News
Outcry as castle sale nears
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has confirmed the sale of the old Records Office at Haverfordwest Castle, causing an outcry from many residents, organisations and Haverfordwest Town Council.
Confirming the County Council’s position on the future of the historical site, a spokesperson said: “The former Records Office at Haverfordwest Castle was put up for sale two years ago. All offers were considered and a sale was agreed. However, the Town Council then applied to have the area surrounding the former Records Office formally registered as a town or village green.
PUBLIC INQUIRY
“This led to a public inquiry which ruled that the Castle was not capable of registration as town or village green. While the application was being determined the proposed developer stood back. Now that the application has been determined he has reopened his interest and the sale is proceeding.” Though the County Council would not directly confirm the name of the buyer, The Herald was told last October by Councillor Mark Edwards that the purchaser was the developer Griffith-Roach Foundation. When asked how much the buyer was offering for the property, and how this compared to the £50,000 offer put forward by the Town Council, the spokesperson declined to comment, saying it was confidential, but did confirm the developer’s offer was ‘considerably higher’ than that of the Town Council. They were also asked if the market value for the property was being demanded, to which they said it had been offered on the open market and a decision was taken to ‘sell for best consideration’. However, in 2006, a Notice of Motion was considered by the Council relating to the General Disposal Consent (Wales) which came into force on December 31, 2003. The Motion specifically sought to recognise that in circumstances which benefited the promotion of social economic and environmental well-being, property or land can be released to community organisations at less than the best consideration. Lesley Turner of Haverfordwest Civic Society said: “The proposed sale, without public consultation, would deprive Haverfordwest of its heritage. We believe that this location should remain for the Town’s community use and for the benefit of tourism”. Barbara Shone, Deputy Chair of Trustees Board of Haverfordwest Museum, said: “In 1996 the County Council leased the Governor’s House to the Town Council on a 40-year lease, which doesn’t end till 2036. The Trustees of the Museum were formed in 1996 and they have a license to operate the Museum until then.”
CABINET MEETING
However, during a Cabinet meeting of January 9, 2012, the issue of the museum was discussed. In the Cabinet minutes it was said: “The County Council acquire the Haverfordwest Town Council’s lease of the Governors House on terms acceptable to the Directors of Development and that County Council officers be authorised to use compulsory purchase powers to achieve the acquisition should this prove necessary.” Haverfordwest mayor Roy Thomas also spoke with The Herald about the manner in which the County Council are pursuing the sale: “Frankly it comes as no surprise. The County Council, despite promises for greater transparency, remain secretive; they also appear to have disregarded the Town Council’s offer. “All I can say is the County Council have shown no improvement in their ability to look after the cultural well-being of our town. One has to hope that the Assembly Government and the National Audit Office is keeping a watch on this affair.” Haverfordwest Town Councillor, Sarah Llewellyn, summed up the feelings of many who are angry about the sale ‘behind closed doors’, and said: “We were obviously very disappointed by the Inspector’s decision. However, what became clear during the hearing was the strength of local feeling, and resentment at the high-handed manner in which the County Council chose to deal with an application that merely sought to secure free and unlimited public access to the Castle grounds for future generations. “I will be very interested to hear more regarding any further proposals to dispose of the old prison building, and anything else inside the Castle walls. It seems the County Council is keen to off-load a number of old, and currently empty buildings within our town, including the old prison building and Foley House, seeing them only in terms of their financial burden. “Both the County Council and the prospective developer need to be more up front this time round. People deserve to know about any proposals beforehand, and how plans are likely to affect them. It is not acceptable for the County Council to present matters such as these as ‘done deals’, and to be anything less than wholly transparent about how much money will be changing hands, and on what terms.”
The Council says in response to these concerns, and specifically the question of public access to the Castle grounds, the County Council said that this consideration was part of the on-going negotiations with the developer. Town Councillor, Thomas Tudor, said: “I would not support selling the Old Records Offices under market value, especially if the asking price had already been offered. And I would support the T o w n Council’s offer for the property bearing in mind that it has been the only offer for some time and when no one else was interested. “Taking advantage of the Town Council’s offer would have been a far more positive move rather than allowing the property to rot and decay and become more of a burden to the tax payers. If I cannot find out what the architect and developer is offering, I would then have to try to obtain the information by using the Freedom of Information Act.” One area of concern for taxpayers was how much the County Council had spent in opposing the Town Council’s application for village green status. When asked for a figure, the County Council said: “Our engagement with the Town Council on the vast majority of issues is very positive. However, different tiers of Government will occasionally have different views on matters. This is a matter which is now resolved”. The Herald understands, however, that a deal for the sale of the Castle has been discussed secretly in Cabinet and a decision reached.
Charity
Women take on Three Peaks Challenge to support mental health services
TEN inspirational women are set to tackle the iconic National Three Peaks Challenge on June 7, 2025, to raise vital funds for PATH – Pembrokeshire Action for the Homeless.
Motivated by the support they received through free counselling provided by Pathway Counselling, these women are embarking on this ambitious challenge to help fund mental health services offered by the charity.
The gruelling challenge, organised by Lucy Brazier with the support of Aspire Fitness and Charlotte Neill, will see the group climb the three highest peaks in the UK – Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,345m), Scafell Pike in England (978m), and Snowdon in Wales (1,085m) – all within a 24-hour timeframe. In total, the event involves 23 miles of walking and 450 miles of driving between the mountains.
Lucy Brazier, the organiser, expressed the group’s determination to succeed in this challenge, stating: “We are doing this to give back to the services that helped us through difficult times. Mental health support is crucial, and we hope our efforts will make a difference to others who need help.”
The challenge is not just a test of physical endurance but also a significant fundraising effort. Donations can be made through the group’s JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/page/nationalthreepeaks.
PATH has been instrumental in supporting individuals struggling with homelessness and mental health issues across Pembrokeshire. The funds raised will ensure the continuation of essential services that positively impact lives.
The team is calling on the community to rally behind them and support their mission. Every donation, no matter how small, will help them reach their goal and make a difference.
For more updates on the challenge and to show your support, visit the JustGiving page and follow PATH’s social media channels.
News
Senedd debates UK Government’s ‘disastrous’ first six months
THE CONSERVATIVES criticised the UK Government’s record six months on from the general election, accusing Labour of doing “not a dickie bird” to stand up for Wales.
Darren Millar, leader of the Tories in the Senedd, said people were told Labour governments at both ends of the M4 would be great for Wales in the run up to July’s election.
But he warned: “What we’ve actually ended up with is a double whammy: broken promises and failing policies … alongside a passive, silent Labour Welsh Government unwilling to offer a squeak of criticism or lift a finger to defend the interests of the people of Wales.”
Leading a Tory debate, he said the new UK Government has hit farmers with inheritance tax, taken winter fuel allowance from pensioners and hiked national insurance for businesses.
Mr Millar told the Senedd that Welsh railways remain underfunded as he accused Labour of settling for “scraps” despite previously calling for billions of pounds from HS2.
Peter Fox, the Tory shadow rural affairs secretary, warned farmers have to deal with Labour governments “who either do not care or do not understand the needs of rural communities”.
Mr Fox, a farmer and former council leader who represented Monmouth since 2021, criticised changes to agricultural property relief by the UK Government.
“It’s not a loophole,” he said. “It’s a carefully designed policy … to protect Britain’s family farms from being broken up.”
His colleague Natasha Asghar, who represents South Wales East, described a -45% approval rating for Keir Starmer’s government as “a tad generous”.
She said: “If this is just what the first six months of Sir Keir’s premiership look like, I sincerely dread to imagine what the next six months have in store for all of us.”
Mark Drakeford said the Conservative motion in front of the Senedd concentrated entirely on matters outside the Welsh Parliament’s responsibility.
Following the debate on January 15, Senedd members voted 26-24 against the motion with Labour’s amended version agreed by the same margin.
News
Welsh Government ‘in the dark’ on £109m tax rise cash
THE WELSH GOVERNMENT remains in the dark about how much Wales will receive to cover the estimated £109m cost of tax rises in the public sector, a committee heard.
Jayne Bryant said the UK Government has confirmed it will provide funding to public-sector employers towards the increased cost of national insurance contributions from April.
But Wales’ local government secretary said ministers expect to receive additional funding in ‘late spring’ and have not yet received confirmation of how much Wales will receive.
Plaid Cymru’s Siân Gwenllian raised concerns about the impact of tax hikes as the Senedd’s local government committee scrutinised Welsh ministers’ 2025/26 spending plans.
Judith Cole, deputy director of council finance policy, said the Welsh Government estimates the cost of the tax hike to the public sector in Wales at £109m.
Asked how funding will be divided between councils, Ms Cole said the standard funding formula could be used or it may be based on a proportion of spending as in England.
But she stressed that other factors need to be taken into account because, for example, some councils will provide more services by directly employed staff.
Reg Kilpatrick, director of local government, added: “We’re entirely dependent on the negotiations between the cabinet secretary for finance and the UK treasury.”
Ms Gwenllian warned of the impact of tax hikes on the voluntary sector and outsourced services, piling more pressure on council budgets.
She said: “I’ve spoken with three councils … but one said that this will cost an additional £2m in terms of internal salaries but £2.5m in terms of the work that is commissioned.
“Another council said £5.4m on the internal, £2.8m on the work that is outsourced – another said £8m internal and £3m on the outsourced work. There is a lot of work commissioned beyond the local authorities themselves and there is no mention of any support.”
Giving evidence on January 15, Ms Bryant said the UK Government has confirmed it will use the Office for National Statistics definition of a public sector worker.
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