There will be no Civic meal traditionally held after the Mayor is elected in Tenby this year, with the Town Council announcing that they are scrapping the reception for 2024, to help balance the budget.

Tenby Town Council have agreed a budget for the coming year after members met around the table in the council chambers last week.

The Mayor Making function usually takes place in May with a reception in the De Valence Pavilion.

The budget also includes the costs of the Town Council taking on responsibility for the funding of public conveniences in Upper Frog Street, as well as meeting the costs of a one day a week opening of the town’s library.

Cuts implemented by Pembrokeshire County Council saw the Town Council agree to taking on responsibility for the costs of the toilets in Upper Frog Street, and also preventing the library from having to close one day a week, which has added £24,835 to the costs for the Town Council in the coming year.

Current Mayor of Tenby, Cllr. Dai Morgan said: “In difficult financial times for everyone, it is just not acceptable to be spending public money on a meal for councillors and their guests.

“We put a strong case to Pembrokeshire Council to keep the North Beach toilets open and I am pleased that they listened to us.

“However, we could not stand by and watch the library service be reduced and the toilets in Frog Street close.”

Mayor Cllr Dai Morgan with Deputy Mayor Cllr Charles Dale
Mayor Cllr Dai Morgan with Deputy Mayor Cllr Charles Dale (Pic. Gareth Davies Photography)

The Town Council will receive some extra funds because of Pembrokeshire County Council increasing the second homes premium on Council Tax.

At their meeting on Tuesday, January 2, Councillors decided to use all this money for an ‘Enhancing Tenby Fund, with all of this money to be spent on community projects for the seaside town.

The Town Council will be announcing details shortly but it is expected that local groups, clubs, and societies will be able to apply to the £40,000 fund.

Chair of the Council’s Finance and Policy Committee, Cllr. Laurence Blackhall said: “This will mean that second homes tax money being spent here in Tenby on local priorities.”

The revised budget, unanimously approved by Councillors, will see the precept requirement for Tenby Town Council rise to £278,001.53.

A typical band D property will see a slight increase in the Town Council element of their council tax of £4.61 on the 2023 rate.

This is the equivalent of a 6.2% increase from last year.

“We have tried to keep the increase to a minimum, we have cut waste and extravagance, we have funded vital services and we will be spending more supporting Tenby people,” added Cllr. Morgan.