SPEAKING up for the people of Hubberston and getting involved in community projects will be high on the agenda for Milford Haven’s newest town councillor.

Rose Gray beat 18-year-old youth campaigner Rhys Evans, from Milford Haven, to the role by 192 votes to 155, and was welcomed onto the council last week.

The 37-year-old, who lives with her husband Jonny and three children Bobby, Ollie and Lillirose, Gray volunteers as an assistant with the Springboard project, which delivers family and adult learning classes in Hakin.

Cllr Gray said she was “over the moon” about winning, and is looking forward to getting stuck in to the job.

She said the biggest issues facing people in Hubberston were the removal of youth services from the community centre – scheduled to take place by Easter 2015 - and the planned merger of Hakin and Hubberston primary schools.

“I understand Pembrokeshire County Council has to cut money I just wish they weren’t taking it from Hubberston,” she said.

She said she would love to see the community get more involved with the centre, and help raise the cash needed to protect it for future generations.

“It’s not just a youth club, it’s a community centre, the more people that use it the more money that’s there.”

Cllr Gray said a similarly hands-on approach was needed to come to terms with the ‘super-school’ merger.

 “I can understand why people from the smaller school are wary, the unknown is always scary,” she said.

“I think it would be nice if the two schools started getting to know each other better now.

“We need to look at the bigger picture,” she said.

“A new building, new equipment and new ideas can only be a good thing for the area.”

And Cllr Gray added that she also wanted to focus on the positive things local people are doing, such as tidying up the Water Gardens on the Rath, and the annual switch-on of the town lights at Christmas.

“It’s important to sustain what is working, not just look for problems,” she said.

Cllr Gray said she has no political aspirations, but is keen to bring some "common sense and a voice for the people of Hubberston" to her new role - and she’s not afraid to make her voice heard.

“If I think something’s not right, I will say.”

She has joined the council’s Finance and General Purpose Committee, and says she is keen to learn more about how the council spends people’s money.

Cllr Gray also hopes to promote the work of the town council, and help inform people about the role it plays in supporting local causes.