News

10% Council tax rise supported

Published

5 years ago

February 21, 2019

IN A RECORDED vote, Pembrokeshire County Council has approved its draft budget for 2019/20, which will see a 10% rise in council tax.

The budget was approved at Thursday’s (Feb 21) Full Council meeting but was met with some opposition by some members who said other options were available.
Cabinet member for Finance, Cllr Bob Kilmister described his role as a ‘poisoned chalice’ but went on to say: “We are still cheaper in Pembrokeshire than any other local authority in Wales. I have heard that increasing the council tax may have a burden on many who fit into the category of working poor.
“However, if we cut more services it will affect these people the most.”

He went on to highlight a number of outcomes should council tax not be increased by 10% and added: “An additional £1.89 a week avoids these outcomes.”

There is also an extra £1m to cover Brexit but Cllr Kilmister said he had ‘no idea’ if that would be enough.

Cllr Brian Hall asked how many redundancies would be made if certain services were changed but Cllr Kilmister said they were looking at what they have got in the council and looking to train for those people who are leaving vital jobs.

Cllr Hall said that the majority of staff were really concerned, and Cllr Kilmister said they could not start that process until a decision was made on the budget.

Cllr Jamie Adams said they needed to come up with a budget that was more ‘wider-thinking’ and said it was about ‘delivering value for money for Council Tax payers.
He said he was unable to support the budget that demands 10% and challenged other members saying: “Don’t be afraid of doing that, there are different ways to square the circle.”

Cllr Josh Beynon said that while a 10% rise was not the most popular it was the right thing to do.

Cllr Phil Kidney said he was finding it tough to get his head round the customer service centre closing and said they would ‘disenfranchise’ a lot of people by doing so.
However, Cllr Kilmister later said that the service would still be provided but in a different way.
He also said that the current administration was doing more of getting rid of buildings that the previous administration ever did. He added: “This is not something I am doing out of choice, I am doing it out of necessity.”

Cllr Pat Davies said she was ‘dismayed’ to find the previous administration had no strategic plan and said that she had done a lot of catching up over the last 18 months.
Speaking on the transformation program, Cllr Michelle Bateman said progress was being made and that she didn’t want to be part of a council that cuts services and keeps council tax low.

Cllr John Davies explained that the council does have other options and Cllr Kilmister challenged him saying he was welcome to make a new proposal but told Cllr Davies he would have to tell him where the money would be coming from.

Cllr Kilmister went on to say they could only do the budget on the information they have.
Council Leader Cllr David Simpson praised Cllr Kilmister for what he had done over the past 12 months saying he had done an ‘exceptional job’.
He went on to say that he was ‘proud’ of his whole cabinet who had the ability to answer any questions that came their way.

Cllr Simpson then said: “The staff we have in this building are superb, do we want to slash their jobs? No we don’t. We are looking at departments and making cuts where we can.”
When it was put to the vote, 37 members voted in favour of the budget, with 21 voting against.

Community

Final ‘Stop the Stink’ protest planned for County Hall

Published

27 mins ago

May 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

RESIDENTS of Haverfordwest are gearing up for a pivotal demonstration outside the Pembrokeshire County Council at County Hall, scheduled for Thursday, May 14th. The protest, named “Stop the Stink,” aims to press the council and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) into action against the ongoing environmental issues at the Withyhedge landfill site.

From 9:00 to 10:30 AM, community members, environmental activists, and concerned citizens plan to converge on the steps of the county building to make their voices heard before the NRW’s critical deadline. This date marks when the landfill operators are required to complete necessary remediation efforts to prevent toxins from leaking into the local environment.

Colin Barnett, the organiser of the demonstration, highlighted the importance of the protest. “This gathering is crucial. It’s our final chance to influence the council’s decisions and push for real change before the deadline. Our community deserves a safe and healthy environment, and we must hold those responsible accountable,” Barnett stated.

The Withyhedge landfill has been the subject of intense scrutiny following reports that harmful toxins could be escaping into the surrounding areas, posing significant health and environmental risks. Despite ongoing investigations and some interventions by NRW, public trust remains low regarding the effectiveness and transparency of the measures implemented so far.

Demonstrators are expected to display signs with messages such as “Protect Our Children” and “No More Toxins,” calling for immediate and effective action. The protest aims to ensure that the community’s concerns are not only heard but acted upon with urgency.

As the May 14th approaches, the stakes are high for the residents of Haverfordwest, who are calling for decisive and immediate action from their local leaders.

This final “Stop the Stink” protest represents a critical moment in their ongoing fight for a cleaner, safer environment.

Crime

Arrest after £1,800 of items stolen from Boots in Pembroke Dock

Published

48 mins ago

May 7, 2024

Court Reporter

A 27-YEAR-OLD Romanian has been remanded in custody after stealing over £1,000 worth of items from Boots in Pembroke Dock.

Raj Domnu was arrested by police officers after being observed stealing the items on April 13. He appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on April 22 when admitted stealing items totalling £1,818.53.

The matter was adjourned for an all-options probation report to be prepared prior to Domnu’s sentencing, and this week he re-appeared before Haverfordwdest magistrates court via a video-link from Swansea Prison where he has been remanded in custody.

“The report has been prepared, but my client doesn’t understand a word of English so I’m unable to discuss it with him,” said his solicitor, Michael Kelleher.

Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson also stated that to sentence Domnu without the assistance of an interpreter would be judicially unfair to the defendant.

As a result, the matter was adjourned to May 13. Domnu, of Frodingham Road, Scunthorpe, was remanded in custody.

Crime

Farm mechanic admits drink driving after losing control of vehicle

Published

51 mins ago

May 7, 2024

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE farm mechanic has been sentenced by magistrates after driving his vehicle at speed towards another car when he was over the drink-drive limit.

William Griffiths was driving his Seat Leon on an unclassified road between Maenclochog and Clarbeston just before 7pm on April 22.

“Another motorist was on her way home and she slowed down when the vehicle in front of her indicated to turn right,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“But she then heard the sound of screeching tyres and saw a car travelling towards her at speed, breaking heavily and swerving across the road.”

The out-of-control car was being driven by William Griffiths, 47, of Clyn, Maenclochog.

“He shunted forward and skid marks could be seen on the road,” continued Ms Jackson. “Police officers were called and when they spoke to the defendant, they could smell alcohol on his breath.”

A roadside breath test proved positive and Griffiths was taken to a police custody suite where he gave two further breath tests, the lowest giving a reading of 67 mcg. The legal limit is 35.

Ms Jackson confirmed that during a police interview, Griffiths admitted drinking three pints of lager earlier that evening.

“It’s sad that someone at the age of 47 comes before the court with a hitherto clean character,” said his barrister, David Griffiths, in mitigation.

“This was an exceptional situation as my client had been told that one of his friends had died suddenly that day.

“Because of this, he called into a pub and drank more than he should have.”
Mr Griffiths said that his client works as a self-employed mechanic on his family farm.

After considering the facts, magistrates disqualified Williams Griffiths from driving for a total of 18 months. He was fined £440 and ordered to pay a £176 court surcharge and £85 costs.