The Mayor congratulated Clr. Boswell on being co-opted to Pembroke Town Council and welcomed him to his first meeting recently.

Among matters discussed were the following:

Nash fingerpost junction: The clerk informed council that he had received a response from Mr. Richard Jones (South Wales Trunk Road Agency) confirming that the agency were investigating options to address the issue of long vehicles exiting from the A4075 road before joining the A477 eastbound lane. Currently, there were no firm proposals agreed with the Welsh Government, however, council would be advised as additional information is known.

Road safety proposals: As requested, Mr. John Price (traffic manager), Pembrokeshire County Council, had supplied detailed drawings showing additional road markings and signage at Croft Terrace, Pembroke. Following discussion, Clr. Jenkins proposed, seconded by Clr. Barrass that the road leading to Paradise Row should be re-opened. Council voted against this proposal. It was resolved council would support the proposal made by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Events/activities: Clr. Nicholas informed council that a meeting of the activities committee had been held when it was provisionally agreed that council would stage/be involved with the following events in 2012: Monday, June 4 - HM Queen's diamond jubilee celebration; Friday-Sunday, June 8-10 - Long Course Weekend; Saturday-Saturday, June 23- 30 - Seafair Haven; Thursday-Sunday, July 12-15 - Pembroke Festival; Sunday, July 15 - Pembroke River Rally; Sunday, September 16 - Ironman Wales; Thursday-Saturday, October 11-13 - Pembroke St. Michaelmas Fair; Friday, December 7 - Santa in Pembroke.

Dyfed Powys Police Authority: Correspondence received from Dyfed Powys Police Authority was considered and it was agreed that the local policing priorities for 2012/13 should remain as for 2011/12 namely: anti-social behaviour - with partner agencies to enforce all relevant legislation in respect of the use/misuse of vehicles of all descriptions in order to make our roads and communities a safer place for all users and to minimise the effect of anti social use of vehicles; visibility and accessibility of the police.

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

Correspondence was received from Tenby Town Council stating that 2013 commemorated the 150th anniversary of the first passenger train service between Pembroke and Tenby was considered. Tenby Town Council was enquiring whether Pembroke Town Council would be interested in a joint venture to celebrate this landmark occasion. It was agreed that council would be interested in celebrating this event in conjunction with Tenby Town Council. The clerk offered to contact The Railway Touring Company to enquire whether they would organise a steam train excursion through Tenby and Pembroke to commemorate the anniversary.

An email had been received from a recent visitor to Pembroke expressing concern about the general appearance of the town centre, including derelict shops with weeds growing from window sills, shop fronts looking tired, dated and weathered. The clerk was requested to reply providing details of the Regeneration of Pembroke Project which included a number of elements, including a grant scheme for commercial properties in the Pembroke conservation area. It was pointed out that some vacant properties in Castle Terrace and Northgate Street, currently owned by Pembrokeshire County Council, were in a poor state of repair. The clerk was also requested to refer this issue to the county council requesting that they take appropriate action to improve the general appearance of properties owned by them.

A letter had been received from a local resident expressing concern about the amount of graffiti in various parts of the town and had supplied photographs showing the extent of the problem. The clerk informed council that the matter had been reported to area maintenance (Pembrokeshire County Council) and the Neighbourhood Policing Team. It was also suggested that the youth offending team be contacted to enquire whether young offenders could assist with weed/graffiti removal.

VISITORS GUIDE

Clr. Nicholas reminded council that the publication of the guide commenced in 2009 as a joint venture involving Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Town Councils and both Chamber of Trades. Production costs had been met through selling advertising space to local companies and during the first two years, income had exceeded expenditure. This year, for a number of reasons, including the current economic climate, it was anticipated that income would not cover the cost of producing the guide.

However, during the three year lifespan of the guide, the aggregate income/expenditure showed a deficit of £57 which would be met by the joint twinning and tourism account. Clr. Nicholas stated that a great deal of hardwork had gone into producing the publication by the sub-committee. However, during a recent meeting, it was recommended that a different format be introduced for next year with a fold out map of the town(s) being the preferred option. Clr. Nicholas, together with members of the sub-committee, were thanked for their hardwork in producing the guide which had been well received by visitors.

AGENDA ITEMS

To discuss the condition of The Commons stream and Mill Pond: Clr. Phillips showed council a PowerPoint presentation identifying matters requiring attention within The Commons stream. Clr. Phillips expressed concern regarding plants that had been planted on the banks of the stream, including purple loosestrife and water hemlock which was highly poisonous. Due to the invasive nature of these species, the water surface was now concealed by plant foliage which could represent a hazard to children attempting to walk on the surface of the stream. Clr. Phillips also expressed concern that debris was allowed to accumulate at Monkton Bridge and advocated that the steel grilles should be cleared more frequently by Pembrokeshire County Council employees. Clr. Waters showed photographs taken of the reed beds that had been planted within the Mill Pond which were also extremely invasive and had become unsightly. It was agreed that an invitation be extended to Mr. Brian Maddocks (head of maintenance), Mr. Emyr Williams (engineer), Pembrokeshire County Council and Mr. John Hayes (Mill Pond Action Group) to a council meeting in order to discuss these issues.

To receive an update on the proposals to make application for the South Quay, Pembroke, to be registered as a town/Village Green: Clr. Blackburn gave a resume' of the public meeting held at Pembroke Town Hall. The meeting had been extremely well attended with the overwhelming majority of attendees strongly opposed to any development taking place on the South Quay. Following discussion, the clerk was requested to invite a planning officer from Pembrokeshire County Council to a council meeting in order to discuss the matter further.