News

Jobs and training schemes in Pembrokeshire could be hit by new UK growth fund rules

Published

5 months ago

February 9, 2026

JOBS and training schemes in Pembrokeshire could be affected by changes to a major UK Government funding programme, with councils across Wales warning that more than a thousand posts may be at risk.

The new Local Growth Fund will replace the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which currently pays for business support, employability and skills projects delivered by councils and voluntary groups.

Like authorities across Wales, Pembrokeshire County Council uses the existing fund to back frontline services including help for small businesses, training courses, and support for people trying to get back into work.

A coalition of councils and third sector organisations, coordinated by the Industrial Communities Alliance, has written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging changes to the scheme.

They say the current plans risk avoidable job losses and service cuts, particularly in poorer communities that rely most on council-led support.

Funding for Wales is expected to total around £547 million over three years under the replacement programme. However, local leaders argue that the overall pot is smaller than previous arrangements and that new spending rules could limit how the money is used.

Under proposals, around 70 per cent of the funding would have to go on capital projects such as buildings and infrastructure, leaving just 30 per cent for day-to-day services and staffing.

Councils say most current schemes depend on revenue funding to pay staff who advise small firms, run skills courses and work directly with residents to help them into employment.

The alliance estimates around 1,500 council jobs across Wales are currently supported through the fund, alongside many more in charities and community organisations delivering services on the ground.

Meirion Thomas, who coordinated the campaign, said: “These programmes support businesses, training and employability. Losing them would hit the very communities the fund is meant to help.”

Both the Welsh Government and the UK Government say the new arrangements are intended to drive economic growth and give local areas greater control over spending decisions.

Ministers have said the fund is designed to create jobs, improve productivity and support communities, and that discussions with councils are continuing.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council how many local jobs and schemes currently rely on the funding and what impact the new rules may have locally.

With the new system due to start in April, council leaders say clarity is urgently needed to avoid disruption to services that many businesses and jobseekers in Pembrokeshire depend on.

Crime

Scaffolder banned after cannabis smell reported from van

Published

15 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A SCAFFOLDER has been banned from driving for 14 months after an off-duty police officer smelt cannabis coming from his Volkswagen Transporter as it travelled through Slebech.

The report was made to police at around 10.30am on February 15. When officers located the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by 46-year-old Christopher Bennett.

Further blood tests showed Bennett had 16.8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.

This week Bennett, of Queensdown Gardens, Brislington, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.

“The defendant is remorseful for his actions and recognises the seriousness of the offence,” Ms Harries told the Bench.

“He suffers significant pain following operations to his shoulders and has been prescribed codeine. But this causes drowsiness, so he began self-medicating using cannabis.

“On the day of the offence, he was in worse pain than usual, so he used cannabis earlier than he normally does.”

Ms Harries said the conviction would have serious financial consequences for Bennett, who works as a self-employed scaffolder.

“His driving licence is fundamental to his livelihood,” she said.

“The financial consequences are going to be significant to him, as well as to those who are dependent on him.”

Magistrates fined Bennett £600 and ordered him to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Crime

Estate agent banned after drug-drive crash in Milford Haven

Published

15 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Alison Walker had nearly five times the legal benzoylecgonine limit in her system

A PEMBROKESHIRE estate agent has been banned from the road after admitting driving through Milford Haven with nearly five times the legal limit of a cocaine metabolite in her system.

Alison Walker, 59, was arrested on February 2 after her white MG was involved in a two-car collision on Great North Road, Milford Haven.

“Fortunately there were no injuries, just damage to the vehicles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Walker was arrested and asked to provide blood samples. These showed she had 240mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

Walker, of Woodland Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

He told the bench that prior to the offence, Walker had been employed as an estate agent.

“She has a good relationship with her boss, and as soon as this conviction is dealt with and her sentence has been served, he will be happy for her to return to her employment,” he said.

After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates disqualified Walker from driving for 20 months.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. Walker must also carry out a 12-month community order, during which she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Crime

Pembroke Dock motorist banned after driving with cocaine in system

Published

16 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been banned from the roads after being caught driving with more than seven times the legal cocaine limit in her system.

Naomi Grant, 47, was stopped by police on the night of February 6 as she drove her Vauxhall Astra along the A477 near Pembroke Dock.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Grant, of Cheriton Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, was taken for further tests.

Blood analysis showed she had 74mcg of cocaine in her system. The legal limit is 10mcg. She also had 1,200mcg of benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine, where the legal limit is 50mcg.

This week Grant, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug-driving when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

She was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told the court that his client is currently prescribed a considerable amount of medication for a number of medical issues.

“She also has her own personal assistant as a result of her medical needs,” he said.

“She has done everything that has been asked of her in relation to this offence and has engaged with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service to help her move forward.”

Magistrates disqualified Grant from driving for 12 months and fined her £120.

She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.