Among matters discussed at the January meeting of Pembroke Dock Town Council were the following:

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

Mayoral elections: The town clerk reminded the committee that papers for Mayoral elections had been sent out and asked them to ensure that these are returned to the office one week before the elections are due.

REPORT OF THE

TOWN CLERK

Councillor vacancy - Central Ward: The town clerk had received a letter from the county council stating that this vacancy could be filled by co-option. She sought agreement from council to advertise the vacancy in the local press. There was unanimous agreement from those present.

Council tax base - financial year 2014/15: The town clerk reported that the Band D calculation for the precept for Pembroke Dock was £45.33. This figure was very slightly less than last year.

Proposed changes to the Fire Service provision in Pembroke Dock: Clr. T. Wilcox declared an interest in this item as he had attended the decision meeting.

The town clerk stated that, as the committee knew, there had been a threat that the Fire Station in Pembroke Dock was to be downgraded to a part-time station. She reported that fortunately this threat had been lifted and the station was to remain full-time.

Prior to the decision meeting, the town clerk wrote on behalf of the town council to the chair of the Fire Authority, urging the authority to reconsider the part-time proposals and maintain the full-time status of the station.

Clr. T. Wilcox reported that during the meeting he attended no real arguments were needed to keep Pembroke Dock as a full-time station. However, it could well be different next year when discussions would again take place on the status of the fire provision in Pembroke Dock.

Paterchurch Tower - letter of support from the Sunderland Trust: The town clerk reported that a letter had been received from the Sunderland Trust in support for the Paterchurch Tower to remain in public hands. She then asked Clr. P. George to update those present on the current status of the future of the tower.

Clr. George stated that, as previously agreed, the town council would spearhead support for the purchase of the tower until such time as a community group was formed to take over. The county council had contacted Clr. George and wanted to know what the community group would use the tower for - this would be for educational and school visits, exhibitions. The county council also wanted to know whether a bid would be formally received for the purchase of the tower.

Clr. George questioned in light of the lack of a community group to run the tower, would the town council be willing to place a financial bid of say £50-£100 for the tower. It was questioned in whose name should the bid be placed as the town council were not in a position to make any financial decision at the time of the meeting.

Clr. M. Colgan proposed that any letters of support for the purchase of the tower received by the town council could be submitted to the county council to formally express the interest of the community to purchase the tower. This was seconded by Clr. S. Perkins.

If the town was fortunate enough to be successful in the acquisition of the tower, then any community group that was to be formed to run the site would then become liable for the ongoing maintenance of the tower by continued fundraising and events in and around the tower.

Role of alderman: Following on from the previous meeting, the town clerk had more information on the role of alderman. It would seem that this role was one akin to the 'leader' or the chair persons of committees of a county council and not so relevant to local community and town councils.

Following general discussion on a potential implementation of this role within the town, it was felt that there would be no real benefit to the community and therefore it was agreed that council take no further action with regards to progressing this.

South Pembs MU closure - alternative treatment centres: The town clerk was asked by council to write to Hywel Dda Health Board to ask what provisions were in place with regard to the MIU closure. The Health Board had reached agreement with the Argyle Medical Group and the following was part of that agreement:

a) A minor injury service for their registered patients only. This will include anyone registered with the surgery from the areas of Pembroke, Pembroke Dock and Neyland. If the branch sites at Pembroke and Neyland are closed or an appropriately trained clinician is not available, a patient may be expected to attend Argyle Street Surgery.

b) The service will be managed through the Local Enhanced Service for Minor Injuries (LES). As with all patients, those with minor injuries will be dealt with in a timely and appropriate way. Minor Injuries will not take precedence over the usual surgery work, unless an emergency.

c) If a patient presents at the reception desk with an emergency (for instance a heavily bleeding wound) they will be assessed immediately, treated if possible, and if medically necessary, sign-posted to the correct place.

d) The Local Enhanced Service for Minor Injuries will not be a 'walk-in' service, and under normal circumstances they advise patients to telephone first.

e) Temporary visitors/holidaymakers to the area will be dealt with in line with the General Medical Services contract.

f) The GPs will provide the service during the core GMS hours from 0800 to 1830 hours, after which time patients can, depending on the medical problem, contact NHS direct, the GPOOH service or access the Emergency Department at Withybush General Hospital.

Hywel Dda had been running a advertising campaign notifying the public of the options available and the Choose Well leaflet had been made available to each residents home across the Hywel Dda area during October.

Clr. S. Perkins said that they had been led to believe that a full walk-in-service would be provided in Argyle Street. Some families might not be able to afford the trip to Withybush A&E or even have transport to get there and there was also the lack of any service locally at weekends and evenings.

One of the options offered in the information by Hywel Dda was to visit your local pharmacy for information and help. It was questioned whether any of the local pharmacists had been approached to ask whether they were happy with the potential extra responsibility of having to offer this type of advice.

Clr. A. McNaughton then raised the point that at present there was no out of hours pharmacy service available within the Pembroke Dock/Pembroke area.

It was felt the replacement service was not adequate and the town clerk should write on behalf of the town council to the Minister for Health for Wales (Mark Drakeford) expressing that the lack of facilities for the town and surrounding area was not good enough.

Pembroke Dock Safe Routes in Communities: Work to construct a new shared use path linking Bush Street with Birdcage Walk was continuing and it was hoped that the work will be completed in February.

The town clerk also reported that Sue Lewis from PCC Safe Routes had submitted the second bid for Pembroke Dock Safe Routes. However, she had been told that criteria had changed to areas immediately around schools and therefore this bid would need to be reworked and then resubmitted.

Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council - meeting with regard to budget cuts: The town clerk had attended a meeting with Clr. Jamie Adams where town and community councils were informed of the budget issues that the county council faced for the next financial year. Clrs. Andrew McNaughton and Sue Perkins were also in attendance. It was very informative and it was clear that cuts the county council would have to make could give opportunities for the town council. The town council was already working towards the goal of improving services for the community and hopefully this would continue and expand. It was clear at this meeting that some of the aspects of services discussed could be shared by working in partnership with PCC. As an example, the town council now had their staff cleaning and painting bollards and railings in the centre of town, but the tools and paint were provided by the county council.

REPORTS FROM

TOWN COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES SERVING ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Louisa Saunders Trust: Clr. P. George informed the meeting that prior to Christmas they had received eight applications for assistance and they had been able to help each of these in some way.

Festival Group: Clr. S. Perkins offered her thanks from the Festival Group to all those who worked to make the lantern parade a successful event.

The town clerk added that the Santa's Grotto event in the Pater Hall was again well supported and another successful event for the community.

COMMUNITY ISSUES

St. Govans Shopping Centre and Alley: Clr. P. Kraus stated that he had again visited this area and tidied up various waste items. It was also commented that there were recently approximately 20 black rubbish bags left in the alley.

The town clerk again reminded the meeting that this was private land and therefore outside the jurisdiction of both the town and county councils.

It was felt that perhaps the council could write to the land and property owners to express disappointment that they were not showing any commitment to the town by ensuring that they or their tenants keep their properties and ground tidy.

Essex Street chicanes: Clr. K. Higgs commented that the chicanes in Essex Street were in need of refurbishment as they were in danger of not being seen. The work needed would be similar to that carried out on the ones in Bush Street.

MAYOR'S REPORT

The Mayor commented that she had been very busy and had attended a number of events over the last month, including: Pembroke Dock Lantern Parade and Santa's Grotto; Glan Y Mor Farm Opening Event; Visit to South Pembs Hospital on Christmas Day; Pembroke Dock Swimming Gala medal presentation; Neyland Christmas Service.