News
‘Major challenges to overcome,’ says cabinet member

THE Cabinet Member for Education, County Councillor Ken Rowlands, gave his six monthly report at the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, January 23.
In his report he outlines the work he has been doing, his visits to schools and he also addresses the recent banding results.
He said: “The last few months have been a period of major change in the Directorate. We now have, with the exception of the Head of Business Services, an entirely new Senior Management Team.
“When I took over responsibility for my portfolio it was my intention to visit all secondary schools to see for myself the changes taking place. To date I have visited Greenhill, Ysgol y Preseli, Ysgol Dewi Sant, Milford Haven, Pembroke, Tasker Milward and Sir Thomas Picton. I am also making arrangements to visit Ysgol Bro Gwaun.
“In our schools where performance is good, I am glad to share in their achievement and to celebrate success. However, I feel it is as important for me to be aware of the schools where results are inadequate and where focussed work needs to be undertaken”.
Councillor Rowlands then went on to talk about the banding positions of certain schools.
“Following disappointing outcomes in inspection and performance, we have issued formal warning letters to the board of governors in Tasker Milward and Dewi Sant, setting out the need for rapid improvement and the requirements of the local authority to secure that improvement. The Chief Education Officer is closely monitoring the progress of the two schools and the work of the intervention boards that have been established.
“I receive regular updates in relation to progress in these two schools. In order to improve standards, every school in the authority has placed attendance as a priority, and, whilst it is early days, there are early signs this term that attendance is improving. However there is still a distance to go”.
Councillor Rowlands concluded by saying: “I intend to continue to work closely with the Director and his team to ensure our progress on the improvement journey is steady, long lasting and lays down a strong foundation for the future.
“This will not be achieved immediately and there is no doubt that there are still major challenges to overcome. Nevertheless, I am confident that the outcome we aim for, that ‘children, young people and families have the opportunity to fulfil their learning potential and live healthy and happy lives’, will be achieved”.
News
Emergency services respond to person in water at Milford Haven

EMERGENCY services were called to Milford Haven in the early hours of Friday morning (May 24) after reports of a person in difficulty in the water near Smokehouse Quay.
The incident was reported at around 12:50am, with the individual said to be floating on their back approximately 50 metres from the quay wall. Police officers were first on the scene and began efforts to reach the person.
Angle RNLI was tasked and the crew were preparing to launch when a stand-down message was received just eight minutes later, confirming that the individual had been successfully recovered and was in the care of police officers.
Dale Coastguard Rescue Team also attended the incident. No further assistance was required and the RNLI crew returned to station shortly after 1:15am.
Community
Public invited to explore Pembroke Port at Open Day and Stakeholder Meeting

MEMBERS of the public are being invited to go behind the scenes at Pembroke Port as part of a special Open Day and Annual Stakeholder Meeting hosted by the Port of Milford Haven.
The event will take place on Wednesday, 18 June, at Catalina House, Pembroke Dock (SA72 6JD), offering a unique opportunity to discover the inner workings of one of Wales’ busiest ports.
Running from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, the Open Day will include guided bus tours around the site, giving visitors a rare, close-up look at port operations and activities across the facility. Port staff, local business representatives, and partners from across the supply chain will also be on hand to discuss their work and answer questions.
From 6:00pm to 7:30pm, the Port’s Annual Stakeholder Meeting will be held, where attendees will hear updates from the Chair and Chief Executive, meet members of the Board and senior management, and take part in a Q&A session. Questions can be submitted in advance via email to [email protected].
Throughout the day, visitors can explore the wide-ranging roles of the Port of Milford Haven – from commercial marine services and energy sector support to community initiatives and leisure activities. A number of external organisations will also be present, including emergency services, marine experts, and conservation groups highlighting Pembrokeshire’s diverse wildlife.
Crime
Milford Haven mother sentenced over shocking neglect case

Faeces on walls, maggots in bedding: Judge brands home ”a pigsty’
A PEMBROKESHIRE mother has avoided an immediate prison sentence after admitting to neglecting her children in a home described by a judge as “appalling”.
The woman – who cannot be named to protect the identity of her children – appeared before Swansea Crown Court on two counts of wilful child neglect. The court heard that the conditions inside the family’s Milford Haven property were so dire that social services deemed it unfit for habitation.
The case came to light after repeated concerns were raised by the children’s schools, who had flagged ongoing issues with hygiene and wellbeing dating back to 2019. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that teachers noted a persistent foul smell, dirty fingernails, unwashed lunchboxes, and children frequently arriving at school tired and without sufficient food.
In one disturbing incident, a child told a teacher they were unable to sleep due to maggots in their bed. Another was seen using a mouldy towel after swimming lessons. When asked to describe their home, the children said their mother could not enter their bedrooms because of the mess.
On June 14 last year, officers from Pembrokeshire County Council visited the property following a school referral. What they discovered was described as appalling: faeces smeared on walls and floors upstairs, rubbish and flies in the children’s rooms, and a fridge full of expired food. A broken washing machine blocked the dining room.
Social workers instructed the family to temporarily move in with relatives. However, a follow-up inspection revealed little had changed, and the mother was subsequently arrested.
During police interview, she admitted the situation had deteriorated, claiming she had become “nose-blind” to the smell and had “put her head in the sand like an ostrich”.
Hannah George, defending, said her client was deeply ashamed and had taken steps to improve her situation following the loss of a close family member. The court was told the mother, who is in her thirties and has no previous convictions, had engaged with social services, mental health teams, and completed several parenting courses.
Although she no longer has custody of her children, social services are planning a phased return under supervision.
Judge Paul Thomas KC condemned the conditions as “a pigsty” and handed the woman a 21-month sentence, suspended for two years. She must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work and attend 30 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.
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