Tenby councillors have asked for the De Valence Pavilion to be valued, so that financial offers for the facility can be considered should the town council wish to sell the premises.

It was revealed at Tuesday night's meeting of the council, that recent negotiations between themselves and Pembrokeshire County Council on the future of the building had determined that 35 per cent of the gross capital receipt of any sale would go to the county council should the building be sold for any other use other than as a community facility or function centre.

The town clerk, Mr. Andrew Davies, told members that the high percentage the county council were asking for in any sale was there to offset the lifting of covenants in place, should the use of the premises change, and to reflect the fact that the building was sold to the town council at well below the going market rate in the late 1980s.

The county council would also require a sum (still to be negotiated) if the town council elected to lease the building for any activity outside the terms of the covenant.

The pavilion reverted back into the town council's ownership following the liquidation of the De Valence Trust in May of last year.

In a bid to try and offset some of the running costs to help reduce the tax burden on the ratepayers of the town, and to provide a facility for community use, members agreed that the building would re-open for hire, and that the most effective way for this to be done would be through the setting up of a new Trust.

At Tuesday's meeting, however, Clr. Mrs. Julie Evans said she was quite surprised to discover that two offers for the facility were still on the table and that it was time for councillors to have a proper debate on these bids.

One of the offers is said to be from national pub chain J. D. Wetherspoon, while the owners of local attraction Silent World Aquarium and Reptile Collection also expressed an interest in leasing the building to create a state-of-the-art aquarium.

"This building does not belong to us, it belongs to the people of Tenby," remarked Clr. Mrs. Evans. It's time to open the debate out as to what the future of the De Valence is, so that people know what's going on, as everyone seems to be confused since the setting up of the new Trust, as it gives the impression that we're not looking to sell anymore.

"The De Valence is falling into significant disrepair and it needs substantial investment to bring it back, the sort of money that this council hasn't got, so I'm quite anxious that if we don't look at these very good offers on the table, then we might lose an opportunity," she added.

Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane defended the setting up of the new Trust and said it was in place to help the town council save £14,000 a year in rates while the building was just sitting there in their ownership.

She also argued that the town council never actually put the building on the market, but only put the "feelers out" to see what offers came in.

"We brought an estate agents in to actively market the building, though, and notify us of any expressions of interest," responded Clr. Mrs. Evans.

"It's time that we put a 'for sale' sign on it and got the building valued properly, to show that the building is for sale," she added.

Correspondence brought in front of councillors from county councillor Michael Williams also questioned whether there was the possibility of any conflicts of interest arising on the new De Valence Trust, in relation to any potential sale of the building, as if the facility continued to operate as a licensed premises under the new Trust, the public might consider that some members who are licensees, may have a direct pecuniary interest.

"I think its important to stress that all discussions on the De Valence have been held in an appropriate manner, with everyone who may have a conflict of interest, acting in the same way as on any other subject that the town council may discuss in these chambers and leaving the room if they think they have a pecuniary interest," responded Clr. Lawrence Blackhall.

At the end of discussions, councillors agreed to seek valuations for the De Valence from three different estate agents and to also invite the owners of Silent World to give a presentation on their plans to members next month.