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Pembrokeshire business advice – Covid-19

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PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has issued a range of information and advice for local businesses in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cllr David Simpson, Council Leader, said: “We know that many businesses are worried about the future. Please find below guidance and links to current information that you may find useful for your business and continuity. We will ensure that we update you as and when we have further helpful information.”

The following extract is taken from the Business Wales Website.

‘The Welsh Government has announced a package of support worth more than £1.4bn for small businesses to help them during the coronavirus outbreak.

‘Shops, leisure and hospitality businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or less will receive 100% business rates relief and pubs with a rateable value of between £51,000 and £100,000 will receive a £5,000 reduction on their bill.

‘Expanding on this support a new package providing in 2020/21, retail, leisure and hospitality businesses in Wales with one year business rates relief and a grant of £25,000 for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses with a rateable value of between £12,001 and £51,000.

‘It also provides a £10,000 grant to all businesses eligible for Small Business Rates Relief with a rateable value of £12,000 or less’.

Businesses that qualify for this support will not need to do anything to apply for this scheme. This will be administered through the Business Rates system. You do not need to contact your Local Authority about this, you will receive information in due course.

The Welsh Government is exploring ways of supporting businesses who do not qualify for this scheme. Details of this support will be added to the Business Wales website once confirmed.’

Cllr David Simpson added: “For businesses located in Pembrokeshire that get rate relief please be informed that we will amend your bills shortly and will not be expecting a payment from you. You can therefore disregard any demands that have been sent to you.

“We are also looking into how we can process grants for any businesses that fall outside of this category and hope to be able to inform you on this as soon as possible.

“In the meantime, many banks are offering zero interest overdraft and loan facilities in the knowledge that funding from Government is forthcoming. We suggest therefore that you contact your bank for immediate support.

“We would also like to hear from businesses that have no rateable value in order that we can understand how much support is required. You can contact us on this via email at [email protected]

Further advice can also be found on the Business Wales Website: https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice https://businesswales.gov.wales/news-and-blogs/news/emergency-support-businesses-hit-coronavirus

In terms of Department for Work and Pensions support for employers, here is a useful link (via GOV.UK) https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses?utm_source=37472ed5-c0b4-4625-8801-549259dc908d&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

Visit Wales provide some specific advice for tourism businesses regarding the situation. Please view: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKWALES/bulletins/280805d

We should all help protect ourselves and our communities by following Public Health Wales advice https://phw.nhs.wales/coronavirus

We are also starting to see banks such as Lloyds Banking Group offer packages of support. For more information, please view https://www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/globalassets/documents/media/press-releases/lloyds-banking-group/2020/covid-19-support-for-businesses.pdf

HMRC has issued a helpline for businesses concerned about being able to pay your tax due to COVID-19. Access this dedicated helpline on 0800 0159 559. HMRC can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

If you are a business in Pembrokeshire renting one of the Council’s properties and are struggling to pay your rent, please get in touch with the Council’s Property Team by emailing [email protected] or via 01437 775874.

All the information above is also available on the Council’s website at https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/business-advice-and-support

Crime

Pembroke Dock woman in court for failing to remove rubbish from property

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A PEMBROKE DOCK resident is due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court later today (Nov 25) for multiple alleged breaches of a community protection notice.

Sheena Deacon, of 13 Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock, faces charges under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which carries a maximum penalty of a Level 4 fine.

The charges stem from allegations that Deacon failed to remove accumulated household waste from her property on several occasions. According to court documents, the breaches occurred on September 19, September 26, October 2, October 9, and October 17 this year.

The charges indicate that Deacon, despite being issued with a community protection notice, did not comply with the requirements to clear and appropriately dispose of refuse and household waste from her address.

The Herald will bring updates on the case as it progresses.

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News

Welsh Conservatives urge Labour to scrap ‘family farm tax’

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THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have announced plans to bring forward a Senedd debate next week (Nov 27) calling on the UK Labour Government to abandon its proposed “family farm tax.”

The tax, introduced by the UK Labour Government, is being criticised as a move that will harm Welsh farming, threaten food security, and increase food prices. Alongside the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme and perceived “anti-farming agenda,” critics argue this new tax amounts to a coordinated effort to undermine the future of agriculture in Wales.

Shadow Minister warns of consequences
Ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, James Evans MS, condemned the proposal, stating:
“Labour’s family farm tax will put family farms out of business, threaten our food security, and lead to food prices rising. Only the Welsh Conservatives will stand up for our farmers, and that’s why we’re bringing forward a Senedd motion calling on Labour to reverse this decision. No farmers, no food.”

NFU Cymru expresses alarm
NFU Cymru President, Aled Jones, echoed these concerns, highlighting the widespread opposition from the farming community. Speaking about the impact of the tax on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, Jones said:
“Earlier this week, hundreds of farmers from across Wales journeyed to London to meet with their MPs and register their deeply held concerns about these misguided and ill-thought-out reforms.

“The proposals unveiled by the Treasury last month to introduce a tax on the passing on of our family farms to the next generation are a massive added burden. They will leave many farmers without the means, confidence, or incentive to invest in the future of their business.

“NFU Cymru reiterates its call for the UK Government to halt these changes.”

The motion to be debated
The motion, set to be debated in the Senedd, reads:
“To propose that the Senedd:
Calls on the UK Labour Government to reverse its decision to impose a family farm tax on agricultural businesses.”

This debate is expected to attract significant attention, with Welsh farmers and rural communities keenly watching for the outcome.

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Community

Internet outage for two villages after exchange box destroyed

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RESIDENTS of Clunderwen and Llandissilio have been left without internet access following the destruction of an Openreach exchange box just outside Llandissilio village.

The incident occurred yesterday (Nov 23) when the box was reportedly demolished by a vehicle. The damage has resulted in a complete loss of internet services for the two villages, with repairs expected to take at least a couple of days.

Local residents have expressed frustration over the disruption, as the outage affects home businesses, remote workers, and households relying on internet connectivity for day-to-day tasks.

Openreach engineers have cordoned off the site, and work is ongoing to assess the extent of the damage. A spokesperson for Openreach has been contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.

The vehicle involved in the incident has not yet been identified. Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact the local police.

With repair timelines unclear, affected residents have called for increased communication from service providers to manage expectations during the outage.

“Bringing the community back online is a priority,” a local resident said. “We’re hoping Openreach can resolve the issue quickly and ensure it doesn’t happen again in future.”

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