Extraordinary scrutiny meeting will examine whether three-year replacement programme offers value for Pembrokeshire taxpayers

A £2.4 MILLION plan to replace Pembrokeshire County Council’s passenger-carrying vehicles over the next three years is to face further scrutiny amid questions over costs, electric vehicles and the authority being delegated to officers.

An extraordinary meeting of the council’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been arranged for Monday, July 20, at 3pm following a call-in of the Cabinet decision.

The process allows councillors to examine the decision before it is implemented and, depending on the committee’s conclusions, refer it back to Cabinet or potentially to a meeting of the full council.

The programme, considered by Cabinet on July 6, concerns the procurement of passenger-carrying vehicles as part of a three-year fleet replacement programme.

However, questions are expected over precisely what Pembrokeshire taxpayers would receive for the proposed £2.4 million expenditure and whether the sum would cover the full cost if electric vehicles are selected.

In an email seen by The Herald, Independent Group councillor Huw Murphy said members should use the meeting to examine the “robustness” of the £2.4 million figure and establish whether the programme represents value for residents.

He also raised concerns about how the final decision over vehicle types would be made.

Cllr Murphy wrote: “We can also test the water on are they likely to go with EV.

“The cynic in me says they want to go EV but dressing it up as undecided, but officers decide once we give the green light.

“The question then is, will £2.4 million cover it all?”

His comments represent his concerns ahead of the meeting and do not establish that the council has already decided to purchase electric vehicles.

The scrutiny committee is expected to examine whether the £2.4 million allocation would include only the vehicles or also any charging points, electrical upgrades, specialist adaptations and other infrastructure required to operate an electric passenger fleet.

Members may also seek details of the proposed number and type of vehicles, the anticipated replacement timetable and how electric models would perform on longer rural journeys across Pembrokeshire.

Another issue is likely to be the extent of the powers that would be given to council officers once the overall programme is approved.

Councillors could question whether elected members would be asked to approve individual purchases and specifications or whether those decisions would be made under delegated authority within the agreed budget.

Cllr Murphy said the scrutiny process was intended to ensure taxpayers’ money was used “in the most effective way possible”.

Parts of the meeting could be held in private if councillors are presented with commercially sensitive information about vehicle prices, procurement arrangements or potential suppliers.

The committee will nevertheless have the power to seek further information, endorse the Cabinet decision or refer it back for reconsideration.

The proposal appears to be the first time the council’s specific £2.4 million passenger-vehicle replacement programme has faced detailed public scrutiny, although the broader transition towards lower-emission public-sector fleets has been discussed previously.

The extraordinary meeting will take place at County Hall and is expected to be available through the council’s online meeting webcast service.

Wildlife Crime Officers are investigating after the town council said around five animals showed signs of deliberate injury

WILDLIFE found dead around Pembroke Mill Pond may have been deliberately targeted with a catapult, Pembroke Town Council has said.

The statement follows earlier reporting by The Pembrokeshire Herald after residents raised concerns about several dead birds, including ducks, discovered around the Mill Pond and nearby Ferry Lane.

Photographs shared on social media prompted calls for an investigation, with some residents questioning whether the deaths could be connected to algae visible on the pond or a deterioration in water quality.

However, the town council has now said its representatives visited the area and recovered some of the dead wildlife.

According to the council, around five different animals appeared to have suffered injuries consistent with being intentionally targeted using a catapult.

The findings have been passed to Wildlife Crime Officers, who are understood to be investigating. The cause of the deaths has not yet been independently confirmed and will remain a matter for the police investigation.

Pembroke Town Council said: “This is an extremely distressing and cruel act against wildlife.”

The council also sought to reassure residents that it did not believe the deaths were connected to the condition of the pond.

It said Aqua Clear had been employed for the past seven years to manage algae growth and control the spread of reeds.

According to the council, the programme has reduced algae levels by approximately 45 per cent, while the water quality continues to be monitored and remains in good condition.

The council added: “We are aware that there has been speculation on social media suggesting that the deaths may be linked to the water quality or algae currently present in the pond. We would like to reassure residents that this is not the case.”

Pembroke Mill Pond is one of the town’s best-known beauty spots and supports a wide variety of birds and other wildlife.

The council said it strongly condemned all forms of cruelty and urged anyone who had witnessed suspicious behaviour around the pond, or who had information that could assist the investigation, to report it immediately.

Information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The council thanked residents for raising the alarm and for their continued concern for the pond and the animals living there.

The Herald’s earlier report recorded residents’ concerns about dead birds around the Mill Pond and Ferry Lane. The latest statement confirms that the council believes the visible algae was not responsible and that injuries found on approximately five animals pointed towards suspected deliberate attacks.

Businesses and members of the public across the Dyfed-Powys area are being urged to check banknotes carefully after fake currency was reported in Builth Wells

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has issued a warning after receiving an increased number of reports of counterfeit £20 notes being circulated in the Builth Wells area.

Although the reports have so far centred on the town, the warning is relevant to businesses and residents across the force area, particularly with thousands of visitors expected to travel to Powys for the Royal Welsh Show.

Police are urging shopkeepers, hospitality businesses, market traders, taxi drivers and members of the public to examine any £20 notes they receive.

A genuine Bank of England polymer £20 note contains several security features. When the note is tilted from side to side, the word “twenty” inside the oval hologram should change to “pounds”.

The holographic section should also appear multicoloured when moved. Genuine polymer notes have a smooth, slightly glossy texture, with raised printing on areas including the words “Bank of England”.

Signs that a note could be counterfeit include the word “twenty” failing to change when the note is tilted, the holographic section remaining silver and the note having an unusual texture or thickness.

On some fake notes, the holographic patch may also appear out of alignment because it has been glued into place.

Police are also warning people to look out for so-called “prop notes”, which may have the words “prop” or “copy” printed on them.

In some cases, these words are covered with a foil sticker intended to resemble the security hologram on a genuine banknote. Police said these notes are still considered counterfeit under UK law, even when the wording remains visible.

Anyone who suspects they have received a counterfeit note should avoid attempting to spend it and should report the matter to police.

Possessing or knowingly using counterfeit currency is a serious criminal offence which can carry a prison sentence of up to ten years and an unlimited fine.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, email [email protected] or call 101.

People who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired can text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.