News
Council tenant rent rise error will cost Pembrokeshire £380,000

PEMBROKESHIRE has lost £380,000 in revenue as a council tenants’ rent rise was not correctly publicised in the appropriate time, councillors heard.
Tenants have a statutory two-month period of notice before any rent rises, which were due to take place from April 1, can come into effect.
However, statutory rent increase notices were only delivered to tenants in late March, delaying the time of rent increases to July 1.
Back in late March the council stated: “It has come to the council’s attention that the statutory rent increase notice has only been delivered to tenants over the last couple of days.
“Therefore, as tenants have not received the required statutory notice, rent will not increase from April 1, 2023.
“We are currently investigating this matter with our external contractors who print and post on our behalf.”
Questions on the rent rise not being publicised in time were received at the May meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council, from Councillor Aled Thomas, Councillor Mark Carter, and Councillor Delme Harries.
Councillor Mark Carter asked: “At the end of March this year an announcement was made that the required two month written notice of the April 1 rent rise to all council tenants had not been correctly made.
“Given that a new letter would have to be drafted, it has now been suggested that the rent increase cannot be implemented until July 1 this year.
“A rough calculation suggests that the rent increase would provide an extra £500,000 for that three-month period.
“Could the Cabinet member please confirm how much the exact loss of rental income over the mentioned three-month period is?
“Please provide exact details how and from whom, this sum of money will be recovered if PCC is not to suffer the loss caused by this error?
“Clarify why this mistake was not spotted or members were not made aware until a few days before the rent increase should have been implemented?”
Councillor Delme Harries asked broadly similar questions on the “embarrassing situation on the failure of delivering rental proposals”.
He also asked: “Does this failure to deliver notices impact the further notice period of rent increases?
“What lessons have been learnt and remedial action taken?”
Cllr Thomas had raised concerns those paying by direct debit would be unfairly penalised.
Responding, Cabinet Member for Housing Operations & Regulatory Services Cllr Michelle Bateman said the council had lost some £380,000 and an investigation was currently being undertaken with the council’s print and postage supplier.
Members heard the council only became aware of the issue after being contacted by council tenants, taking remedial action to reissue notices.
Members were told rent increases would now take place every July due to the error.
Cllr Carter said: “This problem is here to haunt us every year; is it correct every year forward we’re going to be three months late getting the rent?”
Cllr Bateman confirmed there was a statutory period of 365 days before any further rent changes could take place, adding the council was currently working to see if there was any way of recovering the money.
Farming
Farming future at a crossroads as final Welsh support scheme unveiled

Unions, politicians and sector leaders respond to ‘once-in-a-generation’ changes in land policy
THE FINAL version of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) has been published—sparking a fierce national debate over the future of food production, land management and the economic survival of rural communities across Wales.
Due to come into force on 1 January 2026, the scheme will replace the European Union’s Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), marking the end of a decade-long post-Brexit transition. It introduces a new three-tier model of support—Universal, Optional and Collaborative—with all participating farmers required to undertake twelve baseline actions such as maintaining hedgerows, improving soil health, and managing wildlife habitats.
The Welsh Government has framed the move as a bold shift towards sustainable land stewardship. But farming unions, opposition parties and rural campaigners have expressed serious concerns about the timing, funding, and long-term consequences of the proposals.

FUW: ‘A generational milestone—but not perfect’
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) described the publication of the final scheme as a “generational milestone,” representing the culmination of years of intense discussions between the sector and Welsh Government.
FUW President IAN RICKMAN said: “We have left no stone unturned in our ambition to secure a viable post-Brexit farm support framework. This is a watershed moment for Welsh agriculture.”
The FUW welcomed several major concessions, including:
- A combined £238 million budget for Universal payments and BPS tapering;
- A reduction in Universal Actions from 17 to 12;
- Exemptions for tenant farmers;
- Removal of the controversial 10% tree cover requirement.
However, the union remains deeply concerned about the scheme’s remaining obligations, particularly the 10% habitat requirement, which many believe will reduce the amount of productive farmland available. Mr Rickman also criticised the “disappointing” tapering schedule for existing BPS payments—set to fall to 60% in 2026 and drop by 20% each subsequent year.
“We urged a gentler five-step reduction starting at 80%. Despite this milestone, we will continue to push for practical improvements as implementation begins.”
NSA: ‘Stark choice for farmers’

The National Sheep Association (NSA) acknowledged progress but warned that many producers now face a stark decision.
NSA Chief Executive PHIL STOCKER said: “Farmers must now ask themselves—do they work with government and adopt environmental delivery, or do they walk away and farm independently without public support?”
NSA Cymru’s HELEN ROBERTS noted the omission of sheep from the Welsh Government’s press release as troubling: “There will be winners and losers. Some of the actions reflect existing good practice, but we’re worried about increased red tape and a lack of clarity on long-term outcomes. The steep cut to 60% BPS is harsher than expected and creates uncertainty.”
Paul Davies MS: ‘Another blow to farmers’
Preseli Pembrokeshire MS PAUL DAVIES described the final SFS as yet another blow to farmers already struggling under government pressure.
“This is dressed up as a new approach, but it’s another blow to Welsh farmers already reeling from devastating government policies. The cut to 60% is cruel and unjustified.”
Mr Davies criticised the absence of a published economic impact assessment, accusing both the Welsh and UK governments of abandoning the rural economy.
“From inheritance tax changes to bovine TB inaction and new hoops for farmers to jump through, it’s clear that governments on both ends of the M4 have failed to support our producers.”
Samuel Kurtz MS: ‘Still no answers on funding or impact’

Welsh Conservative Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary SAMUEL KURTZ accused the Welsh Government of publishing the final SFS without full transparency or accountability.
“After seven long years, farmers still don’t know what this scheme will really cost their businesses. Labour’s relationship with rural Wales is broken,” he said.
Mr Kurtz also criticised the Cabinet Secretary for failing to release the impact assessment, which, he claims, ministers have already seen.
“I stood shoulder to shoulder with farmers on the Senedd steps last year—and I continue to stand with them against any policy that threatens food security and rural livelihoods.”
Plaid Cymru: ‘A step forward—but not far enough’
Plaid Cymru’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs spokesperson, LLYR GRUFFYDD MS, acknowledged that the final scheme had improved following sector engagement—but said serious funding questions remained unanswered.
“It’s clear that this scheme has evolved from its initial form. As the farming unions and others have rightly pointed out, the scheme is an improvement on the one originally proposed,” he said.
“While we welcome the £238 million funding for the year ahead, a one-year pledge is simply not enough. A Plaid Cymru government would guarantee that level of support in real terms as a minimum and introduce a multi-year funding cycle.”
Mr Gruffydd also raised concerns about balance across the scheme’s tiers, the structure of the transition period, and the still-undefined “social value” payment.
“We trust these issues will be addressed swiftly, because, as ever, the devil will be in the detail.”
Labour blocks call for Senedd vote
Amid mounting pressure, Welsh Labour MSs voted down a motion in the Senedd this week which would have required a binding vote on the scheme’s implementation before it came into effect.
“By voting against this, Labour has dismissed farmers’ concerns once again,” said Mr Kurtz. “Trust is at an all-time low.”
Looking ahead
The Welsh Government has pledged to publish a “ready reckoner” tool in the coming weeks to help farmers estimate the financial value of their participation in the new scheme.
The BPS tapering will begin in 2026, with recipients receiving 60% of their previous payments, and reductions of 20% annually thereafter.
An economic impact assessment—originally expected to be published alongside the final scheme—is now due in September 2025, just months before the scheme is set to begin.
Farming unions have said they will continue to work constructively with ministers, but warned that ongoing engagement will be crucial as technical guidance and implementation plans are finalised.
Health
Older Adult Mental Health patients benefit from charitable donations

HYWEL DDA Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, has supported the Older Adult Community Mental Health Teams (OACMHTs) and Older Adult Mental Health Inpatient Wards by funding board games and paint packs.
Generous donations to the NHS charity have funded seven ‘All About Us’ board games, a game developed for people living with dementia to focus on the power of life story telling and mindfulness, and seven ‘Aqua Paint Packs’ which have also been specifically designed for people living with dementia to express themselves creatively and find calm.
Lara Schmidt, Occupational Therapist (OT), said: “We’re incredibly pleased that charitable donations have allowed us to purchase these items for the OACMHTs and Older Adult Mental Health Inpatient Wards across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.
“The ‘All About Us’ board game offers the opportunity to utilise as a one-to-one assessment tool as well as in group settings.
“From an OT perspective, the board game invites our service users to think and talk about who they are, their experiences, feelings and values as well as their life roles. This will support strengthening of identity, independence and sense of purpose whilst enabling OTs to build a therapeutic relationship and better understand personal histories of our service users.
“The illustrations on the Aqua Paint Packs are specifically designed for the older adult population and offer opportunities for reminiscence and conversation. For our service users, aqua painting is a low-risk activity that still offers an enriching experience as aqua painting can exercise imagination, and enable people to experience joy and a sense of accomplishment.”
Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”
News
Council denies claims new Haverfordwest bridge is wrong size

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has rejected claims that the new pedestrian bridge in Haverfordwest has been fabricated 300mm too short.
The bridge, which forms part of a wider town centre regeneration scheme, was delivered to the site in late May and is scheduled for installation on the weekend of August 16–17.
In recent weeks, The Herald has received multiple reports alleging that the structure was slightly too short and that adjustments were being made to the concrete bases to compensate. One trusted source said the bridge was “300mm too short” and claimed: “They aren’t extending it, but they are re-doing the concrete bases to receive it.”
A town councillor, speaking anonymously, also told The Herald they had heard the fabricators used the old bridge as a reference and ended up “around 15 to 20 centimetres out.”
However, the council has issued a firm denial.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: “This is incorrect/false information. There hasn’t been any modification undertaken to the concrete bases as originally designed and constructed. No adjustment was made or required. There are no contractor or design errors.”
According to the council, the crane required for lifting the bridge into place is due to arrive on site on August 11. The booking for the crane was made in February.
The bridge has been promoted as a visual centrepiece for the town, with ambitions to boost footfall and appeal to visitors and social media users. Some residents, however, have voiced frustration over delays and limited visible progress.
The Herald will continue to monitor the situation.
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