In a bid to protect the future of Tenby’s Avenue Centre, town councillors have requested that both Pembrokeshire County Council’s head of adult care and director of social care and leisure, meet with members at their next meeting.

Speaking at Tuesday night’s meeting of Tenby Town Council, Clr. Mike Evans said that he was ‘troubled’ that a consultation survey circulated by the county council had not been sent to the town council.

“At a meeting with the head of adult care, Jonathan Griffiths, I was assured that Tenby Town Council would be a consultee on this matter, so I’m troubled by that,” he remarked, when told by the town clerk that they had not been asked directly to respond to the survey, and that it had only found its way to the council offices through a member of the public.

The consultation with customers at the Avenue Social Activity Centre, their families and other interested parties, is set to run until February 26, with feedback to assist the county council in making a decision concerning the future of the facility.

“It’s an important subject and a vital service to the town, so it’s shocking that PCC have not written to us with this survey,” continued Clr. Evans, informing his colleagues that fellow Tenby county councillor Michael Williams had also requested a meeting on the matter with the county council’s cabinet member for adult services, health and well-being and equalities, Simon Hancock.

“We need to keep this on the agenda and discuss a strategy on how to go about responding to the consultation, so if we could invite Mr. Griffiths and also director of social care and leisure, Pam Marsden, to our next meeting, that would be helpful.

“It would also be helpful if councillors could go along to the Avenue Centre to listen to the views of staff and customers there,” he added.

The Mayor, Clr. Paul Rapi, said that, as a former teacher, he couldn’t understand where the county council were coming from in considering moving those that use the Avenue Centre.