Pembrokeshire’s Conservative County Councillors have questioned the Cabinet’s ‘blank cheque’ proposal for a Transport Exchange project for the county’s main town.

All 11 members of the Pembrokeshire County Council’s Conservative Group signed their name to a ‘call-in’ on the Cabinet’s decision dated Monday, January 9, to progress with the next stage of the Haverfordwest Transport Exchange project regardless of the cost.

The £8million project to create a new Public Transport Interchange is part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s wider regeneration work to revitalise Haverfordwest town centre.

The project involves the demolition of the multi-storey car park and the creation of an improved facility and surrounding environment, including upgraded passenger facilities, public toilets and a Changing Places facility.

The local authority has stated that the new Public Transport Interchange will create a seamless journey and a clear transition for passengers using the transport facilities - including integrated bus station - encouraging people to alight and explore the town centre.

A report from PCC’s deputy leader Cllr Paul Miller, the cabinet member for Place, the Region and Climate Change - who is also leader of the council’s Labour group - concluded that - “the scheme now requires the involvement of a contractor to undertake construction works to progress the project.”

The report said that - “the contract will be of no fixed term. It will require the necessary works to be delivered in accordance with an agreed programme until completion, or earlier termination of the contract in accordance with its terms.”

Cllr Miller was unable to attend the meeting on Monday to comment, and the report was delivered by his Plaid Cymru colleague and cabinet member for Resident Services, Cllr Rhys Sinnett.

In the report summary, the Director of Resources said -“additional external funding has been bid for to secure extra finances to complete this

scheme. If unsuccessful, there will be an additional pressure on this scheme that will need to be funded from additional prudential borrowing.”

Cllr Di Clements, leader of the Pembrokeshire Conservative group said: “Further clarity is needed around how much this project will cost the people of Pembrokeshire.”

The county councillor for Martletwy added: “At a time when costs are at their highest, it is only right that public facing scrutiny is held, rather than signing a blank cheque to the contractors to carry on as they wish.”

Additionally, a ‘restricted document’ was placed in the agenda and not shared with public.

Cllr Clements said that “all council members as well as the public should be made fully aware of the current situation for appropriate scrutiny.”

The ‘Call-In’ item is due for scrutiny at an extraordinary meeting of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, with the date of the meeting to be confirmed.