Local Government

Council under pressure over soaring housing costs

Published

10 months ago

August 27, 2025

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL says it is carrying out regular value-for-money checks on temporary accommodation contracts and continues to lobby Welsh Government to fix a funding imbalance that leaves the county at a disadvantage compared with its neighbour Ceredigion.

The statement comes after Audit Wales published a report highlighting the spiralling cost of temporary accommodation across Wales and warning that short-term measures are at risk of becoming a long-term crisis.

Across Wales, the number of households in temporary accommodation has risen from 3,729 in March 2021 to 6,447 in March 2024, a jump of 75 per cent. Over the same period, spending more than doubled, climbing from £41 million to £99 million a year.

In Pembrokeshire the problem is acute. The council now spends more than £2.5 million a year on temporary accommodation, more than four times the level of four years ago. Rough sleeping is also a concern, with ten individuals estimated to be without shelter in the county at the last official count.

A council spokesperson told The Herald: “Value for money exercises are undertaken each year when there are contract renewals for commissioned B&B services. Costs are negotiated as part of this process. We have decommissioned services where we are able to and continue to look for alternative accommodation options for medium-term use.”

The spokesperson explained that block bookings are preferred to ad-hoc placements, as these allow both cost control and better management of risks – for example, ensuring domestic abuse victims are not housed alongside perpetrators. However, alternative arrangements often require significant capital investment and planning approval.

On the Housing First model, which aims to provide people with a settled home as the starting point for wider support, the council admitted progress is slow. “Housing First is still in its infancy, the main barrier being supply of accommodation,” the spokesperson said. “We are currently considering three customers under the ethos of the model.”

The council added that its BEAM programme to help people into and sustain tenancies remains at pilot stage. “A formal review has not yet taken place,” the spokesperson said. “There have been some success stories, however supply of affordable accommodation again has been a challenge.”

On the question of funding, the council confirmed it has made repeated representations to Welsh Government about the Housing Support Grant formula, which leaves Pembrokeshire with significantly less than neighbouring Ceredigion. “We have requested that the funding formula is reviewed again to assist with a levelling up exercise for funding in Pembrokeshire,” the spokesperson said. “Meetings with the Minister, committee sessions and formal responses all make reference to this legacy funding disparity.”

Audit Wales’ report concluded that councils are too often left firefighting and called for a shift to prevention and better evaluation of value for money. For Pembrokeshire, the challenge is not only financial but practical: without more affordable homes available locally, the costs of crisis management are likely to keep rising.

Local Government

Security privately arranged by Mayor at Beating of the Bounds

Published

2 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL has confirmed that security personnel seen at this year’s Beating of the Bounds were privately arranged and paid for by the town’s Mayor.

The council issued a statement on Tuesday (June 16) following queries about the presence of security staff at the civic event.

It confirmed that the arrangements were made by the Mayor and Admiral of the Port, Councillor Randell Thomas-Turner, and were not commissioned by the council.

The statement said the decision was taken by the Mayor as a personal precaution in response to safety concerns connected with his role as a councillor.

NO SPECIFIC THREAT

The council stressed that the presence of security personnel should not be interpreted as an indication of any specific threat to the event, participants, or members of the public.

It added that the event “proceeded safely and successfully” and that there were no incidents of concern during the day.

The Beating of the Bounds is one of Haverfordwest’s oldest civic traditions, with the Mayor and Sheriff travelling to the White Stone, the historic boundary marker of the Port of Haverfordwest, to reaffirm the ancient boundaries and rights of the town.

Hundreds of people attended this year’s event, which included a flotilla, music, entertainment, stalls and family activities along the riverside.

COUNCIL CONDEMNS ABUSE

In its statement, the council said it remained committed to ensuring civic events were “welcoming, inclusive and family-friendly” occasions.

It said appropriate planning and risk management arrangements were undertaken for all public events so residents and visitors could attend with confidence.

The council added: “While the security arrangements were a personal matter for the Mayor, the council recognises the importance of supporting the wellbeing and safety of all elected members and staff.

“The council condemns all forms of abuse, intimidation and threatening behaviour directed towards those serving their communities.

“Respectful public discourse is fundamental to local democracy, but there is no place for conduct that seeks to harass, threaten or intimidate others.”

The council thanked everyone who attended and contributed to what it described as another successful Beating of the Bounds, celebrating Haverfordwest’s history, traditions and community spirit.

Image: Darth Marty Media

Local Government

Major improvement works completed at Fleming Crescent

Published

6 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NEW roofs, structural upgrades and solar panels have been installed across three residential blocks at Fleming Crescent as part of a major housing improvement scheme.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the project has delivered safer, warmer and more energy-efficient homes for residents, with the full replacement of roofs serving 54 flats.

The works also included structural improvements designed to support the long-term performance of the buildings, alongside the installation of solar panels to help improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs for tenants.

The council received a funding contribution from the Welsh Government through the Optimised Retrofit Programme, which supports energy-efficiency improvements alongside wider investment works.

The scheme was completed on schedule, with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd appointed as the main contractor.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “Delivering a project of this scale on schedule is a significant achievement.

“The new roofs and external upgrades will help reduce future maintenance issues and improve the long-term resilience of the buildings, while the solar panels form an important part of our wider decarbonisation programme.

“By working closely with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, we have delivered high-quality improvements that will benefit tenants both now and in the future.

“Pembrokeshire County Council continues to invest in housing improvements across the county, ensuring homes remain safe, modern, energy efficient and fit for the future.”

The project has also received national recognition after being shortlisted for a Constructing Excellence in Wales Award.

Neil Griffiths, Managing Director of W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, said: “We are proud to have delivered this important project at Fleming Crescent to a high standard and within the agreed timescales.

“The combination of full roof replacement and solar panel installation will provide long-term value, improve the performance of the buildings and support better outcomes for residents.

“It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council on this scheme.”

Local Government

Seven standing for Pembroke Dock seat following death of Cllr Brian Hall

Published

14 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

SEVEN candidates are to stand for a Pembrokeshire council seat made vacant following the death of veteran councillor Brian Hall, including a former councillor who was once barred from holding any form of public office for three years.

Before he passed away in April, Councillor Brian Hall had held the Pembroke Dock Market ward seat since 1996, and had many council roles over the years including the planning committee, on the Cabinet from its inception in 2002 until March 2007 and between 2012 and 2022, and had chaired several Overview and Scrutiny Committees including Environment, Services and Corporate.

Following Cllr Hall’s death, the-then leader of the council Cllr Jon Harvey said: “Brian was a council stalwart and had been working for, and demanding better, for his constituents for nearly 30 years.

“His enthusiasm for his home patch was unmatched and there was little of Pembroke Dock’s history that he could not tell you about. The loss of Brian from the chamber will be felt by all members of council across the board.”

Presiding Member of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Simon Hancock said: “Brian was a larger-than-life character who was passionately devoted to Pembroke Dock and his constituents. He never let an opportunity pass without mentioning and advancing the interests of his hometown. We extend sincere condolences to his family.”

Since that seat became vacant, seven hopefuls have now put their names forward to represent the Market ward, with an election being held on July 9.

Those standing are: Hayley Wood (independent), Lee Herring (Welsh Liberal Democrats), Jamie Street (Welsh Conservative), Claire Francis-Boswell (independent), Chloe Louise Richards (Plaid Cymru), Ryan Morgan (Reform UK), and Paul Haywood Dowson (independent), but listed as a member of Restore Britain since March of this year.

Back in 2022, the-then Cllr Dowson, representing Pembroke Dock Central as a UKIP councillor, was barred from holding any form of public office for the next three years after being found guilty of bullying, providing fabricated evidence to the Ombudsman and of misleading the public at a case tribunal convened by the president of the adjudication panel for Wales.

Mr Dowson more recently stood as an independent candidate in this year’s Senedd elections for the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency, gaining 88 votes out of a total of 89,402 votes cast.