CENTRAL and local government cuts have been the focus of discussions between Tenby and Saundersfoot residents, community groups and Pembrokeshire County Council senior staff and members.

The meeting, at Greenhill School, Tenby last week, was one of the series of the Pembrokeshire County Council is Changing events being held across the county this month.

The aim is to give residents the chance to have their say on key issues affecting them and their communities.

The reductions in government grant and the need to continue making substantial savings in Pembrokeshire County Council’s budget were the main topics in Tenby.

The council's deputy leader, Cllr Keith Lewis, said: “Pay and funding pressures are contributing to what are already sizeable cuts in government grants to the authority, meaning our savings target for 2016 – 2017 is the most considerable yet.

“To date, the impact on services in Pembrokeshire has been less pronounced than in some other areas in Wales. However, given the challenge we continue to face, it is inevitable that the scale of changes and the speed at which they will need to be made will increase,” he said.

“Our Pembrokeshire County Council is Changing events provide the opportunity for local people and organisations to take part in this process.”

Those attending Monday’s meeting were also given the opportunity to look at some of the other themes highlighted during the first round of events, which included local democracy and decision-making; information and communication and Pembrokeshire town centres.

Similar have been held this week in County Hall, Haverfordwest and Bloomfield, Narberth with Pembroke Dock Community School the venue tonight (Wednesday), Ysgol Dewi Sant, St Davids tomorrow (Thursday), and the library, Ysgol y Preseli,Crymych on Friday, each day between 7pm and 9pm.