WHILE the bleak February winds blow across the land ahead of hopefully better weather in Spring, senior Pembrokeshire councillors discussed a Christmas festive cheer call earlier this week.

A Notice of Motion by Independent group leader Cllr Huw Murphy, before the February meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet asked: “That PCC do not issue any summonses for appearance at magistrates court for non-payment of council tax during the month of December.”

It added: “At a Corporate O&S meeting on November 14 [2024] it was disclosed that since April 2024 PCC have sent out 14,000 reminder letters with regards to council tax (late payment) and issued 4,000 summonses for non-payment of council tax, which clearly evidences the financial pressure many Pembrokeshire residents currently face.

“December is for many families a festive month and although the debt does not go away the avoidance of any prosecutions during the month of December in the lead up to the festive holiday will indicate some empathy by PCC towards its residents under most financial pressure.”

A report for Cabinet members said the court issues the council with four weekly hearing dates approximately six months in advance, and Revenue Services does not hold council tax liability order court hearings in December as the pre-allocated dates would mean the hearing could fall close to Christmas Day.

It added that, to meet regulatory timescales, summonses are issued in late November and early December to ensure all documents are correctly served ready for a court hearing in January.

Members were recommended to retain the current practice to issue summonses in November/early December for the court hearing in January.

The report said, as of October 1 of last year, the council had council tax arrears of £7.512m, an improvement from the £8.384m at March 31, with a risk that not issuing any December summonses “would lead to a delay in the recovery of council tax arrears and a subsequent increase in council tax arrears”.

At the February Cabinet meeting, members heard Cllr Murphy was happy to either accept the recommendation or withdraw his motion having received the additional information.

Members agreed to support the recommendation.

Cllr Murphy is no stranger to festive cheer calls; in 2023 asking for the council to overturn a “mean-spirited” decision to end the free collection of trees in Pembrokeshire after Christmas.

That 2023 ‘Christmas tree call-in’ motion, supported by councillors Vanessa Thomas, Anji Tinley, Alan Dennison, Elwyn Morse, Michael James and Iwan Ward, was defeated by nine votes to four.

CULTURAL LANDMARK SECURES DESIGN PRIZE

THE ICONIC Dylan Thomas Boathouse in Laugharne has been named the winner of this year’s prestigious ‘Win an Architect’ initiative, a competition run by Studio Wignall & Moore.

The initiative seeks to support cultural sites outside London by offering a design concept worth up to £12,000, developed by Wignall & Moore’s award-winning RIBA Chartered architects.

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Taf estuary, the Boathouse was home to renowned Welsh poet Dylan Thomas during the final four years of his life. It was here that he wrote some of his most significant works, including parts of Under Milk Wood. Now part of CofGâr, Carmarthenshire County Council’s museums and arts service, the Boathouse continues to attract visitors from across the world.

Enhancing visitor experience

The prize will support plans to improve accessibility and enhance the visitor experience by redesigning the entrance, expanding indoor space, and utilising the old harbour’s potential.

Councillor Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport, and Tourism, welcomed the recognition:

“Winning the ‘Win an Architect’ prize is a fantastic achievement for the Dylan Thomas Boathouse and CofGâr. This support will help us improve the visitor experience while preserving the Boathouse’s unique character.”

The partnership with Wignall & Moore will extend through 2025, focusing on sustainable enhancements that respect the site’s historical importance and ensure its legacy for future generations.

Yearlong series of events

To celebrate the win, a free creative writing workshop led by award-winning poet and playwright Menna Elfyn took place on January 25, marking the start of a yearlong programme of events and workshops at the Boathouse.

Visitors are encouraged to share ideas and help shape the future of this literary landmark. Booking for events is available via CofGâr.

A CALL for a road closure alert system at a regularly flood-hit road at the entrance to Tenby where the existing sign warnings “don’t like operating when it’s wet” has been backed by senior councillors.

Back at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Rhys Jordan had said: “The B4318 at Gumfreston is prone to persistent flooding during adverse weather conditions, leading to road closures that disrupt travel and pose safety risks for residents and motorists.

“Currently, closures are not effectively communicated to residents, causing inconvenience, delays, and potential hazards. An efficient alert system would provide timely information to residents, allowing them to plan alternative routes and ensuring safety.”

At the October meeting Cllr Jordan had revealed the existing flood warning system signs “don’t like operating when its wet”.

The February meeting of the council’s Cabinet received a notice of motion by Cllr Jordan calling for a flood alert system for residents warning of any road closures of the B4318, which was recommended for approval.

In his notice of motion, Cllr Jordan said the flood warning signs, “continue to malfunction, leaving residents uninformed and ill-prepared for closures,” despite him raising the issue at full council on two occasions.

His call said: “The technology required to address this issue already exists within Pembrokeshire County Council. For example, the Cleddau Bridge successfully uses an alert system to inform residents and motorists of closures. A similar system should be implemented for the B4318 at Gumfreston.”

A report for members said a 2011 feasibility report to realign or raise the road had estimated the costs would be £4.5m at the time, now raised to £6m, the budget at the time used to install the flood monitoring and warning system.

The report added: “Recently, the warning sign system was subject to a hostile cyber-attack and whilst this has now been resolved, the signs are not currently being operated automatically, but are being remotely controlled from the Cleddau Bridge office when required.

“However, the Highways teams are working with suppliers to improve reliability and to install new water depth sensors which will allow the system to be restored to automatic operation once more.”

Referencing the current Cleddau Bridge system, the report said it would be feasible to have a similar system for the B4318 road at Gumfreston, with a cost of some £2,000 for the works.

Speaking at the February 10 meeting, Cllr Jordan said there was a need for “a long-term infrastructure solution” to address the flooding issues, but said the recommendation was a “pragmatic” improvement given the council’s limited resources.

“But what I am not happy is with the length of time this has taken, it’s a step in the right direction but disappointing that it has taken a year of me asking and many years of people suffering to get to the situation today.

“It will not solve the problem but at least will provide some mitigation. The residents deserve better planning and better outcomes.”

Cabinet member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said the council “acknowledge a long-term sustainable solution would be the best outcome,” but was pleased there was “a sense of pragmatism” in the proposal.

The proposal was unanimously supported by Cabinet members.