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Neyland Town Council faces fresh turmoil as Mayor cancels meeting

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NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL has plunged deeper into controversy after Mayor Peter Hay announced the cancellation of its scheduled meeting on Monday (Dec 9). The Mayor cited a “lack of appetite” among councillors to meet, attributing the discord to the behavior of “a few individual councillors.”

This decision follows months of internal strife, with the council already under scrutiny after a grievance lodged by the Town Clerk in October accused several councillors of harassment. That complaint led to the postponement of a meeting on October 7 and exposed longstanding rifts within the council.

In a statement, the Mayor criticized unnamed councillors for fostering “discord and disruption” and called for an end to the factionalism that has plagued the council. He defended his leadership, urging critics to file formal complaints if they believed he had failed in his role.

The statement, posted on social media, received mixed reactions. While some residents applauded the Mayor’s candor, others questioned his professionalism. One commenter remarked: “Very mayor-like and professional.” Calls for leadership change have also surfaced, further intensifying pressure on the troubled council.

Longstanding divisions resurface

This latest controversy is part of a broader pattern of dysfunction within Neyland Town Council. In October, the council was paralysed after the Town Clerk’s grievance alleged harassment by several members. An internal review substantiated the claims, deepening divisions among councillors.

The grievance also shed light on allegations of factionalism and abuse of power. Some councillors accused colleagues of exploiting their positions to sideline others, with one labelling it “nothing less than an abuse of power.”

Residents have expressed growing frustration over these disputes. Social media comments reveal widespread disappointment, with one resident stating: “The council should all be working towards the betterment of Neyland, not pursuing personal vendettas.”

Concerns over governance

The ongoing turmoil has raised serious questions about the council’s leadership and transparency. Key concerns include:

  • Allegations of financial mismanagement by the Neyland Community Interest Company (CIC).
  • Criticism over the council’s handling of Christmas events, with poor public attendance linked to internal dysfunction.
  • Uncertainty about the council’s direction amid repeated conflicts.

Councillor Brian Rothero has called for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to address these issues, including the CIC’s finances and governance. He accused the council of failing to provide transparency to precept-paying residents, who have contributed around £500,000 to community projects.

A frustrated community

For Neyland residents, the lack of cohesion within the council has been disheartening. Many have called for councillors to put aside personal differences and refocus on serving the community. One resident commented: “Years gone by, there was none of this… it was all sorted during a meeting.”

What’s next?

The cancellation of Monday’s meeting leaves critical questions about the council’s governance and future direction unresolved. With an EGM expected soon, residents are hopeful the council can address its issues and regain public trust. However, repeated crises have left many doubting whether the current leadership can restore unity and confidence.

The Herald will continue to follow developments in this ongoing saga.

 

Entertainment

Dinosaur adventure stomps into Milford Haven

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A FAMILY dinosaur show 65 million years in the making is heading to Milford Haven this summer.

Dinosaur Adventure Live: Danger on T-Rex Mountain will headline the Torch Theatre on Thursday, July 30.

The interactive stage show promises storytelling, puppetry, humour and science as young audiences join a team of rangers on a mission to recover a data crystal, restore power to the island and save the dinosaurs.

Children will be encouraged to stomp, roar and swish their tails as they meet baby dinosaurs, learn “Dino-Facts” and come face-to-face with a roaring T-Rex.

Created by Mike Newman, the producer behind Exciting Science, the show is now in its fifth year and is aimed at families with children aged four and over.

The performance lasts one hour, with no interval, and there will be a meet-and-greet after the show.

Tickets are available from the Torch Theatre.

 

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Farming

Imported meat bill hits £5bn as Co-op calls for stronger backing for UK farmers

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RISING IMPORTS RAISE FOOD SECURITY CONCERNS

THE CO-OP has called for stronger government support for British farmers after new figures showed the UK’s imported meat bill rose to more than £5bn last year.

HMRC data obtained by the retailer shows the value of meat imported into the UK increased by 15 per cent year-on-year, from £4.33bn in 2024 to £5.06bn in 2025.

The Co-op said the figures raised fresh concerns about the resilience of Britain’s food system at a time of climate change, global conflict and disruption to international supply chains.

Poultry was the most imported protein, worth almost £2bn in 2025. Poland and the Netherlands accounted for the largest share, while poultry imports from Thailand rose by almost 50 per cent compared with the previous year.

The retailer, which says it sells and uses 100 per cent British meat and poultry, said the UK’s growing reliance on overseas supply chains left shoppers and farmers more exposed to global shocks.

It is now backing proposals from the Co-operative Party calling for agricultural co-operatives to be scaled up and better supported as part of the Government’s long-term farming plans.

The policy paper argues that farmer-owned co-operatives can help producers share costs, reduce risk, invest collectively and secure stronger bargaining power in the food supply chain.

There are currently estimated to be more than 500 agricultural co-operatives in the UK, generating income of more than £9bn.

Paul Gerrard, Director of Public Affairs and Campaigns at Co-op, said: “The issue of supply chain resilience is upon us now and there is a clear and demonstrable benefit to the co-operative business model in agriculture.

“An expansion of agricultural co-operation is both an economic opportunity and a political imperative: it directly addresses the need for a more secure and sustainable food system, one less exposed to the volatility of global markets and the instability in a rapidly changing world.”

Joe Fortune, Leader of the Co-operative Party, said co-operation was “a form of strategic resilience” and called on Government to help grow the sector.

The party’s proposals include clearer government guidance for farmers, stronger representation for co-operatives in policy-making, improved access to finance, support for producer organisations, and greater use of public procurement to back British farming.

 

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Community

Tenby phone signal crisis goes national as businesses warn of summer disruption

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TRADERS SAY CARD PAYMENTS, TAXIS AND VISITOR SAFETY ARE BEING HIT BY ‘DEAD ZONE’ COVERAGE

TENBY’S long-running mobile phone signal crisis has become a national story, with businesses and visitors warning that poor coverage is now affecting card payments, taxi bookings and the town’s reputation as a major tourist destination.

The seaside town, one of Wales’ best-known holiday hotspots, has been named as having the worst mobile network quality in the UK, with consumer group Which? reporting that users in the SA70 postcode experience a good connection only 54.3 per cent of the time.

The problem has been made worse by the decommissioning of a local phone mast earlier this year, affecting O2, Vodafone and Three customers.

The Herald has repeatedly reported concerns from residents, traders and visitors, including more than 500 complaints gathered through a public appeal by Around Tenby and Tenby Chamber of Trade & Tourism.

Businesses say the issue is no longer just an inconvenience, but a serious trading problem.

Taxi drivers have reported missing bookings because messages cannot be answered in the town centre, while shops and hospitality venues say customers are sometimes unable to pay by card.

One Tenby taxi driver told BBC Wales that the town had become a signal “dead zone”, adding that he had begun warning customers that some journeys may have to be cash-only because card machines cannot connect reliably.

Retailers have also warned that tourists who cannot make a payment often say they will “come back later” — but never do.

The issue is particularly acute as Tenby prepares for the summer season, when tens of thousands of visitors can be in and around the town on busy days.

Pembrokeshire’s visitor economy is worth hundreds of millions of pounds a year, and Tenby remains one of the county’s flagship destinations.

But visitors interviewed by the BBC said they had struggled to call taxis, check the weather or keep in touch with work while staying in the town.

Some said the lack of signal would make them think twice about returning.

Mobile operators have apologised and said work is ongoing to find a solution.

O2 said the issue was linked to a decommissioned local mast and that Vodafone, its infrastructure partner, was working to locate and install a replacement. Vodafone and Three said they were exploring temporary options while working on a longer-term fix.

EE, which was not involved in the removal of the mast, said it was looking at ways to improve connectivity in Tenby and the wider area, including upgrades at an existing mast site in Penally.

Local MP Henry Tufnell has already written to telecoms operators demanding answers, after being told that the removal of the Slippery Back Lane mast had left parts of Tenby with very limited mobile signal.

Campaigners say the pressure is now on for a temporary fix before the height of the tourism season, rather than waiting months or years for a permanent replacement.

The Herald understands traders are continuing to gather evidence from residents, visitors and businesses to present to mobile networks.

For many in Tenby, the message is simple: a town that helps sell Wales to the world should not be left struggling to make a phone call.

 

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