News
Carmarthenshire Council criticised for ‘devastating’ budget cuts
CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL faces intense scrutiny over its latest round of budget cuts, with trade unions and local communities urging the adoption of a no-cuts, needs-led budget to safeguard vital services. This plea comes in light of what critics describe as a “sham” public consultation by the Plaid Cymru-led council, accused of concealing the harsh impacts of its financial decisions.
Since 2010, the council has seen a reduction of approximately £120 million in funding, a situation exacerbated this year by increased demand, inflation, and insufficient budget allocations. Critics argue this shortfall places essential services at risk, attributing part of the blame to the Labour Welsh Government for not resisting the austerity measures imposed by the Conservative government in Westminster.
Amid growing concerns over the sustainability of local services, UNISON has spearheaded calls for the council to resist further cuts. The union advocates for a budget that prioritises community and staff needs, suggesting the use of reserves and borrowing as temporary measures to maintain and improve services. This approach, they argue, could provide the necessary breathing room to mobilise a broader campaign against the cuts, involving both trade unions and the wider community.
The backdrop to these local tensions is a broader national crisis in council funding, with several councils in England reaching technical bankruptcy and others in Wales, including Carmarthenshire, considering similar drastic measures. The implications of these cuts are severe, with rising staff sickness levels due to stress, recruitment challenges, and a reduction in non-statutory services, underscoring the urgent need for a strategic response.
Critics of the council’s current strategy warn of the dire consequences of continued austerity, pointing to the strain on public services and the workforce. They call for a decisive shift towards a needs-led budgeting approach that could stave off the worst impacts of financial cuts while rallying for governmental support.
As part of the pushback against these cuts, a lobby outside the County Hall in Carmarthen is scheduled for the 28th of February, aiming to pressure the council into re-evaluating its financial strategy. This move reflects a growing sentiment that, with a concerted effort, the tide of council budget cuts can be turned, securing the future of local services and the well-being of the community and council employees alike.
For more information or to join the campaign, interested parties are encouraged to contact UNISON at 01267 852013 or via email at [email protected].
Business
First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead
THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.
The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.
A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.
The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.
Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.
“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”
The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.
Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.
The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.
A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.
Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.
Photo: Martin Cavaney
Crime
Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood
A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.
SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST
Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.
The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.
COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION
Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.
Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.
She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.
The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.
Local Government
Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works
Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure
SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.
County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.
“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.
Urgent works underway
Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.
Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.
Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.
Further updates are expected later this week.
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