News

Hakin: Council confirms siting of homeless pods at former Hubberston School site

Published

5 years ago

June 14, 2021

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL have confirmed reports in The Herald last week that they have decided to provide homeless accommodation in Hakin.

The council said that the scheme was in response to rising numbers of homeless people in the local area.

The Authority confirmed that they have secured Welsh Government funding in November 2020 to purchase eight pre-constructed ‘pods’ which will provide temporary accommodation on the site of a former school in Hubberston, Milford Haven – a location where there are future plans to build permanent social housing. A meeting was held earlier this week with local county councillors to discuss the siting of these pods.

The pre-fabricated temporary pods incorporate disabled access and are made from adapted shipping containers that include two units of one-bedroom self-contained accommodation with a living/kitchen/dining area and separate bathroom. The pods can be temporarily located at the Hubberston site under planning permitted development allowance for a period of 12 months.

Pods could look similar to these in Cardiff

Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to offer homes to anyone without one. Currently within Pembrokeshire there is shortage of one bedroom residences and lockdown has seen a sharp rise in numbers of people needing that kind of accommodation. The unsustainable emergency response is currently to place those in need in three B&B’s/guesthouses across the county which will at some point in the future be returned to use as holiday accommodation as Covid restrictions ease and tourism returns to the county.

The eight Pods will go a small way to provide a temporary solution to those who need one bedroom accommodation, and are expected to be in place at the end of July whereupon the authority will invite the local community to attend open days to view the pods and speak with PCC Housing officers.

The Pods are then expected to be filled in September. Alongside the offer of safe accommodation, we will also provide support to those who have been placed there to enable them to transition to permanent accommodation. The authority has also recently co-funded the purchase of two smaller pods in partnership with Milford based Nantucket Church and Pembrokeshire Care Society. This initiative has been well received and supported by the immediate Nantucket community.

Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “It’s great to be able to respond to the growing need for homeless accommodation in Pembrokeshire. We welcome the trialling of these pods following receipt of the grant funding and we would like to invite the local community to come and see the Pods for themselves before we start to allocate people to live short term in these brilliant spaces.”

Locals have contacted this newspaper concerned over lack of consultation and the possibility of increased crime in the area such as happened in Johnston recently with The Silverdale Inn.

News

Reform reveals west Wales candidates for Senedd battle

Published

2 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Monkton councillor tops Pembrokeshire list as party confirms Carmarthenshire names and includes Haverfordwest councillor in unwinnable Swansea spot

REFORM UK has unveiled its full list of candidates for the 2026 Senedd election, setting out its challenge across west Wales including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The party has named Susan Claire Archibald, a sitting councillor for Monkton on Pembroke Town Council, as its lead candidate for the Ceredigion Preseli, Mid and South Pembrokeshire regional list.

Speaking to The Herald, Archibald said: “I am honoured to represent Reform UK and Wales.” She added that a fuller statement outlining her priorities would be released in due course.

The remaining candidates on the Pembrokeshire regional list are Paul Marr, a former prison officer, Michael Allen, Elisa Randall, Peter John and Bernard Holton.

Carmarthenshire candidates named

Reform has also confirmed its list for the Caerfyrddin and Llanelli region, with Gareth Beer placed first, followed by Carmelo Colasanto, Sarah Edwards, Christopher Brooke, Alan Cole and Michelle Beer.

The announcement forms part of a nationwide rollout of candidates as the party seeks to establish itself as a credible electoral force ahead of the 2026 vote.

Thorley listed in Swansea region

Among the names included elsewhere is Scott Thorley, a Haverfordwest-based councillor and the first Reform representative elected to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Thorley appears on the party’s list for the Gower and Swansea West region, where he is placed sixth.

Under the Senedd’s proportional representation system, candidates placed lower on regional lists are significantly less likely to be elected, meaning his position is widely viewed as a paper candidacy to complete the slate.

Election framing

Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas said the party was offering voters a stark political choice.

He said: “After a hundred years of failure, Labour are finished in Wales. The choice at this election is what comes next — common sense and a fresh start with Reform, or independence by stealth with Plaid Cymru.”

The Herald understands that further announcements, including candidate profiles and policy details, are expected in the coming weeks as the campaign begins to take shape.

Crime

Man bailed after serious assault in Fishguard town centre

Published

3 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Fishguard that has left a man in hospital.

The incident happened on Main Street at around 11:00pm on Saturday (Mar 21), when the victim was reportedly punched, sustaining head injuries. He remains in hospital receiving treatment.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference: 26*227686.

Information can be provided online via the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], by calling 101, or by sending a direct message on social media.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Childcare funding boost announced in Wales

Published

4 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hourly rate to rise as costs increase

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has confirmed an increase in the hourly rate paid to childcare providers under its Childcare Offer, following a review of funding levels.

The Minister for Children and Social Care, DAWN BOWDEN MS, announced that the rate will rise to £6.67 per hour from April 6, 2026. The increase of 4.18% comes after feedback from childcare providers and sector data gathered during 2025.

The Welsh Government said the change is designed to help providers cope with rising costs, including increases to the National Living Wage.

The Herald understands the review drew on responses from the Childcare Offer’s Annual Survey, as well as information from Care Inspectorate Wales’ Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS).

The move follows a policy shift announced last year to review the rate annually, rather than every three years, in a bid to make funding more responsive to pressures facing the sector.

As part of the update, the maximum charge for meals will also increase by 4.18%, which ministers say is intended to balance affordability for both providers and parents.

Dawn Boden said the Welsh Government remains committed to supporting the long-term sustainability of childcare services, adding that officials will continue working with the sector to explore further improvements.