News

Pembrokeshire households could face £250 council tax rise

Published

1 year ago

February 6, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

COUNCIL TAX in Pembrokeshire could rise by nearly 17 percent this year, adding more than £250 to the annual bill, in a series of proposals to be considered by senior councillors next week.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, meeting on February 10, is recommended to support one of four options for the council tax element of the forthcoming 2025-’26 budget.

The proposed rises, and the increase for the average Band D property are.

9.85 percent (£148.81)
11.14 percent (£168.29)
16.58 percent (£250.48)

The fourth option, proposed by the council’s Liberal Democrat group members, would see, amongst other changes to the three outlined above, a 12 percent increase (£181.29).

For many years Pembrokeshire has had the lowest Band D Council Tax in Wales.

Following the 12.5 percent increase in 2024-25 Pembrokeshire moved to the fourth lowest in Wales with a base Band D Council Tax of £1,510.72 per year, before town and community council and police precepts are added.

A report for members ahead of the Cabinet meeting says the council’s projected funding gap for 2025-26 has been reduced from £34.1m to £27.4m after a better-than-expected Welsh Government local government settlement but says: “Based on the current projected funding gap of £27.4m, it is evident that major budget savings as well as a significant council tax increase will be required in order to deliver a balanced budget for 2025-26. The lower the Band D council tax increase, the higher the budget savings requirement will be, with the consequential adverse impact on the provision of council services.”

The report lists 171 potential council savings to help balance the budget, ranging from green (achievable with impact) to red (very challenging with significant impact ) and deep red (statutory failings and/or very significant impact), saying: “The cumulative total of the Green to Deep Red savings (171 measures) is £23.9m. Implementation of all these budget savings options will be challenging, with some considered to be particularly unpalatable to council and the public.”

Of the total savings listed, they are categorised as red from 105 onwards and deep red from 146.

Of the three main council tax increase proposals, a 9.85 percent rate would need savings up to 132, well into the red, 11.14 percent up to 128, and even the 16.58 percent rate going into the red savings at 108.

On the potential use of reserves, the report says: “The current analysis of reserves indicates that the absolute maximum of uncommitted reserves that council might consider using in exceptional circumstances is up to £1.3m but this remains subject to the Section 151 Officer’s continuing assessment.”

The S151 officer, in the report has said: “Unless there is a clear plan to replenish, any utilisation of reserves to balance the budget would only be a sticking plaster and will add to the projected funding gap for the following year.”

The final decision on the council budget will be made by all members of the council, meeting next month, with next week’s Cabinet choice forming a recommendation.

For this coming year, the Dyfed-Powys Police precept part of the overall council tax bill is rising by 8.6 percent, bringing the rate for a Band D property to £360.68.

Neighbouring authority Ceredigion is proposing an increase of just under 10 percent but an alternative proposal around the six percent mark is being mooted.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

20 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

25 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.