POLICE have said that between 1st May – 11th May 2024, a Celevo Bike valued at £5000, a Mad dog surfboard valued at £250, an oven and a ceramic hob have been stolen from a property in Market Street, Haverfordwest.

They have asked that anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police, either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Quote reference: 24000440402. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

WHILE families across Wales start making plans for the summer, samplers from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) are embarking on their annual programme of bathing water quality tests.

This year, there are 110 designated bathing waters which will be sampled multiple times between 15th May-30th September, in line with the UK Bathing Water Regulations. 109 of these are coastal waters, and one inland lake (Llyn Padarn).

Last month the Welsh Government announced that Nefyn Beach in Gwynedd had been added to the list of designations, following a successful application.

Bathing water samples are sent to NRW’s laboratory in Swansea, where they are tested for levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and intestinal enterococci (IE).

Results from a four-year rolling period then determine the classification for the next bathing water season; excellent, good, satisfactory or poor.

Last year, 98% of Wales’s designated bathing waters met stringent environmental standards, with 80 out of 109 meeting the ‘excellent’ criteria.

Clare Pillman, Chief Executive of NRW said:

“More and more people are enjoying the benefits of open water swimming, and where better to take a dip than at one of the many fantastic bathing waters Wales has to offer.

“Our blue waters offer a wealth of recreation opportunities, providing a vital boost to Wales’ tourism sector and the health and well-being of our communities.

“Our teams continue to work hard to tackle the many sources of pollution which threaten our water quality, including from agriculture and storm overflows. Much progress is being made, and we are pressing for record levels of water company investment for the environment in the coming years to safeguard the future health of our waters.”

Prior to the start of the traditional bathing water season, NRW officers undertake a number of pre-season checks and samples. This includes checking to ensure permit conditions for nearby discharges are being complied with.

Issues or deteriorations flagged in last year’s results are investigated by local teams to identify any sources of pollution which may be contributing to high bacteria levels found in samples.

Information about where to find designated bathing waters, and the standard of bathing water is available on NRW’s website.

Visit the Adventure Smart website for information about swimming safely in open waters.

THE Welsh Government has provided an important update on council tax reform, sharing the outcomes of the recent Phase 2 consultation and outlining plans to make the system fairer and more contemporary.

In a written statement, Rebecca Evans, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution, and the Cabinet Office, emphasised the Government’s commitment to a fair council tax system. “Our goal is to create a system that is fair in operation and fair in implementation,” she stated.

Plaid Cymru was commended for its collaboration on this initiative, reflecting a shared determination to reform council tax. Local government partners were also acknowledged for their engagement, which is vital for developing solutions that balance protecting services and managing significant pressures.

The Phase 2 consultation received 1,676 responses from the public and expert organisations. An impressive 67% of respondents supported some form of change, with the greatest support (32%) for minimal reforms. A significant group (23%) preferred more extensive reforms.

Regarding implementation pace, the majority of respondents (35%) favoured a slower timeline, starting in 2028. Only 24% preferred the fastest timetable (2025), and 17% supported staged implementation.

“Having listened carefully to the consultation responses and the broader public conversation, I intend to deliver council tax reform over a slower timeline in line with the majority view,” Evans said. Consequently, structural reforms to the council tax system will begin in 2028, with other improvements targeted for delivery by the end of the current Senedd term.

The Welsh Government is also planning for regular revaluation cycles, as outlined in the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill, which is under Senedd scrutiny. An amendment will introduce five-yearly revaluations from 2028 to keep council tax fair and responsive to economic changes.

Evans highlighted the excellent progress made on revaluation. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has developed new technology to provide comprehensive property value data, advancing the path to 2028 implementation.

Additionally, regulations to improve the appeals process and aid households in arrears will be in place by the end of the Senedd term. The goal is to make the appeals process more streamlined and effective, ensuring fair treatment for struggling households while maintaining contributions from those who can afford to pay.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies’ significant contribution was acknowledged, with its report providing an in-depth assessment of reform possibilities. The Welsh Government will continue working with the VOA, local government, and the public to design and implement a fairer council tax system.

The Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill will also provide additional flexibility on discounts and reductions, ensuring they remain effective. Currently, nearly half of Welsh households benefit from reduced council tax bills, with essential support provided to low-income households through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. The Government is consulting on measures to simplify access to this scheme and will retain the one-adult discount, reducing council tax for half a million households.

Finally, efforts are underway to improve public awareness of council tax, highlighting its role in funding essential services such as education, social care, housing, and policing.

Council tax remains a crucial part of funding local government in Wales, benefiting almost everyone. However, ensuring fair and accurate collection is essential, especially given the current financial pressures on households.

The Welsh Government is dedicated to protecting local services amid budget constraints while working towards a fairer council tax system. This commitment reflects the Government’s aim to create arrangements that are just in both operation and implementation.