The background to the scrapping of this year’s Fish Week Festival by Pembrokeshire County Council is to be discussed at a scrutiny committee today (Thursday, March 19).

Today’s Economy Scrutiny Committee will receive a report from the Director of Development, Dr Steven Jones, which outlines the issues that culminated in the popular event being postponed in 2015.

It states that the decision to suspend the event was “due to a combination of factors.”

“Contributory factors” cited as part of the problem include Fish Week being one element of the Food Development Manager’s role along with working with the agri food sector to identify supply chains, providing business advice, producing food and arts guides, organising trade shows and overseeing Haverfordwest Farmers' Market.

Also to be discussed is Milford Haven Port Authority’s taking over of part of the week to launch Milford Fish Festival, a one-day event at Milford Docks.

A review and evaluation of the process leading up to the decision has been carried out and two issues identified – level of corporate support and member engagement.

It was found that the county council had not provided financial support and there had been very little interest expressed from other directorates.

The success of the festival relied significantly on the “drive, determination and local contacts of the Food Development Manager” Kate Morgan.

More could also be done to engage with members despite the matter being discussed with the relevant cabinet member and all councillors emailed in advance of notifying the press, adds the report.