Tenby Town Council are to set up a sub-committee to look at the future cost implications of maintaining the children's play areas in the town.
In a letter to the council on Tuesday night, Mr. Barrie Davies, head of infrastructure management with Pembrokeshire County Council, explained that the county council had recently approved a scheme for play area funding whereby the authority would match locally raised funds towards either new or refurbishment play area schemes.
Town or community councils were expected to take the lead in managing new facilities, while the county council would continue to maintain and manage existing county council managed play areas within the community.
However, any piece of equipment that became dangerous or obsolete would be removed and not replaced.
"If an area becomes so devoid of equipment that it is no longer viable as a play area, then it will be closed and the area returned to open space," added Mr. Davies.
Mr. Davies also enclosed a list of play equipment currently managed by the county council and its 'life expectancy' which showed that some items were already near the end of their expected 'shelf life'.
Clr. Mickey Folland felt that the proposals could have "considerable cost implications" for the town council.
"It means that if we want to replace equipment, it will cost us money," he said. "We will have to set aside money in our budget every year.
"We need to know the likely cost of replacing these items so we can ensure that there is sufficient money in the pot."
Clr. Trevor Hallett felt the county council should continue to finance play areas and replacement equipment.
"We see them make more and more expenditure on their on offices and then we are asked to cough up for what they are supposed to be doing," he claimed.
"They seem to be getting shorter and shorter on their 'product', but they are grabbing more and more."
The Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, pointed out that the play area proposals were part of Government legislation and were "a nationwide thing happening to all councils."
However, Clr. Philip Crockford felt the provision of play areas was a responsibility of county councils and suggested that the town council write to local MP, Mr. Nick Ainger, on the issue.
Clr. Folland expressed concern that the removal of obsolete equipment could eventually lead to an area being "returned to open space."
"However, upgrading of all our equipment could require huge costs," he said. "It may be that we would not be able to finance all the town's play areas and would have to concentrate our efforts on just one."
Clr. Mrs. Brown suggested that the residents associations on the estates with play areas be contacted to ascertain their views as they, too, could act in partnership with the town council in the financing of play area equipment.
"This whole issue needs careful thought and investigation," commented Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas.
"It is not something we can enter into lightly. I suggest we set up a sub-committee to consider all the implications."