Officers’ comparison with Ceredigion challenged as published charges appear far lower

QUESTIONS are being raised over the way Pembrokeshire County Council has compared its horse riding establishment licence fees with neighbouring authorities, ahead of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Thursday (Jan 22).

The issue follows concerns previously raised by county councillor Huw Murphy, who has been scrutinising the charges faced by riding establishments in Pembrokeshire and the figures presented in defence of the current fee structure.

Minutes of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on Tuesday (Nov 25) record that the Head of Housing and Public Protection told members that the Council’s current fee for establishments with up to ten horses was £583, “compared to £570 in Ceredigion and £600 in Carmarthenshire”, with fees increasing incrementally based on size.

However, screenshots of Ceredigion’s published fees for horse riding establishments appear to show a different charging structure, with bands listed at £242 for up to five animals and £370 for six to 15 animals, with higher charges applying as numbers increase.

By contrast, Pembrokeshire’s published fees for riding establishments show a charge of about £583 for establishments with up to ten horses, rising to around £766 for up to 30 and around £1,112 for those over 30.

The apparent discrepancy has led to claims that the comparison cited to committee members was not a like-for-like reflection of what Ceredigion actually charges, particularly for smaller operations.

Councillor Murphy said he could not see where a £570 fee for up to ten horses in Ceredigion came from, and pointed instead to the published fee bands. He said Pembrokeshire’s charges appeared significantly higher than those elsewhere in west Wales.

Cllr Murphy sits on the Culture and Tourism Committee of the Local Government Association and says he feels a vibrant Pembrokeshire relies on successful small businesses and will always support measures that allows Pembrokeshire to compete with other areas of Wales to encourage more visitors.

It is understood that the matter is expected to return in some form during this week’s committee cycle, with members anticipating further questioning.

The minutes also record wider concerns raised at the November meeting about assumptions used within financial modelling, and a call for figures to be reviewed where projected activity levels appeared unrealistic or potentially misleading.

Pembrokeshire County Council has been approached for comment.

Case listed at Swansea Crown Court following magistrates’ ruling in December

AN APPEAL is due to be heard at Swansea Crown Court in a long-running case involving a Pembrokeshire woman and the forfeiture of dogs following enforcement action by the county council.

Julia Goodgame has appealed against forfeiture orders made by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 11), after being prosecuted by Pembrokeshire County Council in connection with breaches of a Community Protection Notice.

The case is listed before the Crown Court for directions, with the appeal understood to relate specifically to the forfeiture orders imposed by magistrates. The council previously confirmed that four dogs were removed from the property and placed in an approved animal welfare centre following the court’s decision.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The defendant has appealed against the Forfeiture Orders which were made by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on December 11th.

“Pembrokeshire County Council will respond in due course. As the case is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

The appeal comes amid renewed concern from residents in the Bryn-y-Derwydd area of Trefin, who say they feel frustrated by what they describe as a lack of effective enforcement while the legal process continues.

Members of the local community allege that conditions linked to the property have deteriorated again, raising environmental health concerns. Residents claim the situation has had a wider impact on neighbouring homes, including reports of vermin and unpleasant odours, and say they feel their complaints are not being adequately addressed.

The Herald understands that council officers, including environmental health, are aware of the ongoing issues but are limited in what action can be taken while court proceedings remain live.

The Crown Court hearing is expected to clarify the scope of the appeal and set out how the matter will proceed. Further reporting restrictions may apply depending on the court’s directions.

This newspaper will continue to follow the case and report developments as they can be lawfully published.

A PEMBROKESHIRE respite centre supporting children and young people with disabilities has been rated ‘excellent’ in all areas by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW).

Following a recent inspection, Holly House in Haverfordwest achieved the top rating for wellbeing, care and support, environment, and leadership and management.

The result marks a significant turnaround for the service, which had previously been classed as a service of concern. CIW said the move to an excellent rating reflected sustained improvement driven by highly effective leadership focused on children’s safety and wellbeing.

In its report, CIW noted: “The Responsible Individual (RI) provides excellent strategic direction and demonstrates a clear commitment to continuous improvement, while the manager is skilled and proactive in maintaining high standards. Oversight of the service is robust and has driven significant improvements, resulting in positive outcomes for children’s wellbeing.”

Inspectors highlighted the choice, independence and opportunities offered to children who attend the centre, saying they are supported to feel safe, valued, and involved in decisions about their care. The report also praised strong relationships with families, with plans in place to build on this work and expand activities and community trips.

Feedback from families was described as highly positive, with all survey respondents rating care and support as excellent.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Head of Children’s Services, Chris Frey-Davies said: “The Council is delighted to hear the outcome of the recent CIW inspection of Holly House. Achieving excellent ratings across all four themes is an incredible accomplishment and a true testament to the dedication and leadership within Holly House.

“As highlighted by CIW inspectors, to move from a position of significant concern to sustained excellence speaks volumes about the commitment to children’s safety and wellbeing at every level.”

Cabinet Member for Young People, Communities and the Well-being and Future Generations, Cllr Marc Tierney, congratulated the team and said the report underlined the importance of the service to local families.

“It is clear to see that the young people who attend Holly House really do benefit from the quality of care provided by our hardworking, dedicated team,” he said.

“I want to thank them for their role in supporting our young people, which also provides essential respite for local families from their caring responsibilities. This external report puts on record the high quality of this provision and underlines that our young people are at the heart of this vital service.”