A CLOSURE-THREATENED Pembrokeshire school, which has now been saved, should “never have been considered for closure,” a local councillor who battled to keep it open has said.

Kilgetty’s Stepaside CP School was being earmarked for closure by Pembrokeshire County Council, as part of proposals to establish a new 3-11 primary school on the Saundersfoot School site, discontinuing both Saundersfoot school and Stepaside school.

The Stepaside proposal was based on surplus places for all the schools in the proposals, with Stepaside having a surplus capacity of over 50 per cent, councillors had previously heard; figures that have since been much debated.

In March, a vote at a full meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council reaffirmed a decision of last December, that the Director for Education be authorised to commence statutory consultation to discontinue Stepaside and Saundersfoot and establish the new three-11 primary school.

Since then, Pembrokeshire’s deputy leader Cllr Paul Miller, who has recently taken on Cabinet member responsibility for education, made a call for the school to instead remain open, rescinding the previous decision to discontinue Saundersfoot and Stepaside schools, which was unanimously backed at the July 16 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council.

Local county councillors Alistair Cameron and Alec Cormack, who had both battled for the school to remain open, said they are delighted at the decision to rescind the previous backing of a public consultation on closing Stepaside School and merging it with Saundersfoot School on the existing Saundersfoot School Site.

Cllr Alistair Cameron said: “Stepaside School should never have been considered for closure. The number of pupils at the school have been stable since 2022 at between at between 110 and 115. We are looking at another good intake of pupils in September which shows just how popular this school is.

“This has been confirmed by the school inspectors, Estyn, who described it as a ‘Happy place where pupils feel safe and eager to learn’ and ‘a welcoming, calm and purposeful learning environment,’ where ‘pupils make good progress with their learning’.

“Thank you to Mr Jones, headteacher at Stepaside School, and all of his colleagues for their continued dedication and hard work for the children in their care.

“Thank you also to the Chair of Governors, Laura Burnett and all of the governors for their leadership as well as the parents and wider Kilgetty community for their support. The school staff can now concentrate on what they do best, which is to provide excellent education in a caring and nurturing environment.”

Cllr Alec Cormack welcomed the Cabinet decision saying adding “I am very pleased that the decision taken in council was unanimous.”

Speaking after the decision, Laura Burnett said: “The Governing Body of Stepaside Community Primary School are delighted to share the exciting news that the school will remain open for many years to come.

“This is a tremendous achievement for the community that is served by the school in Kilgetty.”

Strategic proposal calls for temporary suspension of rates to support shops and businesses during town centre regeneration

A PROPOSAL for Haverfordwest to become the Welsh Government’s national pilot for the temporary suspension of business rates has been presented to local politicians and business representatives.

Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner unveiled the 24-page strategic report following 18 months of work and more than two years of discussions with residents and traders.

He said business rates had repeatedly been identified as one of the greatest obstacles facing Haverfordwest town centre, particularly while major regeneration work is taking place.

The proposed pilot would temporarily suspend business rates during the regeneration programme, with the aim of attracting new investment, supporting existing traders and bringing vacant premises back into use.

Councillor Thomas-Turner said the initiative could also create jobs, increase footfall and help the town maximise the economic benefits of projects including the redevelopment and reopening of Haverfordwest Castle.

The proposal was discussed at a meeting attended by Henry Tufnell MP, Paul Davies MS, county councillor Dai Clements, Plaid Cymru representative Billy Shaw, Deputy Mayor Councillor Adam Benson-Davies, Hedi Lewis of Haverfordwest Business Circle and independent business owner Ben Evans.

Councillor Thomas-Turner said Paul Davies MS had pledged his support, while representatives from Labour and Plaid Cymru had also engaged positively with the proposal.

He said: “This is not about party politics. It is about securing the best possible future for Haverfordwest and ensuring businesses are supported while the town undergoes significant regeneration.

“A temporary suspension of business rates could encourage new businesses to invest, protect existing traders, create jobs and help fill empty shops.

“Today was not the finish line. It was the beginning of the next stage of the campaign.”

He added that the proposal would require support from residents, businesses, Haverfordwest Town Council, Pembrokeshire County Council, Members of the Senedd, the local MP and the Welsh Government.

No representative from Reform UK attended the meeting.

CAPTION:

Political representatives and members of Haverfordwest’s business community met to discuss the proposed business rates pilot.

Council commits a further £2m after 18 households helped to buy homes during first year

A SCHEME aimed at helping local people buy homes in Pembrokeshire has been extended following what the council described as a successful 12-month pilot.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet unanimously agreed to continue and expand Homebuy Pembrokeshire, which offers eligible buyers an equity loan to bridge the gap between the mortgage they can secure and the cost of a suitable property.

The scheme was launched in June 2025 with £1m raised through the Second Homes Council Tax Premium.

It had initially been expected to support up to 15 households during its first year, but ultimately helped 18 households purchase properties across the county.

A total of £814,000 was invested through the pilot.

Applicants must demonstrate a local connection to Pembrokeshire, meet income and property criteria, and show they can afford the ongoing financial commitments associated with owning a home.

The scheme is primarily intended to help first-time buyers who have savings and can obtain a mortgage, but are unable to afford a suitable property in the area where they live or have established local ties.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman, said: “Homebuy Pembrokeshire has provided an important opportunity for local buyers to access suitable homes that meet their needs.

“The scheme has made a positive difference to households across the county and supports the council’s wider commitment to increasing housing choice and improving access to affordable housing.”

Following Cabinet approval, the programme will continue with a number of changes intended to reflect current mortgage lending and housing market conditions.

A further £2m has been approved for the scheme over the next two years, subject to satisfactory delivery.

Cllr Bateman added: “This is a clear demonstration of how income generated through the Second Homes Council Tax Premium can be used to support housing opportunities in Pembrokeshire.

“Homebuy Pembrokeshire helps people who have savings and access to mortgage finance, but who are unable to secure a suitable home because of challenging market conditions.”

One household supported through the scheme said: “Using the scheme to purchase a property has massively helped my family, as we have been able to own a property as well as creating a space for us to grow.”

Further information is available from Pembrokeshire County Council’s housing team by emailing [email protected] or calling 01437 764551.