ON MONDAY, January 13, the County Council’s Cabinet will decide whether to make an application to the Welsh Government to fund works to reduce the risk of flooding at Lower Priory and Havens Head.

The proposed scheme focuses on the Havens Head culvert.

It is recommended that the Cabinet approve the application after spending time and money investigating the project’s viability.

If the Council’s application succeeds, it must part-fund the project from its capital budget.

Lower Priory and Havens Head have suffered from extensive flooding in recent years. In 2018, a row erupted after heavy rainfall caused water levels to rise rapidly, threatening residential properties and businesses along the low-lying area of the partially reclaimed salt marsh and river valley. Milford Haven Port Authority, which had built over the former marshy area at Havens Head, was accused of being responsible for the damage after building over and tarmacking a substantial area of formerly tidal soakaway.

The Council and residents blamed the Port Authority. The Port Authority denied liability.

However, after the Port Authority invested in improved flood prevention and water attenuation measures, similar inundations have been avoided, despite several instances of even heavier rainfall than that which caused extensive flooding in 2018.

Now, the Council proposes to step in with further measures to reduce the risk of flooding even further.

The estimated total cost of construction is £1,657,861. The total amount requested from the Welsh Government is £1,409,182, which amounts to 85% of the cost of construction.

Within its formal expression of interest, the Authority has requested £845,510 for the financial year 25/26 and £563,672 for the year 26/27.

If its application is successful, the Authority will be invited to apply for funding for the construction phase of the scheme through the Welsh government’s Flooding and Coastal Erosion Management grant stream.

The Welsh Government has supported the scheme to date, including fully funding the preparation of a Full Business Case and design stages. However, grant funding is not guaranteed, as the scheme will compete with other demands for funding from the same pot from other areas of Wales affected by flooding. Given that many of those other areas are more populous (and form part of Labour’s electoral core vote), the Welsh Government may choose to allocate resources to them instead of Milford Haven.

A sticking point for the current administration could be councillors’ preparedness to invest in capital projects. The Council’s Cabinet has received much criticism over its approach to capital projects, including some ill-informed and disingenuous posturing that suggests grant funds for building things can be used to fund services.

Whether councillors believe that putting the brakes on this potential capital project is justified depends on whether a majority of them think reducing the risk of flooding is worth the hundreds of thousands of pounds of public money that the Council must contribute to it if it proceeds.

NEARLY 25,000 taxpayers began the new year by completing their Self Assessment tax returns on January 1, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed. An additional 38,000 individuals submitted their returns on December 31, with 310 filing just before midnight.

With less than a month until the January 31 deadline, HMRC warns that 5.4 million people still need to file their returns to avoid penalties. Filing and paying on time supports public services and the government’s economic stability initiatives.

Avoid Penalties by Filing on Time
Failing to meet the January 31, 2025, deadline for the 2023-24 tax year could result in an initial penalty of £100. Additional charges apply for prolonged delays:

• After three months: £10 daily fines up to £900.
• After six months: 5% of the tax owed or £300, whichever is greater.
• After 12 months: A further 5% or £300, whichever is greater.

Late payments also incur a 5% penalty after 30 days, six months, and 12 months, plus interest on unpaid amounts.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC Director General for Customer Services, urged taxpayers to act promptly:

“Completing your tax return may not be the most exciting task, but filing and paying on time is essential to avoid penalties or interest charges. The easiest way to do this is via our online services on GOV.UK.”

Support for Taxpayers
Around 97% of taxpayers now file online, benefiting from features such as saving progress and returning later to complete their submissions. Payments can also be made securely through the HMRC app, which includes reminders for deadlines.

For those struggling to meet the deadline, HMRC advises contacting them before January 31 to discuss reasonable excuses.

Who Needs to File a Tax Return?
Taxpayers must complete a Self Assessment if they:

• Are newly self-employed and earned over £1,000.
• Earned below £1,000 but wish to pay Class 2 National Insurance Contributions.
• Became a partner in a business partnership.
• Received untaxed income exceeding £2,500.
• Receive Child Benefit and must pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge due to earnings above £50,000.

Beware of Scams
HMRC warns taxpayers to remain vigilant against fraud. Criminals often use emails, texts, or calls to steal personal and financial information. Taxpayers can verify suspicious communications by searching “HMRC tax scams” on GOV.UK.

For more information, resources, and step-by-step guidance, visit GOV.UK or watch HMRC’s tutorials on YouTube.

THE HAMAD BIN KHALIFA Islamic Centre in Milford Haven is delighted to invite the people of Pembrokeshire and beyond to its Community Open Days on Saturday, January 18, and Sunday, January 19, from 11:00am to 4:00pm on both days.

This annual event provides a unique opportunity to learn about Islamic culture, connect with members of the local Muslim community, and enjoy a range of engaging activities and exhibits. Highlights include:

• Exhibition of Islamic culture: Featuring traditional calligraphy demonstrations.
• Guided tours of the mosque: Explore the beautifully restored Tabernacle building on Charles Street, Milford Haven, located next to the old police station.
• Refreshments: Provided for visitors on both days.

A message of welcome

Sheikh Mohsen Elbeltagi, a leader at the centre, shared his enthusiasm for the event, saying:
“We are proud to be a part of this wonderful community and are appreciative of the support that we have received. Extensive repair and renovation of such a historic building in the town has given us a beautiful, social venue from which we extend a warm welcome to both Pembrokeshire’s Islamic and wider communities.”

Dress code reminder for female visitors

The mosque kindly reminds female visitors to adhere to the Islamic custom of dressing modestly while on the premises. This includes covering the body appropriately. For guidance on suitable attire, online resources are available to assist.

A centre for cultural connection

The Hamad Bin Khalifa Islamic Centre serves as both a spiritual and cultural hub for Milford Haven’s Muslim community and its surrounding areas. It hosts five daily prayers, a weekly Friday sermon led by Sheikh Mohsen, and is committed to fostering understanding, building bridges, and creating an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome to learn and share experiences.

Event Details

The open days are free of charge, and everyone is encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Sheikh Mohsen Elbeltagi at [email protected].

Take this opportunity to explore, learn, and celebrate diversity in Milford Haven!