News
Panel endorses precept rise close to inflation
POLICE and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon has welcomed a Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel decision to accept his proposal for a council tax precept rise close to inflation.
On Friday, January 24, the Panel discussed his recommendation of a 2.1% rise in the policing element of council tax payments for householders across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys. It was accepted and will now be publicised to householders across the region.
This month it was reported that the UK inflation rate, as measured by the consumer prices index, had fallen to a four-year low of 2.0%.
Mr Salmon said: “There remains significant pressure on household budgets. My precept – in real terms a rise of close to 0% – balances the needs of families with the needs of our police service.
“My priorities are strong frontline policing and a precept that has public support.
“We plan 30 brand new police officer posts over the next 18 months, have already made the police more accessible to the public and are working a lot more closely with key partners.
“Putting the public first in all that we do is a philosophy that I and the Chief Constable are committed to as we continue to keep Dyfed-Powys safe and to help Britain to balance its books.”
Mr Salmon’s council tax rise will result in a policing precept at council tax band D of £210.60 (up from £206.28) – an increase of 8.3p per week. It will help deliver a 2014-15 Dyfed-Powys Police budget of £97.894m. Throughout November, Mr Salmon consulted the public on a 3.1% precept rise. The feedback helped him in proposing the 2.1% figure.
In 2014-15, Government funding to Dyfed-Powys will fall in by 4.8% from £55.659m to £53.008m. The 2.1% precept rise will produce £44.886m for Dyfed-Powys Police.
The £97.894m budget includes cost reductions of £3.747m highlighted by the Chief Constable and Commissioner. These include savings to be made through the force’s Public First restructure.
Mr Salmon said: “Public First, driven by the Chief Constable, will see the Dyfed-Powys civilian support services become resourceful, agile, lean, adaptable and flexible. They will deliver efficient and effective support to frontline policing.
“The public tell me they want strong frontline policing. In modernising and streamlining our support services we will enable the police to do policing – and we will be offering more for less.
“Government funding for police forces has fallen by 20% over the past few years and one of my priorities is to ensure that we spend wisely in Dyfed-Powys. This money, after all, belongs to the taxpayers.”
Community
Milford Haven community invited to honour fishermen lost at sea
Annual memorial service at Milford Haven Cemetery to remember those who never returned home
A MEMORIAL service will be held at Milford Haven Cemetery to honour local fishermen who lost their lives at sea on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Organised by Milford Haven Town Council, the annual gathering gives families, friends and residents the opportunity to come together in quiet reflection and remembrance of those who made their living on the water but never returned home.
The service will start at 11am and will be officiated by Rev Dr Adrian Furse SSC.

Milford Haven has long been shaped by its fishing and maritime industries, with generations of local families connected to the sea. While the harbour has provided work and prosperity, it has also brought tragedy, with storms and accidents claiming lives over the years.
The service will include prayers, readings and the laying of wreaths, creating a moment for the community to pause and acknowledge the sacrifices made by fishermen past and present.
Town councillors say the event is always a moving occasion and are encouraging anyone with links to the fishing community, as well as members of the wider public, to attend and show their support.
The aim, they say, is to ensure those who were lost are never forgotten and that their contribution to the town’s heritage continues to be recognised.
Residents wishing to attend or find out more can contact Milford Haven Town Council on 01646 692505 or visit www.milfordhaven-tc.gov.wales.
Community
Community run to support Tenby food bank returns this February
Traffic-free Wiseman’s Bridge event invites walkers, joggers and dog owners to donate food for James Criddle Foundation
A COMMUNITY charity run supporting families in need across south Pembrokeshire will take place next month.
Saundersfoot Runners are hosting their annual Food Bank Run on Sunday, February 15, starting at 10:00am from the Wiseman’s Bridge Inn.
The event is open to everyone, whether running, jogging or walking, and follows a traffic-free route suitable for all ages. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads. Organisers say the route will take no longer than an hour, with hot drinks available at the inn afterwards.
Entry is free, with participants encouraged to bring a bag of food donations for the Tenby-based food bank run by the James Criddle Foundation.
From small club run to national movement
The Food Bank Run began as a simple idea from runner Sarah Don, who organised a collection event with her club in Fareham to support their local food bank. After seeing the impact, the initiative grew.
Following delays during the pandemic, the project expanded nationally in 2023 when Sarah invited running groups across the UK – and beyond – to host their own local events.
Saundersfoot Runners answered the call and have supported the Tenby charity every year since.
The Foundation operates its food bank from the Tenby AFC clubhouse at The Clickets.
Rachael Criddle, one of the charity’s founders, said: “The Food Bank Run has been a huge support to the Foundation. We are grateful to everyone who takes part, to Saundersfoot Runners for organising such an uplifting and positive event, and to Wiseman’s Bridge Inn for generously allowing us to use their premises.”
Donations needed
Organisers are asking participants to bring essential food and household items, including:
Dried goods such as pasta and rice
Tinned beans, soup, meat, fish, fruit and vegetables
Tinned pies and sausages
Cook-in sauces
Toiletries including toothpaste, shampoo and shower gel
A full list is available on the Saundersfoot Runners events page.
Anyone wishing to take part can simply turn up on the morning.
Organisers say the aim is simple: “Come along, get moving and help stock the shelves for local families.”
Cover image: Last year’s event (Pic: Herald)
Business
Cardigan Bay Properties marks five years of growth
Award-winning estate agency founded during Covid expands with new office and national recognition
A WEST WALES estate agency launched at the height of the Covid pandemic is celebrating five years in business after building a strong reputation across the region.

Cardigan Bay Properties was founded in February 2021 by Helen Worrall, from Glynarthen, and Tania Dutnell, from Betws Ifan, with the aim of offering what they describe as a more personal, customer-focused approach to buying and selling homes.
Based at Aberporth Technology Park near Aberporth and serving the wider Cardigan area and beyond, the firm says it has grown steadily, moving into larger premises, expanding its team and collecting a string of industry awards.
Among its recent accolades are Residential Estate Agency of the Year at the 2025 Welsh Estate Agency Awards and a Client Service Excellence Award at the SME UK Enterprise Awards.
The founders say their success has been built on transparency and customer service.

Tania Dutnell said: “We started the business because we felt buyers and sellers deserved a better, more personal experience. Five years on, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and the trust our clients place in us.”
The company reports almost entirely five-star online reviews and says word-of-mouth recommendations have helped drive much of its growth.
Helen Worrall added: “We’re grateful to our families, our team and our clients for supporting us. Moving into our new office and seeing the business develop has been a real milestone, but we still have plenty of plans for the future.”

Alongside residential and commercial sales, the agency offers accompanied viewings, video tours, digital marketing tools and online portals for sellers to track viewings and offers.
The business also supports local causes and is backing the West Wales Domestic Abuse Service during 2025 and 2026.
For appointments or enquiries, the team can be contacted on 01239 562 500 or via their website.
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