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Council Tax to rise

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A need to raise more cash: A reduction in council funding has led to protests

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’s Cabinet voted to recommend a draft budget prepared by officers for acceptance by the County Council.

The budget proposes to raise Pembrokeshire’s Council Tax by 5% in the year 2016/17, with further increases forecasted at the same level for each of the next five years. The Herald understands from a well-placed source there was tension between officers and Cabinet members about the amount of the Council Tax increase. However, both Cabinet members and officers presented a united front on Monday (Jan 11) The Band ‘D’ Council Tax for the Council will increase from £801.04 to £841.10.

If increases continue as forecast in 2020/21 the Band D Council Tax would be over £1,020 per annum. The CURRENT Band D Council Tax in Carmarthenshire is already over £1,075. If the Welsh Government succeeds in forcing through its reorganisation of local government, Pembrokeshire’s Council Tax payers are therefore likely to face a massive hike in the amount they pay any new local authority structure. Addressing Cabinet members, Head of Finance Jon Haswell told them that ‘any delay’ by the Welsh Government in setting its final budget in March could prove ‘very challenging’ for Pembrokeshire County Council, when it comes to finalising its policy on Council Tax.

While maintaining Pembrokeshire’s status as setting ‘the lowest Council Tax in Wales’, Council policy has shifted to increase the amount of Council Tax paid by households by 5% this year (the maximum amount permitted by the Welsh Government). In addition, the shortfall in revenue caused by the inability to raise Council Tax more sharply will need to be made up by further cuts in services and increased charges for those services the Council continues to provide.

With discussions also taking place on increased charges for services, of particular note was the decision by the Welsh Government to reduce free swimming for children and the troubling decline in user numbers that followed. The £244m to fund the Council Tax Reduction Scheme in 2015-16 has been retained in the provisional settlement for 2016-17. Unfortunately, whilst Pembrokeshire still retains 2.9% of the £244m, this has reduced from £7.2m to £7.1m. This does not cover the authority’s annual expenditure and any consequential increase in Council Tax benefit payments, as a result of increased claimant caseload or higher Council Tax levels will have to be absorbed by the Council.

Council Chief Executive Ian Westley told the meeting that it was essential to ‘grasp the nettle’ of the budget challenges in order to provide ‘sustainable services in the future’. Council Leader Jamie Adams told The Herald: “We held a budget engagement and consultation process toward the end of last year, which showed that members of the public considered increasing council tax as one of the most acceptable ways of increasing revenue.” Cabinet members made it clear that while they would fight for their budgets, there were some very tough decisions ahead.

In particular, the pressure from the Welsh Government to maintain education spending (apart from the 21st Century Schools Programme) was noted as having a likely continuing downward pressure on budgets elsewhere. Most at risk, are those services provided by the Council on a non-statutory basis. The meeting, the first webcast from the Council Chamber, provided a sobering insight into the financial challenges facing the authority. What was, however, clear is that the commitment to the 21st Century Schools programme has had and will continue to have a significant effect on Pembrokeshire’s public finances for years ahead.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Tomos

    January 30, 2016 at 8:55 am

    Our “public servants” the Council officials have spoken, our representatives will agree, they’ll only ask “How high” and carrry on getting their “expenses” 🙁

  2. ieuan

    February 2, 2016 at 5:58 pm

    As always we the poor must pay for the perks of Jamie and his co-horts, will any of this rise be used for services

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Crime

Haverfordwest retailer accused of Bounce Back Loan fraud

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A HAVERFORDWEST businessman has been accused of committing fraud by making false representations to multiple banks in applications for Government-backed Bounce Back Loans.

Zahid Afzal, 36, of Albert Street, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Feb 6), where he pleaded not guilty to three charges of fraud by false representation.

The court heard that Afzal, listed on Companies House as a director of Phone Bits Ltd and Phones Onn Ltd, allegedly made false statements to secure loans intended to support businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Phone Bits phone accessory and repair shop in Haverfordwest

Prosecutors claim that on May 12, 2020, he falsely stated to Barclays Bank that the application for a Bounce Back Loan was Phone Bits Ltd’s only application. It is further alleged that he made similar false claims to Starling Bank on July 23, 2020, and to Metro Bank on November 22, 2020, in relation to Phones Onn Ltd.

The alleged misrepresentations included inflating the company’s turnover to £200,000 and falsely claiming the loans would be used solely for business purposes.

Afzal’s case has been sent to Swansea Crown Court for trial, with a hearing scheduled for March 10. He was granted unconditional bail.

An interpreter will be required for the proceedings, as Afzal requires assistance in Urdu.

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Charity

Young fundraiser’s incredible efforts for RNLI

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THE CREW of Tenby RNLI have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to 5-year-old Archie Garland for his outstanding fundraising efforts in support of the station.

Archie took part in the Advent Challenge with the Tenby Aces over Christmas, running a minimum of one mile every day throughout Advent. His dedication saw him cover an impressive 47.3 miles, raising a remarkable £552.25 thanks to generous donations from the local community.

Archie is pictured with (L-R): Deputy Coxswain Gary Waring, his dad and Deputy Coxswain Rob Garland, Deputy Coxswain Dan Young, station full-time mechanic Will Horton, and his mum, Tenby Aces member Claire Thomas.

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Crime

Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn launches ambitious four-year policing plan

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Public trust at the heart of new strategy

DYFED-POWYS Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has unveiled his four-year Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029, outlining his vision to strengthen public trust and confidence in policing.

Plan to strengthen public’s trust in local police service: Dafydd Llywelyn

The plan, shaped by extensive public consultation, sets out priorities for policing, crime prevention, and the criminal justice system across Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Powys. It follows feedback from surveys and focus groups, where residents highlighted their key concerns.

The three core priorities of the plan are:

  • Supporting victims and preventing victimisation
  • Preventing harm to ensure safer communities
  • Enhancing the effectiveness of the justice system

Llywelyn formally launched the plan on Tuesday (Feb 13) at an event attended by key partners and commissioned services. The event focused on collaboration, with discussions on how joint efforts can strengthen crime prevention, victim support, and justice delivery.

Victims at the centre

Commissioner Llywelyn emphasised the importance of ensuring victims receive the right support.

“This plan is built on the views of our communities, focusing on what truly matters to the people of Mid and West Wales,” he said. “Victims must be at the heart of our policing and justice system. It is essential that those affected by crime have access to timely, effective support to help them recover and seek justice. Strengthening services that prevent victimisation is just as important as responding to crime itself.”

Tackling root causes of crime

The plan also prioritises crime prevention by addressing underlying issues.

“By tackling antisocial behaviour and vulnerability, we can reduce harm and build a more resilient society,” Llywelyn said. “A proactive, problem-solving approach will ensure resources are used effectively to protect our communities.”

A joined-up approach to justice

Llywelyn stressed the need for stronger collaboration across the justice system.

“A fair and efficient justice system relies on agencies working together. I will continue to work closely with partners to ensure that policing, the courts, and support services deliver justice fairly and effectively for victims and communities alike.”

The Police and Crime Plan sets out a clear vision for Dyfed-Powys policing over the next four years, focusing on improving public safety, supporting victims, and delivering an efficient justice system.

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