News

Council votes for 5% increase in council tax

Published

4 years ago

March 3, 2022

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council has agreed to go for a 5% increase in council tax, despite opposition from some councillors.

Many at Thursday’s (Mar 3) Full Council meeting spoke of the working poor and how they would be hit most by another rise in council tax.

Some said they would be voting for 3% while others said if they did do that they would be worse off in the long run.

34 councillors voted in favour of the 5% rise and 19 voted against it.

Cllr Bob Kilmister said that setting the budget had been extremely challenging and added that over the last four years council tax had risen by 31%.

He also advised council ‘in the strongest terms’ not to go for anything lower than 5% as it would mean they would be putting off a decision for another day.

Cllr Ken Rowlands said that no one wanted to increase council tax while Cllr Reg Owens said people are ‘struggling’ and that they should ‘put as little onto them as possible’.

Cllr John Davies said that electricity prices were going up and asked ‘why do we want to add to people’s pain’?

He added: “We will be spending an extra £26m and here we are wanting to add to the pain of the people of Pembrokeshire.”

Cllr Mike Stoddart said that they had been given extra money and couldn’t understand why they were still asking for a 5% increase as well as proposing to increase the rents of council tenants by 10%.

Cllr Tom Tudor asked which services would be hit if they were to go for a 3% increase.

Chief Executive Will Bramble said he was unable to say what would be affected until the council tax had been set

Cllr Kilmister added it was up for the members who wanted 3% to decide which services are affected.

Cllr Michael Williams said he was ‘desperately worried’ adding that Pembrokeshire had the highest rate of child poverty which puts more pressure on social services. He said: “How are we going to fund this unless we go for 5%.

“There are growing demands on education. We have suffered for years cutting back and cutting back. Services are strained and we’ve got to address this problem at some time.”

Cllr Kilmister said that the proposal of 5% was under the inflation rate and that Putin’s actions in Ukraine could push that up.

Cllr Vic Dennis agreed that people were struggling but said they needed to be funded to be able to support them.

Cllr Stephen Joseph said that working people would be the hardest hit and that they needed to look after them.

Cllr David Lloyd said they should have ‘trust’ in those who prepared the budget.

Cllr Mike John said he would like to be on the side of 3% adding they have got a responsibility to the vulnerable to make sure they are looked after.

Cllr Jamie Adams added that the Council needed to reflect on the settlement given to the former chief executive which he said was a ‘very bitter pill to ask people of Pembrokeshire to swallow for an unlawful action’.

Cllr Michelle Bateman said if they went for 3%, while it may seem palatable, they would be worse off in the long run.

Cllr Phil Kidney said he felt sorry for the working poor and that he would be voting for 3%.

When it was put to the vote there were 34 votes in favour of the 5% rise and 19 voted against it.

Local Government

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

2 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mayor’s charities named as civic leaders gather at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church

THE CIVIC SERVICE of the Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Mark Woodward, took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (June 20).

The service marked Cllr Woodward’s election as Mayor and First Citizen of Milford Haven.

It was conducted by Rev Dr Adrian Furse and Canon John Cecil, with music from church organist Richard Stephens, Gelliswick Community Choir and Milford Haven Town Band.

Guides and Brownies, Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets were also among those taking part, with councillors Colin Sharp and Yvonne Southwell acting as ushers.

Refreshments followed at Milford Haven Bowling Club.

Local MS Paul Davies was among those attending the service and wished the new mayor all the best for his term in office.

Cllr Woodward’s chosen charities for the year are Patch Charity and Greenacres Rescue.

Photo caption:

Civic guests attended the Mayor of Milford Haven’s service at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

13 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

13 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.