Councillors in Tenby have been asked to start considering what projects they would like to see benefit locally from the ‘Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant’ which taps into using funds raised via the second homes council tax levy.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s cabinet member for finance, Clr. Bob Kilmister, informed members of Tenby Town Council back in April how the scheme to share out the funds collected from the second homes council tax levy would work, with the authority’s cabinet recently backing a proposal for 25 per cent to be allocated for a county-wide grant, and the remaining 75 per cent to be given to town and community councils, with the amount determined by the number of second homes in those areas.

He explained that a resort like Tenby itself would receive the biggest ‘slice of the pot’, receiving a funding boost of £83,692, which was deemed to be fair as it was the area in Pembrokeshire that had the greater amount of second home owners.

The illumination of Tenby’s historic town walls and an enhancement of South Parade has been earmarked by town councillors as one of the first projects that could benefit from the grant scheme, but speaking at Tuesday night’s meeting of the town council, Clr. Mike Evans prompted his colleagues into thinking about further projects for the town.

“We see that Tenby Museum and Art Gallery has recently benefited from the scheme by being awarded £25,000. There is a lot of money in scheme that can be accessed for projects and not just from the Tenby pot.

“It’s time to start coming up with ideas otherwise we’ll be left behind.

“Perhaps a handyman for the town would be something to consider, that would also benefit Pembrokeshire County Council too. Other things to look at are play areas and community assets. The money is ring-fenced for two years but we are now six months into the scheme being announced and we need to start bringing something forward,” added Clr. Evans.