May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy New Year and say thank you all for your goodwill messages to the Council and me?

May I also express my sincere appreciation of the efforts of my fellow Councillors, local organisations and various individuals for their support so far and my earnest hope that this support will continue in 2018.

The turn of a New Year is always a time for reflection on what has gone before but it also gives us a chance to renew and refresh, to look forward with optimism and hope.

As we go forward into 2018, I think that the trying financial times will continue to have an impact on public services. As Pembrokeshire County Council try to balance their books, it is becoming clearer that town and community councils will be expected to do more to ensure certain services are maintained.

It will be important for Tenby Town Council to negotiate with Pembrokeshire County Council to see how we can help mitigate against potential cuts and increases in service costs without placing an excessive burden on you, the council tax payer .

As Tenby has often proved, there are a great many people and organisations willing to work together for the benefit of our community and I feel it will also be vitally important for the town council to liaise with these organisations, and the people of Tenby in general, to look at how that that support can continue and evolve in the future.

As we strive to do our best for residents and visitors alike, it is vital we all work together to ensure that Tenby maintains the visual impact and high standards we all expect and are proud of. It is what helps make Tenby such a popular place to live in and to visit.

The year ahead will not be easy. There are a number of decisions in front of us that will be controversial but we must discuss and communicate our differences so that we can move forward for the good of our town and its community.

My hope for the New Year is that we maintain our sense of community, that we all put aside any differences we may have and work in unison to achieve the very best for the town I have always said we are lucky to live in.

It’s certainly going to be an exciting and challenging year and, as we move forward into 2018, may I conclude in wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane,

Mayor of Tenby.