MINISTERS have hailed the rollout of dozens of 4G mast upgrades across rural Wales, but recent concerns in Tenby show mobile coverage remains a live issue in Pembrokeshire.

The UK Government says a further 11 mast upgrades have been switched on in Wales this year through the Shared Rural Network, bringing the Welsh total to 55.

The scheme is aimed at improving mobile coverage in hard-to-reach rural areas, helping residents, businesses and visitors stay connected and access help more quickly in an emergency.

Areas benefiting from the latest upgrades include Nant Gwynant in Snowdonia, Capel y Ffin near Abergavenny, Manafon near Welshpool, and several locations across Powys.

Telecoms Minister Liz Lloyd said the programme was helping bring “every part of the UK into the digital age”, while Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said reliable coverage was vital for rural communities and economic growth.

However, the announcement comes amid continuing concern about mobile phone coverage in Tenby, where residents and businesses have raised concerns about poor signal and mast-related issues.

Although the latest UK Government upgrades focus mainly on remote rural areas, the problems reported in Tenby highlight that connectivity remains a pressing issue in Pembrokeshire, particularly in coastal communities which see huge seasonal increases in visitor numbers.

Reliable mobile coverage is increasingly seen as essential for tourism businesses, delivery drivers, emergency services, residents and visitors who rely on phones for payments, bookings, navigation and safety.

The Shared Rural Network is a partnership between the UK Government and mobile network operators. Across Great Britain, more than 140 publicly funded 4G masts have now been activated.

The programme is due to continue until January 2027.

CARMARTHENSHIRE remains Wales’ puppy breeding hotspot, despite a fall in the number of investigations carried out by the county council last year.

New figures obtained by RSPCA Cymru under the Freedom of Information Act show that Carmarthenshire County Council undertook 46 dog breeding investigations in 2025, down from 59 in 2024.

The number of prosecutions in the county also fell sharply, from 12 in 2024 to three in 2025.

Across Wales, however, the picture is different. Local authorities carried out 210 investigations into suspected irresponsible or illicit puppy trading in 2025, compared with 144 the previous year — a rise of 46%.

RSPCA Cymru is now calling on the Welsh Government to review dog breeding laws and ensure councils have the resources needed to tackle illegal and hidden breeding activity.

Local authorities are responsible for licensing dog breeding establishments, checking compliance with licence conditions, investigating illegal breeding and bringing prosecutions where necessary.

Billie-Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager for RSPCA Cymru said: “With the number of investigations having increased significantly in 2025, it is encouraging to see local authorities working hard to investigate complaints relevant to dog breeding made to them by members of the public.

“Traditionally, Carmarthenshire is known as one of the UK’s hot spots for dog breeding activity and we welcome all efforts made by the council to improve the enforcement of the relevant regulations in the county.

“Prosecutions are also significantly down, which could suggest signs of improvement across Wales as a result of the proactive and advice-led approach being undertaken by many local authorities.

“However, some cases from 2025 will still be progressing this year, and we always fear there are many underground sellers undertaking irresponsible breeding practices and providing poor care behind closed doors. It is important that these efforts continue.”

In November, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet endorsed a series of recommendations following a Task and Finish Group review into dog breeding.

These included working with local vets to ensure they understand the requirements placed on licensed breeders, improving public knowledge about dog breeding, considering a compulsory scoring system for licensed breeders, and reviewing licensing fees.

RSPCA Cymru took part in the council’s consultation exercise. The review also made recommendations at a national level, including a review of current legislation, a centralised microchipping database, consideration of a national scoring system for breeders, and whether a national body is needed to support dog breeders.

Billie-Jade added: “We were really pleased to engage with this review and are encouraged that the council is looking at how to ensure high and consistent standards are enforced to protect welfare.

“Working with local vets and the public to enhance knowledge about dog breeding licensing locally will help spread information, while a compulsory scoring system could give people added confidence when buying from a breeder.

“But some of the national recommendations are really important too, and we hope the Welsh Government will take these on board and commit to a review of Wales’ dog breeding regulations to ensure they protect animal welfare.”

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen said: “Carmarthenshire County Council remains committed in its proactive efforts to address illegal dog breeding.

“We consistently collaborate with local vets, licensed breeders and the public to raise awareness and drive improvements in standards, always placing animal welfare at the forefront of our actions.

“By adopting intelligence-led enforcement and prioritising early intervention, we strive to prevent poor practices and support responsible breeders.

“Our robust approach to licensing and inspection, together with strong partnership working, enables us to address hidden breeding activity, safeguard animal welfare and foster public confidence in our methods.

“The recent Task and Finish review undertaken by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Place, Sustainability and Climate Change Scrutiny Committee has provided valuable recommendations that are shaping our local strategy.

“Furthermore, we are open and willing to engage with any national review of dog breeding regulations should the Welsh Government decide to advance that recommendation.”

New dog breeding laws came into force in Wales in 2015. They require anyone keeping three or more breeding bitches, or breeding three or more litters of puppies a year and selling any of them, to obtain a licence from their local council.

The RSPCA says the scale of dog breeding in Wales, and the age of the current legislation, means the rules now need to be reviewed.

Animal Licensing Wales, led by Monmouthshire County Council on behalf of Trading Standards Wales, supports councils with inspections, investigations and enforcement work.

Project Manager Zoe Phillips said: “While prosecutions have fallen, the increase in investigations shows that concerns are being identified and acted on more effectively.

“In many cases, local authorities are now intervening earlier, using advice, compliance work and targeted enforcement to improve standards before issues escalate to court.

“It is also important to recognise that some cases may still be progressing through the courts this year which are not yet reflected in annual figures.”

The RSPCA is urging anyone concerned about suspected illegal puppy selling to contact their local trading standards team.

Anyone with dog welfare concerns can contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

The charity also advises prospective puppy owners to use the free Puppy Contract, available at www.puppycontract.org.uk, and says people should consider adopting a rescue dog where possible.

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.