One of Tenby's two Pembrokeshire County councillors has hit out at the authority's standard of street cleansing in the town this week.
Clr. Michael Williams, who represents Tenby North, has written to the County Council "appaled" at the state of the resort's streets at the start of the main summer season and calls for the Authority's chief executive, Mr. Bryn Parry-Jones to resolve the situation with the utmost urgency.
In an open letter to the Chief Executive - written because Clr. Williams feels he has no other forum to raise the issue as he is not a member of the new Cabinet or any of the scrutiny committees - the local member also suggests that Mr. Parry-Jones should consider his position as Head of Paid Services as he feels there had been a "continual decline in standards" in Tenby since Pembrokeshire County Council was set up under local government reorganisation in 1996.
"Following a complaint from a commercial ratepayer on Saturday evening I visited Tudor Square to as requested carry out an inspection," Clr. Williams writes. "I was appaled at the condition of the area. I returned home and telephoned the emergency number, and was informed that other complaints had been received prior to my call.
"The duty Officer, Mr Southgate, had taken the decision not to respond. I requested Mr Southgate's telephone number and was told that I could not have it. I then asked the Duty Officer to pass on my concerns as a County Councillor to him and ask him to mobilise a small team to clean the Square. Nobody responded.
"The ratepayer who complained pays £14,000 per year in business rates, only to see his premises surrounded in refuse on the first busy weekend of the season. He quite justifiably asks what he pays such a large sum for?
"The slogan which has been adopted by you. Quality Pembrokeshire, most certainly does not seem to apply in Tenby," Clr. Williams continues. "Quite frankly the standard of cleanliness is a disgrace. What is disappointing is that I drew your attention to the standard of street cleaning during the winter in a committee meeting, and pointed out that we must not be made to suffer a similar situation this year.
"We convened a meeting in early spring to go through aspects that needed attention prior to the season. Few, if any, of the commitments made have been kept.
"As I informed you in the last Council meeting the Tourist industry in Tenby is fragile, and needs careful nurturing. I asked that the County Council get the basics right, ie cleansing. I am sorry to say that you as Head of Service have failed us once again.
"I look to you to take urgent steps to improve the situation. Since the establishment of this County Authority we have seen a continual decline in the standard of basic services, it would be a good start if you were able to get back to the standards set by the previous Authorities. We certainly pay more for far less.
"If you are unable to address these issues I would respectfully suggest that you consider your position as Head of Paid Service in the County, and allow someone who is genuinely interested to do the job," Clr. Williams opines.
"My reason for writing this open letter to you is that I lack any democratic forum in which to raise these issues, following the instigation of the so called Cabinet system. I look forward to a positive response."