News

12.5% council tax increase still an option

Published

8 years ago

December 14, 2017

A POTENTIAL 12.5% increase in council tax, as well as 5% and 8% increases, are to be debated by the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees in the New Year.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s draft budget was presented to a meeting of full council today (Dec 14).

The increases in council tax are part of the council’s budget and the Cabinet member for Finance, Cllr Bob Kilmister said this was the earliest they had presented the budget to the council and praised the work of the finance team.

He highlighted a number of issues surrounding each option but other councillors were concerned about a potential 12.5% increase and suggested they should go with the 5% increase.

Cllr Kilmister added: “With the details of the final offer made public the increased wage bill will be £957, 857 meaning that the funding gap has risen (from 17.6m) to £18.6m.

“We are £14.8m short, Welsh Government fund all authorities on the basis they charge the average council tax in Wales. The funding gap will continue to rise if we don’t do anything about it.

“We have to do something about this or face draconian cuts to services. The only option that offers protection to school budgets is option 3 but we will still need to identify savings to bridge the funding gap.

“We are £14.8m short and we need to raise our income and that requires us to make difficult decisions. 31 is the number needed to make the budget on March 8, it is in your hands, I am just pointing out what I believe is the right direction.”

A question that had been tabled later on in the agenda by Cllr John Davies was asked to be brought forward by Cllr David Bryan about how many people paid council tax in previous years.

It was revealed that the number of council tax properties in 2017/18 was 61,429. Of those paying 100% was 34,181, a percentage of 55.64%.

Those who were paying with a discount of 50% or 25% was 14,849, a percentage of 24.17%.

The number of properties with 100% discount was 8350, a percentage of 13.39%.

There were 2258 houses which had a partial reduction and 1791 exempt properties.

Cllr John Davies said: “It is disingenuous to blame the past. The last administration raised council tax by 5%.

“Just over half the tax payers pay council tax in full, it is disproportionate to put the burden on those that pay the council tax.

“We have to convince ourselves that we are part of an authority that provides efficient services. It is a false premise to believe that raising council tax will improve services.

“I am happy to support option 1, how can we justify taking more off the people in Pembrokeshire. Option 1 is a realistic and fair option, it may be painful for the executive but there has always been challenges.”

Council Leader David Simpson was questioned on what his preferred option would be by Cllr Sam Kurtz but the leader responded saying he would prefer the option that the chamber comes up with in the March meeting.

Former Leader Cllr Jamie Adams said he was not confident in the current administration to make difficult decisions adding: “To expect the public to put their hands in their pockets, which are becoming increasingly empty, is unfair. You have to be up for that challenge and I don’t believe you are. I believe we should look at 5% as it would be unfair and unsustainable for our communities to expect them to pay more.”

Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “We are talking about hits to hardworking families with a 12.5% increase but if we don’t do this the cuts are going to hit them harder. If we can’t subsidise some of the bus routes that will hit the vulnerable people. This will hit them more than an increase in council tax.”

Council voted to pass the recommendation to send the budget to all Overview and Scrutiny Committees with a small number voting against.

Ministry of Defence

Castlemartin range set for heavy activity as winter live-fire exercise begins

Published

5 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Army warns of late-night firing and increased traffic

CASTLEMARTIN Training Area will be extremely busy over the next few weeks as the Army begins a major live-fire exercise running from now until to 5 December.

The winter training block will see troops carrying out critical preparation ahead of future deployments, with extensive armoured manoeuvres and both daytime and night-time firing.

Extended firing hours

Live firing will take place between the following times:

Monday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Tuesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Wednesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Friday: 8:00am – 6:00pm

There will be no live firing at weekends, although military vehicles will still be moving around the area.

Residents are being reminded that these times are the earliest and latest possible firing windows. Not every day will start or finish at the maximum hours listed.

Traffic expected on rural roads

The Army says there will be increased vehicle movements on local roads—particularly in Angle, Castlemartin and the Freshwater West area—in the week leading up to the exercise and throughout the training period.

A spokesperson said the support of local people is appreciated: “These exercises are essential for maintaining readiness and ensuring our troops are fully trained for any future operational requirement.”

Crime

Two Milford Haven men sent to Crown Court on GBH charges

Published

6 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

The incident stems from a violent incident outside The Vibe public house, Milford Haven involving three men – a woman was also wounded in the incident

TWO Milford Haven men have been sent to Swansea Crown Court charged with section 18 wounding after an alleged incident in the town on November 15.

David McCallum, 41, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates court on Monday (Nov 17). He is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding a woman in Milford Haven with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

McCallum also faces a second section 18 charge alleging that, on the same date in Milford Haven, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded a man with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, with the prosecution conducted by Nia James.

On Tuesday (Nov 18), Nathan Abbott, 31, also of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest magistrates court.

Abbott is charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding a man in Milford Haven on November 15 with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

He was represented by Mike Kelleher, of Welch & Co.

Abbott also gave no plea, and his case was likewise sent to Swansea Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Both McCallum and Abbott were remanded on conditional bail.

McCallum’s bail conditions include a curfew from 7:00pm to 7:00am, to be electronically monitored, not to contact directly or indirectly witnesses, and not to enter any public house, licensed club or off-licence.

Abbott’s bail conditions include living and sleeping each night at his home address , not to contact witnesses directly or indirectly, and not to enter licensed premises.

Both men must appear for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing at Swansea Crown Court on December 19, 2025, at 9:00am.

No pre-sentence reports were ordered and no indication was given regarding any victim personal statements at this stage.

Crime

Aberystwyth man remanded after admitting cocaine supply

Published

6 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

Case sent to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has been remanded in custody after admitting possessing cocaine with intent to supply and having £7,000 in criminal cash.

Luke Hutton, 25, of Corporation Street, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17) for his first hearing. The case was heard by a bench of Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. He was represented by Jessica Hill and Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.

Hutton pleaded guilty to two offences arising from a police incident at Yr Hafan, Princess Street, Aberystwyth, on November 14.

The first charge was possessing £7,000 in criminal property, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The second was possessing a quantity of cocaine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply.

Magistrates were told that Hutton indicated guilty pleas to both matters on the day of his appearance.

Because of the seriousness of the charges, the bench committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence under Section 14 of the Sentencing Act 2020. A pre-sentence report has been ordered.

Magistrates refused bail, citing the likelihood of further offending, the seriousness of the offences and the likely custodial sentence. Hutton was remanded into custody.

He will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on December 1, 2025, at 9:00am, for a committal for sentence hearing, listed for 30 minutes.