News
Extraordinary meeting to discuss fate of three Angle peninsula schools

File photo: Angle school
THREE schools in the Angle Peninsula have been threatened with closure and are expected to get the final decision at a special council meeting which will be held on Thursday, January 14.
A report before an extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council by the Director for Children and Schools Kate Evan-Hughes recommends that Angle VC, Orielton CP and Stackpole VC schools should be closed, and replaced by a new English medium VC school for ages 3-11 in the peninsula.
The recommendation to discontinue the three schools follows a PCC decision to authorise statutory consultation on the proposal which lasted 6 weeks from September to mid October.
The report for councillors published that: “Surplus places in the Angle Peninsula are a cause for concern and represent one of the key elements of a case for change,” adding: “Currently there are 40 per cent surplus places across the schools on the peninsula. Surplus places cost money because schools have to run and maintain buildings that are bigger than they need to be.”
All three schools which are currently led by one headteacher, have a higher cost per pupil than the county average. The report states: “The cost per pupil is currently £5,958 for angle, £4,478 for Orielton, and £4,700 for Stackpole against a county-wide average of £3,615.”
It also makes reference to the current condition of the schools, stating: “The condition of the Angle School buildings, in the ownership of the St David’s Diocesan Board, is described as C-Poor, with Stackpole B-Satisfactory and C-Poor, while Orielton is graded as C-Poor and D-Bad.”
The favoured location for the proposed new 120-pupil capacity school is located across the road from the current Orielton CP School in Hundleton, on land south of The Elms, over 7-miles away from the current locations of Angle school.
A public consultation was held at Pembroke Town Hall on September 28, on the matter which was attended by 50 people. A total of 380 responses were received on the consultation, with 67 per cent of those responding supporting the proposal.
Concerns have been raised with regards to the peninsula’s roads which in the winter can be extremely hazardous, also that people might be drawn away from towns like Angle which will then lose their community feel and become more like “holiday/retirement villages”.
Concerns have been raised about the millions of pounds the proposed new school would cost, which would be jointly funded by the Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council.
Another response said: “For the people who will have to live with the consequences of your proposed school closures, the idea of a large school that is not the centre of any community is more than unappealing, it is saddening.”
Crime
Shoplifting concerns spread to Narberth as High Street pharmacy issues warning

BUSINESSES in Narberth are facing mounting challenges as concerns over shoplifting spread beyond Tenby. Narberth High Street Pharmacy has issued a stark warning to local traders after a suspected theft incident, urging vigilance among businesses and the public.
In a statement posted online, the pharmacy said: “Warning to Narberth High Street. Another case of suspected theft. Please watch the video carefully. Items were not left behind after inspecting the shelves. It is extremely difficult for businesses to remain viable when this sort of thing happens.”
The pharmacy, which remains open seven days a week, highlighted the growing difficulties in maintaining a presence in the town due to ongoing retail crime.
Rising shoplifting across Pembrokeshire
The incident in Narberth follows widespread national coverage of shoplifting issues in Tenby, where local businesses have reported thousands of pounds in losses due to theft. The situation has drawn attention to a concerning trend across Pembrokeshire, where independent shops and pharmacies—already struggling with rising costs—are finding it increasingly difficult to operate.
According to the latest crime data, shoplifting offences have been rising in Wales, mirroring a nationwide trend. The Office for National Statistics reported a 23% increase in retail thefts across England and Wales in the past year. In Dyfed-Powys, shoplifting cases have surged by 12%, with many small businesses feeling the pressure.
Call for action
Narberth traders are now calling for more proactive policing and stronger deterrents to tackle the issue. While CCTV and security measures have been introduced by some businesses, many feel they are left to handle the problem themselves, with limited police resources available.
The pharmacy urged the community to assist in identifying the individual involved in the latest suspected theft, stating:
“If anyone has any info on this individual, please share so we can follow up with the police.”
With the problem now affecting multiple towns in Pembrokeshire, there is growing pressure for authorities to implement stronger measures to support businesses and protect livelihoods.
Business
Major solar farm approved for Pembrokeshire

A NEW solar farm set to generate green electricity for thousands of homes has been approved in Pembrokeshire.
The 8.6 MW project, featuring more than 14,000 solar panels, was originally developed by One Planet Developments Limited before being acquired by Shawton Energy Limited. Planning permission was granted last year, and construction is expected to commence soon, with energy production anticipated later this year.
Once operational, the solar farm will generate enough electricity to power approximately 2,500 homes annually, reducing carbon emissions by more than 2,000 tonnes each year.
Jamie Shaw, CEO of Shawton Energy, said: “Acquiring this ready-to-build asset marks a significant step for Shawton Energy as we continue to help UK businesses achieve their sustainability goals while lowering energy costs. This project strengthens our growing solar portfolio and reinforces our commitment to expanding renewable energy infrastructure.”
Robert Wall, director of Shawton Energy and head of sustainable private infrastructure at Lazard Asset Management, added: “We are pleased to support Shawton Energy’s expansion and investment in local renewable energy projects. The increasing demand for electricity requires diverse renewable solutions, and this solar farm will provide UK businesses with the low-cost energy they need.”
One Planet Developments’ business development director, James Stoney, welcomed the project’s progress, stating: “We are delighted to have worked with Shawton Energy on this development. Having taken it from concept to a ready-to-build stage, we look forward to seeing the project come to fruition.”
Shawton Energy, part of the Shawton Group, has been active in the renewable sector for nearly three decades, developing large-scale solar, battery storage, and renewable energy projects across the UK. The company partnered with Lazard Asset Management in 2023 to accelerate the deployment of fully funded commercial solar projects nationwide.
News
Councillor faces vote on job with Henry Tufnell MP

A SENIOR member of Pembrokeshire County Council will be able to speak and vote for himself in a forthcoming call for him not to be allowed to work for the local MP.
In a Notice of Motion submitted to the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy appeared to target deputy leader of the Labour Group and Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies Cllr Joshua Beynon, the man who will present the county council’s budget.
In the registration of interests for the eight members of Leader Cllr Jon Harvey’s Cabinet, only Cllr Beynon lists a politician as an employer, in his case newly-elected Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell.
Cllr Murphy’s motion said: “While it is acceptable for Cabinet members to hold other employments, no serving county councillor should hold a Cabinet position within Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) while simultaneously being employed by a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of the Senedd (MS).
“Cabinet members hold executive responsibilities, and such dual roles risk potential conflicts of interest, particularly if Cabinet decisions conflict with the policies of their employer, often a political party. This concern is heightened in a council where most members are Independents.”
Cllr Murphy’s notice of motion was heard at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, where it was agreed the matter be referred to a future Constitutional Review Committee.
At Pembrokeshire County Council’s standards committee meeting of February 13, Cllr Beynon sought a dispensation to both vote and speak on the notice of motion, describing it as “a politically motivated effort to target my lawful employment as a Cabinet Member and a part-time parliamentary employee”.
“The assertion that such roles inherently create a conflict of interest is unfounded. My professional obligations are entirely distinct, and I have taken all necessary steps to ensure that no conflicts arise.”
He added: “To adopt such a motion would not only contravene established principles of fairness and freedom but also set a dangerous precedent of overreach by the council.”
At the February 13 meeting, chair Nick Watt said he had been a member of the committee since 2018 and had “never seen anything like this before”.
Cllr David Edwards – who moved Cllr Beynon be allowed to vote and speak on the matter – expressed his concerns: “I’m a bit concerned that what we seem to be addressing is an application by a member to be able to speak as a member of the county council just because he has a particular form of employment.”
He added: “I’m at a loss to see really why Cllr Beynon should need a dispensation to be able to work as a normal member. The motion, what it seeks to do is fetter the council leader as to his choice of who he has in his Cabinet; I find that a little bit difficult to get my head around as well.
“Having considered everything, I’m quite happy to support Cllr Beynon in what he’s seeking to do.”
He finished: “I find it difficult to see any reason to curtail a member’s rights to be able to speak on who should be appointed to any particular role in the authority.”
A voice of concern was raised by Moira Saunders, who said her only concern was “the public’s idea of what is happening,” adding there could be “a public worry about him [Cllr Beynon] voting and speaking on his own behalf”.
Members backed the proposal by five votes to one, with two abstentions.
Cllr Beynon will now be allowed to vote and speak on matters connected with this notice of motion.
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