At a recent meeting of Pembroke Dock Town Council, held at the Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock, the following matters were discussed:

REPORT OF THE

TOWN CLERK

Pembroke Road/Ferry Lane Junction: The town clerk informed members that she had received a letter from Mr. John Price with regard to the junctions of Pembroke Road and Ferry Lane, Buttermilk Lane and Ferry Lane. The county council were proposing that a mini roundabout was located at both junctions. The town clerk stated that Pembroke Town Council had also received the proposals and had asked Mr. Colley to arrange a site meeting with Mr. Price. This meeting had taken place and the town clerk informed members that she and Clr. D. Earl had attended this meeting. Clr. Earl commented that different options were looked at, but stated that he felt the proposal from the county council should be supported. Clr. S. Perkins commented that she seconded the proposal as the junctions in the area were dangerous. Clr. P. E. George commented that the roundabout needed to have raised edges and not just painted onto the road as motorists drove over the top of them. Members agreed to accept the proposal from the county council.

PACTO - Pembrokeshire Association of Community Transport Organisations: The town clerk informed members that she had received a letter from this organisation expressing their concern with regard to the future of the Town Rider service. The Welsh Government had stated that as of April, there would not be funding for this service. PACTO were trying to put in place contingency plans to ensure that no one was left stranded and gaining information that may persuade the Welsh Government to change its mind. The organisation was asking that the town council showed any support for this service by writing to the Welsh Government and the local AMs, members agreed for a letter of support to be sent.

West Wales Maritime Heritage, Royal Jubilee Celebrations: The town clerk informed members that on the national news it had been announced that Her Majesty the Queen would lead a parade of boats along part of the River Thames in a specially constructed barge. The maritime society was considering organising a parade of sail on the estuary to mark the occasion. Ideas included: vintage boats of this society assemble near Hobbs Point; other boats owned or kept locally to join the fleet; youth organisations such as Sea Cadets and Sea Scouts will be invited. The Mayor and dignitaries board a suitable vessel at Hobbs Point and do a circuit. Members stated that they supported the organisation, but had no new ideas.

Street lights switch-off: The town clerk informed members that she had written to Mr. Ian Westley expressing council's concerns with regard to the street light switch-off. She stated that she had copied the reply received from Mr. Darren Thomas. Members questioned whether the savings made would become public, Clr. S. Perkins commented that once the switch-off had been running for a year, then the savings made would be available for the public to see. The clerk stated that the county council were on the wishes of the Welsh Government hoping to reduce their carbon footprint through the switch-off.

Financial assistance - Miss Carly Thomas, Kilimanjaro climb: The town clerk informed members that she had received a letter from Miss Thomas, of Pembroke, asking for financial support to help her raise £2,500 sponsorship for her climb to Kilimanjaro to raise money for Meningitis Research. Members agreed that due to being outside the Pembroke Dock area, they were unable to offer any financial assistance due to policies set in place.

Complaint about the Right of Way from Front Street across Western Way: The town clerk stated that she had received an answer to the letter sent to the highways department of the county council regarding this matter. It stated that the area in question was privately owned and being used as a car park. It was therefore possible that at certain times the PROW (Footpath SP32/32 - an Urban Footpath) was going to be less easy to negotiate. The view of the definitive map officer, Matt Cloud, had been sought, and he was of the opinion that the line on our mapping system was accurate; the eastern section runs between walls too narrow for vehicles and the western 30-metres or so runs over open ground to the drop curb, this area was used for parking. However, he was of the view that the cars were not causing a nuisance to users.

Cars parked in the turning circle of Harbour Way: The town clerk stated that she had also received an answer to this question which stated that the authority had previously been reluctant to introduce waiting restrictions in turning heads as it was considered an obstruction matter enforceable by the police.  In this instance, it was noted that the area in question was located next to the ASDA pay and display car park and therefore attractive to motorists wishing to avoid charge, and therefore appeared to cause a nuisance. A proposal to overcome this would be considered and consulted on as part of our next waiting restriction review planned.

The town clerk questioned whether members had any views and if she should write back to the lady in Harbour Way that made the complaint? The town clerk commented that she had attempted to contact the gentle man who owned St. Govans with the other concerns, but had not received a reply.

Resignation: The town clerk stated that she had received a letter of resignation from Clr. Becton. As the election was in May this year, there was no need to look for another councillor. The town clerk informed members that she had written a letter of thanks to Clr. Becton.

Pembroke Power Station liaison meetings: The town clerk informed members that currently there was no-one from council attending the meetings on behalf of the council. Clr. Maureen Colgan had agreed to attend which members agreed.

Planning decisions

Demolition of garage and erection of two dwellings - rear of Cambrian House and No 23 and 24 Prospect Place, Pembroke Dock (refused); new waterproofing system to roof - Martello Tower, Front Street, Pembroke Dock (granted); demolition of existing rear single storey extension and replacement with new rear single storey extension - 27 St. Teilos Road, Pembroke Dock (granted); change of use from B1 to B1/D1 or all B1 or all D1 together with A1(weekly market only) - The Market, Melville Street, Pembroke Dock (granted).

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK

Pembroke Dock Safe Routes in Community Bid: The town clerk informed members that Pembrokeshire County Council wished to submit a grant application to the Welsh Government for safe routes funding in Pembroke Dock. The Welsh Government required a community travel plan investigating issues that deter walking and cycling in Pembroke Dock and highlighting measures that would help address these issues that could be funded through the grant. To date, the county council had secured over £4million for various communities in the county. The funding had financed new segregated routes away from traffic, crossings, dropped kerbs, cycle paths, cycle stands, 20 mph speed limit zones, along with traffic calming schemes. As part of the consultation process, the county council had secured funding from the South Wales Integrated Transport Consortium to provide a questionnaire to each household in the town. The town clerk stated that there was a copy of the questionnaire with this report. In order to show community involvement, the county council works with the local members and town councils and other community groups to formulate a comprehensive travel plan. The County Council has to show that it is working with communities. The town clerk suggested that a group of four councillors were nominated to work on this project with the county council. It was agreed that this should be done and Clrs. A. Lee, P. Gwyther, M. Colgan and P. E. George should attend on behalf of Pembroke Dock Town Council.

Planning Applications

Two applications were considered by members Pembrokeshire County Council, County Hall, Haverfordwest - new road and parking area to connect existing parking to play area at Pennar Infants School, Cross Park, Pennar (application supported); Mr. A. Scott, East Hook Farm, Lower Quay Street, Haverfordwest - change of use from A2 to A3 replacement shop front and minor repairs at 31 Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock (application supported).

REPORTS FROM TOWN COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES SERVING ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Bicentenary: Clr. P. E. George informed members that the minutes from the meeting held in November were attached to the papers. She stated that they had recently met at the Pater Church tower, which she commented was impressive and a venue which could be used for certain events. Clr. George stated that the group had a bank account up and running, with Clr. D. Earl as treasurer. She commented that the group were now meeting monthly with a fundraising group being set-up. Clr. P. Gwyther suggested that Pembroke Malta should also be involved in the celebrations.

Power Station liaison committee: Clr. M. Colgan stated that she had recently attended a meeting with the power station liaison committee. She commented that they were 96.2 per cent complete, with three of the chimneys commissioned and ready to be used. Clr. Colgan informed members that Alstom had donated £19,100 to different organisations in the area.

Police Forum: Clr. M. Murton commented that the police liaison meeting had taken place and issues raised were parking in Water Street outside the gym and general bad parking around the town. She stated that officers were teaming up with traffic officers to try alleviating this situation. Clr. Murton stated that rubbish in St. Marys Road was highlighted as a fire hazard. Clr. P. George commented that this issue had been reported and should be cleared soon.

Pater Hall Trust: Clr. P. Gwyther informed members that new furniture had been ordered for the hall. He stated that 50 chairs for the Sunderland room and new tables had been ordered.

AGENDA/REPORT ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING

Clr. M. Murton raised the issue of developers in Pembroke Dock cutting corners. She commented that a recent issue raised was developers burning items from the properties instead of using skips. She stated that the environmental officer from the county council had been contacted and was currently looking at the issue. Clr. Murton commented that the environmental officer informed her that there was currently no law which existed which allowed to have a bonfire after 6 pm in a town centre. Clr. S. Perkins questioned if this could be clarified at the next meeting.

COMMUNITY ISSUES

Bush Street path: Clr. J. Phillips questioned if there could be anything done about the path on Bush Street leading to the school from the centre of town. She stated that the path was in a very poor condition with the trees' roots coming through the concrete. She stated that the path could also be very muddy and slippy in bad weather. It was agreed the county council would be contacted and highlighted about this issue.

Public toilets in Asda car park; Clr. P. Gwyther commented that the public toilets in Asda car park were in desperate need of a revamp. He commented that the general cleaning seemed ok, but the toilets needed a spring clean. He stated that there were cobwebs on the ceilings inside and outside and also balls of toilet paper also stuck to the ceiling and walls which had been there for months. He commented that there was no circulation in the toilets which led to them smelling bad. The town clerk commented that she had spoken with the county council before about this issue but would contact them again.

Bike track, Memorial Park: Clr. S. Perkins informed members that the bike track in the Memorial Park had started. She commented that due to all the wet weather there was a possibility they would have to stop to allow the ground to dry out. Clr. Perkins stated that she was still waiting for information regarding the wall.

Bet Fred, cigarette ends: Clr. S. Perkins questioned if Bet Fred could be contacted to ask if a cigarette bin could be added to the front of the property to alleviate the cigarette ends being thrown on the floor.

Rubbish, London Road; Clr. S. Perkins commented that she had received a number of complaints from residents regarding rubbish along London Road. She commented that the rubbish had blown from the B&Q yard so questioned if they could be contacted to ask if they could use lids on their bins and skips.

Summer Festival: Clr. S. Perkins informed members that the Summer Festival was coming up and the first meeting was to be held soon. She stated that the group were open to new ideas and that ideas for a theme was needed.

Tea and coffee kitty: Clr. S. Perkins questioned if the office staff could have a kitty for tea and coffee. She commented that there should be tea and coffee available for people who are attending the offices for meetings.

Roads around Pembroke Dock: Clr. K. Higgs commented that the road surface across Prospect Place towards Tregennis Hill was in a very poor condition and needed to be looked at. Clr. P. E. George commented that the road towards B&Q and Argos was also in a poor state. It was commented that the road was private land which might be owned by a company called Morbaine. It was agreed the company would be contacted.

Road Markings, Commercial Row: Clr. P. Folland questioned if anything could be done about the road markings in Commercial Row. She stated that traffic turning off onto Bush Street cut traffic up which was coming up Commercial Row.