PEMBROKESHIRE is continuing to operate a “warn and inform” approach to tackling to dog owners bringing their pets to beaches where they are restricted, councillors heard.

Bylaws connected to restrictions on dogs on Pembrokeshire beaches are to come under the spotlight later this week in a series of questions to be heard at full council.

Traditionally running from May 1 to September 30, there are total bans on dogs at Tenby’s North Beach and Whitesands in St Davids.

Partial bans are in operation on parts of Lydstep, Newgale, Saundersfoot, Tenby Castle and South Beach, Amroth beach, Poppit Sands, Broad Haven North, and Dale.

There is also a voluntary dog restriction on the beach at Coppet Hall between 10am and 6pm.

Guide dogs are welcome on Pembrokeshire’s beaches all year round.

In a three-pronged series of submitted questions heard at the July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Rhys Jordan asked for details surrounding dogs on beaches bylaws.

“Can the relevant Cabinet Member confirm where the operative beach dog bylaws, schedules, amendments and deposited plans are currently published, and whether all public-facing maps, signs and webpages accurately reflect the legal restrictions in force?

“Can the relevant Cabinet Member confirm who formally approved the council’s 2026 approach to beach dog restrictions, including any warning-led or ‘warn and inform’ approach, and who is currently authorised to enforce the byelaws following the end of WISE’s ([Waste Investigations Support & Enforcement)] involvement in enforcement for Pembrokeshire County Council?

“Given the lack of substantive response to requests for this information, the apparent difficulty in producing relevant and legal governance documents, and the need for residents and visitors to understand any legal restrictions with certainty, will the relevant Cabinet Member agree to suspend enforcement and active promotion of the 2026 beach dog restrictions until the byelaws, deposited plans, decision records and enforcement arrangements have been verified and published in one accessible location?”

Cllr Jordan has previously said he felt that “blanket bans” on some of the county’s beaches were “overly punitive on dog owners”.

Responding to the submitted question Cabinet Member for Residents Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said the authority “remains satisfied the current restrictions continue to operate lawfully and doesn’t consider there to be grounds to suspend enforcement relating to these restrictions”.

He said, however, the council is reviewing enforcement implementation and wider authorisations as part of ongoing work relating to antisocial behaviour and public protection matters, adding the information was available on the council’s website.

In a series of supplementary questions, Cllr Jordan asked: “If a member of the public ignores dog beach restrictions today, what statutory enforcement will Pembrokeshire County Council take?”

Cllr Sinnett said the council was continuing a “warn and inform” approach as it had since the cessation of the WISE contract, adding: “Officers provide advice, guidance and warnings as a primary approach; for known or persistent offenders the authority retains the ability to utilise statutory measures such as community protection warnings or community protection notices.

“While breaches of a bylaw may result in a financial penalty it’s important to note this is not automatic and any decision will be proportionate and evidence-based; no Fixed Penalty Notices are being issued this season.”

WOMEN across the Dyfed-Powys area are set to benefit from improved access to specialist support following the opening of a new Women’s Centre Hub at Parc Dewi Sant.

Operated by The Nelson Trust, the hub forms part of the continued development of trauma-informed services for women experiencing multiple disadvantage.

It provides a safe and supportive environment where women can access practical advice, guidance and specialist help to address the challenges they face.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has worked alongside The Nelson Trust and partners from the Local Criminal Justice Board to support the development of the facility.

The project forms part of the board’s wider commitment to improving outcomes for women throughout the Dyfed-Powys area.

The hub was officially opened on Friday, July 3, bringing together organisations involved in delivering support and recognising the partnership work that helped establish the new service.

Peer support will also play an important role, with volunteers drawing on their own lived experiences to help women facing similar circumstances.

Referrals to the Dyfed-Powys service are currently made through the Community Rehabilitation Service via probation. The hub is not presently accepting self-referrals.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Women experiencing multiple disadvantage deserve access to the right support at the right time.

“By working closely with our partners, we can help ensure that women across our communities are able to access the specialist services they need to address the challenges they face and build safer, more positive futures.

“This partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared commitment to supporting vulnerable members of our communities.”

Volunteer-run garden recognised among record number of award-winning green spaces across Wales

THE DEDICATION of local residents has secured Manorbier Community Garden its first prestigious Green Flag Community Award.

Around 50 people gathered at the garden to celebrate the achievement with food and refreshments before watching the Green Flag being raised.

The award was announced by Keep Wales Tidy as part of the 2026 Green Flag Awards, which recognise the best-managed parks and green spaces across Wales.

A record 330 Welsh sites have met the standards required to fly a Green Flag this year. Of these, 93 received full Green Flag Award status, while 237 volunteer-run spaces were presented with Green Flag Community Awards.

Manorbier Community Garden was recognised for its environmental work, welcoming visitor facilities and strong level of community involvement.

Green Flag Community Awards celebrate high-quality spaces managed largely by volunteers, including community gardens, local nature reserves and other valued neighbourhood sites.

Wales has now secured more Green Flag Community Awards than any other country taking part in the scheme for the third consecutive year. The total has risen from 223 last year to 237 in 2026.

Work on Manorbier Community Garden began in April 2024, transforming an area of scrubland into a flourishing community space in little more than two years.

Led by local couple Ollie and Sian Cromwell, volunteers have built raised beds using repurposed materials and filled them with vegetables, flowers and other plants donated by residents.

Everything is grown organically, without the use of pesticides or herbicides, and produce from the garden is available for the community to share.

The site also includes a secure chicken enclosure housing six hens, a children’s mud kitchen and spaces where residents can meet, play and enjoy the outdoors.

Pick-a-Pumpkin events have also been organised for local children.

Keep Wales Tidy supported the project by providing food-growing and orchard packages, a metal tool shed and a small polytunnel. Volunteers have since constructed a larger polytunnel using donated materials.

Sian Cromwell said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received the Green Flag Community Award. It means so much to our community and celebrates what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision.

“Just over two years ago, this was simply scrubland. Today, it is a thriving and welcoming space, rich in biodiversity and bursting with life.

“There are fresh vegetables for everyone to share, flowers, chickens, a mud kitchen for children and space for people to play, meet and connect.

“The garden belongs to the whole community. We are incredibly proud of how far we have come and warmly invite everyone to play a part in its sustainable future.”

The Green Flag Award scheme was established 30 years ago and now recognises well-managed parks and green spaces in more than 20 countries around the world.

In Wales, the awards are administered by Keep Wales Tidy.