Politics
Kilgetty housing scheme near railway line refused by council

PLANS to build three homes near the railway line on the edge of a south Pembrokeshire village have been turned down, in part due to no formal financial contribution to affordable housing, despite an informal offer being made.
Robert Bowen, through agent Ceri Davies Planning Ltd, had applied to Pembrokeshire planners for outline permission to develop the three plots on a vacant site between Westaways and The Laburnums, Station Road, Kilgetty.
The proposal was supported by Kilgetty/Begelly Community Council, but one letter of concern by a member of the public was raised, citing fears including an overbearing scale of the development and impact of the foundations on neighbouring properties.
A supporting statement through the agent said: “The planning application involves a proposal for residential development at a vacant site adjacent to Westaways. The application is in outline form only with all detailed matters reserved for future consideration. Indicative plans accompanying this submission show the siting of three dwellings with garden amenity space, boundary treatments and vehicular access and parking areas.”
It conceded: “There is no doubt that the siting of three dwellings at this location would introduce built form at an otherwise undeveloped site, however, it would not represent a prominent or conspicuous form of development.
“While the proposed development would inevitably change the character of the site itself, the proposed changes would not be to the extent that would result in an unacceptable impact on local amenity in terms of visual amenity.
“The proposal would make beneficial use of an otherwise redundant site.”
The agent’s statement said that the proposal for three open-market units fell below the affordable housing provision threshold, but said: “Nevertheless, the applicant accepts that a contribution through a commuted sum towards the provision of affordable housing will be sought as part of this application.
“The applicant is prepared into a Section 106 agreement with the council to secure the above provision; for that purpose, the legal agreement will be completed at the appropriate time.”
An officer report recommending refusal said that, while there were positive economic benefits to the development, it failed to comply with policy as the application was not supported by a Green Infrastructure Statement (GIS) and no biodiversity enhancement have been provided on the indicative plans.
It added: “The application is not supported by a Unilateral Undertaking and Certificate of Title to secure a financial payment (15 per cent) towards local needs affordable housing and therefore fails to accord with the requirements of policy GN.28 (Local Needs Affordable Housing) of the LDP.”
It also said the acceptable density was actually lower than policy.
The application was refused by officers under delegated powers on the basis of an indicative density of 19 dwelling per hectare rather than 25, no direct offer of an affordable housing commuted sum, and no Green Infrastructure Statement.
News
Hundreds of Pembrokeshire Council Tax defaulters in court next week

HAVERFORDWEST Magistrates’ Court will hear cases against hundreds of defendants next week as Pembrokeshire County Council seeks liability orders for unpaid council tax and non-domestic rates.
The session, scheduled for Monday (Mar 17) at 10:00am, will see a block of cases between 12:00pm and 1:00pm dedicated to council tax disputes. The council is applying for liability orders under regulation 34 of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992.
A total of 341 defendants are listed for non-payment of council tax, while a further 18 cases relate to unpaid non-domestic rates under Regulation 12 of the Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) (Local Lists) Regulations 1989.
Liability orders allow the council to take further enforcement action, which may include deductions from wages or benefits, bailiff action, or bankruptcy proceedings.
The Herald will provide further updates following the hearing.
News
Reimburse charities for NI rise, say Welsh Conservatives

CHARITIES not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations in Wales face mounting financial strain due to an increase in employer National Insurance (NI) contributions, prompting calls for government intervention.
The UK Labour Government’s decision to raise employer NI contributions has drawn sharp criticism from the Welsh Conservatives, who warn that the move will place an undue burden on charities and voluntary groups. While public sector bodies such as the NHS and local councils will receive compensation for the additional costs, charities providing essential services under local authority contracts will not be reimbursed.
A survey by the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) found that 84% of voluntary organisations are concerned about how they will manage the NI increase.
Senedd debate on reimbursement
Next week, the Welsh Conservatives will bring forward a Senedd debate urging the Welsh Labour Government to press Westminster for financial support for Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations. The motion argues these groups should be classified under the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) definition of public sector employees to qualify for reimbursement.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Welsh Language, Samuel Kurtz MS, said:
“Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations play a vital role in delivering public services that the most vulnerable in society depend upon.
“Labour’s decision to increase employer National Insurance contributions will have a detrimental impact on the future and viability of these organisations.
“The Welsh Conservatives are clear: Labour must ensure that Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations are reimbursed for this rise in employer National Insurance contributions.”
Sector voices concern
The WCVA has also warned that the NI increase could put crucial community services at risk.
A WCVA spokesperson said: “WCVA is deeply concerned about the impact of increased Employers’ National Insurance contributions on voluntary sector organisations across Wales. Many of these organisations already face significant financial pressures, and this increase threatens to put additional strain on their resources and potentially jeopardise vital services delivered to communities.
“We have strongly urged both the UK and Welsh Governments to recognise the invaluable role the voluntary sector plays, especially in partnership with public services. We believe it is critical for voluntary organisations delivering public services to be treated equitably and included in any financial support measures, ensuring they are not disproportionately disadvantaged by these policy changes.
“WCVA welcomes the debate in the Senedd and hopes it will lead to productive discussions and practical solutions to protect the voluntary sector’s essential contribution to Welsh society.”
Motion to be debated
The Senedd motion, set for debate next week, states:
- Notes the UK Government’s increase to employer National Insurance contributions, coming into effect for the 2025-26 tax year.
- Recognises the detrimental impact the increase will have on Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations.
- Calls on the Welsh Government to make urgent representations to the UK Government to ensure that these organisations delivering public services are included in the ONS-defined public sector category and are reimbursed for the rise in employer National Insurance contributions.
The debate will determine whether Welsh Labour will push for financial support to shield the voluntary sector from these additional costs.
News
Local Authority is ‘hoarding cash’ as Council Tax rises by 9.35%, says MS

DEMANDS FOR REFORM AS COUNCIL’S £83 MILLION RESERVES REVEALED
PEMBROKESHIRE residents are bracing for a 9.35% council tax rise, despite local authorities across Wales holding more than £2 billion in reserves. The increase, among the highest in Wales, comes as families struggle with soaring living costs and a series of consecutive tax hikes.

Local Senedd Member Paul Davies has called for urgent reform, criticising the Welsh Government’s Local Government Funding Formula and urging councils to use their reserves to ease the burden on taxpayers.
‘UNFAIR AND UNSUSTAINABLE’
Mr Davies said: “Under the Welsh Government, the Local Government Funding Formula remains broken.
“It cannot be right that people in Pembrokeshire face such a huge increase in their council tax while councils across Wales are sitting on over £2 billion in usable reserves.
“The Welsh Government must do more to keep council tax as low as possible by encouraging the use of reserves, improving efficiency within councils, and promoting the sharing of resources across council boundaries.”

CALLS FOR CHANGE
The Welsh Conservatives have consistently opposed large council tax increases, calling for an independent review of the Local Government Funding Formula. They argue that councils should:
- Use reserves to reduce tax rises.
- Improve efficiency by cutting unnecessary spending.
- Increase cooperation between councils to share services and lower costs.
RISING RESERVES, RISING BILLS
For years, Pembrokeshire had the lowest council tax in Wales, but after a 12.5% rise in 2024-25, it has surged significantly. Despite this, Pembrokeshire County Council holds £82.6 million in usable reserves, equivalent to 28.4% of its annual service expenditure.
In 2016-17, the council held just £47 million in reserves, rising to £83 million in 2021-22. Critics argue that this surplus should be used to relieve financial pressures rather than imposing further tax hikes.
With councils under fire for hoarding cash while demanding more from residents, pressure is mounting on the Welsh Government to overhaul funding and prevent further unaffordable rises.
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