The Role of Community Councils
There are two tiers of Local Government in Merlin`s Bridge - District (or Borough) Council, and Community Council. Each tier has distinct responsibilities and works together to serve the needs of residents.
Community Councils represent the first tier of local government - the level closest to the community.
Local Authorities - Who Does What? Community Councils - Tier 1They provide valuable local insight and are increasingly taking on more community-focused responsibilities. These can include:
- Supporting local events and community groups
- Managing assets such as community centres, play areas, and noticeboards
- Reporting local issues like potholes, littering, and dog fouling
- Advocating for the needs and interests of residents to higher-tier authorities
They play an essential role in making their communities better places to live, work, and visit.
County Councils - Tier 2Merlin`s Bridge Community Council comes under Pembrokeshire County Council who has responsibility for:
- Collection of council tax and business rates
- Refuse, recycling, and litter collection
- Housing services and homelessness support
- Planning applications and local development
- Environmental health, including noise and animal nuisances
- Maintenance of parks, play areas, and open spaces
- Management of allotments
For information on County Council services:
Website: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Phone: 01437 764551
Email: enquiries@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
The Role of Merlin`s Bridge Community Council
There are 2 tiers of Local Government covering the Merlin's Bridge area - Pembrokeshire County Council and Merlin's Bridge Community Council. Councils are made up of individual Councillors, who are elected to serve the needs of their community. Community Councils represent the first tier of Local Government - the tier closest to local residents. Merlin's Bridge is a village situated on the boundary of Haverfordwest. It has many sporting venues - the Haverfordwest Rugby Club is situated on the Pembroke Road, along with the Merlin's Bridge Football Club (youth) and the Merlin's Bridge Boxing Club, which is situated on the Milford Road. The village has two play areas, one being on the old Hakin Road and the larger being in the centre of the village off the Pembroke Road. Both have good amenities for the local children to enjoy.
The local Village Hall and playing fields are the hub of village activities. Many clubs / societies come and use the hall on a weekly basis. The village also has a Primary School, numerous outlets and shops, hairdressers, a Post Office, various religious buildings and one of the biggest creameries in Wales. We like to think our village is a thriving community within the county of Pembrokeshire.