REFORM WALES has accused the Plaid Cymru Welsh Government of creating uncertainty over future council tax bills after ministers declined to confirm whether a planned revaluation of homes will go ahead in 2028.

The revaluation forms part of wider council tax reform approved under the Local Government Finance (Wales) Act 2024. The Welsh Government has previously said the changes are intended to make the system fairer and more progressive, with regular revaluations every five years.

However, Local Government Minister Siân Gwenllian has said the issue is under review, with further decisions to be set out in due course.

Reform Wales said residents needed clarity at a time when many households were already facing rising bills.

Francesca O’Brien MS, Reform Wales’ Shadow Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, said: “Plaid Cymru’s uncertainty on council tax reform demonstrates a lack of clear decision-making and will do little to reassure hard-pressed households already facing rising bills.

“Reform Wales believes those who pay the bills should have the final say. That’s why we would introduce local referendums on any council tax rise above 4.99%, preventing excessive increases and putting more money back into people’s pockets.”

Supporters of reform argue that Wales’ council tax system is outdated, with property values still largely based on valuations from 2003. They say revaluation could make the system fairer by ensuring households in lower-value homes are not disproportionately burdened.

Critics, however, fear that any revaluation could create winners and losers, with some households facing higher bills depending on how property values have changed in their area.

The Welsh Government has said further details will be provided once its review is complete.

Bank promises investment in face-to-face banking as Pembrokeshire communities reflect on years of lost local branches

NATWEST has pledged not to announce any further branch closures across Wales until at least 2029, bringing to an end years of banking shutdowns that have dramatically reshaped access to face-to-face services in communities across Pembrokeshire and beyond.

The banking giant confirmed on Friday (June 5) that it will make no further closure announcements in Wales or the rest of the UK for at least three years, while investing £50 million into modernising and upgrading its branch network over the next 18 months.

The announcement comes after widespread criticism over the loss of local banking services, particularly in rural communities where residents and businesses have struggled with reduced access to cash and in-person support.

NatWest said the move marks the conclusion of its current programme of branch changes, although two final Welsh branches — Llanelli and Port Talbot — are still set to close in September.

The bank said counter transactions had fallen by 53 per cent in Port Talbot and 74 per cent in Llanelli between January 2020 and January 2026, although that period included Covid restrictions and changes to customer behaviour during and after the pandemic.

A changing banking landscape

NatWest says 95 per cent of customers now use digital services for day-to-day banking, but insisted face-to-face support remains vital for important life events and more complex financial matters.

The bank said investment over the next two years will include branch refurbishments, relocations and potential new branches where customer demand justifies it.

The bank also plans to expand its mobile branch network across Wales, increasing community stops and access to in-person services in areas no longer served by permanent branches.

NatWest says its Welsh mobile banking service currently covers around 2,550 miles every week and is expected to serve approximately 18,000 customers during 2026.

Solange Chamberlain, Chief Executive of Retail Banking at NatWest Group, said: “This is an important moment for our customers and the communities we serve.

“We are investing to offer customers a seamless mix of ways to bank with us including over the phone, digitally, or via our free-to-use ATM network — while continuing to support those who prefer face-to-face banking in branches and community banking hubs.”

Pembrokeshire branch closures

Pembrokeshire has already experienced a major reduction in NatWest’s branch network.

In 2018, NatWest closed branches in Pembroke, Cardigan, Milford Haven and Narberth, leaving Haverfordwest as the county’s only remaining branch.

The closures took place over a six-week period, with Pembroke shutting on May 21, Cardigan on May 30, Milford Haven on June 21 and Narberth on June 28.

At the time, concerns were raised by residents, business owners and campaigners who warned that elderly customers, those without reliable internet access and rural communities would be disproportionately affected.

Cash-handling businesses also expressed concern about longer travel distances for deposits and banking services.

NatWest defended the closures by pointing to changing customer habits and growing use of online and mobile banking.

The Haverfordwest branch has since remained open and was recently refurbished as part of NatWest’s investment programme in Wales.

Face-to-face banking still valued

Despite the shift toward digital banking, banking campaigners have long argued that branches remain essential in market towns and rural communities such as those found across west Wales.

The Herald understands concerns about access to banking services remain particularly strong in Pembrokeshire, where public transport links can make travelling to larger towns difficult for older residents.

NatWest said customers affected by the remaining Welsh closures will continue to have access to services through Post Offices, banking hubs and nearby branches.

The bank said it would continue to invest in financial support programmes, including financial health checks, school visits and workplace education designed to improve confidence in money management.

For many in Pembrokeshire, however, the pledge may be viewed less as expansion and more as a long-awaited pause after years of retreat from the high street.

TWO St Davids RNLI lifeboats were launched within hours of each other after a yacht was left disabled in a thunderstorm and a kayaker capsized in a strong tide.

The first call came on Wednesday, May 27, after reports that a yacht in St Brides Bay had suffered rigging damage and lost its sails during a thunderstorm.

St Davids RNLI’s all-weather Tamar class lifeboat, Norah Wortley, was launched at 3:27pm and reached the vessel by 4:00pm.

When the crew arrived, they found the yacht had also lost engine power. A tow was established and the vessel was taken safely to a mooring at Dale.

The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again by 8:15pm.

Kayaker rescued near Shoe Rock

While the all-weather lifeboat was still dealing with the yacht, St Davids RNLI received a second call for help after a kayaker capsized in the strong flooding tide.

The inshore lifeboat launched at 5:35pm and headed to the south end of Ramsey Sound, where the kayaker was found near Shoe Rock.

The casualty and kayak were safely taken back to Porthclais Harbour, before the inshore lifeboat returned to station and was made ready for service again by 8:00pm.

St Davids RNLI said the kayaker had been wearing a buoyancy aid and carrying a mobile phone, which allowed them to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard after becoming separated from their craft.

RNLI inshore lifeboat helm, Chris Limbert said: “This rescue was a brilliant example of why it’s so important to always wear a buoyancy aid and carry a means of contact.

“If the kayaker had been without a buoyancy aid, they may have struggled to stay afloat and get themselves safely onto the rock.

“They were also carrying a mobile phone which allowed them to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

“Our crew of volunteers are on call 24/7 to go to people’s aid. Never be afraid to call for help.”