News
Give your views on council tax premiums for second and long-term empty homes

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is carrying out a consultation on council tax premiums that apply to second and long-term empty homes in Pembrokeshire.
The consultation is open until 6th August 2023 and can be completed at: https://haveyoursay.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/council-tax-premium-consultation-2023
The consultation seeks your views on:
• Current council tax premiums for second homes
• Current council tax premiums for long-term empty homes
• Whether the Council should use its discretion following Welsh Government’s reform to self-catering holiday accommodation thresholds
The consultation provides context and background information on the current council tax premiums and housing in Pembrokeshire.
It also provides the definitions of second homes, long-term empty homes, exceptions and holiday lettings.
“We urge as many people as possible to give us their opinions on this very important consultation,” said Cllr Alec Cormack, Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance.
“Their responses will form an essential part of the Council’s review into council tax premiums.”
Since 1st April 2022, a council tax second home premium of 100% has been payable in Pembrokeshire. In 2019, the Council introduced a premium for properties unoccupied and unfurnished since 1st April 2016 (the premiums vary from 25% to 100% according to how long the properties have been empty for).
Welsh Government recently introduced new legislation which increases the maximum premium that can be charged for second and long-term empty homes from 100% to 300%.
The legislation, which allows Councils across Wales to charge these premiums, is intended to:
• bring long-term empty homes back into use to provide safe, secure and affordable homes
• increase the supply of affordable housing and enhance the sustainability of local communities
At its March 2023 meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council decided that the income generated from the Council Tax Premium for Second Homes be allocated for 2023-24 as follows:
(i) 75% to fund elements of the Council’s budget relating to affordable housing and enhancing the sustainability of local communities
(ii) 75% (of the remaining 25%) for the Affordable Housing programme
(iii) 25% (of the remaining 25%) for the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant scheme which funds projects that address the negative impacts of long-term empty properties and second homes
How to take part in the consultation:
• Please complete the online response form at: https://haveyoursay.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/council-tax-premium-consultation-2023
• If you do not have access to the internet and would like to respond please call the Customer Contact Centre on 01437 764551 and a hard copy response form can be sent to you.
The closing date for completed responses is 06 August 2023.
News
A40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle

AIR AMBULANCE LANDS AT SCENE AS TRAFFIC DISRUPTED
THE A40 between Wolfscastle and Haverfordwest was closed in both directions on Friday afternoon (Apr 11) following a serious road traffic collision.
The crash, which was first reported at 12:10pm, prompted a significant emergency services response, including Dyfed-Powys Police and the Wales Air Ambulance, which was seen landing at the scene shortly after the incident.
AA Roadwatch confirmed that the road was shut in both directions, with slow-moving traffic and congestion reported in the surrounding area for several hours after the collision.
Police urged motorists to avoid the area and to seek alternative routes while emergency crews dealt with the incident.
At the time of writing, no official update has been given on the number of vehicles involved or whether there were any injuries. Dyfed-Powys Police have been approached for comment.
Traffic disruption remains ongoing, with live road maps showing long delays approaching Haverfordwest from the east.
More updates will follow as information becomes available.
Crime
Police investigate alleged assault at Milford Haven property

OFFICERS from Dyfed-Powys Police have been maintaining a presence at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, as part of an ongoing investigation into an assault.
The Herald understands that the front door of the property has been boarded up with plywood, prompting concern and speculation from local residents.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers have been undertaking scene preservation in relation to an investigation of assault.”
No further details have been released at this stage, and it is not yet known whether any arrests have been made.
Residents told The Herald they noticed police activity at the address earlier this week, with officers attending the property and cordoning off the area.
The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Business
Haverfordwest opticians celebrate 100 years of long service

WALES’ LARGEST Specsavers store is celebrating a series of individual long service milestones, with nine team members collectively marking a century of long service in 2025.
At the heart of the celebrations is Andy Britton, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, who has worked at the company for 20 years.
Since becoming a partner in 2006, Mr Britton has overseen the store’s transformation from a small site with just four test rooms to a state-of-the-art £1.2 million premises at 21 Riverside Quay. The enhanced store now boasts 14 test rooms equipped with cutting edge technology and a significantly larger team, growing from 11 to 45 employees.
Haverfordwest residents benefit from Mr Britton’s clinical expertise – he holds multiple postgraduate diplomas that allow him to prescribe medication directly to customers, helping to ease pressure on local GP surgeries and hospitals. He has also led the introduction of enhanced services, including glaucoma monitoring, ensuring more people can access specialist care closer to home.
Reflecting on his career, Mr Britton says: ‘It’s been a privilege to serve the Haverfordwest community over the last 20 years. I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the progress we’ve made – all with the aim of delivering the best possible care for our customers.’
Mr Britton’s anniversary was celebrated alongside colleagues Elise Evans, Gareth Riley and Carrie Lewis-Jones – each marking 15 years with Specsavers – as well as other team members celebrating 10 and five-year milestones.
Fellow director, Wayne Jones, was among those celebrating five years with the business, after joining the Haverfordwest store in 2020. He was named a finalist for Optometrist of the Year at the Optometry Wales Awards in 2023 and then in 2024, joined forces with Mr Britton as retail director of the store.
Commenting on the milestone, Mr Jones says: ‘Our team’s experience and dedication are what makes Specsavers Haverfordwest so special. Reaching 100 years of individual long service milestones in 2025 is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a real testament to the commitment of our colleagues, and we look forward to many more successful years ahead.’
To mark the occasion, the directors hosted an in-store awards ceremony, presenting certificates and bottles of champagne to the nine long-serving team members celebrating.
Specsavers Haverfordwest is open seven days a week. To find out more information about Specsavers in Haverfordwest, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/haverfordwest.
Additionally, to make eye health accessible to all, the store offers a Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.
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