PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S Deputy Leader has launched a major bid to halt controversial plans to close Stepaside School.

Cllr Paul Miller, who took over responsibility for education on May 15, has submitted a motion asking councillors to rescind two previous decisions which authorised officers to begin statutory consultation on closing Saundersfoot and Stepaside schools and replacing them with a single 3-11 primary school on the Saundersfoot site.

The proposal, backed by council in December 2025 and reaffirmed in March 2026, would have seen consultation begin in September.

But in a significant change of direction, Cllr Miller has now told members he no longer believes the proposal to discontinue Stepaside School is “the right one”.

In an email sent to all county councillors, he said he had reviewed the council’s school modernisation and reorganisation plans since taking on the education portfolio.

He said the authority’s work to date had focused mainly on surplus places, which he described as an “interesting estates and facilities metric” but one which “tells us very little about the educational experience of the children inside those buildings”.

Cllr Miller said he accepted that very small schools could become unviable, not only financially but educationally, because of pressures on leadership, staff capacity, mixed-age classes, peer groups and pupil wellbeing.

However, he said Stepaside was in a “materially different position” from schools with exceptionally low pupil numbers.

With around 100 pupils on roll, he said the school was “substantially larger than schools previously deemed unviable”.

He added that decisions affecting larger schools required a broader assessment of educational sustainability, leadership capacity, workforce resilience and pupil experience before closure could be justified.

Cllr Miller also raised the possibility of alternatives, including shared leadership arrangements or formal federation, which he said could strengthen the sustainability of both schools.

He further noted that the planned temporary full decant of Tenby VC School may use a significant proportion of existing surplus places at Saundersfoot School, potentially weakening the case for closing Stepaside as a response to surplus capacity in the Tenby cluster.

His motion asks council to rescind its decisions of December 12, 2025 and March 5, 2026 and to discontinue the proposed statutory consultation process relating to the closure of Saundersfoot and Stepaside schools.

He has asked for the motion to be dealt with at July’s full council meeting, describing it as the final ordinary meeting before the planned September consultation.

The move is likely to be welcomed by campaigners and parents who have opposed the closure of Stepaside School, but it also raises fresh questions about the future of the wider Saundersfoot proposal and the council’s school modernisation programme.

The Herald has previously reported strong local concern over the plans, with parents and residents arguing that Stepaside remains a viable village school and plays an important role in the community.

Pembrokeshire County Council has consistently said school reorganisation must take account of pupil numbers, surplus places, Welsh Government guidance, building condition, long-term sustainability and the need to provide high-quality education.

If accepted onto the agenda, Cllr Miller’s motion could force councillors to revisit one of the most sensitive education decisions currently facing the authority.

South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell welcomed the development, describing it as “absolutely fantastic news” and “a massive victory for our community”.

He said the council had listened following serious concerns raised by local parents, residents and community representatives.

Mr Tufnell added: “When a community stands together, raises its voice, and refuses to be ignored, this is exactly what can be achieved.”

He also thanked those who attended meetings, backed the campaign and spoke up for the future of local children.

VOTERS in Pembroke Dock’s Market Ward will head to the polls on Thursday, July 9, to elect a new county councillor, with seven candidates standing.

The by-election has attracted candidates from across the political spectrum, alongside three independents, with priorities including healthcare, education, regeneration, cleaner streets, social care and community services.

Independent Hayley Wood says her campaign is centred on listening to residents and ensuring their concerns are represented. She has pledged to support community groups and volunteers, improve transparency and accountability, protect local services, including healthcare, and work collaboratively for the benefit of Pembroke Dock.

She has also highlighted dog fouling as a priority, calling for targeted patrols, mobile CCTV in problem areas and closer working with residents to identify hotspots.

Independent Paul Haywood Dowson is highlighting what he describes as a strong record of campaigning on local issues. He says he helped defeat proposals for a waste storage site at Pembroke Port, opposed plans for a fuel tanker depot on Criterion Way, tackled problems linked to a rogue landlord at the former Coronation School and Commercial Row, worked to remove fly-tipping and overflowing bins, and campaigned on issues surrounding Penally Camp.

Independent Claire Francis-Boswell is focusing on community involvement and volunteering. She says she has worked alongside organisations including Pater Hall Community Trust, Pembrokeshire Pride, Pennar Hall, Friends of Pembroke Pool, the neighbourhood policing team and the town council.

She highlighted her continued work with Pembroke Dock’s Warm Rooms initiative, describing it as an important source of support for vulnerable and isolated residents. She also says she works with local businesses to promote the town centre, while campaigning on issues including antisocial behaviour, dangerous driving and dog fouling.

Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate Lee Herring has identified cleaner and safer streets as a key priority, including repairing potholes and damaged pavements. He is also calling for greater support for young people, improved healthcare services at Argyle Street Surgery, better standards at Ysgol Harri Tudur and stronger accountability from elected representatives.

Reform UK candidate Ryan Morgan says his experience working in social care and running a business has shaped his priorities. He has pledged to campaign for improved social care provision, support the regeneration of neglected sites and empty properties, and improve additional learning needs provision.

Morgan, who is also a local authority school governor, says his personal experience as the parent of a child with autism has given him first-hand insight into the challenges facing families seeking support.

Plaid Cymru candidate Chloe Louise Richards says her background as a registered nurse and clinical practice educator has equipped her with leadership, communication and problem-solving skills. She also serves as a trade union steward, representing colleagues and negotiating on their behalf.

Richards says she wants to see stronger local services, greater opportunities for residents and businesses, and a council that listens to local people.

Welsh Conservative candidate Jamie Street says being part of an established Conservative group at Pembrokeshire County Council would provide access to experience and support while enabling him to raise local issues effectively.

Street says he wants to challenge what he describes as wasteful council spending, arguing that greater focus should be placed on core services including schools, roads, housing and social care. He has pledged to scrutinise council decisions, ensure value for taxpayers’ money and put Market Ward’s interests first if elected.

The by-election was called following the death of veteran county councillor Brian Hall in April. Cllr Hall had represented Pembroke Dock’s Market Ward since 1996 and served in a number of senior roles during three decades of public service.

RESIDENTS and businesses in Milford Haven will have the chance to learn more about a major flood defence project next month as plans for the Havens Head and Lower Priory Flood Alleviation Scheme move forward.

Pembrokeshire County Council has announced a community information event to give local people an opportunity to view the proposed works and speak directly with members of the project team before construction begins.

The scheme, which is being delivered in partnership with the Port of Milford Haven, Walters UK and WSP, is funded by the Welsh Government and aims to reduce the risk of flooding to homes, businesses and key infrastructure in the Havens Head and Lower Priory areas of Milford Haven.

According to the council, the project is designed not only to reduce flood risk but also to strengthen the community’s resilience to future flooding events.

Residents will be able to examine plans, ask questions and discuss the proposals with engineers and project representatives at a drop-in event taking place on:

Tuesday, July 7, 2026
9:00am to 5:00pm
The Atrium, Milford Haven Port Authority, Sybil House, The Docks, Milford Haven, SA73 3AA

In an invitation circulated to stakeholders, Coastal, Rivers and Drainage Team Manager Angharad Llewelyn said the event would allow members of the public to learn more about the project and speak directly with the team before works commence.

The Havens Head and Lower Priory area has experienced flooding concerns in the past, with the new scheme forming part of wider efforts to protect vulnerable parts of Milford Haven from the increasing threat posed by extreme weather and rising flood risks.

Anyone interested in the project is encouraged to attend the event at any time during the day to view the proposals and discuss the plans with those involved in delivering the scheme.