News

Committee stalls on council tax rise as Covid-19 impacts discussed

Published

5 years ago

January 20, 2021

A PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL committee has decided not to commit to giving their preference on the rise of council tax in the county because of the knock on effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillors have been discussing the potential rise in council tax as part of their budget setting process for 2021-22.

Cabinet member Cllr Bob Kilmister explained that the settlement they had been expecting from the Welsh Government had been ‘better than anticipated’.

Prior to Christmas the council was looking at a funding gap of £25m but after the settlement from Cardiff, they were looking at a gap of £14.5m.

It was suggested that the improved figure could help the council alleviate the pressure felt by families when it came to paying their council tax.

Around 3% of the population are exempt from paying council tax but Cllr Kilmister added that they did not want to hit those people again by reducing the services that they used.

The council’s interventions with looked after children has also gone up by 50% as a result of the pandemic.

Rises of 3% and 5% have been put forward but the council’s Policy and Pre-Decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which met on Tuesday, January 19, decided not to commit to giving their preference.

Councillors said they were cautious about imposing a 5% increase as families across the county had been hit hard by the pandemic.

Cllr Tony Baron asked if a 3% increase in council tax could be fully costed adding: “We see a very dramatic improvement in the position we had before Christmas.

“Perhaps it would be useful to consider whether a fraction of that improvement should be used to take pressure off residents in the form of council tax increases.”

Cllr Tom Tudor added: “I am cautious about increasing council tax by 5%. Pembrokeshire has the second highest percentage of furloughed workers in Wales and that does not include those who are not eligible for the furlough scheme.”

“If we are in a better position than we were predicted I am rather cautious about taking on an increase of 5% at this point in time and I think families who have been affected by the pandemic have been, I think Bob said, in ‘dire straits’.”

Cllr Kilmister went on to say that he was ‘extremely confident’ that the council’s board that was set up to look at the budget would be able to deliver on its challenges.

Speaking on child poverty, Cllr Mike James said that there was poverty throughout Pembrokeshire and added that there would need to be a lot more debate on the rise in council tax before a decision could be made.

Cllr Kilmister added: “I don’t want to put up council tax. The poorest people who are not paying council tax are the ones who are using our services more. If you lower the budget you are affecting them again.

“Child poverty is huge, our interventions with looked-after children has gone up by 50% this financial year as a result of the pandemic.

“There are massive challenges. We have to make sure that those who have been affected badly aren’t affected even more.”

Committee chair Cllr Josh Beynon said: “If we don’t increase council tax and we cut services instead, what happens to those looked after children in twenty years’ time?”

Cllr Rhys Sinnett proposed that the committee should not commit to giving a preference to a rise in council tax.

Seven members voted in favour while two, Cllrs Tim Evans and Josh Beynon, voted against.

The council’s Cabinet will make a final decision on the budget on February 15.

Local Government

New mayor-elect announced for Haverfordwest

Published

2 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL has confirmed its new Mayor-Elect, with Councillor Randell Thomas-Turner set to take on the role later this year.

In a statement, he said he was “honoured” to accept the nomination, describing it as a moment that will stay with him forever.

He also highlighted the significance of the appointment, saying he is set to become the town’s first mayor of colour and the youngest in a century.

The councillor said the role represents more than a personal achievement, adding that it reflects “progress, representation, and the power of community.”

His official mayor-making ceremony is expected to take place in May.

The Mayor-Elect said: “Haverfordwest is the best in the West – and together, we are just getting started.”

Crime

Pembroke man remanded in custody over knife threat, assault and damage allegations

Published

7 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE man has been remanded in custody after appearing before magistrates accused of threatening a woman with a knife, assaulting her and causing damage to property.

John Timmis, aged 41, of Olivers View, Pembroke, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Mar 19).

He is charged with threatening a person with a bladed article in a private place, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.

The court heard that on Monday (Mar 17), at his home address, Timmis is alleged to have threatened Nicole Davis with a kitchen knife in such a way that there was an immediate risk of serious physical harm.

He is further accused of assaulting the same woman, causing actual bodily harm.

It is also alleged that between Saturday (Mar 15) and Tuesday (Mar 18), he damaged televisions belonging to her.

Case sent to Crown Court

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for trial.

No pleas were entered in relation to the indictable matters.

Remanded in custody

Timmis was remanded in custody following a full bail application.

The court cited concerns that he may commit further offences, cause injury or fear of injury to an associated person, and interfere with witnesses.

Magistrates also considered the nature and seriousness of the allegations, along with his previous record and character.

Timmis is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Apr 20) at 10:30am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Local Government

Poverty summit highlights support efforts across Pembrokeshire

Published

15 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SUMMIT bringing together key organisations from across Pembrokeshire has highlighted both the scale of local poverty and the work underway to support vulnerable communities.

Around 100 representatives attended Pembrokeshire County Council’s third Tackling Poverty Summit on Thursday (Mar 13), including local authority officers, third sector groups, and national bodies such as the Bevan Foundation.

The event aimed to shine a light on the key challenges facing the county, while strengthening collaboration and identifying practical ways to deliver support where it is most needed.

***Left to right: James White, Sinead Henehan, Gemma Baker, Steffan Evans, Sarah Hughes, Geraldine Murphy, Sophie Buckley.***

Focus on collaboration

A strong theme throughout the day was the importance of joined-up working. Discussions around issues such as food poverty and the ‘Words to Action’ project highlighted how better alignment of services and resources can deliver more effective and sustainable support.

Dr Steffan Evans, Chief Executive of the Bevan Foundation, delivered the keynote address, providing national context on poverty in Wales alongside detailed insight into local data. He outlined where targeted action could have the greatest long-term impact in building a more prosperous county.

Workshops, facilitated by Sophie Buckley of PAVS, also marked the start of a review of the county’s Tackling Poverty Strategy. First published in 2023, the strategy is now being reassessed to ensure it reflects current challenges.

Attendees were invited to reflect on progress made to date while also identifying gaps and proposing new ideas to strengthen future action.

Targeted support delivering results

The summit also highlighted practical initiatives already making a difference. In particular, the LIFT (Low Income Family Tracker) pilot has helped identify households missing out on financial support.

Over the past six months, the scheme has generated more than £300,000 in additional income for local families by connecting them with benefits and assistance they were entitled to but not receiving.

Organisers said the results demonstrate the value of a proactive, targeted approach to income maximisation.

Leaders stress ongoing challenge

Cllr Marc Tierney, the council’s anti-poverty champion and Cabinet Member for Young People, Communities and the Wellbeing of Future Generations, said: “What we learned at the summit is that the causes of poverty are complex and remain a challenge, particularly for young people and their families.

“The solutions are complex too and must involve all levels of government doing all they can to support those most in need.

“Pembrokeshire has made tackling poverty a priority, working with the third sector to focus our efforts on where we can make a real difference locally. That work continues, with a strengthened resolve to respond to the experiences of local people and shape what we do next.”

James White, Head of Engagement, Performance and Community, added: “This was Pembrokeshire’s third annual summit, and it is clearly becoming a firm fixture in the calendar.

“The discussions will help inform the refresh of our poverty strategy later this year. Key themes included income maximisation, early intervention, support for families, and making services easier to access.

“Thank you to everyone who attended and to those working year-round to tackle poverty in Pembrokeshire.”