News

Council Tax reform update: Slower pace favoured

Published

11 months ago

May 15, 2024

THE Welsh Government has provided an important update on council tax reform, sharing the outcomes of the recent Phase 2 consultation and outlining plans to make the system fairer and more contemporary.

In a written statement, Rebecca Evans, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution, and the Cabinet Office, emphasised the Government’s commitment to a fair council tax system. “Our goal is to create a system that is fair in operation and fair in implementation,” she stated.

Plaid Cymru was commended for its collaboration on this initiative, reflecting a shared determination to reform council tax. Local government partners were also acknowledged for their engagement, which is vital for developing solutions that balance protecting services and managing significant pressures.

The Phase 2 consultation received 1,676 responses from the public and expert organisations. An impressive 67% of respondents supported some form of change, with the greatest support (32%) for minimal reforms. A significant group (23%) preferred more extensive reforms.

Regarding implementation pace, the majority of respondents (35%) favoured a slower timeline, starting in 2028. Only 24% preferred the fastest timetable (2025), and 17% supported staged implementation.

“Having listened carefully to the consultation responses and the broader public conversation, I intend to deliver council tax reform over a slower timeline in line with the majority view,” Evans said. Consequently, structural reforms to the council tax system will begin in 2028, with other improvements targeted for delivery by the end of the current Senedd term.

The Welsh Government is also planning for regular revaluation cycles, as outlined in the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill, which is under Senedd scrutiny. An amendment will introduce five-yearly revaluations from 2028 to keep council tax fair and responsive to economic changes.

Evans highlighted the excellent progress made on revaluation. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has developed new technology to provide comprehensive property value data, advancing the path to 2028 implementation.

Additionally, regulations to improve the appeals process and aid households in arrears will be in place by the end of the Senedd term. The goal is to make the appeals process more streamlined and effective, ensuring fair treatment for struggling households while maintaining contributions from those who can afford to pay.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies’ significant contribution was acknowledged, with its report providing an in-depth assessment of reform possibilities. The Welsh Government will continue working with the VOA, local government, and the public to design and implement a fairer council tax system.

The Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill will also provide additional flexibility on discounts and reductions, ensuring they remain effective. Currently, nearly half of Welsh households benefit from reduced council tax bills, with essential support provided to low-income households through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. The Government is consulting on measures to simplify access to this scheme and will retain the one-adult discount, reducing council tax for half a million households.

Finally, efforts are underway to improve public awareness of council tax, highlighting its role in funding essential services such as education, social care, housing, and policing.

Council tax remains a crucial part of funding local government in Wales, benefiting almost everyone. However, ensuring fair and accurate collection is essential, especially given the current financial pressures on households.

The Welsh Government is dedicated to protecting local services amid budget constraints while working towards a fairer council tax system. This commitment reflects the Government’s aim to create arrangements that are just in both operation and implementation.

Crime

Police appeal after woman seriously injured in Haverfordwest assault

Published

5 minutes ago

April 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE in Haverfordwest are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in the Castle Square area.

A woman was taken to hospital with what have been described as serious injuries after the incident, which occurred at around 11:00pm on Saturday, March 8.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He has been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

Officers are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information that could assist the investigation, to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: 25000207374.

News

Fixed Penalty Notice for a fly-tipping crime caught on camera

Published

37 minutes ago

April 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEOPLE are reminded to dispose of their waste responsibly as an individual has been caught fly-tipping in the Cardigan area.

Fly-tipping is the illegal deposit of waste onto land without a licence to accept it. Only Household Waste Sites and Transfer Stations are licensed to accept waste in Ceredigion. Fly-tipping is a serious environmental crime that costs the UK taxpayer between £100-150 million every year.

Ceredigion County Council has recently sourced funding to place cameras at fly-tipping hot spots across the county through the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Hot Spot Response Fund, a UK Government initiative.

A surveillance camera was placed in a covert location overlooking a layby which has been identified as a fly-tipping and littering hotspot for several years. The camera caught an individual who arrived at the site in a car and threw a white plastic bag into vegetation bordering a river, before driving off again.

The white bag was found on a later date by an officer and contained general litter such as sandwich wrappers and plastic bottles. These materials, which were deposited so close to a river, would inevitably pollute the local environment.

The individual had breached Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which states that a person is guilty of an offence if they throw down, drop or otherwise deposit any litter in any place to which this section applies and leaves it.

The individual was issued a Fixed Penalty Notice in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which was duly paid.

Dafydd Llywelyn, Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner said: “I am delighted to hear about the positive enforcement outcome relating to a fly-tipping case in Ceredigion. It is fantastic news that the trail cameras purchased with ASB Hotspot Funding ensured that the offender could be identified and a fixed penalty notice issued quickly. It is vitally important that we continue to use funding opportunities to implement innovative interventions such as this to ensure that our communities remain safe and free from all types of anti-social behaviour.”

Councillor Matthew Vaux, Ceredigion’s Cabinet Member responsible for Public Protection said: “Fly-tipping is a serious crime and harms our environment. It’s important that we dispose of our waste responsibly, by using the proper facilities, so that we can keep our communities clean and safe for everyone. The Public Protection team are doing a fantastic job in bringing people who do not comply with this to account. Let’s work together to keep our communities clean and safe.”

You can find more information about fly-tipping and the law here: Fly Tipping – Ceredigion County Council.

Crime

Serial offender due in court for knife and theft charges

Published

43 minutes ago

April 17, 2025

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE man is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Apr 22) after admitting to a string of offences including possession of a knife, shoplifting, and criminal damage.

Rowan Clark, 24, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty last month to ten separate offences committed in Pembroke and Pembroke Dock between September 2024 and March this year.

One of the most serious charges relates to an incident on January 4, when Clark was found in possession of a large knife on King Street, Pembroke Dock. He had no lawful excuse for carrying the weapon.

Clark will also be sentenced for failing to surrender to bail at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on March 25.

Between February and March, Clark stole alcohol and groceries on multiple occasions from local shops including SPAR and Bush Hill Service Station. The thefts included:

Alcohol worth £27.20 on February 18
Groceries worth £21.57 on February 11
Alcohol worth £24.00 on March 8
Alcohol worth £27.20 again on February 18
Groceries worth £34.33 on February 11
Alcohol worth £27.20 on March 18

He also admitted tampering with a car in Pembroke on February 19, with intent to commit theft, and failing to attend a required drugs assessment after a positive test for cocaine.

On September 16 last year, Clark damaged windows valued at over £600 belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council.

He has denied a further charge of criminal damage, which alleges he caused £62 worth of damage to the offices of Greathead and Whitelock Solicitors in Pembroke on April 27, 2024. That matter remains unresolved.

Clark is currently on bail and is due to appear before magistrates for sentencing on Tuesday. The court previously ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared.