News
Council to review climate emergency declaration amid financial concerns
Councillor Michael Stoddart calls for working group to assess impacts of 2019 motion
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL will be asked this week to consider setting up a politically balanced working group to review its 2019 declaration of a climate emergency.
The notice of motion, submitted by Councillor Michael Stoddart, proposes the formation of a seven-member group to reassess the implications of the declaration made on May 9, 2019. The move follows growing concern over the UK’s financial outlook, the council’s own projected funding gap, and recent softening of UK Government policies on electric vehicles and green energy initiatives.

Cllr Stoddart warns that the climate emergency decision may be placing an unsustainable financial burden on the local authority at a time when public finances are under intense pressure.
The working group would be tasked with investigating several key issues, including:
The impact of the climate emergency declaration on council tax levels in Pembrokeshire, and whether any increases are undermining the council’s anti-poverty policies.
The cost of decarbonising council housing stock and how this may have affected the council’s ability to finance the construction of new homes.
The extent to which the council’s decarbonisation efforts have contributed to mitigating global temperature rises.
Any other effects on the wellbeing of Pembrokeshire residents that the working group identifies during its review.
On May 9, 2019, Pembrokeshire County Council joined other local authorities across Wales and the UK in declaring a climate emergency, recognising the urgent need to address climate change through action at all levels of government. The motion committed the council to reducing carbon emissions, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, and supporting sustainability initiatives across the county.
Since then, the council has implemented a range of measures, including decarbonisation plans for its housing stock and support for electric vehicle infrastructure. However, some councillors have raised concerns about the financial viability of these measures, particularly in light of economic uncertainty and shifting national policies.
The motion will be debated at the full council meeting on Thursday (May 8).
Crime
Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident
A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.
Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.
The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:
- Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
- Common assault
- Assault by beating
No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.
Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.
Crime
Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges
Defendant remanded in custody
A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.
David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- A second count of assault
- Criminal damage
- An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
- A public order offence
Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.
Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”
A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.
The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.
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 A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.
Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.
During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.
Charges Include:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- Intentional non-fatal strangulation
- Common assault on a woman
- Criminal damage in a domestic context
- Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
- Breach of bail conditions
Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.
Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.
No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.
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