Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Community

Call for action as Powys leads the way on cost-of-living help

Published

on

Nearly 900 households targeted for support – could Pembrokeshire do more?

NEARLY 900 households in Powys will receive letters this week offering targeted help with the cost-of-living crisis – prompting questions about whether Pembrokeshire County Council should be doing the same.

Powys County Council has used intelligent data analytics to identify households most likely to be struggling financially. They will now be contacted directly and offered free and confidential support with managing bills, energy costs, debt, benefits, and household budgeting.

Half of those identified are council tenants, with the other half living in private rentals or owner-occupied homes.

The scheme uses a tool called LIFT – the Low Income Family Tracker – which pulls together a range of information to spot those who may be falling through the cracks.

Councillor Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader of Powys County Council, said: “We are here to help and want to make sure that everyone in our communities has access to the support they need.

“The LIFT platform should help us target our support where it’s most needed and allow us to help more Powys residents to maximise their income and reduce their costs.”

Support will be available in person, online or by phone, with options for home visits.

The Herald understands that Pembrokeshire County Council has not yet adopted the same level of targeted outreach. While the council does offer a range of cost-of-living support, residents must usually seek help themselves. There is currently no known use of data analytics or direct invitation letters to identify and contact those in need.

Pembrokeshire County Council has, however, established a dedicated Community Hub, offering practical help to anyone affected by the rising cost of living. Advisors can assist with benefits, housing, money worries, debt, food support, energy bills, and more.

One local resident who contacted The Herald said: “This is exactly the kind of help people need – not everyone is confident enough to ask for support, even if they’re struggling. Pembrokeshire should be doing this too.”

With Powys setting a new precedent for proactive support, the question is now whether Pembrokeshire – and other councils across Wales – will follow suit.


Need help in Pembrokeshire?

Pembrokeshire residents who are struggling can contact the council’s Cost of Living Support Line:

Support includes guidance on benefits, money management, debt, food, energy, housing, and more. All advice is free and confidential.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

on

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Continue Reading

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

on

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Continue Reading

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

on

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).

Continue Reading

Crime12 hours ago

Man spared jail after baseball bat incident in Milford Haven

Judge says offence was so serious only a prison sentence was justified A 44-YEAR-OLD has been given a suspended prison sentence after...

Crime23 hours ago

Rural cannabis factory exposed after five-year operation in Carmarthenshire

Family-run drugs enterprise brought in millions before police raid during lockdown A FAMILY who relocated from England to a remote...

Business2 days ago

Senedd rejects calls to ‘eliminate’ rates for small businesses

A CONSERVATIVE call to abolish rates for all small businesses in Wales has been voted down by the Senedd amid...

Community3 days ago

Christmas song pokes fun at Haverfordwest’s ‘Instagram-friendly’ bridge

Rock track raises money for charity while giving a gentle dig to the council A BRAND-NEW Christmas rock song by...

Crime3 days ago

Police reassure community after school lockdown incident in Carmarthen 

DYFED-POWYS POLICE have issued reassurance to the community after Ysgol Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen was placed into a precautionary lockdown on...

Local Government4 days ago

Councillors call for urgent review as flooding hits coastal communities

Motion demands assessment of drainage infrastructure after Castle Pond overflow A MOTION on emergency flooding concerns was brought before Pembrokeshire...

Crime5 days ago

Phillips found guilty of raping baby in “worst case” judge has ever dealt with

Baby’s mother cleared as judge says case “shaken me to my core” CHRISTOPHER PHILLIPS has been found guilty of the...

News5 days ago

Storm Bram triggers widespread flood alerts across West Wales

As of Tuesday 9 December 2025, coastal communities in Pembrokeshire remain on high alert as Storm Bram continues to batter...

Education5 days ago

Parent challenges council over Manorbier school closure data as long-running dispute deepens

Fire-damaged school has operated with limited capacity since 2022, but consultation still uses original figures A ROW over the future...

Business6 days ago

Manorbier Castle Inn warns colossal rates hikes will ‘push venues to the brink’

Local inn among many facing dramatic increases from April 2026 MANORBIER Castle Inn has warned that its business rates are...

Popular This Week