News
LIVE UPDATES: Election results day in Pembrokeshire
THE people of Pembrokeshire have had their say and the count will soon get underway in Haverfordwest.
There have been a number of changes to electoral wards for this election and it will deliver a new-look council.
Despite its new look there will still be similar issues for them to deal with like the council’s budget, Covid and education.
19 seats have been uncontested but there are still 40 wards which will be decided today and we will update this article as and when results come in.
There will also be results for Town and Community Council elections announced.
The sun was out for voting day on Thursday (May 5) giving residents the perfect chance to go out and cast their vote. Some wards were won by only a couple of votes in 2017 so every vote counts.
The article will be updated and results will appear below
15:50 That leaves us with 35 Independent councillors, 11 conservatives, 10 Labour, 2 Plaid Cymryu and 2 Liberal Democrats.
15:35 All 40 council wards have now been declared
15:33 Narberth Urban
Marc Tierney (Labour) 514
Victoria McAndrew 177
15:31 Saundersfoot South
James Bishop (Conservatives) 84
Mike Wainwright (Independent) 159
Chris Williams (Independent) 432
15:26 Boncath and Clydau
Hedd Harries (Plaid) 426
Iwan Ward (Independent) 464
15:24 Camrose
Jamie Adams (IPG) 537
Julian Rutter (Labour) 158
IPG HOLD
15:22 Haverfordwest Prendergast
Philippa Thompson (Labour) 276
Andrew Edwards (Conservatives) 391
15:20 Manorbier and Penally
Steve Thomas (Plaid) 171
Phil Kidney (Independent) 540
15:17 Milford North
Bill Abbott (Conservatives) 296
Alan Dennison (independent) 333
15:15 Pembroke Dock Central
Josh Beynon (Labour) 376
Rhian Cowen (Conservatives) 148
George Manning 60
Labour HOLD
15:13 Llanrhian
Neil Prior (Independent) 670
Rob Smith 65
Independent HOLD
15:10 Haverfordwest Garth
Jonathan Twigg (Conservatives) 119
Anji Tinley (Independent) 311
15:00 Still waiting on the results from the final 10 wards
Those wards are: Camrose, Haverfordwest Prendergast, Narberth Urban, Pembroke Dock Central, Haverfordwest Garth, Milford North, Saundersfoot South, Boncath, Manorbier and Llanrhian
14:25 Just ten more wards to be declared including Llanrhian, Manorbier and Boncath
14:17 David Lloyd only got in by 13 votes at the last election and he has now lost his seat
14:10 St Davids
Rachel Hurdley (Labour) 181
David Lloyd (Independent) 250
Keith Missen (Green) 43
Bethan Price 283
14:05 Crymych and Mynachlog-ddu
Cris Tomos (Plaid) 484
Simon Midway Rees (Independent) 561
Independent GAIN from Plaid
14:00 Burton
Danny Young (Conservatives) 399
Robin Howells 247
13:58 Pembroke Dock Bufferland
Billy Gannon (Independent) 64
Gordon Goff 76
Michelle Wiggins 240
13:56 Johnston
Daniel Metcalf (Labour) 226
Aled Thomas (Conservatives) 229
John Gray (Independent) 149
13:54 Lamphey
Tessa Hodgson (Independent) 466
Josh Carey (Conservatives) 147
13:52 Fishguard North East
Jordan Ryan (Labour) 399
Brian Murphy (Conservatives) 278
13:50 Milford West
Rhys Sinnett (Plaid) 325
Stephen Joseph (Independent) 146
Plaid HOLD
13:45 Goodwick
Nicola Gwynn (Labour) 354
Lynn Porter (Conservatives) 59
Peter John (Independent) 339
13:40 St Florence and St Mary Out Liberty
Rhys Jordan (Conservatives) 315
Jonathan Preston (Plaid) 242
Conservatives GAIN from Plaid
13:20 Lampeter Velfrey
David Simpson (Independent) 355
Lizzie Lesnianski (Conservatives) 176
Independent HOLD
13:10 The Herald understands that Jonathan Preston has lost his seat
Mike John is re-elected to the Llangwm ward having been unopposed at the last election
Mark Carter holds on to his seat in Solva by only 9 votes
12:45 Hundleton
Steve Alderman (Independent) 348
Julie Cooper (Independent) 264
12:43 Llangwm
Mike John (IPG) 466
Dave Golding 409
12:40 Carew and Jeffreyston
Peter Everall (Independent) 111
James Harrison-Allen (Independent) 173
Vanessa Thomas (Independent) 433
12:35 Solva
Josh Phillips (Labour) 373
Mark Carter (Conservatives) 382
Conservatives HOLD
12:25 Bro Gwaun
Bob Kilmister (Liberal Democrats) 310
Delme Harries 340
12:20 Milford Hakin
Lee Bridges (Conservatives) 125
Duncan Edwards (Independent) 176
Mike Stoddart (Independent) 286
Independent HOLD
12:17 Pembroke St Mary North
Deborah Willcocks (Conservative) 159
Jon Harvey (Independent) 404
Independent HOLD
12:15 Amroth & Saundersfoot North
Tony Baron (Conservatives) 256
Alec Cormack (Liberal Democrats) 466
Leigh McShane (Green) 78
Liberal Democrats GAIN from Conservatives
12:10 Milford Central
Anthony Powell (Conservatives) 135
Terry Davies (Independent) 147
Tom Sinclair (Independent) 109
Martin Jones (Independent) 102
12:05 Pembroke St Mary South
Daphne Bush (IPG) 227
Aaron Carey (Conservative) 364
Reg Ebrey (Independent) 159
David Edwards (Labour) 265
Lee Herring (Liberal Democrats) 88
Jonathan Grimes (Conservative) 293
Marcel Laval (Labour) 201
Jonathan Nutting 219
Aaron Carey and Jonathan Grimes are elected to the new dual-ward
12:00 Kilgetty and Begelly
Peter Adams (Plaid) 122
Chris Ebrey (Independent) 28
Paul Wyatt (Independent) 85
David Pugh (IPG) 115
Alistair Cameron (Liberal Democrats) 397
Greta Marshall (Propel) 14
Liberal Democrats GAIN from IPG
11:57 The Herald understands that sitting Cabinet member Bob Kilmister has lost his seat
11:30 Aden Brinn was only elected in 2017 but he loses his seat to Mel Phillips
11:27 Maenclochog
Ben Levy (Labour) 177
Hefin Wyn (Plaid) 188
Simon Wright (Independent) 505
11:25 Pembroke St Michael
Aden Brinn (Conservatives) 375
Mel Phillips 418
32 rejected votes
11:15 Reg Owens is elected with a majority of 70 having been elected unopposed in 2017
11:10 St Ishmaels
Reg Owens (IPG) 326
Janie Harwood (Green) 116
Martyn Cheshire 256
Claire George 227
IPG HOLD
11:08 Newport and Dinas
Maya Donnelly (Plaid) 243
Huw Thomas 325
Jano Williams 279
Huw Thomas is elected to the new ward of Newport and Dinas
11:00 Peter Morgan wins The Havens with an increased majority and Sam Skyrme-Blackhall is elected to the Tenby South ward which was previously held by Michael Evans
10:53 Tenby South
Paul Rapi (Plaid) 309
Sam Skyrme-Blackhall (Independent) 427
Independent GAIN
10:50 The Havens
Nick Neumann (Conservatives) 341
Peter Morgan (IPG) 486
IPG HOLD
10:47: Pembroke Dock Bush Ward
Maureen Bowen (Labour) 173
Sarah Harvey (Indep) 154
Paul Dowson (No declaration) 84
Labour GAIN
10:27 Tom Tudor wins the Castle Ward with an increased majority from the 2017 election
10:25 – First result of the day: Haverfordwest Castle
Tom Tudor (Labour) – 531
Sue McKeemam (Conservatives) – 150
Labour HOLD
9:55 – 19 people will be elected unopposed, as no other person is standing against them. They are all already councillors at the present time.
Mike James – IPG
John Davies – IPG
Pat Davies – Independent
Michelle Bateman – Independent
David Howlett – Conservative
Steve Yelland – Conservative
David Bryan – Conservative
Tim Evans – Independent
John Cole – Independent
Simon Hancock – Rejoined Labour Group
Paul Miller – Labour
Guy Woodham – Labour
Viv Stoddart – Independent
Di Clements – Conservative
Elwyn Morse – IPG – Conservative Party Member
Jacob Williams – Independent
Mike Williams – Plaid
Brian Hall – IPG
Tony Wilcox – Labour
9:45 Results will be expected shortly from Maenclochog, Pembroke St Michael, Haverfordwest Castle, Kilgetty and Begelly, Pembroke Dock Bush, Tenby South, St Ishmaels, The Havens, Newport and Dinas Cross and the dual-member ward of Pembroke Monkton and St Mary South
9:40 Counts are underway for a number of wards
News
Withyhedge Landfill faces political allegations and regulatory enforcement
STEPHEN CRABB MP has vociferously criticised the Welsh Labour Government for its management of the Withyhedge Landfill in Pembrokeshire, claiming it has turned the area into a “dumping ground” for waste from across Wales. Mr. Crabb, supported by Paul Davies MS, alleges that substantial lorries deliver waste daily to the site, causing significant distress to local residents. The MP has repeatedly written to the First Minister, demanding immediate intervention, yet claims to have received no response.
Compounding the controversy, Mr. Crabb highlighted a substantial £200,000 donation to Vaughan Gething’s recent election campaign from the landfill’s owner, questioning the impartiality of regulatory practices. Despite ongoing political efforts, Mr. Crabb asserts that resolution lies solely with the Welsh Government, which has the ultimate authority to address these grievances.
Meanwhile, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has escalated its enforcement actions against the site’s operators, Resources Management UK Ltd (RML), amid persistent community complaints about odour and gas emissions. A recent Regulation 36 Enforcement Notice demands a series of remedial actions by RML, with deadlines stretching into May 2024. These measures focus on improving the site’s gas management infrastructure and capping exposed areas to mitigate odour issues.
Huwel Manley, Head of South West Operations at NRW, expressed understanding of the community’s frustration, emphasizing the urgency of the required actions. “We are committed to ensuring RML Ltd. deliver these actions rapidly and effectively. Continued non-compliance will lead to further measures, potentially including a suspension of the environmental permit,” stated Mr. Manley.
Pembrokeshire County Council, represented by Chief Executive Will Bramble, also voiced disappointment over the ongoing issues, affirming full support for NRW’s stringent enforcement steps. The Council and NRW are working closely to monitor the situation and have encouraged the public to report any odour incidents promptly to aid in effective resolution.
As the deadline approaches, all parties involved are under increasing pressure to demonstrate tangible improvements and ensure the health and well-being of Pembrokeshire residents are prioritised.
News
Police issue update on the search for Luke, missing from Pembroke Dock
POLICE have made the difficult decision to end the search for Luke, following a joint decision by all the agencies involved.
The police said: “After careful consideration of all the information and expert advice that has been made available to us, a joint decision has been made by all agencies involved that the search for Luke will now conclude and will consist of intelligence led enquiries in the coming days.
“Whilst this is an extremely difficult decision to make, we are satisfied that we have done absolutely everything we possibly can to try and locate Luke. His family have been informed of this decision and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.
“I would also like to reassure the public that in addition to the searches that have taken place at the estuary, a team of Police Officers have been conducting extensive enquiries in Pembroke Dock since Luke was reported missing.”
Meanwhile the family has made a heartfelt plea for any information that might help trace his last known movements.
Emma Dewhurst has issued an urgent appeal for information that could help track her nephew Luke’s whereabouts, last seen in the early hours of Saturday morning. Describing Luke as “jovial, kind, soft, and timid,” she reflects on his vibrant personality and gentle nature, noting his resilience and determination to push forward in life. “He is strong. He didn’t give up easily and kept going in his life,” she affirmed.
The family is reeling from the shock of Luke’s sudden disappearance. “We are all so shocked and upset,” Emma stated. “It’s profoundly distressing.”
In an effort to find Luke, his father has made the long journey from the north of England to Pembrokeshire. The emotional toll is evident, as Emma revealed, “His dad is devastated, and my mum [his grandmother] is in pieces.”
Luke was last recorded by CCTV at 6am, four hours after he left his accommodation. Emma is desperately calling on residents to review their CCTV or doorbell footage, hoping for any clue that might explain his movements during those critical missing hours. “Where has he been in that four hours?” Emma implored. “We need to fill these gaps to piece together the facts.”
She recalls Luke’s last day before he vanished, spent with his mother, ending with future plans unfulfilled. “It isn’t in his nature to just disappear,” she said. “We can’t give up. We all love him, miss him, and want him back safely.”
Emma also expressed a poignant message for Luke, should he be out there, feeling unable to come home: “If you don’t want to come home, at least reach out to someone. Let us know you are okay. That’s what my brother would want.”
If you have any information on Luke’s last known whereabouts, please contact Dyfed-Powys Police at 101, email [email protected], or reach out online at https://orlo.uk/RlB5o. For those wishing to remain anonymous, you can contact the charity Missing People at www.missingpeople.org.uk.
News
Labour promises ‘most significant investment in Britain’s ports in a generation’
LABOUR has said this week that it will “Build it in Britain” with the most significant investment in Britain’s ports in a generation, as part of Green Prosperity Plan to support the creation of 650,000 good jobs across the country.
A Labour Government will “Build it in Britain” Keir Starmer said on Thursday, as he visited the North East of England to highlight Labour’s plans to deliver the most significant upgrade of Britain’s ports in a generation.
Visiting a port in the North East, Labour Leader Keir Starmer, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and Shadow Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will set out how Labour’s £1.8 billion investment in Britain’s port infrastructure will help crowd billions more of private sector investment into the UK’s energy industry.
Labour’s announcement comes after Jo Stevens, Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, visited the Port of Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire last month alongside with Henry Tufnell, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, to learn more about the port’s operations and challenges.
After the visit, Shadow Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said: “Upgrading our ports, like this one here in Milford Haven, can help us seize the golden opportunity we have to become a world leader renewable energy, delivering cheaper bills and the jobs of the future.
“But the Conservative government is holding Wales back, with narrow-minded, poorly run investment schemes that leave us lagging behind international competitors.
“A UK Labour government will switch on GB Energy to invest in projects that can secure our lead in floating offshore wind, unlocking the jobs and investment that the Tories have left to languish.”
Henry Tufnell, Labour’s candidate in this year’s General Election, added: “Pembrokeshire’s first Labour MP, Desmond Donnelly, was instrumental in the creation of the Port of Milford Haven, transforming Pembrokeshire’s economic fortunes. Today, as in the 1950s, we face a crossroads. We must put our county at the forefront of a new Labour Government’s industrial strategy to build it in Britain.
Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan will secure our energy supply, develop industry, and create good well paid jobs right here in our county. We don’t want the young people of Pembrokeshire to feel they must leave their home county to get on in life. We want to provide opportunity here, and we want to provide it now.”
Labour’s plan for ports will help reverse fourteen years of industrial decline under the Conservatives and support domestic manufacturing across the country. The pledge is funded through Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan, which includes a proper windfall tax on the oil and gas giants making record profits, to fund investment in British industries.Keir Starmer’s announcement comes as Labour confirms that its Green Prosperity Plan will help support the creation of up to 650,000 good jobs in Britain’s industrial heartlands, including here in Pembrokeshire, by crowding billions of private investment into industries such as Britain’s nuclear, steel, automotive, and construction industries.
The last Labour government led the way on upgrading Britain’s ports, providing funding for the development of port sites to support offshore wind turbine manufacturing. This industrial advantage has been squandered after fourteen years of the Conservatives, with recent research showing the UK could have created almost 100,000 more jobs in the wind industry if it had followed Denmark’s example in recent years and built up domestic supply chains in clean energy.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Labour Leader Keir Starmer outlined the choice facing millions of voters: continued industrial decline after 14 years of Conservative rule, or national economic renewal with Labour, saying:“The legacy of fourteen years of Conservative rule is Britain’s industrial strength reduced to the rubble and rust of closed-down factories. They have let good jobs go overseas and done nothing about it, and every community has paid the price.
“A Labour government will reindustrialise Britain – from the biggest investment in our ports in a generation, to a British Jobs Bonus to crowd billions of investment into our industrial heartlands and coastal communities.“
The wealth of Britain was once built on a bedrock of industrial jobs that offered security and a good wage. By investing in Britain’s homegrown energy sector, we can rebuild this dream for the twenty-first century- good jobs, higher wages, and the pride that comes from good work for all.”Through policies such as Great British Energy, the National Wealth Fund, and the mission for Clean Power by 2030, a Labour government will invest in technologies like floating offshore wind, hydrogen, nuclear, and carbon capture and storage, which will help secure Britain’s energy independence.
This will create a new generation of skilled jobs in growing industries, which will offer people good wages, give confidence in their job security, and provide them with opportunities to progress. This policy is part of Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan, to cut energy bills for families, make Britain energy independent, and rebuild the strength of British industry.
This historic investment in working people and their communities is the only way out of the high energy bills, energy insecurity, and the doom loop of low growth, high taxes and crumbling public services under Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives.Commenting on Labour’s landmark plan to invest in Britain’s port infrastructure, Shadow Energy Secretary Ed Miliband MP said: “Making Britain a clean energy superpower requires flourishing national ports. Whilst the Conservatives are letting other countries plunder jobs that could be ours here in Britain, Labour has a plan to help win the race for the industries of the future.“
This is what Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan will do for every community in Britain – slash energy bills, create good jobs, boost our national energy independence, and help to tackle the climate crisis.”
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