News

Council ‘s £34m budget gap ‘the most challenging since its inception’

Published

1 year ago

December 12, 2024

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is staring down the barrel of a £34.1m funding gap for 2025-26. Despite a 3.6% funding increase from the Welsh Government, announced on Wednesday (Dec 11), councillors are grappling with tough decisions on tax increases and service cuts to balance the books.

Cllr Joshua Beynon, the Cabinet Member for Finance, described the situation as the most challenging financial landscape the authority has faced since its inception. He warned that rising costs and increasing demand for services have created an unsustainable financial outlook.

Expenditure is set to rise by 11.2%, leaving the Council with two options: raise taxes or cut services. Either way, difficult choices are ahead.

Hidden costs add millions to budget woes

The Welsh Government’s settlement does not cover increased employers’ national insurance contributions or the costs of commissioned care services. These omissions add £2m to the Council’s budget pressures, a cost that will recur annually.

Additionally, First Minister Eluned Morgan confirmed on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that the UK Government’s level of cost coverage for the national insurance increase will not be clear until May or June, after the increase takes effect in April. This uncertainty casts doubt on the deliverability of savings and the level of Council Tax needed to fund essential services. It’s likely that by the time clarity emerges, much of the funding increase will have been absorbed by rising costs.

Statutory services face funding crunch

Cllr Beynon outlined the pressures of delivering statutory services like education, adult social care, and child social care. He highlighted the “rural premium” of delivering services in Pembrokeshire, where clients are often miles apart, compared to urban areas like Cardiff.

“The cost of delivering services has far outpaced consumer price inflation,” he said. Even a proposed 11.4% Council Tax increase would leave a significant funding gap that could only be filled by service reductions. Councillors must weigh these challenges carefully when setting Council Tax next March.

Over the past 11 years, Pembrokeshire County Council has faced a cumulative funding gap of £174.8m. This has been addressed through a combination of budget savings, Council Tax increases, premiums, and reserves. Of that, 63% has come from savings and reductions, with just under a quarter from increased taxes.

Councillors demand accountability on savings

Cllr Alan Dennison queried how the Council’s Budget Forecasting Tool assigned risk bands to budget elements, suggesting cross-party input was necessary. He questioned why reducing schools’ budgets appeared easier than cutting senior roles within the Education Directorate.

Chief Executive Will Bramble defended the process, explaining that risk assessments consider the feasibility of cuts and their impact on services. He assured members they could provide input on the process.

The exchange turned heated when Cllr Dennison challenged figures quoted by the Chief Executive about savings achieved. Mr Bramble refuted any suggestion of inaccuracy, promising to provide detailed figures after the meeting.

Investment in social care

The Council plans to divert £5m of reserves into a designated fund for investment in social care, aiming to build a provision pot and manage in-year budget pressures. Cllr Beynon said this move was critical to ensuring the sustainability of vital services.

Next steps

The Council voted to proceed with the draft budget, which will undergo extended scrutiny in January. A series of committee meetings and a further budget seminar will determine the path forward. As Pembrokeshire councillors face a gruelling budget process, the decisions they make in the coming weeks will shape the county’s financial future and impact every resident.

Crime

Drug and weapon charges after Pembroke Dock arrest

Published

1 hour ago

April 10, 2026

Court Reporter

Man remanded in custody following Diamond Street vehicle search

A MAN has been remanded in custody after appearing at Swansea Crown Court charged with drug, weapon and driving offences following an arrest in Pembroke Dock.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers from Pembrokeshire Roads Policing and response teams searched a vehicle on Diamond Street on Saturday (Apr 4).

Following the search, Zamurd Hussain, 43, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Hussain was later charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Apr 6), where he was remanded in custody.

His next court appearance is due to take place at Swansea Crown Court at 9:00am on May 8.

Crime

Woman fights order taking four dogs from her

Published

1 hour ago

April 10, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Swansea Crown Court hears appeal after long-running barking dispute in Trefin

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman has told Swansea Crown Court that complaints about her dogs are unfair as she appeals against the sentence imposed on her by magistrates, including the order that led to four of her dogs being taken from her.

Julia Goodgame appeared before His Honour Judge Simon Hughes on Friday (Apr 10) in the latest stage of a long-running case arising from complaints by residents in Trefin about persistent dog barking.

The appeal follows a ruling by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in December, when Goodgame, of Bryn Y Derwydd, admitted breaching a Community Protection Notice issued by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Magistrates ordered the immediate forfeiture and seizure of four Border Collies, which Goodgame said were the only dogs in her possession.

The court heard on Friday that residents had complained of constant barking, with only short breaks of around 30 minutes, sometimes continuing until 10:00pm.

The dogs have reportedly remained in kennels since December while the appeal is dealt with.

Goodgame told the court: “My dogs are exceptionally well behaved.”

She also raised concerns about the conditions the animals are being kept in, saying the kennels were exposed to the weather and did not provide a suitable environment.

Goodgame said she had attended conflict resolution classes and had tried her best to resolve the issues raised by neighbours, but said she could not understand why the dogs had not been returned.

The original case followed months of complaints from residents in Trefin about dog noise and control. In addition to the forfeiture order, magistrates imposed a fine, costs and a Criminal Behaviour Order.

The case continues.

News

Plaid Cymru commits to review 182-day rule

Published

2 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SUPPORTING local tourism businesses is key, Plaid Cymru said as it launched its manifesto and confirmed it would review the 182-day threshold for holiday accommodation in Wales.

The party said it would also introduce clear and reasonable national exemptions in cases where accommodation should not be treated as a private home.

Plaid Cymru says many holiday-let business owners in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are struggling to meet the 182-day threshold each year due to factors beyond their control, including poor weather, and that this is having a serious impact on both their businesses and their wellbeing.

Under the party’s proposals, national exemptions would be introduced to ensure genuine holiday-let operators are treated fairly and given the support needed to help their businesses succeed.

Kerry Ferguson, Plaid Cymru Senedd candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, said: “As a business owner myself, I know how much financial pressure small businesses are under at the moment and the toll that can take on owners, their friends and families.

“We have heard directly from many furnished holiday-let owners in both Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire that lowering the 182-day threshold for overnight stays would make a huge difference to their businesses.

“I am pleased that Plaid Cymru has committed to reviewing the 182-day rule for non-domestic rates in Wales and to introducing national exemptions to help genuine businesses that are unfairly affected by the rule, while excluding self-catering accommodation that cannot be used on the open housing market.”