Senior Pembrokeshire councillors have backed a call for the public to be consulted on changes to library or leisure centre opening hours across the county.

A Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Rhys Jordan before the December 1 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet said: “Pembrokeshire County Council resolves that any proposed changes to the opening hours of leisure centres and libraries must be subject to a minimum six-week consultation period with staff and service users before implementation.”

A supporting statement from Cllr Jordan added: “These services exist for the people who use them. They are not simply buildings or timetables; they are part of the fabric of local life, supporting health, wellbeing, learning, and connection.

“As such, the people who rely on them should have a genuine opportunity to shape and mould any changes that affect how, when, or even whether they can continue to use them.

“A clear example of why this is necessary came in August, when users of Tenby Leisure Centre arrived on August 1 to find posters announcing that, from September 1, weekend opening hours would change from 7.30am–3pm to 8.30am–5pm.

“There was no prior consultation, no explanation, and no consideration of how this would impact users.”

He added: “It’s not about creating delay or bureaucracy; it’s about respect, transparency, and sound decision-making. When we listen first, we make better, fairer, and more sustainable choices.

“Leisure centres and libraries are public services, owned by and for the public. Their strength lies in the communities that use them. By embedding consultation, we ensure that those communities remain at the heart of every decision, helping to shape and sustain services that truly work for them.”

A report for members, presented by Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett recommended support for any consultation requirements for any opening hour changes was backed, with an amendment to allow officers to determine the most appropriate duration and approach for such consultation on a case-by-case basis.

Members heard Cllr Jordan was happy with the case-by-case amendment, approving the recommendation.

Cllr Marc Tierney, Cabinet Member for Young People, Community, Well-being and Future Generations, saying: “Engagement with the public is really important; talking to our communities is the most important thing we can do here.”

Cllr Jordan, who represents the wards of St Florence and St Mary Out Liberty [New Hedges] on the Local Authority, has been a ferocious critic of the neglect of Tenby’s council run leisure centre located on Marsh Road in recent months.

Earlier this year, Cllr Jordan made a fresh call to look at the longevity of Tenby’s swimming pool at the leisure centre, after stating that its ‘close to failing’ condition, showed that it was nearing the end of its operational life.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet subsequently agreed to undertake a survey of the leisure centre building’s condition, subject to which they propose to invest £3.5 million into repairs and refurbishment that would extend the life of the pool by at least 10 years.