News
‘Call-in’ hopes to stop Pembrokeshire Christmas tree collection charge

A CHRISTMAS tree ‘call-in’ to overturn a “mean-spirited” decision to end the free collection of trees after the festive season is due to be heard at Pembrokeshire’s County Hall next week.
At the November meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members backed a proposal to introduce a £5 charge for the collection of real Christmas trees after the festive season, previously identified as a potential cost saving of £10,000.
The council introduced a real Christmas tree collection service – backed by grant funding – in 2016.
That funding came to an end in 2020, with the council subsidising the cost, collecting more than 1,800 trees last year.
After making the decision to introduce the charge to save council funds, Cabinet members heard trees could still be disposed of free-of-charge at any of the council’s six waste and recycling centres.
A special extraordinary services overview and scrutiny committee meeting, taking place on November 20 is to consider a ‘call-in’ on the Cabinet decision, made by Councillor Huw Murphy, supported by councillors Vanessa Thomas, Anji Tinley, Alan Dennison, Elwyn Morse, Michael James and Iwan Ward.
Western Telegraph: Cllr Huw Murphy’s Christmas tree ‘call-in’ was supported by councillors Vanessa Thomas, Anji
In his submitted call-in, Cllr Murphy says: “This call-in has been submitted as it’s felt that the merits of introducing a fee for real Christmas tree collection by PCC needs further debate and scrutiny, which was absent at the Cabinet meeting.”
He adds: “This service most benefits lower income households, and its implementation gives the impression of an authority that is mean-spirited at a time of the year when we should be extending goodwill to our residents.”
He warns: “The inevitable consequence of the introduction of a tree collection fee will be more littering and fly tipping of Christmas trees by people who may have no means (transport) to dispose of at a waste recycling centre, where they can still be disposed of for free.
“This will result in more work and cost for PCC in collecting abandoned Christmas trees.”
Cllr Murphy also felt discarded trees may actually result in a danger post-Christmas: “There is an increased risk that Christmas trees previously collected for free may pose a hazard to road and highway users, through being ‘thrown out,’ more so for pedal and motor cyclists if they were to collide with a Christmas tree that has been blown onto a carriageway, especially in receding light or at night.
“There is a cost-of-living crisis, with households having to decide how money is spent. The £5 fee to PCC for collecting their Christmas tree will not be a priority post-December 25.”
He also debates the projected cost savings presented to Cabinet, warning there may actually be increased council costs “through the unintended consequence of this policy being introduced”.
Options for the committee include upholding the Cabinet decision, referring the matter back to Cabinet with any concerns raised, or referring the decision to full council.
Crime
Reform candidate co-opted to town council — graffiti appears days later

A MAN who recently lost a by-election standing for the Reform UK party has been co-opted onto Haverfordwest Town Council — just two days before political graffiti appeared at Withybush Retail Park.
Scott Thorley, who stood for Reform UK in the Prendergast by-election earlier this year, was appointed to Haverfordwest Town Council during a co-option meeting on Thursday (Apr 17).

Mr Thorley came fourth in a closely fought six-way contest for a seat on Pembrokeshire County Council, securing 71 votes. The by-election, held on Tuesday, February 11, was triggered by the resignation of former Conservative councillor Andrew Edwards, who stepped down following widespread backlash over racist comments attributed to him.

Independent candidate Alun Wills ultimately won the seat with 199 votes (31.6%), ahead of Kaleb Jenkins (Welsh Liberal Democrats, 160), Mike Mathias (Welsh Conservative, 136), Scott Thorley (Reform UK, 71), Alison Tudor (Welsh Labour, 57), and James Henry Purchase (Wales Green Party, 8).
But on Saturday morning (Apr 19), just two days after Mr Thorley’s co-option, residents and shoppers were greeted with a string of large political slogans sprayed across walls and walkways at Withybush Retail Park. Messages included: “KEIR STARMER OUT, REFORM IN! GOD SAVE US” and a separate large slogan reading: “VOTE REFORM” — all daubed in white capital letters.
The incident has since been reported to Dyfed-Powys Police.
Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, new town councillor Scott Thorley said: “Whoever has done this, it is vandalism plain and simple.”
Mr Thorley, who works at the retail park himself, said he did not notice the graffiti when arriving at work and was only made aware after a colleague sent him photos by phone.
He added: “The phrase ‘God Save Us’ doesn’t really sound like something a younger person would write — maybe it’s someone older. But whoever it was, this was not done by Reform. It does not help us — it’s embarrassing.”
Mr Thorley also noted the timing of the incident, saying: “It’s a bit fishy this happened less than two days after I was accepted onto the town council.”

Haverfordwest county councillor Thomas Baden Tudor told The Herald: “Damage to public or private property is completely unacceptable, and if anyone has any information on who carried out this act of vandalism, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously — online at crimestoppers-uk.org or by phone on 0800 555 111.
“They’ll ask questions about the crime but won’t ask about you.
“Antisocial behaviour is not tolerated or acceptable in Haverfordwest.”
He added: “Alternatively, anyone with information can also call Dyfed-Powys Police on 101.

The Pembrokeshire Herald contacted new county councillor Alun Wills by telephone for a comment. He said: “I have not seen the graffiti yet, I have just come back from work.” Cllr Wills said he had seen a media post about the incident, believed to be on The Herald’s Facebook page.
At the time of going to press, we are awaiting Cllr Wills to come back to us with a further comment.
The police have been contacted for a statement.
News
Renovation of historic Tenby hotel given the green light

WORKS to a prominent listed Pembrokeshire hotel have been given the go-ahead by national park planners.
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Simon Fry, through agent Asbri Planning, sought listed building consent for works to the Grade-II-listed 1-2 Royal Lion Hotel, High Street, Tenby, said to be one of the oldest hotels in the town.
The works included replacement windows, replace window with original door opening, works to existing parapet, blocking up of windows, render front elevation, blocking up of existing windows, retain existing signage, remove and rebuild existing chimney stack and other minor ancillary works.
The proposals were supported by Tenby Civic Society: “We welcome the scheme, being done very much in character with the original and will complete a very welcome refurb enhancing this prominent point in the town”
It had requested some “minor corrections,” including “retaining the ‘stage door’ stained glass window on the rear door onto Upper Frog Street”.
Tenby Town Council also supported the scheme, saying it was “a much-desired enhancement of a Grade-II-listed building within the Conservation Area”.
A supporting statement for the application said: “In terms of the replacements and overall works these would be of sympathetic materials appropriate to its setting, ensuring the existing character of the building is preserved. The intention is to replace on a like-for-like basis where possible, although the new replacements will be double glazed.”
It added: “The works are necessitated following the previous structural survey undertaken on the two ground floor bays which revealed they are in poor condition and are in need of reinstatement as soon as possible in the interests of the integrity of the listed building and for public safety.
“The replacement of the other bay structures and windows on the front and northern side elevations were also necessitated given their deterioration over time which has led to an adverse visual impact on the listed building and surrounding area.
“Given the previous state of the bays and windows, the works that have been recently undertaken are a significant betterment to the existing situation, and the works the subject of this application would further enhance the quality of the listed building, avoiding further dilapidation.”
Last year, an Urgent Works Notice was served for works on the hotel by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, with an application for those works later granted.
The latest application added: “The building in question is of great significance to the town of Tenby and its Conservation Area. It stands as one of the oldest hotels in Tenby and as identified above, holds great historic and heritage merit.”
News
Motorboat rescued off Newgale beach after capsizing scare

A MOTORBOAT that got into trouble off Newgale beach on Thursday afternoon (Apr 17) was brought safely ashore thanks to the quick response of St Davids RNLI.
The alarm was raised at around 3:40pm when HM Coastguard received reports of a 12-foot motorboat with two people onboard that had capsized off the popular Pembrokeshire beach.
St Davids RNLI launched their inshore lifeboat, the Alan and Marian Clayton, and quickly located the stricken vessel.
After assessing the situation, lifeboat volunteers decided to escort the motorboat to Porthclais Harbour, as it still had power. However, part-way through the journey the vessel ran out of fuel, leaving the crew stranded.
A tow line was set up, and the lifeboat took the boat under tow to ensure the safety of those onboard.
The motorboat was brought ashore safely at Porthclais just before 6:20pm, and the lifeboat returned to station where it was refuelled and made ready for the next callout.
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