News

Call to continue funding Visit Pembrokeshire until 2029

Published

5 months ago

July 28, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

National Park to weigh continued support amid uncertainty over tourism levy

A DECISION on whether to continue funding the county’s main tourism marketing body, Visit Pembrokeshire, will be made at a meeting of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority on Tuesday (July 30).

The Authority is being asked to consider financial support for the organisation covering the period 2026 to 2029, as questions remain over whether a visitor levy will be introduced in future.

Background to funding deal

A report prepared for members recalls that in February 2020, the Authority agreed to support the formation of Visit Pembrokeshire as a standalone, trade-led Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO). The DMO was tasked with leading the county’s Destination Management Plan and promoting Pembrokeshire as a visitor destination.

Its work includes destination marketing campaigns, industry liaison, research, branding, events, and providing business support.

Visit Pembrokeshire was formally established in November 2020. In September 2021, the Authority amended its original offer of in-kind support to a £25,000 annual cash contribution, to help the organisation secure grant match funding. That arrangement remains in place but ends this year.

County council backs long-term funding

On July 7, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet agreed to provide Visit Pembrokeshire with a flat-rate grant of £152,000 per year from April 2026 to March 2029.

The National Park Authority is now being asked to decide whether it will also continue its own support for the same period.

Uncertainty over visitor levy

The report notes a “key change on the horizon”—the potential introduction of a visitor levy in Wales. Pembrokeshire County Council has said it will not introduce a levy before 2027, leaving any future decision in the hands of a new administration.

If introduced, some of the revenue from the levy could be used to fund Visit Pembrokeshire and improve local visitor infrastructure, such as public toilets. Without a levy, the report warns, the organisation may need to rely entirely on membership fees and lose public sector backing.

Funding options on the table

The report outlines four options for the Authority:

End funding completely, saving £25,000 but reducing influence on tourism planning
Maintain funding at £25,000 per year
Reduce the contribution by 10% to £22,500
Introduce a phased reduction, starting at £25,000 and falling to £20,000 by 2028-29

The report concludes that, despite a significant financial deficit, “there are strong strategic reasons why the Authority should support Visit Pembrokeshire until 2029.”

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

11 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of serious allegations following his appearance in the latest magistrates’ court register.

David Guy, 49, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared in court facing multiple charges, all of which have now been deemed too serious for summary trial.

Guy is charged with several offences arising from the same case file. Although individual charge descriptions were not expanded in open court, the register confirms the allegations include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second assault charge
Criminal damage
A further interpersonal violence allegation
A public order offence

Defendant remanded into custody

Magistrates ruled that their sentencing powers were insufficient and sent the entire case to Swansea Crown Court for trial.

Guy was remanded in custody.

A hearing date will now be fixed administratively by the Swansea Crown Court. Until then, Guy remains remanded.

The Herald will provide updates once the Crown Court listing is confirmed.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

17 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

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

Published

33 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

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.