GREATER honesty, openness and actually listening to the community are what is required from Pembrokeshire County Council according to the first of its public meetings being held across the county.

A clean sweep of councillors and a reduction in their numbers would also go some way to restoring public confidence and save money was also cited as positive steps for the future by members of the public attending Wednesday’s (February 4) meeting at County Hall.

More than 80 people attended the event, with some turned away at the door, but many were disappointed to find it was not to be the usual public meeting but a more structured evening with people assigned to one of eight tables chaired by a facilitator from Participation Cymru.

Acting head of paid service Ian Westley said a “professional decision” had been taken to bring outside facilitators to address the strength of feeling and try to make the meeting more neutral. He said it had cost around £5,000.

One man, unhappy with the meeting’s format, interrupted the opening speeches from Mr Westley and council leader Cllr Jamie Adams to forthrightly ask “how can we go forward when we have the very councillors still sitting in power, I can’t see a future with those people in there” referring to the payments made to disgraced chief executive Bryn Parry-Jones.

He called for the number of councillors to be cut drastically before moving forward.

The meeting was to discuss broad themes of long term visions for the council and less about specific issues.

People were asked to give their views on how services are currently being delivered, how the council can work with others to improve things and what are the core values or principles that should be guiding the council?

Members of the public, along with representatives of local town and community councils, put forward their views with common themes of honesty, integrity, no hidden agendas or secret meetings, transparency of decisions and a focus on what is being achieved not in-fighting being highlighted.

The cabinet system of decision making was criticised for being “just a vote” with no discussion and no alternative options.

Graham Griffiths said: “They are not making cuts themselves – cuts are coming whether we like it or not, services have to go. But the council have still got the 60 odd people, if the money’s got to start there, you’ve got to feather them both.”

“We’ve got to have confidence in our leaders and our councillors, I’ve got not confidence whatsoever,” added Sandra Young, of Solva Community Council.

Many people also said that they wanted to “boast about the quality of services, not boast about having the lowest council tax”.

Cuts to public toilet provision and increasing car parking charges were cited as having a negative effect on areas.

There was also a push for greater partnership working with businesses, community groups, the third sector and town and community councils.

Many town and community councils are already extremely pro-active in supporting their communities but it was acknowledged that not all were.

“It shouldn’t be a one size fits all – what’s happening town is not necessarily the same for us on the peninsula,” said Solva Community Council chairman Jen Davies, after explaining the wide range of services it has to fund for itself following council cuts.

More creative ways of funding some services needed to be examined with these groups and patchy provision across the county needed to but addressed.

Listening to the community more would help in that situation many people said; with some feeling their needs were being ignored while other areas got more support.

One issue highlighting this was the delay in joining in the fight to retain services at Withybush Hospital with much criticism at the delay in the Authority becoming involved with the Save Withybush Hospital Team’s (SWAT) campaign.

More and clearer information was required to ensure the public could take a more active role as well as improving links between the two and improving communication.

“One of the issues over the years is communities have not been listened too,” add Ms Davies.

There needed to be more “citizen focus” and “meaningful consultation” must be carried out at the earliest opportunity with “listening not just talking” and clear explanations as to why something cannot be done.

The remaining meetings are taking place at the following venues, 7pm to 9pm: Town Hall, Pembroke: Thursday, February 12.

Community School, Pembroke Dock: Wednesday, February 25.

Milford Haven School: Thursday, February 26.

Bloomfield Community Centre, Narberth: Monday, March 2.

Ysgol y Preseli, Crymych, Wednesday, March 11.

If you would like to attend, please phone the County Council’s Contact Centre on 01437 764551 to book your place.