Local Government

Report warns austerity has hit council services across Wales

Published

3 months ago

December 16, 2025

A NEW report commissioned by UNISON Cymru has warned that years of austerity and ongoing funding pressures have had a damaging impact on local government services across Wales.

The report, titled The Future of Local Government Services in Wales, examines the pressures facing councils and frontline staff working in areas including social care, housing, leisure services and youth provision. It was produced by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) and published on Wednesday (Dec 17).

According to the report, repeated reductions in funding and short-term financial settlements have made it increasingly difficult for councils to plan ahead, retain experienced staff and maintain service standards. It argues that cuts to preventative and early-intervention services can lead to higher costs in the longer term as problems escalate.

UNISON Cymru says councils are struggling to meet rising demand for services while managing tight budgets and workforce pressures. The union is calling for a shift to multi-year funding settlements to give local authorities greater financial stability and allow them to rebuild services.

Gwawr Eilian, UNISON’s Gwynedd branch secretary, said councils had been “stretched to the limit” after years of funding constraints.

“Councils have been starved of funding for years and suffered from multiple rounds of job cuts,” she said. “We’re stretched to the limit just trying to cope with the increased demand for our services.”

Darron Dupre, UNISON Cymru’s head of local government, said sustained investment in council services was essential to community wellbeing.

“As this report shows, failing to fund local government just stores up problems down the line,” he said. “It will now take proper funding and long-term planning to fix the problems of austerity and rebuild public services. There are no short cuts or easy answers.”

Local government funding has been a long-running issue in Wales, with councils warning in recent years of growing pressures linked to rising social care costs, inflation, pay awards and increased demand for services. Welsh councils receive most of their funding through a combination of Welsh Government grants and council tax.

The Welsh Government has previously said it is operating within tight budgets set by the UK Government and has pointed to real-terms pressures across public services. Ministers have also highlighted that councils in Wales have been protected from some of the deepest cuts seen elsewhere in the UK since austerity measures were introduced after 2010.

The report will be formally launched at an event at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday afternoon. Copies of the full report and a summary guide are available in both English and Welsh.

UNISON is the UK’s largest trade union, representing more than 1.3 million members working across public services, including local government, education, the NHS and emergency services.

In Pembrokeshire, the financial picture has been more mixed. Pembrokeshire County Council has reported a budget surplus in recent financial years, driven by a combination of higher-than-expected council tax income, strong performance from some services, reserves carried forward from previous years, and short-term factors such as unspent allocations and delayed capital projects.

Council leaders have previously stressed that a surplus does not mean services are fully funded in the long term, warning that rising costs in social care, education and pay awards continue to place pressure on future budgets. The authority has also said that reserves are often held to manage risk and cannot be relied upon to fund ongoing services indefinitely.

Pembrokeshire County Council has argued that while careful financial management has helped it remain more stable than some authorities, it still faces significant challenges ahead as inflation, demand-led services and uncertainty over future Welsh Government settlements continue to affect local government finances.

Community

First person of colour to be elected mayor of Haverfordwest

Published

2 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE town council will soon have its first-ever person of colour as mayor, and its youngest mayor in a century.

Haverfordwest Town Councillor Randell Iziah Thomas-Turner, aged 37, is to become mayor this May.

Cllr Turner said: “Tonight [March 19], I had the honour of accepting the nomination as mayor-elect — a moment that will forever stay with me.

“In doing so, I am humbled to be making history as the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest and the youngest mayor in a century. This is not just my achievement, it belongs to every person who believes in progress, representation, and the power of community. This is a new chapter for our town — one built on unity, opportunity, and hope.

“My mayor-making will take place this May, and I cannot wait to officially step into the role and begin serving the people of Haverfordwest with pride, passion, and purpose. Haverfordwest is the best in the West — and together, we are just getting started.

“Diversity is not a challenge to overcome, but a strength to embrace. When people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together with respect and openness, we unlock new ideas, stronger solutions, and deeper understanding.”

It’s a double celebration for the Thomas-Turner family.

Wife, and fellow town councillor, Dani, has been voted as sheriff of the town for the second-year-running, the first woman to serve as sheriff for two consecutive years.

“The coming civic year will be one to watch as my husband Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner is becoming the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest’s history,” said Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, adding: “It’s going to be a year of history and memory making for sure.”

Business

Pembrokeshire hospitality rates relief scheme backed

Published

2 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A WELSH Government-funded scheme to provide rates relief for hospitality businesses has been backed by senior Pembrokeshire councillors.

A report for members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet at their March meeting said: “Welsh Government has introduced the Food and Drink Hospitality Rates Relief, this relief is aimed at eligible businesses in Wales in the food and drink hospitality sector for example, pubs, restaurants, cafes, bars and live music venues.

“The aim of the relief is to support eligible businesses to manage continued cost pressures. The relief will apply to all eligible occupied properties by offering a discount of 15 per cent on non-domestic rate bills for the period April 1 to March 31, 2027. The relief is capped at £110,000 per business across Wales.

“As this is a temporary measure, Welsh Government is providing the relief by reimbursing local authorities that use their discretionary relief powers under Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.”

It concluded: “The food and drink hospitality rates relief 2026-27 requires the local authority to adopt a discretionary scheme [as outlined] and in accordance with the criteria and conditions specified in the guidance issued by Welsh Government.

“It is proposed that Cabinet resolve to adopt [the scheme] which can be applied to administer the relief. Welsh Government will reimburse local authorities for the relief provided in line with their guidance via a grant under section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003.”

Members backed the recommendation.

All eligible businesses must apply for this relief by the March 31, 2027, and an application form will be available on the council’s website from the April 1.

The maximum cash value of the rates relief allowed, across all properties in Wales occupied by the same business should not exceed £110,000. Businesses claiming the relief must declare that the amount being claimed does not exceed those limits.

Local Government

New mayor-elect announced for Haverfordwest

Published

18 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL has confirmed its new Mayor-Elect, with Councillor Randell Thomas-Turner set to take on the role later this year.

In a statement, he said he was “honoured” to accept the nomination, describing it as a moment that will stay with him forever.

He also highlighted the significance of the appointment, saying he is set to become the town’s first mayor of colour and the youngest in a century.

The councillor said the role represents more than a personal achievement, adding that it reflects “progress, representation, and the power of community.”

His official mayor-making ceremony is expected to take place in May.

The Mayor-Elect said: “Haverfordwest is the best in the West – and together, we are just getting started.”