The meeting, scheduled for 6.30pm on Monday 14 July at the Town Hall, forms part of a wider consultation led jointly by Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) and Fishguard & Goodwick Town Council (FGTC). The aim is to explore potential operating models that could help reduce the library’s running costs and ensure its long-term sustainability.
FGTC is currently considering taking over the management of the Town Hall through a Community Asset Transfer, and one option under discussion is the creation of a Community Managed Partnership Library — a model that would rely on support from local volunteers.
The meeting will focus on explaining how such a partnership could operate and gauging whether there is sufficient community interest to make it viable. However, organisers stress that this is just one of several options being considered.
The full list of proposals includes:
- Relocating the library to smaller premises elsewhere in the locality
- Sharing the existing library space with a third-party tenant, such as a shop or café
- Increasing the annual financial contribution from the Town Council
- Reducing the library’s opening hours
- Creating a Community Managed Library Partnership
- Closing the library and replacing it with mobile library provision
Consultation documents outlining each option in detail will be available from Thursday 10 July via the Pembrokeshire County Council website, with paper copies in both English and Welsh available at the Town Hall.
The consultation will remain open until Wednesday 20 August at 5pm, and all residents are encouraged to take part.
Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services at Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “We know how important the library at Fishguard Town Hall is to local people and alongside Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council we aim to strike a balance that continues library provision while also providing savings.”
“Please take up the opportunity to review the consultation documents when they go live and also attend the public meeting on Monday July 14th, 6.30pm at the Town Hall to hear more.”
A spokesperson for Fishguard & Goodwick Town Council, said: “We know how important Fishguard Library is for our communities and want to ensure the continuation of the fantastic service provided by the library staff, whilst acknowledging the need to reduce costs.”
“It is therefore important that people take this opportunity to share their thoughts and views and the Town Council would encourage everybody to take part in this consultation and to attend the public meeting on July 14.”
The consultation comes amid growing pressure on local authorities to find cost-effective solutions for public services, and follows similar community-led initiatives across Wales.
