Local Government

Taxes on Pembrokeshire second homeowners to be lowered

Published

8 months ago

October 9, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

SECOND home-owners in Pembrokeshire will pay a lower council tax premium next year after a call to drop the rate was passed by just one vote.

A council tax premium is applied to the main council tax bill, the precepts from the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner and the town and community council elements of the overall bill.

Late last year, Pembrokeshire councillors had voted to drop the council tax premium on second homes from 200 per cent on top of the standard bill, effectively a treble rate, to 150 per cent.

Prior to that, second-home owners in the county were charged a 100 per cent premium.

Following backing from the council’s Cabinet, a full meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, on October 9, was recommended to support the second homes premium remaining at 150 per cent and a long-term empty properties rate remaining at 300 per cent for properties empty for more than two years.

The percentage of homes with no usual resident in Pembrokeshire, made up of holiday lets, empty homes and second homes, is 13.8 per cent, down from a high of 14.6 per cent, a report for members said.

Four communities in the county, Dale, Lamphey, Newport, and The Havens, have a percentage in excess of 40 per cent and a further 14 have a rate of 25 per cent or higher, the report added.

Speaking at the meeting, Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance Efficiencies Cllr Alistair Cameron said a drop in the second homes premium to 100 per cent, as recommended by the Council Tax Working Group would result in a budget pressure of £2.8m for 2026-27, equivalent to a three per cent hike in general council tax levels.

An amendment to the 150 per cent rate was put forward by Cllr Mark Carter, seeking a drop to 100 per cent, seconded by Cllr Di Clements.

Leader Cllr Jon Harvey had warned: “The reality is if this amendment is approved, we’ve got to find another £2.8m, either cuts or we put the council tax up by that amount. I would rather be looking after the majority of council tax-payers in Pembrokeshire rather than supporting this 100 per cent.”

Cllr Phil Kidney had, during the meeting, given warning that should the 100 per cent amendment fail, he would be proposing a reduction to 125 per cent.

One of those against the status quo was Cllr Mike Stoddart, who said: “Very simply I don’t agree we can chisel money out of these people so we don’t have to go to our people; we’re acting to our own electoral advantage. It’s totally unfair to pay double the council tax and using the services a lot less.”

Cllr Carter’s 100 per cent call was defeated by 21 votes for, 29 against, and two abstentions, leading to Cllr Kidney’s amendment being put forward, passing by just one vote; 26 for and 25 against.

Members later unanimously supported the empty property rate remain at the current level.

At 25 per cent drop in equivalent to a funding shortfall of some £1.4m.

Education

Two more rural schools face closure as statutory notices issued

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TWO MORE rural schools in west Wales could close by the end of the year after Carmarthenshire County Council published statutory notices proposing the closure of Ysgol Meidrim and Ysgol y Fro.

The move follows growing concern over the future of small rural schools across the region, after The Herald reported yesterday on separate school closure proposals in Pembrokeshire.

Carmarthenshire County Council confirmed on Tuesday (Jun 16) that statutory notices had been issued under the School Standards and Organisation Act 2013.

Members of the public now have 28 days to object, with the deadline set for July 14, 2026.

Objections can be submitted through the council’s online surveys for Ysgol Meidrim and Ysgol y Fro, by emailing [email protected], or in writing to Owain Lloyd, Director of Education and Leisure, County Hall, Carmarthen, SA31 1JP.

Cabinet decision

The decision to issue the statutory notices was agreed by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet on Monday, June 1.

If the proposals are approved, both closures would take effect from December 31, 2026.

From January 1, 2027, pupils currently attending Ysgol Meidrim would be expected to attend either Ysgol Griffith Jones or Ysgol Hafodwenog, depending on parental preference and the council’s admissions arrangements.

The catchment area of Ysgol Gynradd Meidrim would also be re-designated and absorbed into the existing catchment areas of Ysgol Griffith Jones and Ysgol Bancyfelin.

Under the proposals for Ysgol y Fro, pupils would attend Ysgol y Dderwen from January 1, 2027, again subject to parental preference and admissions arrangements.

Its catchment area would be re-designated and included within the existing catchments of Llangunnor Primary School, Llanddarog VC Primary School, Ferryside VC Primary School, Gwynfryn Primary School, Ysgol Gymraeg Gwenllian, Ysgol Gynradd Mynyddygarreg and Ysgol y Castell.

Rural school concern

The council says both schools have been identified under viability criteria set out in its Modernising Education Programme, which was approved by Cabinet on November 18, 2024.

The publication of statutory notices marks a formal stage in the closure process and gives parents, residents, governors and other interested parties the opportunity to object before a final decision is made.

The proposals come amid wider concern about the future of small rural schools, with communities across west Wales warning that closures can have a lasting impact on village life, Welsh-language education, transport arrangements and young families.

The council has said objections received during the statutory notice period will be considered before any final decision is taken.

Local Government

Security privately arranged by Mayor at Beating of the Bounds

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL has confirmed that security personnel seen at this year’s Beating of the Bounds were privately arranged and paid for by the town’s Mayor.

The council issued a statement on Tuesday (June 16) following queries about the presence of security staff at the civic event.

It confirmed that the arrangements were made by the Mayor and Admiral of the Port, Councillor Randell Thomas-Turner, and were not commissioned by the council.

The statement said the decision was taken by the Mayor as a personal precaution in response to safety concerns connected with his role as a councillor.

NO SPECIFIC THREAT

The council stressed that the presence of security personnel should not be interpreted as an indication of any specific threat to the event, participants, or members of the public.

It added that the event “proceeded safely and successfully” and that there were no incidents of concern during the day.

The Beating of the Bounds is one of Haverfordwest’s oldest civic traditions, with the Mayor and Sheriff travelling to the White Stone, the historic boundary marker of the Port of Haverfordwest, to reaffirm the ancient boundaries and rights of the town.

Hundreds of people attended this year’s event, which included a flotilla, music, entertainment, stalls and family activities along the riverside.

COUNCIL CONDEMNS ABUSE

In its statement, the council said it remained committed to ensuring civic events were “welcoming, inclusive and family-friendly” occasions.

It said appropriate planning and risk management arrangements were undertaken for all public events so residents and visitors could attend with confidence.

The council added: “While the security arrangements were a personal matter for the Mayor, the council recognises the importance of supporting the wellbeing and safety of all elected members and staff.

“The council condemns all forms of abuse, intimidation and threatening behaviour directed towards those serving their communities.

“Respectful public discourse is fundamental to local democracy, but there is no place for conduct that seeks to harass, threaten or intimidate others.”

The council thanked everyone who attended and contributed to what it described as another successful Beating of the Bounds, celebrating Haverfordwest’s history, traditions and community spirit.

Image: Darth Marty Media

Local Government

Major improvement works completed at Fleming Crescent

Published

2 days ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NEW roofs, structural upgrades and solar panels have been installed across three residential blocks at Fleming Crescent as part of a major housing improvement scheme.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the project has delivered safer, warmer and more energy-efficient homes for residents, with the full replacement of roofs serving 54 flats.

The works also included structural improvements designed to support the long-term performance of the buildings, alongside the installation of solar panels to help improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs for tenants.

The council received a funding contribution from the Welsh Government through the Optimised Retrofit Programme, which supports energy-efficiency improvements alongside wider investment works.

The scheme was completed on schedule, with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd appointed as the main contractor.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “Delivering a project of this scale on schedule is a significant achievement.

“The new roofs and external upgrades will help reduce future maintenance issues and improve the long-term resilience of the buildings, while the solar panels form an important part of our wider decarbonisation programme.

“By working closely with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, we have delivered high-quality improvements that will benefit tenants both now and in the future.

“Pembrokeshire County Council continues to invest in housing improvements across the county, ensuring homes remain safe, modern, energy efficient and fit for the future.”

The project has also received national recognition after being shortlisted for a Constructing Excellence in Wales Award.

Neil Griffiths, Managing Director of W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, said: “We are proud to have delivered this important project at Fleming Crescent to a high standard and within the agreed timescales.

“The combination of full roof replacement and solar panel installation will provide long-term value, improve the performance of the buildings and support better outcomes for residents.