News

‘A tax on the bereaved’ causes upset

Published

10 years ago

February 12, 2016

AN INCREASE of cemetery fees is set to increase to 20% following a Town Council Meeting in Milford Haven on Monday (Jan 18).

Despite concerns from councillors and a local funeral director, plans are still going ahead to increase the fees in an attempt to help the Council’s rising deficit.

Monday’s meeting was the second to have talked about the rise, with the first being in November last year. At November’s meeting, Funeral Director at Tom Newing and Sons, Shane Morgan told the council that he thought the increase was “unacceptable in this economic climate.”

Shane, who has been an undertaker for 30 years, told The Herald that he had written a letter to the Council in November last year. He said that the increase would see the cost of fees being increased “way above inflation” and lead to the bereaved not being able to afford a burial and having to opt for cremation when it is not the deceased’s wish to be cremated.

He also explained that eight families have already had to opt for cremation instead of burial, as the cost is currently at £371, which is cheaper than the cost of a grave.

He said: “How can the council justify an increase of 55% in charges over the last 5 years, if this further 20% increase is implemented.

“During the last 5 years, burials have reduced by 10% at Milford Haven Cemetery. This is owing to the cost against cremation.

“I must stress that if this is implemented that as a company we may have to direct the bereaved to the council to pay for the grave when required.”

Shane also brought attention to the fact that Milford Haven Town Council is the only council to implement extra fees when the person who has died is living out of the area.

He asked the Council to consider cancelling this charge just as Neyland and Lanstadwell Burial Board and Haverfordwest Town Council have, and only charge additional fees if the deceased is living outside Pembrokeshire.

The increase was also described as a “tax on the bereaved” by Cllr Tony Eden, who was also showing emotions of disappointment.

However, prices for headstones are currently the same as they were before, and are staying at £176 for the first inscription, and £87 for the second.

Behind the decision is Town Councillor Guy Woodham, who explained that burial fees in Milford Haven are significantly lower than the Pembrokeshire County Council run cemeteries.

He said: “Unlike the Town Council, Pembrokeshire County Council has not yet published its new charges applicable from April 2016 but I would anticipate a fee increase for both their cemeteries and crematorium so, Milford Haven Cemetery fees should continue to remain lower.

“It is important to consider a number of factors with regard to Milford Haven Cemetery fees.

“An initial burial includes a fee for ‘Exclusive Right of Burial’ (EROB) for 100 years – as do the higher Pembrokeshire County Council burial fees. The initial purchase of the EROB does take the fee higher than a standard cremation service but this does not apply to future burials in that grave, the charge for which is lower than a standard cremation service.

“Due to the nature of cremation, this fee does not need to be applied at the Crematorium although there are also increased Crematorium fees depending on the time of day a cremation service is held and how the cremated remains are stored.”

He also explained that the maintenance of the land and buildings at Milford Cemetery has to be covered by the burial fees otherwise this cost is passed onto Milford Haven households as part of the Town Council element of the Council tax.

For 2016/17, estimated income was over £26,000 less than the forecasted cemetery expenditure, a figure that would have been higher had there been no increase applied to Cemetery fees.

Cllr Woodham continued: “To stop the forecasted deficit being added to the Council Tax the majority of Town Councillors agreed that this cost should be covered by the Reserves held by the Council – this decision has had the effect of keeping the Council tax lower in 2016/17 than it otherwise would have been.

“However, it will not be possible to use Town Council Reserves each year to bridge the difference between the Cemetery forecasted income and expenditure and it is therefore necessary to consider increasing the Cemetery fees each year.

“For the Town Council not to increase Milford Haven Cemetery fees, which I hope will always be lower than those set by the County Council, would mean that every year the Council tax will need to include a potentially larger and larger amount to cover the shortfall in Cemetery income and expenditure. I do not believe it is fair for Milford Haven Council Tax payers to bear the cost of this without also proportionately increasing Cemetery fees.”

Cllr Woodham also expressed his final point, stating: “As less land becomes available for burials the Town Council is in the difficult position of having to identify the best way in which to continue to allow the option of burial within the town, without introducing exorbitant burial fees while at the same time not overburdening the Council tax payer all at a time when the trend is more towards cremation than burial.”

Community

St David’s Day parade brings colour and celebration to Haverfordwest

Published

2 days ago

February 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST town centre was a hive of activity today (Friday, Feb 27) as hundreds of children from schools across Pembrokeshire took part in a special St David’s Day celebration.

The popular parade, organised by the Pembrokeshire Language Forum, returned to the county town once again, with smiles all round from participants and spectators who lined the streets to watch.

Children paraded down High Street, through Bridge Street and along Quay Street, led by Samba Doc, before gathering at Picton Playing Fields for songs and dancing during an open-air jamboree with entertainer Tomos Tanllyd.

Pembrokeshire County Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said: “St David’s Day is always a special occasion in Pembrokeshire, and it was wonderful to see so many young people coming together to celebrate our language, culture and national identity.”

Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham added: “The annual St David’s Day parade is a shining example of what schools in Pembrokeshire do to celebrate the Welsh language and culture, and they are certainly enthusiastic about it.”

Council Vice Chairman and Champion for the Welsh Language and Children and Young People, Cllr Delme Harries said: “It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm from pupils across the county, proudly celebrating St David’s Day.”

Local member Cllr Tom Tudor also praised the event, adding: “It really was a great celebration of St David’s Day and a highlight for Haverfordwest.”

Welsh Language Development Officer Catrin Phillips said the event continues to grow each year.

She said: “The St David’s Day parade, organised by the Pembrokeshire Language Forum, is always a highlight of the year and it’s wonderful to bring schools together to celebrate Welsh language and culture in such a joyful way.

“It has been especially encouraging to see new schools joining us this year, helping the event continue to grow.”

Crime

Axe gang stormed home as couple feared they would be killed, court hears

Published

3 days ago

February 26, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Five masked men smashed their way into property during terrifying late-night raid

A COUPLE feared they were about to be murdered when a masked gang armed with axes burst into their home, a jury at Swansea Crown Court has heard.

Five men dressed in dark clothing and balaclavas forced entry to the property shortly before 9:00pm on May 29, 2021, in what prosecutors say was a planned aggravated burglary. An emergency call was made at 8:51pm.

Prosecutor Mr Wright read to jurors a police statement from homeowner David Davies, who said he had been sitting with his partner, Carmen Bailey, when he heard loud banging at the front door.

“As I got to the entrance, the glass in the door was smashed and the men came through,” he said.

He described five intruders, all carrying axes. One of the men shouted: “Lay face down on the floor.”

Moments later, another voice yelled: “She’s on the phone,” after Ms Bailey contacted police. A further shout of “Let’s go boys” was then heard before the gang fled.

Mr Davies told officers that drawers throughout the property had been opened. Around £3,000 hidden in a spare room was not discovered, but two £50 notes were stolen along with a sanitary item and a Lloyds Bank paying-in book.

He attempted to follow the men as they left and saw the rear of a white SUV. Although his mobile phone had been smashed, it was still functioning.

In a later statement he described one suspect carrying a yellow-and-black rubber-handled axe, adding that another man “hopped out like a kangaroo” as he entered the property.

Ms Bailey said she was left utterly traumatised by the ordeal.

“I was absolutely petrified,” she said. “I felt like I was going to get murdered.”

She told police she could only see the men’s eyes through their balaclavas as she grabbed the house phone and called emergency services. A male voice shouted: “Where’s the money?”

The force of the attack shattered glass up to two metres into the hallway, the court heard.

A third witness, Doreen Jones, said she had phoned Mr Davies during the incident and heard male voices shouting: “Get down, get down.”

The investigation

Jurors were told that a white Nissan Juke — stolen in the Manchester area and fitted with cloned number plates — was later recovered near Paradise Nightclub in Pontardawe after the registration plates had been removed.

Several other men have already pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, but Mohammed Mills and Michael Quinn deny involvement.

When Mills was arrested, officers recovered £235 in cash and a black iPhone. A vehicle linked to him was searched, leading to the discovery of a machete with an orange handle, black gloves and a balaclava.

Quinn was arrested in November 2021. Officers recovered a gold iPhone and a machete, while a large knife was found under his bed at home. A Nokia handset seized from him contained very little data, most of which had been deleted.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras placed vehicles linked to the defendants in the Bryncethin area at 6:40pm. Both vehicles were later seen at McDonald’s in Morriston at 7:35pm and at a Tesco service station at 8:32pm — around twenty minutes before the burglary.

There is no CCTV footage of the break-in itself.

The prosecution case

The prosecution allege the burglary was carefully planned, including what they describe as a “dry run” the previous day. They say the vehicles travelled together from Manchester and that the meeting in the area had been pre-arranged.

Jurors were told telecommunications evidence, including phone activity and satnav data, places devices linked to the defendants in relevant locations.

The defence

Mills claims he had recently started taxi work and was paid to drive men to Wales, saying he did not know their intentions. He denies wearing a balaclava and says the machete recovered was not his. His barrister told the court he cooperated fully with police and provided access to his phone.

Quinn maintains he travelled to Wales to sell his Vauxhall Insignia and denies any knowledge of the burglary. He says the knife found under his bed was used for dismantling furniture.

The judge reminded jurors that emotion must play no part in their deliberations and that the verdict is theirs alone.

The trial continues.

News

NRW invites feedback on draft decision to issue Withyhedge landfill permit variation

Published

3 days ago

February 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NATURAL RESOURCES WALES (NRW) is seeking public feedback after reaching a draft decision to approve changes to the environmental permit for the Withyhedge Landfill site in Pembrokeshire.

Following what it described as a detailed technical assessment, NRW said it is “minded to” grant a permit variation requested by the site operator, Resources Management UK Ltd. The variation would amend the environmental permit that controls how the site operates (permit number EPR/MP3330WP, application reference PAN-025929).

A four-week public consultation has now opened and will run until Thursday, March 26, 2026. NRW said all responses will be considered before any final decision is made.

The operator is proposing several changes, including alterations to the final shape of the land once the landfill is capped, updates to monitoring and management arrangements for groundwater, surface water and leachate, and the addition of up to 50,000 tonnes of waste soils for restoration purposes under a new waste recovery activity.

The application also includes consolidation and modernisation of the permit, including a review of existing improvement and pre-operational conditions.

NRW said it considers the proposed changes acceptable and believes they could help ensure the site operates without causing harm to the environment or nearby communities.

Residents are being encouraged to provide feedback on issues such as emissions, potential health impacts, environmental risks and how waste is managed at the site.

However, NRW stressed that certain matters fall outside its remit and cannot be considered as part of the consultation. These include planning issues handled by the local authority, such as the site’s location, traffic levels, visual impact, land use, access arrangements and operating hours.

Huwel Manley, Head of South West at Natural Resources Wales, said: “We know the community has a long-standing interest in what happens at Withyhedge Landfill, and we take that responsibility seriously.

“Given the history of the site and the concerns people have previously raised, we promised to take an approach that goes further than our usual consultation process for a permit variation.

“Being ‘minded to’ issue this variation means our specialists are satisfied the operator can meet the required standards, but before we make any final decision we want to hear from the people who live and work nearby. We encourage anyone with an interest in the site to take part in the consultation.”

Details of the draft decision and information on how to submit comments are available via NRW’s Consultation and Engagement Hub.