PLAID CYMRU ministers are facing pressure to clarify whether a controversial council tax revaluation will go ahead in 2028, amid warnings it could leave thousands of Welsh households paying more.

The Welsh Conservatives have claimed the proposed shake-up would hurt working families and worsen cost-of-living pressures at a time when household budgets are already under strain.

The row follows reports that new Local Government Minister Siân Gwenllian MS said the Welsh Government was “actively looking” at whether the revaluation should proceed.

However, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth told BBC Radio Wales on May 13 that it remained the government’s intention to press ahead.

The revaluation forms part of wider council tax reform in Wales, with ministers previously arguing that the current system is outdated and unfair. Welsh homes were last revalued for council tax purposes in 2003, with the current bands coming into force in 2005.

Under existing plans, homes would be revalued in 2028, with further revaluations every five years.

Ministers say the aim is to make council tax fairer and more progressive, with properties placed in bands that better reflect current values.

But opponents argue that any revaluation risks creating significant numbers of losers, particularly in areas where house prices have risen sharply.

Peter Fox MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities, said the mixed messages from ministers would cause confusion for councils and households.

He said: “The First Minister has already said that council tax revaluation will go ahead in Wales in 2028, so these mixed messages from the Minister will cause confusion amongst local authorities.

“We all remember Labour’s last council tax revaluation in 2004, which was claimed would be revenue-neutral, but there were many more losers than winners.

“The last thing that people need right now is to be spending even more on their council tax bills than before.

“Plaid must ditch this policy and focus on helping families keep more of their money rather than looking for more revenue.

“Council tax has increased at a much faster rate in Wales compared to England, putting increased pressure on household budgets.

“Council tax revaluation is a tax increase by stealth. If Plaid Cymru are serious about wanting to support families with the cost of living, they should scrap council tax revaluation.”

Council tax remains one of the most politically sensitive household bills in Wales, with annual increases already placing pressure on residents.

Supporters of reform argue that the current system is based on outdated property values and leaves some lower-income households paying a disproportionate share.

Critics, however, say that any major revaluation during a cost-of-living squeeze could lead to sharp bill increases for families who are asset-rich on paper but already struggling with day-to-day costs.

The Welsh Government has previously said reforms are intended to be fairer and not simply a way of raising more money overall.

But with the 2028 timetable now under renewed scrutiny, councils and households are waiting to see whether Plaid Cymru ministers will confirm, delay, or rethink the revaluation plan.

MILFORD HAVEN FOUNDERS DAY 2026 drew crowds to the town centre on Saturday despite difficult weather, rising costs, and significantly increased security measures.

Visitors braved spells of rain and strong winds to enjoy a packed programme of entertainment, community stalls, children’s attractions and live music throughout the day.

This year’s event featured a large number of bouncy castles supplied by Fun Times Bouncy Castles, alongside food stalls, small funfair rides, free face-painting, and a magician entertaining families.

There was also a wide range of independent traders and community attractions. Among the more unusual stalls was Sylvia Llewellyn’s popular button collection, featuring unusual and decorative buttons gathered from around the world, while Han’s Taxidermy attracted interest with framed butterflies and beetles on display and for sale.

Milford Youth Matters praised

Milford Youth Matters said its volunteers worked “non-stop” throughout the day, running a stall and delivering activities for the community.

The group said the poor weather made conditions difficult but praised volunteers for their determination and enthusiasm.

A spokesperson said: “Despite the challenging rain and wind throughout the day, our incredible team of volunteers worked tirelessly to make our contributions a success.

“They gave up their time to support the community, run activities, welcome visitors, and kept going with enthusiasm and smiles all day long.

“The weather may have been challenging, but the dedication, resilience, and hard work shown by our volunteers was outstanding. Their commitment helped create a fantastic community event that was enjoyed by people of all ages.”

Security stepped up

This year’s event also had a noticeably different feel, with security personnel present for the first time.

Organiser Byron Jenkins told The Herald that around 13 door staff were on duty throughout the event — something not seen at previous Founders Day celebrations.

The Herald understands the increased security presence followed concerns after the Milford Haven school knife incident and the stabbings at Tenby railway station.

Organisers also revealed that the cost of staging Founders Day has now risen to around £10,000.

Road closure costs have also become a major expense, with organisers telling The Herald that Pembrokeshire County Council charged around £800 for the temporary road closure order required to hold the event safely.

Despite the extra costs and challenging conditions, organisers said the event was well supported and thanked local businesses, volunteers and residents for helping make the day a success.

Milford Youth Matters also thanked Milford Haven Business Circle and the wider community for their continued support.

Pembrokeshire campaigners say regulator’s action vindicates years of concern over pollution in rivers and coastal waters

DŴR Cymru Welsh Water has been hit with a £44.7 million enforcement package after regulators found “serious and unacceptable” failures in the way the company operated parts of its wastewater network, following years of growing anger over sewage pollution in Welsh rivers and coastal waters.

The intervention by Ofwat comes after an investigation found Welsh Water failed to properly operate, maintain and upgrade wastewater treatment works and sewer networks so they could cope with sewage flows, resulting in excessive spills into the environment. Regulators also found shortcomings in internal oversight and processes.

The £44.7m package – which Welsh Water, not bill payers, will fund – includes more than £40m aimed at reducing sewage spills at storm overflows, tackling groundwater infiltration into sewer systems and improving environmental performance. A further £4.1m is earmarked for river quality improvements in environmentally sensitive catchments.

Ofwat senior director for enforcement Lynn Parker said the investigation uncovered “serious and unacceptable breaches” in the operation of wastewater assets, adding that the company must now focus on rebuilding public trust.

Pembrokeshire concerns

The announcement is likely to resonate strongly in Pembrokeshire, where concern over sewage discharges and bathing water quality has fuelled public protests and growing frustration among residents, surfers and tourism businesses.

Only weeks ago, campaigners gathered at Broad Haven in a sewage protest organised with support from Surfers Against Sewage, warning that pollution alerts had become too frequent on one of Pembrokeshire’s best-known beaches. Protesters accused water companies and regulators of allowing pollution to become “normalised” in Welsh waters.

Campaigners previously claimed Broad Haven alone recorded more than one hundred sewage alerts during 2025, while concerns have repeatedly been raised over the effect of pollution warnings on tourism, wild swimming and public confidence in coastal water quality.

The issue has become particularly sensitive in Pembrokeshire because of the county’s reliance on clean seas and beaches to attract visitors. Businesses connected to tourism, watersports and hospitality have repeatedly warned that pollution headlines risk damaging the area’s reputation.

Questions over accountability

Welsh Water has often promoted itself as different from privatised water firms because it operates as a not-for-profit company without shareholders.

However, critics argue that status has done little to reassure communities worried about repeated sewage incidents, environmental damage and executive pay.

The enforcement package follows a wider Ofwat investigation into wastewater failings across the sector, with the regulator saying penalties and redress packages against water firms have now exceeded £300m.

Welsh Water has previously apologised for failings identified during the investigation and said the package agreed with Ofwat would support environmental improvements and measures to reduce spills.

Political reaction

David Chadwick MP, the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ Westminster spokesperson, said the findings confirmed what many communities had believed for years.

He said: “These findings confirm what communities across Wales have known for years: Welsh Water has been failing to do its job while rivers, streams and coastlines have paid the price.

“People will be rightly furious that it has taken intervention from Ofwat and a £44.7 million enforcement package to force action on failings that should have been addressed years ago.”

He added that despite Welsh Water’s not-for-profit model, serious wastewater failings had still taken place and called for stronger regulation and enforcement.