Community
Pembrokeshire second homes tax to fund vital local projects
NEARLY £0.6m in grants has been awarded to 10 Pembrokeshire groups using money from the second homes council tax premium after it received the backing of senior councillors today, November 4.
At the November 4 meeting of the county council’s Cabinet, members considered ten applications for funding through the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Large Grant Applications.
In order to be considered for funding, applications are points-based, with one, Haverfordwest Tennis Club just missing out on the 20 points criteria by one point.
The Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant, launched in 2018 supports local communities; funded via a portion of the charges raised through the second homes premium.
To date, Pembrokeshire County Council has awarded £4,482,374 to 272 projects attracting match funding of £4,948,984, investing a total of £9,431,358 into Pembrokeshire communities.
In July 2023, Cabinet agreed an officer led grant panel determine the outcome of applications below £15,000; those up to £100,000 coming to Cabinet.
The internal grant panel considered 10 applications, one criticised for arriving slightly late, of which nine met the grant criteria and required scoring threshold of 20 or above.
A report for members said there was an underspend last year of £274,326 rolled into this financial year’s allocation of £400,000; the nine projects for a total value of £766,434 requesting grant support of £560,032.31.
Fishguard and Goodwick Young Persons Project requested £77,106 for a £96,383 project to help young people aged 11-25 to raise self-esteem and improve their employability skills through activities/lifelong learning.
Arts Care Gofal Care Development requested £56,695 for a £70,868 project for an inclusive dance and performance programme for adults and children with learning disabilities.
Garth Youth and Community Project ‘You Matter’ wanted £73,069.60 for a £91,337 project enhancing peoples overall mental and physical wellbeing through sporting/games/food activities.
Transport group PACTO – whose application had arrived slightly late – wanted £39,991 for a £50,535 project to meet Welsh Government zero emission transport targets by 2035 by purchasing and managing a ‘Green Bus’ for Bloomfield Community Centre, Narberth; the centrepiece of a net-zero project in Pembrokeshire, promoting sustainable, accessible transport for those with mobility challenges and those with other barriers to conventional transport.
Acts West Wales Cilrath Acre sought £46,992 of £62,092 for a community growing project, which offers volunteer and learning opportunities, giving people the chance to grow food, learn new skills and meet others.
Fishguard Sea Cadets sought £50,000 of £70,000 to secure the land that adjoins its unit to provide safer, more organised outdoor training, and a secure storage area.
Pembroke Dock Cricket Club asked for £58,400 of £73,000 for new changing rooms, the current becoming beyond repair, and lacking adequate inclusive access.
PLANED Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership (PLFP), a partnership between PLANED, PAVS and Pembrokeshire County Council that brings together producers/growers, organisations and communities, creating an active, sustainable food system for Pembrokeshire sought £57,779.17 for a £72,224 project.
The largest amount was from Kilgetty Begelly Community Council, asking £100,000 towards a £179,995 scheme to create a new play park to enhance the village and increase accessibility to the wider communities including the Kingsmoor Common Gypsy Traveller site.
One proposal, which failed the criteria by just one point, was Haverfordwest Tennis Club, seeking £31,208 in funding for a £39,207.72 scheme for floodlights and wheelchair access.
That proposal is currently subject to an ongoing planning application and the scheme would only benefit club members, the report says.
Following a plea by Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller, members agreed to include the tennis club application, subject to it gaining planning permission, and the applicants including a Welsh language policy.
Members backed all ten projects receive funding, for a total of just over £590,240.
Second homes in Pembrokeshire currently pay a 200 per cent council tax premium, which will be reduced to 150 per cent from the next financial year.
Community
Call for better communication on closures of flood-hit Pembrokeshire roads
CALLS to improve the communication of road closures at a regularly flood-hit road at the entrance to Tenby are to be heard later this week.
The Gumfreston area near the south Pembrokeshire seaside town is regularly hit with flood, and councillors recently heard its existing warning system appeared to not like working when its wet.
In a submitted question before the December 12 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Rhys Jordan will say: “The B4318 at Gumfreston is prone to persistent flooding during adverse weather conditions, leading to road closures that disrupt travel and pose safety risks for residents and motorists.
“Currently, closures are not effectively communicated to residents, causing inconvenience, delays, and potential hazards. An efficient alert system would provide timely information to residents, allowing them to plan alternative routes and ensuring safety.”
Back in October, Cllr Jordan had asked at full council for an update on progress made toward improving the flood warning system in the Gumfreston area.
He had asked: “Can you give me an assurance that the flood warning system will actually work this autumn and winter?
“Only yesterday [October 16] the road was flooded and no warning signs were on; it seems to work when the road is not flooded, but they don’t like operating when its wet.”
He described it as “probably the most closed road in the county,” but one where there was the least communication on.
Members were given a ‘full commitment’ improvements to the warning systems would be made.
Community
Plans to relocate Pembroke Dock police station submitted
AN APPLICATION to move Pembroke Dock’s police station from its “no longer fit for purpose” Water Street location to a former council building have been submitted to county planners.
Dyfed Powys Police, through agent Asbri Planning Ltd is seeking a change of use of the former Public Information Centre, Argyle Street, Pembroke Dock to a police station.
A supporting statement says the former Public information Centre has been deemed surplus to requirements due to changes in working patterns, with Dyfed Powys Police declaring a strong interest in purchasing the property “to enable a more efficient building to house their new model hub for policing” than its current building in nearby Water Street.
It adds: “Should planning be approved, Dyfed Powys Police will progress with the sale of the current police station with the property then being advertised for sale on the open market.”
The statement says: “The Public information Centre was formerly used by Pembrokeshire Council to accommodate a number of services including adult and children social services and housing. The use of the building was predominantly used as an office for council operatives, however, due to a shift in working environment and the council employing a flexible approach to working, the use of the building was deemed surplus to requirements. Accordingly, the use of the building by the Council ceased in early 2024 and the and the services moved online. The building has been vacant since and it is an expense to the council to keep maintain the building with no business use.”
It goes on to say: “The proposed re-location of the police operation from Water Street to Argyle Street will require no alterations to the building; it is considered adequate for the intended use with no changes required. The nature of policing also means the transition should be seamless as it is akin to a business use moving back into the property. The office is served by adequate parking for the intended number of employees without a need for any additional spaces.”
The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.
Community
Haverfordwest antisocial behaviour action a ‘waste of money’
A PUBLIC protection order, introduced in the centre of Haverfordwest to tackle antisocial behaviour more than two years ago has been a “waste of taxpayers’ money,” with no prosecutions or penalties issued, councillors will hear.
Prior to its backing in mid 2022, a plan to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Haverfordwest town centre had been under discussion for some time, with a public consultation on the matter, as well as previous debates by Pembrokeshire County Council.
The proposals were brought by the town’s five county councillors, initially prompted by anti-social behaviour and drinking issues at the skate park and were developed in partnership with Dyfed-Powys Police.
Claims had previously been made that “gangs of feral children are roaming around town”, with members of the public subject to verbal and physical abuse in Haverfordwest, and a “criminal element” dealing drugs in the town.
The PSPO gives police and PCSOs additional powers for three years to issue a fixed penalty notice of £100 if someone fails to comply with a request to cease consumption of intoxicating substances in a designated area.
At the time, Cllr Jacob Williams said on “civil liberties grounds” he was shocked to see what was being proposed.
“I think this is way over the top and not a proportionate response,” he said.
The PSPO area includes the Withybush retail area, the river alongside Morrisons, Barn Street, Horsefair roundabout, Rifleman Field, skatepark, Fortunes Frolic and out to the train station.
After a lengthy debate the introduction of a PSPO was approved 30 votes for and 21 against, with four abstentions.
The December 12 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council will receive a submitted question by Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy on the subject.
“At full council on July 14, 2022 a decision was made to implement a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within certain areas of Haverfordwest.
“A Partnership Panel held on May 23, 2024, received confirmation that since this PSPO was implemented there have been no prosecutions or fixed penalties issued. There was a cost implication in implementing this PSPO for PCC, money that we can ill afford to spend when ample legislation exists for dealing with antisocial behaviour.
“Therefore, can it be agreed that in future such applications are given greater scrutiny to avoid further waste of taxpayers’ money and what actually reduces antisocial behaviour is increased pro-active policing not more legislation?”
Cllr Murphy’s question will be heard at the December 12 meeting.
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