AN INCREASE in pitch fees and sewerage service charges for gypsy and traveller site in Pembrokeshire has been backed by senior councillors.

At the February meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members were asked to back proposed increases in pitch fees and water and sewerage service charges for gypsy and traveller sites for the forthcoming financial year.

Pembrokeshire manages five Gypsy and Traveller sites with 83 pitches, 77 currently occupied at: Castle Quarry, Under the Hills, Kingsmoor, Waterloo (with one tenant) and Withybush.

“Historically in Pembrokeshire, the basis for increases to Gypsy & Traveller pitch rents and water charges has been to uplift charges annually by CPI inflation,” the report said, adding: “The intention is to continue with this approach. However, it is worth noting that rent levels are currently very low in comparison to the cost that is needed to run, maintain and improve the condition of the sites.

“In addition to this, out of the 21 council-run Gypsy and Traveller sites in Wales, Pembrokeshire has one of the lowest pitch rent figures. It therefore stands that PCC must therefore increase pitch fees.”

It says investment to improve the sites is taking place, but more investment is needed, with Welsh Government grant funding having been previously secured, £1.005m for 2024-2027, with £278,585 works completed, £335,004 works ongoing to be completed by March 2026, and a further £848,397 works planned for the next two years.

It said it was intended to continue applying for funding, but, if it was not available it would have to come out of the council’s own coffers.

“Without increases to rent levels plus additional investment, we will see a decline in our site conditions as budgets for maintenance will need to be reduced to meet cost reduction/efficiency targets.”

It says the pitch rents, charged over 48 weeks, are currently £55.45 per week, and £84.24 per week for new pitches in Kingsmoor, for all Pembrokeshire sites with the exception of the Waterloo Site, at £65.62 per week.

It says water and sewerage charges are currently £12.78 per pitch per week (48 weeks) for all sites except Waterloo, at £13.09 per week; in 2024-’25 the full year charges increased to £164,653.06, with £38,905.86, costing the council £125,747.20 for water provision (including sewerage).

“It is estimated that figures for 2025-2026 will see a slight reduction in the subsidisation down to £121,158, but it is recognised that this level of subsidy cannot continue without urgent review of the position.”

Members backed a 3.8 per cent increase in pitch fees to £57.56 for Under the Hills, Castle Quarry and old pitches on Kingsmoor, £87.44 for new pitches on Kingsmoor, and £68.11 for Waterloo.

It also backed water and sewerage charges from £12.78 to £14.24 for Withybush, £16.60 for Kingsmoor, £16.60 for Castle Quarry, and £13.09 for Waterloo to £60, the high cost of the latter currently being investigated.

Second tribunal sanction in weeks deepens long-running town council turmoil

A FORMER Neyland town councillor has been banned from holding public office for three years after an Adjudication Panel for Wales tribunal found he breached multiple provisions of the authority’s Code of Conduct.

Brian Rothero, who resigned from Neyland Town Council in 2025 while the investigation was ongoing, was disqualified following a remote hearing held on Wednesday (Feb 12).

The panel ruled unanimously that Mr Rothero had failed to show respect and consideration towards the council’s clerk and fellow councillors, had engaged in behaviour amounting to bullying or harassment, and had acted in a way that could bring his office or the authority into disrepute.

The sanction prevents him from acting as a councillor in any relevant authority in Wales until early 2029.

The case arose from four complaints referred by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales between September 2023 and March 2024.

Tribunal findings

According to the Notice of Decision, the panel found breaches of:

• Paragraph 4(b) — failure to show respect and consideration
• Paragraph 4(c) — bullying or harassment
• Paragraph 6(1)(a) — bringing the office into disrepute
• Paragraph 6(1)(d) — making vexatious or inappropriate complaints

The tribunal concluded Mr Rothero had communicated with the council clerk and colleagues in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of elected members.

The hearing was conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams and proceeded largely on written submissions rather than oral witness evidence.

The panel was chaired by Judge Meleri Tudur, sitting with members Ms S Hurds and Mrs S McRobie.

Mr Rothero has the right to seek permission to appeal to the High Court, although no appeal has yet been confirmed.

Rothero disputes findings

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald on Monday (Feb 16), Mr Rothero rejected the bullying allegations and said his actions consisted of emails raising concerns about council administration.

“I wasn’t bullying anyone — I was trying to get answers and get things done,” he said.

He argued that frustration arose because of what he described as repeated non-responses to issues he raised.

Mr Rothero also questioned the fairness of the process, noting that his hearing took place on papers without witnesses, unlike the recent two-day in-person tribunal involving former councillor David Devauden.

Procedural differences between the two cases may form part of any future appeal.

Long-running tensions

The ruling is the latest development in years of conflict within Neyland Town Council, which has generated an unusually high number of standards complaints compared with other community councils in Pembrokeshire.

Mr Rothero previously faced a standards investigation relating to the Neyland Community Hub project nearly a decade ago, resulting in a censure in 2018.

More recent disputes have centred on relationships between councillors and the town clerk, with leaked correspondence revealing frustrations on multiple sides over workload, communication and expectations.

The Herald understands that interpersonal tensions within the authority have contributed to resignations and ongoing governance difficulties.

Perception of influence

Observers have also noted that official council communications are frequently issued under a collective sign-off placing the clerk’s name before the mayor and councillors — a format that has contributed to perceptions among some members and residents about where day-to-day influence within the council sits.

Legally, elected councillors remain the decision-making body, with the clerk acting as the authority’s senior officer and adviser.

Wider context

Mr Rothero’s disqualification follows the recent four-year ban imposed on former councillor David Devauden in a separate but related case involving similar allegations.

Together, the decisions underline the scale of governance challenges that have affected Neyland Town Council in recent years.

Community councils rely heavily on volunteer elected members supported by a small number of paid staff, usually one clerk, a structure that can magnify personality clashes and operational pressures when relationships break down.

The full written reasons from the Adjudication Panel for Wales are expected to be published in due course.

For Neyland Town Council, the latest ruling closes another chapter in a prolonged period of internal conflict, although questions remain about whether deeper structural issues within the authority have been resolved.

The Herald will continue to monitor developments.

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is asking residents for their views on proposals to remove Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in parts of Haverfordwest and Pembroke following sustained improvements in pollution levels.

The Council says it remains committed to monitoring air quality across the county to protect public health. In 2012, several streets in both towns were designated as AQMAs after assessments showed that traffic-related pollution, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), had the potential to exceed national air quality objectives.

Since then, monitoring data has shown significant and consistent improvements.

Officials say nitrogen dioxide levels in both locations have remained comfortably within national standards for a number of years. Improvements in vehicle emissions technology and changes to traffic flow are believed to be key factors behind the reduction.

As a result, the Council is proposing to revoke the AQMA designations. However, air quality monitoring will continue to ensure standards remain within safe limits.

How to take part

Residents can share their views by completing an online survey before Thursday, March 20, 2026.

The survey is available at:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/have-your-say/revocation-of-air-quality-management-areas

Anyone who would prefer a paper copy can contact the Council’s Customer Contact Centre on 01437 764551 or email [email protected].