News

Council tax could go up by 12.5% [UPDATED]

Published

7 years ago

November 27, 2017

RESIDENTS in Pembrokeshire could see an increase of up to 12.5% in council tax if the Council is to maintain a number of its services.

Cabinet members were presented with a draft budget at a meeting today (Nov 27), but Cllr Bob Kilmister said if they did not raise the council tax, they could see cuts to a number of important services.

Cllr Kilmister highlighted the areas of Adult Social Care and Education which make up 67% of the entire budget and said he could not make the budget without hitting those areas.

He said: “We’re in a really difficult position, whatever we do, if we increase council tax by these very large figures, we are going to hurt large sections of the community within this county, I have no wish to do that whatsoever, the working poor in particular, will be damaged by that.

“The alternative is that we hit the most vulnerable and the most important in our society with cuts and that is something that all members of this council are going to have to consider.”

Pembrokeshire has historically had a low council tax base but Cllr Kilmister said they were paying the price for that and added that their council tax was 30% lower than that of Ceredigion and Carmarthen.

If Pembrokeshire’s Council tax was the same as those two, they would have an additional £15m.

He went on to say that at the next Council meeting on December 14, they would have to effectively present two budgets, one showing what they would need to balance the books on 5% council tax and the other showing what it would be like if they raised the council tax to 12.5%.

Cllr Kilmister, who jokingly described himself as becoming the Cabinet Member for doom and gloom, said: “Currently, we have asked all services to provide a 5% cut. It is essential that we start to deliver transformation services rapidly.

“I am more confident that we now have a very good plan starting to come into fruition and it is essential that it is in place to actually deliver our Medium Term Financial Plan.

“The Capital programme will also impose financial demands on the revenue budget and whilst borrowing is currently very cheap we still have to pay this back.

“The new Capital programme, as detailed, may not be affordable, drawing attention to the Swansea Bay City Region Deal, 21st Century Schools and economic regeneration budgets. All these projects provide us with opportunities but also huge pressures in terms of what it does to the revenue budget.

“Currently, on next year’s budget, after asking for the 5% cuts from the various departments, we have a shortfall of £3.64m and we still need to identify where those savings are going to come from.

“That’s based on other things that Cabinet and Council will have to determine is whether or not we make further cuts which I fear could be draconian in terms of the effect on the £3.64m or whether we impose a higher council tax above the 5%.

“That is something that, at the present moment, we are going to have to do.”

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

2 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

9 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

10 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.