Second home-owners in Pembrokeshire, whose 200 percent Council Tax premiums have contributed more than £9m to council coffers in this financial year, are not expected to see that level rise if a recommendation before full council is backed later this week.

Second-home owners, since this financial year, have been paying a 200 percent premium on their Council Tax, effectively a treble rate, following an increase from the previous 100 percent (or double rate) premium.

Under Welsh Government legislation, local authorities are able to increase the council premium on second homes to as much as 300 percent, effectively a quadrable rate.

Long-term empty properties in the county are also currently charged a premium Council Tax rate: 100 percent after 24 months, 200 percent after 36 months, and 300 percent after five years.

At the October 7 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members backed recommending to full council, meeting on October 17, that the second homes premium remain at the current 200 percent, with the long-term empty property rates also remaining at the current levels.

The report also included a review of the council’s discretionary discount policy in relation to properties returning into the Council Tax list from non-domestic rating following the Welsh Government change to a 182 days criteria for holiday lets rate relief, with Cabinet members recommending full council write to Welsh Government asking them to reduce the 182 days let threshold.

A Pembrokeshire consultation has been undertaken on the level of Council Tax premiums, which had one of the highest responses ever received by the council, saw 2,974 responses, with 2,155 from someone whose main residence is outside of Pembrokeshire, along with 67 responses from organisations.

From October 2017-August 2024, the number of second homes paying the premium had dropped from 3,889 to 3,221, with exemptions rising from 137 to 760 over the same period.

In April 2023 councillors backed 75 percent of the funds raised from the second homes premium be used to fund elements of the council’s budget relating to affordable housing and enhancing the sustainability of local communities, the remaining 25 percent spit 75/25 for the Affordable Housing programme and the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant scheme.

From April 1 of this year, that was changed to 85 percent, the remaining 15 percent to the other two areas.

For long-term empty properties this was set at 100 percent for elements of the council’s budget relating to affordable housing and enhancing the sustainability of local communities.

In the previous two financial years the additional income had been placed into an Empty Property Reserve for bringing homes back into use.

Following the Cabinet recommendations, a report before the October 17 meeting of full council asks members to back the Cabinet recommendations, saying: “The consultation shows that some second homeowners support the need for a Council Tax premium, albeit at a lower level than current 200 percent.

“The current Council Tax premium level does seem to be changing behaviour as we are seeing a greater number of properties on the market and the overall number of self-catering units and second homes are starting to reduce.  The council still has a large homelessness issue and while the market is moving the current level of Council Tax premium is achieving its aim. As such there seems little reason (or support) to look to increase it.

“Whilst the consultation demonstrates that there is little support for the current level of second homes Council Tax premium and there have been concerns raised from the tourism industry, it is potentially too soon to change a policy that would seem to be starting to achieve its intended consequences of bringing down the overall level of second homes and self-catering units.”

The report says second homes and empty properties premiums contributed £10.8m to the council’s budget relating to affordable housing and enhancing the sustainability of local communities during 2024-25, £9.1m from second homes.

It said any reduction in the premium would increase council budget pressures, listing the effects of a potential 25 percent drop for the next financial year, leading to a £1.3m drop on a potential general Council Tax increase of 11.14 percent and £1.2m for a potential 7.5 percent rise.

A MOTORIST has admitted to careless driving following a three-car collision at a junction on the A40, resulting in injuries to several individuals.Helen Reemers, 56, of Newton Cross, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court where she faced charges of driving without due care and attention. The incident occurred when Reemers was driving her Toyota Aygo southbound on the A40 from Fishguard.

As she approached the junction with the A4219, Reemers slowed down in preparation to turn right. At that moment, a Ford Focus was travelling north towards the same junction. In an unfortunate turn of events, Reemers turned across the road and collided with the Ford Focus, causing it to spin out of control.

The ensuing chaos led to a third vehicle, a Skoda Octavia, which had been following closely behind, also becoming involved in the crash.The court heard that all parties involved sustained slight injuries. Reemers’ Toyota sustained significant front-end damage, while the Ford Focus incurred damage to its front offside.

The Skoda Octavia also suffered damage on its front offside.On 2 October, Reemers pleaded guilty to careless driving.

The court imposed a fine of £128, along with £110 in costs and a £51 surcharge. Additionally, six penalty points were added to her driving licence.

A 74-year-old man from Hakin, Pembrokeshire, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a series of horrific sexual offences against young girls, in a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community.

Alan Roberts, of Picton Road, appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Oct 15), where he pleaded guilty to 23 child sex abuse offences committed over a period of more than 40 years. The court heard disturbing details of Roberts’ crimes, which took place between 1976 and 2018, involving six victims aged between five and 12 years old.

Prosecutor Craig Jones presented a harrowing account of Roberts’ offences, which began when the defendant was in his late twenties. The court was told that Roberts’ first victim was between six and 12 years old when the abuse occurred. Mr Jones revealed that Roberts would sexually touch the girl and coerce her into performing sexual acts.

As the proceedings unfolded, it became clear that Roberts’ criminal behaviour had continued unabated for decades. The court heard how he had systematically abused multiple victims, with his most recent offence occurring when he was in his late sixties, targeting a child of just five or six years old.

One particularly distressing aspect of the case was the long-lasting impact on the victims. Mr Jones told the court that one survivor had “kept it locked away” out of fear that she wouldn’t be believed, while another “struggled as a teenager and became withdrawn” as a result of the trauma she had endured.

Stuart John, representing Roberts, conceded that a significant custodial sentence was inevitable given the nature and extent of the offences. He stated that his client “understands he has ruined a great many lives over a very long period”, adding that Roberts wished to address the issues that had led to his offending.

Judge Catherine Richards, in her sentencing remarks, emphasised the prolonged nature of Roberts’ crimes, stating, “Your sexual offending against pre-pubescent girls went on over three to four decades. The blame for your repeated offending sits squarely on you.”

In addition to the 20-year prison term, Roberts will serve an extended licence period of two years. The court also imposed indefinite restraining orders to protect each of his victims, and Roberts will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

The case has raised questions about how such prolonged abuse could have gone undetected for so long. Local authorities and child protection agencies are likely to face scrutiny in the wake of this shocking revelation.

Detective Inspector Sarah Davies, who led the investigation, spoke outside the court: “This case demonstrates that no matter how long ago abuse took place, we will listen, investigate thoroughly, and bring perpetrators to justice. I commend the bravery of the victims in coming forward and hope this sentence brings them some measure of closure.”

The sentencing of Alan Roberts serves as a stark reminder of the devastating and long-lasting impact of child sexual abuse. It also underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable children and encourage survivors to come forward, regardless of when the abuse occurred.

As the community of Hakin comes to terms with the revelations, support services have been made available for those affected by the case. Local councillor Mary Evans stated, “Our thoughts are with the survivors. We must ensure that such crimes are never allowed to persist undetected in our community again.”