Town Council

The council consists of 17 Councillors, each of whom is elected for a four year maximum term of office.

Council meetings are held in the Council Chamber at Picton House once a month, on the third Wednesday at 7.00pm. There are no meetings in August. These meetings are open to the general public except where personal or confidential matters are being discussed.

TheCcouncil has continually strived and will continue to strive to improve the town for both residents and visitors alike.

 

TOWN COUNCIL OFFICE OPENING HOURS

9.30am to 1.00pm Monday to Friday
Town Clerk/Financial Officer
Juliet Raymond

Picton House
2 Picton Place
Haverfordwest
Pembrokeshire
SA61 2LU

Telephone Number: 01437 763 771

E-Mail: townclerk@haverfordwesttown.co.uk

 

The precept paid by the people of Haverfordwest pays for a variety of services provided by the Town Council. These include:

Maintaining land and property which is in the sole ownership of the community of Haverfordwest.

The townspeople can be proud that they contribute to the fact that the following land remains in Haverfordwest’s ownership and are not lost as recreational facilities to the residents. With the help of others, these are maintained and administered to a high standard:

• The Racecourse – 87 acres of common land, which accommodates five football, pitches, three cricket grounds and many acres of open space to be enjoyed by people and wildlife.
• The Bridge Meadow – 13.2 acres of land near the centre of town which houses a children’s play park (costing in excess of £200,000) and one of the best football complexes in Wales.
• The Picton Centre – A spacious community centre that offers facilities to people of all ages and persuasions at prices that are not prohibitive. (see below for further info)
• Sports Pavilion – Situated on the edge of the Racecourse. Cricketers and footballers of all ages, both male and female, use these facilities extensively.
• St. Martin’s and Prendergast Burial Grounds – These are maintained to a high standard by the Council.

Promotion of the town as a place to be enjoyed by the inhabitants and visitors alike.

Haverfordwest is the County Town. The holiday industry accounts for a large portion of the county’s prosperity and as such, the Council is sensitive to the need to project an image to visitors that will encourage them to enjoy themselves and want to return.

Decorating the main streets in the summer.

Providing Christmas illuminations to lift the spirit of the local townspeople and visitors. This is done at an annual cost in excess of £15,000.

Playing a major role in the development of a successful Town Museum. To this end in excess of £60,000 has been granted and the Town Council continues to meet the annual running costs of the Castle House.

ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO THE ORGANISATIONS OF THE TOWN

The Town Council has been able to make substantial contributions towards the development of projects undertaken by: –

The churches of St. Mary, St Thomas, St. David and St. Martin.
Bethesda, Tabernacle and Ebenezer.
The Football Club, the Cricket Club, the Rugby Club, the Bowling Club, Tennis Club and the Golf Club.
Numerous charities that add to the well being of our town have benefited from assistance. They are Kidney Research, Cancer Research, Heart Appeal Wales, Friends of the Community, Paul Sartori Foundation and Cystic Fibrosis.

 

PROMOTION OF THE CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN

Annual grants are made to the Haverfordwest Ladies Choir, the Glan Cleddau Dancers and the Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir. When special projects are undertaken by these excellent organisations they are often encouraged by further financial assistance.

Our schools are given assistance in forging links with the schools of our twin town Oberkirch.

 

PROMOTION OF THE YOUTH OF THE TOWN

Many of the ways in which the town uses its taxes to further the development of our young children have already been highlighted in this document, either directly or indirectly.

Those of our high flyers who represent the town at national and international level are given assistance.

Some who are disadvantaged have been given help with much needed holidays.

Perhaps one of the ventures that our taxpayers can be most proud of is the opportunity that has been given to at least a dozen of our youngsters to take part in the once in a lifetime character building experience of travelling the high seas on training ships such as the Malcolm Miller and the Winston Churchill.

 

THE TOWN COUNCIL ACTS AS AN IMPORTANT FOCUS GROUP

Perhaps the most important role of a Town Council is to act as a focus group through which the concerns and ambitions of individuals and the community can be expressed.

Such organisations as Pembrokeshire County Council, the Health Authority, Dyfed-Powys Police and Welsh Water could become complacent or be persuaded to concentrate their energies in other directions if there is the total absence of a focus group. There can be small concerns or large ones such as crime, depreciation of trade, planning matters and road safety.

It is right that communities make sure that their concerns are made known to the authorities that make the decisions. However, it is important that the community is positive in its approach. It must not only indicate the problem, it should try to present a solution and some times make a positive contribution towards that solution.

Such an approach is adopted by the Town Council of Haverfordwest. One example is the £4,000 given annually towards CCTV in an attempt to make our town centre a safer place.

 

THE PICTON CENTRE, FREEMEN’S WAY

Managed by Haverfordwest Town Council it is a well used facility not only by local organisations and groups but also by people organising events and classes from all over West Wales. It is situated in the centre of town and has adequate private parking facilities.

The Centre is a modern purpose-built centre with a large hall, which can be sub-divided, a fully equipped kitchen and a large stage area. There is also a large foyer and cloakroom area. The centre has disabled parking, access and toilet facilities.

The centre has a public entertainment licence and seating for 100 with adequate public liability insurance.

The centre is available seven days a week for meetings & functions.

Contact Haverfordwest Town Council on 01437 763771