CODE OF CONDUCT complaints to the Ombudsman against Pembrokeshire councillors have declined from previous years to date, from a peak of 42 in 2022-23 down to seven so far this year, members of the standards committee heard.

A complaints/concerns log was established back in 2022, the latest statistics including complaints made between January to May 2026.

A report for members at the May 12 Standards Committee meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council said: “Complaint volumes have fluctuated across the reporting periods, with the highest levels recorded in 2022-2023,” the report said, adding: “This was followed by a notable reduction in 2023-2024, a partial increase during 2024-2025 and a significant decline in the most recent period. The data for January to May 2026 indicates a continuation of this downward trend, with only a small number of complaints recorded to date.

“While this period covers fewer months than previous reporting years, the reduced volume nonetheless represents a marked contrast to earlier years.”

Statistics from previous years showed county and town and community council level complaints mostly dealt with by informal resolution or ombudsman investigation of: May 2022- April 23, 42; May 2023-April 24, 23; May 2024-April 25, 30; and 10 in May 2025-December 25.

There were 121 complaints received over the period May 2022 to May ‘26; 40 of them harassment, bullying or false accusations, 22 social media-related, 18 meeting behaviour, and 14 altercations with members of the public.

Of the latest complaints received since January, there were six harassment, three social media, two altercation, and one meeting behaviour, with seven complaints referred to the Ombudsman to date.

The report said, across all reporting periods, complaints relating to harassment, bullying and conduct at meetings remain the most common categories, although their frequency has reduced over time.

It added: “Complaints relating to town and community councils continue to account for most cases overall, however very few such complaints have been recorded since January 2026. Taken together, the data suggests a stabilisation of complaint numbers following earlier peaks, with the January to May 2026 position indicating a particularly low level of recorded concerns.”

Seven complaints referred to the Ombudsman highlighted in the report since the start of this year were: an alleged bullying and harassment claim at community council level, currently being investigated; a county council level claim of failure to treat others with respect; discriminatory conduct based on political affiliation, no further action taken; town council level bullying and harassment, disqualified for three years; and a town council level claim of making unsubstantiated or misleading statements, failure to uphold equality principles, conduct bringing the office into disrepute, no further action taken.

It also included three claims currently in the assessment stage: town council level bullying, intimidation, and threatening behaviour; a county level bringing the office or authority into disrepute; and a community council level claim of lack of openness and transparency, improper decision‑making, failure to act with integrity and accountability, and failure to provide accurate records.

All three dated to March.

Committee members agreed to note the report.

PEMBROKE’S Monkton ward will soon have a new town councillor after its previous representative secured a seat in the Senedd as one of six new members for the Ceredigion Penfro seat.

A notice of casual vacancy for the Monkton ward of Pembroke Town Council was publicised yesterday, May 11.

If no written request is made to the county council’s returning officer, the town council may fill the vacant seat by co-option.

The seat was made vacant following now-former town councillor Reform’s Susan Claire Archibald becoming a Senedd member for the new Ceredigion Penfro Senedd ward, one of two Reform candidates to do so.

At the Senedd count on May 8, the former councillor spoke on behalf of herself, fellow Reform winner Paul Marr, and the party’s supporters, saying the supporters would need “new shoes,” given Ceredigion Penfro’s “ginormous constituency”.

She added: “Paul and I are obviously very excited to get to work to representing our constituency of Ceredigion and Penfro.”

The six Senedd members for the new Ceredigion Penfro ward, which saw three Plaid seats, two Reform and one Welsh Conservatives gained, are: Elin Jones, Kerry Ferguson, and Anna Nicholl Plaid Cymru; Susan Claire Archibald and Paul Marr Reform; Welsh Conservatives Paul Windsor Davies.

A formal request for an election to fill the vacant Monkton seat may be made to: Returning Officer, Pembrokeshire County Council, Electoral Services, County Hall, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 1TP.

The town council itself saw, last weekend, the inauguration of Councillor Jonathan Grimes, also joint county councillor for Pembroke Monkton and St Mary South, as the 647th Mayor of Pembroke.

Accompanied by his wife, Councillor Deborah Willcocks, a civic lunch was held at the town hall, Main Street, successfully raising £350 in support of his chosen charity, Sandy Bear.

The weekend also saw a service at St Mary’s Church, where the Bishop of St Davids offered a blessing for the newly installed bells.

FREE accessible boat trips are being launched along the Pembrokeshire coastline as part of a new 12-month programme.

Blue Horizons CIC Surf Club has announced that its first trips will take place on Friday, May 22, with four sailings planned during the day.

The project has been made possible with support from the Port of Milford Haven and Dale Sailing Company Ltd.

Blue Horizons said the trips have been shaped alongside people with additional needs to create a more supportive and inclusive experience.

The organisation said accessibility was about more than simply getting onto a boat, but also about making sure people felt comfortable, supported and understood throughout the journey.

Its team members are DBS checked to work with children and vulnerable adults, first aid trained, experienced in supporting people with additional needs, and equipped with specialist adaptive and accessible equipment.

The trips will be free for Pembrokeshire residents.

A spokesperson for Blue Horizons said: “We know that everyone experiences the world differently. If the boat feels too fast, we slow things down. If someone needs a break or wants to turn around early, that’s absolutely fine.

“There’s no pressure and no judgement — because the people on the boat trip understand those challenges themselves.

“The coastline belongs to everyone and we can’t wait to welcome more people onto the water over the next year.”

Anyone interested can register here: https://forms.gle/WQjgsXSqhntS4zat7