Local Government

Calls for fairer council tax as scrutiny committee backs relief for holiday lets

Published

6 months ago

September 11, 2025

COUNCILLORS in Pembrokeshire have backed a series of recommendations on Second Home Council Tax, including a proposal to give discretionary relief for holiday cottages.

At the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday (Sept 9), Councillor Huw Murphy, who represents Newport and Dinas, said the current premium of 150 per cent for second homes and 300 per cent for long-term empty properties should remain in place for the 2026/27 financial year.

However, he proposed that Cabinet apply 50 per cent relief for holiday cottages let out between 140 and 182 days a year. If accepted, this would mean those meeting the threshold would pay council tax at 100 per cent instead of 150 per cent, while second homes used solely for private purposes would continue to face the full rate.

The committee backed the recommendation with no votes against.

Financial backdrop

The move comes as Cabinet reviewed first-quarter financial figures on Monday (Sept 8), showing a projected £2.2 million surplus for 2025/26. The Independent Group, the largest in the Chamber, welcomed the easing of pressure on social care budgets and argued that some of the surplus should be used to lessen the burden on council taxpayers.

Councillor Murphy also raised concerns over 1,800 properties in Pembrokeshire on the Non-Domestic Rate system, most of which pay nothing under small business rate relief. He said if they were taxed at an average Band E rate, the county could raise millions more.

“There has to be a fairer Council Tax system that raises revenue in a more cost-effective way,” he said. “The Welsh Government should have been bold and tackled this years ago.”

Tourism and the economy

The committee also criticised the Welsh Government’s retention of the 182-day letting rule for holiday lets, branding it unrealistic for many rural operators. England’s threshold is 105 days.

Councillors said a 140-day target would be more practical and help support smaller tourism businesses, particularly in inland areas outside hotspots like Tenby, St Davids and Newport.

They warned that with around 20 per cent of Pembrokeshire’s workforce employed in tourism, leisure and hospitality, weakening the sector could be a disaster for the county. Declining car park revenue, linked to falling visitor numbers during the cost-of-living crisis, was cited as a sign of strain.

Wider concerns

Councillor Murphy also criticised Welsh Government proposals that self-catering owners should donate two weeks of free rental to charity. He argued that many lets are run by farming families encouraged to diversify in the past but are now penalised by the rules.

The Independent Group reaffirmed support for small business rate relief for pubs, restaurants and attractions, but called for new measures such as reduced vehicle tax in rural counties, noting that poor public transport makes car ownership a necessity.

They said such steps could help reduce rural poverty, protect the Welsh language in its heartlands, and tackle depopulation.

Looking ahead

The Group also called for action to make Pembrokeshire more attractive to younger people to counterbalance the county’s ageing population. Without it, they warned, the future of local services and funding would come under increasing strain.

Community

Town hall takeover plan questioned as cost figures conflict

Published

7 hours ago

March 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CONSULTATION DRAWS JUST 25 RESIDENTS AS RUNNING COST ESTIMATES VARY BY TENS OF THOUSANDS

THE PROPOSED transfer of Fishguard Town Hall to the town council has come under scrutiny after documents revealed conflicting estimates of the building’s running costs.

Freedom of Information responses and council documents suggest the historic building could cost tens of thousands of pounds a year to operate, raising questions about whether Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council can afford to take on responsibility for it.

Budget links tax rise to town hall plan

A budget report prepared by Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council shows the authority planning £166,336 in spending for the 2025–26 financial year, an increase on the previous year.

Within the administration section of the proposed budget, the council confirms that £20,000 has been allocated towards the proposed Community Asset Transfer of Fishguard Town Hall from Pembrokeshire County Council.

The document also links a proposed 16 per cent increase in the council’s precept directly to the takeover proposal.

After two years with no increase due to the cost-of-living crisis, the report states the rise is “directly related to the proposed CAT of Fishguard Town Hall.”

The council plans to request a £147,070 precept for the coming year.

Dispute over running costs

However, debate over the plan has intensified after different figures emerged for the building’s running costs.

Pembrokeshire County Council has said the average annual cost of utilities — including gas, electricity, water and sewage — for the building over the past three years was between £25,000 and £30,000.

But other figures circulating locally suggest the costs may be far higher.

One estimate cited by residents claims energy bills alone could be around £47,000 a year.

Separate operational figures released through a county council Freedom of Information request indicate that when staffing, maintenance, utilities and business rates are included, the total cost of running the building could exceed £70,000 annually.

Consultation numbers raise questions

Consultation figures released by the Town Council also show relatively modest public engagement with the proposal.

According to the council, 25 people attended the public consultation meeting held at the Town Hall.

A further 93 paper survey responses and 17 online responses were submitted through the council’s consultation process.

The council has not yet published the draft business plan or energy survey relating to the building, stating the documents are still under review.

Transfer still undecided

The potential Community Asset Transfer of Fishguard Town Hall from Pembrokeshire County Council to the town council has been under discussion since 2024, but the arrangement has not yet been formally agreed by either authority.

If the transfer goes ahead, responsibility for operating and maintaining the building would pass from the county council to Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council.

Supporters of the proposal say it would give the community greater control over the future of the historic building.

However, critics argue the long-term costs could place significant pressure on the town council’s finances.

Local Government

Investigation confirmed after inspectors visit Many Tears Animal Rescue

Published

7 hours ago

March 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Licensing authority declines to comment as police confirm attendance at Carmarthenshire rescue centre

AN INVESTIGATION is underway following a visit by licensing inspectors to the premises of one of the UK’s largest dog rescue organisations.

Authorities attended Many Tears Animal Rescue on Tuesday (Mar 10), with Dyfed-Powys Police confirming officers were present during the visit in a supporting role.

Police stressed that their officers were not leading the operation and were only present to prevent any breach of the peace.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told The Herald: “Officers attended the premises in a supporting capacity only, to prevent any breach of the peace. The visit took place without any need of police involvement or intervention.”

Enquiries about the purpose of the visit were directed to Animal Licensing Wales, the body responsible for overseeing animal establishment licensing across Wales.

When contacted by The Herald, Animal Licensing Wales confirmed it could not comment further.

In a statement, the organisation said: “We are unable to comment on this matter due to an ongoing investigation.”

The RSPCA Cymru has also confirmed it was not involved in the visit.

An RSPCA spokesperson told The Herald: “The RSPCA did not attend this premises on March 10 so did not participate in any visit that took place.”

Many Tears Animal Rescue, based in Carmarthenshire, is one of the largest dog rescue charities operating in the UK and is known for rescuing and rehoming thousands of dogs each year.

Founded by Sylvia and Bill Van Atta, the organisation operates from the former Cawdor Kennels site, which it purchased in 2004. The centre houses large numbers of rescue dogs while also working with foster carers who temporarily care for animals before they are placed in permanent homes.

The organisation takes in animals from a variety of sources, including commercial breeding establishments and other rescues, before placing them with new owners across the country.

Animal Licensing Wales operates under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021, which require organisations involved in activities such as animal boarding, breeding, and rehoming to meet strict standards relating to animal welfare, veterinary care, record-keeping, and the management of animals kept at licensed premises.

The nature of the investigation has not yet been disclosed.

Many Tears Animal Rescue has built a significant following among dog adopters across the UK, regularly rehoming animals rescued from breeding establishments, pounds and other rescue organisations. The Carmarthenshire centre is widely known among rescue supporters and veterinary volunteers, with many dogs travelling to new homes across Britain after being rehabilitated at the site.

Investigations involving animal licensing authorities can include inspections of facilities, checks on welfare standards, and reviews of record keeping and veterinary care arrangements. Under Welsh regulations, organisations involved in activities such as boarding, breeding or rehoming animals must meet strict licensing conditions designed to safeguard animal welfare.

The story will be updated if further information becomes available.

Local Government

Tenby harbour dredging work scheduled

Published

1 day ago

March 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

VISITORS and harbour users in Tenby are being asked to take care while dredging work is carried out at the harbour entrance next week.

Sand will be removed from the mouth of Tenby Harbour and deposited at the northern end of North Beach. The work is not expected to affect vessel movements in the harbour.

Operations will begin on Monday (Mar 16) and are scheduled to continue until Wednesday (Mar 18).

Tenby Harbourmaster Chris Salisbury confirmed that the necessary licence for the dredging work is in place.

He said: “We ask that members of the public keep clear of the operating area while the machinery is in use and that dogs are kept on a lead during this time.”

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services at Pembrokeshire County Council, said the work was essential to keep the harbour functioning properly.

“I’m grateful to our officers for carrying out this work at Tenby Harbour,” he said. “The dredging is essential for the continued operation of the harbour.

“The timing has been dictated by the tides, and these dates represented the final opportunity to complete the work before boats are returned to the water.”