PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is set for a three-way contest after council leader Jon Harvey confirmed he will not seek re-election when councillors vote to choose their next leader.

Cllr Harvey has led the council since his predecessor, Cllr David Simpson, stepped down in May 2024 after seven years in the post.

Independent Group councillor Anji Tinley announced her decision to contest the council leadership on April 24. However, she will not be the only contender to lead the authority. Conservative Group leader Di Clements and current Cabinet member Tessa Hodgson will also contest the election.

THE FINE BALANCE OF POWER

The vote could be very close.

The Conservatives have eleven councillors, the Independent Group has eighteen, with the balance held by fifteen unaffiliated councillors, three Plaid Cymru members, two Liberal Democrats, and nine Labour members.

There is one Reform UK councillor, Scott Thorley, and, following the death of Cllr Brian Hall last weekend, a vacant seat.

That leaves the council more or less evenly split between the loose coalition that supports the current administration and the two largest party groupings, the Independent Group and the Conservatives.

THE CANDIDATES

Cllr Tinley joined the local authority after winning the Haverfordwest Garth ward in the 2022 local authority election.

She replaced Cllr Huw Murphy as Independent Group leader earlier this year.

In the announcement of her decision to contest the leadership, an Independent Group spokesperson said: “Anji Tinley has the experience, determination and commitment needed to help restore confidence in the council and ensure that the voices of all residents are properly heard.”

Cllr Di Clements has been the county councillor for Martletwy since 2017.

She has led the Conservative Group on Pembrokeshire County Council since 2022, and is a former chairperson of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

In 2024, she narrowly lost the council leadership election to Jon Harvey by 30 votes to 27.

Cllr Tessa Hodgson has been a member of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet since 2017.

An experienced councillor, Cllr Hodgson appeared well-placed to replace former leader David Simpson in 2024. However, despite broad support for her candidacy, she declined to put her name forward.

Known for her independent thinking and relentless attention to detail, Cllr Hodgson has performed well in the social services hot seat over several years.

NEW LEADER FACES OLD PROBLEMS

The Conservative and Independent groups think there is a need for change ahead of next year’s county council elections.

There have been rumblings of discontent among those generally supportive of the current administration, and a leadership vote could crystallise those feelings.

That said, Tessa Hodgson is a strong candidate — almost certainly the strongest available to the current administration.

The practical result of a change of leadership, and in the event of either a Conservative or Independent Group win, a new Cabinet, with a year to go to the next council election, is less certain.

The annual budget is set, the council tax rates are determined, and the room for manoeuvre is limited. What a new Cabinet can do within the current funding model is constrained by programmes already in place and funded for the next year.

Moreover, the identities of those who might serve, or be persuaded to serve, in a new Cabinet are similarly limited.

A change of direction would likely mean the shedding of Labour cabinet members and the possible exit of the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru from the administration.

Whether unaffiliated members such as Michelle Bateman, Tessa Hodgson, or Jacob Williams would join a council led by either Di Clements or Anji Tinley, or even be asked to do so, is open to question.

Meanwhile, whether Tessa Hodgson is prepared to significantly reshape the Cabinet and either broaden its base or reduce the influence of party groups within it could be a significant factor in how swing voters decide to cast their ballot.

It’s a close call.

But whatever the result, there is one thing for certain. Whoever the new leader of Pembrokeshire County Council is, they will, for the first time, be a woman.

PLAID CYMRU leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has visited Narberth as the Senedd election campaign enters its final week.

The party says the election is now a close contest between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, with recent polling suggesting both parties are competing to become the largest party in the next Senedd.

Mr ap Iorwerth was joined in Narberth by Plaid Cymru candidates for the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency, including lead candidate Elin Jones, Kerry Ferguson, Anna Nicholl and Cris Tomos.

The visit came ahead of polling day on Thursday, May 7, when voters across Wales will elect members to the expanded Senedd.

Plaid Cymru said every vote for the party in Ceredigion Penfro would help deliver what it called “a strong voice” for Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, while arguing that it was best placed to replace Labour in government and prevent Reform UK from leading the next Welsh Government.

Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “It’s great to be here in Narberth. With just a few days until the election next Thursday, I can’t emphasise enough how important it is that residents in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion vote for Plaid Cymru.

“We can finally replace Labour in government after 27 years and focus on improving our public services and building our economy in every part of Wales.”

Elin Jones, Plaid Cymru’s lead candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, said Mr ap Iorwerth’s visit underlined the importance of turnout in the final days of the campaign.

She said: “Rhun’s presence here in Narberth today reminds us of the importance of using our voices by voting on Thursday.

“I have served Ceredigion for the last 20 years and have fought against centralisation of health services. I will continue to do that for both Bronglais and Withybush hospitals if I’m re-elected.

“Even if you have never voted for Plaid Cymru before, a vote for Plaid in this election can replace Labour, defeat Reform and elect new positive leadership for Wales.”

The new Ceredigion Penfro constituency covers Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion and will return six members under the new Senedd electoral system.

Pic caption: Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru Leader, with Ceredigion Penfro candidates Elin Jones, Kerry Ferguson, Anna Nicholl and Cris Tomos, and supporters in Narberth.

VOLUNTEERS have been praised for helping keep public toilets open at Nolton Haven ahead of the busy summer season.

Nick Neumann, from Haverfordwest, spent a day painting the facilities, giving them a fresh coat as the coastal village prepares for more visitors.

The toilets are now run by Nolton and Roch Community Council and are maintained through volunteer support and public donations.

The effort has been described as a real example of community spirit, with local people stepping in to help protect an important facility for residents, walkers, beachgoers and visitors to the area.

The work was shared on local community pages, including the Nolton Haven Community Page and Roch Village – Pembrokeshire.