Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Labour accuses Independents of making a ‘Huw-turn’ over second homes tax

Published

on

PEMBROKESHIRE’S Conservative councillors, and the majority of members of the Independent Pembrokeshire Group have voted to reduce the tax burden for second home owners in a vote at a meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council this week.

The Pembrokeshire cabinet, comprised of unaffiliated, Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru members put forward plans to retain the premium at the current rate of 200% – securing investment in new homes and supporting expenditure on front line public services.

Labour says that Pembrokeshire County Council already faces a financial black hole next year – with current estimates showing a funding shortfall of more than £30million. 

Earlier in the meeting the Pembrokeshire Conservatives led by Cllr Di Clements put forward a proposal to slash the premium by 100% which councillors were told would cut £5.2 million from next years budget.

In putting forward the case for continuing with a 200% premium, Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Josh Beynon said: This policy enables the council to raise funds that are then split between affordable housing and funding frontline services, in particular, those services that have been negatively impacted by the number of second homes, particularly, schools. In the 2024/25 budget, 6.5 million of those funds raised went to local schools, money that will not be available in the same numbers for the next year. This funding for 24/25 also included more money for public toilets, street cleansing and parks. Now we have a situation led by Cllr Huw Murphy that means the gap for the budget is £2.6 million larger than it was yesterday.’

Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Paul Miller asked for evidence that, since the introduction of the premium, there had indeed been a negative impact on the tourism industry.   He said: Tourism is an important industry for Pembrokeshire and one we are of course keen to support. That said, given that by definition the accommodation units affected by this premium are either sporadically occupied second homes or holiday let’s which are empty at least half of the year, I’ve not yet heard an argument that clearly articulates the negative impact of this policy on the tourism sector. More often the concerns I hear from tourism operators are around the lack of labour supply, which is absolutely linked to housing supply, that concerns about this policy.

Cllr Marc Tierney said that he had sympathy for second home owners who had inherited a property and the council should continue to support them where possible, however he cautioned the opposition that they will need to take seriously discussions around the forthcoming council budget and be realistic that council tax rises were inevitable given the tax break given to second home owners.

Supported by the Pembrokeshire Conservatives, Cllr Huw Murphy on behalf of the Independent Group put forward a reduction in the second home premium to 150% voted through by a small margin.  Cllr Murphy strongly supported the introduction of the 200% premium which came into effect only 7 months ago.

Crime

Haverfordwest bank clerk accused of theft and fraud

Published

on

A HAVERFORDWEST bank clerk has appeared in court accused of stealing a customer’s bank card and committing fraud by abuse of position.

Mary Roberts, 47, of Coronation Avenue, Haverfordwest, is charged with stealing a bank card belonging to Keith France on November 22, 2023.

She is also accused of dishonestly abusing her position while working as a bank clerk, intending to cause financial loss while in a role where she was expected to safeguard her customer’s interests.

Roberts appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (March 11), where she entered not guilty pleas to both charges.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing next month.

The offences are alleged to be contrary to the Theft Act 1968 and the Fraud Act 2006. If convicted, Roberts faces a maximum penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

Continue Reading

Business

Cardigan shop wins St David’s Day competition

Published

on

CARDIGAN Curiosities has won the St David’s Day shop window award for the Cardigan division, an accolade presented by Menter Iaith Ceredigion.

High Street businesses and Guildhall shops embraced the festivities, decorating their windows in a vibrant display to celebrate the national day of Wales and the arrival of spring. The event, which highlighted the Welsh language, saw enthusiastic participation from across Ceredigion.

To mark the occasion and show appreciation for the community, Cardigan Curiosities is offering the chance to win an exclusive piece of local artwork. The prize is a one-of-a-kind watercolour painting of the nave of St David’s Cathedral, created by a Pembrokeshire artist. The framed artwork measures 74×95 cm.

To enter the competition, participants must:

  • Visit the Cardigan Curiosities Facebook or Instagram page
  • Like the competition post
  • Comment with their favourite Welsh word

The winner will be drawn on March 20 by “Ddraig Goch” from inside a dragon egg, with the announcement made that evening on social media.

For those interested in viewing the artwork or the decorated shop window, Cardigan Curiosities is located at 32A Cardigan High Street and is open Thursday to Sunday, from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Continue Reading

Community

Haverfordwest fire station hosts community engagement event

Published

on

HAVERFORDWEST FIRE STATION welcomed County Councillor Thomas Tudor for a community engagement event alongside Emyr and Amy from Gwasanaeth Tân ac Achub CGC / Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The event focused on the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2040, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing public safety across Mid and West Wales. The fire service is encouraging residents to take an active role in shaping the plan by providing feedback through an online survey.

Councillor Tudor praised the initiative, highlighting the importance of community involvement in developing a safer and more resilient region.

Residents can participate in the consultation by visiting: www.mawwfire.gov.uk.

Continue Reading

Sport5 hours ago

Wales v England: A battle for pride and the title

TODAY the Six Nations reaches its climax – it’s Super Saturday, Wales and England prepare for a clash in Cardiff...

Crime18 hours ago

Child sexual crime in Pembrokeshire: Perception vs. reality

IN RECENT years, concerns have grown among Pembrokeshire residents regarding the perceived high number of child sexual offences in the...

News1 day ago

Software engineer collided with bus near Cleddau Bridge deliberately

A TRAGIC collision near the Cleddau Bridge claimed the life of a Pembrokeshire software engineer, an inquest has heard. Matthew...

News1 day ago

Local Authority is ‘hoarding cash’ as Council Tax rises by 9.35%, says MS

DEMANDS FOR REFORM AS COUNCIL’S £83 MILLION RESERVES REVEALED PEMBROKESHIRE residents are bracing for a 9.35% council tax rise, despite...

Crime3 days ago

Calls for urgent reform as violence among teens rises in Wales

VIOLENCE AMONG TEENS LEADING TO CALLS FOR WELSH GOVERNMENT TO ACT WALES is experiencing an alarming surge in violent crime...

Community3 days ago

Caldey Island mourns loss of beloved long-time resident

CALDEY ISLAND is in mourning following the passing of its oldest resident, Rita Cunningham, at the age of 95. A...

News3 days ago

Dog attack in Pembroke Dock sparks police probe and online debate

A VIOLENT dog attack in Pembroke Dock town centre on Tuesday (March 11) has led to a police investigation and...

Business3 days ago

Câr-Y-Môr leads Wales’ £105m regenerative sea farming push

PEMBROKESHIRE INITIATIVE LAUNCHES CROWDFUNDER TO EXPAND INDUSTRY Wales is poised to develop a £105 million regenerative sea farming industry, projected...

Crime4 days ago

Milford man jailed for hurling racial insults during verbal attack

A Milford man has admitted hurling a barrage of racial insults at a male, after calling him ‘a black b******’...

News5 days ago

Man faces charges over tragic death of baby in Tenby car park

A MAN accused of involvement in the death of a six-month-old baby in a multi-storey car park in Tenby has...

Popular This Week