The Mayor, Clr. Jones welcomed Acting Inspector Andrew Miles and PCSO David Powell to the December meeting of Pembroke Town Council. He then invited AI Miles to address the meeting and among matters discussed were the following:

Speeding in Devon Drive:An informal meeting had been held where various options were considered, including improved signage and a vehicle activated sign. The Neighbourhood Policing Team had used the hand-held speed measuring device in the area. It had been agreed that there is a need to monitor traffic flow in the area to establish the full extent of the problem.

Parking in Main Street: The traffic warden allocated to Pembroke was currently on sick leave and a temporary traffic warden was deputising for him. The feasibility of additional designated parking areas on the south side of the street was being considered.

Crime: There was a downward trend in relation to reported crime within the Pembroke area with a reduction of six per cent compared with the previous year. The current detection rate was a healthy 44 per cent. The current priority of the Neighbourhood Policing Team was to carry out high visibility patrols in Main Street and Monkton to reduce incidences of anti-social behaviour.

Theft from unattended motor vehicles continued to be a problem.

AI Miles then invited questions and the following issues were discussed:

Anti-social behaviour in Pembroke North: PCSO Powell stated that the number of reported incidents was relatively low. This indicated that anti-social behaviour was not a major problem in the area or residents were not reporting such incidents to the police.

AI Miles explained that the police worked closely with partners, including local authorities, to monitor reports of anti-social behaviour and take action to deal with it.

Powers of Police Community Support Officers: While it was agreed that the officers have an important role to play in community policing, concern was expressed regarding the limited powers available to the officers. AI Miles stated that the chief constable had discretion to designate PCSOs with a limited number of enforcement powers. In Dyfed Powys Police, their main role wwas to support Neighbourhood Policing Teams through the principles of community engagement, high visibility patrol and public reassurance. As a result, they had not been granted powers of detention, but have limited powers to deal with minor anti-social behaviour and quality of life issues.

Introduction of alcohol free zones: AI Miles stated that the powers following introduction of a alcohol free zone mean that the police may require individuals to stop drinking alcohol immediately and the police may remove alcohol drinks from problem drinkers in the street. Before any area can be subject to an alcohol free zone, there must be evidence to meet the following tests: Is there a problem with street drinking? ; Would the new police powers assist in dealing with the problem?

In considering a possible alcohol free zone, everyone should be aware that part of the policing of the problems associated with street drinkers meant that the problems were both displaced and dispersed.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV): Concern was expressed regarding the monitoring of the system, together with the use of volunteers to monitor the system. AI Miles stated that the CCTV system played an extremely important role in the policing of Pembroke by reducing the level of crime and helping officers detect offences. With regard to the deployment of CCTV volunteers, he stated that he would establish the current position regarding the use of volunteers.

Clr. Jones thanked both AI Miles and PCSO Powell for attending the meeting and for the excellent manner in which they responded to queries raised by councillors.

Among items discussed at the business meeting were:

PLANNING APPLICATION

Clrs. Llewellyn and Collins as elected members of Pembrokeshire County Council declared an interest in this matter.

Land at Adams Row, Monkton - erection of a special needs bungalow and two bungalows for the elderly (approved).

ACTIVITIES, FLOWERS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

Clr. Nicholas gave a resume of the meeting and reported that a recommendation had been made that the Pembroke River Rally 2009 would be linked with the Pembroke Festival with Saturday, July 4, the most suitable date.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

The committee recommended that the current Christmas lighting arrangements needed to be reviewed and consideration be given to the council entering into a leasing arrangement. This would significantly reduce the annual cost to council with no unforeseen expenditure.

Mrs. Suzie Thomas (responsible financial officer) informed council that she had made enquiries regarding the purchase of a replacement photocopier. Following discussion, it was resolved that a replacement machine be purchased from A. H. Edwards, of Milford Haven, and that Virement approval be given for the amount to be made from 'contingency'.

GOLDEN GROVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Clr. Barrass informed council that he wished to be nominated for the position as an additional community governor. It was resolved that Mr. Steve Russell-Stretch (governors support services) to be informed that Clr. Barrass had been nominated for this position.

JOINT TOURISM AND TWINNING COMMITTEE

The minutes of the annual general meeting were perused by members, with no queries arising.

VEHICLE ACTIVATED SIGNS

The contents of a letter received from Mr. John Price , traffic manager, Pembrokeshire County Council, regarding the installation of vehicle activated signs were discussed.

The cost of a sign was approximately £1,600, with the cost of the pole and electricity varying from site to site, but an average of approximately equalling the cost of the sign. If Pembroke Town Council wished to invest in a sign then an equal cost sharing arrangement between the two authorities could achieve a sign installation.

Clr. Brinn had submitted a letter to council, stating that he had held discussions with the highways department at Pembrokeshire County Council with regard to the installation of a speed activated sign (VAS) at Well Hill, Pembroke. Pembrokeshire County Council and Chevron had agreed to fund this on a 50-50 basis. He felt that this sign should remain permanently at this site bearing in mind the close proximity of Golden Grove School.

It was resolved that the county council be requested to establish the cost of installing a solar powered sign.

Pembroke Town Council would support the installation of the unit at Well Hill provided the county council follows its own recommendation that this unit could be moved to other sites in the Pembroke area if required.

ROCKY PARK DEVELOPMENTS

The response received from Dr. Steven Jones, director of development, Pembrokeshire County Council, to a letter sent to him was considered.

Clr. Asman pointed out that the comment received from the county highways department stating that the scheme was acceptable was in variance to the comment made in respect of a previous application.

WELSH LANGUAGE SCHEME

The clerk informed council that a revised scheme had been submitted to the Welsh Language Board.

MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE

A letter had been received from Mr. J. S. Richards regarding the efforts being made to 'tidy up' the town and also his appreciation of Mr. Andrew Whitaker (street cleaner) who was an employee by Pembrokeshire County Council.

A letter had been received from Lt Colonel Johnny Rogers (retired) thanking council for the recent presentation they made to him.

The clerk informed council that a letter had been received from Mr. Paul Watkins, waste management assistant, Pembrokeshire County Council, seeking the council's observations on siting a textile recycling bank adjacent to the Community Hall in Monkton. There were no objections to the proposal.

Clr. Jones read an e-mail from Pembroke 21C concerning a request received from PLANED indicating their intention to compile a revised Pembroke Action Plan. They had approached Pembroke 21C to ask if they could repeat the process before the end of March.

The process would involve inviting people to meetings by sending out a mailshot to everyone on the electoral register. They had asked Pembroke 21C to enquire whether the town council would: Let them have an up to date register, and fund the mailshot - estimated to cost around £750. 

It was resolved that council would make no response to the contents and that the matter should be 'left on the table' for the time being.

AGENDA ITEMS

Devolved budgets: Clr .Nicholas requested that this matter be held in abeyance until clarification was received regarding the role of council committees.

Town Heritage Initiative: Clr. Blackburn suggested that enquiries be made to establish whether grant funding would be available to Pembroke under the initiative. It was resolved that Clr. Blackburn would make further enquiries into the matter and report in due course.