News

Independent Group calls for fair funding and realistic Council Tax rises

Published

2 years ago

December 5, 2024

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT must recognise its failure to provide sufficient support for Welsh local authorities to discharge their duties.

So says Cllr Huw Murphy, the Leader of the Independent Group on Pembrokeshire County Council, who warned that without additional funding, council reserves would be drained, and many councils could face bankruptcy.

At a recent meeting, the Independent Group set out its position on Pembrokeshire’s financial challenges, underlining the importance of a balanced and fair Council Tax approach.

“The Independent Group will not push for an unrealistically low Council Tax rise at the expense of essential services,” Cllr Murphy said. “We will support a rise that might be politically uncomfortable but is necessary if fully costed.”

Lack of Welsh Government funding blamed

According to Cllr Murphy, Pembrokeshire’s financial difficulties are rooted in rising social care costs, an unfunded Home Office directive on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, and out-of-county childcare packages that strain council resources.

Cllr Murphy welcomed efforts by Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey and Chief Executive Will Bramble to raise these concerns with the Welsh Government but stressed the urgency of action.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, Cllr Murphy highlighted the unfair tax advantages enjoyed by thousands of holiday properties in Pembrokeshire. Many are registered as businesses for non-domestic rates (NDR) but qualify for 100% Small Business Rates Relief, paying neither Council Tax nor business rates.

He argued: “This is unfair and frankly wrong. Every house in Pembrokeshire should pay the standard rate of Council Tax, with holiday rentals and second homes paying an additional levy.”

Councillors also debated reforms to the Second Homes Council Tax. Cllr Murphy suggested: “Bringing all properties under the same taxation umbrella could raise significantly more revenue than the current approach while addressing loopholes like the Welsh Government’s 182-day rule.”

Sobering statistics on Council Tax

Cllr Murphy pointed to troubling figures to illustrate local struggles: “Pembrokeshire County Council has issued 14,000 late payment letters and 4,000 summonses for Council Tax arrears. That shows the difficulties many residents face.”

He emphasised the need for a fair and proportionate approach to setting Council Tax, balancing the protection of essential services with the financial realities of residents.

Tackling empty properties

One area where the Independent Group proposes a bolder approach is Long-Term Empty Property (LTE) Council Tax.

Cllr Alan Dennison suggested a significant increase, proposing a single LTE band from April 2025 with a 250% levy by year three.

“This would raise nearly £2m, with the money going directly to essential services,” said Cllr Murphy. “We also propose a fair exemption process to ensure the policy is balanced.”

Questioning council priorities

The Independent Group also called for a review of capital projects, such as the Riverside development in Haverfordwest and the “Instagrammable bridge,” to identify savings that could ease the burden on taxpayers.

Cllr Murphy criticised the Welsh Government for failing to deliver adequate funding despite claiming its best UK Treasury settlement in 14 years. He also echoed comments from Cllr Jamie Adams, questioning the duplication of public sector roles in Wales and suggesting closer collaboration to reduce costs.

He concluded: “The Welsh Government’s priorities seem clear: funding their expansion to 96 Senedd members instead of supporting councils and services. When councils and households feel the squeeze, those decisions speak volumes.”

Community

Milford Haven Carnival organisers appeal for help from residents

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN ROUND TABLE is asking residents in Hakin and Hubberston to help keep roads clear ahead of this Saturday’s Carnival Procession.

Organisers say the event is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet, with a large number of floats, lorries and support vehicles expected to make their way through Hakin before the procession begins at Waterloo Square.

Residents living along Gelliswick Road, Rectory Avenue, Glebelands and Picton Road, particularly near the junction with Observatory Avenue, are being asked to avoid double parking or parking on pavements where possible between around 11.45am and 1.00pm.

The route being used by the floats and support vehicles is shown on the map.

Some of the vehicles involved are large, and organisers say keeping the roads as clear as possible for the short period will help ensure the procession reaches Waterloo Square safely and on time.

Milford Haven Round Table said the carnival “belongs to the whole community” and thanked residents for their continued support.

They added: “Your understanding and cooperation, even for this short time, will make a huge difference and help make this year’s Carnival another fantastic day for our town.”

Residents are also being encouraged to share the message with friends, family and neighbours who live along the affected roads.

Crime

New Year’s Day drug-driver banned after police stop in Milford Haven

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A NEW YEAR’S EVE drive has resulted in a 12-month road ban after a motorist was found to be more than twice the legal cannabis limit.

Ridwan Rahman, 20, was stopped by police as he drove his Vauxhall Astra along Steynton Road, Milford Haven, on January 1.

“Police noted the car accelerating away from traffic lights in an erratic manner,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“When officers asked the vehicle to stop, they smelt cannabis coming from inside.”

A blood test later showed Rahman had 5.2mcg of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis, in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Rahman, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to drug-driving. He was represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries, who disputed the prosecution’s claim that he had been driving erratically.

“He does not accept that he was driving in an erratic manner, nor that he accelerated away from the traffic lights,” she said.

“The officers told him he had been stopped because the vehicle’s registration plate light was not working.”

Rahman, of Carbon Close, Newport, was fined £323 and ordered to pay a £129 court surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Crime

Fishguard man jailed after breaching order banning contact with mother

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A FISHGUARD man has been jailed after breaching a restraining order which banned him from contacting his mother.

Steven O’Sullivan attended his mother’s home on June 22, despite the order having been imposed in November 2012. It prohibited him from having any direct or indirect contact with her.

“She felt she needed to phone the police because she was frightened of her son,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He had been dropped off at his mother’s property by a female, and his mother went upstairs to ring the police because he makes her feel vulnerable.”

When officers arrived, they found O’Sullivan inside an outbuilding, crouching beside an outside toilet.

“There have been a number of previous breaches, the most recent being on June 5,” continued Ms Vaughan. “Now we have yet another one on June 22.”

O’Sullivan, of Gwelfor, Fishguard, is currently on remand at Swansea Prison. He is also accused of stealing beer and food worth £45 from the Nisa store in Haverfordwest on June 21.

Representing him in court, solicitor Tom Lloyd said there had been no threats of violence when O’Sullivan went to his mother’s home.

“But the aggravating factor is his previous convictions,” he told the bench.

“He was particularly upset and had nowhere else to go. This was why he went to see his mother.”

Magistrates jailed O’Sullivan for eight weeks. He was also ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

He is due to return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on July 7 to enter a plea in relation to the alleged theft offence.