Minutes of the December meeting held in The Alma Inn.

The members present at the meeting were: Christine John (chairman), Clr. Maureen Colgan (vice-chairman and treasurer), Ron Selby (secretary), Rev. Roger Hart, Jenna Glover, Katie Pyart and Clr. Tony Wilcox.

The meeting was also attended by PCSO Blair Evans and PCSO Carla Thomas from the Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Neighbourhood Police Team.

An apology for absence was received from Mel John.

Facility and

encouragement to drive less and walk more

Clr. Maureen Colgan reported on the progress to date with the 'Safe Routes In The Community' project, of which it is hoped Pembroke Dock and Pennar residents will more often take the healthier, and some might say 'greener' option of walking for the shorter distances instead of using their cars. Maureen said that a PCC initiative to resurface pavements where it is required, and make some pathways passable in all weather conditions, will be started soon. The Welsh Government has made funds available for these improvements, and contractors will be invited to tender for the work.

Treasurer's report

Clr. Maureen Colgan said that as there had been no payments into or out of the P&BCA funds over the past month, there remained a credit balance of £413.16. Maureen requested Ron Selby (secretary) to submit his claim for his secretarial expenses as soon as possible.

Congestion problems

close to the Owen Street Community School

The number of parents who choose to drive their children to school is causing severe traffic congestion in the cul-de-sac at the western end of Owen Street. A one-way system is in operation along much of the street, except for the cul-de-sac section closest to the school. Owen Street residents' cars are closely parked on both sides of the street, which makes parking and reversing a particularly tricky operation. Possibly, the promotion of 'Safe (Walking) Routes in the Community' could be part of the solution to the problem.

Go-ahead for the

erection of 83 affordable dwellings in Bufferland

Clr. Tony Wilcox reported that at the meeting of the PCC planning and rights of way committee on November 26, the Pembrokeshire Housing Association was given consent to erect a total of 83 dwellings on land 'north east of Imble Lane.'

Ron Selby addressed the committee meeting for the allotted time of just five minutes on behalf of the P&BCA and the residents of the Imble Lane area. The points he raised included:

(a) Over-development of the site after phases 1, 2, and 3 are completed, and that flats and maisonettes are not compatible in an area that can still be described as being a semi-rural environment. For one and two bedroom accommodations, low level semi- detached bungalows similar to those in the nearby Elizabeth Court nos. 1 to 10 would be preferred to flats and maisonettes.

(b) Concerns about the capacity of the present main public sewerage system to accommodate the sewage flows from phase 1 of the development (presently for 35 dwellings). Residents living at the northern end of Imble Lane already complain of occasional foul smells coming from valve pits and inspection covers at the junction of Imble Lane and Arthur Morris Drive.

(c) Worsening traffic problems. Imble Lane has an effective width of 4.9 metres just before its junction with Pembroke Road, and the lane serves the large council estate and a school along Arthur Morris Drive, besides the Cricket Club, 10 properties in Imble Close, a farm and two large properties in Imble Lane and the 21 properties in Springfield Road. Phases 2 and 3 of the Imble Lane development (48 dwellings) can be occupied only after the main sewerage line has been upgraded to take the increased foul flows from these future planned developments. These include 12 / 0405 / PA 'East of the Cricket Ground' (100 dwellings), and HSG/096/00233 'East of Hill Farm' (63 dwellings).

The development 'East of the Cricket Ground' is to have an access road coming from Pembroke Road. The plot plan for the development 'North east of Imble Lane' now makes provision for the access road to eventually connect with the access road serving the neighbouring site, so providing the residents with an alternative route onto the Pembroke Road. However, there remains the possibility that when the main sewerage line is upgraded and phases 2 and 3 of the development 'NE of the Imble Lane' are occupied, the development 'East of the Cricket Ground' might be delayed or even cancelled. In that case, all the traffic from these earlier mentioned future sites will have to pass along Imble Lane to gain access to Pembroke Road.

The residents of the Imble Lane area hope that PCC highways department will find some other way of relieving the excess traffic flows.

A play space for the

young people of

the Grove Street area

The green amenity area on the south side of Grove Street has recently been reinstated. The accumulated rubbish has been removed and the surrounding fence will be repaired to make the area a safe play area for young people. Local resident Katie Pyart, will keep a watching brief on the facility to see that due maintenance jobs are carried out as required, and the area is kept in good shape. The rent for the plot is to be paid by the PHA, and other funding requirements will be shared by other civic organisations.

Pembroke Dock's

bicentenary celebrations

Clr. Maureen Colgan said that the committee organising the events for this year's bicentenary celebrations will approach Pembrokeshire County Council for some help with the funding from the Community Chest. Maureen went on to say that St. Patrick's Community Hall committee will be putting on a bumper children's fun day as part of these celebrations.

Getting tough on crime, and the causes of crime

Ron Selby (secretary) said that he had just returned from the Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters Carmarthen where he had been invited to attend the Rural Policing Summit.

The summit meeting had been called by Mr. Christopher Salmon (Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys) and Chief Constable Simon Prince in response to concerns voiced by the chairman of the Carmarthenshire justices bench and other organisations, who believe that the over use of police cautions is undermining the public's confidence in the justice system.

It has been reported that in 2012 Dyfed-Powys Police issued 1,206 cautions for violence including assault with intent to cause serious harm, assault with injury and child cruelty. They also issued 24 cautions for sexual offences and 87 for drug trafficking.

Mr Salmon blamed the 'target culture' where the reported incidence of criminal acts is reduced by issuing cautions, instead of making out a prosecution.