News

Council to review climate emergency declaration amid financial concerns

Published

11 months ago

May 6, 2025

Councillor Michael Stoddart calls for working group to assess impacts of 2019 motion

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL will be asked this week to consider setting up a politically balanced working group to review its 2019 declaration of a climate emergency.

The notice of motion, submitted by Councillor Michael Stoddart, proposes the formation of a seven-member group to reassess the implications of the declaration made on May 9, 2019. The move follows growing concern over the UK’s financial outlook, the council’s own projected funding gap, and recent softening of UK Government policies on electric vehicles and green energy initiatives.

***Notice of motion: Councillor Michael Stoddart***

Cllr Stoddart warns that the climate emergency decision may be placing an unsustainable financial burden on the local authority at a time when public finances are under intense pressure.

The working group would be tasked with investigating several key issues, including:

The impact of the climate emergency declaration on council tax levels in Pembrokeshire, and whether any increases are undermining the council’s anti-poverty policies.

The cost of decarbonising council housing stock and how this may have affected the council’s ability to finance the construction of new homes.

The extent to which the council’s decarbonisation efforts have contributed to mitigating global temperature rises.

Any other effects on the wellbeing of Pembrokeshire residents that the working group identifies during its review.

On May 9, 2019, Pembrokeshire County Council joined other local authorities across Wales and the UK in declaring a climate emergency, recognising the urgent need to address climate change through action at all levels of government. The motion committed the council to reducing carbon emissions, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, and supporting sustainability initiatives across the county.

Since then, the council has implemented a range of measures, including decarbonisation plans for its housing stock and support for electric vehicle infrastructure. However, some councillors have raised concerns about the financial viability of these measures, particularly in light of economic uncertainty and shifting national policies.

The motion will be debated at the full council meeting on Thursday (May 8).

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

9 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

9 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

10 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.