Among matters considered and discussed at the September meeting of Pembroke Dock Town Council were the following:

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

Village Green - Queen Street: It was stated by the town clerk that work had been undertaken on the section of land in Queen Street to identify when it became available for public use. In order for the town vvouncil to lodge a Village Green application, there had to be 20 years' worth of use from the community. It was stated that the land had only been available for 19 years and six months as it only became available in January 1995. The town council were therefore not able to lodge a Village Green application on the land.

It had been highlighted that Pembrokeshire Housing Association had been approached regarding the land and were in the process of putting together plans for properties to be built there.

Residents had highlighted their concerns about the land being built on. The town clerk had advised them that they should send letters of objection to Pembrokeshire County Council to ensure that their concerns were noted.

It was stated that the residents surrounding that area felt very strongly about the land being preserved as a green area and not built on. It was noted that in the region of 90 letters had been completed.

The town clerk stated that a letter template had been sent to residents for them to address, sign and return to the town council offices.

Clr. A. Lee said she had been informed that it was suggested that four houses be built along Queen Street, leaving the remaining green area behind the new properties. Clr. Lee also stated that the county council had asked her to find out members' comments on this.

A general discussion took place as to whether leaving a remaining green area to the rear of properties would lead to anti-social behaviour. It was also discussed if the requirement for family housing was more important for the town than the retention of the open space.

The town clerk stated that a meeting had been set between Helen Leighfield, the principal valuer for PCC, Clr. Murton and herself to discuss the issues. The town clerk also stated that she would bring information from that meeting back to council members at the next meeting.

Memorial Park, Bush Street: At the last meeting, it was stated that there were several issues arising with the maintenance of the Memorial Park. It was noted that the fencing around the children's play areas to deter dogs from entering had fallen or been pushed down, the wall next to the Bowling Club had crumbled leaving rubble on the pathway, the hedgerow needed cutting, all pathways within the park were disintegrating and the flower borders needed to be weeded regularly.

The town clerk stated that she had been in contact with the Safe Routes co-ordinator, Sue Lewis, to discuss the pathways in the Memorial Park to see if they could be included in the bid for the next application. Sue Lewis had confirmed that she would take a look at the area to see if it could be included. Clr. S. Perkins commented that if Safe Routes were unable to help, then Pembrokeshire County Council maintenance department should be contacted regarding this issue.

REPORTS OF THE TOWN CLERK

Maternity and Neonatal Services, Withybush Hospital: The town clerk stated that leaflets and information had been received from Hywel Dda Health Board regarding these services. The information stated that changes had already been made to the services. The leaflets had been distributed to residents. She also stated that the information had been shared on the town council website and Facebook page.

Several members commented that not all residents had received this information.

The town clerk stated that a letter would be sent to the chairman of Hywel Dda Health Board highlighting this fact.

Noticeboard: The town clerk again highlighted that planning permission had been agreed for a new noticeboard to be erected on the Pater Hall frontage. Different companies had been looked at previously and it was agreed that Creative Solutions were the best to go with. The noticeboard from this company would cost £671.30.

Some electrical installation was required from an electrician, which the town clerk was obtaining quotes for, but it was anticipated that the overall cost would be around £1,000.

The town clerk asked for members' agreement to go ahead with the purchase and fitting of the noticeboard.

It was proposed by Clr. M. Colgan, seconded by Clr. J. McNaughton and resolved that the purchase and installation of the noticeboard could go ahead and incur costs not exceeding £1,000 under the council's legal power of Local Government Act 1972, s.144.

Letters of Thanks: The town clerk informed council two letters of thanks had been received from the Men's Shed and also the Ambulance Team from Pembrokeshire Crucial Crew. Both groups had invited members to attend their open days.

Pembroke Dock Civic Society Kite Flying Competition: Pembroke Dock Civic Society had been in contact to inform members that the Kite Flying Competition which was planned to celebrate the Bicentenary would unfortunately not be going ahead due to circumstances which were out of their control. The cheque which the council had granted to the group had therefore been returned.

Licence application for The Helm, 11-13 Commercial Row: Clr. A. Wilcox declared an interest in this item. It was brought to council's attention that a licence application had been received for this property.

The licence requested permission for: opening hours with the supply of alcohol Sun-Thurs 11.00 am - 24.00, and Fri-Sat 11.00 am - 01.30; live or recorded music Sun - Thurs 20.00-24.00, Fri-Sat 20.00-01.30. There was to be food served on the premises.

It was resolved that the application be supported without further comment.

Bush Hill/Ferry Lane junction traffic signals: Information had been received from Ben Blake, traffic engineer at Pembrokeshire County Council, explaining that the proposed traffic signals on the Ferry Lane/Bush Hill junction had been delayed due to a number of concerns raised with delays to traffic on the A4139. These concerns had been addressed and reported back and the proposed start date for the works to commence had therefore been pushed back.

Regeneration - Town Team funding request: It was noted that working with Communities First, the Regeneration Group were working towards securing a property in the centre of town to encourage new businesses to trade. The town clerk stated the shop would have allocation for six to eight new business traders, with enterprise support being provided by Communities First. The group had put their proposal forward to the Regeneration Department of Pembrokeshire County Council and requested funding for the project.

The town clerk informed council that the proposal from the group was detailed in her report as:

Pembroke Dock needs more destination shops to bring additional customers into the town. One way to provide a catalyst for further destination shopping is to foster local talent and provide an outlet for it, so that local customers can come and shop for lovely items while supporting people they know. Pembroke Dock's enterprise project will provide training, premises, marketing and promotion opportunities for entrepreneurs in Pembroke Dock to begin their business career. It will also increase footfall in our lovely but sometimes overlooked town.

With the backing of Pembroke Dock Town Team, a working parternship of Pembroke Dock Town Council and Pembrokeshire Communities First (using their officer time and commissioned enterprise expertise), will manage the project and drive it forward.

Working from a prominent shop front location in the heart of the town, we envisage a series of enterprise events at key times of the first trading year to showcase local business ideas and products and increase shopping footfall in the main thoroughfare. People who are ready to start or expand their own businesses will be encouraged to take up more permanent space in the second trading year.

Some of the beneficiaries will be young entrepreneurs, including school and college students, and this will bring their families into the town to shop at our events. There will be links to planned enterprise activity in Pembroke Dock Market and we will be working closely with Job Centre Plus to ensure that people who want to showcase their products can do so within JCP guidelines.

It was stated that Communities First would be able to provide £8,000 worth of match funding for the project; the group were looking for £3,000 to complete the total amount of match funding required. It was anticipated that this project would run for two years, with a review being undertaken after this point.

It was questioned which property the group were looking to use. The town clerk stated it was to be one of the properties which used to be the old Nutshell building in Queen Street.

In a discussion, councillors questioned other premises such as the old Spar shop, Lloyd Pharmacy and Shoe Zone buildings.

It was explained by the town clerk that the premises discussed had all been looked at, but were not viable due to rental costs being too high and too much repair work needed to the building.

Although there were concerns from some members on lack of information given within the funding request and a concern there was not enough footfall into Queen Street, it was highlighted that this type of venture was a great way to encourage young/inexperienced entrepreneurs to test their products/businesses, to enable them to gauge whether it was a viable service/business and hopefully this would encourage people to take over the empty business premises within Pembroke Dock.

It was proposed by Clr. S. Perkins, seconded by Clr. M. Colgan and resolved that £3,000 be granted to the Pembroke Dock Regeneration Group under the council's legal power of Local Government Act 2000.s144.

There followed a vote on the proposal, with two members voting against and 11 members for the proposal.

Oily sludge response - Waterloo Industrial Estate: A reply had been received from Hugh Towns regarding the questions which were sent to him from the town council. The town clerk attached a copy of the response to members' papers. Councillors were asked for their comments.

Members expressed disappointment in the way the response did not give them any substantial answers. County councillors in attendance were questioned as to whether they had any information on this issue.

Clr. S. Perkins said that she had met with Hugh Towns and discussed this matter with him. It was then noted that it had been called to the planning and rights of way committee meeting on October 7.

Clr. Perkins asked for members' views on the issue so that she could take them back to the county council.

Clr. D. Earl said he would approach the people he had previously spoken to who had voiced concerns, to try and get them to put it in writing.

It was also noted at this point that a company that had previously looked at the site, turned it down as the land was unable to be piled.

The town clerk said that a reply would be sent to Hugh Towns stating the members' response.

Budget setting meeting with Pembrokeshire County Council: The town clerk stated that there was to be a budget setting consultation meeting taking place with Pembrokeshire County Council on Tuesday, October 14, at 7 pm, in County Hall. She hoped to attend this meeting.

It was also stated that there was space for a councillor to attend. The town clerk asked for a volunteer. Clr. J. McNaughton and J. Phillips said they would like to attend.

Opening hours of Pembroke Dock Police Station: The town clerk stated that an email from Clr. P. Gwyther regarding the opening hours of Pembroke Dock Police Station had been received. Clr. Gwyther had raised concerns regarding the amount of days which the station had been closed when it had been scheduled to be open.

A Freedom of Information request had been put in and the outcome of this was attached to members' papers. The town clerk asked for members' comments.

It was noted that the station was already closed in the evenings and weekends. When asked, the police could not verify the exact amount of visits they had received from the start of the year.

After a discussion, Clr. A. Lee suggested that a letter be written to Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon to highlight the issues and concerns.

REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Police Forum: Clr. M. Murton stated that a number of issues were discussed at the last Police Forum. It was brought to people's attention that a 15-year-old girl had been approached by two men in Munro Court; the men had tried to get the teenager to get into the van they were driving. Police had asked the public to be aware of this issue and not be alone on the streets.

Clr. Murton informed members that machinery had been stolen from Llanion, Neyland and Llanreath. A number of work vans had been damaged outside people's homes and machinery stolen. It was noted that three people who were not local to the area had been apprehended, charged and let out on bail.

Clr. Murton also stated that the police were looking for a name and address of the new owners of the Nutshell property in Queen Street as they were blocking the garages at the rear of the property with the copious amount of vehicles they own.

It was stated that residents had asked them to move their vehicles to gain access to their own garages and had been met with a surly disposition and a refusal to do so.

It was also noted that they had knocked down the existing garage and built a new, bigger version. Residents had approached Pembrokeshire County Council's planning department to ask if an application had been submitted, PCC were able to tell them an application had not been submitted to them and they would send a planning officer out.

Clr. Murton questioned traffic problems within the town, especially the speed of traffic along Bush Street and other areas around the town.

Clr. Wilcox stated that Military Road, Pennar, had already been speed tested and the average speed was recorded at 35.6 mph.

The town clerk stated that this was to soon take place on Bush Street.

COMMUNITY ISSUES

Foxes: Clr. P. Folland stated that Albany Street, Pennar, was still suffering with a fox problem. They were fouling on people's lawns, stealing people's milk and generally causing a problem to residents. The town clerk stated that other than the information previously given by Clr. Folland there was nothing that could be done about the foxes.

Street lights: Clr. Goff stated that he had received complaints from the residents of Church Street about several of the street lights not working properly.

The town clerk and members advised Clr. Goff that each light had an ID number which was required for the fault to be reported.