Editing Haverfordwest (section)

==Governance==
===Local government===
[[File:Old Wool Market, Quay Street, Haverfordwest.jpg|thumb|Old Wool Market, Quay Street: Town council offices.]]
There are two tiers of local government covering Haverfordwest, at [[Community (Wales)|community]] (town) and [[Local government in Wales|county]] level: Haverfordwest Town Council and [[Pembrokeshire County Council]]. The town council is based at the Old Wool Market on Quay Street.<ref>{{cite web |title=Haverfordwest Town Council |url=https://haverfordwesttown.co.uk/ |access-date=7 August 2022}}</ref> Pembrokeshire County Council is also based in Haverfordwest, at [[County Hall, Haverfordwest|County Hall]] on Freemens Way.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pembrokeshire County Council |date=30 November 2016 |url=https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/council |access-date=7 August 2022}}</ref>

For local government purposes the community of Haverfordwest comprises five wards: [[Haverfordwest Castle (electoral ward)|Castle]], Prendergast, Portfield, Priory and Garth. The community has its own town council and mayor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haverfordwesttown.co.uk/towncouncil.asp |title=Haverfordwest &#124; Haverfordwest Tourism and Travel &#124; Town Council &#124; Community &#124; Sport and Leisure &#124; Holiday in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire South West Wales |publisher=Haverfordwesttown.co.uk |access-date=2013-09-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028223620/http://www.haverfordwesttown.co.uk/towncouncil.asp |archive-date=2013-10-28 }}</ref>

Pembrokeshire County Council conducted an extensive review of community boundaries in 2007<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=101,1583,1071&parent_directory_id=646&id=12366&d1p1=1 |title=Community Council Boundary Review - Pembrokeshire County Council |publisher=Pembrokeshire.gov.uk |access-date=2013-09-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112123926/http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=101,1583,1071&parent_directory_id=646&id=12366&d1p1=1 |archive-date=2015-01-12 }}</ref> which made a number of submissions to the boundary commission for Wales. These submissions included a number of recommendations for the extension of the Haverfordwest community boundary where there had been perceived community overspill due to housing developments. These suggestions were mostly implemented,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lgbc-wales.gov.uk/minutes/pdf_2010_01_26_e.pdf|title=Comisiwn Ffiniau a Democratiaeth Leol Cymru - Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615144258/http://www.lgbc-wales.gov.uk/minutes/pdf_2010_01_26_e.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-15}}</ref> with one significant exception<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/8399931.Victory_for_democracy_in_community_boundary_fight/ |title=Uzmaston community will not be merged with Haverfordwest (From Western Telegraph) |publisher=Westerntelegraph.co.uk |date=2010-09-17 |access-date=2013-09-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112194929/http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/8399931.Victory_for_democracy_in_community_boundary_fight/ |archive-date=2015-01-12 }}</ref> leading to an increase in the number of electors in the Haverfordwest community. One area of contention concerned the status of the village of Merlin's Bridge which continues to have its own community council despite its close proximity to Haverfordwest and a degree of community overspill.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/objview.asp?object_id=3021 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-12-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929132118/http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/objview.asp?object_id=3021 |archive-date=2011-09-29 }}</ref> As such the conurbation of Haverfordwest and Merlin's Bridge is the most populous urban area in Pembrokeshire though Haverfordwest's community boundaries mean it is only the second most populous community in the county after Milford Haven.<ref name=community/>

Haverfordwest is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with [[Oberkirch (Baden)|Oberkirch]], Germany.

===Senedd and Westminster representation===
Haverfordwest is part of the [[Preseli Pembrokeshire (Senedd constituency)|Preseli Pembrokeshire]] Senedd constituency, where the local Senedd Member is [[Paul Davies (Conservative politician)|Paul Davies]] of the [[Welsh Conservatives|Conservative Party]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.assemblywales.org/memhome/mem-profile/mem-preseli_pembroke.htm |title=National Assembly for Wales &#124; Paul Davies |publisher=Assemblywales.org |access-date=2013-09-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212202402/http://www.assemblywales.org/memhome/mem-profile/mem-preseli_pembroke.htm |archive-date=2012-02-12 }}</ref>

In the [[UK Parliament]], Haverfordwest is part of the [[Mid and South Pembrokeshire]] constituency, currently represented by [[Henry Tufnell (Welsh politician)|Henry Tufnell]] of [[Welsh Labour]].<ref name="BBC result|access-date=5 July 2024">{{cite web|date=2024-07-05|title=Mid and South Pembrokeshire results|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/W07000100|website=BBC|language=en}}</ref> Prior to the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], Haverfordwest had been part of the [[Preseli Pembrokeshire]] constituency since 1997, represented by [[Stephen Crabb]], a [[Welsh Conservatives|Welsh Conservative]] and Chair of the [[Welsh Affairs Select Committee]], since 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Crabb_Stephen.aspx |title=The Conservative Party &#124; People &#124; Members of Parliament &#124; Stephen Crabb MP |publisher=Conservatives.com |access-date=2013-09-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003115152/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Crabb_Stephen.aspx |archive-date=3 October 2013 }}</ref>

Historically, a constituency of [[Haverfordwest (UK Parliament constituency)|Haverfordwest]] made the town one of very few places within Wales allowed to act as a [[borough constituency]] and elect a member to the English Parliament from the sixteenth century.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1558-1603/constituencies/haverfordwest |title=Haverfordwest, 1558-1603 |publisher=History of Parliament Online |access-date=2024-12-01 }}</ref> In the nineteenth century, the constituency was expanded by the [[Reform Act 1832]] to include nearby Fishguard and [[Narberth, Pembrokeshire|Narberth]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1820-1832/constituencies/haverfordwest |title=Haverfordwest, 1820-1832 |publisher=History of Parliament Online |access-date=2024-12-01 }}</ref> before being abolished and replaced by the [[Pembroke and Haverfordwest (UK Parliament constituency)|Pembroke & Haverfordwest constituency]] as part of the [[Redistribution of Seats Act 1885]].<ref>Redistribution of Seats Act 1885. Section 11: Provisions as to Warwick and Pembroke.</ref>

===Administrative history===
Haverfordwest was an [[ancient borough]], receiving its first charter from [[Henry II of England|Henry II]] in 1169. The borough was given the right to appoint its own [[List of shrievalties|sheriff]] in 1479, and in 1545 was declared to be a [[county corporate]]. The borough was reformed to become a [[municipal borough]] under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]].<ref name=JISC>{{cite web |title=Haverfordwest Borough Records |url=https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/c2115630-7fde-371f-8f69-9f7a2174046d |website=Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) |access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Swales Barker |first1=Patricia |title=Haverfordwest through time |date=2013 |publisher=Amberley Publishing |location=Stroud |isbn=978-1-4456-1614-8 |page=3}}</ref> The borough covered all of the parish of St Mary, parts of the parishes of St Martin, St Thomas, [[Prendergast, Pembrokeshire|Prendergast]], and [[Uzmaston]], and an [[extra-parochial area]] (deemed to be a parish from 1866) called Furzy Park and Portfield.<ref>{{cite book |title=First report of the commissioners appointed to inquire into the municipal corporations in England and Wales |date=1835 |page=233 |publisher=C. Knight |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433014090470&view=page&seq=369&skin=2021&q1=haverfordwest |access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Haverfordwest Urban Sanitary District |url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/12827428# |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref> Under the [[Local Government Act 1894]], parishes which straddled borough boundaries were split into separate parishes for the parts inside and outside the borough. The part of Uzmaston within the borough therefore became a parish called Cartlett, the part of Prendergast outside the borough became a parish called North Prendergast, and the parts of St Martin and St Thomas parishes outside the borough became parishes called St Martin Hamlet and St Thomas Hamlet respectively. The parishes outside the borough were all included in the [[Haverfordwest Rural District]]. The six parishes within the borough after 1894 were therefore Cartlett, Furzy Park and Portfield, Prendergast, St Mary, St Martin, and St Thomas. These were [[Civil parish#Urban parishes|urban parishes]] and so did not have their own parish councils, with the lowest level representative body being the Haverfordwest Borough Council.<ref>{{cite web |title=Haverfordwest Municipal Borough |url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10164114# |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref>

Haverfordwest's status as a county corporate from 1545 made it independent from Pembrokeshire. When elected county councils were established in 1889 the town was brought back into Pembrokeshire for local government purposes, being under the control of [[Pembrokeshire County Council, 1889–1974|Pembrokeshire County Council]] and losing its separate police force at the same time.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Daly |first1=Steve |title=Haverfordwest Borough Police Officers |url=https://british-police-history.uk/f/haverfordwest-officers |website=British Policy History |access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A corporation scare |url=https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3670619/3670621/10/ |access-date=8 August 2022 |work=South Wales Daily News |date=16 April 1889 |location=Cardiff |page=2}}</ref> For other purposes the town retained its independence from the county, having its own [[Lord Lieutenant of Haverfordwest|Lord Lieutenant]] until 1931, and keeping its own [[Quarter Sessions]] until 1951.<ref>{{cite web |title=Haverfordwest Quarter Session Records |url=https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/5310d32a-c3ad-360d-aff8-ab369165de65 |website=Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) |access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|year=1949|chapter=101|act=Justices of the Peace Act 1949|accessdate=8 August 2022}}</ref> The status of county corporate was finally abolished in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]]. One remaining legacy from Haverfordwest's former status as a county corporate is that it retains the right to appoint its own sheriff.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Sheriff |url=https://haverfordwesttown.co.uk/town-council/the-sheriff/ |website=Haverfordwest Town Council |access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Picton House, 2 Picton Place, Haverfordwest.jpg|thumb|Picton House: Council offices 1954–2020]]
Haverfordwest had a medieval guildhall which stood at the top (west end) of High Street in front of [[St Mary's Church, Haverfordwest|St Mary's Church]]. The guildhall served as the meeting place for both the borough corporation and the Pembrokeshire Quarter Sessions until the 1830s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Guildhall / Old Shire Hall, Haverfordwest |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/32077 |website=Coflein |publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales |access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref> In 1837 the county authorities built themselves [[Shire Hall, Haverfordwest|Shire Hall]] at the bottom (east end) of High Street.<ref>{{NHAW|num=12110|desc= The Shire Hall|grade=II*|access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref> The guildhall was demolished and the borough corporation met instead in a room above the north porch of St Mary's Church until that room was demolished in 1861. In 1871 the borough acquired newly built premises at 1 St Mary's Lane to serve as the council's offices and meeting place.<ref>{{NHAW|num=87066|desc=Former Town Council Offices|grade=II|access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Haverfordwest Town Council |url=https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3057469/3057471/5/ |access-date=8 August 2022 |work=Pembrokeshire Herald |date=10 November 1871 |location=Haverfordwest |page=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The old council chamber, Dark Street |date=21 May 2008 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_old_council_chamber,_Dark_Street_-_geograph.org.uk_-_811637.jpg |access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref> In 1954 the borough council moved to Picton House at 2 Picton Place, an 1830s house on the bank of the Western Cleddau, and remained based there until the council's abolition in 1974.<ref>{{NHAW|num=12201|desc=Picton House|grade=II|access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Papers re sale of Picton Town House [Number 2 Picton Place, Haverfordwest] Plan |url=https://records.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=D-RTP%2fPIC%2f946&pos=3 |website=Pembrokeshire County Council |access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref><ref>Telephone directories: 1953 = Town Clerk, 9 Victoria Place... Borough accountant, Council Chamber / 1954 = Town Clerk, 2 Picton Place... Borough accountant, Council Chamber</ref>

Haverfordwest Municipal Borough was abolished in 1974, becoming part of the district of [[Preseli Pembrokeshire|Preseli]] (renamed Preseli Pembrokeshire in 1987) within the county of [[Dyfed]]. A community covering the former borough was established at the same time, with its council taking the name Haverfordwest Town Council.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|year=1972|chapter=70|act=Local Government Act 1972|accessdate=31 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Districts in Wales (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|num=34|accessdate=31 July 2022}}</ref> Preseli Pembrokeshire was abolished in 1996 and the area became part of a re-established Pembrokeshire.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|year=1994|chapter=19|act=Local Government (Wales) Act 1994|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref> Haverfordwest Town Council continued to use the former borough council's premises at Picton House as its headquarters until 2020, when it moved to the Old Wool Market, a converted late eighteenth century wool market and warehouse building on the quayside.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jamshidian |first1=Harry |title=Should Haverfordwest Town Council move to new building? |url=https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/19582250.haverfordwest-town-council-move-new-building/ |access-date=8 August 2022 |work=Western Telegraph |date=16 September 2021 |quote=Haverfordwest Town Council moved into the Old Wool Market, on Quay Street, at the beginning of December 2020...}}</ref><ref>{{NHAW|num=87036|desc=The Old Wool Market|grade=II|access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref>