Local councillors have hit out at a response from Pembrokeshire County Council's head of environmental services, Barry Davies, to their request for more public toilets to be made available within the walled town of Tenby. "It is the view of the county council that there is adequate provision of public conveniences in Tenby, and there is therefore no purpose in discussing this matter further," wrote Mr. Davies in a letter brought before Tenby Town Council on Tuesday. Councillors have recently campaigned for more public toilets in the town, with news that the South Parade facilities are due to close at the end of the summer season. Tenby Chamber of Trade and Tourism has also backed the council's view, with their secretary, Elaine Rowe, writing to county council over the matter. "The appearance of the town has improved dramatically over the last 12 months with the enhancement scheme, so the provision of toilet facilities needs to be of the highest order to complete these works," claimed Mrs. Rowe. But her letter received a similar negative response from Mr. Davies. "The county council has undertaken an extensive programme of new building and refurbishment in the past few years," he replied. "The council's programme of major work to public conveniences has now concluded." When discussing these responses at their meeting on Tuesday night, members of the town council were less than impressed with the views aired by Mr. Davies. "I take real exception to the tone of this letter; Mr. Davies has obviously forgotten who employs him," remarked Deputy Mayor, Clr. John Griffiths, while colleague Clr. Mrs. Maureen Ward felt that Mr. Davies's views would most certainly not be shared by tourists visiting the town. "I think we should invite Mr. Davies to come and sit in Tenby Market for a day and see how many people enquire as to where there is a public toilet in the town. The number of holidaymakers you see who have to let their children suffer while they try and make it to a toilet is embarrassing," Clr. Mrs. Ward claimed. Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas agreed that the problem must be solved and that it was the county council's responsibility to provide the public facilities. "It's a very serious community problem, so maybe we can approach the county council's communities and voluntary sector representative, Clr. Peter Stock, over the matter," said Clr. Mrs. Thomas, with Mayor, Clr. Trevor Hallett, also suggesting that local MP Nick Ainger and AM Christine Gwyther could be informed. "If Mr. Davies doesn't want to discuss the matter further, then we shall go above him," added Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown.
