A BYELECTION for Pembrokeshire County Council’s Hakin ward will take place next month following the death of long-serving councillor Mike Stoddart.

Cllr Stoddart, described as a “fearless campaigner for truth and justice”, passed away on January 4. He had represented Milford Haven’s Hakin ward since first being elected in 2004 and served the community for more than two decades.

His wife, Vivien Stoddart, represents Hubberston on the county council, while his daughter, Tessa Hodgson, represents Lamphey and currently serves as Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

Well known for his forthright style, Cllr Stoddart built a reputation for challenging perceived failings and injustices within local government. Before entering politics, he co-founded the Milford Mercury newspaper with his family. In later years, he continued scrutinising council affairs through his widely read Old Grumpy website.

Paying tribute, Pembrokeshire County Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said: “Mike was the prime example of what someone in local politics should be – working for and demanding better for his constituents.

“Mike was unashamedly forthright. He would argue his corner with conviction and always with facts on his side.

“He has kept me and many predecessors as leader firmly on our toes. The chamber and Pembrokeshire as a whole will be much poorer for his loss.”

Cllr Jacob Williams, a friend and fellow blogger, described him as leaving “a formidable legacy”.

“I was first elected to the council with Mike in 2012, and he’s been an enormous part of my life ever since. To say he was my mentor wouldn’t do him justice – I couldn’t have wished for a better friend, and I’ll miss him dearly,” he said.

If the Hakin seat is contested, the election will be held on March 17. Nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer at County Hall, Haverfordwest by 4:00pm on February 18.

Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by midnight on February 27.

The Hakin contest follows the recent Fishguard North-East byelection, held on February 10 after the death of Cllr Jordan Ryan. That seven-way contest was won by Plaid Cymru candidate Billy Shaw with 253 votes.

Full results were: Caleb Charles Churchill (Welsh Liberal Democrats) 135; Paul Stephen Howe (Welsh Labour) 83; Peter Martin John (Reform UK) 95; Brian Andrew Murphy (Welsh Conservative Party) 69; Teresa Ruth Tannahill (Independent) 79; Adrian John Adrian Tyrrell (Independent) 35; and William Cuthbert Linton Shaw (Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales) 253.

A CALL for a review of Pembrokeshire’s poor weather strategy, with the potential return of a north county ‘salt tip’ to tackle snowy and icy roads, has been backed by senior councillors.

In a notice of motion, leader of the county’s independent group Cllr Huw Murphy asked that the council’s Highways Department “review their poor weather strategy, especially in relation to snow and ice conditions,” and called for the council to “reinstate/return an auxiliary/reserve salt tip to north Pembrokeshire”.

His notice stated: “Historically, North Pembrokeshire had a ‘salt tip’ located near Crymych and it’s a well-known fact that the A478 between Crymych & Cardigan and between Crymych and Clunderwen becomes difficult for motorists, especially HGVs and coaches (school buses), becoming treacherous during periods of snowfall and ice.

“An auxiliary salt tip again located in Pembrokeshire would enable north Pembrokeshire roads to be subject of quicker and regular gritting than currently occurs, keeping roads open and safer for road users.

“The recent heavy snowfall highlighted a weakness in the current highway gritting and snow clearing strategy in relation to northeast Pembrokeshire and areas of the Preseli Mountains, which generally suffer the worst weather when it comes to snow and ice.”

Cllr Murphy’s motion was considered at the February 9 meeting of the council’s Cabinet, which was recommended to back it.

A report for members said the ‘Pembrokeshire dangler’ severe weather of mid-November saw heavy localised impacts in the northeast with up to 15 inches of accumulated snow being measured on the highest roads.

“These effects were however short term and during this time, when the public were advised not to travel unless essential, apart from the highest road (B4329 New Inn to Tafarnybwlch) no primary roads were inaccessible for more than an hour.”

It added: “It is however recognised that there is the potential for more severe weather impacts to affect the northeastern area of the county, due to the topographical nature of the area.

“Therefore, in order to ensure that the location of auxiliary salt storage is located in the most appropriate locations in Pembrokeshire, as part of the review of future winter maintenance plans this point could be reviewed to determine if additional salt storage is required and if so where this would best be located.”

At the meeting, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett moved the recommendation for an officer-led review of the winter maintenance plan; which will return to Cabinet in Autumn 2026 for endorsement.

The proposal was backed by Cabinet members; Leader Cllr Jon Harvey saying: “It seems to me to make perfect sense, as Cllr Murphy points out the north of the county is getting a fair bit more snow and ice.”

LOCAL Senedd Member Paul Davies has welcomed the decision taken by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet to pause its proposed road‑realignment scheme in Newgale.

Newgale was hit hard by flooding following storms in early 2014 storms, and later by Storm Dennis in 2020.

In 2014 it even saw a visit by the-then Prime Minister David Cameron following the storms.

A public consultation – through agent AtkinsRéalis – was launched last year ahead of a formal council application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Phase 1 of the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project, which would see the development of a new inland section of road with bridge over Brandy Brook some 2.3km inland, to replace the coastal section of A487 at Newgale that will be closed.

Varied claims have been made about the cost of this scheme, from £20m upwards, some even saying it could cost as much as £60m, with millions spent on consultation fees to date.

An alternative, cheaper, scheme had been proposed by STUN – Stand Up for Newgale, proposing a section of the shingle bank at Newgale be realigned 10-12 metres seaward leaving an over-wash barrier between it and the A487 to capture any pebbles and sea water.

At the February meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, in a report presented by Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, members received an update on the scheme, which included options of a formal submission, abandoning it, and the favoured option of putting it on hold for a period of between 18 and 24 months.

The option recommended, and later backed by members, was: “Acknowledge that the scheme is required to be delivered, in light of climate change, the work undertaken to date and the results of the WG Roads Review and Pre Application Consultation. “However, taking into account the current financial climate and the immediate risk to the A487; pause the scheme prior to submitting planning application, and review the position in the next 18- 24 months.”

It also recommended maintain surveys of the scheme “with a view of future progression of the scheme to planning application as the scheme is required in the long term,” along with reviewing  “options available for short term improvements, including passing places and signage, to the division route implemented during road closures as a result of storm/ flooding impacts at Newgale through the Regional Transport Plan Funding,” and to “continue to review external funding options to support the delivery of the construction phase of the project”.

Mr Davies, who has supported the alternative proposals, said he was pleased that the Cabinet had halted its plans and urged the authority to give full consideration to the alternative community‑led scheme.

Mr Davies said: “Coastal erosion in Newgale has been a longstanding issue, and it’s crucial that any response is both effective and proportionate. The community has developed its own Newgale Beach Access and Shingle Bank Realignment Scheme which offers a less invasive approach that would significantly reduce costs for the council and local taxpayers.”

“Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet is right to stop its own scheme from going ahead and I now urge the Council to consider the community’s proposal, which strikes a far better balance between environmental protection, financial responsibility and the needs of local residents.”