News
Fees and charges to rise above inflation for Pembrokeshire County Council services
INCREASING discretionary fees and charges at above inflation rates – including entrance to Scolton Manor – could net cash-strapped Pembrokeshire nearly £50,000 a year, senior members of the council heard.
At the March meeting of the council’s Cabinet members considered a report listing increased fees and yields for land charges, highways searches, street naming and numbering, street works licences, highways charges and admission to Scolton Manor House.
The proposals follow a public consultation that took place in January and February of this year.
Proposals for new Withybush Airport fees and charges will be presented to Cabinet in April.
A report for Cabinet members said: “Fees and charges are a large contributor to the Authority’s projected income stream for 2023-24, with circa £13.5m coming in from discretionary fees and charges and circa £14.1m from statutory fees and charges.
“Services are now looking to increase well above inflation as in some cases fees have not been increased, even by inflation, for many years. During these tough times it is imperative that services look at their fees and charges annually and make at least inflationary increases in line with the budget strategy.”
Pembrokeshire currently has 71 areas which charge for services, with over 1,500 separate fees and charges. Some of these are either statutory fees or are fees set by other bodies.
Full costs are not being recovered in the majority of cases in the discretionary areas, the report said.
It was recommended the entry charges to Scolton Manor House increase from £3.50-£5,50 for adults, from £2.35-£450 for concessions/seniors, from £2.35-£3.25 for children, with family tickets rising from £9.35-£15.
This is expected to net up to £5,000 a year.
Members unanimously backed the increases, with Councillor Michelle Bateman pointing out that the Scolton Manor charges related to accessing the house itself rather than visiting the site.
News
Motorcyclist dies after four-vehicle crash on A40 in Carmarthenshire
A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a four-vehicle collision on the A40 between St Clears and Whitland.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 12:00pm on Sunday (Jun 21) and involved a grey Audi, a blue Seat, a grey Vauxhall and an orange KTM motorbike.
Sadly, the rider of the KTM died from their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has since been released on conditional bail while further enquiries continue.
The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene and reopened at around 8:30pm.
The latest tragedy follows two other serious motorcycle crashes in west Wales.
On Sunday afternoon, another motorcyclist was injured in a separate collision and is recovering in hospital.
Last week, a 22-year-old rider sadly died in a crash near Narberth, while his female pillion passenger was taken to hospital.
Anyone with information, or dashcam footage which could assist the investigation, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
Quote reference: DP-20260621-177.
Health
Ambulance delays and blocked beds putting Welsh patients at risk, watchdog warns
AMBULANCE handover delays, long waits in emergency departments and delays discharging patients from hospital are continuing to put people at risk across Wales, Audit Wales has warned.
The public spending watchdog said urgent and emergency care remains under “constant pressure” despite extra funding and new policies aimed at improving joined-up working between the NHS, ambulance service, councils and social care providers.
In an article published today, Monday (Jun 22), Audit Wales said its work since 2024 had examined how health boards and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust manage demand for urgent and emergency care, as well as how health boards and local authorities support timely discharge from hospital.
It found that pressures across the system are increasing patient safety risks and driving up costs.
Key problems identified include ambulance handover delays, lengthy waits in emergency departments, underused new services despite extra funding, and delayed hospital discharges which continue to result in hundreds of thousands of lost bed days each year.
Audit Wales also said workforce problems across health and social care remain a major factor in delayed discharges.
The watchdog warned that data is still not being shared effectively across the system, making it harder for public bodies to make informed decisions and manage pressure.
The findings will add to growing concern about the state of urgent and emergency care in Wales, with patients, families and frontline staff repeatedly warning that delays in A&E and problems arranging social care packages are leaving people waiting too long for treatment or stuck in hospital after they are medically fit to leave.
Audit Wales said staff and leaders across the system had made clear that “something must change”.
It has set out six questions for the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and local authorities to consider as they look at how urgent and emergency care can be improved.
The Auditor General for Wales is the independent statutory external auditor of the devolved Welsh public sector and is responsible for auditing most public money spent in Wales.
The Herald has asked the Welsh Government and Hywel Dda University Health Board for comment.
Entertainment
Pembrokeshire soprano to perform at International Eisteddfod
HAVERFORDWEST music teacher and soprano soloist Clare Harrison is set to perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen next month.
Clare will sing under the baton of Sir Karl Jenkins on Tuesday, July 7, as part of the World Choir, an auditioned international chorus of singers, for the long-awaited Welsh premiere of his work One World.
She will also perform in a new commission, Greeting the Dawn, by Sam Buttler, and in Peace Child with Wrexham-based chorus NEW Voices.
Clare combines a busy teaching schedule with regular solo performances across Wales and the borders.
Her next Pembrokeshire appearance will be as soloist with Tenby Male Choir at St Mary’s Church, Tenby, on Thursday, July 16.
Caption:
Clare Harrison: The Haverfordwest soprano will perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.
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