The November meeting of the Tenby and District Branch of the Labour Party was well attended with lots of enthusiastic discussion. Joyce Watson AM was the guest speaker. Being a former Pembrokeshire County Councillor before her election to the Welsh Assembly Government, she has a great depth of local knowledge. There was good news for future plans on affordable housing, Haverfordwest being the most recent area to have land available and planning permission to proceed with up to 1,200 homes plus a new school in a 10-year plan. Regarding the financial settlement for the next three years, Pembrokeshire, whose allocation had doubled in previous years, had not come out badly. Councils needed good financial management of the money allocated. There need be no loss of services or blame directed at the Assembly Government if this happened. The Coalition now in existence at Cardiff Bay had a Plaid finance minister, who could no longer attack Labour/ Plaid financial policy. Joyce Watson referred to the great successes of recycling in Pembrokeshire - an environmental winner. There were many questions on means-tested charges in Social Services. Members voiced their views that PCC itself could provide these services directly, not through the many care agencies as at present. Differing councils sometimes charged disproportionately for their services. The AM regretted that most councils did not have clear answers for this. Further questions followed on the ending of toll charges at the Cleddau Bridge. Branch chairman Tony Wales thanked Joyce Watson for her talk and her very full answers to questions. The AM replied how much she always enjoyed meeting members at such an enthusiastic branch as Tenby. Events secretary Marjorie Bevan announced the AGM date as Saturday, December 15 (one week early), when there would be a Sherry and Mince Pie Party followed by the draw, by Nick Ainger MP, for the winner of the bumper Christmas hamper. The Annual Constituency Dinner would take place on Friday evening, January 18, 2008, as usual at the Fourcroft Hotel, Tenby. The guest speaker will be Paul Murphy, MP for Torfaen, a well known, forthright Labour politician who was formerly Minister for Northern Ireland. Menus are now available for an excellent three- course meal and coffee. They can be handed in, with cheques, to the treasurer at the AGM. There are always more applicants than available places, so please contact Marjorie on (01834) 842604 as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
