News

Mammoth Pembrokeshire council tax rise lower than expected

Published

8 months ago

March 7, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

COUNCIL TAX in Pembrokeshire is to rise by less than a mooted 16.3%, to 12.5%, after an 11th-hour alternative budget proposal was narrowly-backed.

It was recommended the council tax rate in Pembrokeshire increased by 16.3 per cent at its March 7 meeting of full council.

The 16.3% rate would have seen the basic council tax level – before town/community precepts and the police precept are included – rise by £219.02 for the average Band D property, taking it to £1,561.98.

Pembrokeshire is currently facing a projected funding gap of £31.9m, partly due to a lower-than-expected Provisional Local Government Settlement.

That figure has increased from £27.1m in December, and £28.4m in January, when it was described as “by far the highest funding gap in our history,” by Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance Cllr Alec Cormack.

At the March 7 meeting there was a call by deputy leader Cllr Paul Miller for an eleventh-hour change to the budget.

He proposed a 12.5% increase, partly using additional reserves of £1.5m, as well as £1m target for council efficiency savings.

Cllr Miller said that would see a weekly council tax increase for the average property of £3.22, or £167.86 a year.

Members backed Cllr Miller’s amendment, by 30 votes to 26, with one abstention.

The final council tax bill for residents would be higher than this as town and community council precepts and the police precept would be added; with second home-owners and empty property owners facing even higher bills as both have a premium rate.

The premium rate on second homes for the next financial year is 200%, effectively a treble rate, with a more complicated approach on empty properties of 100% after 24 months, 200% after 36 months, and 300% after five years.

The 12.5% rise comes on top of previous increases of 12.5%, 9.92 per cent, five per cent, 3.75 per cent, five per cent and 7.5 per cent.

The county had faced the possibility of even higher increases, of 18.94 per cent, and an eye-watering 20.98%, before Cabinet members backed the 16.3 per cent rate proposal last month.

Neighbouring Ceredigion backed a council tax increase of 11.1% on February 29.

High tensions and political manoeuvring at County Hall

Understanding Thursday’s epic meeting – by Tom Sinclair

TODAY’S full council meeting at Pembrokeshire County Council was marked by high tensions and political manoeuvring as councillors faced a critical decision on the budget and Council Tax proposals. The meeting centred around whether the Council would accept the proposed budget, including a contentious 12.5% Council Tax increase, amidst threats of a coalition between Independent Group councillors and Conservatives to block the budget.

Initially, there was no agreement on a deal to resolve the impasse, leading to a compromise proposal by the Cabinet to adopt a 12.5% Council Tax rise. This proposal sparked a heated debate, requiring more officer input than usual, with significant contributions from the Monitoring Officer and Head of Legal, Rhian Young, and the Director of Resources, Jon Haswell. Young addressed allegations of “strongarm” tactics by officers against certain councillors, explaining the legal and procedural consequences of not setting a budget. Haswell expressed his reservations about the Council Tax rise but emphasised the need for a balanced budget.

The debate saw various procedural twists, including attempts to suspend standing orders to introduce amended budget proposals. These amendments aimed to reduce the proposed Council Tax increase from 16.31% to 12.5% through a combination of measures, including using more reserves and restructuring back-office functions.

The discussion also featured a mix of technical difficulties, pointed critiques, and strategic political moves. Councillor Jamie Adams attempted to shift the debate towards broader issues with local government funding and criticised the administration’s past reluctance to raise Council Tax more boldly. However, Cllr Tessa Hodgson countered Adams’s points, focusing on the present administration’s priorities and responsibilities, especially regarding Social Care.

The amended budget, proposing a 12.5% Council Tax rise, ultimately passed with a vote of 32-26, narrowly averting a crisis. This outcome reflects the Council’s challenging position, balancing fiscal responsibility with political realities. Conservative Group Leader Di Clements expressed concerns about the process and the reliance on trust for last-minute budget changes.

The meeting highlighted the complex dynamics within Pembrokeshire County Council, including tensions between different political factions, the critical role of council officers in guiding procedural and legal matters, and the challenging task of setting a budget in a politically charged environment. The approval of the 12.5% Council Tax rise, while resolving the immediate budgetary crisis, sets the stage for future debates on fiscal strategy and governance within the Council.

News

2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards Finalists announced

Published

1 hour ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE finalists for the 2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have been announced.

In total, 252 nominations were received and, following a selection meeting, the judging panel has named 39 finalists.

Matt Freeman, Manager of Sport Pembrokeshire, said: “I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide nominations.

“Every year it gets harder to narrow the nominations down to three finalists and once again the quality of the nominees was enormously high.

“The number and quality of nominees just shows the strength of the sporting scene here in Pembrokeshire.

All the finalists will be invited to a grand presentation ceremony at Folly Farm on Friday, November 29th, where the winners will be announced.

The ceremony will also reveal the winners of two further categories – the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Chairman’s Special Achievement Award.

The awards are organised by Sport Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire County Council’s sport development team.

They are sponsored by Sport Pembrokeshire, Valero, Folly Farm and Pure West Radio.

The awards aim to recognise those people who have excelled in sport over the last 12 months, or who have given their time to coaching and organising grass roots sport.

Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2024 – Finalists

(In alphabetical order)

Coach of the Year

Francesca Morgan (Swimming)

Philippa Gale (Netball)

Tom Richards (Tennis)

Female Sporting Achievement

Gracie Griffiths (Race Walking)

Helen Carrington (Powerlifting)

Seren Thorne (Shooting)

Male Sporting Achievement

Jeremy Cross (Tennis)

Rhys Llewellyn (Athletics)

Sam Coleman (Powerboat Racing)

Boys (U16) Sporting Achievement

Carter Heywood (Football)

Hugo Boyce (Cycling)

Ned Rees-Wigmore (Hockey)

Girls (U16) Sporting Achievement

Cerys Griffiths (Swimming)

Chloe John-Driscoll (Shooting)

Ffion Bowen (Football)

Disability Sport Award

Evelyn Thomas (Powerlifting)

Jules King (Crossfit)

Marc Evans (Cricket)

Junior (U16) Disability Sport Award

Finnley Walters (Boxing)

Jac Johnson (Gymnastics)

Lewis Crawford (Boccia)

Unsung Hero

John Laugharne (Rugby)

Owen Shanklin (Pool)

Sue Christopher (Surf Lifesaving)

Team Achievement of the Year

Alan Evans, Andrew Evans & Michael John (Short Mat Bowls)

Fishguard & Goodwick Ladies Hockey Club

Pembrokeshire County Bowls Team

Junior (U16) Team Achievement of the Year

Chaos Thunder U12’s Netball Team

Hakin United AFC u16’s

Neyland Yacht Club Junior Sailing Team

Young Volunteer of the Year

Anna May (Tennis & Surfing)

Caitlin Chapman (Netball)

George Richards (Cricket)

Club Organiser

Nadine Tyrrell (Gymnastics)

Nick Shelmerdine (Cricket)

Paul Hudson (Short Mat Bowls)

Club of the Year

Camrose AFC Women & Girls Football

Haverfordwest Gymnastics Club

Strength Academy Wales Cymru

Pictured above: The 2023 Club of the Year winner – Pembroke Cricket Club.

Crime

Man jailed for Pembroke Dock cannabis farm involvement

Published

4 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Madeline Knox

AN ALBANIAN man, Armando Beti, 37, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 15) for his role in producing class B drugs.

Beti, who has prior convictions in 2022 and 2023, was arrested on October 3, 2024, at 10:00am after police found him hiding in a neighbouring building’s attic. The arrest followed a raid on the former Woolworths building on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, where officers discovered three rooms containing 594 cannabis plants. The crop was described as part of a wholesale operation, with an estimated street value of between £64,000 and £196,000, depending on yield.

Using an aerial drone, police tracked Beti as he attempted to escape by crossing two rooftops. He pleaded guilty immediately after his capture, claiming the cannabis farm was already operational when he arrived 10 days earlier. Beti described himself as merely the gardener, tasked with watering the plants, and alleged he was coerced into the role by individuals he met at an immigration detention centre to repay a debt.

Beti’s defence counsel stated: “He is under no illusion regarding the seriousness of his offending. He is eager to start his prison sentence so he can ultimately reunite with his wife in Albania.”

However, Judge Geraint Walters rejected Beti’s claims, citing a pattern of similar excuses in previous cases. The judge noted that Beti had been convicted in Cardiff in 2022 for cultivating over 600 cannabis plants, during which he also claimed to be a coerced gardener with little knowledge of the operation.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Walters said: “People like you need to understand that judges are not completely naive. We know what is going on. We are well aware of the activities of criminal Albanian gangs in this country, as are you.”

Police believe the operation uncovered in Pembroke Dock is linked to a wider network of organised crime targeting rural locations for cannabis cultivation.

Community

Pembs Agricultural Society’s Christmas Fair expands to an all-weekend event

Published

7 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S Christmas Fair will be an all-weekend event next month. The Christmas shopping extravaganza is all set to take place on Saturday, 14 December as well as Sunday, 15 December.

The Parkhouse building on the Haverfordwest Showground will be transformed into a Christmas paradise. There will be even more stalls this year with a wide variety of quality local businesses exhibiting as well as festive music, Santa in his Grotto and an outdoor food court.

Judith Roach and Emma Thomas, the event organisers, said, “We are excited to be able to announce that our Christmas Fair will be on for two days rather than just one this year. We continue to build on the success of last year’s event with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. It will be the perfect start to the festive season as the Parkhouse Building will be transformed into a one-stop-shop for those preparing for Christmas.”

The Fair will be open from 10am until 4pm and admission is free. Visitors will find unique gifts, handmade decorations, art and beautiful homeware. Some of the county’s very best food and drink producers will also have stalls to give visitors the opportunity to stock up on all their festive treats. From decadent chocolate brownies, fudge, festive spirits to Welsh cheeses, there’s something to tantalise everyone’s tastebuds. There will also be a range of outlets for ‘on the go’ eating and drinking.

One special guest at the event will be everyone’s favourite bearded gentleman in red – Santa will be taking time out from his busy schedule to attend the event. There will be a charge of £3 per child to visit Santa and all proceeds will go directly to Sandy Bear charity to support their work. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa as part of their visit. Parents can book in advance via the website: www.sandybear.co.uk/santa

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s President is looking forward to the festive event. He said, “The Society would like to thank Judith and Emma for all the hours they have put in, voluntarily, to organise the two-day Christmas event. We’re delighted to be able to offer visitors the opportunity to do all their Christmas shopping whilst enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

Follow Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for a full list of stallholders in the run up to the event.