News

County Hall computer glitch delaying Covid-19 grant payments to local businesses

Published

4 years ago

March 8, 2022

SOME business in Pembrokeshire are still waiting for the latest round of Covid-19 support, despite the fact it should have been paid out in January.

In December 2021, the First Minister confirmed that the Welsh Government would be making £120m available for nightclubs, events, retail, hospitality, leisure, tourism businesses and their supply chains impacted by the move to alert level two.

The funding took the form of three elements. Non Domestic Rates (NDR) linked grants of up to £6,000. Businesses will need to re-register their details through a quick and easy online process in order to receive their payments. Registration opened local authority websites from the 10 January 2022. Local Authorities were asked deliver a discretionary fund to support sole traders, freelancers and businesses who don’t pay rates, with grants of £500 – £2000.

However, despite applying in January, some Pembrokeshire businesses are still waiting to be paid out.

Pembrokeshire County Council has blamed a computer glitch for the delay in paying out vital funds to businesses.

A spokesman for the Authority said: “Pembrokeshire County Council has been made aware of an IT issue delaying the payment of some Covid-19 support grants.

“The applications affected are those that have been manually processed and which require additional checks.

“The issue has been raised with the Digital Services Team and a solution is being urgently sought to ensure payments reach the recipients as soon as possible.

“Since January, Pembrokeshire County Council has processed more than £1.7m of Covid-19 business support funding.”

James Lemon from Marloes who runs First 4 Fishing said : “I’ve had exactly this problem and had to bypass all usual contact channels – which pretty much were going round in circles.

“However, after going to a higher level it’s now sorted, paid and reliably spent!I was informed there was indeed an IT issue which is now being resolved.

“I on this occasion must thank PCC for their help in resolving this matter.

“To all businesses who applied, it’s being dealt with, just bear with them.”

Pembrokeshire County Council have not said how many businesses are still waiting to be paid.

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

5 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has announced a significant expansion of its Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams (NPPT), with more officers being deployed to frontline roles where demand is greatest.

From Monday (Mar 16), teams across the force area have been strengthened, with a renewed focus on tackling antisocial behaviour and preventing crime at its source.

The force says the move is aimed at reducing repeat demand by addressing the root causes of offending, rather than simply responding to incidents.

To achieve this, a number of officers have been redeployed from central departments back into frontline policing, while new posts are also being created to bolster capacity.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Steve Davies, head of uniform policing, said: “These changes are about increasing frontline visibility and ensuring we have the right resources in the right places.

“They form part of a wider programme of improvements across the force to enhance effectiveness and efficiency, while also supporting the wellbeing of our officers and staff.

“This is positive news for our communities, who will benefit from stronger neighbourhood teams focused on local priorities and proactive policing.”

The expansion has been made possible through Home Office funding under the Neighbourhood Guarantee scheme, which is designed to strengthen community safety and crime prevention.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been allocated £1.4 million for 2025/26, enabling the recruitment of police staff and freeing up officers previously in support roles to return to operational duties.

As a result, four sergeants and 29 police officers have now been reassigned to neighbourhood teams across the force.

Each NPPT area will also have a named officer, with full team details available via the ‘Your Area’ section of the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

The force has also secured early access to 2026/27 Neighbourhood Guarantee funding, which will see a further 12 officers recruited between April and the autumn—adding to overall officer numbers in the region.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Neighbourhood policing is about more than numbers—it’s about relationships.

“Greater visibility helps build trust, strengthens community ties, and reassures the public that policing is present, responsive, and committed to keeping people safe.

“I remain committed to improving police visibility across our communities, and these additional officers will help turn that ambition into reality.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

5 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.