Residents invited to help shape Local Development Plan 3 as early consultation opens

RESIDENTS, community groups and organisations are being invited to help shape the future of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park as part of an early-stage public consultation on its next Local Development Plan.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has opened consultation on a series of key documents that will inform Local Development Plan 3 (LDP3), which will guide how the National Park develops over the coming years.

The consultation opened on Monday (Jan 26) and will run until 5:00pm on Monday, March 23.

Local Development Plan 3 will influence planning decisions across the National Park, including issues relating to housing, sustainability, communities, the natural environment and climate change. At this early stage, the Authority is seeking views on the main issues the Plan should address, helping to shape its direction from the outset.

The documents open for consultation are the Sustainability Appraisal incorporating the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Scoping Report, which includes background information on relevant plans, policies and environmental baselines; a Draft Issues, Vision and Objectives Paper setting out key challenges and a potential long-term vision for the National Park; and the Local Development Plan 2 Annual Monitoring Report covering April 2024 to March 2025.

An online engagement event will be held on Monday, February 9, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, providing an opportunity for participants to learn more about the documents and ask questions. The event will take place via Microsoft Teams.

Anyone wishing to attend must register by emailing [email protected]
. Welsh-language translation can be provided on request if the Authority is notified by Monday, February 2.

All consultation documents will be available on the National Park Authority’s website. They can also be accessed on public computers in libraries, with paper copies available at a charge.

Comments can be submitted online via the consultation questionnaire, by email, or in writing to the Strategic Policy Team at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. All responses will be acknowledged and made public, and feedback will be considered as the Authority prepares the next stages of Local Development Plan 3.

Further information is available by contacting [email protected]
or calling 01646 624800.

Adjudication Panel for Wales reschedules case-paper hearing for February 12

A TRIBUNAL hearing into alleged breaches of the members’ code of conduct by a former Neyland town councillor has been adjourned and rescheduled, official papers confirm.

The case involving former Councillor Brian Rothero had been listed to be determined on Tuesday (Jan 27) at 10:00am, using remote attendance technology.

However, the tribunal meeting has now been adjourned at the request of the tribunal panel, with the case due to be determined instead on Thursday, February 12, at 10:00am, according to a notification issued by the Adjudication Panel for Wales’ Welsh Tribunals Unit at the eleventh hour (Jan 26).

The matter relates to allegations of breaches of the statutory members’ code of conduct. These include alleged failures to show respect and consideration, and requirements around treating others with respect and not using bullying or harassing behaviour.

The tribunal will determine the case on the papers only and will not hear oral submissions or evidence from the parties or any witnesses. The notification states that Mr Rothero’s presence on the rescheduled date is not required.

It also confirms the tribunal’s meeting, deliberations and adjudication will not be open to the public.

Neyland council context

The adjournment comes amid an extended period of heightened scrutiny around Neyland Town Council, which has repeatedly featured in complaints and conduct-related disputes.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Standards Committee has previously been told that Neyland Town Council accounted for a significant proportion of code of conduct complaints made about town and community councils in the county.

In a separate recent case, a Neyland councillor was banned from public office for four years after a tribunal found breaches linked to communications described as lacking respect and amounting to bullying or harassment.

The council has also faced ongoing rows over governance and decision-making, including controversy surrounding a co-option process that drew criticism over transparency.

THE POLICE part of the council tax bill in Dyfed and Powys is to rise by nearly 7.5 per cent, following a near nine per cent last year, meaning the average household will be paying £390 this coming year for that element alone.

The overall council tax bill for residents in the counties of Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Powys is made up of the county council element of the council tax, the Dyfed-Powys Police precept, and individual town or community council precepts.

At the January 23 meeting of the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel, held at County Hall, Haverfordwest, Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn called for a raising of the precept by 7.474 per cent for the 2026-’27 financial year, a rise of £26.95 for the average Band D property, bring that element up to £387.63 for an average band D property in 2024-’25.

Any property paying a premium of council tax, such as second homes, also pays that premium on the police precept as well, meaning their bills for this element are proportionately higher.

Of the force’s funding, 56 per cent, or some £93m, comes from the precept.

Last year saw an 8.6 per cent increase on the force’s precept.

Speaking at the meeting, Pembroke county councillor Cllr Jonathan Grimes asked: “what can council tax-payers expect to see in terms of their council tax payments, what will they see in terms of value for money?”

Mr Llywelyn said it would support efficiencies helping a “more visible and accessible police service”.

Members backed the recommendation of a 7.47 per cent increase.

This year’s near-eight per cent increase follows a public consultation.

Local authorities are due to decide their council tax levels in the next few months.

Ceredigion is currently mooting a 4.75 per cent increase in that element of the overall council tax bill.