News
Audit report flags financial risks for cash-strapped Pembrokeshire County Council
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S financial future is under scrutiny following an extremely critical report by Audit Wales, which warns of mounting risks due to the authority’s reliance on reserves and failure to address underlying budget pressures. The Financial Sustainability Review, published in October 2024, raises concerns about the council’s ability to deliver services and secure long-term financial stability.
The council’s decision to reduce the planned Council Tax increase for 2023-24 from 16.3% to 12.5% is highlighted as a key issue. Paragraph 22 of the report states:
“The revised 2023-24 budget was therefore balanced using reserves to fund the shortfall between income and expenditure. This has implications for the sustainability of the Council’s finances, as the approach does not address the underlying causes of the funding gap.”
Short-term fixes, long-term consequences
Audit Wales identifies several factors contributing to the council’s precarious position:
- Depleting Reserves: Reserve balances are projected to fall sharply, undermining the council’s financial resilience.
- Unaddressed Funding Gap: The Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2024-28 outlines projected deficits but lacks clear solutions to close these gaps.
- Low Council Tax Rates: Pembrokeshire has some of the lowest Council Tax rates in Wales, limiting revenue growth.
- Future Tax Burden: Reduced tax increases in the short term may result in steeper hikes in future years to recover lost revenue.
- Challenging Budget Decisions: The decision to suspend standing orders to amend the MTFP raises questions about governance and transparency.
Audit Wales warns that without a robust, long-term strategy, the council will struggle to prioritize funding and address the structural challenges threatening its financial sustainability.
Impact on residents and services
The report underscores the implications of the council’s financial approach for local residents and services. While reducing the tax increase may have provided short-term relief to taxpayers, it comes at the cost of further reliance on reserves and the potential for drastic measures in future budgets. These could include severe cuts to essential services or substantial tax hikes, placing significant strain on the community.
Additionally, overspending in key service areas adds to the challenges, as rising costs and demand continue to outpace available funding. Audit Wales emphasizes that the council’s reliance on reserves only delays difficult decisions, creating greater risks in the years ahead.
Cllr Mike Stoddart countered the report by saying: “Since the present administration came to power in 2017, Band D council tax has risen from £883 to the present £1561.
“That is an almost 80% increase compared to the rate of inflation (CPI) according to the Bank of England’s calculator of less than 30%.
“In addition they have diverted most of the second and empty homes council tax premiums into general funds.
“Their appetite for taxpayers’ money seems insatiable.
“I accept that there are service pressures in adult and children’s social care, but nowhere near enough to account for these eye-watering increases.
“So, instead of Audit Wales (AW) encouraging ever larger council tax bills, I would like to see proposals for the more efficient delivery of services – plus a dramatic reduction in the bureaucracy imposed on the council by the Welsh Government and Audit Wales, itself.
“Where I do agree with Audit Wales is with regard to its concerns about the way Standing Orders were manipulated to allow last-minute changes to last year’s council tax rate.”
Call for urgent action
Audit Wales recommends urgent steps to develop a comprehensive financial strategy that addresses these issues and ensures sustainability. The council must reduce its dependency on reserves, identify alternative funding sources, and implement measures to close the funding gap.
Pembrokeshire County Council has yet to respond publicly to the report. Residents and stakeholders now await clarity on how the authority plans to address these critical concerns and safeguard the county’s financial future.
This report highlights the challenges local authorities face amid rising costs and limited income, placing Pembrokeshire under the spotlight as it navigates turbulent financial waters.
Community
Charity tractor and car run set to raise funds for Macmillan and Paul Sartori
A CHARITY tractor and car run in memory of Charles Rees is set to take place in Pembrokeshire later this month, with funds raised supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.
The Charles Rees Tractor & Car Run will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm in Camrose.
Participants are being invited to “start their engines” in aid of the two charities, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy leaving promptly at 10:30am. Organisers have confirmed that the run will operate with no halfway stops, returning to Dudwell Farm at the end of the route.
The event will begin and finish at Dudwell Farm, Camrose (SA62 6HJ), and is open to tractors and cars. Registration and cash payment will take place on the day, with the price to be confirmed nearer the event.
Additional donations can also be made locally in the run-up to the event at Camrose Country Hardware and Croesgoch Stores.
The run has been organised to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides vital care and assistance to people living with cancer, and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which supports patients and families across Pembrokeshire during some of the most difficult times of their lives.
Organisers say more information will be released closer to the event and are encouraging the local community to support the run, whether by taking part, donating, or lining the route to show support.
The event is expected to attract strong local interest, continuing Pembrokeshire’s tradition of community-led fundraising in support of much-valued charities.

News
Late Griffiths strike caps dramatic Clarby fightback in nine-goal thriller
CLARBESTON ROAD staged a remarkable comeback to edge out Pennar Robins in a breathless Division One contest that delivered nine goals, wild swings of momentum and a hat-trick that ultimately counted for nothing.
Despite falling behind on three separate occasions, Clarby showed resilience and attacking intent to secure a 5–4 victory, sealed late on by Emyr Griffiths after the hosts had earlier trailed 3–1 in the first half.
For Pennar, the result was a bitter one. Jack Jones struck three times and the Robins led at 1–0, 3–1 and 4–3, but each advantage slipped away as Clarby refused to lie down.
The opening exchanges hinted at little of what was to come. Ben ‘Rocky’ John tested Pennar goalkeeper Ryeley Clark early on, while Tom Davies dragged an effort wide at the other end. The game burst into life after nine minutes when Pennar opened the scoring following a slick team move. Nicholas Willis drove forward down the right, combined neatly with Kieran Smith and Noah Davison, and was tripped inside the box. Jack Jones made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Clarby responded almost immediately. Player-manager Matthew Ellis, keen to atone for conceding the penalty, rose to head home Travis Jones’ corner at the near post just two minutes later.
Pennar regained control midway through the half. Tom Grimwood’s curling corner was met by Jones, who nodded in at the back post, and moments later the same duo combined again as Jones completed his hat-trick, finishing from close range after Grimwood beat his marker and cut the ball back.
Crucially, Clarby struck back before the break. Matthew Bowen delivered an inviting cross from the left and John powered a header past Clark to give the hosts renewed belief heading into half-time.
With the wind at their backs, Clarby came out flying after the restart. John levelled matters by cutting inside and firing low into the corner, before sustained pressure saw Matthew Davies have a goal ruled out for offside and substitute Josh Woods flash a shot across goal.
Against the run of play, Pennar edged back in front on 69 minutes when substitutes combined — Adam Phillips delivering a cross that Conner Phillips met unmarked to head home.
Once again, Clarby refused to fold. Jack Ashman drove forward from the edge of the area and thundered a high finish into the net to make it 4–4, before the decisive moment arrived 12 minutes from time. Griffiths broke through the Pennar back line and showed composure to lift the ball beyond Clark, completing a stunning turnaround.
Clarby managed the closing stages well to see out a vital win ahead of the Christmas break.
Man of the match: Jack Jones
Despite ending on the losing side, Jones’ clinical finishing and constant threat were impossible to ignore. Kieran Smith and Noah Davison were also influential in Pennar’s first-half dominance, while Ben John was central to Clarby’s revival before limping off with a knee issue.
Clarby player-manager Matthew Ellis said: “It’s a huge three points. After nine goals your head’s spinning a bit, but you’ll take it when you’re on the right side of the result. Pennar caused us problems early on, but we really turned it around after the break.”
Pennar manager Craig Butland said: “The second half wasn’t good enough. Individual errors are hurting us and conceding just before half-time changed the momentum. We’ve got to see games out better.”
Clarbeston Road: Rhys Mansell, Matthew Bowen, Greg Brown, Matthew Griffiths, Samuel Hurton, Jack Ashman, Emyr Griffiths, Matthew Davies (capt), Matthew Ellis, Ben John (Jake Wesley 62), Travis Jones. Sub not used: Joseph Jones.
Pennar Robins: Ryeley Clark, Nick Willis (Ryan Walters 80), Alex Wheeler (Adam Phillips 53), Ethan Ball, Bobby Jones (Conner Willis 53), Connor Roberts, Tom Grimwood, Kieran Smith (capt), Noah Davison, Jack Jones, Toby Davies.
Referee: Stefan Jenkins.
Crime
Ex-Gwent police officer now living in Pembrokeshire cleared of corruption
A FORMER police officer from Pembrokeshire has been found not guilty of corruption following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
Luke Silver, aged 34, formerly of Gwent Police, had denied three charges relating to the improper use of police power or privilege. The allegations centred on claims that he made sexually inappropriate and unwanted comments to two women he encountered while on duty.
Jurors heard that one allegation involved remarks allegedly made to a woman during a police interview, while other claims related to similar conduct during separate encounters. Mr Silver denied all wrongdoing throughout the proceedings.
After hearing the evidence, a jury acquitted him of all charges.
Despite the verdict, Gwent Police confirmed that Mr Silver is no longer a serving officer. The force said he was dismissed in April following an accelerated misconduct hearing that dealt with matters separate from the criminal case.
Reporting restrictions had previously been imposed on the misconduct proceedings to prevent any potential prejudice to the criminal trial. Those restrictions were lifted following the conclusion of the court case.
The misconduct panel found that Mr Silver had breached standards of professional behaviour on two occasions, relating to honesty and integrity, and conduct likely to bring discredit on the police service.
As a result, he has been placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing him from working for any police force in the future.
Assistant Chief Constable Nick McLain said Mr Silver was no longer employed by Gwent Police and stressed the force’s commitment to maintaining public trust.
He said the public rightly expects officers to uphold the highest standards of behaviour, adding that the force would continue to act decisively where conduct falls short.
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