Library and tourist centre move was news to councillors

6:30pm Tuesday 2nd December 2008

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A Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet decision to move Milford Haven's libraries into a new premises has attracted heavy criticism from some of the town's representatives.

Yesterday (Monday) the cabinet recommended that the Hamilton Terrace and Hakin libraries and the Tourist Information Centre on Charles Street be moved to a new leased premises on the Haven's Head retail park.

Milford Haven Town Council had not been consulted about the move and the first that some of Milford's county councillors heard about it was when they received the cabinet agenda last week.

Hubberston County Councillor Vivien Stoddart attempted to get the agenda item deferred, but was too late. She said: "I am profoundly disappointed that the cabinet have chosen to go ahead with this. However, I am not surprised, it's a further example of their autocratic stranglehold on democracy.

"This will be a refocus of the community and a major change for the town. As such the people of Milford Haven should have been consulted before a select few of the cabinet bulldozed ahead."

Town councillor Mark Hawkins added: "It just goes to show that the county council are doing things behind the back of Milford Haven Town Council."

Cabinet member Councillor Rob Lewis told Monday's meeting that closing Milford Haven and Hakin libraries and developing a single unit in leased premises at Cedar Court, Haven's Head, will provide an improved service close to train, bus and ample car parking facilities. He said the new facility, which could be occupied in the next three of four months, had received a positive reaction in the town.

Members recommended leasing the Haven's Head premises and declaring the two libraries and TIC building surplus to requirements, to be disposed of by private treaty.

After the meeting Cllr Lewis defended the cabinet's actions, telling the Western Telegraph: "It would have been inappropriate to raise the matter with Milford Haven Town Council before the county council's own cabinet members had had a chance to discuss it at Monday's meeting.

"There were issues of commercial confidentiality which meant this was the first opportunity to discuss the matter publicly."

What do you think of the plans? Leave your comments below.