Local Government

Questions raised over horse riding licence fees ahead of scrutiny meeting

Published

3 months ago

January 21, 2026

Officers’ comparison with Ceredigion challenged as published charges appear far lower

QUESTIONS are being raised over the way Pembrokeshire County Council has compared its horse riding establishment licence fees with neighbouring authorities, ahead of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Thursday (Jan 22).

The issue follows concerns previously raised by county councillor Huw Murphy, who has been scrutinising the charges faced by riding establishments in Pembrokeshire and the figures presented in defence of the current fee structure.

Minutes of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on Tuesday (Nov 25) record that the Head of Housing and Public Protection told members that the Council’s current fee for establishments with up to ten horses was £583, “compared to £570 in Ceredigion and £600 in Carmarthenshire”, with fees increasing incrementally based on size.

However, screenshots of Ceredigion’s published fees for horse riding establishments appear to show a different charging structure, with bands listed at £242 for up to five animals and £370 for six to 15 animals, with higher charges applying as numbers increase.

By contrast, Pembrokeshire’s published fees for riding establishments show a charge of about £583 for establishments with up to ten horses, rising to around £766 for up to 30 and around £1,112 for those over 30.

The apparent discrepancy has led to claims that the comparison cited to committee members was not a like-for-like reflection of what Ceredigion actually charges, particularly for smaller operations.

Councillor Murphy said he could not see where a £570 fee for up to ten horses in Ceredigion came from, and pointed instead to the published fee bands. He said Pembrokeshire’s charges appeared significantly higher than those elsewhere in west Wales.

Cllr Murphy sits on the Culture and Tourism Committee of the Local Government Association and says he feels a vibrant Pembrokeshire relies on successful small businesses and will always support measures that allows Pembrokeshire to compete with other areas of Wales to encourage more visitors.

It is understood that the matter is expected to return in some form during this week’s committee cycle, with members anticipating further questioning.

The minutes also record wider concerns raised at the November meeting about assumptions used within financial modelling, and a call for figures to be reviewed where projected activity levels appeared unrealistic or potentially misleading.

Pembrokeshire County Council has been approached for comment.

Local Government

Council pays tribute to long-serving councillor Brian Hall

Published

20 minutes ago

April 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has paid tribute to long-serving Pembroke Dock Market councillor Brian Hall, following his death.

Cllr Hall first joined the authority after winning a by-election in 1996 and went on to serve his community for nearly 30 years.

During his time on the council, he represented the authority on a wide range of bodies, including the RWE Npower Pembroke Power Station and Valero Liaison Committee, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and the Swansea Bay City Region Joint Scrutiny Committee.

He was also an active member of several scrutiny committees and the Planning Committee.

Cllr Hall previously served on the Cabinet from its creation in 2002 until March 2007. Between 2012 and 2022, he also chaired several Overview and Scrutiny Committees, including those covering environment, services and corporate matters.

Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said: “We were all very sad to hear of Cllr Brian Hall’s death.

“I pass on the condolences of everyone at the council to his family and many friends.

“Brian was a council stalwart and had been working for, and demanding better, for his constituents for nearly 30 years.

“His enthusiasm for his home patch was unmatched and there was little of Pembroke Dock’s history that he could not tell you about.

“The loss of Brian from the chamber will be felt by all members of council across the board.”

Independent Group Leader Cllr Anji Tinley also paid tribute, saying: “The loss of Cllr Hall profoundly saddens us.

“He was a well-respected figure known for his dedication and commitment to local governance and his community.

“His legacy will live on in the lives he touched, and we will dearly miss him.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Local Government

Haverfordwest councillor raises town centre ASB concerns with police

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ASB AMONG KEY PRIORITIES

A HAVERFORDWEST councillor has raised concerns about a sudden increase in anti-social behaviour in the town centre during a meeting with local police.

Cllr Thomas Tudor, county councillor for the Castle Ward, met with Sgt Andrew Williams from the local Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team on Thursday (Apr 23).

Cllr Tudor said the meeting had been “very beneficial and informative” and gave him the opportunity to pass on concerns from residents and businesses about policing issues in Haverfordwest.

Sgt Williams’ role includes overseeing neighbourhood policing priorities, including anti-social behaviour, road safety, business engagement, shoplifting prevention, and tackling the illegal use of e-scooters and electric bikes.

Cllr Tudor said he had raised both his own concerns and those of constituents about issues affecting the town, including what he described as a sudden escalation of anti-social behaviour in the centre of Haverfordwest.

The current policing priorities for the Haverfordwest section, which also includes the Fishguard and St Davids areas, are tackling anti-social behaviour in the community, increasing high-visibility patrols and business interaction to reduce shoplifting, and dealing with the illegal use of e-scooters and electric bikes.

Cllr Tudor thanked Dyfed-Powys Police, the Haverfordwest, Fishguard and St Davids policing teams, and Pembrokeshire County Council following the meeting.

Local Government

Milford Haven Town Council to elect new mayor at key meeting

Published

3 days ago

April 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW mayor for Milford Haven is set to be elected next week as councillors gather for a full council meeting on Monday (Apr 27).

The meeting will take place at the Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets Unit at Havens Head Business Park from 6:00pm.

Councillors are expected to elect both the town mayor and deputy mayor for the 2026–2027 civic year.

Three councillors have put themselves forward for the position of deputy mayor — Councillor K. Gray, Councillor N. Harteveld, and Councillor C. Stevens.

The meeting will also include public questions, updates from the current mayor, reports on community activities, and feedback from councillors who sit on outside bodies.

Planning matters will be noted for information, while several local organisations are set to be considered for financial support.

These include Milford Haven Men’s Shed, Milford Haven Business Circle, Milford Haven Pickleball Club, and The Rotary Club of Milford Haven.

Members of the public can attend, with remote access available on request under Welsh local government rules.