News

Secrecy over Milford Haven Library rent as council faces funding ultimatum

Published

10 months ago

February 10, 2025

MILFORD HAVEN’S library remains under threat as Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) refuses to disclose the rent it pays to the Port of Milford Haven, despite repeated calls for transparency. During a Milford Haven Town Council (MHTC) meeting on Monday (Feb 10), councillors and residents pressed PCC’s Head of Cultural Services, Mike Cavanagh, for answers on the library’s financial future.

RENT SECRECY

At the meeting, Cllr Lee Bridges demanded to know how much PCC is paying the Port of Milford Haven to lease the library premises at the business park. However, Cavanagh refused to disclose the figure, stating that the Port had asked him not to make this information public.

“My hands are tied,” he said. “I cannot say what the figure is because I have been asked not to by the Port.”

“We are now taking advice from our legal department to see if we can tell you this”, he added.

The revelation has intensified concerns over the lack of transparency in the funding of a statutory public service. Residents and councillors alike questioned why the Port—a Trust Port with a duty to benefit the community—is charging an undisclosed rent for the town’s only library, while PCC claims it cannot afford to maintain the service.

PORT’S FOUNDING PRINCIPLES – HELPING THE COMMUNITY?

The Milford Haven Port Authority (MHPA) was established under the Milford Haven Conservancy Act 1958 as a Trust Port, meaning that unlike private companies, it does not have shareholders and is instead supposed to operate for the long-term benefit of the local community.

According to Trust Port principles, the Port should reinvest its profits for the benefit of Milford Haven and its residents. Yet, the library—a statutory service used by hundreds of residents—is being charged rent that PCC says it can no longer afford.

In 2023, the Port achieved its highest-ever revenue, reaching £41.3 million, despite a decrease in ship calls and cargo volumes. The annual profit stood at £4.1 million. This financial growth is attributed to strong performances in cargo handling, property, hospitality, and tourism sectors.

Former Mayor Cllr Colin Sharp questioned whether the Port’s refusal to offer further reductions was compatible with its duty to support the town, saying:

“Have you spoken to the landlord? It’s going to look like very bad press for that company, which is allegedly a community organisation, if the library can no longer operate.”

In response, Cavanagh confirmed that PCC had asked the Port of Milford Haven for a further rent reduction or a community lease, but they declined.

However, Cllr Nicola Harteveld (Central Ward) defended the Port, saying:

“The Port are a business and can’t be expected to give the library to the town for free, as they already do a lot for the town.”

A STATUTORY DUTY – BUT WHO PAYS?

Under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, PCC has a statutory duty to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” library service for all residents who wish to use it. The law ensures that councils must not close libraries unless they can prove alternative arrangements will meet local needs.

Despite this, PCC has repeatedly reduced library funding in recent years, and Milford Haven Library is now at risk simply because it is in a rented building rather than a council-owned one.

Milford Haven Library remains the only library in Pembrokeshire housed in a rented building after PCC sold its original premises on Hamilton Terrace in 2009 for just £120,000. Since then, PCC has paid the Port of Milford Haven an annual lease—believed to be around £50,000 per year, although the exact figure remains unknown.

In 2018, the rent was renegotiated and reduced, but Cavanagh refused to say by how much.

Now, PCC says it is struggling to afford the cost of the library as it faces a £27.4 million budget deficit for the 2025-26 financial year. The library is under direct threat, with the council exploring alternative options, including:

Relocating the library to a cheaper site, such as the Meads Leisure Centre
Transitioning it into a Community Managed Partnership
Receiving financial support from Milford Haven Town Council

TOWN HALL COULD OFFER A SOLUTION

During the meeting, Cllr Lee Bridges proposed an alternative location for the library to save costs, suggesting that the new owner of Milford Haven Town Hall, local accountant Bruce Evens, may be open to renting space back to PCC.

“The old Town Hall is in the centre of town, and the Murray Suite on the ground floor is not being fully utilised,” Cllr Bridges said. “I know that Mr Evens is a very community-minded man, and I am sure that he would rent back the space to PCC so that the library can be relocated. He has a keen interest in the town and will be willing, I feel, to invest back into the community.”

Cavanagh responded that all options were on the table and that nothing had been decided yet, stating that the council would listen to the public consultation results before making a final decision.

COUNCIL PRESSURED TO FUND LIBRARY

Cavanagh told MHTC that he had narrowed the budget shortfall for the library from £50,000 to £13,000. He then asked MHTC to contribute £13,000 to keep the library open for another year, claiming that Milford Haven was one of only three towns in Pembrokeshire not contributing to their libraries.

“If the town council agrees to fund £13,000, I will give the library all the protection that I can,” Cavanagh said—leading to accusations that PCC is coercing MHTC into taking responsibility for a statutory service it should be funding itself.

Councillor William Elliott thanked Cavanagh for his presentation and confirmed that MHTC would make a final decision on February 24 regarding financial support for the library.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

With MHTC set to vote on funding the library on February 24, the future of the service remains uncertain. If the town council refuses to pay the £13,000, PCC may push ahead with relocation or cuts, potentially reducing services in Milford Haven.

Meanwhile, the Port of Milford Haven’s refusal to disclose its rental charges has sparked renewed calls for transparency, with campaigners considering a Freedom of Information request to uncover how much public money has been spent on rent since 2009.

The public consultation on the library service remains open until February 17, with residents urged to make their views known before the final decision is made.

This is a developing story. The Herald will continue to report on new developments.

News

Amber weather warning as ‘danger to life’ rain set to hit Pembrokeshire

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Dyfed-Powys Police and council teams prepare as Monday deluge expected

COMMUNITIES across Pembrokeshire are being urged to brace for severe weather after the Met Office issued an amber “danger to life” warning for heavy rain, covering the county from 4:00am to 9:00pm on Monday (Dec 15).

Up to 80mm of rain is expected widely, with 100mm possible on higher ground in north Pembrokeshire and the Preseli foothills. With rivers already running high following weeks of persistent wet weather, Natural Resources Wales says there is a heightened risk of flooding in low-lying areas, including parts of Haverfordwest, Remington Bridge, Merlin’s Bridge, Tenby, Neyland and along the Western Cleddau.

Travel disruption likely

The Met Office warns that fast-flowing or deep floodwater could pose a danger to life, with road flooding likely on key Pembrokeshire routes such as the A40, A487 and A478. Bus and rail services may face disruption.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers would be monitoring known flood hotspots throughout Monday and urged drivers to avoid non-essential travel during the worst of the downpours.

A police spokesperson said: “Please plan ahead. Do not risk driving through floodwater. Conditions may change very quickly.”

Yellow warnings already in place

A yellow rain warning is active for southwest Wales from midnight tonight (Sun 14 Dec). A separate yellow warning for mid and north Wales began this afternoon.

Pembrokeshire County Council said its highways and emergency planning teams are on standby, with extra staff monitoring river gauges and drainage across the county. Sandbags are available where required.

Residents urged to prepare

Natural Resources Wales is advising residents in flood-prone areas to take precautions today, including:

Checking local flood alerts
Moving valuables upstairs where possible
Securing outdoor items against strong winds
Checking on vulnerable neighbours

The Herald understands that emergency services expect the heaviest rainfall between 6:00am and 3:00pm on Monday, with further unsettled weather forecast later in the week.

More updates to follow

This is a developing story. The Pembrokeshire Herald will bring live updates as information comes in from the Met Office, NRW, PCC and emergency services.

Health

Major investment confirmed for GP services in Wales

Published

4 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Government unveils £41m boost, but practices warn pressures remain acute

MORE than £41m in extra funding will go into general practice in Wales this year following a new agreement between the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and GP leaders. Ministers say the deal provides stability at a time of rising demand — but the settlement comes against a backdrop of sustained pressures, recruitment challenges and concerns over patient access.

The package includes a 4% uplift to the General Medical Services (GMS) contract for 2025-26, in line with independent DDRB pay recommendations, and a guaranteed 5.8% recurrent uplift from 2026-27. The Welsh Government says the multi-year commitment will allow practices to plan ahead, modernise systems and strengthen community-based services.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said the investment showed an “unwavering commitment” to general practice, adding: “The 4% pay uplift ensures fair recognition for GPs and practice staff who work tirelessly to deliver care for communities across our country. Multi-year funding gives practices the confidence to invest in the transformation primary care needs.”

However, the announcement comes at a time when many Welsh practices continue to report severe workforce pressures, rising demand, and longstanding challenges in recruiting new partners. GP numbers have fallen over the past decade, with some practices handing back contracts or operating list closures because of unsustainable workloads. Patient satisfaction with access has also declined, according to the latest Welsh GP Patient Survey.

What the deal includes

The settlement for 2025-26 comprises £37.9m of new investment and £4m in re-invested capacity funding, with the key elements including:

A 1.77% uplift in expenses, intended to help practices manage inflationary pressures in energy, staffing and running costs.
A recurrent £20m stabilisation fund to support practices facing immediate operational pressures and to prepare for wider reform under the incoming Sustainable Farming Scheme model for health.
An increased partnership premium, aimed at retaining experienced GPs and encouraging new partners into a model that some say has become less attractive due to financial and regulatory risk.
A full review of the GMS allocation formula — the first in more than 20 years — which determines how funding is distributed between practices. Some rural and deprived communities have long argued the current system does not reflect the complexity of local health needs.

Wider context

General practice remains the foundation of the NHS, accounting for around 90% of patient contacts, yet it receives a proportionally small share of the overall health budget compared with hospital services. Both the Welsh NHS Confederation and GPC Wales have repeatedly warned that without sustained investment, primary care risks being unable to meet increasing demand from ageing populations and rising chronic illness.

The Welsh Government’s own “community-by-design” programme relies on shifting more care closer to home, reducing pressure on emergency departments and supporting earlier intervention. For that to be achieved, GP leaders say investment needs to be matched with workforce expansion, improved digital systems, and clear strategies to retain experienced clinicians.

Working groups will now be set up to examine access standards, diabetes prevention and new service models.

Mr Miles said he was pleased that GPs would be “actively contributing to creating innovative care models that enhance access, improve outcomes and deliver care locally.”

GP representatives broadly welcomed the deal but have stressed that it is only one step in addressing the scale of challenge across primary care.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

4 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)