News

Council service centre to open for pre-booked appointments

Published

5 years ago

August 23, 2021

THE PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Customer Service Centre at North Wing, County Hall, Haverfordwest is to re-open next month on an appointment-only basis.

The Council’s Customer Service Centres (CSC) have been closed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic since March 2020.

With limited resources available, CSC staff were redeployed to the Test, Trace and Protect team as part of the Covid-19 response.

That important work continues but is now possible to release some staff and North Wing Customer Service Centre will re-open on Monday September 6^th for those who have received appointments for housing-related matters.

Customers who arrive in person to the CSC will only be able to enter if they have received a housing-related appointment or if:

They are unable pay online or direct into a bank or post office
They are vulnerable and in crisis

The CSC will operate between 9am and 12pm and 1pm to 4pm.

Anyone attending for a pre-booked appointment is asked to follow staff instructions and adhere to the Covid-19 measures in place at that time to keep visitors and staff safe.

Cllr Neil Prior, Cabinet Member for Transformation, said: “We are pleased to be able to introduce this appointment system at North Wing Customer Service Centre from Monday 6^th September and be able to assist customers who have received an appointment from the Housing team.

“At this time our hard working Contact Centre staff remain very busy and I would like to remind customers who have queries about Council services or issues they are facing, that information can often be found on the Council’s website at https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/

“If you have not already done so, joining the Council’s My Account service is easy to do and offers a wide range of services that can be accessed online. See https://myaccount.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/ for more information.”

No decision has yet been made on the re-opening of the CSC at Argyle Street.

Customers are reminded that there are a series of straightforward methods to pay Council bills available, including several options that do not require payments in person:

1. Set up a Direct Debit:

Direct debit is a simple, convenient and safe way of paying bills. You can set up a Direct Debit to pay your Council Tax online at www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/direct-debit

To set up a Direct Debit for Council Tax over the phone contact Revenue Services on 01437 764551. Customers will need to be the bill payer and have their bank account details to hand.

2. Pay Online:

Paying online is quick, safe and secure and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To pay Council bills online visit: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/make-a-payment

3. Call the Automated Telephone Payment Line:

Call the Council’s payment line on 01437 775164. This is an automated service, available 24 hours, seven days a week.

4. Speak to the Council on the Phone:

Call the Contact Centre on 01437 764551 to pay using a credit or debit card. The Contact Centre is open between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday.

Customers who are unable to pay using the above online or telephone options and wish to pay by cash can request a Post Office payment card to allow payment of Council Tax and rent at Post Offices.

These are available from the Council’s Revenues Team and can be accessed directly as outlined below:

Customers can contact the Council Tax team directly by dialling 01437 764551 and pressing option 1 for English; then option 2 in the next menu followed by option 4 for Council Tax. They will then be able to speak directly to a member of the Council Tax team to request a Post Office payment card. Alternatively, they can email [email protected] to request a payment card.

Customers can contact the Rent Team directly by dialling 01437 764551 and pressing option 1 for English; then option 2 followed by option 5 for Rents. They will then be able to speak directly to a member of the Rents team to request a Post Office payment card.

Alternatively, they can email [email protected] to request a payment card

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

11 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

11 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

12 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.