News

Council defends £18k payments to new recruits

Published

9 months ago

June 18, 2025

Incentives aimed at tackling national skills shortage

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has defended offering up to £18,000 in upfront payments to new staff in Trading Standards and Environmental Health roles, following public concern over the scale of the incentives.

The payments — which include “Golden Hellos” of up to £8,000, Gateway Payments of up to £3,000, and relocation packages of up to £8,000 — are featured prominently in job adverts for key public service positions. Members of the public have questioned whether the sums represent value for money during a time of rising council tax and squeezed public finances.

Part of official council strategy

In a detailed response to The Pembrokeshire Herald, the council confirmed that the payments are part of its Pay Structure Maintenance Policy and Future Workforce Plan, which were drawn up to address long-term recruitment challenges in critical sectors.

The council said the Trading Standards team had become depleted over several years, with the imminent retirement of a further officer threatening statutory failure. It added that a previous £3,000 Golden Hello had failed to attract candidates, and that the agency staffing market had become so competitive that applicants were “naming their price”.

“We evidenced that we were in exceptional circumstances and were able to provide clear and objective evidence that there is a national shortage of these skills,” a spokesperson said.

Policy approved by Cabinet and unions

The council confirmed that the Future Workforce Plan was approved by Cabinet on 12 February 2024. The Pay Structure Maintenance Policy itself is agreed by the Senior Leadership Team following consultation with trade unions and discussion at the council’s Social Partnership Forum, which is chaired by Council Leader David Simpson.

Oversight of individual recruitment payments is carried out by the Workforce Panel, which includes HR officers, trade union representatives, and the Director of Resources. The council added that all payments are subject to legal checks to ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010.

Not limited to one department

The spokesperson said the incentives were not limited to Trading Standards. Other professions currently receiving Gateway or recruitment bonuses include Social Workers and Adult Mental Health Professionals, and the council is also considering adding Building Surveyors to the scheme.

“Whilst we have sought to future-proof our professions with ‘grow your own’ career pathways, there will be times when we struggle to recruit,” the spokesperson said. “Given the very real budget restraints we operate in, we only got to this option after a long period of failed recruitment campaigns.”

The council said that the £8,000 relocation package is a HMRC-recognised expense and is only used for roles that are formally classed as hard to fill.

Public reaction mixed

Despite the explanation, public response to the incentives has been mixed. Some residents have expressed concern that such large payments could breed resentment among existing staff or set a precedent across other departments.

The Herald understands that further scrutiny may take place at future council meetings to assess whether the payments are achieving their goals and whether other solutions should be explored.

Crime

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

Published

10 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

10 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

11 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.