An increase in complaints about people urinating in public in the seaside town of Tenby, has seen councillors call for more provision of public conveniences and more policing on the streets.

Speaking at a recent meeting of Tenby Town Council, during a discussion on what objectives members would like to see prioritised for the next five years, Clr. Charles Dale told his fellow members that one thing that needed looking at urgently was public toilet provision.

“We only have one free public toilet in town and its condition is a disgrace!” he remarked.

The town clerk, Mr. Andrew Davies admitted that he had seen an increase in complaints about people urinating in public, with councillors stating that people needed to report these incidents to the police.

Clr. Laurence Blackhall felt that discussion points such as this were helpful in defining a way forward, as there was a programme underway relating to places and spaces and there were already ideas for next year.

“For example, Clr. Dale is concerned about public toilet provision and we are aware that the lack of facilities has increased complaints about people using the shrubbed area in St Florence Parade as a toilet,” he said.

“The fixes can be jointly working on how to increase toilet provision and redesigning the St Florence Parade area to remove the shrubs, which also has the added benefit of making the footpaths in that vicinity more accessible.”

Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane commented that she was concerned that the town council’s liaison with the police had reduced during the years.

“We used to have regular visits from either the inspector, a sergeant or a PCSO,” she commented, feeling that one of the priorities should be to restart these meetings, to help bring such matters of public-disorder to the police’s attention.

Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter agreed, commenting that the police used to come along to meetings and a plan would be given to councillors regarding schemes such as Operation Lion and summer policing.

The clerk said that historically, the town council used to have a biannual meeting with the Inspector - one in June prior to summer, and then a ‘wash-up meeting’ in October.

As there was no longer an inspector based in Tenby, he suggested writing to the sergeant in charge to ask him to come and talk to councillors.

Clr. Paul Rapi said that a number of issues were down to there not being enough police in town.

“The Police and Crime Commissioner did come and talk to TTC and we felt some progress was being made, but this has stalled,” he said.

“We need control, not only by the police but by the county council,” continued Clr. Rapi.

The town clerk felt it was evident from comments made that one of the town council’s immediate priorities appeared to be to increase engagement with the various agencies to discuss matters of concern.