News
Campaign spending rules updated ahead of next Senedd election
NEW rules on how much political candidates and parties can spend during Senedd elections have been announced by the Welsh Government.
Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant MS, issued a written statement on Thursday (Apr 17), confirming that campaign expenditure limits are being revised ahead of the next Senedd election in 2026.
The changes come as Wales prepares to implement a new electoral system, with the existing limits considered no longer suitable due to the move away from multi-member regions and single-seat constituencies.
The proposed limit for individual candidates will be set at £52,500. This figure is recommended by the Electoral Commission and will be formalised in the forthcoming Conduct Order, which will establish the rules for how Senedd elections are run. This same amount will also apply to a party list consisting of just one candidate, ensuring fairness across the board.
For registered political parties, spending limits will be revised under draft regulations that are expected to be introduced in the Senedd during the Summer term. These will fall under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
Under the proposals, a party list with one candidate will also be capped at £52,500. However, this amount will increase by £3,500 for every additional candidate on the list, up to a maximum of £70,000 for parties with six or more candidates.
The Electoral Commission has given its support in principle to the new limits, although formal consent can only be granted once the full regulations are completed.
Both the Conduct Order and the draft expenditure regulations will be laid before the Senedd alongside explanatory memoranda, detailing how the new limits were established.
Ms Bryant said she welcomed further scrutiny of the proposals when Member
Crime
Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults
Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing
A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string of alleged offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.
Anthony Alcock, 40, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, faces six linked charges arising from incidents reported to have taken place earlier this year. Alcock, who did not enter pleas during the administrative hearings, appeared on several occasions as the court dealt with bail issues and case management.
- Multiple assault allegations
- The charges listed before magistrates include:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- Intentional strangulation
- Common assault of a woman
- Criminal damage relating to a domestic incident
- Further assault allegations linked to the same complainant
- A breach of bail conditions
The court heard that Alcock had previously been granted conditional bail. However, he was brought back before magistrates twice during the same reporting period for alleged breaches of those conditions, resulting in updated bail decisions.
Bail breached — defendant remanded
On two separate entries in the court register, Alcock was listed as having breached his bail, leading magistrates to remand him into custody pending the next hearing. On other dates within the same week, he was again re-released on conditional bail, with strict terms imposed, including restrictions on contact with the complainant and exclusions from certain locations.
He is now remanded on conditional bail with his next appearance set for Swansea Crown Court, where the more serious matters — including the alleged non-fatal strangulation — will be dealt with.
Case sent to Crown Court
Magistrates directed that the case is too serious to be heard locally and must proceed to the Crown Court for trial or sentence.
The Herald understands that all listed charges fall under the same prosecution reference, indicating they form part of a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution. No further details were opened in court at this stage.
Crime
Rogue roofer conned homeowner out of thousands
Caerphilly investigation leads to court conviction
A ROGUE trader from Pembroke has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after duping a homeowner into handing over thousands for unnecessary roofing work.
Douggie Whitbread, aged twenty-five and living at Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, persuaded his victim that he “probably needed a new roof” before charging £4,350 for work that was either unnecessary or not carried out properly.
Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between August 12 and October 16, 2023.
He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. That includes £4,350 in compensation, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.
The case was brought following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards, who urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers of home maintenance work.
News
South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – Week Twelve results
A PACKET week of fixtures in the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association’s Friendly League saw key wins at both ends of the table as teams continue to jostle for position going into the second half of the season.
Match results (Week 12):
- Hundleton 10–0 Lamphey
- Badgers 2–8 St Johns
- Reynalton 0–10 Carew
- Kilgetty 8–2 East Williamston
- Cosheston v Llanteg – postponed
- St Twynnells – bye week
A previously postponed fixture was also completed, with St Twynnells drawing 5–5 with Reynaltón.
League table (after Week 12):
East Williamston remain top, having played 10 and won eight, with a strong shots difference of +125. Reynaltón sit second after 11 games with 58 points, while St Johns and Hundleton follow closely behind on 54 points each.
At the mid-table mark, Carew (49 points), St Twynnells (48) and Kilgetty (46) remain tightly grouped. Badgers, Lamphey, Llanteg and Cosheston make up the lower order, though the number of games played varies, leaving room for movement in the coming weeks.
Full standings:
| Team | P | W | D | L | S/D | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Williamston | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | +125 | 72 |
| Reynaltón | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | +35 | 58 |
| St Johns | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | +32 | 54 |
| Hundleton | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | -2 | 54 |
| Carew | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | -25 | 49 |
| St Twynnells | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | -34 | 48 |
| Kilgetty | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | -44 | 46 |
| Badgers | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -59 | 45 |
| Lamphey | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | -10 | 44 |
| Llanteg | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | -5 | 41 |
| Cosheston | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | -13 | 40 |
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