Sir, After 45 years, it appears that Tenby Playgroup is about to be priced out of existence by Pembrokeshire County Council, with their decision to triple the current rent for the use of their facility at Tenby Leisure Centre. With ever-increasing social and financial pressures on young families, demand is strong and PCC will be widely viewed as the body which denied our community this vital social service. Set-up by a dedicated group of local parents as a non-profit making body, it has served the community in an exemplary manner, enabling many parents to undertake their NVQs in childcare and often then to achieve full-time employment. What is particularly disappointing is that many local churches when approached have denied the children to come unto them. They have refused to make available there unused halls to accommodate the local playgroup. I accept that the St. Mary's Church Hall is already used for the benefit of the local community. Unfortunately, another local church has informed the playgroup that the use of their hall would mean 'a loss to their free parking'; this I feel is an utterly shameful excuse. With church attendance on the decline, what better start to a life involved in the church could a small child and young family have than to be welcomed by the church? As a final plea to be accommodated, the playgroup have approached the Scouts Hall custodians who, although having a facility which should be made available to the wider public, have also denied the children a place to use to prepare them for school-life. I would ask those who have been asked, to reconsider their decision and restore some faith into a community who have chosen to turn their back once again on young families.

C/Clr. Jonathan Preston