NO FORMAL application for Pembrokeshire council proposals for a £40m-plus road realignment scheme at flood-hit Newgale will be made for at least a year-and-a-half following a decision by senior councillors.

Newgale was hit hard by flooding following storms in early 2014 storms, and later by Storm Dennis in 2020.

In 2014 it even saw a visit by the-then Prime Minister David Cameron following the storms.

A public consultation – through agent AtkinsRéalis – was launched last year ahead of a formal council application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Phase 1 of the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project, which would see the development of a new inland section of road with bridge over Brandy Brook some 2.3km inland, to replace the coastal section of A487 at Newgale that will be closed.

Varied claims have been made about the cost of this scheme, from £20m upwards, some even saying it could cost as much as £60m, with millions spent on consultation fees to date.

An alternative, cheaper, scheme had been proposed by STUN – Stand Up for Newgale, proposing a section of the shingle bank at Newgale be realigned 10-12 metres seaward leaving an over-wash barrier between it and the A487 to capture any pebbles and sea water.

In a report heard at the February 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, presented by Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, members received an update on the scheme, which included a formal submission, abandoning it, and the favoured option of putting it on hold for a period of between 18 and 24 months.

The option recommended: “Acknowledge that the scheme is required to be delivered, in light of climate change, the work undertaken to date and the results of the WG Roads Review and Pre Application Consultation.

“However, taking into account the current financial climate and the immediate risk to the A487; pause the scheme prior to submitting planning application, and review the position in the next 18- 24 months.”

It also recommended maintain surveys of the scheme “with a view of future progression of the scheme to planning application as the scheme is required in the long term,” along with reviewing  “options available for short term improvements, including passing places and signage, to the division route implemented during road closures as a result of storm/ flooding impacts at Newgale through the Regional Transport Plan Funding,” and to “continue to review external funding options to support the delivery of the construction phase of the project”.

Cllr Michelle Bateman said the proposal “strikes the right balance” on what will be a long-term issue, and was “the best way forward at the current time”.

Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said it was “the right call to make at this particular time,” stressing there may be a change in Welsh Government’s priorities after May’s elections.

Members, by eight votes to one, backed the recommendation; a lone voice was Cllr Jacob Williams, who said he was “pleased the scheme is being parked,” adding the “unaffordable” proposal was unlikely to change in 18 months’ time.

Headteacher absent as council confirms support plan and oversight visits

CONCERNS have been raised about leadership and staffing at Milford Haven Comprehensive School following last week’s alleged stabbing of a teacher on site.

The Herald has been contacted by a member of teaching staff who described the school as “rudderless” in the days after the incident and questioned whether enough senior management support was in place.

The teacher, who asked not to be named, said staff morale had been affected and claimed there had been little direct communication from the headteacher, who has been absent due to injury.

They said: “We teachers are all saying the same thing. The school feels rudderless. This is a time when a leader needs to step up and let us know they’re still in charge and concerned.”

Concerns were also raised about administrative capacity, with the business manager role reportedly unfilled.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed the current arrangements.

The council said headteacher Ms C. A. Morris remains in post but is currently absent, with deputy headteacher Mr Daryl John deputising.

It added that the business manager position is a matter for the school.

Additional support has been put in place for staff and pupils, including the Education Psychology team on site, access to counselling services and an increased presence from the School Police Liaison Officer throughout the week.

The authority also said the Director of Education is in daily contact with the deputy head.

In terms of oversight, the council confirmed Steven Richards-Downes, Director of Education, has visited the school 35 times and met staff on two occasions. Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, has made eight visits since taking up the role in May 2019.

Last week’s incident saw a 15-year-old male charged grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article.

At an initial hearing it was explained that the teacher, who was named as Vicky Williams, has since been discharged from hospital.

The prosecution explained to the court that the boy attacked Williams with a kitchen knife.

The case has been sent to Swansea Crown Court.

COUNCIL tax in Pembrokeshire is expected to rise by 4.6 per cent, in proposals backed by senior councillors today.

At the February 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, in a report presented by Cabinet member for finance, Cllr Alistair Cameron, members considered options for setting the 2026/27 council budget; a council tax increase of 4.6 per cent, which equates to an increase of £75.99 for the council part of the overall council tax bill for the average Band D property, and 7.5 per cent, for an increase of £123.90.

Cllr Cameron, seconded by Cllr Rhys Sinnett, recommended members back the lower 4.6 per cent level.

Last year, Pembrokeshire’s council tax increased by 9.35 per cent, lower than a Cabinet recommendation of 9.85 per cent.

The overall council tax bill is made up of the county council element, the largest part, the Dyfed-Powys Police precept, and individual town or community council elements.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Cameron said the council’s funding gap had now increased by just over £1m for 2026-27, to £14.7m.

His report added the most significant cost pressure for the 2026-27 budget “continues to be within social care, with a projected total increase in pressure of £12m for 2026-27 representing 42 per cent of the total council service pressures for 2026-27”.

It added: “The funding gap of £14.7m, will need to be bridged through a combination of budget savings, increases in council tax, use of council tax premiums and use of reserves.

“The lower the Band D council tax increase, the higher the budget savings requirement will be, with the consequential adverse impact on the provision of council services,” with each per cent increase in council tax generating £0.908m income for the council.

Cllr Cameron said the proposed budget included funding for “front-line services” such as school improvement support, building maintenance, and highways maintenance support.

Where possible, discretionary fees and charges have been budgeted to increase by 3.8 per cent.

The lower 4.6 per cent council tax increase was supported by Leader Cllr Jon Harvey, who said: “Clearly we don’t want to put up council tax if we can clearly avoid that; the target was to keep the council tax rise at the lowest possible level we could do.”

He said the recent increase in the Welsh Government settlement for Welsh councils had “given a bit of leeway,” and the proposal would keep the council from having to make drastic ‘red-level’ budget savings, along with more funding for general services.

Members unanimously backed the 4.6 per cent increase.

Other recommendations backed by Cabinet include determining recommended future draft council tax levels, as part of the medium-term financial plan of five per cent for 2027-’28 and 7.5 per cent for 2028-’29.

The final decision on the council tax increase for the forthcoming financial year will be made by full council, the Cabinet decision taking the form of a recommendation, with the budget meeting currently listed for February 20.