News

Pembrokeshire schools ‘not running free condoms for 13-year-olds’

Published

3 years ago

July 19, 2023

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PEMBROKESHIRE schools are not running a scheme allowing pupils as young as 13 access to free condoms, members of the county council heard.

The potential issue had been raised by Hubberston councillor Viv Stoddart in a submitted question heard at the July meeting of full council.

Cllr Stoddart asked: “During council on October 13, 2022, I asked about the current provision of C-cards in the county’s secondary schools, now there has been change in the age range (initially 14 upwards) so that children as young as 13 can now access contraceptives without their parents’ knowledge or consent.”

C-cards allow young people to get free condoms from a range of places, including schools, colleges, pharmacies and sexual health clinics.

Cllr Stoddart’s question continued: “In April 2015 the council’s then Safeguarding Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended that our secondary schools included clear details in their prospectuses of the C-card scheme.

“If the lowering of the age to 13 to obtain condoms has been implemented in Pembrokeshire, how many of our secondary schools have made amendments/revised their information on the C-cards scheme (as recommended by scrutiny in 2015) to inform parents that the age at which their children can be provided with free condoms alongside sexual health advice has dropped from 14 to 13?”

Responding, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham said the C-Card post in Pembrokeshire became vacant in 2017, with responsibility transferred to the school nurse services, adding the C-Card service had not been resurrected since the Covid pandemic.

He said, since then, it was proposed the C-Card service is run from community settings, with hopes of securing national lottery funding for such a post.

Cllr Woodham told members young people under 25 are currently able to access birth control through Public Health Wales’ Frisky Wales service.

Cllr Stoddart asked for confirmation the C-Card scheme was not currently operated from county schools, which Cllr Woodham confirmed.

She asked: “Whatever scheme is operated in future, children as young as 13 will be able to access free condoms?”

Cllr Woodham said he understood that to be the case through the Public Health Wales scheme.

Crime

Police stop car in Pennar as three arrested in drugs investigation

Published

52 minutes ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Suspected drug driver report leads to major police response and multiple arrests

DRAMATIC scenes were reported in Pennar on Monday afternoon (Mar 23) after multiple police vehicles were deployed to stop a car.

The incident happened at around 5:00pm near Pennar Court, Pembroke Dock, where officers located a stationary vehicle following reports of a suspected drug driver in the area.

Police attended and pre-emptively stopped the vehicle, also blocking a second car nearby.

Officers carried out searches of both vehicles and discovered suspected controlled substances.

A 32-year-old woman and a 47-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of possessing class A and class B drugs with intent to supply. A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and possession of class A and class B drugs with intent to supply.

The 32-year-old woman has been released under investigation, while the 31-year-old man and 47-year-old woman have been released on unconditional bail.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the incident followed reports of a man believed to be driving under the influence in the area earlier that afternoon.

Crime

Sex offender jailed for sending explicit messages to ’14-year-old’ girls

Published

56 minutes ago

March 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MAN has been jailed after sending sexual messages on Snapchat to three girls he believed were aged 14.

Ciaran Carmody, aged 21, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court via video link from HM Wrexham prison, where he admitted three offences of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child under 16.

The court heard the messages were sent on three separate occasions to accounts posing as 14-year-old girls, which were in fact part of an undercover police operation.

Prosecutor Nia James said each of the girls made their age clear, but the messages sent by Carmody were sexual in nature.

The offences took place between April 25 and May 5, 2025.

Finance

Haverfordwest savers encouraged to seek clarity ahead of ISA tax year end

Published

1 hour ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TWO in three savers say a fixed interest rate would give them greater peace of mind when planning their finances, according to new research from Principality Building Society*, as people in Haverfordwest are encouraged to review their savings ahead of the ISA tax year deadline.

The research, conducted with more than 1,500 people, also found that while many savers feel comfortable managing their money independently, a significant number still value the reassurance of speaking to someone when making important financial decisions.

Meanwhile, around one in six people mistakenly believe they must open a new ISA every tax year, highlighting ongoing confusion around how ISAs work. In many cases, particularly for variable savings products, savers may be able to continue paying into an existing ISA.

With the tax year end approaching, Principality Building Society is inviting Members and local savers to speak with colleagues at its High Street branch in Haverfordwest to better understand their options and make informed choices about how to use their ISA allowance.

The research also highlights the appeal of certainty when it comes to savings. Two in three savers say a fixed rate would give them peace of mind, reflecting the reassurance that comes from knowing exactly what return they will receive over a set period. Fixed rate Cash ISAs can provide that certainty, making it easier for some savers to plan ahead.

Vicky Wales, Chief Savings and Lending Officer at Principality Building Society, said: “ISA season can often feel busy and confusing, particularly against the backdrop of changes in the wider financial environment. Many people value the opportunity to talk through their options and feel confident they’re making the right decision.

Every saver’s situation is unique, so having a conversation can help people better understand their choices and how these align with their longer-term plans. Understanding the differences between savings products – including fixed and variable rates – can help savers make the most of their ISA allowance, and ensure their money is working in a way that suits their individual goals.”

Principality Building Society is encouraging anyone in Haverfordwest who would like to review their savings ahead of the tax year end to visit their local branch for a supportive conversation about their options, and how they can make the most of their savings.

Source: Principality Building Society’s own online community, Member Pulse, survey on Cash ISAs, March 2026 (total respondents: 1,544)