Among matters considered and discussed at Last month's meeting of Pembroke Town Council were the following:

Matters arising

from the minutes

River Rally: The clerk informed the meeting that she had met with Mr. David James from West Wales Maritime Heritage and informed him that the original date for the River Rally would not be suitable as it clashed with the Pembroke Carnival, so the new date would now be August 8, 2015.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Mr. M. Goode - 3 Upper Lamphey Road, Pembroke - Amendments to planning approval for revised design of garage roof. It was resolved to support the application

Mr. Humber, land south of Nos 73 to 81, Golden House, Ashdale Lane, Pembroke - tree surgery. It was resolved to write to Pembrokeshire County Council requesting more information on what type of tree was to be cut down.

Mrs. Claire Phillips, 9 Hamilton Terrace, Eastgate Dental Laboratory, Main Street, Unit 11, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire Science & Technology, Pembroke Dock - change of use from a dental laboratory (office and workspace) to a residential dwelling. It was resolved to support the application.

The following applications had already been determined: Jetwash (in retrospect) – Bush Hill Service Station, Bush Hill, Pembrok (refused); rural enterprise dwelling - Lammaston Farm, Watery Lane, Pembroke (refused)

REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Monkton Prioery Church: An application from Monkton Priory Church was discussed for the annual Christmas Tree Festival in aid of future restoration work of the church. Following a discussion, is was resolved to donate £460 towards this event.

Tenby Talking Newspaper: An application from Tenby Talking Newspaper was discussed who were asking for funds towards the purchase of CD's and envelopes. Following a discussion, it was resolved to donate £260 towards this project.

CORRESPONDENCE

Town Walls Trust - Pilot Project - planning application: The following letter had been received from Janet Drogan, chair of Pembroke Town Walls Trust.

Dear Mr. Mayor,

I have made enquiries with the planning officer for Pembroke, Peter Sedgewick, and it seems that the Pilot Project will require planning consent, and that the fee will be £330, but, they advised that if the application forms are submitted by the Town Council, the fee will be halved to £165, so this is a request that the Town Council agree to submit the application forms on behalf of the Trust.

There will be no further obligation, although the notice of planning consent will be issued to the Town Council and should be forwarded to me as the chair.

I do hope you are able to show your support by doing this.

Once we have the application papers ready and all the forms are completed the Trust members will call to arrange for you to sign the forms.

We look forward to hearing from you in due course. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Following a discussion, it was resolved that Pembroke Town Council would be happy to submit the application form in their name so that the fee would be halved, subject to seeing the updated plans.

A Journey Through Time Interpretation Panels: The following letter had been received from Elizabeth Gossage, development officer, Pembroke 21C.

On discussion with the groups who are developing this project following the Regeneration Committee meeting, we feel that the Interpretation Panels for the Heritage Garden, A Journey Through Time, would be an excellent fit for the regeneration funding.

We have, as you will be aware, already received most of the funding for the project from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Cadw, but are still working to secure all the funding.

I attach the full budget for the project and request that the Town Council either cover or seek funding to cover the £3,000 for the interpretation boards for the garden.

This project, which is being delivered in partnership with the Tabernacle URC and the Pembroke Town Walls Trust, will be a huge asset to the town and the interpretation of its long and distinguished heritage. In this regard I have also been asked to ensure that it is included in the New Town Trail that is being developed.

I can provide further information about the project if it is required and would be happy to come to talk to the Town Council if invited.

Further to a discussion, it was resolved that council would like to support this in principle and invited Elizabeth Gossage to a meeting to discuss the project more fully, especially the sustainability and the DDA compliance.

Pembroke Museum: The following correspondence had been received from Mr. and Mrs. Staples from Bath.

My wife and I visited Pembroke on Monday and called in to look around the museum at exactly the time it was being shut for the day, I think it was at about 12 noon. Very kindly the gentleman locking up offered to remain open for a quarter of an hour so that we could look around and a lady present at the time gave me a personal guided tour of the exhibits. I'm sorry to say that I didn't think to ask their names, but I would like to congratulate all concerned on an excellent display and a very warm welcome. My wife and I live in Bath where we have more museums than buses, but none can claim to be as personal or friendly as at Pembroke. I do hope it will be possible for the museum to remain open and hopefully one day be given a permanent home in the town.

Thanks again for the time taken to allow us to look around.

The chair thanked Clr. Asman and the volunteers for all of the good work in getting the museum up and running.

Pembrokeshire Community Transport: The following correspondence was received from Sammy Milston, rural transport project assistant.

PACTO (Pembrokeshire Association of Community Transport Organisations) is a charity that helps people who have difficulties in using public transport and in getting out and about. This could be for any reason, whether it is a disability or living too far from a bus stop. We have a number of services running across Pembrokeshire where we can pick people up from their front door and take them out to local shops, doctors appointments or just to see friends.

I have attached information on some of the services that run across the county in the hope that you may be able pass this on at the next council meeting. Our aim is to get the word out to people who may be isolated due to limited transport options and it may be that you know of people within your community who could benefit from this support.

If you would like further information on any of our services, please feel free to contact either Debbie Johnson or Emma Lewis on 01437 776550 or to see our full range of services visit our website http://www.pembrokeshirecommunitytransport.org.uk">www.pembrokeshirecommunitytransport.org.uk

The clerk informed the meeting that should anyone want posters for the above they were available at the clerk's office.

Savings consultation - town and community council ssessions: The following correspondence had been received from Clr Jamie Adams, leader, Pembrokeshire County Council.

Pembrokeshire County Council, like other local authorities, needs to make savings in order to balance our budget in the wake of government spending cuts.

We recently held two savings consultation sessions specifically for representatives of town and community councils, to help us in the process of identifying potential savings of up to £25 million by March 2015.

The session took place at County Hall on the evenings of Tuesday, October 14, and Thursday, October 23, and you would have received an email invitation to these.

I would like to thank all of those who gave up their time to attend and who contributed so constructively.

As agreed at the first session, I am now writing to all Pembrokeshire town and community councils to ask them, formally, for their assistance in helping us to meet our savings targets.

Many positive suggestions came from the sessions and I have pleasure in attaching the notes that were taken. Also enclosed, for information, is a copy of the slides which the chief finance officer presented at the sessions. Information gathered at the sessions will be used to help inform the review our medium-term financial plan.

We are also planning to hold some further sessions in the new year, about which we will contact you in due course.

In the meantime, if you would like to discuss opportunities for your town or community council in more detail please contact, in the first instance, Sarah Worby, corporate communications officer, on 01437 775263 or [email protected]">[email protected]. Sarah will then put you in touch with the relevant senior manager in order that discussions can be progressed further.

The above was noted and Clr. Gigler was thanked for attending, who gave a resume of the meeting.

Review of electoral arrangements for the county of Pembrokeshire: The following correspondence had been received from S. R. Halsall, chief executive of Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales.

I enclose two copies of the Commission's final proposals for the electoral arrangements for the county of Pembrokeshire that have been submitted to the Welsh Government for consideration.

The report and accompanying schedules contain proposals for a council of 57 members.

Under Section 58(2) of the Local Government Act 1972, on receipt of the report, the Welsh Government may, if it thinks fit, make an order giving effect to any proposals made to it by the Commission, either as submitted or with modifications. Any order giving effect to such proposals shall not be made until after the expiry of six weeks from the day on which proposals were submitted to the Assembly.

Copies of the report together with a map have been placed on deposit at the offices of Pembrokeshire County Council and at the offices of the Commission and will be available for inspection until the expiration of six months after the making of any order giving effect to the proposals, or after a notification by the Welsh Government that it does not propose to give effect to the proposals.

Clr. Harvey informed council of his concern about the proposed county council boundary changes that covered the Pembroke wards.

Following a discussion and a vote taking place, it was resolved to write to Mr. Salall expressing that council felt that having one ward covering such a diverse area could be counterproductive and not as effective as it currently stands.

AGENDA ITEMS

Precept 2015/16: The clerk informed council that the finance committee had met and following proposals put forward it was resolved to accept the precept requirement of £142,500 for the year 2015/16.

CCTV East End Square: Clr. Blackburn informed council that she had met with PCSO David Powell and the CCTV cameras in town should be re-positioned and an extra camera added to the roundabout at East End Square. Following a discussion, it was resolved to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon to chase this up as this had already been requested.

Fingerpost A477: Clr. Jenkins expressed his concern over the work completed on the A477 fingerpost, stating that it was still dangerous and the obvious solution would have been a roundabout. The clerk informed the meeting that she had written to the Welsh Trunk Agency stating that Pembroke Town Council would like to receive a copy of the finished plans and how traffic was supposed to flow and was still awaiting a reply.

Regeneration Committee: Clr. Evans proposed to council that following a meeting of the Regeneration Committee, many Town Councils give authority to the Regeneration Committees to spend an allocated amount of money. Clr. Evans put forward three proposals and following a discussion it was resolved that all decisions on spending allocated funds must come back to full council.

Funding applications: Clr. Nutting informed council that he had put forward a bid to the National Lottery Funding. Clr. Nicholas questioned that he could not do this on behalf of the council without prior knowledge, where Clr.Nutting explained he had put in the application as an individual. He also expressed concern on the funding available from Pembrokeshire County Council and the fact that in his opinion the goalposts had changed and was allocated on a first come, first served basis. He was concerned that if applications were not submitted they would miss out on funding available.

Trade waste collections: Clr. Nicholas expressed his concern to council regarding the new changes that Pembrokeshire County Council had implemented, changing the collection of trade waste to fortnightly instead of weekly. Following a discussion, it was resolved to write to Mr. Richard Brown, head of environment and civil contingencies, stating that Pembroke was a tourist location and having bins on the Main Street in the spring and summer months would have a detrimental impact on the town. This was a paid service and they would like to know what justification there was for changing a weekly service to two-weekly.

It was feared that a large amount of waste would be left out on the pavement, which would not only encourage wildlife, but undermine Pembroke Town Council's efforts in trying to enhance the town.

'Welcome to' gateway signage: The clerk informed council that she had received correspondence from Mr. Dai Rees from the transportation housing and environment department informing them that the economic regeneration unit would be producing new 'Welcome to Pembroke' signs. The clerk asked council would they be happy with 'The Birthplace of Henry VII' on the sign. It was resolved to write back with the above and also Medieval Town placed on the sign with the Twinning at the bottom.

Pembroke Library: The clerk read out an email received from Mike Cavanagh of Pembrokeshire County Council stating that there was a proposal to reduce Pembroke Library opening hours to a few hours in the winter by closing an hour earlier on Tuesday, two hours earlier on Thursday and an hour earlier on Friday. The full consultation document was available on the council's website. Following a discussion, it was resolved to write back to Mr. Cavanagh stating that council were obviously disappointed and opposed any cuts in Pembroke's Library hours as it was a statutory obligation by Pembrokeshire County Council to provide such services.

However, should cuts have to be made, they felt that the hours should be cut in the morning, having a later opening, and not the afternoon, giving children a chance to attend the library after school.

Repositioning of defibrillator: Clr. Phillips informed council that in her opinion the defibrillator placed in Pembroke Castle was not the most convenient place to locate it. She suggested that the Kings Arms Hotel as it was open from 6 am in the morning until 12 midnight and was more accessible. The clerk pointed out that the defibrillator in Pembroke Castle did not belong to Pembroke Town Council; they just gave a donation towards the purchase of it. Following a discussion, it was resolved that the clerk to look into the cost of purchasing a new defibrillator and the possibility of placing it in the Kings Arms Hotel.

Rhoscrowther Wind Farm: Clr. Blackburn expressed concern over the application for donations available from Rhoscrowther Wind Farm should the application be granted by Pembrokeshire County Council. She suggested that there was a lot of bad feeling about this proposal and suggested to council to withdraw any applications put forward. Clr. Nicholas commented that at a meeting of the above in Pembroke Dock, he suggested that Pembroke Town Council were not in favour of the wind farm, but just taking part in the bidding process. Clr. Gigler and Asman expressed concern, stating that it was ethically wrong and compromised their principles. Following a vote taking place, it was resolved that Clr. Evans and Nicholas still have authority to attend the meetings of the Wind Farm.

Christmas Market, Pembroke Castle: Clr. Asman started by giving thanks to Stuart Asman, Ron Rees, Dennis and Rita Evans, Rose Blackburn, Aden Brinn, Pauline Waters and Melanie Phillips. All helped man the stall that was in the Christmas Market at Pembroke Castle, which was a great success having sold numerous books and maps (which Clr. Blackburn donated) giving a grand total of £292 towards the museum. Clr. Evans also thanked Clr. Asman for putting on the project and was an ideal opportunity to raise council's profile. Clr. Jenkins also congratulated everyone involved in the Santa coming to Pembroke and Clr. Collins for driving the sleigh.

Sound system: The clerk informed council that on two occasions in the year, she had been let down by the current sound system owned by Pembroke Town Council. She had enquired costings of a new sound system which would be portable and loud enough to cover events such as Remembrance Day and Armed Forces Day. The cost involved would be £872 plus VAT. It was resolved to order a new sound system.