Tom Sawyer, Steve Edwards and Anna Malloy from Milford Haven Port Authority were welcomed by Mayor Cllr Pam George to a question and answer session at a recent meeting of Pembroke Dock Town Council.

Tom Sawyer thanked members for the opportunity to provide an update on what they have been doing in the area. He said back in the summer they had a small briefing and it was clear to them that for a long time they hadn’t been communicating effectively, they had been transacting rather than having a relationship with Pembroke Dock Town Council and they wanted to put it right, they looked at how they balance community projects north and south of the waterway. He said as part of their strategy development planning they looked at how they transition the Pembroke Dock facility into a future-energy, multi-purpose port and, alongside that, to help develop Pembroke Dock as a destination.

Tom said they are going to start by ensuring they have a strong commercial engine, focusing on an energy port ready for offshore wind, root to net zero and the decarbonisation of the waterway and just becoming a freeport. He said they need to be ready for the creation of jobs and revenue coming to the region. Tom commented that they have been focusing on their community projects and have been looking at the sort of challenges multi-generational families face in Pembrokeshire and how they as a Trustport work with community stakeholders.

Steve Edwards commented that the Pembroke Port is the centre of the community to help it prosper. He said that it is their vision to develop a growth plan for Pembroke Dock, to provide growth for the whole community around the town.

Steve commented that there has been Brexit, COVID and the cost-of-living crisis and there are things the Welsh Government are doing to support growth. He said Freeport status would give tax incentives for local authorities to make investment attractive and reinvest the benefits locally.

Steve said that they are creating a mega slipway, more berthing pontoons and laydown space and more accommodation to make it a better port facility. The biggest opportunity is the floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea.

Anna Malloy told members about community engagement activities undertaken in Pembroke Dock. She said that the Pembroke Dock Marine music video, shortlisted in the ‘Environment’ category at the Arts & Business Awards 2023, had been developed featuring School pupils from Ysgol Harri Tudur along with members of the community to promote the opportunities being generated in the area.

Anna said that a Wave Water Safety event had taken place with Year 7 pupils from Ysgol Harri Tudur participating in the workshops. Pupils were educated about the dangers and how to enjoy the Waterway and coastline safely. This event will take place again in 2023. The Port also hosted Year 6 pupils from Pembroke Dock Community School at a Careers event to showcase different marine and port careers. More visits will be arranged for 2023.

Anna informed members that the Port had sponsored activities during February half- term: two days at Llanion Cove, where 30 young people identified by a youth worker based in Ysgol Harri Tudur enjoyed an indoor climbing wall and bushcraft sessions, as well as a hot meal at lunch time. Also, in half term the Port worked with Sue Mosses and sponsored 60 spaces for young people to enjoy 2 hours of fun in the soft play centre and lunch at Cheeky Chimps.

Anna told members that the Port had sponsored the 2B Enterprising programme Bumbles of Honeywood delivered in Pembroke Dock Community School and Monkton Priory Community School.

Anna said that also for this year the port has sponsored pupils from Pembroke Dock Community School to have free sailing lessons with PPSA at Llanion Cove.

Tom Sawyer commented that they are taking baby steps and that winning the Freeport bid would help with the destination making it more tangible. He said that they are not really asked for anything by the Town and County Council over this side of the bridge and commented that they would be willing to consider supporting to keep the Library open for four-and-a-half days.

Cllr Bowen commented about the public transport in this area as it needs to have better links to Haverfordwest; the buses are so poor and there needs to be a link bus service with the train. She asked if there is anyway the port authority can help with this.

Tom commented that transport is not something that the Port Authority has experience with. He added that the Council have got a Hydrogen Cars project and that hydrogen has the best impact if it is commercially viable. He commented that there are early projects that River Simple are undertaking that might be something to be involved in.

Cllr George thanked Tom Sawyer, Steve Edwards and Anna Malloy for giving their update from the Port Authority.