Community

Council could force long-term empty Pembrokeshire home sales

Published

11 months ago

June 12, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for Pembrokeshire councillors to back potential enforced sales of problem long-term empty properties in the county has been put on hold as the paperwork was not 100 per cent complete.

At Pembrokeshire County Council’s Policy and Pre-Decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee of June 10, members were asked to recommend the council’s Cabinet approve an Enforced Sales Policy and Procedure for Long Term Problematic Empty Properties.

In Pembrokeshire, long-term empty properties and second homes pay a premium on council tax rates.

Second homes in Pembrokeshire have a council tax premium of 150 per cent above the standard rate, while long-term empty properties are now charged at a 300 per cent premium for those empty over two years, replacing a more complicated sliding scale rate used previously.

A report for members at the June meeting said: “A principal motivation for producing this policy is to improve the ability to deal with empty properties and create new homes. An additional consideration, however, is that it will also have wider corporate benefits in relation to aiding in the regeneration of commercial empty properties, debt recovery for outstanding works and court costs which can be significant in relation to works that may need to be carried out.”

It said, as of April 2023, there were around 1,000 residential properties in Pembrokeshire which had been empty for six months or more, along with “numerous empty non-residential properties that also remain empty for significant periods of time thus contributing to potential detriment to the amenity and appearance of our communities”.

It added: “Long-term empty properties are considered a waste of a valuable resource which could be added to the pool of much-needed housing in the county. They can also frequently become blights to neighbourhoods by becoming targets for antisocial behaviour, trespass, vandalism and arson.

“Pembrokeshire County Council wishes to work with the owners of empty properties to encourage them to bring their properties back in to use, and to provide information and advice on the assistance schemes available to owners of long-term empty properties, both residential and commercial.

“There is opportunity also to bring empty commercial buildings back into use through conversion into residential or improvement for re-use for non-residential purposes.”

It went on to say that legislation available would be used to deal with problematic long-term empty properties, and to recover outstanding debts which have been placed as land charges in “circumstances where the present owner is either unwilling or unable to comply with legal notices issued by the council, or the ownership is unknown whereby works in default have had to be undertaken on properties and a legal charge lodged to reclaim this charge”.

“Pembrokeshire County Council will consider the appropriateness of pursuing an enforced sale as part of a wider consideration of all available options to achieve the goal of bringing long-term empty properties back into use. Each case will be treated on its merits.”

It said any enforced sales would be “essentially a debt recovery process which recoups debts owed to the council with a threshold of £1,000 placed to trigger the procedure, with any costs incurred by the council in the process also recoverable.

“At no time will the council take ownership or responsibility for the property,” it stressed, adding: “Should the owner repay the council debt before the enforced sale process is completed, then the process is stopped, and the property remains with its current owner.”

It finished: “The policy is only one of a range of tools for dealing with empty properties and utilising the policy would be a last resort. The work carried out by officers prior to considering using the enforced sales route will provide an opportunity to support owners and individuals to ensure they are dealt with in a fair and sympathetic manner.”

At the meeting itself members were told the item had been withdrawn from the agenda, to return to the September committee, with new vice-chair Cllr Aled Thomas expressing his disappointment.

“I was expecting to come here today to talk this over, we all agree it’s a big issue, could we have a flavour of why it was removed? It feels like it’s pushed back with little or no explanation.”

Chair Cllr Simon Hancock said a “cast iron assurance” had been made that the matter would be heard at the September meeting, an issue having arisen the previous day, with more work needed on the report for members.

He said it was “right and proper” that any report for members was “100 per cent” before any further discussions.

The agenda item was withdrawn from the meeting, earmarked to return to the September committee.

Community

Fire service sets out new flood response plan for Mid and West Wales

Published

12 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AROUND 31,000 properties across Mid and West Wales are at risk of flooding, according to figures released as part of a new fire service response strategy.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has completed a major engagement process to shape how it deals with future flooding incidents.

The work brought together operational crews, partner agencies and community representatives through a series of “Flooding Balanced Room” workshops.

The service said the aim was to make sure all voices were heard equally while developing practical options for prevention, response and recovery.

Nearly 24,000 properties in the service area are at risk from river flooding, while more than 7,000 are at risk from tidal flooding.

The service attends around 300 water rescue and weather-related flooding incidents each year.

Officials say flooding is becoming more frequent and more serious because of climate change, including heavier rainfall and prolonged weather events.

Recent data also shows a clear seasonal pattern, with the highest number of flooding incidents taking place between October and February.

The third quarter of 2025/26 was the busiest for flooding incidents since 2017/18, while February 2020 and November 2025 recorded the highest monthly levels of flooding activity.

The workshops produced four key priorities: prevention first, collaboration and partnership, enhanced specialist capability, and learning and continuous improvement.

Eleven initial options were narrowed down to five main areas.

These include better public education, community flood groups, improved flood messaging with partner agencies, more staff training, improved welfare and PPE for firefighters, better vehicles and technology, and stronger post-incident support for communities.

Proposals include using flood awareness in home fire safety checks, improving training scenarios, increasing the number of qualified water incident managers, expanding drone use, and using climate data to plan future fleet and equipment needs.

The options have now been assessed, with recommendations presented to the service’s Executive Leadership Team.

The plans will feed into the service’s future flooding strategy and its Community Risk Management Plan 2040.

Iwan Cray, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The Flooding Balanced Room process has highlighted the importance of collaboration.

“By listening to our staff, partners, and communities, we’ve created practical, forward-thinking solutions that will strengthen our ability to prevent and manage flooding in Mid and West Wales.

“Together, we can build a safer, more resilient Wales.”

Community

Vintage tractor tour sets off from Pembroke Dock for Ireland

Published

14 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIFTY-three vintage tractors left Pembroke Dock Ferry Port on Saturday (May 2) as part of a long-running tractor tour to Ireland.

The group boarded the ferry for the latest stage of an exchange which has been running since 2011, when the National Vintage Tractor Run was held in Pembrokeshire.

Organiser Alun Mason said: “The Tour of Ireland has been ongoing since 2011, when the National Vintage Tractor Run was held in Pembrokeshire.

“A large contingent travelled from Ireland and continue to do so every other year, with our visit this weekend and the Irish tractors due to visit in 2027.”

Some of the tractors taking part travelled from as far as Burry Port, Bridgend, Llandrindod Wells, Llandovery and Ceredigion before gathering at the ferry port.

The event brought together vintage tractor enthusiasts from across Wales ahead of the crossing to Ireland.

Pictured are organisers Jo Richards and Alun Mason, and the group waiting to embark at Pembroke Dock Ferry Port.

Vintage tour: Jo Richards and Alun Mason with tractors at Pembroke Dock Ferry Port (Pic: Martin Cavaney).

Community

Volunteers praised as Rath paddling pool gets summer makeover

Published

14 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Questions raised over new netting as community pitches in to prepare popular spot

VOLUNTEERS have been praised for their efforts to get Milford Haven’s Rath paddling pool ready for summer – but a new addition has sparked debate among locals.

A group of residents, including Caroline Jones, Derek Abbott, Jordy, Tina Hawkins and Isla, were pictured this week installing colourful netting along the fence surrounding the pool.

The work forms part of ongoing efforts by the community to clean, maintain and improve the popular splash area ahead of the warmer months.

Caroline explained the netting had a practical purpose as well as an aesthetic one.

She said: “It’s partly to try and prevent some of the grass cuttings getting into the pool but also to brighten the area up.”

Others suggested it could also help reduce the amount of litter blowing into the water – an issue that has been raised in previous summers.

The efforts were widely welcomed online, with many residents thanking those involved for giving up their time.

One commenter wrote: “A bit of praise for these volunteers who give our little ones a bit of enjoyment at the paddling pool. Well done all.”

Another added: “Well done and thank you everyone.”

Some questioned the need for the netting, with one resident saying: “I don’t understand the netting around the pool. It looked lovely as it was.”

The Rath paddling pool is a well-used facility during the summer months, particularly by families with young children, and relies heavily on volunteer support to keep it clean and operational.

Local groups, including TipTop Wheelies, are understood to be involved in helping prepare the site for the season.

Despite mixed views on the netting, the overwhelming response has been one of appreciation for those working behind the scenes to keep the facility open.