At a recent meeting of Pembroke Town Council, the following matters were discussed:

The meeting opened in prayer led by the Mayor's chaplain, Rev. Canon Roger Jones. He also thanked Pembroke Town Council for the donation made to St. Michael's Church in relation to expense incurred during the recent visit of Santa to Pembroke.

To receive an update on the closure of the Minor Injuries Unit at South Pembrokeshire Hospital: It was resolved that this agenda item was taken as the first item for discussion and that the following officers representing the Hywel Dda Community Health Council (CHC) were allowed to address the meeting. Mr. Ashley Warlow (Chief Officer), Mr. Alun Jones (chairman), Mr. Tony Wales (vice-chair).

The clerk provided council with a resume of correspondence relating to the decision taken by the Hywel Dda Health Board to temporarily suspend services at the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at South Pembrokeshire Hospital.

Councillors expressed the following concerns regarding the closure: an increased demand on the Welsh Ambulance Service; the difficulty in gaining access to services at Withybush Hospital especially for people who do not have a vehicle; the considerable distance between outlying areas and Withybush Hospital; confusion as to whether the closure is a temporary or permanent measure; the possible further demise of health service provision at South Pembrokeshire Hospital; increased pressure on existing facilities including car parking, at Withybush Hospital.

Mr. Alun Jones explained that the CHC was an independent statutory organisation set up to represent the interests of the public and patients in this area. He informed council that CHC members were only made aware of the closure of the MIU at the end of the second of two brief meetings held in early December which had mainly discussed problems at Withybush Accident & Emergency without prior mention of the MIUs. Therefore, the CHC strongly refuted the Hywel Dda Health Board's claims that the plan to temporarily close the two MIUs was discussed in great detail with the CHC and that the CHC agreed with the decision not to undertake public consultation on the matter.

Mr. Warlow stated that the CHC members had refused to support the decision to close the units as they wanted a public consultation first as it is the duty of the health board to consult on any major operational change.

Mr. Jones concluded by stating that the public should not be complacent that the service would resume in three months time and there was a fundamental need for assurances from the health board that every effort was being made to restore the Minor Injury Units at both hospitals.

Pembroke events/activities: The clerk informed council that he would arrange a meeting with Mr. Jon Williams (general manager of Pembroke Castle) to discuss events to celebrate HM Queen's Diamond Jubilee. With regard to presenting a diamond jubilee mug to school children in Pembroke, he had obtained samples of diamond jubilee mugs and envisaged that 650 mugs would be required. The clerk suggested that instead of presenting commemorative mugs, it would be a good idea to seek guidance from both headteachers as to whether there is an item of equipment/project that council could support to commemorate the diamond jubilee. The clerk was requested to make the necessary enquiries.

South Quay, Pembroke, to be registered as a town/village green: The clerk informed council that he had emailed Mrs. Lynne Curcio seeking the full implications of land being designated a town/village green. A comprehensive reply had been received stating that the registration authority was neutral in these applications and acted as an impartial arbiter of the facts. Accordingly, the county council was unable to comment on the merit and/or possible success of any proposed application and recommended that council sought its own independent legal advice beforehand. Clr. Blackburn stated that she did not fully agree with the reply received from Mrs. Curcio and requested that council invite Mr. Martin Bell and Mrs. Mary Sinclair (Campaign for Protection of Rural Wales) to address council on the application process. This was agreed.

Pembroke banners project: The clerk referred to an application received from Pembroke 21C for council to provide £500 as a contribution to the project. Following discussion, it was agreed to donate £500 towards this project under S145 Local Government Act 1972.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Erection of illuminated and non-illuminated signage at HSBC, 65 Main Street, Pembroke (council would support the application provided that the the JUDP policy relating to illuminated signage within a conservation area was complied with); external improvements at 2 Main Street, Pembroke (council would support the application); erection of two-storey and single-storey extensions at Highbanks, Lower Lamphey Road, Pembroke (council would support the application); reversion of single dwelling into two dwellings and maisonette at Old Chapel House, New Way, Pembroke (council would support the application); external refurbishment work at 2 Castle Terrace, Pembroke (council would support the application).

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

Letters of thanks been received from HOPE and Bobath Children's Therapy Centre for the financial assistance provided by Pembroke Town Council were noted.

An email received from Mr. David Perry, of Pembroke, relating to the Portas Report, Town Ambassadors Scheme and graffiti was considered by council. It was concluded that the idea of training/employing ambassadors was prohibitive due to substantial cost implications and it was pointed out that this role was currently undertaken by the town crier and various councillors when pre-arranged visits are made to the town, e.g. cruise visits. The graffiti on the wall adjacent to the Co-operative Store continued to be an ongoing problem and this issue would be brought to the notice of Inspector Glyn Johnson and Sergeant Lesley Buckle at the next council meeting. Whilst council understood concerns about this unsightly 'artwork', local councils do not have the legislative power to finance the cost of preventative/remedial work on privately owned properties. A reply would be sent to Mr. Perry containing the above response.

Introduction of mini-roundabouts at the Pembroke Road/Ferry Lane junction: Council considered correspondence received from Mr. John Price (traffic manager) relating to a possible amendment to the above junction by introducing a mini-roundabout at the Pembroke Road/Ferry Lane junction and a second at the Buttermilk Lane/Bush Hill junction. It was resolved, a site meeting with Mr. Price would be convened.

Water Framework Directive - Pembroke River: Council considered correspondence received from Mr. Brian Klass (senior environment officer), Environment Agency, regarding the Pembroke River Catchment Initiative. It was resolved, Mr. Klass be invited to attend a meeting of Pembroke Town Council to give a presentation on the requirements of the Water Framework Directive.

Town guide website: The clerk gave presentation to council regarding the Pembroke town guide website (http://www.pembroketownguide.co.uk">www.pembroketownguide.co.uk) which was created in 2006 and was currently divided into eight main areas of interest, including details about the town and its history, business information and advertising forthcoming events. During 2011, the website received over 28,000 visits, with August being the busiest month (2,974 visits). The clerk stated that he had recently taken over maintaining/updating the website and hoped to introduce additional information during 2012. Clr. Nicholas thanked the clerk for his presentation and commented that the website was an excellent way of promoting the town. Clr. Jones thanked the clerk for taking over the role of maintaining the website which will reduce outgoing cost to council.

Town Hall: The Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) presented a spreadsheet to council showing the use made of Pembroke Town Hall during 2011. During the year, a total of 487 events/meetings, including coffee mornings, weekly markets, charity events, exercise classes and wedding parties were held generating income of £12,256. The RFO pointed out that several favourable comments had been received from users regarding the improved facilities within the building.

Boxing Day Swim: The Mayor thanked everyone that attended the Tenby Boxing Day Swim which had raised considerable sponsorship for his nominated charities.