council has stated their willingness to assume that responsibility conditional upon them being able to generate a long-term revenue stream to cover its operating costs. They have identified the introduction of parking charges for the car park as a means of raising that revenue stream.

“It is an unusual step for a local community to advocate for the imposition of car park charges upon itself, although their reasons for doing so in this instance are quite clear, and has already received a mandate of support from within the local community.

“To give effect to that mandate, Newport Town Council need to secure two principal objectives: Long-term control of the subject land: they have already agreed terms with our landlord (The Baroney of Cemmas, Alex Hawksworthy) to acquire his freehold of the subject land and the public toilets.  Secure full vacant possession of the subject land by taking a surrender of the Authority’s remaining unexpired lease term thereby allowing them to introduce parking charges in their capacity as the owner-operator of the subject land.”

The report, recommending delegated approval be given to its chief executive to complete the surrender, concluded: “The continuation of the National Park lease represents an unfunded long-term liability for the Authority and also frustrates Newport Town Councils ability to protect and secure the at-risk public toilet facilities.

“The proposal put forward by Newport Town Council is considered to be a creative and practical long-term solution which would see both the freehold of the car park, lime kiln and public toilet facility pass from private control into local public ownership and remain available for public use under the direct control of Newport Town Council.”

Speaking at the meeting, local member Cllr Mike James, who moved approval, said a recent meeting in Newport’s town hall unanimously passed support for the proposal being brought before the national park.

The proposal for a delegated decision was passed by Park members.

A SOUTH Pembrokeshire school devastated by fire more than two years ago is expected to cost some £2.6m to reinstate, with hopes it will be open by April 2026, councillors heard.

Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11, 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.

Pupils and staff were successfully evacuated with no injuries, and a ‘school from school’ was set up in Jameston Village Hall, after a brief period of sanctuary at the nearby Buttyland caravan site.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s insurers have previously said the fire was accidentally started while ‘hot works’ were being carried out by contractors to renew an adjacent flat roof, but, as has previously been stressed, no liability has been accepted to date.

Councillors have previously heard the majority of costs were likely to be met from the council’s insurers, with the caveat of the unknown issue of liability and its effect on a £200,000 insurance excess.

They have also been told that, if liability was found or accepted, the council would “pursue for the full maximum claim of the costs associated with the fire”.

In a question submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council to its December full council meeting, local councillor Cllr Phil Kidney asked: “Manorbier School was subject to a serious fire in October 2022, so serious that the school premises has not been used since.

“At Schools O&S on February 6, 2023, Manorbier school was discussed, and Councillor Stoddart queried the possibility of the contractor insurance covering the cost of the rebuild, to which the cabinet member advised, legal discussions were ongoing.

“At full council on October 12, 2023, Councillor Aled Thomas asked: ‘had the Authority been successful in recouping any of the £200,000 insurance excess that PCC had to bear.’

“At the same meeting I asked a question requesting an update on the rebuild of Manorbier School and was informed by the Cabinet Member that it would be included as part of a business case for further consideration by Cabinet.

“Over two years have now lapsed, since the fire and considerable disruption it has caused to the school and community, therefore could full council be provided with a full update with regards to the insurance claim in respect of the school fire and some timelines for the rebuild?”

Answering Cllr Kidney’s question at the December meeting, Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said final negotiations with the insurers to achieve the most equitable settlement were ongoing, but it was “likely the insurance settlement will fall far short of the cost of renewing the school”.

He told members it was estimated the cost would be just over £2.604m, with hopes the works would take place from June 2025, with completion by April 2026.

On the insurance excess, he said: “We will join our insurers in any and every action they instigate against the contractors.”

Responding, Cllr Kidney said he had taken part in a recent positive meeting with Chief Executive Will Bramble, adding: “It’s over two years, hopefully we’re moving in the right direction, it’s good to get some clarity on time for the head, the teachers, the parents and pupils.”

AN OFFICIAL special farming role for Pembrokeshire’s deputy leader is to be established following a call made to full council, the first time the council has had such a role for a senior member.

In a question to council leader Cllr Jon Harvey, heard at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council meeting, Conservative group leader Cllr Di Clements asked: “With the recent changes in the budget from the UK Labour Government on Inheritance Tax and Agricultural Property Relief, many Pembrokeshire farmers are feeling concerned for the future of their family farms, many in Pembrokeshire which have been in the same family for generations.

“I have always found it disappointing that in all the years I have been a councillor, and the major contribution farming has to this county’s economic, cultural and environmental well-being, there has never been a Cabinet Member’s title with rural affairs or farming, or agriculture within it.

“To show that this council recognises the importance of agriculture, and the hundreds of millions of pounds generated by farming, will the Leader consider including it in one of the titles of his Cabinet Members’ portfolio?”

Responding, Cllr Harvey said: “I full share your perspective; it’s true this council has never had a Cabinet member with this role; however I can reconsider, I regard all aspects of rural life as vitally important.”

He told members farming and rural affairs came under the portfolio of the deputy leader [Cllr Paul Miller], adding: “we’re all aware of the changing aspects of rural life at the moment, we do have a rural affairs champion in Cllr Steve Alderman, but I’ve had a conversation with the deputy leader and agreed to review this title to reflect the importance of the role and will happily make an announcement in the next few days.”

Cllr Clements responded: “These words say a lot, it shows this council recognises the importance of the most constant and probably most important business in the county.”