News

Pembrokeshire County Council leaders coronavirus update, 12th May

Published

6 years ago

May 13, 2020

Pembrokeshire County Council Leader, Councillor David Simpson,
has provided a further coronavirus update for Tuesday, 12th May, as
follows

‘As we in Wales and Pembrokeshire continue in lockdown, I want to
reassure you all that we will get through this difficult period in our
lives.

‘I am aware that this extended lockdown is challenging however we
need to remember that our principle goal is preservation of life.
‘We all have a role to play to ensure that we continue to fight this
invisible enemy. The pandemic is cruel and it is taking lives and we
are also aware that anyone could catch this virus.

‘I want to extend my sympathy to anyone who has been directly
affected by this virus or knows someone who has unfortunately lost
their life.

‘I’d like to reiterate the Welsh Government’s latest key messages,
namely:

 the coronavirus lockdown in Wales will be extended for a
further three weeks with minor adjustments but with maximum
caution maintained to ensure the virus does not spread

 while the first peak of infection has been passed and rates
continue to fall, it is still too early for a significant lifting of
requirements or restrictions

 all of us must continue to work from home wherever we ca

 all of us must only travel when absolutely necessary

 and all of us must continue to observe the two-metre social
distancing rule and wash our hands often

‘These measures will continue to protect us all from coronavirus and
save lives.

‘The Welsh Government also made a series of small adjustments to
the regulations including:

 allowing people to exercise more than once a day, but people
should stay “local”. This means any exercise should start and
end at home and not involve going a significant distance from
home

 enabling local authorities to begin the process of planning how
to safely re-open libraries and municipal recycling centres

 allowing garden centres to open provided they comply with the
physical distancing duty.

‘These changes apply to everyone but the 120,000 people in the
shielding group. It is really important this group continues to follow the
shielding advice.

‘The Welsh Government also urges people who are over 70, who
have an underlying health condition or who are pregnant, to continue
to take extra care to protect themselves.

‘I want to thank everyone for the positive feedback you have offered
to myself, Elected Members and the Authority itself. Everyone across
our county is working hard to ensure we do the right thing – that is we
stay at home and stay safe.

‘I urge you all to keep strong and keep positive. There will be better
days ahead and we need to be patient.

‘The following coronavirus-related press releases have been issued
since my last update yesterday:

 Capital Funding:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/cabinet-to-
consider-project-capital-funding

 Parents Asked For Views:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/parents-asked-
for-their-views-on-education-related-matters

 Unpaid Carers Urged To Take Part In Survey:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/unpaid-carers-
urged-to-take-part-in-survey-to-shape-future-support

 Numbers Helped by Community Hub Rise:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/number-of-
people-helped-by-community-hub-continues-to-rise

 Libraries To Remain Closed For Now:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/libraries-to-
remain-closed-for-now

‘Public Health Wales is updating and adding to their resources
regularly. Please find all assets here:
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-
covid-19/coronavirus-resources/

‘Also, please keep an eye on our newsroom at:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom

‘And to get daily email updates, log onto our website and sign into My
Account at: https://myaccount.pembrokeshire.gov.uk

‘Don’t risk catching or spreading the virus, why risk it? Remember:
Stay Strong, Stay Safe and Stay at Home. Thank you.’
Useful links:

 www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
 www.sir-benfro.gov.uk/coronafeirws
 https://phw.nhs.wales/
 Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru – Coronafeirws Newydd (COVID-19)
– Cyngor hunan-ynysu
 https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-
19-list-of-guidance

For the latest advice and press releases relating to coronavirus,

News

Lib Dems call for emergency VAT cut for hospitality as families ‘priced out’

Published

16 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS are calling for an emergency 5% VAT cut for pubs, restaurants and other hospitality and entertainment businesses in next week’s Budget — part of a bold £12 billion plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis that has made “going out an unaffordable luxury” for many families.

Under the proposals, VAT would be reduced from 20% to 15% on hospitality, accommodation and visitor attractions. The move would boost struggling high streets and bring down prices for hard-pressed families across Wales.

The plan forms part of a two-pronged “cost of living and cost of doing business rescue package,” which also calls on the Chancellor to cut household energy bills by scrapping the current renewables obligation levy. Together, these measures — to remain in place until April 2027 — would save a typical family around £270 over the next 18 months.

Funding would come from a new windfall tax on big banks, originally proposed by the IPPR think tank. The tax could raise an estimated £30 billion between now and 2030, with less than half of that needed to cover the cost of the VAT cut (£7.5bn) and the removal of the renewables obligation levy (£4.5bn).

The Liberal Democrats say their proposals would give a vital boost to Welsh pubs, restaurants and entertainment venues currently struggling under the “double whammy” of high taxes and falling customer spending.

Recent research by More in Common found that almost two in three Britons (59%) believe restaurant meals are now unaffordable for most people, while over half (51%) said the same about a night out at the pub, and 45% about a trip to the cinema.

David Chadwick, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson, said: “People are working with their nose to the grindstone all month and have next to nothing left over after sky-high bills and spiralling food prices.

In years gone by, people could look forward to fish and chips on a Friday or a weekend trip to the cinema. Now those small joys – the ones that make life worth living – are becoming an unaffordable luxury for too many.

High street businesses have been hammered by Labour’s jobs tax, so it’s no wonder so many treasured pubs, restaurants and cafés are closing their doors, taking with them vital jobs and community spaces.

It doesn’t have to be that way. With a new voting system in the Senedd, every single vote for the Welsh Liberal Democrats will count and deliver change with fairness at its heart.

Our plans to cut VAT on hospitality and energy bills would put £270 back into people’s pockets, making it easier to heat their homes and spend a little more locally. This would help restore our high streets, drive economic growth and give the country a much-needed morale boost.”

Crime

Haverfordwest man fined for damaging car wing mirror

Published

17 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Court Reporter

Victim later retracted statement, court hears

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been fined after admitting to damaging a car wing mirror belonging to a woman in the town earlier this year.

Luke Owen, 33, of Wayside Close, Simpson Cross, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Nov 12), where he pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

The court heard that on May 7, 2025, Owen damaged the wing mirror of a black Peugeot 2008.

Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said the damage was minor, and a victim personal statement was not presented to the court as the complainant had since retracted it.

Owen, represented by Mike Kelleher of Welch & Co Solicitors, was fined £40.

He was also ordered to pay £20 in compensation, £85 in prosecution costs, and a £16 victim surcharge.

Magistrates allowed the fine to be deducted from Owen’s benefits.

Crime

Whitland woman’s no-insurance charge discontinued

Published

17 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Court Reporter

A WHITLAND woman accused of aiding another person to drive without insurance has had her case discontinued at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Louise Mary Hook, 52, of Compton House, Llanfallteg, was alleged to have aided and abetted Christopher Rone in using a Fiat Ducato van without insurance on High Street, Narberth, on May 15.

The prosecution claimed that Hook had encouraged or permitted Rone to drive the vehicle when no valid insurance policy was in force.

However, when the case came before magistrates on Tuesday (Nov 12), the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that the matter had been discontinued and no further action would be taken.