Five community initiatives receive support through Sustainable Development Fund

FIVE community-led projects across Pembrokeshire have secured funding from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) following a competitive round of the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF).

The authority’s Grants Committee met in late January to consider fifteen applications from across the county. Members said the quality of submissions was exceptionally high, making the selection process particularly challenging.

Projects were assessed on how well they supported the aims of the SDF, which promotes sustainable development, community resilience and environmental improvement within the National Park.

The five successful applicants were:

Transition Bro Gwaun
Yr Hen Ysgol, Dinas
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (Skokholm Island)
Angle Village Hall
St Davids City Council

The successful bids include plans to install renewable energy systems in community buildings and carry out energy-efficiency retrofit improvements to local hubs used by residents.

Bethan Jones, Sustainability Officer at the Park Authority said: “It was encouraging to see such ambitious ideas emerging from our local communities. These projects offer innovative solutions that will deliver a lasting, positive impact across communities in the National Park.”

Work on the funded projects has already begun following confirmation of the grants.

Details of the next round of Sustainable Development Fund funding will be announced once future budgets have been confirmed. Updates will be shared through Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) and other local community networks.

Further information about the Sustainable Development Fund is available at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/sdf.

Caption:

Yr Hen Ysgol Dinas Community Centre has benefited from the latest round of funding from the Sustainable Development Fund. (Pic: PCNPA)

CONSULTATION DRAWS JUST 25 RESIDENTS AS RUNNING COST ESTIMATES VARY BY TENS OF THOUSANDS

THE PROPOSED transfer of Fishguard Town Hall to the town council has come under scrutiny after documents revealed conflicting estimates of the building’s running costs.

Freedom of Information responses and council documents suggest the historic building could cost tens of thousands of pounds a year to operate, raising questions about whether Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council can afford to take on responsibility for it.

Budget links tax rise to town hall plan

A budget report prepared by Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council shows the authority planning £166,336 in spending for the 2025–26 financial year, an increase on the previous year.

Within the administration section of the proposed budget, the council confirms that £20,000 has been allocated towards the proposed Community Asset Transfer of Fishguard Town Hall from Pembrokeshire County Council.

The document also links a proposed 16 per cent increase in the council’s precept directly to the takeover proposal.

After two years with no increase due to the cost-of-living crisis, the report states the rise is “directly related to the proposed CAT of Fishguard Town Hall.”

The council plans to request a £147,070 precept for the coming year.

Dispute over running costs

However, debate over the plan has intensified after different figures emerged for the building’s running costs.

Pembrokeshire County Council has said the average annual cost of utilities — including gas, electricity, water and sewage — for the building over the past three years was between £25,000 and £30,000.

But other figures circulating locally suggest the costs may be far higher.

One estimate cited by residents claims energy bills alone could be around £47,000 a year.

Separate operational figures released through a county council Freedom of Information request indicate that when staffing, maintenance, utilities and business rates are included, the total cost of running the building could exceed £70,000 annually.

Consultation numbers raise questions

Consultation figures released by the Town Council also show relatively modest public engagement with the proposal.

According to the council, 25 people attended the public consultation meeting held at the Town Hall.

A further 93 paper survey responses and 17 online responses were submitted through the council’s consultation process.

The council has not yet published the draft business plan or energy survey relating to the building, stating the documents are still under review.

Transfer still undecided

The potential Community Asset Transfer of Fishguard Town Hall from Pembrokeshire County Council to the town council has been under discussion since 2024, but the arrangement has not yet been formally agreed by either authority.

If the transfer goes ahead, responsibility for operating and maintaining the building would pass from the county council to Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council.

Supporters of the proposal say it would give the community greater control over the future of the historic building.

However, critics argue the long-term costs could place significant pressure on the town council’s finances.

A COMMUNITY football club has raised £1,000 for Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital following a successful charity guest speaker night.

New Hedges Saundersfoot United Football Club organised the annual event at the Regency Hall in Saundersfoot on Saturday (June 28), welcoming supporters for an evening of entertainment and football stories from former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.

The club said the event was held in memory of Gareth Allen, a much-loved former player who died in 2023.

Simon Brace and Stuart McLaren from the club said: “New Hedges Saundersfoot United Football Club is a local amateur junior and senior football club serving the Saundersfoot community.

“This year’s event was organised in memory of Gareth Allen, a much-loved former player of the club who sadly passed away in 2023. We wanted to honour Gareth and show our appreciation for the care he received by donating the proceeds to Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital.”

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer for Hywel Dda Health Charities, thanked the club for its support.

She said: “Thank you so much to Simon, Stuart and everyone at New Hedges Saundersfoot Football Club for selecting Ward 10 as one of the beneficiaries of your charity night.

“Your generosity is a lovely tribute to Gareth, and the donation is truly appreciated by the team on Ward 10. We are so grateful for your amazing support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide across the three counties of Hywel Dda, and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

For more information about the charity or how to support local NHS patients and staff, visit www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk.