IN the absence of the Mayor, Cllr Mark Woodward, Deputy Mayor of Milford Haven, welcomed councillors to the April Full Council Meeting.

The Deputy Mayor congratulated Cllr Harteveld - Founder of Megan’s Starr Foundation, and everyone involved with the Foundation, on receiving the King’s Award.

Councillor Harteveld (Central Ward) had contacted Robert Street Surgery on behalf of a constituent with an enquiry regarding a booking system and telephone lines and was awaiting a reply.

She also had received two Facebook messages on April 10 regarding traffic lights outside Lidl.

The Mayor, Cllr W Elliott, had recently opened the bowling green for the new season at Milford Haven Bowls Club.

Councillors C Jones and M Woodward, who had attended the Milford Haven Business Circle meeting, described it as welcoming, informative and constructive.

Councillor Harteveld requested GDPR training for councillors and that a One Voice Wales representative attend a Meeting to explain GDPR to Councillors. It was resolved that the Town Clerk will contact One Voice Wales.

A Working Group is to be set up to discuss the councillor role, update induction materials for new councillors, including expectations, role and basic information. Councillors Harteveld and Sharp put their names forward for the Working Group.

The position of Parade Marshal will remain with the Town Council with British Legion involvement in the interview process. The closing date for applications will be Friday, May 8, with interviews taking place the week beginning May 18.

Close attention will be kept on Cemetery costs, after it was explained that it currently runs at a loss, costs for burials having been raised this year. When the new land is up and running, more services will be available, i.e. natural burials, a section for the Muslim community, etc.

The Deputy Mayor asked for clarification regarding the payment of £960 to the Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets for meeting room hire.

The Town Clerk advised that this was a figure accumulated since July 2025 and the room hire was £20 per hour.

Councillor Bridges wished it recorded that he is against the Town Council having a permanent home, believing such a proposal to not be value for money for Milford Haven taxpayers.

At the beginning of the Meeting, Councillor Harteveld had presented a document to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Woodward, relating to a potential new permanent home.

It was resolved that a meeting of the Estates Group, where this topic can be fully considered, be arranged.

Councillors considered an application from the Rotary Club of Milford Haven Trust Fund for a donation to be used towards the Rotary Children’s Fun Day at Folly Farm on June 10.

Councillor Sharp spoke of how much this event means to many under-privileged and special-needs children in the area, adding that he had had the honour of attending the event during his tenure as Mayor of Milford Haven.

Councillors resolved to defer the application until the next meeting so clarification can be sought regarding the extent of the organisation’s request.