News

Stoddart puts council funding gap figures under scrutiny

Published

1 year ago

February 17, 2025

A DISCREPANCY in Pembrokeshire County Council’s budget documentation has raised concerns about transparency in reporting the projected funding gap for 2025-26.

Local political commentator and county councillor, Mike Stoddart, has questioned changes between two versions of a document (called Appendix D), presented to Cabinet in December and February, which outline how the Council plans to bridge the significant funding shortfall.

***Pembrokeshire County Council: Statutory duty to agree on a balanced budget***

In December, documents stated that over the past 11 years, the Council had addressed a cumulative funding gap of £174.8 million through a mix of budget savings, Council Tax increases, and reserve use. A breakdown showed that £110.2 million (63%) had been achieved through base budget reductions, with Council Tax increases contributing £43.3 million (24.8%), Council Tax premiums adding £11.7 million (6.7%), and reserve funding accounting for £9.6 million (5.5%).

However, the February version of the document omitted references to cumulative funding and detailed figures, instead focusing solely on the projected funding gap for 2025-26, which had also decreased from £34.1 million to £27.4 million.

Stoddart argues that without the cumulative context, the figures become “mathematically meaningless” and has expressed concern that the Council has not provided an explanation for the change.

Speaking to The Herald, he said: “It is noticeable that the December document presented cumulative figures, but in February, this crucial context has disappeared without explanation. If these funding gaps and the methods used to bridge them are not cumulative, they don’t make mathematical sense.”

The Council has a statutory duty to agree on a balanced budget for 2025-26 by 11 March 2025, which will involve difficult decisions regarding budget savings, potential Council Tax increases, and the use of reserves.

The Herald has approached Pembrokeshire County Council for clarification on why the format of the funding report changed between December and February and whether the omission of cumulative data was intentional or a revision based on new financial assessments.

More to follow as this story develops.

Local Government

Armed Forces flag flies over County Hall

Published

3 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE ARMED FORCES flag is flying proudly at County Hall this week ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 27.

Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Tessa Hodgson, and the Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Simon Hancock were among those who marked the flag raising on Monday morning (June 22).

Also present were the Chairman of Council, Cllr Delme Harries, the Chief Executive, Will Bramble and the Regional Armed Forces Covenant Liaison Officer, Hayley Edwards.

Cllr Hancock said: “It is always a very proud moment to see the Armed Forces Flag flying over County Hall.

“Armed Forces Day is a chance to show our deep appreciation for the men and women who serve, as well as the families and communities who support them.

“Our county has a rich history of connection with the Armed Forces, and we are proud to uphold and strengthen that bond.

“As a Council we are committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community in Pembrokeshire receive the recognition and support they truly deserve and we are proud to be a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award holder.”

Crime

Accused Milford Haven rapist to stand trial at Crown Court

Published

4 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared before magistrates accused of rape and sexual assault.

James Kershaw, 46, is charged with raping a woman in Milford Haven between February 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014.

He also faces a charge of sexually assaulting a female over the age of 13 by penetration with his finger between December 1 and December 30, 2012.

Kershaw appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 23) by video link and denied both charges.

Due to the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court, where Kershaw is due to appear for a pre-trial hearing on July 24.

He was released on conditional bail, with the sole condition that he must not contact the complainant.

News

Bus overturns in major incident near Kidwelly

Published

5 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

All passengers rescued as emergency services remain at scene

A BUS overturned on the A484 between Kidwelly and Ferryside on Tuesday (Jun 23), prompting a major emergency response and lengthy road closures.

The incident happened shortly after 12:20pm near the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs.

Emergency services, including firefighters from Kidwelly, Carmarthen and Tumble, were sent to the scene following reports of a serious collision involving the bus.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that all passengers were safely removed from the vehicle.

A spokesperson said: “All passengers have been safely removed from the bus and are receiving appropriate care.”

A rest centre has been established at the John Burns Centre in Kidwelly, where welfare arrangements are being made for those involved.

The scale of the incident led Dyfed-Powys Police to declare a major incident earlier in the day, with officers urging members of the public to avoid the area.

The A484 remains closed between the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs and Llandyfaelog while emergency services continue their response and carry out investigations into the cause of the crash.

Police, ambulance and fire crews remain at the scene.

Motorists are being advised to find alternative routes and are warned that the road is expected to remain closed for a considerable time.

Emergency services have also issued advice for drivers caught in congestion during the hot weather, urging people to stay hydrated, keep vehicles ventilated and never leave children, vulnerable adults or pets inside parked vehicles.

The cause of the incident has not yet been confirmed.