The Mayor, Clr. Melanie Phillips, welcomed Janet Drogan, chair of the Town Walls Group, to the March meeting.

Janet Drogan provided details of her background and informed members that as a resident of Pembroke she was committed to the Town Walls project.

Ms Drogan presented a history of the Town Walls Group and of the work which was currently being undertaken by them. The Town Walls Group was to form a limited company. Funding was key and was crucial if the repairs to the walls were going to be completed.

The Town Walls Group were reaching out to the community for help and had also spoken to the Princes Foundation who had a similiar aim, but with considerably more experience.

No costings for the project were available at present; it was suggested a small section of the wall be completed first as a 'pilot project.'

Ms Drogan said that at this point in time, she, on behalf of the Town Walls Group, was merely seeking the support of the council in their ability to commit to working with the Town Walls Group.

It was resolved that the council would support the Town Walls Group and would work with them.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

Improvements to the coast path at Rocky Park: County Clr. Arwyn Williams provided members with a breakdown of the total cost of work to be carried out in order for improvements to be made to the coast path at Rocky Park.

Following further discussion, the council resolved to contribute £2,000 towards the proposed improvements in the new financial year.

Pembroke River Rally: The clerk informed council that the Pembroke River Rally would be held on Saturday, August 17, from 12 - 4 pm.

Appropriate lighting on the route leaving Grove School, at the Commons (in the vicinity of the bridge): Clr. A. Brinn reminded council that the overview and scrutiny committee of Pembrokeshire County Council would be meeting to discuss street lighting, although he was unaware when this meeting would take place. He proposed that he attend this meeting as representative of Pembroke Town Council.

It was agreed that the clerk should write to Mr. Mel Stephens to obtain the date and that Clr. Brinn attend on behalf of the council.

Pembroke Enchancement - revised waiting restrictions: The clerk informed members that a response had been received from Mr. John Price, PCC. Limited waiting of 30 minutes, 8 am - 6 pm, was introduced in East End Square following enchancement at that location and appeared to have been of benefit in creating short term parking.

For this reason, the limited waiting of 30 minutes, 8 am - 6 pm, was selected for the six spaces near St. Michael's car park, the six spaces outside no.137 and three spaces outside no.120. This would provide local shops with the same turnover of spaces in those locations. There were a number of unrestricted spaces to be available for longer term parking adjacent to the limited waiting areas.

Following further discussion, it was resolved that Pembroke Town Council would uphold its decision and object to the proposed parking restrictions.

Cenotaph in Freshwater West: Clr. Boswell informed members that work to erect a rail at the point of the verge leading up to the Cenotaph at Freshwater West had now been completed. However, correspondence had been received from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park which stated that it was unable to support the proposals requested for the Landing Craft Memorial Site, as it would change the character and appearance of the area too much.

Clr. Harvey agreed to view the correspondence received by Clr. Boswell and work with him to attempt to get the situation resolved.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The following planning applications were received:

Erection of two dormer bungalows at land east of 8 Herons Reach, Woodbine Close, Pembroke.

Resolved: Council would support the application providing the Tree Preservations Orders were adhered to.

Erection of 29 bungalows and two dormer bungalows at infill plots 01-31, Gibbas Way, Upper Lamphey Road, Pembroke.

Resolved: Council would support the application subject to the recently adopted LDP being applied to this application with regards to open space/affordable housing.

Erection of a non-illuminated projecting sign at 18 Main Street, Pembroke.

Resolved: council would support this application.

Tree surgery at Stonemason Cottage, Holyland Road, Pembroke.

Resolved: Council would support this application.

The following application had been determined: Hedge removal - road A4075 at Nash Wood to Pembroke (granted).

APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The council, being satisfied that the requirements of Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 were met, authorised the following payments: Royal Naval Association £550; All Pembrokeshire Cruse £250.

CORRESPONDENCE

Noise pollution: Correspondence had been received from Mr. Steve Ingram, Herbrandston Community Council, regarding noise pollution in the Herbrandston area.

This detailed that a survey had identified that a significant number of people (21 per cent) who resided in the Herbrandston area were affected by a 'noise pollution' problem. Mr. Ingram was formulating an independent cross community working group, to determine the scope of the problem by creating a list of people who were affected by noise pollution. The objective being, simply to pool and co-ordinate information with the authorities in order to identify the source.

Mr. Ingram requested that Pembroke Town Council respond with any help they could offer.

Pembrokeshire Coastal Bus Service: Correspondence had been received regarding the results of the consultation process prior to the removal of the subsidised bus services operating on a Sunday in Pembrokeshire. A full copy of this correspondence was provided to members.

Town Rider service: Correspondence had been received from Pembrokeshire Association of Community Transport Organisations regarding a meeting taking place in Pembroke Town Hall.

The Welsh Government had finally made their decision about funding of the Town Rider services in Pembrokeshire and this meeting had been organised to discuss the future of the service in Pembroke.

Update - regeneration and enhancement sub-committee: Clr. Evans provided members with an update of the work being undertaken by the regeneration and enhancement sub-committee.

Hywel Dda Health Board - update: Clr. Evans provided members with an update regarding Hywel Dda Health Board.

AGENDA ITEMS

The possibility of Wetherspoons coming to Pembroke: Clr. Brinn informed members that he had originally initiated this agenda item with a view to proposing that the council correspond with Wetherspoons to ascertain whether or not they would be opening a branch in Pembroke.

However, Ms Suzie Thomas (RFO) had contacted Wetherspoons prior to the meeting and had been advised that no formal decision had been made at this moment in time, although the company was 'very much interested' in coming to Pembroke.

Cataloguing of archives at the Town Hall: Clr. Brinn informed council that Mr. Gene Rycroft and Mr. George Lewis had begun cataloguing the archives within the Town Hall. There would be no charge to Pembroke Town Council for this service.

Possible closure of public toilets in Pembrokeshire: Clr. Keith Nicholas informed council of the proposals which were being made by Pembrokeshire County Council for the closure of some public toilets in Pembrokeshire.

The proposed closures would affect the toilets at Black Horse Walk and The Parade.

Clr. Nicholas noted that the Black Horse Walk toilets were the nearest to the train station and people travelling by train would have to walk to the other side of town to the nearest toilets. Also, the Parade toilets were the closest and only disabled toilets near to the town centre.

"Our town needs toilets which are central to the town, which are open day and evening, as both the Commons and Castle Pond toilets are not in central convenient places," he said.

"Whilst saving money is the reason for the exercise, I don't think this is correct. Saving money is not always a benefit to our county and maybe we should all pay a slightly higher community charge and utilise this money for locals and visitors and hopefully encourage visitors back to our county time and time again.

"I believe as a county we do not portray ourselves in as good a light as other tourist centres in the UK as we always look second best, with second best facilities, and the loss of those toilets is another step backwards."

Clr. Nicholas proposed that Pembroke Town Council object to the proposed closure of these toilets on the grounds detailed above.

It was resolved that the clerk will would to Pembrokeshire County Council to inform them of their objections to the proposed closure of public toilets in Pembroke.

Traffic flow in Main Street (with reference to the traffic lights, pedestrian walksways, parking): Clr. Waters proposed that the traffic lights at the pedestrian crossing in Main Street, Pembroke, be removed. She advised that this crossing greatly reduced the flow of traffic in Main Street and limited the availability of parking spaces.

Following a discussion, it was resolved that the clerk will write to Pembrokeshire County Council and request that the traffic lights at the point of the pedestrian crossing be removed and that a 'zebra crossing' be installed in their place. Parking around the crossing should also be increased.