Sir,

I read with considerable interest the letter from Ms Sandra Williams, in last week’s paper re. the impending demolition of Tenby Infants School. She asks ‘Where have we been for the last four years?’

I took the first opportunity I had to state my objection to the proposed demolition of the school on July 30, 2014. As a recent town councillor, she should know that until the application was before the planning committee, I was not able to offer any opinion, as I would have quite rightly been accused of pre-determining the application.

When the application was considered by the National Park Authority planning committee, I spoke at length on it, and voted against the application. This was reported in the Tenby Observer at the time.

Unfortunately, the vote was 14 in favour, with only myself against. The carrot offered to those who supported the development was the one-off 21st century school funding being offered by Welsh Government. That shouldn’t have influenced the planning outcome, but my opinion is that it almost certainly did.

Since then, we have had numerous meetings with officers and others to try to find a way forward, the most recent being last week. It would be a huge shame if we lost this building as many locals have invested considerable sums of their own money to maintain it, and have a great affection for it.

I agree with Ms Williams: “It is a scandalous decision to demolish a perfectly usable school.” Surely Ms Williams, as an experienced town councillor, you should have pursued the lack of a reply to your letters? You should have known that not to receive a reply to your correspondence, particularly from the cabinet member responsible, was the most straight forward example of maladministration, and you should have taken the matter up with the monitoring officer, and then if required with The Ombudsman.

Your experience is a good example the problems opposition members continually come up against when dealing with the current regime.

Clr. Mrs. Perkins did state that: “The building was unfit for purpose.” Obviously totally wrong, but an example of those with contrary views to the ruling group as usual being ignored.

Michael Williams,

County Councillor,

Tenby