Welcome
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Haverfordwest is a town rich in historic buildings and cultural heritage with many riverside walks and green areas.  It has a Town Mayor, who also holds the title of Admiral of the Port, and a Town Sheriff who is one of only two in Wales.  There are fifteen City & Town Sheriffs in England & Wales.

The name derives from the old English for buck or he–goat which was “haefer”, and the place or “ford” where they crossed the river Cleddau.   It grew up under the shadow of a Flemish Castle (currently under reconstruction) to become a thriving port at the end of the tidal Western Cleddau estuary. This access to the sea was vital for communications in an often hostile country.

It became Pembrokeshire’s administrative centre, and was confirmed as the County Town in 1543.   A prosperous Georgian town it had  a fine Old Bridge gifted on 1726 by Sir John Phillips constructed over the ford of Haverfordwest that Henry Tudor crossed with his army after landing at Dale in August 1485, still in use today.   A second “New Bridge” was built in the 1836.

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The Council consists of 17 Councillors, each of whom is elected for a five year term in office.  The next local elections will be held in 2027.

The town is divided into 5 Wards and ach Councillor represents one of these:  Priory, Prendergast, Garth, Portfield and Castle.

The Town Council is the tier of local government closest to the people, providing a wide range of services and amenities including a community centre, sports changing facility, green spaces and cemeteries.

The Council conducts the majority of its business through monthly evening meetings of Full Council and two Standing Committees. These meetings are open to the general public except where personal or confidential matters are being considered.

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

The Council Offices are located in The Old Wool Market, Quay Street, Haverfordwest SA61 1BG.

Town Clerk/Financial Officer
Vanessa Lewis Camacho

Email: townclerk@haverfordwesttown.co.uk

Tel:  01437 763771

The town Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, was created by Flemish immigrants as an initiative of Henry I. Haverfordwest received its first Charter from Henry II (1154 – 1189). Later Charters were issued by monarchs and by he Earls of Pembroke. The town was a Corporation, governed by a mayor, who also had the title of Admiral of the Port. In 1479 it was granted the right to have a Sheriff and two Bailiffs. Haverfordwest is one of only two towns in Wales to retain its office of Sheriff to the present day.

In 1545 Henry VIII made it a “town and county of itself”. In 1609 it achieved county status. Until 1835 the Corporation was described as the Mayor and Common Council, or the Mayor and Council of the Town and County of Haverfordwest. From 1835 it was called the Council of the Borough of Haverfordwest.

In 1894 this Borough Council was granted additional powers as an Urban District Council and then in 1974 as part of local government reorganisation most of the power was transferred to Presceli District Council. Haverfordwest Community Council was created with the dignity of a Town Council and has been known as Haverfordwest Town Council since then.

Haverfordwest Town Council now serves an electorate of around 14000 residents, is part of local government closest to the people and is responsible for the most local of matters.