Cabinet members have voted unanimously to begin the process of closing Hubberston Community Centre, unless a community solution can be found.

Cabinet members approved taking necessary steps to consult on discontinuing the charitable trust associated with the centre and to close the building from Easter 2016.

The council's head of performance and community, James White, said that the centre was costing the council £17,000 to run and usage was declining.

"We have attempted to keep it going for as long as we can," he said, "but we can't do that any longer."

He admitted that if the centre was run by the community it would be liable to a much reduced rates bill, saving between £6,000 and £8,000.

"It would be a significant help," said Mr White. "But it would still leave a deficit of £10,000."

The centre is also used by Little Acorns playgroup, the town band, adult learners and various other groups.

Mr White said that the council remained open to the community taking ownership of the centre.

"I do not believe that there is any other option than community ownership," he said.

Speaking after the meeting Hubberston county councillor, Viv Stoddart, said that a small group had met to explore the possibility of a community takeover and had met with a representative from PAVS.

An e-mail she sent to cabinet implored members to retain management of the centre and to work with the local community to cut costs and market the facilities.

"This is a sorry saga of the authority's attempt to shrug off its responsibility for this iconic facility (of which the council are trustees) which lies at the heart of our two communities," she wrote.

She added that the council, in relocating the youth service, reneging on their commitment to keep the centre open until 2017 and neglecting their responsibility as trustees of the memorial hall had jeopardised the centre's future.

She said any group taking over the centre would face a huge challenge, as users are forced to seek alternative accommodation; Milford Haven Town Band is due to relocate from the centre in January.

"Hubberston and Hakin Community Centre serves some of the most deprived areas in Pembrokeshire," she wrote. "It is the only centre in the report targeted for closure in order to save the authority some £17,000."

She questioned how the council could find £80,000 towards improving the perception of, and preparing a master plan, for Haverfordwest.

"Where do the priorities of this council lie?" she asked.

Cllr Mike Stoddart had also e-mailed cabinet and the council's monitoring officer, questioning whether the council has carried out its duties as trustees of the memorial hall with due diligence.

He asked for the decision on Hubberston to be deferred until clarity on the complicated legal issues surrounding its charitable status could be resolved.

However, the council's legal advisor, said that as cabinet was only approving a decision in principle, and that the closure would go out to consultation, there were no legal implications at present.