Members of Tenby Town Council have been given feedback from members of the community during a ‘pop-up’ event, with concerns raised over all manner of matters across the seaside town, from littering to pavement obstructions.

This initiative, facilitated by Community Engagement Officer Ann Draper, saw Councillors Phil Spence and Tara Carmody engaging directly with the public in an informal setting at a ‘Meet the Town Councillors’ event which was held during the recent ‘Nearly Mayfayre’.

The ‘community listening exercise’ was well-attended, facilitating a range of productive discussions with both local residents and visitors to our town.

At the recent meeting of Tenby Town Council, both members gave a summary of public feedback garnered.

During these interactions, several recurring themes and concerns were raised by the public, including:

• Public Realm Maintenance: Concerns were noted regarding litter in side streets, with residents questioning if main thoroughfares are being prioritised. Additionally, the condition of beach-approach railings—specifically regarding rust, flaking paint, and structural sturdiness—was highlighted.

• Highway Safety and Access: Feedback was received regarding the proliferation of ‘A-boards’ and pavement parking on South Parade, specifically how these obstacles impede safe transit for users of prams, buggies, and mobility aids.

• Public Amenities & Heritage: There is significant interest in exploring best practices from other historic towns regarding murals and information boards that showcase local history and notable residents.

• Environmental Health: Concerns persist regarding dog control, specifically the use of ‘long leads’ in crowded areas and a failure by some owners to manage dog waste.

Members proposed that we adopt a more proactive ‘visibility strategy’ is adopted to ensure councillors remain accessible throughout the year.

Recommended actions included: Implementing informal drop-ins at high-footfall locations such as supermarkets, cafes, and the library; Enhancing social media presence to share ‘Councillor on the Ground’ updates, providing a transparent look at ongoing projects and the daily work of members; Strengthening ties with school governors, residents' associations, and local business leaders to broaden our reach, and consider presenting this as a rota or table of key contacts.

It was agreed to formalise these pop-up events as a recurring monthly or bi-monthly fixture in the council calendar.

It was suggested commissioning the production of high-visibility signage and promotional materials to ensure the 'pop-up' is easily identifiable.

Councillors were also ken on introducing a semi-structured feedback form to standardise the way they record and track resident concerns.

As part of any future pop-up meet the councillor events, a fair rotation schedule needed to be developed to ensure all councillors have the opportunity to participate in these community outreach sessions.

During discussions around the council table, Cllr Jayne Badham and Cllr Anna Bolton both said that they are regularly approached by residents with any concerns. Being visible in their working environments both felt that residents know they can be approached at any time.

Councillors agreed to obtain quotes for a pop-up feather for Town Council, as well as the possibility of a visual display board of ‘Who’s Who’ in the office, featuring photos of councillors.