News

Call to continue funding Visit Pembrokeshire until 2029

Published

11 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.”

News

A4075 shut near Bluestone following collision

Published

5 minutes ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DRIVERS are being urged to avoid the A4075 this evening following a collision near Bluestone.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the road has been closed between Yerbeston and the Bluestone Roundabout while emergency services deal with the incident.

Traffic reports say the closure is affecting both directions between the A4115 and the B4586, with slow traffic in the area.

A police spokesperson said: “The road is currently closed due to a collision. Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey.”

Motorists are advised to allow extra time and use an alternative route where possible.

Climate

Offshore wind ‘could bring new generation of jobs to Milford Haven’

Published

3 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire ports and Celtic Sea projects placed at centre of Wales’ green energy ambitions

MILFORD HAVEN and Pembroke Dock could be at the heart of a new offshore wind boom after Wales’ new energy minister said the sector could drive jobs, investment and coastal regeneration.

Adam Price, the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, told the Global Offshore Wind 2026 conference that Wales was “open for business” and ready to work with industry, the UK Government and The Crown Estate.

For Pembrokeshire, the announcement is particularly significant. The Milford Haven Waterway is already being positioned as a key base for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, with Pembroke Port earmarked as a major renewables hub. Plans for a dedicated floating offshore wind storage compound at Pembroke Dock have already secured planning permission.

Mr Price said: “I believe that the offshore wind sector has the potential to deliver high quality sustainable career opportunities for people in Wales.

“The offshore wind sector has a key role to play in bringing about the regeneration of coastal communities in both north and south Wales.

“Our role is to remove the blockers faced by the sector — whether in planning, access to finance or infrastructure.”

The Celtic Sea floating wind programme is expected to create major supply chain opportunities for Welsh ports, engineering firms, vessel operators and training providers. Marine Energy Wales has said the first 4.5GW of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea could create more than 5,300 jobs during construction.

The Port of Milford Haven has previously said the Haven’s existing energy expertise, heavy engineering base and deep-water port facilities make it well placed to support the industry.

Mr Price also welcomed UK Government support for Port Talbot, but Pembrokeshire businesses will be watching closely to ensure Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock receive a fair share of the investment.

Jessica Hooper, Director of RenewableUK Cymru, said offshore wind was “Wales’ next big industrial opportunity”, adding that it could be worth almost £5bn to Welsh businesses and deliver more than 3,000 long-term secure jobs.

For Milford Haven, long associated with oil, gas and marine industry, floating offshore wind could mark the next chapter in the Haven’s energy story.

News

Welsh Conservatives call for overseas spending to be redirected to public services

Published

3 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Darren Millar says taxpayers’ money should be spent on Welsh priorities, not foreign projects

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has been urged to stop spending taxpayers’ money on overseas projects and instead focus every pound on public services and the Welsh economy.

Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said ministers should scrap what he described as costly international schemes and overseas offices, arguing that the money would be better spent on hospitals, roads and businesses in Wales.

The Conservatives have repeatedly criticised Welsh Government spending on international projects, including tree planting in Nigeria, solar-powered canoes in the Amazon, and the maintenance of overseas offices.

Mr Millar said the Welsh Government had no responsibility for foreign policy and should concentrate on devolved priorities.

He said: “At a time when patients are being treated in hospital corridors, our road infrastructure is creaking and businesses are taxed to the hilt, it is simply wrong that Welsh taxpayers’ money is being wasted on overseas vanity projects.

“The first duty of the Welsh Government is to the people it serves. Plaid’s Finance Minister is being evasive over how to fund flagship policies, but could save millions of pounds by scrapping wasteful spending on non-devolved areas.

“Tree-planting schemes in Africa, solar-powered canoe projects in the Amazon and the maintenance of Welsh Government offices in exotic locations around the world, including three in China, represent spending on non-devolved areas, which are the responsibility of the UK Government.

“There’s no such thing as government money, only taxpayers’ money, and we should be able to see how every penny is spent.

“The Welsh Government must prioritise the needs of the people of Wales and focus spending on public services and building a stronger economy.”