Among matters considered and discussed at a recent meeting of Pembroke Town Council were the following:

SEAFAIR HAVEN FOR 2014 AND THE RIVER RALLY FOR 2013

The Mayor welcomed Mr. David James and Mr. Martin Sykes from the West Wales Maritime Heritage who gave short presentations on proposals for both the Sea Fair Haven in 2014 and the River Rally in 2013.

Mr. James requested that Pembroke consider the possibility of being a 'Host Port' for the next Sea Fair Haven which will be taking place between June 7 and 14, 2014.

There will be two fleets involved, the 'Sail and all' fleet and the 'Classic Bermudan', and they may wish to stay in Pembroke overnight. Mr. James informed council that the request put to members was for the provision of some form of entertainment and refreshments on the Quayside.

Mr. Sykes discussed the proposed River Rally for 2013. He enquired into the possibility of the River Rally being developed further, perhaps to include the Sealed Knot Society.

Mr. Sykes informed council that the dates currently under consideration were Saturday, July 20, Saturday, August 3 and Saturday, August 13, and he would confirm with the Sealed Knot Society whether they had these dates available.

It was resolved that Mr. Sykes would confirm the availability of the Sealed Knot Society with the clerk and this matter would be discussed further at the next meeting of the town council.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

Changes in the law relating to pension schemes: The clerk informed council that an assessment to establish an appropriate employer contribution rate had now been completed.

The employer rate for entry to the pension scheme was 12 per cent and this would commence on April 1 this year.

Events and activities noticeboard: The clerk informed council that, following discussion with Ms Nikki Anderson, Pembroke 21C, the centre of the noticeboard would now be used as a calendar for use by the whole community.

Further discussions ensued with regards to the ownership of the noticeboard.

It was resolved that no further discussion would take place regarding the ownership of the events and activities board.

Improved street lighting between Golden Grove School and Goose's Lane: The clerk informed council that the following response had been received from Mr. Mel Stephens, street lighting engineer (PCC).

'We regret to inform you that your request currently does not meet our policy on the provision of new street lighting which is:

1. Number of recorded night time personal injury accidents.

2. High vehicular traffic or pedestrian use.

3. Levels of night time crime.

4. Number of residents of properties fronting the road or street.

Application of this data enables the authority to target expenditure on new street lighting installations to the areas where residents and road users will derive the greatest benefit.'

Clr. Brinn notified council that Grove School currently provided 'after school club' facilities which resulted in children leaving school during the hours of darkness. The lack of appropriate lighting presented concerns for the safety of these children.

A discussion ensued and the matter of cabling in the area was discussed. Members proposed that should there be an issue with regard to the cabling of suitable lighting in this area, that alternative lighting such as solar powered lighting be considered.

It was resolved that the clerk would reply to Mr. Stephens and inform him that council wished to reinforce the request for appropriate lighting to be provided. The use of solar power lighting should also be explored.

Entrance to the cenotaph and the plaque in the car park at Freshwater West: The clerk informed council that correspondence had been received from Owen and Owen Solicitors regarding the entrance to the cenotaph at Freshwater West. Further information was still being sought.

A letter had also been received from the National Trust advising that they would look at putting some large stones around the area to prevent people driving on the grass and to improve the presentation of the site.

Seat and plaque next to the cenotaph and the cleaning of the cenotaph: The clerk notified members that following discussion with both CADW and Mr. Matthew Pyart (Pembrokeshire County Council), she had been informed that as long as the proposed cleaning would not damage the stonework, any cleaning would be considered a repair and would therefore not need consent.

Following this advice, arrangements were in process for the cleaning of the cenotaph and the plaque.

The clerk also advised members that a carpenter had been contacted to provide a quotation for repairing the base and arms of the bench adjacent to the cenotaph.

PLANNING

The following planning application had been received:

Conversion of an outbuilding into a dwelling at the outbuilding to the west of Kingsfold, Pembroke.

Council resolved to support the application.

The following planning applications had been determined:

Replacement windows at the Flat, Unit 12, Willings Passage, Main Street, Pembroke - refused.

Alterations and conversion to retail units, 13 dwellings and two houses of multiple occupancy at 4, 5, 6 Castle Terrace and 7 and 8 North Gate Street, Pembroke - granted.

Council queried this application. At the planning hearing, it had been agreed that there would only be one house of multiple occupancy. The clerk would confirm this with Pembrokeshire County Council planning department.

Change of use of ground floor from Public House (A3) to a mixed use comprising a Dental Surgery (D1) and a Cafe (A3) at Eastgate Hotel, 2 Station House, Pembroke - Granted.

Construction of a porch and extension at Golden Hall, Gold Lane, Pembroke - Granted.

Consent to erect a hoarding sign at Melbourne House, East Back, Pembroke - granted.

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

Financial assistance - Pembroke Young at Heart: A letter of thanks hasd been received from Pembroke Young at Heart for the donation received from Pembroke Town Council.

New traffic order - Pembroke: Correspondence had been received from Mr. John Price, traffic manager, Pembrokeshire County Council, advising that the county council would shortly be advertising a proposal for a goods vehicle lading bay on the north side of Main Street on the 15-metre length west of the bus lay-by. The bay would operate from 8 am to 6 pm and would allow loading/unloading for up to 30 minutes. It would replace the existing limited waiting time at that location.

A discussion ensued and concern was shown with regard to any additional parking control which would limit access to shops.

It was resolved that the clerk would write to Mr. Price and inform him that council were strongly against any additional loading bays due to the current high percentage of restricted parking bays in existence in Pembroke.

Reconfiguration of bus services: The clerk informed council that as the consequence of a reduction in its funding from the UK Government, the Welsh Government had reduced the amount of local transport service grant funding that it provided to each local authority by 27 per cent for the next financial year. Due to this, Pembrokeshire County Council had to reconfigure bus services, including the Coastal Bus Service. The decision had been taken to cut all of the subsidised bus services that run on Sundays.

This decision would mean that the summer coastal buses would be reduced to six days a week, but the winter service would remain the same. As the proposed coastal bus changes would not require a change in services until May, there was now time to review the situation. This would be undertaken by analysing the service usage and by consulting with service users and the public. Sunday cuts to core services were still bedding in, with one so far replaced by a commercial operation.

Members were provided a link to a questionnaire regarding these services which they may complete if they so wish.

Pembrokeshire Single Integrated Plan: The clerk provided members with a website link to the Single Integrated Plan. This was the document that would frame public and voluntary sector activity in Pembrokeshire over the period 2013 to 2018. It described the issues that were important to Pembrokeshire and identified the approach that a range of organisations would adopt in attempting to tackle them. The Welsh Government required all local authorities to lead the development of a Single Integrated Plan.

Town Council Christmas meal for 2013: The date and venue for the Pembroke Town Council Christmas meal for 2013 was confirmed. This would take place on Friday, December 13, at 7 pm, and the venue would be the Watermans Arms, Pembroke.

AGENDA ITEMS

Update.briefing from County Clr. Daphne Bush: The Mayor welcomed County Clr. Daphne Bush. Clr. Bush presented a report to council regarding work which had, or was currently, being undertaken by her in her role as county councillor. A question and answer session took place following the presentation.

Enhancement of the Coast Path below Bush School (Rocky Park): County Clr. Arwyn Williams presented information regarding enhancement of the Coast Path below Bush School at Rocky Park. Photographs were shown to members which highlighted the current 'state' of the patch and its need for renovation.

As Clr. Williams was unable to provide members with any of the costs involved, it was resolved to invite Clr. Williams to the next meeting of Pembroke Town Council when it was anticipated that this information could be provided.

Arrangements for Santa for December 2013 following the closure of St. Michaels Church: The clerk reminded council that St. Michael's Church would be closed prior to the Christmas celebrations for 2013 and that an alternative venue needed to be sought.

The clerk had been advised that due to the success of the Pembroke Castle Christmas Market, another market would take place in 2013 and would commence on November 29.

It was therefore suggested that the 'Santa in Pembroke' event could coincide with the opening of the Christmas Market and that both events could be linked.

Clr. Collins informed council that if the castle were to be used, there would be a need for part of Main Street to be closed and therefore plans for this event should commence as soon as possible.

It was resolved that 'Santa in Pembroke' would take place on November 29 and a meeting of the activities sub-committee would take place to discuss this event further.

Update of the Museums Committee: Clr. Brinn provided members with an update of the recent meeting of the museums sub-committee.

The sub-committee were looking into the possibility of opening the Court Room within the Town Hall to present an initial small exhibition/museum for one month and to gauge public interest with a view to extending this for a further period of time.

It was resolved that the council agree to the Court Room being utilised as a Museum/Exhibition Room for an initial period of one month.

This agreement was given on the undertaking that should the room be booked for an alternative use, arrangements would be made to ensure that the room was made available.

Pembroke 2020 Community Plan: All members had been provided with a copy of the Pembroke 2020 Plan which had been compiled by Pembroke 21C.

Clr. Evans informed council that it was evident that a great deal of work had been involved with compiling the plan.

Also there was currently no representative from Pembroke Town Council on the Pembroke 21C board of trustees which made the feeding of information between both parties difficult.

A meeting of the (Dr. Heather Skinner Report) sub-committee had been arranged, to which many organisations had been invited, including Pembroke 21C.

Clr. Evans had produced an Enhancement Plan for Pembroke which had been provided to all councillors. It was proposed that this plan could be used during the sub-committee meeting as a 'starting point.' Members were invited to raise any issues not included within this plan.

It was resolved that Clr. Evans be nominated to represent Pembroke Town Council on the board of trustees at Pembroke 21C.

Also that the Enhancement Plan for Pembroke be adopted by Pembroke Town Council as a starting point for the Dr. Heather Skinner sub-committee.

Update regarding quick response codes: Clr. Evans gave a brief overview regarding a visit he had undertaken to Monmouth to meet with Mr. Mark Booth, manager at the Shire Hall.

Monmouth were the first Wikipedia town in the world and had linked Wikipedia to their QR codes. QR codes were commonly used by them on various items, including ceramic plates which were positioned on buildings enabling users to easily access information. Each plate costs around £25.

A positive response to these codes was received by members and it was hoped that the idea of QR codes could be pursued through the Dr. Heather Skinner sub-committee.

Flooding of the waterway on Commons: Clr. Nicholas expressed concern regarding the flooding of the waterways in Pembroke, in particular the flooding of the Commons.

Over the Christmas period the Commons had flooded considerably, resulting in water covering the grassed area. This posed a danger, not only to local residents, but also to tourists. There were no railings in place, which increased the risk.

It was resolved that the clerk write a letter to Pembroke Council Council highlighting the issues raised.

County Council 'unfinished business': Clr. Phillips wished to raise with councillors, issues which had been brought to the attention of Pembroke Town Council during previous meetings, however had yet to be resolved.

Clr. Phillips gave examples such as the lack of black bins, the provision of a bus shelter in Castle Terrace and blocked gulleys and drains.

It was resolved that the clerk request that any items which members felt remained outstanding be written/emailed to her in order for these to be resolved.

Twin town of Pembroke, Malta: Clr. Brinn informed council that the Mayor of Pembroke, Malta, Mr. Joseph Zammit, would not be contesting his seat, following 16 years in office. Clr. Brinn proposed that a letter of thanks and best wishes should be sent to Mr. Zammit. This was agreed.