Among matters considered and discussed at a meeting of Pembroke Dock Town Council held at the Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock on Thursday, March 7, were the following:

matters arising

Pavements in St. Mary's Road: It was stated that there was no progress with regards to the replacement of damaged slabs in St. Mary's Road. Members commented that there were a number of roads and pavements throughout the town which needed urgent attention as the potholes in the roads were causing damage to vehicles.

Commercial Row was also a cause for concern due to the number of large lorries using the road as the road markings were no longer visible and could cause confusion to anyone unfamiliar with the area.

It was agreed that members would provide the town clerk with a list of areas which needed attention and she would then approach the county council.

report of the

town clerk

Arbitration - Pembroke Dock Town Council/Pater Hall Community Trust: The town clerk reminded members that at the last Town Council meeting, it was resolved that the Institute of Arbitrators would be contacted to ask for advice on the issues surrounding the Service Level Agreement.

She commented that subsequent investigation by Clr. Gwyther and from work she had undertaken, it was evident that the route decided by members could be very costly.

As a trustee, Clr. Gwyther said that Mr. Ian Jones, company secretary of the Pater Hall Trust, was prepared to meet with the town clerk and trustees to sort out the issues.

The town clerk commented that she had contacted Mr. George Allingham, on the advice of Mr. Laurence Harding, to discuss mediation. She commented that Mr. Allingham was a solicitor, he was chair of the community council, was the community council representative on the standards committee of Pembrokeshire County Council and was a trained mediator. He had quoted a charge of £200 for the first session and a second one if needed.

The town clerk proposed to members that the council takes up the option offered by Mr. Allingham. She stated that if council agreed, then she must be able to define the issues as seen by the council to ensure that any mediation attempts would resolve the main issues and difficulties.

It was commented that quarterly meetings between the Town Council and Pater Hall Trust needed to be pushed, as these meetings would surely help the situation.

Clr. P. Gwyther stated that it was agreed mediation would only take place if it was not going to cost any money. It was commented that it was uncertain how many mediation sessions would be needed and costs could spiral.

Members were reminded that the resolution that the arbitrators be contacted to ask for advice was set at the last meeting and that could not be changed under the six-month rule unless a notice of motion was given to the town clerk and agreed by council, but as the arbitrators could be very expensive the council had suggested a cheaper option.

It was agreed that a way forward was needed as members spent a lot of time discussing the issues which could be spent on working together on other things for the good of the town.

It was resolved that Mr. Allingham be contacted to arrange mediation between the Town Council and Pater Hall Community Trust with regards to the Service Level Agreement.

A vote was taken, with 11 members for the resolution and two against.

Access to the Pater Hall for people who have disabilities - Equality Act compliance: The town clerk stated that she had contacted Mr. Alan Hunt as requested and he had visited the building and had forwarded his comments. The clerk commented that she would be organising a meeting to include two trustees and two councillors soon. It was questioned if a copy of the comments could be sent on to the trustees of the Pater Hall Trust. The town clerk agreed.

Pembroke Dock Youth Club - financial request: The town clerk stated that she had received an email from Mr. Matt Done, community youth worker at the Youth Centre. There was to be an event organised by Youth Club members as part of the Pembroke Dock Bicentenary celebrations.

The town clerk informed members that they were working with the Pembroke Dock Bicentenary Committee and with the estate manager of Aldi Supermarket, owners of the old Silcox site in Waterloo. The young people want to develop this site by decorating the hoarding with the help of a professional street artist. The young people want to use the Bicentenary theme. They are also linking with the residents of Apley Lodge and they have organised a creative evening with the elderly people who live there in order for them to meet with the Youth Centre and have some input to the scheme.

The Youth Centre was looking for financial help towards the costs of the street artists and materials.

The total cost was £2,150 and they say any contribution would be welcome and acknowledged by the group.

It was commented that there had been some problems gaining agreement from the trunk road agency for this project to go ahead, and it was questioned if there were any other areas in the town where it could take place.

It was resolved that the Town Council would donate £200 if the project gained agreement or found another suitable site for the project.

Pembroke Dock Harlequins - Junior Rugby Finals Day programme: The town clerk stated that the Harlequins were holding the 2013 Pembrokeshire Junior Rugby Finals Day, where the best of Pembrokeshire would play their age group finals. They would be producing an A5 full colour final day programme. They were selling advertising space and asked whether the council wished to advertise and so support the event. Prices varied from £170-£35.

It was resolved that the council would buy an advert priced £50-60.

Picton Castle and gardens: The town clerk informed members that Picton Castle and Gardens had invited the council to become a sponsor for their annual Secret Light Garden Event which was being held to raise funds for the benefit of The Paul Sartori and Picton Castle charities.

The primary source of funding for Secret Light Garden was from corporate and business sponsors. It received no government funds.

This exciting event would be from 7.30 pm on October 4 and 5. For two nights only, visitors would be able to marvel at Picton's enchanting gardens illuminated in the most spectacular and magical manner. In addition, there would be theatrical performances, musicians, artistic installations, market stalls, food, mulled wine and more.

Picton Castle and Gardens has been open to the public and specifically for the people of Pembrokeshire to enjoy for the past 25 years.

The council resolved not to make any financial contribution to this project as it did not directly benefit the town of Pembroke Dock.

Utopia: The town clerk stated that she had received a financial request from Utopia - a beauty salon. Ms. Olivia Thomas was planning to set up her own beauty salon and was looking for some financial help. A sum of £3,995 was needed to help her pay for the beauty academy. She felt that her endeavour would help bring jobs to the town.

After discussion, it was resolved that the council would not make any financial contribution to this project as it was a private business.

Cruse Bereavement Care - All Pembrokeshire branch: Cruse were looking for a contribution towards their running costs of £100.

The council resolved not to make any financial contribution to this project as it did not directly benefit the town of Pembroke Dock.

Wales Air Ambulance appeal - night flying trials for Wales: The organisation was looking for a contribution towards the cost of new helicopters that were able to fly at night.

The council resolved not to make any financial contribution to this project as it did not directly benefit the town of Pembroke Dock.

supplementary report of the

Town clerk

Zero tolerance for dog fouling: The town clerk said that she had included in members papers a copy of a press release that Dyfed-Powys Police, the County Council and Keep Wales Tidy were to put out.

She commented that they had listened to the concerns of the communities of Pembroke and Pembroke Dock with regard to dog fouling.

The neighbourhood policing teams, along with the dog wardens and Keep Wales Tidy, would be out in the communities of Pembroke and Pembroke Dock, undertaking a two-week education initiative to highlight the importance to dog owners of removing their animal's waste from public areas.

The teams would be distributing leaflets and dog waste bags and talking to dog owners about their responsibilities.

Police would also like to remind people that it is an offence to allow your dog to foul a public place.

It was commented that there would initially be a two-week education initiative before the fines came into place and the fines could be given by the PCSO's and the County Council, with the hope of including the traffic wardens.

It was also stated that there would be a system set up to make it easy for residents to report any offenders, stating times of day etc., to help highlight hotspots.

PACTO - Pembrokeshire Association of Community Transport Organisations: The town clerk informed members that the Welsh Government had made their decision about the funding of the Town Rider services in Pembrokeshire and because of this there was to be a meeting to discuss the future of the service in the area.

PACTO and PCC were working together to ensure that the Town Rider services in Pembrokeshire continued to provide vital transport.

Noise pollution - Herbrandston Community Council: The town clerk stated that a survey had identified that a significant number of people who reside in the Herbrandston area were affected by a 'noise pollution' problem. LNG ships had been identified as one major source. The feeling was that the source was multiple and not conclusively identified.

A cross community working group was to be set up to determine the scope of the problem.

The town clerk stated if anyone was aware of any noise complaints in the area, could these be passed on to Clr. Steve Ingram, of Herbrandston Community Council.

planning applications for consideration

26 Owen Street, Pennar, Pembroke Dock - Extension to rear. It was resolved that the council support the proposals within the application.

Celtic Buildings, Edgar Morgan Way, The Dockyard, Pembroke Dock - Erection of a portal framed building. It was resolved that the council support the proposals within the application.

Rear of Cambrian House, 23 and 24 Prospect Place, Pembroke Dock - Erection of one dwelling. It was resolved that the council support the proposals within the application, but concerns were raised regarding the dangerous access and egress on Slogetts Hill.

reports from

representatives serving outside bodies

Police Forum: Clr. M. Murton commented that she had recently attended the Police Forum. She said that issues discussed were dog fouling, the drug situation in the town and planning applications. The Police hoped to be more involved with regards to the larger planning applications in the town as some of these provided more of a demand on their services. It was stated that the priorities for the month were recurring anti-social parking, dog fouling and houses of multiple occupancies.

Pater Hall Trust: Clr. P. Gwyther commented that the Pater Hall Trust had recently held their annual general meeting where all the trustees remained the same. He said a number of issues were raised at the meeting following, with one being that there had been no maintenance work undertaken within the Pater Hall. It was commented that the Pater Hall Trust agreed to undertake the asbestos survey which the chair Mr. D. Esmond would progress.

Festival Group: Clr. S. Perkins asked for an issue to be clarified with regards to the comment that the Festival Group refused to pay the Pater Hall Trust for use of a room. Clr. Perkins stated that the room was used for a meeting with the Town Council. After discussion, Clr. P. George agreed to bring the issue back to the Pater Hall Trust to inform the treasurer.

community

issues

Town Council website: It was questioned if there had been any progress on the website. The town clerk commented that the office had been so busy that officers had not had the time to sort this issue.

Water Street Gym: It was commented that parking outside the gym in Water Street was causing a danger. It was stated that offenders had been approached and asked to park in the car park and some drivers had also been fined for repeat offending.

Village Green: It was questioned if there had been any progress from the County Council with regards to the Village Green status for the land in Pennar; the town clerk stated that she would contact Mr. Miller of the County Council.

Rats: A number of complaints had been received with regards to rats in Front Street. The town clerk informed members that the County Council were aware of the issue and it seemed that the new sewage system which had been installed was causing some issues, but the County Council were baiting on a regular basis.

Music Centre - Meyrick Street: It was commented that the Music Centre in Meyrick Street was closing after 28 years. It was questioned if anything could be done to thank them for their efforts over the years. It was agreed the Mayor would attend to make a presentation.

Closure of SCBU and Minor Injuries Units: It was commented that the Town Council should consider writing to the Health Minister asking to reconsider the closure of these units. As representatives, it was felt that the Town Council had been misguided on the option to close the Minor Injuries Unit and did not agree with the closure. It was agreed some form of protest should take place at South Pembs. Hospital to highlight this.

Bi-weekly black bag collection: It was stated that the proposal for bi-weekly collection of black bags could cause problems for some families in Pembroke Dock. It was commented that the regular weekly collection would still take place for orange bags and food bins and that the estates would not be affected by this change. It was stated that the bi-weekly collections would be trialled first before any decisions were made.

Cigarette ends - Dimond Street: It was stated that there were cigarette ends the whole length of Dimond Street. It was commented that once the outside person was appointed this may help to alleviate this issue.