A FUNDING package worth £18,700 has been agreed to help secure the long-term financial sustainability of Milford Haven Library.

At a meeting on Monday (Jan 12), Milford Haven Town Council approved funding to support the library over the next three years.

The decision follows a year of partnership working between Pembrokeshire County Council, the Port of Milford Haven and the Town Council, as the organisations sought solutions to ongoing funding pressures.

A public consultation held in 2025 highlighted the importance of the library as a valued community asset, not only for book lending but also as a hub for groups, wellbeing checks and warm spaces.

Discussions resulted in a contribution of £10,000 from the Port of Milford Haven and £3,000 from the Town Council to ensure the library could continue operating during the 2025/26 financial year. The latest agreement extends that support, providing funding for the next three years alongside continued substantial backing from the Port over the lifetime of the council’s lease.

Councillor Rhys Sinnett, Pembrokeshire County Council’s cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “This is excellent news for the town as it allows us at Pembrokeshire County Council to continue providing a much-valued service at current levels.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Milford Haven Town Council and the Port of Milford Haven, as through partnership working we are able to maintain this important community resource.”

Councillor William Elliott, Mayor of Milford Haven, said the agreement reflected the value placed on the library by the community. He said: “We are delighted to have reached a consensus to support the library over the next three years.
“We value the importance of the library not just for the loaning of books, but also for its wider role supporting groups, wellbeing checks, warm spaces and more.
“Over the past 12 months we have continued to work closely with the library team, the County Council and the Port of Milford Haven to explore all available options, and we remain committed to this partnership going forward.”

Tom Sawyer, chief executive of the Port of Milford Haven, added: “Libraries are cornerstones of our communities — places where people connect, learn and feel supported.
“We’re proud to have helped ensure this vital resource remains accessible to everyone who depends on it.”

Milford Haven Library is based at Cedar Court. Further information about the library and its facilities is available via Pembrokeshire County Council’s libraries service.

A PETITION call for a public commitment to save Pembrokeshire’s River Cleddau which has attracted more than 2,200 signatures, and is due to be heard by full council, ends in a few days.

The e-petition on Pembrokeshire County Council’s own website, started by James Harrison-Allen, says: “We call on Pembrokeshire County Council to create and enact a Clean Rivers Policy to restore the Cleddau to good health after decades of neglect and degradation.

“The Cleddau flows through the heart of Pembrokeshire, including our county town, and is the foundation for Pembrokeshire’s prosperity. The river is failing, and we need to act now to save it from irreversible decline.

“What’s the problem? The Cleddau rivers and estuary are the worst (and worsening) polluted SAC (Special Area of Conservation) designated rivers in Wales; worse even than the Wye and the Usk (NRW Water Assessment Report 2024), and considerably worse than the neighbouring Towy and Teifi.

“Damaging impacts on Pembrokeshire’s economy, public health and the natural environment. Ineffective regulation; monitoring, responding, policing, enforcement and prosecutions. What should PCC be doing to address this? Make a formal, public commitment to cleaning up the Cleddau. Make the health of the Cleddau central.”

Earlier this year, Henry Tufnell, MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, called for “urgent” action to tackle the poor state of the River Cleddau when he chaired a discussion bringing together key stakeholders, environmental experts, and community voices to address the issues surrounding water quality and pollution.

The panel event, organised by local river action group The Cleddau Project, covered topics including pollution sources, enforcement failures, and potential solutions to improve the river’s health.

The e-petition runs up to February 1, and had attracted 2,207 signatures by January 27.

If a petition gets 500 signatures, the creator will have an opportunity to debate it at a future full council meeting.

Mother raises concerns over delay in being informed following cannabis incident

A MILFORD HAVEN parent has raised serious safeguarding concerns after her 13-year-old son—who has ADHD and autism—was questioned by police at Milford Haven School in connection with suspected cannabis, without her being informed for several hours.

The police confirmed this, saying “We were called to a report that a small amount of cannabis had been found.”

Jenn Reynolds said the incident occurred at around 12:00pm, but she was not contacted until 5:00pm, when deputy head Mr Thomas phoned her. She alleges another pupil brought suspected cannabis into school and handed it to her son, Rhys, who she says was “forced” into looking after it. Rhys was searched and questioned by attending officers, and did not disclose the matter to his mother beforehand.

“My kid is vulnerable—he would agree to anything,” Ms Reynolds said. “He has additional needs, and I should have been notified immediately so I could be present during any search or questioning.”

She added that her son now faces disciplinary action, including possible expulsion or placement in the school’s “REMOVE” provision, an internal withdrawal or isolation room. Ms Reynolds also referenced a prior Year 7 incident in which her son was assaulted and footage circulated on Snapchat; she claims she was initially told the perpetrator was expelled but later learned it was only temporary, and her expressions of concern at that time led to a temporary ban from the school premises.

The matter is now being discussed in local parent group chats, with some encouraging escalation.

Council and school response

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed its education and safeguarding teams are involved and that “appropriate communication was held with key agencies.”

On the delay in parental notification, a spokesperson said: “The parent should be advised of any safeguarding concerns as soon as possible—this may mean a delay as the school looks into the concerns and liaises with agencies such as police.”

The council emphasised support for vulnerable learners, adding: “Support is provided to any young person with an appropriate adult present and the process explained to them in a way which they would understand.”

In a further clarification, the authority confirmed that an appropriate adult was present during police interaction with the pupil. The council said the school would continue to maintain support and communication with the family.

Recent Estyn inspection and special measures

The incident comes against the backdrop of Milford Haven School being placed into special measures, Estyn’s most serious category of follow-up, following a core inspection, with the report published on Wednesday last week (Jan 22). Both the school and Pembrokeshire County Council have accepted the findings in full and committed to rapid improvements.

Estyn identified a number of areas requiring urgent action, including weaknesses in teaching quality and consistency, low pupil attendance—below that of similar schools and well below pre-pandemic levels—with particular concerns around pupils eligible for free school meals, shortcomings in self-evaluation and improvement planning, a need to strengthen leadership challenge, inadequate toilet provision for pupils, and the requirement for more robust financial management.

Despite these concerns, inspectors also highlighted several strengths, describing the school as a “caring and inclusive community” where pupils feel safe. Estyn praised the school’s work to promote positive behaviour, its use of restorative approaches to tackle bullying, the range of curriculum and digital skills opportunities on offer, and its commitment to supporting disadvantaged learners.

Pembrokeshire County Council said it is working closely with Estyn and the school on a detailed post-inspection action plan. Regular updates, engagement events, and communication with parents, carers, and the wider community are expected as improvements are implemented. Estyn monitoring visits are anticipated every four to six months until sufficient progress allows the school to be removed from special measures. Further details of the approved action plan are expected to be published on the Milford Haven School website.

The incident has prompted renewed local discussion about how schools—particularly those under heightened scrutiny—handle safeguarding, drug-related incidents, vulnerability among neurodivergent pupils, and timely parental involvement.

The Herald will continue to follow developments, including progress on the school’s improvement plan.