News
Council tax rise would nearly double without second homes premium
COUNCIL tax in Pembrokeshire would have to nearly double a proposed increase if second homes money isn’t used to help the council balance its budget, senior councillors heard.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, meeting today, February 13, considered three council tax options for 2023-24, set against a funding gap of £18.6m, and a projected funding gap £50.7m up to 2027.
The three options were: an increase of five per cent, seven-and-a-half per cent and 10 per cent.
Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance Alec Cormack proposed a 7.5 per cent increase to fellow members, which would increase the annual bill of the average Band D property by £62.46, to £1,311.63.
Cllr Cormack, who had warmed to a 10 per cent increase before compromising on 7.5, said that the lower alternative, five per cent, would “severely impact on council services”.
The 7.5 per cent increase – which will be considered by full council on March 2, would be coupled with budget savings of £8.055m.
Members heard the ’23-’24 gap will need to be bridged by a combination of an increase in council tax, using of 75 per cent of the second homes council tax revenue, an estimated use of £1.6m of reserves, and budget savings.
Cllr Cormack warned the council tax increase would have to be raised to 12.9 per cent to balance the budget if full council didn’t support using 75 per cent of the second homes council tax premium.
Second homes in Pembrokeshire currently pay double the standard council tax rate.
Using 75 per cent of the second homes premium would free up some £3.7m, which would fund services such as the Youth Service, homelessness, housing standards, street cleaning, parks and open spaces and public toilets, members heard.
Cllr Cormack stated: “The council is facing a huge funding gap, the measures I outline here, I feel, strike a balance; nobody will be happy with this budget, there are cuts across the board, what I hope is there will be a broad support, first in Cabinet and then in council that this will be the least bad option.”
Councillor Michelle Bateman said: “More now than ever this is a budget of compromise. Do I want to use 75 per cent of that fund? No. But do I want to make cuts? The answer is ‘no’.
“No-one’s a winner in this budget, the best we can hope for is we come away thinking we’ve done the best that we can for residents.
“This isn’t just a Pembrokeshire issue, this is an issue across Wales; every councillor – not just in Pembrokeshire – is having to have similar conversations.”
Members agreed to support the recommendation to full council of the 7.5 per cent increase, using the second homes council tax element.
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.
Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.
The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.
Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.
Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.
(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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