THE POLICE part of the council tax bill in Dyfed and Powys is to rise by nearly 7.5 per cent, following a near nine per cent last year, meaning the average household will be paying £390 this coming year for that element alone.

The overall council tax bill for residents in the counties of Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Powys is made up of the county council element of the council tax, the Dyfed-Powys Police precept, and individual town or community council precepts.

At the January 23 meeting of the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel, held at County Hall, Haverfordwest, Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn called for a raising of the precept by 7.474 per cent for the 2026-’27 financial year, a rise of £26.95 for the average Band D property, bring that element up to £387.63 for an average band D property in 2024-’25.

Any property paying a premium of council tax, such as second homes, also pays that premium on the police precept as well, meaning their bills for this element are proportionately higher.

Of the force’s funding, 56 per cent, or some £93m, comes from the precept.

Last year saw an 8.6 per cent increase on the force’s precept.

Speaking at the meeting, Pembroke county councillor Cllr Jonathan Grimes asked: “what can council tax-payers expect to see in terms of their council tax payments, what will they see in terms of value for money?”

Mr Llywelyn said it would support efficiencies helping a “more visible and accessible police service”.

Members backed the recommendation of a 7.47 per cent increase.

This year’s near-eight per cent increase follows a public consultation.

Local authorities are due to decide their council tax levels in the next few months.

Ceredigion is currently mooting a 4.75 per cent increase in that element of the overall council tax bill.

A DESCISION on the level of council rents in Pembrokeshire for the forthcoming year had to return to a special meeting after some figures were incorrectly reported when a decision was made last month.

A decision had previously been made at the December meeting of full council, but, following “a final review of the working papers to inform Revenue Services of the new 2026/27 rents, it was identified that in parts of the 2026-27 working papers the rent roll (individual actual rent figures for tenants) had not been updated with the 2025-26 rent increases [approved by council in December 2024].”

In a report presented at a January 21 extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, by Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Michelle Bateman, members heard: “The consequence of this was that the supporting data was incorrect. Nevertheless, this report confirms that the overall rental increase recommended [in] the report presented on December 12 was compliant with Welsh Government rental policy.”

It said supporting data incorrectly reported at that meeting “impacted the number of properties under Pembrokeshire Standard Rent, the actual number being higher than that shown”.

It added: “To clarify, the calculation on the overall income cap and the subsequent calculations on the amount of income required to deduct from the overall income cap for transitioning and for voids being relet was not affected by this omission, as these calculations had correctly used the rent roll for 2025-26 and there had been an allowance included for uncertainty over some of the assumptions.

“The additional headroom has enabled the recommendation of ‘3.6 per cent plus up to £2.55 per individual rent that is currently below Standard Rent’ [as recommended in December] to remain compliant with WG rent policy.”

Members backed the January 21 recommendations that the previous decisions be rescinded; the Pembrokeshire Standard Rents are increased by 3.6 per cent plus up to £2.55 per individual rent that is currently below Standard Rent, garage rents be increased by 4.3 per cent, and for tenanted properties improved to the highest possible energy rating of EPC A or B, the rent for the property will increase until the Standard Rent for new/improved homes rent levels is achieved.

Welsh-language text spray-painted at North Beach and other tourist hotspots as council arranges clean-up

TENBY’S Welsh-language signage has been targeted by vandals in a spate of graffiti attacks across the town.

Black spray paint has been daubed on a number of bilingual information boards at some of the resort’s busiest visitor areas, including around North Beach. In each case, the markings appear to focus on the Welsh-language text, while the English information has been left untouched.

Signs affected include those giving practical guidance to visitors – such as parking instructions, motorhome information and notices about dog restrictions on local beaches.

A newly formed campaign group, Mudiad Eryr Wen, said it felt “compelled to respond” after images of the vandalised signs circulated online. The group – which describes itself as youth-led and focused on defending Wales and campaigning for independence – claimed the graffiti amounts to an attack on the Welsh language itself.

In a statement, a spokesperson said the incidents differ from previous cases where Welsh place names were targeted, arguing that this time the Welsh wording on everyday public signage appears to have been deliberately singled out. The group alleged the vandalism was driven by anti-Welsh sentiment and criticised figures and parties it believes have helped to fuel hostility.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed it is aware of the damage and said arrangements are being made for signs to be cleaned or replaced where required.

A council spokesperson said: “Pembrokeshire County Council is aware of the vandalism of a number of signs around Tenby. The Council is currently arranging for the signs to be cleaned or replaced where necessary. Deliberate vandalism of this kind diverts time and resources away from important public services.”

Tenby’s Mayor, Cllr Dai Morgan, also condemned the graffiti, describing it as unacceptable and costly.

He said: “Tenby Town Council strongly condemns graffiti and vandalism anywhere in our town. Such behaviour is unacceptable. It damages property, spoils public spaces, and costs the community time and money to put right.

“It shows a lack of respect for Tenby and for the people who live, work, and visit here. The vandalism will be reported, and we encourage anyone with information to do the same.”