Politics

Pembrokeshire national park parking charges could rise

Published

5 months ago

October 17, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to raise parking charges at Pembrokeshire national park car parks, which includes longer stays rising by a third and coach prices doubling, is recommended to be backed next week.

At the October 22 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, members are recommended to agree a range of changes to parking charges at the authority’s 14 car parks, effective from March 1 of next year.

Back in 2023, it was agreed that parking prices would be reviewed annually with the pricing structure reviewed every three years, no changes taking place in either 2024 or 2025.

The changes proposed include some good news for shorter says but increases for longer periods in the 33 per cent to 100 per cent range.

The proposed charges are: Up to 30 mins, no change from the current nil charge; Up to 1 hour remaining at £1.50; up to two hours rising from £3 to £4; up to four hours from £4.50 to £6; all day £6 to £8; discontinuing weekly £30 rates; and all-day coaches rising from £8 to £16.

A report for members says the number of charging sites has increased from 10 to 14 since 2021, which, along with previous price increases, “has seen a near doubling of the Authority’s parking revenue over the last five years,” but inflationary pressures mean a £1 car parking ticket in 2020 would need to be charged at £1.27 in 2025 to have the same purchasing power in terms of cost recovery.

It lists statutory pressures linked to the parking charges including “a substantial contribution to the Coastal Bus service annually,” and financial support for keeping 10 public toilets open for a two-year period running up until April 2026 at a cost of £111,000 a year.

“In developing a suggested amended model, officers have sought to minimise these risks by developing a charging system which is considered still reasonable and which focuses on increases linked to longer stays, during which the motorist is likely to be accessing some of the wider facilities available such as toilet provision or walking the coast path,” the report says.

It also says the Authority’s future financial outlook “is challenging as the impact of cumulative reductions in core funding together with significant cost rises is felt,” with the budget for 25-26 forecasting a deficit of £566,000 for the year, and deficits in excess of £1m are predicted for the next three financial years.

It adds: “The Authority is therefore proposing a further increase of 33 per cent in longer stay day car park charges (100 per cent on coaches) in order to meet increased costs and its mid-term financial budget strategy of a balanced budget.”

It is expected, all things being equal, the changes would generate an additional £300,000 of income.

Members are recommended to back the changes, subject to a successful variation of the Authority’s Car Park Order.

Pembrokeshire County Council is expected review its own parking charges in January 2026, the report adds.

News

Reform reveals west Wales candidates for Senedd battle

Published

1 hour ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Monkton councillor tops Pembrokeshire list as party confirms Carmarthenshire names and includes Haverfordwest councillor in unwinnable Swansea spot

REFORM UK has unveiled its full list of candidates for the 2026 Senedd election, setting out its challenge across west Wales including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The party has named Susan Claire Archibald, a sitting councillor for Monkton on Pembroke Town Council, as its lead candidate for the Ceredigion Preseli, Mid and South Pembrokeshire regional list.

Speaking to The Herald, Archibald said: “I am honoured to represent Reform UK and Wales.” She added that a fuller statement outlining her priorities would be released in due course.

The remaining candidates on the Pembrokeshire regional list are Paul Marr, a former prison officer, Michael Allen, Elisa Randall, Peter John and Bernard Holton.

Carmarthenshire candidates named

Reform has also confirmed its list for the Caerfyrddin and Llanelli region, with Gareth Beer placed first, followed by Carmelo Colasanto, Sarah Edwards, Christopher Brooke, Alan Cole and Michelle Beer.

The announcement forms part of a nationwide rollout of candidates as the party seeks to establish itself as a credible electoral force ahead of the 2026 vote.

Thorley listed in Swansea region

Among the names included elsewhere is Scott Thorley, a Haverfordwest-based councillor and the first Reform representative elected to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Thorley appears on the party’s list for the Gower and Swansea West region, where he is placed sixth.

Under the Senedd’s proportional representation system, candidates placed lower on regional lists are significantly less likely to be elected, meaning his position is widely viewed as a paper candidacy to complete the slate.

Election framing

Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas said the party was offering voters a stark political choice.

He said: “After a hundred years of failure, Labour are finished in Wales. The choice at this election is what comes next — common sense and a fresh start with Reform, or independence by stealth with Plaid Cymru.”

The Herald understands that further announcements, including candidate profiles and policy details, are expected in the coming weeks as the campaign begins to take shape.

News

Reform MPs storm out of Commons after Starmer brands Farage an ‘absolute disgrace’

Published

4 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Fiery PMQs clash descends into chaos as Labour jeers and Reform exits chamber

REFORM UK MPs dramatically walked out of the House of Commons on Wednesday (Mar 25) following a heated Prime Minister’s Questions exchange that saw Sir Keir Starmer launch a scathing attack on Nigel Farage.

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The confrontation erupted after Farage challenged the Prime Minister on small boat crossings, prompting a blistering response from Starmer.

Addressing the Commons, the Prime Minister said: “This is from the man and the party that voted against giving law enforcement counter-terrorism style powers to tackle it.

“So he wants the grievance, he doesn’t want it sorted and he has absolutely no judgment.”

Starmer went further, accusing the Reform leader of inconsistency on foreign policy and opportunism in politics.

“He again said, ‘let’s join the war, let’s all go to war’… A week later, a screeching U-turn. We don’t want to go to war. And he says trust his judgment. It’s hard to take anything he says seriously.”

The Labour leader concluded with a stinging remark: “Reform don’t want to solve problems, they only want to exploit them… it’s an absolute disgrace.”

Within moments of the comments, Reform MPs began leaving the chamber in protest. Farage was followed out by fellow MPs including Robert Jenrick and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

Labour MPs responded with loud jeers, with some shouting “bye” as the group exited.

The walkout quickly drew criticism from Labour figures. Cabinet minister Jo Stevens later posted on social media: “What a bunch of snowflakes.”

The dramatic scenes underline the increasingly volatile atmosphere in Westminster, as Reform UK continues to position itself as a disruptive force in British politics ahead of upcoming elections.

The Herald understands tensions between Labour and Reform MPs have intensified in recent weeks, particularly over immigration and national security policy.

Community

Youth hub coming to Pembrokeshire – but location still unknown

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New support service confirmed for young people, but exact site yet to be revealed

A NEW youth hub is set to open in Pembrokeshire as part of a major UK Government rollout aimed at helping young people into work — but officials have not yet confirmed where it will be based.

The hub is one of 12 new sites announced across Wales, designed to support 16 to 24-year-olds with access to jobs, training, mental health services and housing advice under one roof.

The Department for Work and Pensions said the hubs will bring together Jobcentre Plus, local authorities, employers and training providers to help young people who are not currently in education, employment or training.

However, while Pembrokeshire has been named as a location, no further detail has been provided on which town or building will host the service.

The Herald understands that such hubs are often based in or alongside existing Jobcentre Plus offices or council-run facilities, but at this stage no confirmation has been given for Pembrokeshire.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “Today marks a major boost for young people across Wales.

“We are delivering support in every region, connecting young people with employers and meeting them where they are so they can take the first step into work.”

The announcement also includes plans to hand more control over employment support funding to the Welsh Government, with £20 million already allocated to pilot schemes aimed at tackling economic inactivity.

Minister for Skills Jack Sargeant said the move would allow programmes to be tailored to local communities.

“Decisions about getting people back into work are made by those who know their communities best,” he said.

The new hubs form part of a wider UK-wide plan to ensure every area has access to a Youth Hub, amid concerns about rising numbers of young people not in work or education.

Further details, including the exact location of the Pembrokeshire hub and when it will open, are expected to be announced at a later date.