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 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.
Haverfordwest Town Council has two standing committees: Management, Estates & Strategy and Personnel, Policy & Finance.
These meet monthly in the Town Council Offices (virtual link also available).
Minutes of these meetings go before Full Council for approval at the next Council meeting.
Terms of Reference:
MES Committee
PPF Committee
Additional Working or Task and Finish Groups may be set up to consider particular issues.
