News
Council accused of coercing councillors into approving historic tax increase
IN AN UNFOLDING scandal at Pembrokeshire County Council, councillors are reportedly being pressured to endorse what could be the UK’s most substantial council tax hike, according to documents revealed by the TaxPayers’ Alliance.
Allegations of “strong-arm” tactics being used to secure approval for the proposed budget have surfaced, intensifying the debate.
This development, first reported in The Daily Telegraph, and Yahoo News, precedes a critical budget meeting set for the 7th of March, where the council will deliberate on a budget incorporating a 16.31% increase in council tax.
This proposed hike is unprecedented in magnitude for the 2024/25 period and would impose an additional £219 on Band D households. This rate of increase has not been seen in Wales since 2000-01 and is the most significant for both England and Wales since the introduction of referendum principles in 2012-23.
E-mails obtained from the TaxPayers’ Alliance shed light on the intense pressure being exerted on councillors by high-ranking officials, including the S151 officer and the monitoring officer.
These communications explicitly state that opposing the budget could be deemed unlawful and would contravene the Principles of Public Life as outlined in the Constitution. Specifically, such opposition is cited as a potential violation of the principle of Stewardship, risking the council’s reputation and constituting a code of conduct issue.
Moreover, the correspondence underscores a clear directive that no amendments affecting the 2024-25 council tax increase level will be entertained at the upcoming council session on March 7th.
In a related event, Max Caller, the lead commissioner for Birmingham City Council, reportedly gave a “pep talk” that left councillors with a stark warning about the legal implications of failing to set a budget, underscoring their statutory duties.
Elliot Keck, the TaxPayers’ Alliance’s head of campaigns, expressed grave concerns over the undue influence reported, highlighting the severe impact such a tax increase could have on household finances. Keck advocates for councillors’ autonomy in decision-making, free from undue influence.
Independent Councillor Mike Stoddart has voiced opposition to the tactics employed, suggesting that pressuring elected officials to support the significant tax increase could backfire. Stoddart remains committed to acting in his constituents’ best interests, irrespective of external pressures.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance, established in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, has been vocal in opposing the proposed tax rise. The organisation, dedicated to tax reform, public service improvement, and the reduction of waste, has been actively campaigning in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, highlighting the issue to the public and media.
As the debate intensifies, the eyes of Pembrokeshire residents and the wider UK public are keenly focused on the upcoming council vote, which could set a precedent for future tax policy and governance locally.
Crime
Hakin man stole Tesco goods to fund drink and gambling addictions
A 35-YEAR-OLD man stole almost £800 worth of goods from Tesco Extra in Haverfordwest to fund his alcohol and gambling addictions, a court has heard.
Five thefts from same store
Luke Brunton, 35, visited the store on five separate occasions between February and May 2025, taking items including pillows, duvets, Lego sets, Pokémon cards, alcohol, crisps and a saucepan set.
The first theft took place on February 27, when Brunton stole four packs of pillows, a double duvet, a cool pillow, a cuddle cushion, a Batman Lego set and a BMW Lego set, worth £167.50.
On March 1 he returned and stole Pokémon cards valued at £144. Three days later, he stole Baileys, vodka, Jack Daniel’s, three pillows, crisps and a saucepan set, worth £192.69.
The final offence took place on May 21, when Brunton again stole alcohol, pillows and toilet roll. The value of those items was not given to the court.
Addictions reduced
Brunton, of St Lawrence Close, Hakin, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week, where he pleaded guilty to five charges of theft.
The court was told the offences also breached a conditional discharge imposed by Kent Court for previous theft matters.
His solicitor, Michael Kelleher, said: “At the time, he was drinking to excess and was also gambling to excess.
“The shoplifts funded those habits, both of which were addictions.”
Mr Kelleher said Brunton’s drinking and gambling had significantly reduced since the offending.
Brunton was sentenced to a 24-month community order. He must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 66 hours of unpaid work.
He must also pay £761.79 compensation to Tesco, a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Uxbridge motorist banned after Pembrokeshire drug-drive stop
Driver was heading home after visiting former girlfriend when police stopped him on the A477
A WEST London motorist has been banned after being caught driving on the A477 in Broadmoor with a cocaine metabolite and cannabis in his system.
Danny Small, 32, was stopped by police carrying out routine checks at around 11:30am on January 28.
After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Small was taken to a police station, where blood tests showed he had 157mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.
He also had 2.9mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.
Small, of Little London Close, Uxbridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to two drug-driving offences.
Probation officer Julie Norman told the bench that Small had been visiting his former girlfriend in Pembrokeshire and was driving home to Uxbridge at the time of the offence.
Ms Norman said Small was a regular cannabis and cocaine user.
“This helps treat his undiagnosed ADHD,” she said.
“He didn’t think the drugs would still have been in his system, as he’d consumed the drugs several days earlier. But drugs can often remain in the system for several weeks.”
Small was sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months.
News
Uxbridge motorist banned after Pembrokeshire drug-drive stop
Driver was heading home after visiting former girlfriend when police stopped him on the A477
A WEST London motorist has been banned after being caught driving on the A477 in Broadmoor with a cocaine metabolite and cannabis in his system.
Danny Small, 32, was stopped by police carrying out routine checks at around 11:30am on January 28.
After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Small was taken to a police station, where blood tests showed he had 157mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.
He also had 2.9mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.
Small, of Little London Close, Uxbridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to two drug-driving offences.
Probation officer Julie Norman told the bench that Small had been visiting his former girlfriend in Pembrokeshire and was driving home to Uxbridge at the time of the offence.
Ms Norman said Small was a regular cannabis and cocaine user.
“This helps treat his undiagnosed ADHD,” she said.
“He didn’t think the drugs would still have been in his system, as he’d consumed the drugs several days earlier. But drugs can often remain in the system for several weeks.”
Small was sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months.
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