Community

Bailiffs enforcing in Milford Haven as more say they can’t afford council tax

Published

10 months ago

July 3, 2025

Vulnerable residents left frightened as arrears reach £263 million

COUNCIL TAX debt in Wales has soared to £263 million, with Pembrokeshire now among the top ten counties for arrears per household. As enforcement agents were attending properties in Milford Haven last month, concerns are growing over the treatment of vulnerable residents.

Figures released by the Welsh Government show that arrears have risen by 139 per cent since before the pandemic. Of the total, £103 million relates to the most recent financial year, with a further £160 million carried forward from previous years.

In Pembrokeshire, the amount of unpaid council tax rose to £8.75 million by the end of March 2025—an increase of £370,000 on the previous year. With around 70,000 chargeable properties in the county, this equates to approximately £125 per household.

Across Wales, Gwynedd has the highest average arrears per household at £373, while Neath Port Talbot has the lowest at £64.

Magistrates issuing more liability orders

The Herald understands that magistrates in west Wales have been busy issuing liability orders to local residents who have fallen behind on payments. The lists of names appearing in court each month appear to be getting longer.

A liability order allows the council to pass a case to enforcement agents—commonly referred to as bailiffs—who are then authorised to recover the debt using statutory powers.

Woman left terrified after bailiff threat

A woman in Milford Haven contacted The Pembrokeshire Herald in tears after a bailiff from Excel Civil Enforcement Ltd told her he would break into her home if she did not pay £400 immediately.

The woman, who has asked not to be named, said she is currently under the care of the NHS Crisis Team following a recent domestic abuse incident. She offered to pay £150 on Tuesday, when she is next due to receive money, but the offer was allegedly refused.

She has since submitted a safeguarding referral to Pembrokeshire County Council and is receiving support from local services.

Allegations of misrepresentation

The Herald has seen evidence suggesting that misleading information has been given by enforcement agents operating in the county. In one case, a bailiff told a resident he could enforce a council tax debt by attending a business premises simply because the debtor was a company director. This is not legally correct.

There have also been concerns raised about the application of fees. In one case, a payment of £400 was taken before the resident was told that the enforcement fee had not been added—despite suggestions to the contrary during initial contact.

Calls for a more compassionate approach

The Welsh Government is currently consulting on proposals to reform the council tax enforcement system, including extending the period before a resident becomes liable for the entire year’s bill from two weeks to two months.

Finance Minister Mark Drakeford said the current enforcement rules were “too aggressive” and needed to change. A national revaluation of council tax bands—last reviewed in 2003—has also been delayed until 2028.

Council tax remains the largest source of locally raised income for Welsh local authorities. In Pembrokeshire, the council collected around £97 million in 2024–25, but rising arrears have placed increasing reliance on enforcement action.

What residents should know

Council tax is a priority debt and cannot be ignored. However, residents are entitled to help and advice. Pembrokeshire County Council offers payment plans and reduction schemes for those on low incomes. Debt charities including Citizens Advice and StepChange also provide free confidential support.

If a resident is vulnerable—due to health, disability, or mental distress—they can request that the council pause enforcement and handle the matter directly.

Bailiff rules: Know your rights

Bailiffs cannot simply break into a home to collect unpaid council tax. They may only enter through an unlocked door and cannot use force unless they have a court-issued warrant and have previously gained peaceful entry. Even then, strict rules apply.

If no entry has previously been made, bailiffs must not threaten forced entry. Residents who feel intimidated or are misled by enforcement agents should report the matter to the council and the enforcement firm involved.

If you have been treated unfairly by a bailiff in Pembrokeshire, contact us on [email protected]

Your information will be treated confidentially.

Community

Sub aqua club marks first serious sea-diving weekend of season

Published

1 hour ago

May 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CARDIGAN Sub Aqua Club has completed its first major weekend of sea diving of the season, with 23 divers taking part across four days.

The club rounded off the weekend on Monday (May 4), meeting at Porthgain at 8:30am with two club boats for a dive before returning by 2:00pm.

Ten divers took part in Monday’s outing, with the group diving on the Leysion, where visibility was reported at around three to four metres.

The club said the weekend had been an important opportunity for members to refresh skills, refamiliarise themselves with equipment and procedures, and give newer divers valuable sea experience.

There was also a milestone for club member Katie, who completed her first sea dive.

A club spokesperson said: “This has been the first serious club weekend out in the sea. Lots of refreshing of skills. Lots of refamiliarisation of kit and procedures. Some newbie experiences and some extending of experiences.”

The weekend also helped the club identify maintenance work needed on boats and trailers, with notes taken so the committee can prioritise resources.

The spokesperson added: “It’s been a good weekend for club diving — four days, two different locations and 23 different divers.”

The club said it will now focus over the next month on helping members who have not yet been back into the sea this season to get diving again and continue progressing with training.

Monday’s dive was followed by a debrief at The Sloop Inn, Porthgain.

Community

Cllr marks 10th blood donation and urges others to give blood

Published

9 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE councillor has urged more people to become blood donors after receiving his 10-unit donation badge from the Welsh Blood Service.

Cllr Thomas Tudor said he was pleased to receive the recognition and encouraged anyone who is able to donate to come forward.

He said: “If you can give blood, please do so.”

The Welsh Blood Service says hospitals in Wales need around 350 blood donations every day to support patients in need.

A single donation can help up to three patients, as blood can be separated into different components and used in different ways to help people recover.

The service is calling for donors from all backgrounds, including first-time donors and those who have given blood before, to help maintain supplies for hospitals across Wales.

Giving blood is described as quick, simple and safe, and remains one of the most important ways members of the public can help save lives.

Anyone wishing to find out more can contact the Welsh Blood Service on 0800 252 266, Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 7:00pm, or Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00pm. They can also email [email protected].

Caption:

Cllr Thomas Tudor giving blood after receiving his 10-unit donation badge from the Welsh Blood Service.

Community

Tenby lifeboats called out five times in ‘exceptionally busy’ week

Published

22 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Volunteer RNLI crews dealt with reports of people cut off by the tide, a vessel with engine failure and a possible kitesurfer in difficulty

TENBY lifeboat crews have been called out five times in a week, dealing with a series of incidents around the south Pembrokeshire coast.

The latest launch came just before 5:30pm on Sunday (May 3), when the inshore lifeboat was sent to Monkstone Point following a report that people may have been cut off by the tide.

As the volunteer crew arrived on scene, it was confirmed that the people were fishing and did not require assistance. The lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.

The call-out was the station’s fifth shout of the week.

On Friday (May 1), the all-weather lifeboat launched shortly after 10:00am after the occupants of a 21ft pleasure boat reported engine failure between Lydstep and Giltar.

The lifeboat arrived around ten minutes later and found the vessel at risk of drifting onto rocks. The crew decided the safest option was to tow it back to Saundersfoot.

With the tide out, the vessel was moored in the bay and those on board were taken ashore using the lifeboat’s Y-boat, where they were met by Tenby Coastguard Rescue Team. The lifeboat returned to station at 11:25am.

On Wednesday (Apr 29), the inshore lifeboat was launched shortly after 4:30pm after a report that a kitesurfer appeared to be in difficulty between Tenby and Caldey Island. The crew searched the reported area and extended the search towards Giltar Point, but no one in difficulty was found.

Earlier in the week, both Tenby lifeboats were launched at 6:15pm on Monday (Apr 27) after a report that two people may have been cut off by the tide at Gilman Point, near Pendine.

The all-weather lifeboat arrived first, with choppy conditions slowing the inshore lifeboat. Coastguard rescue team members on the cliffs above directed the crew to two people on rocks.

The Y-boat was launched and the pair confirmed they were in difficulty. They were taken aboard and brought ashore at Pendine, where Coastguards were waiting. The inshore lifeboat also collected the casualties’ bags before returning them ashore.

The busy week came as three Tenby RNLI volunteers — Eddie, Alice and Jack — successfully completed their ALB tier one pass-out on Sunday.