Local Government

Food hygiene checks have not been carried out in parts of a Welsh county since 2019

Published

2 months ago

April 7, 2026

FOOD hygiene checks have not been carried out in parts of a Welsh county since 2019 due an inspection backlog, a council has admitted.

Carmarthenshire council said its struggle to recruit food safety officers means hygiene inspections are currently overdue at three high-risk food premises in the county, with hundreds more lower risk food sellers also behind on checks.

Councillor Colin Evans told a scrutiny committee meeting he felt the situation was “quite serious”, adding: “Should something go wrong, it could go wrong very quickly.”

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said councils were making progress on checks despite increased workloads and a UK-wide need to train more inspectors.

The council was told last month it probably would not meet its hygiene checks and interventions for high-risk food businesses.

Despite offering £60 to £70 per hour to recruit qualified staff through agencies, the council said recruitment remained difficult.

Ian Jones, the council’s head of leisure and public protection, said despite a lot of professionalism and expertise within the service it was “highly unlikely” the end-of-year targets would be met.

Councillors were told other authorities were in a similar position and the committee referred the matter to cabinet for consideration.

No checks for seven years

Food premises are checked based on risk categories ranging from A to E, with A, B and C considered high risk due to food handling.

The council said there were three highest-risk category A premises with overdue hygiene inspections in the county – two of them within a 28-day overdue period, and the third subject to an “ongoing presence from inspectors” since the previous intervention.

There were also two category B premises and 228 category C premises with overdue inspections, and 467 overdue hygiene inspections for category D and E establishments.

The council said inspection frequencies depended on the risk category but varied between “at least every six months to at least every 36 months”.

But a council website showing food ratings suggests no food hygiene inspections have been done at some premises in the north of the county in seven years.

The council said inspectors carried out other work, such as food standards and hygiene visits.

It said the average backlog was 16 months for category C premises, 35 months for category D and 38 months for category E.

And it said 405 of the 467 category D and E premises with an overdue inspection were eligible to do a self-assessment questionnaire.

The council said it had a statutory duty to enforce food law “as effectively as possible, using means that are most appropriate to the circumstances”.

The hospitality trade body UK Hospitality said despite pressure on the sector in recent years, “the safety of our customers remains non-negotiable and food hygiene is a major focus for businesses – alongside work on allergens and food crime”.

The FSA’s head of delivery Sarah Aza said last month the agency was liaising with governments and others to increase the inspection workforce.

She said councils were making good progress on food safety and standards checks but a rise in new businesses was increasing the workload.

“If a local authority is concerned about meeting its legal inspection duties, we ask them to get in touch with us early,” she said.

Report by Richard Youle, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Health

Have your say on new West Wales learning disability strategy

Published

2 days ago

May 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RESIDENTS across Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire are being invited to help shape a new regional Learning Disability Strategy.

Views sought on five-year plan

The strategy, covering 2026 to 2031, will set out the future direction of services and support for neurodivergent people and people with a learning disability across west Wales.

Over the past two years, Ceredigion County Council, Pembrokeshire County Council, Carmarthenshire County Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board have been working with people with lived experience to help shape the proposals.

At present, each county has its own Learning Disability Strategy. The new plan would bring these together into one regional approach, aimed at making services more consistent and joined-up across the three counties.

The draft recommendations have been developed and reviewed by the Regional Improving Lives Partnership, which includes the three county councils, Hywel Dda University Health Board, The Dream Team, Carmarthenshire People First, Pembrokeshire People First, the West Wales Regional Partnership, and projects funded through the Regional Integration Fund.

Cllr Alun Williams, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member for Through Age Wellbeing, said: “We’re committed to ensuring that people with a learning disability and neurodivergent people are at the heart of shaping services that affect them.

“We encourage everyone to take part and share their views to help us develop a strategy that truly meets the needs of communities across West Wales.”

The consultation is open until Sunday, July 5.

Residents can complete the West Wales Learning Disability Strategy Survey online, or request a paper copy from a Ceredigion library or leisure centre. Paper copies can also be requested by calling 01437 764551 or emailing [email protected].

Completed questionnaires should be returned to Norman Industries, Units 1-2, Snowdrop Lane, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 1JB.

Local Government

Youngest mayor in century takes office in Haverfordwest

Published

3 days ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner makes history as town’s first millennial mayor and first from a diverse background

HAVERFORDWEST has welcomed a new mayor after Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner officially took office, marking several historic firsts for the county town.

Councillor Thomas-Turner said he was “incredibly honoured” to become Mayor of Haverfordwest, describing the moment as bigger than one individual and a sign of the town’s changing future.

He is believed to be the youngest Mayor of Haverfordwest in the twenty-first century, the first millennial to hold the role, and the first mayor from a diverse background in the town’s history.

The mayoral ceremony was attended by more than 100 pupils from Fenton Primary School and Prendergast School, who performed during the event.

Speaking after the ceremony, Cllr Thomas-Turner said: “This moment is far bigger than one individual. It is a reflection of how far our community has come and the future we are building together — a future based on unity, opportunity, compassion and community spirit.”

He thanked residents, supporters and local organisations involved in the event, including catering company The Platter Box Co, and announced that his chosen charity for the year will be Snap Specialist Play.

A raffle held during the day raised £387 for the charity.

Giving back

Following the mayor-making ceremony and luncheon, the new mayor, Sheriff of Haverfordwest Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, Deputy Mayor Adam Benson-Davies, Mayor’s Crier Gareth Jones and Town Clerk Vanessa Lewis-Camacho visited Withybush Hospital to donate leftover food from the event to NHS staff.

Cllr Thomas-Turner said the gesture was intended as a small thank-you to healthcare workers for their dedication to the people of Pembrokeshire.

“Our NHS staff are heroes within our community, and it was important to me that today’s celebrations also gave something back,” he said.

The new mayor pledged to serve residents with “dedication, humility and pride” during his year in office.

Caption:

New mayor: Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner during his mayor-making ceremony in Haverfordwest (Pic: Supplied)

Local Government

New council leader confirms Cabinet

Published

3 days ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S new Leader, Cllr Tessa Hodgson, has confirmed her Cabinet.

Cllr Hodgson, the first woman to lead the authority, was elected at the council’s Annual General Meeting on Friday (May 15).

Cllr Jon Harvey, who did not seek re-election as Leader, returns to Cabinet with responsibility for finance.

Cllr Paul Miller remains Deputy Leader and takes on the Education and Regeneration portfolio.

Education had previously been held by Cllr Guy Woodham, who has decided to step down from Cabinet.

New communities role

Cllrs Aaron Carey, who represents Pembroke Monkton and St Mary South, and Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, member for Tenby South, have joined the Cabinet.

They will share responsibility for a newly-created Communities portfolio.

Cllr Hodgson said: “Our new Cabinet will build on the experience of the previous executive, with the new additions of Cllr Skyrme-Blackhall and Cllr Carey, two experienced councillors who will bring new energy and ideas in their newly-formed portfolio area of Communities.

“Around the Cabinet table I am confident we have the experience and knowledge to get straight back to work for the people of Pembrokeshire.

“I also want to take this opportunity to put on record my thanks and appreciation to Cllr Woodham for all his work as the Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language.”