The Mayor welcomed Miss Melanie Phillips to her first council meeting after being co-opted on to Pembroke Town Council, and hoped that she would enjoy her time as a member of the council for the St. Michael Ward. Seafair Haven 2008: The Mayor welcomed representatives of the Milford Haven Port Authority and Mr. David James from the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society to the meeting. He then invited Mr. Ian Jacobs, who was actively involved with the organisation of the Seafair Haven 2006, to speak with regard to the proposed event for 2008. Mr. Jacobs stated that the Milford Haven Port Authority had given a commitment to run Seafair Haven until 2012, and it was hoped that it could be built up year-on-year in order for it to become a very significant event for the county, and a wonderful opportunity to encourage tourism. It was hoped that countries such as Ireland, France, Germany and Great Britain would be taking part this year, and there will be a marketing campaign to ensure that the profile of the event is raised, for which a public relations firm from Cardiff has been engaged to promote it through various media channels. The event has been re-named 'Seafair Milford Haven 2008' and will take place from June 18/25, which will be Wednesday to Wednesday, with a big weekend in the middle to coincide with Pembrokeshire Fish Week. Milford Haven Port Authority would have overall responsibility for the project but would welcome the involvement of local communities, volunteers and the like, and hoped that Pembroke Town Council would be one of 11 waterfront communities which would embrace it by formulating ideas which would then be placed before the port authority for its approval. Sums of up to £3,000 would be available from the authority, and depending on how good the ideas were more funds could be allocated. The port authority's objective was to generate a significant proportion of money from the private sector, but still rely heavily on public funding. Mr. David James would liaise with the port authority regarding the number of craft which would be allowed in the Castle Pond, and decisions had to be taken with regard to which people and organisations could be involved in the planning of the Pembroke event. The representatives from the Milford Haven Port Authority would attend a future council meeting to see how plans were progressing. Bus shelters: It was reported that Clr. Brinn had been in discussions with the director of transportation and environment, Pembrokeshire County Council and had gained further information in respect of the above. Due to his unavoidable absence at the meeting because of work commitments, it was resolved to defer the matter until the next council meeting. Pembroke Town Museum: Following advice received from council's solicitor stating that he felt council should have a Tenancy Agreement with Pembroke 21C in respect of leasing the courtroom for use as a town museum rather than a Service Level Agreement proposed by Pembroke 21C, further correspondence had been received from Pembroke 21C stating that they did not have a budget to cover the legal fees in relation to a Tenancy Agreement, and would have to bring the matter to the attention of the Pembroke 21C trustees for a decision. Clr. Collins stated that Pembroke Town Council had no choice, but to accept the advice of council's solicitor, as the town hall belonged to the people of Pembroke, and he felt that the best way forward would be to formulate a joint committee between Pembroke Town Council and Pembroke 21C in order to make progress. It was resolved to write to Pembroke 21C suggesting the set-up of a joint sub-committee who would be responsible for the organising and running of the museum. It was further resolved that the following members would sit on the committee: Clrs. K. N. Nicholas, D. M. Davies, Mrs. R. Blackburn and W. H. Pugh. Clrs. G. H. Jones and W. H. Pugh declared their interests in the above item. Pembroke relief road: Clr. Mrs. Blackburn queried as to whether a reply had been received regarding any progress made in respect of plans for a Pembroke relief road. As no further information had been received to date, it was resolved to contact Pembrokeshire County Council again.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS It was resolved that the following observations be made to the planning authority: 07/0937/PA - land to the rear of Tudor House, Main Street, Pembroke (members resolved to refuse planning permission on the following grounds: It was adjacent to a Grade II listed building (84959) in a sensitive conservation area adjoining ancient town walls, and although the roofline was the same as Tudor House, because of a slope, as the side elevation plainly shows, the development towered above the town walls and adjacent ancient tower by two storeys and dominated the landscape. Members felt the high density development to be most unsuitable in this ancient environment. Parking was given as one-to-one and the rest to be in St. Michael's car park or roadside (which was full to capacity) and totally inadequate - Welsh Housing Policy 9.2:11. Also the volume of traffic (fifteen vehicles) which would be exiting the development and having to cross the pavement to join the main road would be totally unsuitable. Concern was expressed with regard to the provision of soakaways as The Commons already had a high water table. No mention was made of this being an eco-friendly innovation. It was felt that reference to the Welsh Housing Policies 9.2:11, 9.2:12, 9.3:2, 9.3:3 and 9.3:4 might be helpful as this development seemed to conflict with them.)
Agenda items
The agenda items were discussed as below. Play area, The Commons: Clr. Keith Nicholas stated that he felt the time had come to seriously look at Pembroke Town Council's long term commitment to the play area on The Commons, particularly in respect of a) funding; b) liabilities and c) life scale left. The matter was discussed by members and it was resolved to invite Mr. Alex Allison from Pembrokeshire County Council to attend and update members on the situation regarding play areas. Presentation of certificate: Mr. Scott had recently retired after 28 years of acting as mace-bearer to Pembroke Town Council. The Mayor thanked Mr. Scott for all his service to the council and wished him well. He then presented Mr. Scott with a framed certificate. Pembroke North Quay: Clr. Mrs. Blackburn expressed her concerns with regard to the newly completed development at North Quay. She felt that the current external line of the building did not fit in with the original plans viewed by town council members, and requested that Pembrokeshire County Council be approached and requested to supply any amendments or retrospective plans that had been granted since. She also asked if they could that roof height had been given in the original plans. Members resolved that a letter be sent to the planning department at Pembrokeshire County Council requesting this information. Michaelmas Fair: A reply received in respect of parking arrangements for Showmen's Guild vehicles attending Pembroke Fair from the parking services manager at Pembrokeshire County Council was read to members. It stated that Pembrokeshire County Council policy allows for car parks to be closed at the discretion of the director of transportation and environment. No fee is payable where the organisation seeking closure is a charitable group, but where the group is a commercial organisation, a fee must be charged. Showmen's Guild members already pay Pembrokeshire County Council to operate at Pembroke Dock, Neyland, Narberth and Fishguard, all of which are free car parks. The parking services manager further stated that well over thirty vehicles from the Showmen's Guild parked on The Commons during fair week, and that the proposed rental charge of £250 works out less than £1 per vehicle per day, which he did not think was unreasonable. Next year, the Guild will have to decide whether to enter into a licence agreement with Pembrokeshire County Council which will include a fee, and should they decline they would have to find alternative private accommodation. In view of adverse comments received by the authority from residents in the vicinity of the car park, it may be necessary for the county council to review the arrangements anyway. After discussion members resolved that a letter be written to Pembrokeshire County Council requesting copies of any adverse comments sent by residents living in close proximity to the car park. PALC - Rocky Park: Correspondence had been received from the chairman of PALC with regard to a development at Rocky Park, Pembroke, which Pembroke Town Council had previously recommended refusal of because of gross over development and inadequate road network. The chairman particularly wanted to draw members' attention to the apparent lack of any application for conservation area consent, and PALC is very concerned that this proposal is not therefore being properly assessed. It was suggested that members could consider whether or not they wished to pursue a Section 77 call-in, which PALC would be prepared to do on the town council's behalf. It was therefore RESOLVED to write to PALC and request them to pursue a Section 77 call-in on behalf of Pembroke Town Council. Proposed merger between health trusts: A reply received from the Welsh Assembly Government minister for health and social services in respect of council's concerns regarding the proposed merger of Pembrokeshire and Derwen, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trusts. Unfortunately, the minister was unable to comment until the outcome of a consultation convened for early November and when the further views of the three Trust Boards concerned had been made known, had taken place. Pembroke Festival: A letter from the Development Officer at Pembroke 21C had been received requesting financial assistance for the Pembroke Festival 2008. Members resolved that £3,000 would be made available as in previous years. Pembroke Potato Festival: A letter received from Pembroke 21C requesting financial assistance from council in respect of the Pembroke Farmers' Market Potato Festival which is likely to be held on Saturday, May 31, was discussed. Members resolved that unfortunately, due to limited funds they would be unable to support the application on this occasion. Pembroke Neighbourhood Policing Team: A letter received from the Pembroke Policing Team requesting financial assistance in respect of the purchase of a hand-held gun for use in combating speeding vehicles was discussed by members. It was resolved to donate up to £1,000 to help with the purchase of a hand-held gun for use in the town of Pembroke and the surrounding area.