What were the costs incurred by Pembrokeshire County Council following the fire at the Royal Gatehouse, Tenby, and the making safe of the building/site?

That was the question posed by the town's County Councillor Michael Williams at last week's meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council.

Afterwards, Clr. Williams told us: "The reply was that the cost to the county council or more correctly the council tax payer in Pembrokeshire, was £171,829, with the sum recovered so far being £4,100."

At the meeting, Clr. Williams once again pleaded with members to consider the compulsory purchase of the site.

He added: "The reply was that they were not the planning authority, but the leader did accept that they did have the powers to carry out such a purchase. How do they expect a small authority like the National Park to carry this out? They are the major authority and the taxpayers of Tenby have a right to expect them to act. Thus far we have every right to feel seriously let down by Pembrokeshire County Council, not by any means for the first time."