Urgent question follows suspension of collections in Cardiff and Carmarthenshire amid nationwide processing problems

Pembrokeshire County Council has been asked whether it could temporarily stop residents taking unwanted fridges and freezers to its waste and recycling centres.

Councillor Huw Murphy submitted an urgent question for consideration at a meeting of the full council on Thursday, July 16, following similar restrictions introduced elsewhere in Wales.

The council’s Presiding Member agreed that the late question could be raised during the meeting.

Cllr Murphy said Cardiff Council and Carmarthenshire County Council had suspended the acceptance of fridges, fridge-freezers and other cooling appliances at their recycling centres because of a reported lack of national processing capacity.

The problem has reportedly resulted in discarded appliances remaining at council facilities and taking up significant amounts of storage space while they await collection.

Cllr Murphy said Pembrokeshire’s position as a major tourism destination could mean the county handles a relatively high number of redundant fridges and other cooling appliances.

In his question, he asked the Cabinet member responsible for waste services to explain the likelihood of Pembrokeshire adopting similar restrictions.

He said: “Can the Cabinet Member inform council and residents of the likelihood of Pembrokeshire adopting this measure and suspending the ability of residents to take either a fridge, fridge-freezer or cooling appliance to a waste and recycling centre?”

Cllr Murphy also requested that, should a detailed answer not be available during the meeting, a written response be circulated to all councillors confirming whether restrictions were being considered.

Any suspension could leave residents temporarily unable to dispose of large cooling appliances through the council’s recycling centres and could increase concerns about storage and potential fly-tipping.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s response to the urgent question will be reported when it is available.

The charter was created by people with lived experience of learning disabilities and autism

THE MAYOR of Haverfordwest has pledged to strengthen links with Pembrokeshire People First after attending an event celebrating the launch and ambitions of the Dream Team Charter.

Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner joined campaigners, community representatives and fellow councillor Lucy Hinksman at the event, which focused on inclusion, equality and ensuring people with learning disabilities and autism have a stronger voice in their communities.

The Dream Team Charter was created by people with lived experience and sets out a commitment to treating everyone with dignity and respect, supporting independence and ensuring people are fully involved in decisions affecting their lives.

Cllr Thomas-Turner said the event had provided an opportunity to hear from advocates campaigning for the rights, dignity and inclusion of people with learning disabilities and autism.

He said: “It was an inspiring afternoon, listening to passionate advocates championing the rights, dignity, independence and inclusion of people with learning disabilities and autism.

“The Charter, created by people with lived experience, is a powerful reminder that everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, respected and fully involved in their community.”

The mayor said he hoped Haverfordwest Town Council could develop a closer working relationship with Pembrokeshire People First and support the ambitions contained within the charter.

He added: “As Mayor, I look forward to building even stronger links with Pembrokeshire People First and playing an active role in supporting the ambitions of the Dream Team Charter.

“Working together, we can create a more inclusive and welcoming community for everyone.”

Cllr Thomas-Turner thanked those who organised the event and said partnerships between local organisations, campaigners and elected representatives were important in making Haverfordwest more accessible and inclusive.

THE PREMISES licence for Tenby’s popular Summer Spectacular events, which attracts thousands to the seaside town’s harbour area, has been revoked following a lengthy meeting held last week.

Following the meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Licensing Sub Committee last Thursday, July 9, to review the premises licence of the Tenby Summer Spectacular events, committee members have now released their decision.

At the licensing meeting, police had expressed fears that the event in its current form was “a disaster waiting to happen”.

Tenby Round Table disputed some of the figures produced by the emergency services about incidents in previous years, saying they were not connected to the event.

The ‘Table members present stressed they had tried to address the issue of access to the licensed area: “This year’s event has been cancelled, it arose from the sheer volume of people visiting Tenby creating a question we have tried to get answered for the best part of a year; without a clear answer we couldn’t finish our licensing plan and couldn’t responsibly hold our events.”

The Sub-Committee concluded that the licensing objectives were not being adequately met leaving significant concerns regarding crowd safety, emergency access and the protection of children from harm.

The Sub-Committee decision revokes the premises licence on those grounds.

Cllr Aaron Carey, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Licensing Service, said: “Neither I nor Pembrokeshire County Council take any satisfaction whatsoever from this decision and I know this will be very disappointing news for the organisers, volunteers, charities and many people who value the Tenby Summer Spectacular.

“The sub-committee also recognises the longstanding charitable contribution of the event, its importance to the local economy and the significant funds it raises for local good causes.

“However, committee members concluded that public safety must always be the overriding consideration.”

He said the sub-committee reached its decision after considering all of the evidence including submissions from blue light services, council officers and the event organisers, adding the concerns expressed from Dyfed-Powys Police “were extremely powerful”.

Cllr Carey added: “There were significant concerns from agencies that, due to the size and popularity of the event, it had outgrown its current setting.

“Public safety has to be paramount, particularly where an event involves large crowds in a working harbour environment and affects surrounding public spaces.

“However, the evidence presented by the Tenby Round Table was not sufficient to satisfy the committee that the licensing objectives relating to public safety and the protection of children from harm could be adequately promoted.

“Throughout this process officers from all the agencies involved in the licensing review had met with the event organisers on a number of occasions and had hoped to reach a position whereby the concerns raised could be effectively mitigated.

“With the event having been cancelled by Tenby Round Table for 2026, all agencies involved in the review have made clear their willingness to continue working constructively with the organisers to address the issues identified.

“The Tenby Summer Spectacular has been a much-loved event for many years, raising significant sums for local charities and bringing considerable benefits to the town and wider county. There is a shared desire to see those benefits continue in the future.”

Speaking after the decision, a Dyfed-Powys Police Spokesman said: “After reviewing the event in its current format, we raised concerns surrounding public safety, protection of children from harm and the prevention of crime and disorder.

“Keeping our communities safe must be our priority and we remain committed to working with them to hold a safe event in the future.”