News
Hundreds of county businesses eligible for rate relief
MORE than 500 small and medium-sized businesses in Pembrokeshire can apply for rate relief of up to £2,500 thanks to a new scheme approved by Pembrokeshire County Council’s cabinet on Monday.
The extended High Street Rate Relief Scheme for 2019-20 will be funded by the Welsh Government and administered by Pembrokeshire County Council.
It aims to provide targeted support for businesses affected by the independent revaluation and by the growth of Internet sites.
The Council estimates that 534 occupied high street businesses and retail properties such as shops, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments will be eligible to apply.
Cllr Paul Miller, Cabinet Member for Economy, Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said: “It’s obvious to everyone that the retail landscape in particular is changing and taxes on bricks and mortar retail premises are, without doubt, in need of review given the dominance of internet shopping.
“As an administration we are committed to supporting the Pembrokeshire Economy in every way we can. Working with our partners in Welsh Government, we are able to offer up to £2,500 rate relief to retail properties with a rateable value of £50,000 of less. That’s in addition to Small Business Rate Relief for those businesses with a rateable value of £6,000 of less.
“Business rate relief is not a magic bullet and we are committed to doing far more to support enterprise through our ambitious economic development programme. This relief will however, provide some immediate support to business in Pembrokeshire.”
Unlike previous years, the 2019-20 scheme is not limited to high street premises but will include all properties meeting the wider retail criteria.
The level of support will be up to £2,500 towards non-domestic rates bills for retail properties with a rateable value of £50,000 or less on the 1st April 2019 subject to State Aid limits.
Those with a rateable value of £6,000 and below will receive Small Business Rate Relief.
For more information on the scheme, please view https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/business-rates/wales-high-street-rate-relief-scheme
News
Closure of Tata Steel’s coke ovens sparks political and union backlash
THE recent announcement by Tata Steel to close the coke ovens at its Port Talbot plant in South Wales has ignited a firestorm of political and industrial action, highlighting the deepening crisis within the British steel industry and the challenges facing the transition to green steel.
Jo Stevens MP, the Shadow Welsh Secretary, expressed her concerns over the impact of the closure on the Welsh steel industry and the workers affected. Stevens emphasized the need for assurances about the workers’ immediate future and pledged that a UK Labour government would invest in the steel industry to support the transition to green steel, harnessing the skills, talent, and ambition of Welsh steelworkers.
The closure, slated for Wednesday due to concerns over the ovens’ “operational stability,” has been criticized by regional Senedd Members for South Wales West, Tom Giffard MS, and Dr. Altaf Hussain MS. They accused the Labour Welsh Government of neglecting its support for the Tata Steelworks in Port Talbot, highlighting a lack of financial assistance since 2019 and calling for a change in response to the current developments.
Unite, the UK’s leading union, has been vocal in its opposition to Tata’s decision, describing it as a shock and a “result of years of betrayal.” The union criticized Tata for not disclosing the imminent risk of closure during recent consultations and announced a ballot for industrial action among 1,500 Tata workers. Unite insists there should be no job losses at Port Talbot or Llanwern and that a blast furnace should remain operational.
Peter Hughes, Unite’s regional secretary for Wales, called for Tata to halt its closure plans in anticipation of Labour’s promised £3 billion investment to rejuvenate the UK steel industry. He accused Tata of managing the decline of UK steel while accepting government subsidies, describing the company’s actions as “deliberate industrial vandalism.”
The closure has not only raised concerns about the future of steel production in the UK but also spotlighted the political and economic strategies required to ensure the industry’s survival and transition towards more sustainable practices. The unfolding situation underscores the need for a collaborative approach between the government, industry stakeholders, and the workforce to navigate the complex challenges ahead.
News
Firefighters tackle blaze at block of garages in Monkton
ONE person was injured as a result of a sunday afternoon garage fire in a block of garages in Monkton.
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service told The Pembrokeshire Herald said: “At 1.31pm on March 17, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven crews were called to extinguish a fire in an alight central garage and were forced to use two breathing apparatus and two hose reels.
“The firefighters reportedly left the scene at 3.02pm after continuing to dampen the fire and check for fire spread.
“The casualty was treated by ambulance service personnel also in attendance.”
The police confirmed that a garage fire had been dealt with by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Welsh Ambulance Service attended.
News
Air ambulance called following incident at Aldi Pembroke Dock
THE WALES AIR AMBULANCE, along with the Welsh Ambulance Service and police were called on Monday morning to an incident at the Aldi supermarket car park in Pembroke Dock.
The Herald understands that the alarm was raised after a car hit a person in the car park after 9am.
We have been told that the incident involved a local taxi.
The emergency services have been asked for a comment.
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