Local Government

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

Published

9 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.

Local Government

Newgale hill closure warning as councillor fears “severe delays”

Published

2 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MOTORISTS are being warned to expect major disruption when resurfacing work closes Newgale hill later this month.

Pembrokeshire County Council is due to carry out work on Monday, June 23, from 9:00am to 3:30pm, and Tuesday, June 24, from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

The closure will affect the A487 from above the Newgale shop to Penycwm.

County councillor Mark Carter said he fully supported the resurfacing work, but had “severe concerns” about the diversion arrangements.

Traffic is expected to be sent along the partially single-track route from Penycwm to Victoria, Roch, via Eweston and Roch Bridge.

Cllr Carter said the route is used during winter storms when waves overtop at Newgale, but warned traffic is usually much lighter at that time of year.

He said: “I believe there will be severe delays and confrontation on this route when traffic meets head-on.”

He added that he had suggested alternatives, including carrying out the work at a quieter time of year, night working, a convoy system, or using a different route to create more of a one-way flow.

However, he said he had been told the closure would go ahead as planned.

Cllr Carter said PCC had indicated staff would be on the diversion route to assist traffic, but he had not yet received an answer about arrangements for service buses.

He advised residents to avoid the diversion where possible and allow extra time by travelling further around Newgale.

Local Government

Council admits 74 rights of way complaints remain unresolved

Published

2 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Key post vacant since February as walker raises safety concerns over paths near Llanteg and Amroth

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has admitted that 74 public rights of way enquiries remain unresolved, as concerns grow over staffing shortages and alleged obstructions on countryside paths.

The admission follows a formal complaint from visitor Daniel Murphy, who contacted the council after walking a number of public footpaths in the Llanteg and Amroth area while holidaying in Pembrokeshire.

Mr Murphy said he had been using the paths to avoid busy roads while carrying his 11-week-old daughter, but claimed he encountered a series of problems including blocked or difficult access points, damaged gates, overgrowth, missing or concealed signage, dumped materials and intimidating conditions for walkers.

The complaint relates to paths identified on the Definitive Map as SP10/11, SP10/13, SP10/14, SP10/15 and SP10/20 on Map 87.

In correspondence seen by The Herald, Mr Murphy said he had first contacted the council on April 3, but had not received a substantive response. He later escalated the matter as a formal complaint.

Among the issues he raised were claims that fencing had been placed across a path, that a kissing gate had been modified with a timber plank, that a gate mechanism had been damaged, and that old roofing sheets had been dumped near one of the routes, raising concerns over potentially hazardous material.

He also reported severe overgrowth at gates and stiles, and claimed one section of path was affected by an aggressive loose dog.

Council response

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed to The Herald that it had received the formal complaint.

A council spokesperson said an inspection of the footpaths associated with the complaint would be carried out by officers by the end of this week.

The council also confirmed that its Definitive Map Officer post has been vacant since February 1, 2026, while recruitment options are being considered.

Asked whether public rights of way legal enforcement was currently suspended or delayed because of staffing shortages, the council said there were “limited staff resources” available to deal with Public Rights of Way legal matters.

It said cases were being triaged and staff resources were being prioritised towards urgent and critical matters.

The council confirmed that, at present, 74 enquiries remain outstanding in the Pembrokeshire County Council area.

It said that when public rights of way are alleged to be obstructed, an automated holding response is currently issued. The enquiry is then triaged, with priority cases identified and progressed as capacity permits.

The council also said the report of potentially hazardous materials being deposited on or beside the routes would be investigated as part of the planned inspection.

‘Committed to statutory duties’

A council spokesperson said: “The Council would like to reassure the public that it remains fully committed to meeting its statutory duties in relation to public rights of way and to ensuring that routes are accessible and open for all users.

“We recognise the importance of this service; however, there is currently a national shortage of specialist expertise in public rights of way roles.

“Recruitment to the Council’s vacant Definitive Map Officer post has therefore proved challenging. In light of this, we are actively exploring alternative options to ensure that our responsibilities continue to be delivered effectively.

“We are hopeful that the recruitment position will be resolved within the next few months and will continue to keep the situation under close review in the meantime.”

The Herald understands that the routes concerned sit within the wider Llanteg and Amroth footpath network, an area used by both residents and visitors.

The council’s inspection is expected to determine whether the reported obstructions, damaged access points and possible hazardous materials require further action.

Local Government

Cllr Thomas Tudor welcomes new Riverside transport interchange

Published

3 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CLLR THOMAS TUDOR has welcomed progress on the new Glan-yr-Afon Riverside Public Transport Interchange in Haverfordwest, saying the development will help support the future regeneration of the county town.

Cllr Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward, visited the site with Pembrokeshire County Council officers and said he was optimistic about the role the interchange could play in making Haverfordwest a more attractive place to live, work, visit and invest in.

He said: “As county councillor for the Castle Ward, it was very pleasing to visit the Glan-yr-Afon Riverside Public Transport Interchange and see the progress being made.

“I believe the interchange will help Haverfordwest become a more multi-functional town centre, supporting residents, businesses, visitors and public transport users.

“It has the potential to contribute to a thriving commercial and residential location, with a stronger sense of place and a more vibrant community. I am very optimistic about the future development of Haverfordwest as the county town of Pembrokeshire.”

The new development includes parking over three floors, bus bays, disabled and parent-and-child spaces, EV charging points, motorcycle bays, cycle hoops, a taxi rank with EV infrastructure, public toilets, a Changing Places facility, indoor waiting areas, customer information screens, lifts, stairwells, and secure office space for council staff and police use.

Caption:

Cllr Thomas Tudor at the Glan-yr-Afon Riverside Public Transport Interchange in Haverfordwest.