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

PEMBROKE BARRAGE

The Mayor, Clr. K. N. Nicholas, welcomed Mr. Emyr Williams, Pembrokeshire County Council, to the meeting.

Mr. Williams informed members that work on the widening scheme was now substantially complete. Two weeks should be allowed for the concrete to set and then cranes could be allowed across. The bearings which were required had to be ordered from California at a cost of approximately £7,000 and the estimated date for completion of the work was mid-September.

Mr. Williams was asked if there were any measures in place to stop these issues from happening again as the same problem had occurred seven to eight years ago. Mr. Williams replied that there needed to be a maintenance regime in place to change the bearings regularly.

Clr. Jenkins suggested that lock gates be installed as the current gates did not work and he felt they would never work. He also stated that at present there needed to be three to four days notice given for use of the waterway and this did not encourage visitors or local people to use the waterway.

Mr. Williams stated that the barrage was designed in 1990 and the basic design was satisfactory. He reminded members that it was built merely as a flood defence. A control panel was being installed which would enable the gate to be opened 'manually' as and when required.

Mr. Williams would produce a pamphlet containing all of the relevant information.

It was commented that the Castle Pond was only currently accessible for around one-and-a half-hours; however, it should act as a small marina.

Clr. Evans asked how much the second failure had cost and was advised that the cost was in the region of £30,000.

PURCHASE OF 7&8 NORTH GATE STREET

The clerk advised members that a response had been received from Mr. Neville Henstredge following a request for Pembroke Town Council to have sight of plans from potential purchasers of the South Quay Development.

Mr. Henstredge stated: 'I regret that the county council will not be in a position to let the town council have sight of the plans/proposals put forward by developers at this stage. A 'private and confidential' report will be placed before cabinet, and I will let you know the outcome of his as soon as possible thereafter.'

This comment was noted.

POSSIBLE CLOSURE OF PUBLIC TOILETS IN PEMBROKESHIRE

The clerk advised members that Mr. Richard Brown and Mr. Jonathan Mills from Pembrokeshire County Council had scheduled a meeting to discuss the closure of toilets in Pembroke. Clr. Nicholas and Clr. Nutting, as the nominated representatives of the regeneration committee, wuld represent the town council at this meeting.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED

Change of use of front ground floor from C1 restaurant and hotel to 2 no. A1 retail units, conversion of remaining ground floor, 1st and 2nd floors to 4 x 2 no. bed flats, 1 x 2 storey cottage and partial demolition work at The Lion Hotel, Main Street, Pembroke.

The council resolved to support this application providing that there would be no changes to the frontage of the property which would adversely affect the character of the building and that the external feature of the building remains.

Renewal of windows to front elevation, replacing existing UPVA windows with painted wooden windows at Browns Restaurant, 51 Main Street, Pembroke.

The council agreed to support this application.

Hybrid application for outline planning approval for three building plots and full approval for two dwellings (1x affordable) at Springfield, 30 Lower Lamphey Road, Pembroke.

The council agreed to support this application.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS DETERMINED

Extension to rear to form a lean-to store room and erection of a timber pergola at Castle Inn, 17, Main Street, Pembroke (granted); extension to 6 St. Anns Crescent, Pembroke (refused); alterations and extension - 9 Mansel Street, Pembroke (granted); signs - amended plans - Lloyds TSB, 21 Main Street, Pembroke (granted); new shop front at the Castle Inn, 17 Main Street, Pembroke (granted).

PEMBROKE CASTLE TRUST CHRISTMAS MARKET

Correspondence had been received from Mr. Jon Williams, Pembroke Castle Trust, regarding the Christmas Market.

This advised that the Christmas Market would run from Friday, November 29, until Sunday, December 1, and the Pembroke Town Council 'Santa in Pembroke' event would take place on November 29 to coincide with the opening of the market.

Pembroke Town Council donated £2,000 to the Castle Trust last financial year towards the cost of running and organising this event and to enable free entry to local residents and visitors.

A request had been received once again for a contribution to be made from the council for £2,000 to enable this event to be marketed to attract more people to Pembroke.

It was resolved that the council would issue a payment of £2,000 to Pembroke Castle Trust to support the Pembroke Castle Market.

GRAFITTI

The clerk advised that correspondence had been received from Mr. David Perry regarding graffiti on the wall of the Co-operative, Main Street, Pembroke.

Members were advised that PCC had provided the paint and Pembroke Town Council would be arranging for the painting to be completed.

NEW PARKING ORDER

Correspondence had been received from Mr. John Price, Pembrokeshire County Council, regarding a new parking order in Pembroke.

Following discussion to clarify the matter, it was resolved that no restrictions to parking should be enforced at the lay-by which was to be formed outside 131-139 Main Street. Council were opposed to the request for a limited waiting time of one hour in this lay-by.

PROPOSAL FOR CASTLE VIEWING AREA

Council was made aware that Mr. George Lewis had provided a 'booklet' which detailed his proposals for a new Castle Viewing Area at South Quay. Members were advised that this 'booklet' was available to view in the cerk's office.

The clerk was requested to write a letter of thanks to Mr. Lewis.

UPDATE FROM THE REGENERATION

SUB-COMMITTEE

The council was advised that a meeting involving council members of the regeneration sub-committee took place on Thursday, July 4. Mr. Martin White (head of regeneration), Clr. David Pugh, and Sinead Henehan (regeneration, PCC) were invited to this meeting.

Members were advised that the 16 proposals which had been presented to Pembrokeshire County Council as part of Pembroke Town Council's match-funding bid were discussed during this meeting.

Mr. Martin White had advised that the application forms for the 'Paint Scheme' would be available shortly.

A request was made for the clerk to seek clarification regarding the use of 'lime based' paints on listed buildings, where the buildings had not previously been painted using 'lime based' paint.

Clr. Evans, chair of the regeneration committee, informed council that there appeared to be many delays with proposed projects. He advised that Clr. Evans, Clr. Nutting and Clr. Nicholas had met with Mr. Peter Holden of Acanthus Holden Architects to discuss options available for the regeneration of Pembroke.

Peter Holden had suggested identifying six 'areas' within Pembroke for which 'visions' could be drawn up of how they could be improved. These images could then be displayed to enable both residents, businesses and visitors to view the vision for Pembroke. There would, however, be a cost implication for these images to be created.

Following further discussions, the following resolutions were made:

Resolved: Pembroke Town Council set aside Standing Order 71 relating to the necessity for three quotations for expenditure on goods and services between £501 and £4,999 in relation to the appointment of an architect to work with the regeneration committee. Pembroke Town Council would use the services of Acanthus-Holden Architects for this project.

Resolved: Pembroke Town Council give delegated powers to the regeneration committee to utilise the agreed amount of £40,000, identified from the precept as match-funding, for the purpose of the regeneration and enhancement of Pembroke as the committee see fit.

Resolved: Pembroke Town Council agree to utilise the back wall of the 'hall' at the rear of the Town Hall for the purpose of displaying the proposed work of the regeneration committee, i.e. the vision for particular areas showing before and after images.

NEW TOWN COUNCIL WEBSITE

Clr. Nicholas advised members that, although the new town council website was up and running, it was in need of much more content in terms of both photographs and editing.

Clr. Nicholas proposed that funding be allocated of up to £1,000 to be spent on further enhancing the website. This was agreed.

MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE COMMONS STREAM

Clr. Phillips expressed her continued concern regarding the Commons stream. Photographs were shown to members showing both the overgrown reeds and weeds and also the bank of the stream which had 'caved in.' It was acknowledged that there was a real risk of drowning as the overgrowth hid the stream.

Clr. Phillips also advised that a child had slipped down the bank and had to be assisted out.

Clr. Boswell added that there were no life rings in the vicinity of the stream and this matter should be addressed urgently.

The clerk was asked to write to the area maintenance team at PCC to request that an on-going maintenance plan be drawn up and that life rings are installed.

IMPROVING PEMBROKE'S PROFILE

Clr. Brown informed members that she had been approached by tourists who were staying in Saundersfoot and they had enquired why Pembroke didn't promote itself in other areas of Pembrokeshire.

It was noted that almost all of their 'town maps' had now been used.

Clr. Brown had devised a draft template of a banner and proposed that four banners should be professionally designed and be placed at the entrances to the town at the points of the bridge at Holyland Road, the bridge at Station House, the Millpond and at Wesley Chapel. The cost of producing such banners would be approximately £416 for three or £520 for four, with a timescale of four weeks from design to production.

Following further discussion, it was resolved that the clerk would make enquiries with Network Rail as to whether the erection of these banners on the station bridges would be permitted.

ARMED FORCES DAY IN PEMBROKE/PEMBROKE DOCK

Clr. Nicholas informed members that the Armed Forces Day service which was held in Pembroke Dock on Saturday, June 29, was very poorly supported. In total, approximately 15 people were in attendance.

Clr. Nicholas asked whether or not the town council should continue to hold an annual Armed Forces Day service.

It was commented that not all representatives had been invited to attend or advised that the service was taking place.

Following further discussion, it was agreed that an Armed Forces Day service would be held in Pembroke in 2014. However, they needed to 'get it right' and ensure all relevant parties were invited to attend and excellent representation from both Pembroke Dock Town Council and Pembroke Town Council was shown.

SALE OF BARNARD'S TOWER, PEMBROKE

Clr. Nutting advised members that he felt Pembrokeshire County Council had behaved disgracefully in their advertisement of the sale of Barnard's Tower without having any prior consultation with Pembroke Town Council.

It was felt that Barnard's Tower was an integral part of Pembroke. Having restricted access and currently a bat roost, Clr. Nutting felt that interest in purchasing the tower would be limited.

Clr. Nutting proposed that Pembroke Town Council should make a starting bid offer of £1 to purchase the tower, and it was agreed that the clerk should write to the county council to this effect.

Clr. Asman expressed her disappointment at what she felt was a disgraceful selling off of the town's heritage. She felt that, if it was not standard practice to notify and consult with town councils prior to the advertisement of Pembrokeshire County Council owned historical buildings in the area, then it should be.

Clr. Asman proposed that a letter be sent from Pembroke Town Council expressing their concerns and disappointment. This was also agreed.