News

Public urged to join consultation on waste and recycling centres

Published

5 years ago

July 8, 2021

USERS of the county’s waste and recycling centres (WRCs) are being asked for their views on the future operation of the service.

A public consultation has been launched and puts forward potential options for residents to provide feedback.

It follows examination of data that showed at some sites less than 30% of available slots at WRCS are being booked.

And, against a backdrop of ongoing changes to recycling legislation from the Welsh Government and increasing financial pressures, it is now timely to undertake a review of the WRCs.

Cllr Cris Tomos, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “For Pembrokeshire to be top for recycling in Wales is a fantastic achievement and one which we are rightly proud of. I thank our dedicated staff for all their hard work and also thank our residents who have helped us achieve this recognition.

“With further changes to come on legislation to recycling from the Welsh Government and with the data to hand from the booking system showing the level of demand at our WRCs it makes sense to examine the WRCs role, function and financing.

“We are of the view that WRC provision should reflect the demand across Pembrokeshire to provide an efficient service and value for money.”

The Council currently operates six WRCs across the County – Crane Cross, Hermon, Manorowen, St David’s, Waterloo and Winsel – one of the highest levels of WRCs provision in Wales.

The current operating costs for the WRCs are more than £1.3m per year.

This cost is not sustainable and mandatory requirements to sites in line with changes to environmental permits will also require about £250,000 of infrastructure costs at five of the six WRC sites.

The consultation provides two options to balance the needs of the public as far as practically possible with the statutory level of service and budgetary constraints.

They include reducing the number of sites operated by the council or rationalising the opening hours of all WRCs.

The potential savings of a closure of a small WRC would be approximately £45,000 per year while reducing the opening hours by two days per week could provide a cost reduction of about £10,000 per year.

The public’s views are also sought on the retention of the booking system, the range of materials collected and the range of non-domestic materials which incur charges.

Cllr Tomos added: “We understand and recognise how important the waste and recycling services are to our residents and I would urge all Pembrokeshire people, businesses, voluntary and community groups to please get involved with this consultation and provide your thoughts.

“We’d love to hear your own ideas, suggestions and different ways of working so that the services can be retained and made more efficient and effective.”

The consultation is now live at https://haveyoursay.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/ and closes on Monday, August 9, 2021.

Crime

Driver accused of dangerous driving sent to Crown Court

Published

32 minutes ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Alleged incident in Ammanford

A MOTORIST accused of dangerous driving has been sent to the Crown Court following a hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Kyle Morgan, aged 27, of Heol Y Meinciau, Pontyates, appeared before magistrates on Thursday (Mar 5) charged with driving dangerously.

The court heard that the alleged offence took place on February 14 this year on Dyffryn Road, Ammanford.

Prosecutors allege that Morgan drove a motor vehicle in a manner that fell far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver, and that it would have been obvious to a competent driver that driving in that way was dangerous.

Dangerous driving is one of the most serious road traffic offences and carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a mandatory driving disqualification.

Magistrates were told that because of the seriousness of the allegation the case should be dealt with by the Crown Court.

Morgan was therefore sent to Swansea Crown Court where the case will proceed.

He was granted bail ahead of his next court appearance.

Crime

Witness intimidation allegation sent to Crown Court

Published

33 minutes ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant accused of confronting man connected to criminal case

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has been sent to the Crown Court after appearing before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court charged with intimidating a witness connected to a criminal investigation.

Justin Griffiths, aged 41, of Brynhaul Street, Llanelli, appeared before magistrates on Thursday (Mar 5) accused of attempting to interfere with the course of justice.

The court heard that the alleged incident took place on February 10 this year in Llanelli.

Prosecutors allege that Griffiths approached and verbally confronted a man whom he knew to be a witness in an ongoing criminal matter. It is claimed that his behaviour was intended to intimidate the individual and discourage them from assisting the police investigation.

The charge states that Griffiths intimidated a witness in order to obstruct, pervert or interfere with the course of justice, contrary to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

Witness intimidation offences are treated particularly seriously by the courts because they can undermine the integrity of criminal proceedings and discourage victims or witnesses from coming forward.

Magistrates were told that because of the nature of the allegation and the potential seriousness of the offence, the case was unsuitable for summary trial.

The court therefore sent Griffiths to Swansea Crown Court, where the case will proceed.

He was granted bail ahead of his next appearance at the Crown Court.

Crime

Steelworks theft conspiracy case sent to Crown Court

Published

38 minutes ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Tin ingot theft alleged

THREE men have been sent to the Crown Court accused of conspiring to steal valuable materials from the Tata Steel plant at Trostre.

The case was heard at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 5), where the defendants appeared charged with conspiracy to steal tin ingots from the Trostre Steelworks in Llanelli.

Prosecutors allege that the three men – Christopher Carter, aged 38, of Pemberton Road, Llanelli; Scott Phillips, aged 37, of Bryngwyn Road, Llanelli; and Gareth Lewis, aged 41, of Heol Stanllyd, Llanelli – entered into an agreement to steal quantities of tin ingots belonging to Tata Steel UK.

The alleged conspiracy is said to have taken place over an extended period between July 1, 2023 and October 31, 2024.

Tin ingots are a processed metal product used in steel coating and manufacturing, and the material produced at Trostre is widely used in the packaging industry, including food and drink containers.

The charge alleges that the defendants dishonestly agreed together to remove the metal from the steelworks without authority, contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

Conspiracy offences are treated seriously by the courts as they involve agreements between two or more people to commit a criminal offence.

Because of the seriousness of the allegation and the potential value of the materials involved, magistrates ruled that the case was not suitable to be dealt with at the magistrates’ court.

All three defendants were sent to Swansea Crown Court where the case will proceed.