News

Council tax will rise 26% under Dyfed, says Leader

Published

12 years ago

March 14, 2014

COUNCIL Leader, Jamie Adams, gave a passionate speech at full council yesterday where he warned that moving to a new Dyfed County Council or merging Pembrokeshire with Ceredigion council would cost cash strapped county residents money.

His comments came as members voted in a 3.4% rise in council tax for the financial year 2014/15.

He said to members: “We have as all councils have issues with the capacity we have to undertake services. The council tax rise of around 50p a week is the lowest rise in both cash and percentage terms in Wales. We remain by far the county with the lowest council tax, fees, and charges in Wales. In terms of our neighbours we are all aware that the Williams report is considering reconfiguration of local authorities in Wales.”

“If I was here today considering a rise for a new Dyfed County Council then it would be a rise of 26% or £193 per year. A move to Dyfed will cost residents of this county on a band D considerably more and exponentially more on other bands. If there was a merger with Ceregidion then that rise would be 15.9% or £118 per year.”

Cllr Adams concluded by saying: “People should reflect on those figures and understand that this council is truly committed to driving value for our residents.”

Cllr Bob Kilmister said: “I agree with Cllr Adams, Dyfed mark 2 will cost money and I have no confidence that it will provide better services. The financial facts speak for themselves.”

Band D Council Tax will increase from £741.17 to £766.55, an increase of £25.38 per year.

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

4 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAKIN motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Mark Briskham, 53, of Waterloo Square, Wellington Road, Hakin, was stopped by police on January 5 as he drove a Ford Kuga along Steynton Road, near Milford Haven.

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed he had 800mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 64mcg of cocaine in his system. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Briskham pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years, taking into account a previous drug-drive conviction from 2020.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.cr

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

4 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

4 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.