News
Council approves ‘ill-conceived’ rise
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THE COUNCIL’s Licensing Committee has agreed to adopt a single fare rate across the board for all taxis in the county. The decision was taken at Thursday’s Licensing Committee despite objections from a number of cab drivers with one objector describing the rise in fares as ‘illconceived’. Representatives of taxis firms from Haverfordwest, Tenby, Saundersfoot, Pembroke and Milford Haven attended the meeting. Following a complaint from a disabled person who had been charged with additional fares it was considered that the council was in breach of the equalities act.
The committee therefore made the decision to reduce the number of rates from eight to four and adopt a rate table to similar rate to other authorities in Wales. The Council’s Director of Development added that the change would help them comply with the Equality Act 2010. The tariff for 4-person vehicles will be charged at £4.10 for the first mile with an additional 20p for each 118 yards covered after. Tariffs for vehicles with five to eight passengers will also see a rise. For eight passengers in one car the tariff 1 charge currently stands at £3.50 but the new tariff will be double to £7.00. Tariff 2 for the same amount of passengers will rise from £4.60 for the first mile to £10.00, an increase of 117.39%.
Gary Slack, from Gary’s Taxis, spoke on behalf of objectors saying: “The ramifications will be spread wide across all areas. Contracts such as school runs will now be seen as overcharging. There is a very real chance that if costs aren’t met there is a real concern that some of these vehicles will be forced off the road. How can you charge £10 for one mile? This is an ill-conceived table of fares. This is ludicrous, we don’t want to charge that much. There will be no end of complaints. With these new proposals it would be cheaper to have two cars rather than one, the whole set up is ridiculous.
All this is to do with one complaint.” Cllr Wynne Evans said: “I am quite concerned about some of this; some of this is a little bit worrying.” Cllr Reg Owens added: “One incident was reported and this is very much an over-reaction to it. We wouldn’t have access throughout the county if it wasn’t for these people. It could be about, going round on an area basis educating taxi drivers and put everyone straight to make them more comfortable. It is a much needed service and I would urge common sense.” Cllr Peter Stock said: “I have great concerns about this.
This is an important issue and I want it to be a fair balance for the whole of Pembrokeshire.” The meeting then went into private session where members discussed the proposed charges in greater detail. After the meeting had reconvened, Cllr Jon Davies said: “We need to be as fair as we can. We should comply and after twelve months we will review this decision.” Cllr Daphne Bush added: “This is the safest route and we are trying to do things fairly at the moment.” Cllr Reg Owens then moved that they implement the proposals set forward by the taxi drivers and review it in twelve months’ time. That was supported by Cllr Stock but when it came to the vote no one else gave their support and the motion was dismissed.
Cllr Owens went on to say: “The DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) is enforced now. Everybody should adhere to it. We’ve got to comply with the DDA and a bit of education wouldn’t go amiss; a lot of people are ignorant of it.” Cllr Davies’ motion was then voted on with six supporting and three voting against. Speaking after the meeting, Gary Slack said they would hope to go to the Ombudsman about the decision and added that they would be seeking compensation from the council. The new tariffs will take effect from October 20.
Crime
Police impose dispersal zone at Tenby multi-storey after spate of anti-social behaviour
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A DISPERSAL zone has been enforced at Tenby’s multi-storey car park following a surge in anti-social behaviour, Dyfed-Powys Police has confirmed.
Officers say they have received “a number of reports” of disorder both within the car park and in the surrounding area. The incidents have been described as serious enough to warrant immediate action, with police vowing to tackle the issue “robustly.”
Police clamp down on disorder
In response, a Section 34 dispersal zone has been put in place, granting police and PCSOs the authority to order individuals to leave the area if they are involved in, or likely to engage in, anti-social behaviour. Those instructed to leave must not return for 48 hours.
A spokesperson for the Tenby Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) urged parents to take responsibility for their children, saying: “Parents, please be aware of where your children are and what they are up to.”
Reports of escalating incidents
While police have not disclosed specific details of the reported incidents, concerns have been raised over escalating problems at the site. The multi-storey car park was the location of a tragic accident last month when a six-month-old baby was struck by a car and later died.
Residents and businesses in the area have expressed concern over ongoing disturbances, with some calling for increased police patrols and improved security measures at the facility.
How to report anti-social behaviour
Police are urging anyone witnessing anti-social behaviour to report it via: 101 (non-emergency police number)
101@dyfed-powys.police.uk
Online at https://orlo.uk/oL3e3
The dispersal zone will remain in effect while police continue to monitor the situation.
Community
Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund brings joy to school children
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THE ENHANCING PEMBROKESHIRE FUND PROJECT, with the support from Pembrokeshire County Council’s regeneration programme, has been hailed a huge success by the school children of Milford Haven Community Primary School.
An 11-week course, with the Torch Theatre at the helm, saw arts experts deliver a term of expressive arts sessions concluding with the young people sharing their hard work in a performance in the Torch’s studio theatre.
The Torch Theatre’s professional team worked with the school’s year 5 pupils on a playwriting and theatre design project in the company of playwright, Katie Elin Salt and theatre designer, Ruth Stringer. The creative activity was designed to support the school in the development of young people’s languages, literacy and communication skills.
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The children created an epic play called Famous Authors which allowed each class to explore different aspects of a chosen favourite author’s life. Full of dramatic twists and featuring spectacular handmade props and costumes, all created by the young people themselves, the project opened doors to many.
Three quarters of the children said they would recommend the project to other year groups in the school as Tim Howe, Senior Manager for Youth and Community at the Torch explains:
“We’re so pleased the project was a success. Over three quarters of the children in this project indicated that they were more likely to write more stories after having completed the project; over half the children described their writing skills as excellent or good as a result of this project and almost half the children described their presentation skills as excellent or good.”
Rhian Johnson Year Leader for Year 5 and Expressive Arts Lead at Milford Haven Community Primary School said: “I’m so proud of the creative journey our students have been on. Over the Autumn term, they had dived into scriptwriting and prop making, building key skills in literacy, design, and collaboration. Working with creative professionals inspired them and opened their eyes to the possibilities of theatre. The culmination of their hard work, showcased on the Torch Theatre stage, was a true reflection of their creativity and determination. This experience has not only enriched their learning but also helped them develop critical thinking and teamwork—skills they’ll carry forward.”
One of the pupils undertaking the project said: “I have really enjoyed working with the Torch Theatre this term as the Torch has helped me understand how a play is put together.”
The children were asked the open question “Tell me what you learned from the Torch Theatre project.” Approximately a quarter of the young people spoke about how brave it made them feel or the courage it gave them to speak in front of people. A similar number of young people spoke about the importance of creativity and imagination and 20% of them spoke about teamwork and working with other people.
Tim added: “They were incredibly analytical in this with some talking about positives, and others discussing how they overcame issues presented by working in a team.
“We know that providing this opportunity for the children and staff has had a meaningful and lasting impact. Not only did our young people improve their literacy skills, but we also hope it gave them aspirations to be part of the creative sector. We know that maybe one day they will be writing plays for the Torch Theatre.”
Crime
Dyfed-Powys Police to sell off Narberth police station
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DYFED POWYS POLICE have confirmed that they are to sell Narberth Police Station and relocate to a new base with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS).
Narberth Station has been identified as not meeting modern day policing requirements by Dyfed-Powys Police.
As a result, and as part of a £10m savings plan spanning three years, a decision has been made to formally close the station and sell the property.
This decision is part of a bigger change programme across Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police, where estates and technology and the kit available to officers and staff are coming together to improve policing and the service to our communities.
Dyfed-Powys Police will maintain their presence in Narberth, and will operate from a new collocation base, with Mid and West Wales Fire who are an important Blue Light partner with established long-standing relationships already in existence. Collaborating with MAWWFRS will mean that Dyfed-Powys Police can continue to ensure a visible presence and effective engagement with local-residents and businesses in the town.
Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis said: “This decision has come after careful evaluation to make best use of resources and deliver an effective police service that meets the needs and expectations of our communities.
“The closure and sale of this police station is a step forward in modernising and improving our services, enabling officers to continue their work with greater efficiency and effectiveness.
“The decision has been made with the best interests of taxpayers and the community in mind, as the current station does not meet modern day policing requirements and is expensive to run.
“I want to reassure our local communities that Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police is committed to maintaining the same level of service and support for our local communities, and residents and business in Narberth will see no difference.
“Your local neighbourhood policing and prevention teams will continue to provide a visible presence and effective engagement with residents and businesses.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Discussions around police stations closing or being sold have, in the past, sparked concerns about police visibility, response times, and community safety. I completely understand those worries.
“However, Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis has assured me that this estates decision will not affect the level of service provided to the public.
“While these changes are not easy, I want to be clear—our commitment to public safety remains unchanged. This decision is about making sure Dyfed-Powys Police can operate as efficiently as possible, ensuring officers and resources are in the right places to serve our communities effectively.
“In an increasingly digital world, there are now more ways than ever for people to stay connected with Dyfed-Powys Police. Alongside traditional phone contact, I encourage the public to make use of online services and the Force’s social media channels, which offer important updates, crime prevention advice, and opportunities for engagement.
“By embracing these alternative ways to communicate, we can all play a role in ensuring policing remains responsive and accessible, while allowing officers to focus on critical incidents.
“If you have any concerns or questions, please get in touch with my office. Your feedback is important, and we value your support in keeping our communities safe.”
MAWWFRS’s Chief Fire Officer, Roger Thomas KFSM, said: “MAWWFRS is delighted to further its partnership with Dyfed-Powys Police continuing the long-standing and positive relationship we have with one of our blue light partners.
Our Service is committed to keeping the communities of Mid and West Wales safe and by increasing the number of community Fire Stations available to Dyfed-Powys Police’s Officers further enhances our ability to work closer together”.
If you need the police when it is not an emergency, you can contact them through a direct message on Facebook and X, online, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or by calling 101.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. If a crime is in progress, or there is a danger to life, risk of serious injury, or damage to property, always dial 999.
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