News

Councillors concerned as cost of new Welsh Medium school rises to £14m

Published

3 years ago

October 20, 2022

THE NEW Welsh Medium School in Pembroke is set to cost almost £14m.

Described as a project of ‘significant importance’, Pembrokeshire County Council obtained funding of £5.6m from the Welsh Government, for its delivery.

However, the cost of the project has since risen to £13,985,818.

Cabinet met on Monday, October 17, and were asked to support the increased cost.

One Cabinet member said she was ‘extremely concerned’ about the rise but councillors were told that if they chose to delay the project, other projects, such as one in Portfield, could also be hindered.

Other members added that they had a ‘heavy heart’ when making the decision to support the increased costs of the new school, named as Ysgol Bro Penfro.

Council Leader David Simpson said that it felt as if they were ‘being held to ransom’ but added that the consequences of stalling it could lead to far greater costs.

He went on to say that the site selected for the new school, on land south of Ysgol Harri Tudur, was ‘really bad’ but that the decision had been made.

There had been an uplift in the grant from Welsh Government to £9m but this still leaves the Council with a shortfall of £4.5m.

There was an underspend of £1.25m on Ysgol Caer Elen and it was suggested that Council could use this money to make up some of the shortfall.

That, however, would need to be approved by the Welsh Government.

The Minister for Education has also said that no additional funding will be available.Cllr Tessa Hodgson said: “I am extremely concerned in how this cost has escalated, this is not the end of the story. There is a huge likelihood costs will be increased further. What if it gets to £20m? Are we still happy to approve that?”

Cllr Hodgson also added that there were 17 schools in need of major repairs and that they were being asked to ‘magic up £3m’ when those others were in ‘such a poor state’.

She said the council should suspend the project.

The new school project is separated from the Council’s Band B funding but the Welsh Government has said they will not look at any Band B projects, which includes Portfield and two schools in Milford, until they give a commitment to the one in Pembroke.

Cllr Alec Cormack said he would second the motion ‘with a heavy heart’ adding: “I feel we have been pressured unreasonably into making this decision by linking them with other projects.”

He also said he was concerned that they were being asked to make a decision in advance of hearing back from the contractors on the final price.”

Chief Officer Darren Thomas said the revised price would be coming on October 28 and added that once the contract was signed on Haverfordwest High there was no increase and that school was delivered on budget.

Cllr Hodgson said they were effectively paying £5m for their ‘poor site selection’ adding it wouldn’t have taken much for them to see it was steep and that access was difficult.

She went on to say that the contractor had them ‘over a barrel’ and that they could come back with any price.

Darren Thomas responded saying they would see all the pricing.

When it was put to a vote, there were five votes in favour while Cllr Hodgson voted against and Cllr Jon Harvey abstained.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr Jacob Williams told the Herald: “I watched the webcast of this week’s extraordinary cabinet debate on this and my first thought was how it should have been a matter for full council to decide. When full council gave the green light to Ysgol Bro Penfro in October 2020 we were told categorically that the project was 100% grant-funded, and we supported it accordingly.

“I was therefore struck by how readily the cabinet on Monday overruled that, by going along with the idea that PCC has no option but to stump up £3 million from council funds to amke up the claimed shortfall.

“Even if it is true that the cost of the new school has doubled as the contractor claims, the council’s finances are already stretched.

“I was encouraged to see Cllr Tessa Hodgson putting up some resistance before voting against it at cabinet – so I hope the education scrutiny committee will now probe all the circumstances and consider all of the options that are available.”

Crime

Drug and weapon charges after Pembroke Dock arrest

Published

2 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Court Reporter

Man remanded in custody following Diamond Street vehicle search

A MAN has been remanded in custody after appearing at Swansea Crown Court charged with drug, weapon and driving offences following an arrest in Pembroke Dock.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers from Pembrokeshire Roads Policing and response teams searched a vehicle on Diamond Street on Saturday (Apr 4).

Following the search, Zamurd Hussain, 43, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Hussain was later charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Apr 6), where he was remanded in custody.

His next court appearance is due to take place at Swansea Crown Court at 9:00am on May 8.

Crime

Woman fights order taking four dogs from her

Published

2 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Swansea Crown Court hears appeal after long-running barking dispute in Trefin

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman has told Swansea Crown Court that complaints about her dogs are unfair as she appeals against the sentence imposed on her by magistrates, including the order that led to four of her dogs being taken from her.

Julia Goodgame appeared before His Honour Judge Simon Hughes on Friday (Apr 10) in the latest stage of a long-running case arising from complaints by residents in Trefin about persistent dog barking.

The appeal follows a ruling by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in December, when Goodgame, of Bryn Y Derwydd, admitted breaching a Community Protection Notice issued by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Magistrates ordered the immediate forfeiture and seizure of four Border Collies, which Goodgame said were the only dogs in her possession.

The court heard on Friday that residents had complained of constant barking, with only short breaks of around 30 minutes, sometimes continuing until 10:00pm.

The dogs have reportedly remained in kennels since December while the appeal is dealt with.

Goodgame told the court: “My dogs are exceptionally well behaved.”

She also raised concerns about the conditions the animals are being kept in, saying the kennels were exposed to the weather and did not provide a suitable environment.

Goodgame said she had attended conflict resolution classes and had tried her best to resolve the issues raised by neighbours, but said she could not understand why the dogs had not been returned.

The original case followed months of complaints from residents in Trefin about dog noise and control. In addition to the forfeiture order, magistrates imposed a fine, costs and a Criminal Behaviour Order.

The case continues.

News

Plaid Cymru commits to review 182-day rule

Published

3 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SUPPORTING local tourism businesses is key, Plaid Cymru said as it launched its manifesto and confirmed it would review the 182-day threshold for holiday accommodation in Wales.

The party said it would also introduce clear and reasonable national exemptions in cases where accommodation should not be treated as a private home.

Plaid Cymru says many holiday-let business owners in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are struggling to meet the 182-day threshold each year due to factors beyond their control, including poor weather, and that this is having a serious impact on both their businesses and their wellbeing.

Under the party’s proposals, national exemptions would be introduced to ensure genuine holiday-let operators are treated fairly and given the support needed to help their businesses succeed.

Kerry Ferguson, Plaid Cymru Senedd candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, said: “As a business owner myself, I know how much financial pressure small businesses are under at the moment and the toll that can take on owners, their friends and families.

“We have heard directly from many furnished holiday-let owners in both Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire that lowering the 182-day threshold for overnight stays would make a huge difference to their businesses.

“I am pleased that Plaid Cymru has committed to reviewing the 182-day rule for non-domestic rates in Wales and to introducing national exemptions to help genuine businesses that are unfairly affected by the rule, while excluding self-catering accommodation that cannot be used on the open housing market.”