News

Cabinet backs revised Council budget plan from opposition group

Published

1 year ago

February 28, 2025

THE IPG and Cabinet have jointly proposed a budget for Pembrokeshire County Council, including a reduced Council Tax rise, on which councillors will vote at next week’s Full Council meeting.

The budget cuts 0.5% from a proposed 9.85% Council Tax increase and includes key concessions from the budget originally proposed by the County Council’s Cabinet.

The budget was originally scheduled to be set at a meeting on February 20. At that meeting, the Independent Group moved a Notice without Motion to delay consideration of the budget until the final financial settlement from the Welsh Government (WG) was confirmed. The move aimed to prevent the implementation of a 9.85% Council Tax rise for 2025/26.

On February 21, the Welsh Government confirmed a 0.25% increase in its financial settlement for Pembrokeshire. That decision added around £540,000 to the Council’s budget for next year.

After considering the revised settlement, the IPG drafted an alternative budget to the one proposed by the Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Josh Beynon. In an unprecedented move, the Cabinet considered the alternative proposal and decided to endorse it. This marks the first time in the Council’s history that an administration has accepted a budget proposed by one of the opposition groups.

Key takeaways of the proposed budget:

A Council Tax rise of 9.35% instead of 9.85%
A proposed 3.5% cut in education reduced to 2.9%
Proposals for four-weekly bin collections abandoned, with three-weekly collections to remain
The Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund retained
Additional funds for street cleaning maintained, rather than removed as originally proposed
Additional funding allocated for public toilets

Speaking to The Herald, a member of the IPG said the decision to agree on a budget with the Cabinet was “the socially responsible thing to do,” as the Group acknowledged that services had to be protected without incurring further debt, which would necessitate future cuts and higher tax increases.

IPG Leader Cllr Huw Murphy told this newspaper: “Cabinet requested sight of the Independent Group’s proposals, and we agreed to that step.

“It’s important to remember that councillors have a legal duty to set a budget. Therefore, in the best interest of Pembrokeshire’s residents, we agreed to allow the Cabinet to see our proposals.

“In light of the additional funding received from the Welsh Government, the Cabinet accepted the Independent Group’s proposals without the need to present a budget of their own on March 6.

“It is highly unusual for an opposition budget proposal to be accepted by any administration, but it indicates the delicate balance of power within PCC and the reality that offering a significant reduction in Council Tax carries inherent risks to both the authority and residents in terms of the loss of services many consider essential.”

However, Cllr Murphy added: “As the largest opposition group, the Independent Group will continue holding the Cabinet to account. Doing so on February 20 led to this budget.”

Cllr Murphy continued: “Any Council Tax rise is not good news for residents. However, the Independent Group’s proposals mean a slight decrease in the proposed Council Tax rise while offering options to retain services under threat.

“Fundamentally, the lack of funding from both London and Cardiff is the root cause of financial pressures on Welsh local authorities, which have risen exponentially. Furthermore, the UK, with vanishingly small economic growth alongside a need to increase defence spending to confront existential threats abroad, will see reduced funds available for local authorities.”

Huw Murphy concluded: “As Independent councillors, we speak free from the pressures of party loyalty on any subject where the best interest of residents is our core objective—not winning or saving a Senedd or House of Commons seat.”

The Conservative Group, which proposed its own budget, reacted furiously to the apparent deal between the largest opposition group and the Cabinet.

The Herald understands a flurry of messages expressing exasperation, disappointment, and anger have flooded councillors’ phones, with one Conservative Group member questioning whether the Independent Group still counted as the opposition.

The Conservatives said their proposals would increase school budgets by £6.6 million and offer an innovative solution to the Council’s future leisure provision.

With the publication of the Council agenda, their hopes of passing their budget appear dashed.

Cllr Aled Thomas, the Conservative Group spokesperson on Finance, was relatively restrained, though his frustration was evident when he told The Herald:

“It’s clear from the proposals on the table that the Independent Group and the Labour-leaning administration are happy to work together to see the continued managed decline of the Council rather than work hard for the people of Pembrokeshire.

“Every day, this council asks for more money from residents and provides them with less in return. That mindset has to stop, and a change is clearly needed.

“What’s even more disappointing is that around 2.5% of this year’s Council Tax increase will go straight to Rachel Reeves’s coffers in Westminster as a result of National Insurance increases and won’t be spent on Pembrokeshire services.”

Local Government

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

2 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mayor’s charities named as civic leaders gather at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church

THE CIVIC SERVICE of the Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Mark Woodward, took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (June 20).

The service marked Cllr Woodward’s election as Mayor and First Citizen of Milford Haven.

It was conducted by Rev Dr Adrian Furse and Canon John Cecil, with music from church organist Richard Stephens, Gelliswick Community Choir and Milford Haven Town Band.

Guides and Brownies, Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets were also among those taking part, with councillors Colin Sharp and Yvonne Southwell acting as ushers.

Refreshments followed at Milford Haven Bowling Club.

Local MS Paul Davies was among those attending the service and wished the new mayor all the best for his term in office.

Cllr Woodward’s chosen charities for the year are Patch Charity and Greenacres Rescue.

Photo caption:

Civic guests attended the Mayor of Milford Haven’s service at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

12 hours 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

12 hours 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.