Tenby Town Council has been put in turmoil after five members resigned in one evening - including two stalwart councillors who had given over 50 years service between them!

At the meeting held at the Mayor’s Parlour on Tuesday night (February 7), the town clerk read out resignation letters from three members that he had received earlier that day, including former Mayor Cllr Sue Lane who said that it was ‘with regret’ that she had handed her notice in, as it had been a ‘great honour’ to serve the town for so long.

Cllr Matthew Ronowitz also had his resignation letter read out stating that concentrating on a ‘new business venture’ was his main reason, but perhaps most tellingly was Cllr Tony Brown’s signing off correspondence, commenting that he was tired of ‘battling’ with a ‘split council’ - stating it was ‘time to go!’

Following the meeting, after members went into ‘private’ discussions, the Observer has been notified that two more councillors handed in their resignation notices - Councillors Tish Rossiter (who has served on the council for over 25 years) and Lynn Attewell.

During the meeting after accepting the three resignation letters, Mayor, Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall said that it was a ‘sad moment’ for the town council, especially with Cllr Lane leaving after giving 36 years in her role, nine of those terms as Mayor.

“Councillor Lane has given a lot to the town and community, especially on the floral side (as chair of Tenby in Bloom). It’s very very sad that the time has come that she feels it’s time to stand down, but I do wish her well,” said the Mayor.

Cllr Laurence Blackhall said that he would like to see Cllr Lane’s ‘significant contribution’ to Tenby honoured in some way by the Town Council.

“Sue was my Deputy when I was Mayor. I’m sure she will continue to be an ambassador for Tenby in some guise,” he added.

The town clerk Andrew Davies said that if there was no election called for, to fill the vacancies, the town council would go down the route of co-opting new members.

At the same meeting, the only councillor to throw their hat into the ring to become the next Mayor of Tenby, was Cllr Dai Morgan.

With fellow members accepting his proposal, Cllr Morgan said that it would be a ‘great honour’ to represent this ‘fabulous town’ as Mayor and he was looking forward to donning the scarlet robes of office

After her third consecutive term in the role as Mayor, Cllr Skyrme-Blackhall said that she was really ‘thrilled’ to see Cllr Morgan put his name forward as Mayor, and knows that he will do a ‘marvellous job’.