Local Government

Milford Haven businesses lose out as grant scheme oversubscribed

Published

3 months ago

September 24, 2025

Council delay blamed as nine town centre bids rejected despite being on time

A LARGE number of applications for regeneration funding from Milford Haven businesses have been turned down after the county council declared the Streetscape Enhancement Scheme oversubscribed.

The Herald understands that at least nine applications from Hamilton Terrace and Charles Street were coordinated and submitted by local contractor Hugo Henricksen, who runs a painting and decorating business and operates cherry pickers.

Mr Henricksen not only pulled together the applications — a feat which included obtaining quotes for each property for paint, windows, doors etc — but also arranged for them to be delivered together. Photographic evidence shows the batch of envelopes being handed in at reception before the deadline.

Despite this, every one of the Milford Haven applications was later rejected. Businesses including Milford Curry House, a Charles Street Chinese takeaway, Rino Tailoring, Blockell’s Butcher, Milford Haven Conservative Club, Sandros Barbers, and the Liberal House Flats (Formerly Milford News) were all told their bids could not proceed.

The Herald understands that the scheme was being run by Planed, but that Pembrokeshire County Council sat on the applications for around a month before forwarding them on to Planed, who were administering the scheme. Because of this delay, applications that had been submitted on time were later treated as late. Some applicants even received rejection emails stating they had missed the deadline. By the time the error was corrected, the scheme had become oversubscribed and funding was no longer available.

Local traders say this delay — rather than any fault of their own — is the reason a large part of Milford Haven town centre has missed out on investment.

Figures released by Pembrokeshire County Council confirm that:

191 applications were received in total,
108 were approved,
13 were withdrawn or deemed ineligible,
70 were refused because the scheme was oversubscribed,
and £815,486.94 has been awarded so far.

The council said the scheme was run on a first come, first served basis once applications were complete, and insisted no late submissions were accepted.

Separately, Billy Smith of Hectors Cards & Gifts on Mansfield Street has said he is considering relocating outside Pembrokeshire after his application was refused on boundary grounds. He said: “We need to operate in a location that supports our business so that we can all benefit mutually and grow. Sadly that doesn’t seem to be the case here.”

The council told The Herald the boundaries for eligibility were set according to the Local Development Plan, with some outlying properties considered on a case-by-case basis if they were deemed to affect the character or appearance of the designated area. The authority denied suggestions that showcase areas had been favoured, saying: “The guidelines of the scheme have been followed during the delivery of the programme.”

A spokesperson added that the Towns Regeneration Group panel was chaired by a Head of Service with officer representation from regeneration, external funding, economic development, community, audit, finance and legal. Only two applications have ever been reconsidered, both of which were reconfirmed as ineligible.

But with nine Milford Haven applications — all carefully prepared, costed and submitted together — turned away after a month-long delay in being processed, local businesses fear the town has once again lost out because of poor administration.

What is the Streetscape Enhancement Scheme?

The Pembrokeshire Streetscape Enhancement Scheme is part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, administered locally by Pembrokeshire County Council and Planed. The scheme offered up to 80% funding for improvements to shopfronts and street-facing properties in designated town centre areas.

The aim was to improve the look of high streets and support regeneration, but the scheme was heavily oversubscribed, with nearly 200 applications county-wide. Only 108 were approved, leaving dozens of businesses — including many in Milford Haven — without support.

Local Government

Call for Return of Salt Tip in North Pembrokeshire to Improve Winter Road Safety

Published

6 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PROPOSAL for the reinstatement of a salt tip in North Pembrokeshire to improve road safety during snowy and icy conditions has been put forward by local councillor Huw Murphy.

At the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Murphy called for a review of the council’s current weather strategy, highlighting the need for an auxiliary salt tip in the north of the county. His motion, which was supported by senior councillors, aims to address the challenges faced by motorists during severe winter weather.

Cllr Murphy’s motion emphasized the importance of having a reserve salt tip available to ensure primary routes remain clear and accessible during snow and ice conditions. This would allow emergency services to respond to calls, key workers to reach their workplaces, and essential vehicles like HGVs to access farms for activities such as milk collection.

Historically, a salt tip was located near Crymych, which proved invaluable for gritting roads, particularly the A478 between Crymych and Cardigan, and between Crymych and Clunderwen. These roads, often treacherous during snowy weather, have caused difficulties for HGVs, coaches, and school buses in the past.

The proposal stresses that a new salt tip in Pembrokeshire would allow for quicker and more regular gritting, making roads safer for all users, especially during the harshest winter conditions. Cllr Murphy also highlighted that recent heavy snowfall exposed weaknesses in the current gritting strategy, particularly in the northeast of Pembrokeshire and the Preseli Mountains, which are most prone to severe weather.

The motion also called for prompt gritting and the deployment of snow ploughs on key routes, including the A478, A487, B4332, and B4329, which are vital for the local communities in the northeast and Preseli areas.

The county council’s Cabinet will now consider Cllr Murphy’s motion for further review.

Local Government

Carmarthenshire welcomes new council leader

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

New Cabinet confirmed following Full Council meeting

COUNCILLOR Linda Evans has been appointed Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council and Chair of the Cabinet following a meeting of Full Council on Wednesday (Dec 10).

A long-serving Plaid Cymru councillor for the Llanfihangel-ar-Arth ward, Cllr Evans has served on the authority since 2008 and has been a Cabinet Member since 2015.

Her appointment was formally confirmed during the meeting, where she also announced her Cabinet team — a 10-member executive responsible for the council’s overall business. The Cabinet meets fortnightly to make key decisions and recommendations to Full Council and, in some cases, decisions can be taken individually by Cabinet Members.

All members of the previous administration have retained their roles, with one change: Cllr Emlyn Schiavone joins the Cabinet as the new Cabinet Member for Homes.

The full Cabinet is as follows:

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism: Cllr Hazel Evans
Cabinet Member for Education: Cllr Glynog Davies
Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Communities and Welsh Language: Cllr Carys Jones
Cabinet Member for Organisation and Workforce: Cllr Philip Hughes
Cabinet Member for Resources: Cllr Alun Lenny
Cabinet Member for Homes: Cllr Emlyn Schiavone
Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services: Cllr Edward Thomas
Cabinet Member for Integrated Health and Children and Adult Social Services: Cllr Jane Tremlett
Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability: Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen
Leader of the Council: Cllr Linda Evans

Speaking after her appointment, Cllr Evans said:
“It’s an honour to be elected as Council Leader and I look forward to working with the Cabinet and all members across the chamber for the benefit of the residents of Carmarthenshire.”

Climate

Urgent calls for action on Pembroke Commons flooding

Published

2 days ago

December 11, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

TWO PEMBROKESHIRE councillors have submitted an urgent call for action following recent heavy flooding in parts of Pembroke.

Pembroke councillors Aaron Carey and Jonathan Grimes have submitted an urgent notice of motion ahead of tomorrow’s December 12 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council following heavy flooding in the town’s Commons and Castle Pond area.

The notice of motion covers six points.

“That this council notes with concern the repeated and increasingly severe flooding experienced in our coastal, estuarial and river-fringe communities over recent weeks — in particular the flooding events affecting the Commons/Castle Pond area.

“That the council further notes that, according to correspondence from the Coastal, Rivers & Drainage Team Manager, the tipping gate at the barrage remains out of operation until mid-January due to mechanical issues; meanwhile high tide, heavy rain, wind-driven tidal surges and overspill at the sluice have combined to overwhelm the drainage/outfall infrastructure.

“That we recognise the current maintenance schedule (delayed till after the summer season) and the justification given — but further that such planning failed to foresee the likelihood of severe winter storm and surge events, which climate change makes more frequent and more intense.

“That this council therefore calls on the Cabinet to commission an urgent review of:

The adequacy of the current drainage/outfall and tidal-sluice infrastructure (barrage tipping gate, sluice/sluice-valve, flap valve, outfall capacity) for current and projected climate/tide conditions.
The maintenance scheduling policy for coastal and estuarial flood-risk assets, with a view to ensuring critical maintenance is completed before winter high-tide / storm-surge season, rather than — as at present — being delayed until after summer for ‘recreational / biodiversity’ reasons.

“That, pending the outcome of the review, the council should allocate appropriate emergency capital funding to remediate the barrages / sluices / outfalls at risk of failure or blockage — to safeguard residents, properties, highways and public amenities from further flooding.

“That, further, this council resolves to publish a public flood-resilience plan for the county, identifying all coastal and river-fringe ‘hotspots,’ maintenance schedules, responsible teams, and a transparent timeline for upgrades or remedial works — so residents have clarity and confidence in flood prevention measures.”

The submission also includes a question for Cabinet Member Cllr Rhys Sinnett.

“In light of the repeated flooding events across the county – including the recent overflow at Castle Pond and the acknowledgement by your own Coastal, Rivers & Drainage Team that the barrage tipping gate remains inoperable until mid-January can you explain what assessment has been made of the adequacy of our tidal outfall infrastructure in the face of current and projected future storm surges and sea-level rise?

“If no such assessment has yet been undertaken, will you commit now to commissioning an immediate structural and risk-capacity audit, with a report to full council within three months, and with proposals for funding any remedial works required — to avoid recurring damage and disruption to residents, highways, and public amenities?”