Members of Pembroke Town Council recently received a presentation by Mrs. Michelle Rosser, of Shelter Cymru, on the assistance that the organisation can provide to prevent homelessness and alleviate financial poverty.

The Rural Communities Project aimed to improve the lives of people by raising awareness and improving the take up of rights in relation to housing, debt and welfare benefits to prevent homelessness and alleviate poverty.

This would be achieved by working with groups that were already established in the smaller rural communities to distribute 3,000 packs across the three counties.

The packs contained information on housing, debt, welfare benefits, rural well being and contacts to obtain specialist advice.

Clr. Jones thanked Mrs Rosser for her presentation.

Among matters discussed at the meeting were as follows:

Pembroke Enhancement Scheme: The clerk informed council that the additional planters had been received and that arrangements had been made for them to be filled with plants in readiness for the summer.

Planning applications: Clrs. Collins, Brinn and Llewellyn as elected members of Pembrokeshire County Council declared an interest in this matter.

Timber cladding and enlargement of existing shed (retrospective) and proposed extension to a barn at Highbury Court, Kingsfold Hill, Pembroke (Council would support approval); erection of sun room at Highbury Court, Kingsfold Hill, Pembroke (council would support approval); erection of dwelling at Woodside Grove, Pembroke (Council would support approval, but had concerns regarding additional traffic movement in a relatively densely populated area); single storey extension at Green Gables, Upper Lamphey Road, Pembroke (council would support approval); single storey extension and demolition of conservatory at 15 Tudor Close, Pembroke (council would support approval).

Licensing application: Declarations of Interest were made by Clr. Mrs. P. Llewellyn as vice-chair of Pembrokeshire County Council licensing committee and left the council chamber whilst the matter was discussed; Clr. Miss M. A. Phillips as a personal acquaintance of the applicant; Clr. A. A. Brinn as a Justice of the Peace - he is a member of the licensing appeals committee.

The application for a New Premises Licence in respect of The Royal Oak, Main Street, Pembroke, was considered and it was resolved that the following observations be made:

Council was of the view that the hours when the premises was open to the public should be the same as neighbouring licensed premises.

With regard to the provision of live music, council was of the view that in order to avoid disturbance to residents living in close proximity, the music should be 'non-amplified' and strictly monitored to an acceptable sound level.

Bridgend Terrace bypass: Correspondence from Pembrokeshire County Council relating to the survey in Bridgend Terrace was discussed. It was resolved that the county council be advised that Pembroke Town Council was pleased that progress was being made on the project. However, the council queried whether there was a need for another survey to be conducted as several surveys had been conducted previously in that area.

Miscellaneous correspondence: Correspondence from residents of Paradise Row, Pembroke, outlining their concerns about the closure of the road linking the Mill Bridge to Court Terrace was discussed. It was resolved that the correspondence and photographs be forwarded to Pembrokeshire County Council with a request that this measure be re-considered as a matter of urgency.

The contents of a letter received from Mrs. Elizabeth Gossage (development officer), Pembroke 21C, relating to The Pembroke Story project were noted.

Budgeting review: Following perusal by members of the balance sheets for the period April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2009, it was resolved that they be accepted.

Clr. Davies congratulated Mrs. Suzie Thomas (responsible financial officer) for the manner in which she presented the accounts and explained the computerised accounting system to council.

Consultation process: Clr. Nicholas informed council that a meeting to discuss convergence funding had been held at Foundry House to which a number of organisations had been invited to attend.

The meeting was arranged by Pembrokeshire County Council, but Pembroke Town Council was not amongst those invited to attend.

Clr. Nicholas opined that as elected members of the community, that the council should be involved in such discussions.

It was resolved that the county council be informed that Pembroke Town Council was pleased that such discussion were taking place. However, as a statutory body, it was requested that the town council be invited to attend future meetings.

Tenders received for Town Hall CCTV system: The clerk informed council that four tenders had been considered by the 'Tasking Group', with the recommendation that the quotation received from UK Fire for £9,491 be accepted by council. It was duly resolved that the quotation be accepted.

Armed Forces Day: The clerk informed council that a national Armed Forces Day would be held on June 27 with various events being held throughout the country. Provisional arrangements had been made by Pembroke Dock Town Council for a service to be held at The Garrison Chapel, Pembroke Dock, followed by a reception. Pembroke Dock Town Council had enquired as to whether Pembroke Town Council would be arranging a similar event in Pembroke or would they support a joint event.

As Armed Forces Day was likely to be commemorated annually, the clerk suggested that in subsequent years, a joint Pembroke/Pembroke Dock event could alternate between the towns.

It was agreed that arrangements be made for a joint event.

Clr. Jones closed the meeting by stating that it was the last meeting that he would chair during his term of office as Mayor of Pembroke.

Clr. Jones thanked councillors and staff for their support during his term of office and said he looked forward to meeting the challenges that were ahead.