Prior to opening the recent monthly meeting of Pembroke Town Council, the Mayor paid tribute to Clr. Hamish Whyte, who passed away on Wednesday, December 5. Clr. McNiffe expressed sympathy to Clr. Whyte's family and paid tribute to his work as a Pembroke town councillor. As a mark of respect, the meeting observed a minute's silence. Among matters discussed by the council were the following: Bus Shelters: Clr. Brinn informed the meeting that he would be in possession of further information on this matter in the near future and requested that the matter be held in abeyance until the next meeting. Pembroke Town Museum: The clerk informed the meeting that he had contacted Mrs. Gossage with a view to convening a meeting of the sub-committee and he was awaiting a reply. Play area - The Commons: The clerk informed the meeting that he had contacted Mr. Alex Allison with a view to him attending a council meeting to update members on the situation regarding play areas. He had received a reply from Mr. Allison stating that the Play Fund and the other funds Pembrokeshire County Council operate are on hold pending the result of a review. Members resolved to invite Mr. Allison to a meeting when the result of the review is known. Pembroke North Quay: The clerk informed the meeting that a letter had been sent to Pembrokeshire County Council and a reply was awaited. Pembroke Michaelmas Fair: The clerk informed the council that a meeting had been held on Wednesday, November 21, to discuss the recent fair. In general, the fair had passed without incident and all parties involved were pleased with the organisation and planning arrangements. However, a number of issues still needed to be addressed and they would be circulated to councillors in due course. PALC - Rocky Park: The clerk informed the meeting that there had been further developments regarding this matter and he advised that it should be discussed with other planning matters. Members resolved to discuss this matter with other planning matters.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Resolved that the following observations be made to the planning authority: Pembroke Community Centre, Foundry House, Commons Road, Pembroke (council would support approval). Councillors D. M. Davies and G. H. Jones declared their interests in the application. Land to the north of Woodside Avenue (council would support approval). Highbury, 1 East End Square (council would support approval). 4 and 5 Rocky Park, The Green (council would recommend refusal on the grounds that the properties are approximately 200 years old and are part of the landscape and heritage of Pembroke. The loss of the buildings would be the loss of 1.5 acres of gardens and grounds, and such a large open space contributes significantly to the character and appearance of the area). Clrs. C. J. Collins and A. A. Brinn declared their interests in all planning matters and took no part in discussions.
VARIOUS MATTERS
South Quay development: The contents of a letter received from Dr. Steven Jones (director of development, Pembrokeshire County Council) relating to the South Quay was discussed by members. Clr. Blackburn proposed that a reply be sent to Dr. Jones reminding him of the need for proper consultation at an early stage with both the council and the residents of Pembroke. Clr. Blackburn expressed the opinion that proper consultation had not occurred previously and that this had led to the high density building development on the North Quay. Members agreed that a reply should be sent to Dr. Jones reminding him of the above. Pembroke Amateur Boxing Club: Clr. Davies declared an interest in this matter and took no part in the discussion. It was resolved under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 that £40 would be donated to the club. Youth Council: Clr. Jones informed council that youth councils had been established in various parts of the country and they were now seen as an excellent way of getting young people involved in the community. Currently, Pembroke 21C was in the process of submitting an application for funding to establish a Pembroke Youth Council. Should the bid be successful, the youth council would be established and would mirror Pembroke Town Council. Members agreed to support the concept of a Pembroke Youth Council, with a letter of support to be sent to Pembroke 21C. Mace bearer: The clerk informed council that he was pleased to report that two residents had written to him asking to be considered for the position. The applicants were: Mr. Edward Harries, of 4 St. Michael's Road, Pembroke, and Mrs. Pauline Waters, of Waterways, Monkton. As both applicants had given excellent reasons as to why they wished to perform this role, it was of the opinion that both applicants should be accepted. It was resolved that both applicants should be offered the position of mace bearer to Pembroke Town Council. Mayor-making: The clerk advised council that the local elections had been scheduled for Thursday, May 1. Pembroke Town Council's Mayor-making usually takes place during the first weekend in May, i.e. Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6, as in this year. In view of the elections, he suggested that the 2008 ceremony should be held later in the month to allow sufficient time for the arrangements to be made. It was resolved that the 2008 Mayor-making ceremony be held during the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25. Pembroke town guide website: The clerk informed the meeting that currently the website provided very basic information regarding town councillors, i.e. initials, surname and phone number, which in his opinion was impersonal. He distributed a revised format which contained more information, including photograph, home address and e mail address, and he requested their views on this. It was resolved that the clerk was to proceed with implementing the revised format. Pembroke town guide: The clerk reminded council that he and Clr. Nicholas had met with the publisher of the 2007 Pembroke Guide in September to explore ways of improving the guide. As a result of that meeting, an action plan had been agreed, with the promise of a substantial financial contribution from a local company. Since September, several attempts had been made to contact the publisher to progress this project, but without success. As the 2008 tourist season was a matter of months away, he sought guidance on this issue. It was resolved that the clerk should make contact with the current publisher and, if necessary, obtain 'closure'. Also, if necessary, arrange for an alternative publisher to continue with this project. Periodic electoral review: The clerk reminded council that during 2007, Pembrokeshire County Council had conducted a review of all town and community councils within the county. In May 2007, Pembroke Town Council was advised that the number of town councillors would be reduced from 12 to 11. Subsequently, written representations had been made to the county council objecting to the proposal. The clerk read a letter dated December 4, 2007, from Mr. G. D. Morgan (electoral services manager) stating that the objections to the draft proposal had been noted by cabinet. As a result, under the revised councillor/elector ratios, Pembroke Town Council would receive an entitlement of 15 councillors, which would take effect in time for the council elections in May 2008.
PRECEPT
With regard to recept requirments for 2008/2009, members examined and discussed the report received from the clerk. Play areas: Members felt that it was necessary to precept a further £10,000 towards the cost of funding for play areas. Twinning: With an increase in exchanges between Pembroke (Malta), Bergen (Germany) and Pembroke (Wales), it was resolved to increase the amount transferred to the twinning fund to £3,000. Christmas lighting: Because the existing lighting was in need of replacing, it was resolved to precept the sum of £22,000 for the forthcoming year. CCTV system: There was a sum of £5,000 held in the 'Local Projects' budget heading for the year 2007/2008 to enable the purchase of CCTV equipment to cover the town hall. Flower enhancement: Members increased the proposed budget heading to £1,500 in order to enhance the town during the summer of 2008. It was resolved that the 'Pembroke in Bloom' competition would no longer go ahead, only the competition for the schools would remain in place. Welsh Language Scheme: Members felt that if ever the scheme needed to be utilised, existing resources could be used to cover any costs involved. Town Hall maintenance: Because the floor covering in the courtroom was badly worn and represented a trip hazard and the fact that it was possibly going to be used for the Pembroke Museum, it was resolved to obtain quotes for replacing the covering and to take the money out of reserves. Information and computer technology review: After reading the report with regard to this matter, it was resolved to upgrade the computer system and pay for the necessary improvements out of this year's budget. After the necessary adjustments, it was resolved that the precept for the forthcoming year would be £136,990, an increase of £13,900 on last year.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
The clerk read a letter that he had received recently from a Mr. Gerald Martin, of Johnston, Haverfordwest, who had recently attended a charity function within Pembroke Town Hall. During his visit, he studied the murals depicting life in Pembroke throughout its history. Mr. Martin wished to congratulate Pembroke Town Council on promoting its history which reflects civic pride. It was resolved that a copy of the letter be forwarded to Mr. and Mrs. George Lewis. At the conclusion of council business, the Mayor pointed out that due to the imminent retirement of Mrs. Carne, this was the last council meeting that she would be attending in an official capacity. He thanked Mrs. Carne on behalf of all members for her dedicated service for over 24 years and wished her a long and happy retirement.