Council leader says Tessa Hodgson has the experience to guide Pembrokeshire through turbulent year

LEADER Cllr Jon Harvey has thrown his support behind Cllr Tessa Hodgson to succeed him, after confirming he will not seek re-election as leader of Pembrokeshire County Council.

Cllr Harvey, who has led the authority for the past two years and represents Pembroke St Mary North, said the decision had come after careful consideration and reflection.

He described his time in office as “a fantastic two years” and “a real honour and privilege”, praising the work of his cabinet and colleagues during what he called a challenging period.

“After much thought and reflection, I feel now is the right time to make way for someone else to lead the council through the next twelve months to the local government elections in May 2027,” he said.

Cllr Harvey pointed to the wider political landscape, with a Senedd election imminent, as a key factor in his decision.

“We are living through turbulent times, and following the Senedd election next week, we will almost certainly have a new government in Cardiff,” he said.

“We need leadership and a cabinet in Pembrokeshire that has experience and is able to build on the great work already in progress, and that is why I will be one hundred per cent supporting Tessa in her bid to become the next leader.”

Cllr Tessa Hodgson, who has represented Lamphey since 2012 and currently serves as cabinet member for adult social care and safeguarding, has confirmed she will stand for the leadership.

Responding to the endorsement, she paid tribute to Cllr Jon Harvey and his time in office.

“I was sad to hear that Jon had decided not to seek re-election – he has much to be proud of and it has been great to serve in his cabinet and to work alongside him with such a dedicated team of cabinet colleagues,” she said.

Setting out her intentions, Cllr Hodgson said she would aim to provide continuity while bringing her own approach to the role.

“Should I be successful in my bid to be leader, I would look to build on the successes of the last nine years and use my experience, energy and ideas to lead the council through the next twelve months and to work collaboratively with all members in the best interests of Pembrokeshire,” she said.

COUNCILLOR Huw Murphy has claimed Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet is “fractured” following Cllr Jon Harvey’s decision not to seek re-election as leader.

Cllr Murphy, a member of the Independent Group, said the decision confirmed what he claimed many councillors already believed — that the Cabinet “no longer retains the confidence of a majority of elected members”.

He alleged that attempts by some Cabinet members to replace Cllr Harvey were aimed at preserving their own Cabinet positions and the additional allowances attached to them.

Cllr Murphy said: “The motto of Pembrokeshire County Council is ‘Ex Unitate Vires’ — in unity, strength. It is abundantly clear there has been no unity or strength in Cabinet for some time.”

He added that removing the leader would not, in itself, resolve what he described as wider Cabinet failure.

Cllr Murphy thanked Cllr Harvey for his service over the past two years and wished him well for the future, but said councillors now had an opportunity to choose “real change” by electing Cllr Anji Tinley as the next leader.

RESIDENTS and businesses in Tenby’s Walled Town are being urged to apply for vehicle access permits ahead of this year’s summer pedestrianisation scheme.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the annual scheme is due to begin on Monday, July 6, and run until Friday, September 11.

The restrictions will operate daily between 11:00am and 5:30pm.

As in previous years, the Walled Town will be divided into three zones, with each zone having different levels of vehicle access.

Full details of the scheme, including the online application form, will be available from Friday, May 1, on the council’s website at www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/tenby-pedestrianisation

Residents and businesses within the Walled Town are being encouraged to complete the application process as soon as possible once the documents go live.

The council said this will allow enough time for applications to be processed and for any additional checks to be carried out if further information is needed.

Permits are expected to be issued approximately seven to ten days before the scheme begins.

Paper application forms and guidance notes will no longer be delivered to residents and businesses within the Walled Town, meaning all permit requests must now be submitted online.

Permit holders are also being encouraged to continue planning journeys outside the restricted hours of 11:00am to 5:30pm wherever practical, in order to support the smooth running of the scheme.

Further information is available by emailing [email protected].