A FUNDING package worth £18,700 has been agreed to help secure the long-term financial sustainability of Milford Haven Library.

At a meeting on Monday (Jan 12), Milford Haven Town Council approved funding to support the library over the next three years.

The decision follows a year of partnership working between Pembrokeshire County Council, the Port of Milford Haven and the Town Council, as the organisations sought solutions to ongoing funding pressures.

A public consultation held in 2025 highlighted the importance of the library as a valued community asset, not only for book lending but also as a hub for groups, wellbeing checks and warm spaces.

Discussions resulted in a contribution of £10,000 from the Port of Milford Haven and £3,000 from the Town Council to ensure the library could continue operating during the 2025/26 financial year. The latest agreement extends that support, providing funding for the next three years alongside continued substantial backing from the Port over the lifetime of the council’s lease.

Councillor Rhys Sinnett, Pembrokeshire County Council’s cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “This is excellent news for the town as it allows us at Pembrokeshire County Council to continue providing a much-valued service at current levels.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Milford Haven Town Council and the Port of Milford Haven, as through partnership working we are able to maintain this important community resource.”

Councillor William Elliott, Mayor of Milford Haven, said the agreement reflected the value placed on the library by the community. He said: “We are delighted to have reached a consensus to support the library over the next three years.
“We value the importance of the library not just for the loaning of books, but also for its wider role supporting groups, wellbeing checks, warm spaces and more.
“Over the past 12 months we have continued to work closely with the library team, the County Council and the Port of Milford Haven to explore all available options, and we remain committed to this partnership going forward.”

Tom Sawyer, chief executive of the Port of Milford Haven, added: “Libraries are cornerstones of our communities — places where people connect, learn and feel supported.
“We’re proud to have helped ensure this vital resource remains accessible to everyone who depends on it.”

Milford Haven Library is based at Cedar Court. Further information about the library and its facilities is available via Pembrokeshire County Council’s libraries service.

Ministers say new management plans, enforcement action and funding are strengthening the future of Welsh fishing communities

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has published an update on its long-term strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Wales, claiming “significant progress” one year after the policy was formally introduced.

In a written statement issued on Thursday (Jan 29), Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, said the approach was designed to create a more sustainable, well-regulated and economically resilient fishing sector.

The strategy, first set out in December 2024 following consultation with the Ministerial Advisory Group for Welsh Fisheries, focuses on three core areas: delivering Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs), meeting Wales’ statutory duties around fisheries enforcement and monitoring, and fulfilling national and international obligations following the UK’s exit from the EU.’

Management plans and consultations

Ministers say progress has been made on the development of FMPs, which are intended to manage fish stocks on a long-term, evidence-based footing. Wales is expected to launch its first Wales-only FMP later this year, covering crab and lobster fisheries, while also contributing to five joint UK plans.

A separate public consultation on changes to scallop fishing management, linked to the King Scallop FMP published in 2023, is currently under way and due to close on Friday (Jan 31).

The Welsh Government says it has also introduced an adaptive cockle management system, adjusted rules for the whelk fishery, and launched a recreational bluefin tuna fishery, all based on updated scientific advice.

Enforcement and prosecutions

On enforcement, ministers highlighted eight successful prosecutions relating to misreporting of Dover sole, resulting in fines and costs totalling £950,000, alongside 20 fixed penalty notices for other fisheries offences.

Officials say they have continued to work with other UK enforcement agencies to monitor both domestic and international vessels operating in Welsh waters, arguing that tougher enforcement is essential to protect stocks and ensure a level playing field for compliant fishers.

Funding and support for coastal communities

The statement also points to continued public investment in the sector. During 2025, more than £1.14 million was awarded through Round 5 of the Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme, with a further £430,000 distributed via the Coastal Capacity Building Fund.

An additional £1.29 million has been added to the fisheries budget for 2026/27, with Round 6 of the Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme opening earlier this month and carrying an increased budget.

Other measures cited include grants to support the installation of inshore vessel monitoring systems, new multi-year marine science contracts, and research into the economic and carbon impacts of the Welsh fishing fleet.

Wellbeing and resilience

The government says it is also focusing on workforce resilience, with supply-chain initiatives, wellbeing projects and seven upcoming Seafit Wales “Stronger at Sea” events planned across February and March. These events will offer free health and dental checks to fishers and their immediate families.

Ongoing debate

While ministers say the strategy has delivered a “stronger foundation” for the future, fishing organisations have previously warned that tighter controls, rising fuel costs and regulatory complexity continue to place pressure on small-scale operators.

The Welsh Government maintains that collaboration with fishers and coastal communities will remain central as further management plans and funding programmes are rolled out.

Ministers say the next phase will focus on building on the framework already in place, while balancing environmental sustainability with the economic realities facing Wales’ fishing ports and coastal towns.

BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Network and Creative Wales have awarded four Wales-based production companies funding to develop ideas for a new Factual Entertainment series

BBC CYMRU WALES, BBC Network, and Creative Wales announced the launch of a new development fund for a Factual Entertainment series at the Wales Media Summit last year.

Production companies with a substantive base in Wales were invited to pitch bold, original ideas that celebrate Welsh creativity while delivering unforgettable entertainment to audiences across the UK.

Boom, Curve Media, South Shore and Tŷ’r Ddraig have successfully been awarded funding to further develop their ideas for a new Factual Entertainment series. Each company will receive £10,000 of funding, with development starting in the coming weeks.

Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning BBC Cymru Wales, said: “We were really impressed by the variety and volume of the submissions we received – companies really responded to our call for ideas for an ambitious, returnable format, that surprises, unites, and captivates. We’re so excited to be working with the four successful companies, and we’re looking forward to seeing how their ideas develop further.”

Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Events, said: “Made in Wales is a collaboration to find a major new factual entertainment series that will harness the best of Welsh creativity and resonate across the UK. We are really looking forward to working with brilliant Welsh talent to come up with the next big thing.”

Joedi Langley, Interim Head of Creative Wales, said: “This announcement follows a recently published and updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Creative Wales and BBC, a commitment between the two organisations to work together to support the vibrant, diverse, world-class screen industries in Wales.

“This new development funding will do just that – create new opportunities for Welsh based production companies to develop exciting, original ideas for factual content. Congratulations to the indies, we look forward to seeing what comes next!”

The total funding of £40,000 has been provided by BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Network and the Welsh Government via Creative Wales.