At a Meeting of Pembroke Dock Town Council held at the Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock, recently, the following matters were discussed:

Use of the Pater Hall toilets for the public: The town clerk commented that she was asked at the previous council meeting to provide costs for the screens and staffing to enable this service. She stated that she had since been told by Clr. Phil Gwyther that the trustees had decided against allowing the facility to be open to the public. It was stated that it should be the town council who should consider whether the proposal would go ahead. It was proposed by Clr. S. Perkins, seconded by Clr. M. Murton and resolved that the opening of the Pater Hall toilets during the hours of 9 am and 1 pm should not go ahead.

Committee vacancy: The town clerk informed members that there was a vacancy on the joint twinning and tourism committee and she asked if any members would be interested. Clr. P. E. George commented that as Clr. M. Colgan already attended the meetings, that she would be a good candidate. Members agreed that Clr. M. Colgan should fill the vacancy on the committee.

Road safety at the junction of A4075 and A477 at Nash Fingerpost: The town clerk informed members that she had received the following from Mr Hugh Colley the Clerk to Pembroke Town Council: "Following discussion, it was resolved to write to the Trunk Road Agency to express concern regarding the accident record at this location. Pembroke Town Council is of the opinion that the current road layout, lack of signage and road markings coupled with excessive speeds approaching the junction from Pembroke (A4075) is a significant contributable factor to the poor accident record / near misses at this location. In particular problems are caused by long vehicles crossing the west bound carriageway when turning right from Pembroke. Therefore, I will be writing to various agencies, local MP and AM with a request that an urgent review be conducted of this junction with a view to improving its configuration and erecting additional signs etc. I would be grateful if you would bring this matter to the attention of your respective councils with a request that they lend their support by writing to the Trunk Road Agency requesting that an urgent review be conducted. It was proposed by Clr. S. Perkins, seconded by Clr. T. Wilcox and resolved that a letter of support to the Trunk Road Agency be sent from the town council.

Financial assistance: The town clerk informed members that she had received an email from Mr. Matt Done, community youth worker at Pembroke Dock Youth Centre, asking the town council for financial assistance towards a residential to take 14 young people from Pembroke Dock to Northern Ireland Belfast during Easter 2012, an opportunity which would give the young people hopefully a very positive, cultural experience away from their own community. It was proposed by Clr. S. Perkins, seconded by Clr. M. Murton and resolved that the Youth Centre be awarded £250 to help towards the trip to Belfast.

Pembroke Dock Youth Forum: The town clerk informed members that she had received a letter from this youth forum asking whether the young people could attend a council meeting and also whether there were any local projects that they could be involved in. They wanted to make a difference to the community. The clerk said she had replied explaining that they could attend a council meeting and has described the project in the Memorial Park so they have contacted the Memorial Park Group which will be reported to that group at their next meeting. Members agreed that it is good to work with schools too, and pleased to see the interest is there from the young people of the town.

Pennar Robins - letter of support from the town council: The town clerk informed members that she had received a letter from Mr. Jim Anderson, of the Pennar Robins, asking the town council if they would write a letter of support which would help the organisation with any requests for grant funding. Members agreed that a letter of support should be sent.

European Commission Position on LNG Marine Risk Assessments in Milford Haven-Safe Haven: The town clerk stated that she had received a letter from Mr. Gordon Main, of Safe Haven, stating that the substantive facts had not changed, namely that the elected members and civil servants did not have access to LNG spillage risk assessments for the marine side of the operations in Pembrokeshire. The town clerk stated that what had changed was that the European Commission had asked the UK government to provide the public with this information. The town clerk commented that she had enclosed a copy of Mr. Main's letter and a letter from the European Commission. Mr. Main was asking whether the town council would be prepared to call for the HSE to be the body with overall responsibility for the risk assessment work on the Milford Haven Waterway. Members felt that all angles had seemed to be covered previously and did not want to support Mr. Main's letter.

Sunderland Trust - Funding to support the Archive Centre at the Market building: The town clerk informed members that the Sunderland Trust had asked for a grant of £2,500 to help support the archive centre and contributing to the key post of archive manager/curator which was crucial to the development of and public access to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Collection. This post was initially funded through a Government Workways scheme and has since been supported by MHPA Community Fund. Latterly, the Sunderland Trust had supported this post, but due to limited resources they could not continue in the long term. Members commented that this should be sent onto the joint tourism and twinning committee for funding as it is aimed more towards tourism.

Planning: Mr. C. McCosker, Gainsborough Dairy House, Dorset - change of use of first, second and third floors to four flats and associated works at 10 Meyrick Street, Pembroke Dock (members had no objections to the planning application, but raised concerns regarding the vast number of vacant flats already within Pembroke Dock. Members requested the town clerk to write to the county council to highlight these concerns).

Winter Festival: Clr. S. Perkins informed members that the Winter Festival was due to take place on Friday, December 9, starting at 5 pm at the Youth Club on Bush Street. She stated that the theme for this year was the Twelve Days of Christmas. She commented that Samba Doc would lead the procession and that there would also be a fire display at the youth centre beforehand. Clr. Perkins commented that the group were desperate for helpers in the parade and also stewards. She stated that she had contacted the Quins to see if they would be able to help out, but more helpers would be needed.

Grants paid to the Pater Hall Community Trust from the town council: Clr. S. Perkins commented that she had asked the town clerk to produce figures showing the grants given to the Trust an also the amounts paid to the town council from the Trust. Grand total granted to the Pater Hall Community Trust since 2006/7 was £128,805.95. It was commented that there had been a lot of financial assistance given to the Pater Hall Trust in previous years and members felt that they could not see an end. It was commented that in previous discussions after a period of time the Pater Hall Trust would take on staff and become self-sufficient, Clr. Perkins questioned when would this be as a timescale would be needed.

Proposals from the finance group to the town council: The town clerk stated that the minutes of the latest meeting of the town council had been sent out to all councillors at the behest of the group. She stated that she had received an email from Clr. Phil Gwyther with regard to these minutes and the proposals in them. After a long discussion about the three proposals, it was agreed by members that a special council meeting should be arranged to discuss issues surrounding the Pater Hall. It was agreed that the meeting shall take place on Thursday, December 1, 6.30 pm, at the Council Chambers in the Pater Hall.

Letter from Maxine Rolls : The town clerk stated that recently council has given donations to Dan and Beth, Mrs. Rolls's son and his dance partner. She stated that she had received a letter from Mrs. Rolls, including photographs, to show how well the young people are doing in their dance field. Mrs. Rolls was very grateful to the council for their support for her son yet again.

Pembroke Dock Market: The town clerk informed members that she had copied a letter received from Mr. Henstredge, of the county council, regarding Pembroke Dock Market. Members felt that a letter should be sent to express concern about finding suitable premises for the stall holders, especially the butcher and fishmonger, who required refrigeration facilities.