News

Neyland Notice of Motion on soaring cost of energy

Published

4 years ago

September 1, 2022

A NEYLAND community councillor has put forward a Motion to the next Town Council meeting – due to take place on September 5 – concerning soaring energy bills.

Cllr Andrew Lye told this newspaper: “We are in a dire state in the country.

“I remember the black outs in 1973/4, but what we are seeing now is worse as we have people who are not going to have the heating on or cook a proper hot meal.”

Cllr Lye wants the PM to make an urgent overdue announcement to deal with the cost-of-living crisis.

The Motion reads as follows: ‘This Council notes that the current cost of living crisis is already hitting hard, many households within the town of Neyland.

‘As the Town Council, we are here to speak out for the people who are again going to be hit by a further increase in the energy price cap with effect from 1^st October 2022, as it increases from £1.971, to £3,549.

‘The October increase is a massive rise of £130 a month. In the run up to the New Year, the cost of electricity will double from 28p per kWh to 52p. Gas will increase from 7p to 15p per kWh, at a time that townspeople will be thinking of putting the central heating on.

‘This Council notes that former Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s assistance was not enough and that more help is urgently needed, NOW. Instead, we have a zombie government that is leaving it to the next PM to deal with.

‘This Council also notes the inflation rate increase for food, petrol and other goods is not reflected in wage increases and the growing number of strikes, affecting the economy.

‘This Council resolves:-

1. Calls upon the PM to make an urgent overdue announcement to deal with the cost of living crisis and the assistance that will be made to households.

2. Assistance should primarily be made to those on low and middle incomes, including those on benefits and pensions. Any assistance should not be regressive. Tax cuts alone won’t necessarily help pensioners.

3. We cannot afford continuing inaction in the face of the huge rise coming in October, that could increase to £5,000 to £6,000 in January. This is an emergency and the Government must step in now to save families and pensioners £1500 by cancelling the planned rise in energy bills, this October as part of a plan to protect households,

4. The increase also affects commercial properties in Neyland, who are not protected by the energy price cap. We fear the future of current businesses operating in the town. They need urgent assistance, also.

5. This Council urgently looks at the Christmas lights and whether we go ahead with installing them, because of the huge increase in the cost of electricity.

6. This Council writes to the Prime Minister, the First Minister, Stephen Crabb MP, Paul Davies MS and the 4 Regional MS’s for Mid & West Wales, to express our deep concern on the crisis affecting the people of Neyland.’

Crime

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

Published

15 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

15 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

16 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.