News

Pembrokeshire council budget war of words breaks out

Published

1 year ago

March 5, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A WAR of words has broken out over the setting of Pembrokeshire’s annual budget on Thursday, March 6, with three potential council tax increases ranging from 7.5 to 9.85 per cent on the table.

Last month, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet backed recommending a council tax increase of 9.85 per cent, with a special meeting due to decide that recommendation on February 20.

That meeting was deferred to March 6, in part awaiting the final Welsh government local government settlement, which saw the county gain a small amount of extra money, worth roughly an extra £500,000, reducing its funding gap to £26.9m.

With the council budget D-day looming, opposition groups the Independent group and the Conservative group have submitted their own proposals for the March 6 meeting, with the Independent Group proposing a 9.35 per cent increase and the Conservative group a 7.5 per cent one, achieved in part using a higher proportion of the second homes council tax premium for certain parts of the budget.

The Conservative group, in its proposals, has said it will increase the education budget by £6.6 million in the next financial year, along with greater savings from “reforming the leisure services in Pembrokeshire”.

The Conservative proposal says it would also see debt and interest payments reduced by disposing of unused and empty council buildings as well as a commitment to only proceed with projects relating to net zero if they have a clear financial benefit to the council.

Cllr Aled Thomas, the group spokesman for finance has said: “It’s clear from the proposals on the table that the Independent Group joint with 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 less in return, that mindset has to stop, and a change is clearly needed.”

The conservative proposals also include addressing a claimed £2.5m deficit in council leisure services by partnering with a national leisure trust.

The Independent group, led by Cllr Huw Murphy, has reacted to the Conservative group statement issued to the press, saying the claims of collusion are “are misleading and inaccurate with no meetings, conversations or exchanges of emails,” adding: “It might disappoint Cllr Aled Thomas but the truth is rarely as exciting as a conspiracy theory.”

Its statement adds: “The Leader, Cllr Jon Harvey asked would we divulge our budget proposals and in the interest of residents this was provided. The Independent Group were informed that Cabinet had accepted our proposals. Councillors have a legal duty to pass a budget which Independent Group members take seriously.

“Subsequently it became known that the Conservatives intended to submit their own budget but some of their proposals were unacceptable to Independent Group members, such as cuts to Adult Social Services provision.

“Social Services is a department under significant pressure and needs investment not cuts and if a society discards its most vulnerable on the altar of political ideology to offer a lower council tax then the Independent Group will not put its name to it.”

The Independent Group statement also says the blame for the “managed decline of the council” was “in large part through insufficient funding from the Treasury between 2010 & 2024 under a Conservative Chancellor,” going on to criticise Welsh Labour in Cardiff for “providing insufficient funding to Pembrokeshire”.

It says the Conservative group proposals on education “fail to mention a reduction in early year’s pre-school education, which if implemented could cause PCC to fail in delivering a statutory function under the Childcare Act”.

On the leisure services proposals, the group says: “The Conservative Group propose the privatisation of Leisure Services but cannot provide detailed information on how this is will be achieved and the consequences if their proposal fails, which could result in job losses and loss of facilities.”

Responding, Cllr Aled Thomas said: “The Conservative budget proposal is bold and different, focussing on bolstering the authority’s statutory functions while pushing for greater efficiency in other more council functions such as leisure, regeneration and net zero.

“Councillors at Thursday’s [March 6] meeting have the opportunity to vote for meaningful change for the people of Pembrokeshire or stick with the same old status quo, and I know which one I’d rather.

“Cllr Huw Murphy and the Independent Group should spend less time trying to re-write history and doing political hit jobs on me and spend more time talking their residents, who will undoubtedly tell them how sick and tired they are with continued extortionate council tax rises to pay for things they do not want or is not a priority for them.”

Local Government

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

7 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

17 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

17 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.