News

Pembrokeshire’s Conservative Senedd members slam proposed hike in Council Tax

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2024

CARMARTHEN West and South Pembrokeshire Senedd Member, Samuel Kurtz and Preseli Pembrokeshire Senedd Member, Paul Davies have joined criticism of Pembrokeshire County Council’s proposed 21% hike in council tax for the coming financial year.

The rise, the highest ever seen in Wales, is being considered by the Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet, made up of unaffiliated, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Plaid councillors.

Three options for increases are being discussed by the Cabinet, ranging between 16% and 21%. The highest rise will see £5.40 per week added to the bill for a Band D property.

Commenting ahead of the meeting, Samuel Kurtz MS said: “The potential Council Tax hike of 21% is a damning indictment of both a flawed local authority funding formula imposed by the Labour Government and councillors who are all too happy spending taxpayers’ money on pet projects rather than the priorities of Pembrokeshire’s people.

“The delivery of statutory services must be the absolute focus of the Council and I’m pleased that our Conservative Councillors are holding this rainbow coalition to account in County Hall.”

Paul Davies MS added: “These potential council tax rises are totally unacceptable. Hard pressed taxpayers should not have to face such a steep increase in their council tax bills, without a referendum taking place. Any increases beyond 5%, should be put to local people in a referendum, similar to what has been practiced in England since the 2012/13 financial year.

“It’s also time that the Local Government funding formula is reformed by the Welsh Government to ensure that all Welsh Councils get treated equally. Our Council needs strong leadership to fight for the best deal from the Welsh Government, something that it clearly does not have at the moment.”

(Pictured above: Sam Kurtz speaking to reporter. Herald image)

News

Arrest warrants issued over probation breaches

Published

2 minutes ago

July 13, 2026

Court Reporter

Milford Haven woman and Pembroke Dock man failed to appear before magistrates

ARREST warrants have been issued for two Pembrokeshire defendants accused of breaching court orders.

Sarah Childe, aged 43, of Milford Haven, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday, July 13.

She is accused of failing, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a community order imposed by the same court on March 31.

The alleged breaches relate to a missed probation office appointment on May 28 and a missed appointment with the Nelson Trust on June 23.

Childe was not present in court and magistrates issued a warrant for her arrest without bail.

A separate warrant was issued for Stefan Sheeham, aged 34, of Pembroke Dock.

Sheeham is accused of breaching a suspended sentence order imposed by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on January 14, 2025.

The alleged breaches relate to a missed probation appointment on December 10, 2025, and a missed programme session on May 26 this year.

He also failed to attend Monday’s hearing.

Magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest without bail, with both warrants allocated to police for execution.

The allegations have not yet been proved in court.
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Crime

St Florence man faces jail over unpaid child maintenance

Published

4 minutes ago

July 13, 2026

Court Reporter

Magistrates impose suspended 42-day prison term after finding of wilful refusal to pay

A ST FLORENCE man has been given a suspended prison term after magistrates found that he had wilfully refused to pay more than £2,000 in child maintenance.

Christopher James Gough, aged 40, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday, July 13.

The court heard that £2,120.91 remained outstanding in child maintenance and associated costs.

Proceedings were brought by the Child Maintenance Service under the Child Support Act 1991.

Magistrates found that Gough had wilfully refused to make the required payments and concluded that no other method of enforcement was appropriate.

He was ordered to pay the full outstanding sum or serve 42 days in prison.

The prison term was suspended on condition that Gough pays £40 each week, with the first payment due by July 27.

He was also ordered to pay £46 towards the costs of the Child Maintenance Service.

No details relating to the child or the other parent were disclosed during the published court proceedings.
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Crime

Kilgetty man banned from keeping animals after bulldog suffered

Published

42 minutes ago

July 13, 2026

Court Reporter

Seventy-year-old failed to seek prompt veterinary treatment for bulldog suffering from dry eye and a skin infection

A KILGETTY man has been banned from keeping animals for seven years after admitting that he caused unnecessary suffering to his bulldog.

Michael John Edward McGartland, aged 70, of Woodlands, Kilgetty, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday, July 13.

The court heard that between July 12 and December 20, 2025, McGartland failed to seek prompt veterinary treatment for a bulldog named George.

The animal had been showing signs of ill health, including dry eye and a skin infection.

McGartland admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal by failing to act when he knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that his failure was likely to cause suffering.

He had entered a guilty plea at an earlier hearing on May 26.

Magistrates fined McGartland £769 and ordered him to pay £400 in prosecution costs and a £308 victim surcharge, bringing the total financial penalty to £1,477.

He was also disqualified for seven years from owning, keeping, dealing in or transporting animals.

The order also prevents him from participating in the keeping of animals or becoming involved in any arrangement allowing him to control or influence how an animal is kept.

McGartland will not be permitted to apply for the disqualification order to be lifted for at least five years.

The outstanding balance will be paid at a rate of £100 per month, beginning on August 10.
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