Local residents groups will have to join with Tenby Town Council if they are to maintain the town's children's play areas, it was claimed this week.
Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, told members of the council on Tuesday night that she and other members had met with Mr. Nick Bailey, of Pembrokeshire County Council, to discuss the play area funding strategy.
"It was a very interesting meeting and he informed us about everything that needs to be done if we are to retain the town's five play areas," she explained.
"To refurbish and maintain the play areas the town will need to be in charge of them, not the county council.
"Funding would be needed, but we need to have people who are not councillors to join us on special committees for each play area.
"Our prime play area is the Jubilee, but the other four on our estates are equally important. We need to know from the residents associations on these estates if they would be interested in forming a committee with us to look after these play areas.
"We need to form these committees fairly quickly if we are to take over the play areas.
"There is funding available for us to draw down on and the committees will be around for a long time, because we can't hand the play areas back to the county council.
"If we don't take over their repair and maintenance, the county council will continue to do so, but they will not replace equipment when it reaches the end of its lifespan or is broken, so eventually you will be left with empty ground," she stressed.
Clr. Philip Crockford wanted to know why the county council were "trying to offload" their play areas, and the likely cost to the town council, but was informed that this was a national directive and was happening all around the country.
"It's not as bad as you think," commented Clr. Andrew Rees. "Local committees can draw down more in grant funding for play areas than county councils can.
"The county council won't renew equipment when it reaches the end of its life. I appreciate that there will be ongoing costs, but the grants will be there for the foreseeable future."
"There are so many benefits in this approach," agreed Clr. Mickey Folland. "We will have control over our play areas and equipment and will be able to ensure that it is in top-notch condition all the time."