Wrthi'n llwytho
Y penderfyniadau fel y mae cofnodion y cyngor yn eu cofnodi. Bydd crynodeb mewn iaith glir yn dilyn pan fydd wedi'i ysgrifennu.
RESOLVED That the petition be noted and referred to Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Net Zero Working Group for further consideration.
RESOLVED That the Director of Education be authorised to publish a Statutory Notice to discontinue Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and establish the same as a 3-11 Community School.
RESOLVED That the Director of Education be authorised to commence the school organisation process to establish a 24-place Learning Resource Centre at Milford Haven Community Primary School as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning development programme in Milford Haven.
RESOLVED That the Director of Education be authorised to commence the school organisation process to establish a new 3-11 Welsh medium primary school in Milford Haven.
RESOLVED That the revised Governance Arrangements for the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme be approved.
RESOLVED That the responses received be noted.
RESOLVED That the Multi-Location Meetings Policy, as set out in Appendix 1, be adopted, subject to deleting section 3.8 on voting (given the view expressed by Counsel); and in relation to paragraph 4.3, to add the words “should be able to” after “and” and before “see”.
RESOLVED That a commitment be made to promote being a more ‘Diverse Council’ in 2027 by agreeing to provide a clear public commitment encouraging diversity in democracy; demonstrating an open and welcoming culture to all, promoting the highest standards of behaviour and conduct; and setting out a local Diverse Council Action Plan ahead of the 2027 local elections.
RESOLVED That the changes to the Constitution, as set out in the report, be approved.
The Presiding Member welcomed Councillor Scott Thorley to his first meeting of Council following his election on 17 March to represent the Milford Haven Hakin ward. The Presiding Member also reported, with regret, the death of Councillor Brian Hall on 24 April. Councillor Hall had served since 1996 representing the Pembroke Dock Market ward and had held a number of significant roles, including Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation and Chair of several Overview and Scrutiny Committees (Environment, Services and Corporate). He had also represented the Authority on a range of outside bodies. The meeting then stood in silence for a minute to remember him. The Presiding Member then invited the Chair of Council/Deputy Presiding Member to make her announcements. The Chair provided a brief update on recent engagements, noting that activity had been slightly reduced due to the Senedd pre-election period. Despite this, a number of events had been attended, including: · A visit to the Maritime Museum, Pembroke Dock, to mark the donation of RNLB Pentland. · Attendance at a citizenship ceremony at the Archives in Haverfordwest. · An art exhibition at the Oriel Gallery, Narberth, focused on climate change. · A Mayoral celebration tea in Milford Haven. · A motorbike show and the Mayor of Pembroke’s Civic Luncheon on 9 May. The Chairman commented that it had been a varied and rewarding period and a privilege to represent the Council.
The following declarations of interest were made: (a) Agenda Item No. 5 - Petition Councillor Viv Stoddart declared a personal interest by virtue of knowing the Petitioner. (b) Agenda Item No. 6 - Consultation Report Relating to the Proposal for the Discontinuation of Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and Establishment of the Same as a 3-11 Community School Councillor John Davies declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Governor of Ysgol Cilgerran, appointed by the Authority. Councillor Steve Alderman declared a personal interest by virtue of a family member being a teacher; and also by virtue of being a Governor of the voluntary controlled Ysgol Penrhyn which is federated with St Florence School. Councillor Maureen Bowen declared a personal interest by virtue of her partner working in education in Pembrokeshire County Council. Councillor Simon Wright declared a personal interest by virtue of a family member being employed at Ysgol Caer Elen; and also by virtue of another family member attending the Learning Resource Centre in Johnston. (c) Agenda Item No. 7 - Additional Learning Needs Provision at Milford Haven CommunityPrimary School Councillor Rhys Sinnett declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Governor of Milford Haven Community Primary School, appointed by the Authority. Councillor Tessa Hodgson declared a personal interest by virtue of two close family members working in education in Pembrokeshire. Councillor Viv Stoddart declared a personal interest by virtue of family members working in education. Councillor Maureen Bowen declared a personal interest by virtue of her partner working in education in Pembrokeshire County Council. Councillor Simon Wright declared a personal interest by virtue of a family member being employed at Ysgol Caer Elen; and also by virtue of another family member attending the Learning Resource Centre in Johnston. (d) Agenda Item No. 8 - Planning for the Future of Welsh Medium Education in the Milford Haven Area Councillor Aled Thomas declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Governor at Ysgol Caer Elen, Haverfordwest. Councillor Alan Dennison declared a personal interest by virtue of being Chair of Finance at Milford Haven School and a Governor of Milford Haven School. Councillor Rhys Sinnett declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Governor of Milford Haven Community Primary School, appointed by the Authority. Councillor Tessa Hodgson declared a personal interest by virtue of two close family members working in education in Pembrokeshire. Councillor Viv Stoddart declared a personal interest by virtue of family members working in education. Councillor Maureen Bowen declared a personal interest by virtue of her partner working in education in Pembrokeshire County Council. Councillor Claire George declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Governor of Coastlands School, appointed by the Authority. Councillor Simon Wright declared a personal interest by virtue of a family member being employed at Ysgol Caer Elen; and also by virtue of another family member attending the Learning Resource Centre in Johnston. (e) Agenda Item No. 9 - Revised Governance Arrangements for the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme Councillor Tessa Hodgson declared a personal interest by virtue of two close family members working in education in Pembrokeshire. Councillor Viv Stoddart declared a personal interest by virtue of family members working in education. (f) Agenda Item No. 10 - Notice of Motion Relating to Emergency General Surgery at Withybush Hospital Councillor Neil Prior declared a personal interest by virtue of being an Independent Member of Hywel Dda University Health Board. Councillor Thomas Tudor declared a personal and prejudicial interest by virtue of being employed by Hywel Dda University Health Board Trust. Councillor Bethan Price declared a personal interest by virtue of a family member being employed at Withybush Hospital.
Council considered the Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 February 2026 (Budget Meeting) and the Meeting held on 5 March 2026 for approval as a correct record. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. Moved by the Presiding Member; Seconded by Councillor Maureen Bowen RESOLVED That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 February 2026 (Budget Meeting) be approved as a correct record. Moved by the Presiding Member; Seconded by Councillor David Simpson RESOLVED That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 March 2026 be approved as a correct record.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the petition be noted and referred to Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Net Zero Working Group for further consideration.
The Presiding Member welcomed Carolyn Ellis to the meeting to speak on the petition objecting to the costs of Net Zero which had met the threshold for a debate at Council. He then outlined the process for consideration of the petition. The terms of the petition called upon Pembrokeshire County Council to support and to take seriously the working group tasked with the review of the ‘climate emergency’ called in 2019 by Councillor Joshua Beynon and to question the hefty funds needed to spend on ‘net zero’. With reference to the recent petition by the West Wales Climate Coalition, there is potentially a far higher number of residents who do not share this unsubstantiated view and who are extremely concerned about the potential for huge hikes in Council tax, especially if this tax is linked in future to the carbon efficiency of homes and businesses. This was hinted at as a possible lever for encouraging ‘compliance’ with decarbonising homes in the ‘Better Homes, Better Wales, Better World’ report. Therefore, not only could we be faced with more taxes, but also inevitable deterioration in service provision by Pembrokeshire County Council. Ms Ellis addressed the meeting on behalf of contributors and recipients confirming support for environmental responsibility but expressing concern about the affordability and financial implications of net zero commitments. She highlighted the Council’s current financial challenges, including pressure on public services, infrastructure needs, and the rising cost of living for residents alongside increasing Council Tax levels. In this context, it was suggested that significant expenditure linked to decarbonisation initiatives—such as social housing upgrades and public sector building retrofits—required closer examination. Concerns were raised regarding the lack of clear and accessible information on the total cost of such programmes, associated long-term liabilities, borrowing requirements, and the extent and timing of any anticipated savings. The speaker questioned what impact there may be on essential services should projected savings fail to materialise. The importance of robust democratic scrutiny was emphasised, with the view that Welsh Government targets and directives should be subject to appropriate local challenge and cost-benefit analysis, rather than being accepted without sufficient examination. The role of elected Members in exercising judgement and ensuring financial sustainability on behalf of residents was underlined. Reference was made to the work of a cross-party scrutiny group, which was welcomed as evidence of shared concern across political groups. However, concern was expressed that effective scrutiny could be undermined where information provided to Members is delayed, incomplete, overly technical or difficult to access. The speaker stressed that transparency and openness are essential for good governance and informed decision-making. In conclusion, Council was urged to recommit to thorough and transparent scrutiny of all major net zero expenditure, to ensure full publication of costs, and to prioritise financial sustainability while protecting essential public services. The Presiding Member then invited Councillor Paul Miller, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Net Zero matters to provide a response. Councillor Paul Miller thanked the petitioner for her contribution and acknowledged the importance of public engagement in the democratic process, noting that it was essential for residents to feel their views were heard and considered. He recognised the need to strike an appropriate balance between policy ambitions and financial affordability, highlighting that this consideration was particularly relevant in the context of the Council’s net zero commitments. Councillor Miller Moved that the petition be noted and referred to the existing working group for noting during its deliberations; Seconded by Councillor Jon Harvey. Council discussed the petition and the following key points were noted: Councillor Aled Thomas proposed an amendment that the petition instead be referred to the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee for further investigation. In support of this, he acknowledged the validity of concerns raised by the petitioner, particularly regarding transparency and the costs associated with net zero commitments. He expressed reservations about the effectiveness and visibility of the current working group, noting that it does not meet in a public forum, whereas formal scrutiny committees are publicly accessible and provide greater transparency. In discussion, Councillor Miller indicated that the Net Zero Working Group had been established to consider the matters raised within the petition. However, he confirmed that he did not feel strongly on the matter and subsequently withdrew his original proposal. The amendment proposed by Councillor Thomas therefore became the substantive motion. Seconded by Councillor Claire George. Councillor Joshua Beynon spoke in the debate, noting that he had been referenced within the petition. He emphasised that the Council already undertakes appropriate financial and business case assessments for all projects, including those relating to net zero. He highlighted that some decarbonisation measures, particularly in relation to housing, are driven by Welsh Government requirements, and that such initiatives can deliver longer-term benefits to residents, including reduced energy costs. While supporting the referral to the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee, he stressed that existing processes do provide for appropriate financial scrutiny and that expenditure has not been undertaken without due consideration. Councillor Michael John expressed support for the concerns raised by the petitioner, emphasising that all proposals, particularly those relating to net zero, must be fully costed and that proceeding without a clear understanding of financial implications would be irresponsible. However, he raised concerns regarding potential duplication, noting that a similar petition had previously been considered by the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee and referred to the Working Group. He questioned whether referring the matter to another Committee would add value. Councillor Michelle Bateman clarified that decarbonisation of the Council’s housing stock was primarily driven by Welsh Government requirements, including compliance with the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS2) and development standards linked to grant funding. She stressed that the Council does challenge Welsh Government where appropriate, particularly regarding timescales and funding, and that these measures were not solely a consequence of the Council’s climate emergency declaration. Councillor Jacob Williams acknowledged differing views on net zero but supported further consideration of the petition. He indicated he was content for the matter to be referred to either the Working Group or a scrutiny Committee, but highlighted the importance of consistency with previous petitions and ensuring that costings associated with the climate emergency are fully examined. He suggested that the petition should also be shared with the working group. The Head of Democratic Services advised that there was some overlap between scrutiny committee remits, with previous related matters having been considered by the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee (focusing on cost), while the current petition related more to policy considerations. Councillor Aled Thomas confirmed that he would amend his proposal to include referral of the petition to both the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Net Zero Working Group. He reiterated concerns regarding transparency and the need for public scrutiny, noting that the working group meets in private and that ongoing public interest in the issue was likely. Following clarification, Councillor Mike John confirmed that his concerns had been addressed, although he reiterated the importance of avoiding duplication. Similar concerns were echoed by Councillor Alec Cormack, who cautioned against the proliferation of overlapping working groups and committees, while expressing a desire to see the outcomes reported back to Council. The petitioner was given the opportunity to sum up and thanked Members for considering the petition. The Presiding Member thanked the petitioner for her contribution and for attending the meeting to present her views. The vote, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Aaron Carey, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Tim Evans, Claire George, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodson, David Howlett, Michael John, Paul Miller, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Nick Neumann, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Billy Shaw, David Simpson, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Rhys Sinnett, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Scott Thorley, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Iwan Ward, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Steve Yelland, Danny Young 51] There were no votes against or abstentions RESOLVED That the petition be noted and referred to Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Net Zero Working Group for further consideration.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the Director of Education be authorised to publish a Statutory Notice to discontinue Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and establish the same as a 3-11 Community School.
Council considered a report by the Director for Education on the consultation feedback received in response to the proposal to discontinue Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and establish the school as a 3-11 Community School. Councillor Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, presented the consultation findings on the proposal. He outlined the background to the proposal, including declining pupil numbers and surplus capacity identified through the School Modernisation Working Group review, and confirmed that statutory consultation had taken place between December 2025 and January 2026. A total of 203 responses were received, with the majority opposing the proposal. Key concerns raised included the potential loss of the school’s Church in Wales ethos and identity, impact on the local community, leadership and staffing arrangements, safeguarding and ALN provision, land and legal matters, and Welsh language provision. Councillor Woodham noted that, while concerns had been raised, the educational impact assessments indicated that standards would be maintained, and Welsh medium provision would remain unchanged. He also confirmed that any changes relating to church-owned land would be subject to appropriate legal agreements. Despite the strong opposition, officers remained of the view that the proposal represented the preferred option to support the long-term sustainability of education provision in the area. Councillor Woodham therefore moved that Council approve the proposal and authorise the Director of Education to publish a statutory notice to proceed; Seconded by Councillor Maureen Bowen. Council discussed the report and the following key points were noted: Councillor John Davies, as local Member, expressed appreciation to Councillor Woodham for his service as Cabinet Member for Education before addressing the proposal. He acknowledged the strength of public opposition to the proposal but advised that the decision was not about closing the school, but about future?proofing primary education provision in Cilgerran. He emphasised that the school was currently performing well, with strong leadership, good standards and stable finances, but warned that declining pupil numbers could present future challenges. Councillor Davies highlighted that removing the voluntary controlled (VC) status would not result in immediate change, but would provide flexibility for future arrangements if required. He sought reassurance that any move towards federation would not be imposed and would remain a matter for the governing body. He also raised concerns regarding land ownership and legal implications, noting that the site is associated with the Church in Wales. He stressed the importance of ensuring that any change would not result in a dispute that could jeopardise the school’s continued operation, and requested confirmation that further legal discussions would take place with the Diocese. In response, Councillor Woodham confirmed that federation was not being proposed at this stage and that any such decision would rest with the governing body. He also gave assurances that further legal discussions would be undertaken regarding land matters and that no action would be taken without appropriate legal agreements in place. The Director of Education clarified that, based on current understanding, the relevant legal documentation refers to the provision of education on the site and does not specifically require the continuation of faith-based education. Councillor Alec Cormack referred to concerns previously raised by the Diocese regarding land ownership, specifically that it may not have the legal authority to grant a lease for a non-faith school. He queried what investigations had been undertaken and whether a definitive legal position had been reached, expressing concern that Council might be making a decision without full clarity on whether the proposal could be implemented. In response, the Director of Education acknowledged the Diocese’s position but advised that the Authority had received differing legal advice. It was confirmed that the matter was not yet fully resolved and that further legal consideration would take place should the proposal proceed, including during any statutory objection period. Councillor Cormack expressed disappointment that a conclusive legal position had not yet been established. Councillor Jamie Adams questioned the rationale for progressing the proposal given the high level of public opposition and the school’s current strong performance. He sought clarification on the benefits to the Authority and suggested that the underlying objectives should be made clearer. In response, the Director of Education advised that the proposal formed part of the wider School Modernisation programme and was intended to support long-term sustainability, including leadership capacity and the potential for future federation of small rural schools. It was emphasised that removing voluntary controlled status would provide flexibility to enable such arrangements if required. Councillor Adams welcomed this clarification. Councillor Iwan Ward raised a query regarding potential financial implications arising from land issues. The Director of Education advised that the current lease arrangement was minimal (£108 per annum), but any future costs associated with legal agreements remained uncertain at this stage. The Head of Culture, Leisure and School Modernisation provided contextual data from the School Modernisation Working Group review, highlighting a 21% decline in pupil numbers across the Preseli area between 2016 and 2024, alongside a significant level of surplus capacity at Cilgerran School. It was noted that the school currently had 96 pupils against a capacity of 133, representing a 28% surplus, exceeding Welsh Government thresholds for review. Councillor Scott Thorley sought clarification regarding the implications of the school retaining its voluntary controlled status. The Director for Education explained that any future decision to close the school would require separate Council approval. Councillor Thorley highlighted the significant level of opposition expressed through the consultation, with 97% of respondents against the proposal, and emphasised the importance of respecting the views of the local community. He cautioned against proceeding in a manner that could be perceived as disregarding consultation feedback. Councillor Aled Thomas, as Chair of the School Modernisation Working Group, outlined the rationale behind the proposal. He explained that removing voluntary controlled status would not result in immediate structural change but would provide the school with greater flexibility in future, particularly in relation to potential federation arrangements. He clarified that federation could either be voluntary or, in some circumstances, directed by the Authority, but the proposal was intended to enable local decision-making should future circumstances require it. Councillor Thomas further noted that the proposal formed part of a wider, cross-party approach to ensuring the long-term sustainability of small rural schools across the area, emphasising that the intention was to give the school the tools to respond to future challenges rather than to implement immediate change. Councillor Thomas reiterated that the proposed change in status would not result in a fundamental or immediate change to the nature of education provided at the school. He noted that education across Wales and the UK already reflects a broad Christian ethos, and therefore the removal of voluntary controlled status would not significantly alter the character of provision. Councillor Alan Dennison queried whether there was evidence to demonstrate that federation involving voluntary controlled schools led to improved or diminished educational standards. In response, the Director of Education advised that there was some local evidence of successful outcomes where a former voluntary controlled school had been federated under temporary arrangements, notably Haverfordwest VC Junior School, which had improved and exited special measures under shared leadership arrangements. However, it was acknowledged that this example differed from the current proposal. The Director explained that federation can be an effective approach, particularly where a lower-performing school benefits from collaboration with a higher-performing partner. More generally, it was noted that within the Authority there are a number of federated schools (non-VC) where standards have been maintained or improved. The Director concluded that there was no indication that removing VC status or potential future federation would have an adverse impact on standards at Cilgerran, and educational performance would be expected to remain stable. The vote to approve the Recommendation, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Aaron Carey, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Davies, Claire George, Jonathan Grimes, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Paul Miller, Huw Murphy, Nick Neumann, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Billy Shaw, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Steve Yelland, Danny Young [34] Against the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, John Cole, Alec Cormack, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Tim Evans, Nicola Gwynn, Elwyn Morse, Bethan Price, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Vanessa Thomas, Scott Thorley, Anji Tinley, Iwan Ward, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox [16] Abstentions: Councillors Steve Alderman, Marc Tierney [2] RESOLVED That the Director of Education be authorised to publish a Statutory Notice to discontinue Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and establish the same as a 3-11 Community School.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the Director of Education be authorised to commence the school organisation process to establish a 24-place Learning Resource Centre at Milford Haven Community Primary School as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning development programme in Milford Haven.
[Councillor Aled Thomas declared a personal interest by virtue of being a local authority-appointed governor at Johnston School. Councillor Michele Wiggins declared an interest by virtue of her daughter working at a school and children and grandchildren attending schools and colleges in Pembrokeshire.] Council considered a report by the Director for Education seeking authority to commence the school organisation process to establish a Learning Resource Centre at Milford Haven Community Primary School as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning development programme in Milford Haven. Councillor Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, presented the report seeking approval to proceed to statutory consultation on the establishment of a 24-place Learning Resource Centre (LRC) at Milford Haven Community Primary School for pupils with autistic spectrum condition and complex learning needs. He explained that LRCs provide specialist, classroom-based support within mainstream schools, enabling pupils to access a tailored curriculum while participating in mainstream activities where appropriate. Councillor Woodham outlined the current provision across the Authority, noting that demand for primary LRC places is increasing, with some settings already at or above capacity, particularly within the Milford Haven catchment area. He advised that the proposal would help address this demand, reduce travel requirements for learners, and support improved transition arrangements. The proposal forms part of the wider Milford Haven schools redevelopment programme, with a purpose-built facility planned. The estimated capital cost of the LRC is approximately £2.6 million, with ongoing annual revenue costs of £316,000. The Recommendations were Moved by Councillor Guy Woodham; Seconded by Councillor Aled Thomas. Council discussed the report and the following key points were noted: Councillor Rhys Sinnett spoke in support of the proposal, describing it as an important element of the wider Milford Haven schools’ redevelopment programme. He advised that the Headteacher of Milford Haven Community Primary School was supportive of the proposal and noted that the development would be a key component in progressing the overall scheme. Councillor Alan Dennison spoke in support of the proposal, emphasising its importance to the wider Milford Haven schools’ redevelopment programme and describing it as a straightforward decision. Councillor Tony Wilcox also supported the proposal but raised broader concerns about the increasing demand for such provision, noting that this trend was being seen both locally and more widely. He suggested that the underlying causes of this growth in need warranted further consideration. Councillor Aaron Carey expressed support for the principle of providing both inclusive mainstream opportunities and more specialised provision where required. He queried whether the proposed 24 places would be sufficient given the current pressures on provision. In response, the Director of Education advised that 24 places were considered appropriate to meet current and anticipated demand. It was noted that while some existing Learning Resource Centres operate above capacity, any significant increase would require further Council approval under the School Organisation Code. Councillor Iwan Ward, speaking from personal experience as a parent of a child with Additional Learning Needs, expressed strong support for the proposal. He highlighted the importance of increasing provision and improving support for learners with additional needs across the County. The vote to approve the Recommendation, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Aaron Carey, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Tim Evans, Claire George, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Paul Miller, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Nick Neumann, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Billy Shaw, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Scott Thorley, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Iwan Ward, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Steve Yelland, Danny Young [53] There were no votes against or abstentions RESOLVED That the Director of Education be authorised to commence the school organisation process to establish a 24-place Learning Resource Centre at Milford Haven Community Primary School as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning development programme in Milford Haven.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the Director of Education be authorised to commence the school organisation process to establish a new 3-11 Welsh medium primary school in Milford Haven.
Council considered a report by the Director for Education on the next step in relation to planning for the future of Welsh Medium Education in Pembrokeshire and proposals for a way forward to develop an appropriate strategy for the Milford Haven area. Councillor Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, introduced a proposal to commence the statutory school organisation process to establish a new 3–11 Welsh medium primary school in the Milford Haven area. The proposal aimed to address the current lack of Welsh medium provision locally, reduce travel requirements, and support growing demand, in line with the Council’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. The new school would provide approximately 210 places. The Recommendations were Moved by Councillor Guy Woodham; Seconded by Councillor Alan Dennison. Council discussed the report and the following key points were noted: Councillor Aled Thomas queried whether sufficient Welsh-speaking teachers would be available. The Director of Education advised that existing measures, including partnerships with universities and Welsh language sabbatical programmes for teachers, were in place to support workforce development. It was stated that the Authority was confident it would be able to recruit the additional staff required by the time the school opens. Councillor Jamie Adams expressed support in principle but raised concerns about the potential impact on English medium schools, as new Welsh medium provision may draw pupils away. He also highlighted wider pressures within the Milford Haven schools’ estate and the importance of understanding the broader consequences of rebalancing provision. In response, the Director of Education confirmed that pupil movement patterns had been analysed, including the number of learners currently travelling out of the area for Welsh medium education. It was advised that these factors had been built into the business case, and that the Authority considered the proposed balance of Welsh and English medium provision to be appropriate for future demand. Councillor Paul Miller expressed support for concerns raised regarding the evidence base for establishing a new Welsh medium school. He suggested that the current movement of pupils from Milford Haven to other Welsh medium schools may reflect dissatisfaction with existing local education provision rather than solely a demand for Welsh medium education. The vote to approve the Recommendation, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Aaron Carey, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Tim Evans, Claire George, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Paul Miller, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Nick Neumann, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Billy Shaw, David Simpson, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Rhys Sinnett, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Scott Thorley, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Iwan Ward, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Steve Yelland, Danny Young [51] Abstentions: Councillor Maureen Bowen [1] There were no votes against RESOLVED That the Director of Education be authorised to commence the school organisation process to establish a new 3-11 Welsh medium primary school in Milford Haven.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the revised Governance Arrangements for the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme be approved.
Council considered a report by the Director for Education seeking approval of revised Governance Arrangements for the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. Councillor Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, presented a report seeking approval for revised governance arrangements for the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, reflecting its transition to a rolling nine-year programme and recent organisational changes. He outlined that the updated framework clarifies roles and responsibilities across Council, Cabinet, committees, boards and officers, and includes revised project processes aligned to business case stages. A key proposed change was that approval of the overall capital programme would move from full Council to Cabinet, aligning with the Council’s wider capital governance arrangements, while individual schemes would continue to follow existing approval processes. The Recommendation was Moved by Councillor Guy Woodham; Seconded by Councillor Aaron Carey. Council discussed the report and the following key points were noted: Councillor Alan Dennison sought clarification on the inclusion of the leisure investment programme, and it was confirmed that this referred to the Authority’s wider leisure programme, including developments in Milford Haven, Pembroke and Tenby. Councillor Viv Stoddart raised concerns about the length of time taken to progress the Milford Haven schools redevelopment and highlighted the condition of existing facilities, emphasising the long-standing need for a new school. In response, Councillor Woodham acknowledged the delays and expressed disappointment that the project had not yet reached delivery stage, noting that progress was dependent on Welsh Government funding processes. The Head of Culture, Leisure and School Modernisation advised that the Outline Business Case was expected to be submitted in June 2026, with a Final Business Case anticipated in 2027. The main Milford Haven school redevelopment was projected to open in 2030, with the Welsh medium primary school expected to follow in 2032. It was emphasised that these stages and timelines are required in order to secure Welsh Government funding, which forms the majority of the project funding, and that adherence to the structured business case process is essential for the delivery of a scheme of this scale. Councillor Alec Cormack sought clarification on whether the previously referenced total cost of £143 million for the Milford Haven schools’ redevelopment included any element of funding for a new leisure centre, given the proposed expansion of the programme’s governance arrangements to include leisure projects. In response, Councillor Woodham confirmed that the £143 million related solely to the education redevelopment and did not include leisure provision, which would be funded and managed separately. Councillor Alan Dennison then raised further questions regarding the timeline for delivery of the Milford Haven schools redevelopment, expressing disappointment at the projected completion date. He sought clarification on the sequencing of the works, particularly whether the secondary school would be completed first, followed by the primary provision. In response, officers confirmed that both the English medium primary and secondary schools are expected to open together in 2030 on the existing site, with the Welsh medium primary school opening separately in 2032. It was clarified that there would be two phases of delivery rather than multiple staged openings. The vote to approve the Recommendation, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Aaron Carey, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Tim Evans, Claire George, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Paul Miller, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Nick Neumann, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Billy Shaw, David Simpson, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Rhys Sinnett, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Scott Thorley, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Iwan Ward, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Steve Yelland, Danny Young [52] There were no votes against or abstentions RESOLVED That the revised Governance Arrangements for the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme be approved.
The meeting adjourned at 12:14 pm and reconvened at 13:13 pm. Councillors Bethan Price, Elwyn Morse and Jonathan Grimes left the meeting. Councillor Simon Wright joined the meeting in person at this juncture. Councillor Rhys Jordan attended the meeting for the afternoon session only.
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RESOLVED That the responses received be noted.
Council considered a report by the Chief Executive outlining responses to letters sent to the First Minister and Hywel Dda University Health Board relating to Emergency General Surgery at Withybush Hospital. The Leader presented the report setting out the Council’s previous resolution requesting that Welsh Government and Hywel Dda University Health Board reverse the decision to cease emergency general surgery at Withybush Hospital. The resolution also highlighted concerns that the decision would undermine the sustainability of the Accident and Emergency department and pose potential risks to residents. He confirmed that correspondence had been sent to the First Minister and the Health Board, and that responses had been received and circulated. It was further reported that representatives of Hywel Dda University Health Board, including the Chair and Chief Executive, had agreed to attend an extraordinary meeting of Council on 15 June 2026 to outline proposals for future health provision in Pembrokeshire and respond to Members’ questions. The Leader then Moved that the responses be noted; Seconded by the Presiding Member. Council discussed the report and the following key points were noted: Councillor Di Clements commented that the responses received were largely as expected but welcomed the opportunity for further engagement with Health Board representatives at the forthcoming meeting. She indicated that this would provide Members with the opportunity to seek further clarification and challenge, and therefore supported noting the report at this stage. Councillor Neil Prior addressed Council, reflecting on his recent appointment to the Health Board and outlining the scale and complexity of its responsibilities, including a large population, significant budget and wide geographic area. He acknowledged the concerns raised by Members and the public regarding changes to health services, but emphasised that healthcare is broader than treatment alone and includes prevention, wellbeing and addressing wider determinants such as poverty, housing and education. He recognised that decisions in health, like those in local government, are often difficult and may attract strong public opinion. Councillor Prior advised that he intended to focus on improving communication and engagement, as well as strengthening partnership working between the Health Board and local authorities. He also indicated that work was underway to establish more regular and constructive dialogue between the Health Board and Council, rather than engagement only taking place in response to specific issues. Councillor Tessa Hodgson welcomed these comments and stressed the importance of clear communication from the Health Board. She noted that the information previously provided regarding service changes had been complex and difficult to interpret, even for those with relevant experience. She expressed the hope that future communications would be more accessible to both Members and the public, and looked forward to the forthcoming meeting with Health Board representatives as an opportunity to gain greater clarity and understanding. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the responses received be noted.
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RESOLVED That the Multi-Location Meetings Policy, as set out in Appendix 1, be adopted, subject to deleting section 3.8 on voting (given the view expressed by Counsel); and in relation to paragraph 4.3, to add the words “should be able to” after “and” and before “see”.
Council considered a joint report by the Monitoring Officer/Head of Democratic Services on suggested revisions to the Multi-Location Meetings policy. The Leader presented the report outlining revisions to the multi-location meetings policy, highlighting that the proposed changes would streamline the document, remove outdated or overly prescriptive requirements, and place greater responsibility on Members to ensure appropriate participation, connectivity and conduct during meetings. He Moved an amended recommendation to the effect that Council adopts the multi-location meetings policy at Appendix 1 but excluding section 3.8 on voting (given the view expressed by Counsel) and in relation to paragraph 4.3 add the words “should be able to” after “and” and before “see”; Seconded by Councillor Paul Miller Council discussed the report and the following key points were noted: Councillor Alan Dennison raised a query regarding the restriction on attending meetings from vehicles or while in transit. It was confirmed that the relevant provision had been removed as part of the amended recommendation. Councillor Di Clements welcomed the amendment and expressed concern that the original draft, particularly the restrictions in section 3.8, could have limited accessibility and discouraged participation. She emphasised the importance of flexibility in enabling a diverse range of individuals to serve as councillors, including those with caring responsibilities or other commitments. She noted that rigid requirements on where Members could vote from, including restrictions on outdoor locations, could be unnecessarily limiting. Councillor Clements stressed that Members should be trusted to act responsibly under the Code of Conduct and determine appropriate arrangements for their participation, rather than being subject to overly restrictive rules. Councillor Jacob Williams welcomed the general consensus towards a more flexible approach to remote attendance, emphasising that such arrangements had previously enabled Members with health issues to participate effectively in Council business. He cautioned against introducing any unnecessary restrictions and argued that the Authority should instead seek to facilitate participation wherever possible. He questioned whether limits on attending from locations such as vehicles or public transport were proportionate, noting that comparable activities, such as hands-free phone use while driving, are permitted. He also highlighted the need to update the policy to reflect the current use of Microsoft Teams rather than outdated platforms. Councillor Aled Thomas supported the amended approach, noting that the proposed changes struck a more appropriate balance and avoided over-regulation. He commented that matters relating to how Members participate in meetings are, in many respects, issues of personal judgement and accountability rather than matters requiring strict procedural control. The vote to approve the Motion, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Aaron Carey, Mark Carter, Di Cements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Tim Evans, Claire George, Nicola Gwynn, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Rhys Jordan, Paul Miller, Huw Murphy, Nick Neumman, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Billy Shaw, David Simpson, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Rhys Sinnettt, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Scott Thorley, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Iwan Ward, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, Danny Young [51] There were no votes against or abstentions RESOLVED That the Multi-Location Meetings Policy, as set out in Appendix 1, be adopted, subject to deleting section 3.8 on voting (given the view expressed by Counsel); and in relation to paragraph 4.3, to add the words “should be able to” after “and” and before “see”.
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RESOLVED That a commitment be made to promote being a more ‘Diverse Council’ in 2027 by agreeing to provide a clear public commitment encouraging diversity in democracy; demonstrating an open and welcoming culture to all, promoting the highest standards of behaviour and conduct; and setting out a local Diverse Council Action Plan ahead of the 2027 local elections.
Council considered a report by Head of Democratic Services asking Council to approve the Diverse Council Declaration and accompanying Action Plan to support greater diversity within the Council. Councillor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Chair of the Democratic Services Committee presented a report seeking Council approval of a refreshed Diversity in Democracy Pledge and accompanying action plan, following a review by the Democratic Services Committee. She emphasised that the proposal was intended to strengthen the Council’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility in advance of the 2027 local elections, building on earlier commitments made in 2021. Councillor Skyrme-Blackhall highlighted that, while some progress had been made in improving representation since 2022, further work was required to address the ongoing under-representation of certain groups within local government. The revised pledge was described as reaffirming the Council’s commitment to creating a more open and welcoming culture, promoting high standards of behaviour, and encouraging broader participation in local democracy. She outlined that the action plan included measures to support prospective candidates, improve accessibility of meetings, promote diversity within political groups, and strengthen councillor wellbeing and safety, alongside continued engagement with under-represented communities. The Recommendation was Moved by Councillor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall; Seconded by Councillor Marc Tierney. Council discussed the report and the following key points were noted: Councillor Alan Dennison expressed general support for the proposal but queried the potential financial implications and whether provision had been made within the budget. In response, the Chief Executive advised that the initiative had not yet been fully costed, noting that much of the activity could be delivered within existing resources, primarily through officer and Member time, although a more detailed estimate could be provided in due course. Councillor Billy Shaw spoke in support of the proposal but raised concerns regarding the impact of social media abuse on individuals considering standing for election. He suggested that this could act as a significant barrier to participation and queried whether additional measures could be introduced to support prospective candidates. In response, it was noted that the Democratic Services Committee had promoted a Fair Campaign Pledge to encourage respectful behaviour, although it was acknowledged that such measures cannot control wider public conduct. Councillor Marc Tierney welcomed the report and emphasised the importance of ensuring that the Council reflects the communities it serves. He suggested that the Authority should work closely with external organisations that support underrepresented groups in order to encourage wider participation. Councillor Delme Harries highlighted the need to consider younger people, noting that the timing of meetings may be a barrier to those in employment and suggesting that greater flexibility in scheduling could support wider involvement. It was confirmed that meeting times are reviewed regularly. Councillor Jacob Williams, while supportive of high standards and inclusivity, expressed reservations about the Council formally committing itself to promoting increased representation, arguing that such matters should rest with the electorate, political parties and the wider society rather than being directed by the Authority itself. He indicated that he would not support the proposal on that basis. Councillor Aled Thomas sought clarification on the origin of the 25% target for female representation and suggested that greater emphasis could be given to the Welsh language within the pledge. He noted that Welsh speakers in the Chamber may at times feel discouraged from using the language, for example where others do not engage with translation facilities. In response, the Head of Democratic Services advised that the 25% target had been set by the Democratic Services Committee prior to the 2022 elections as a realistic aspiration, although a higher target had originally been considered. The Presiding Member emphasised that both Welsh and English are equal in the Chamber and encouraged Members to use Welsh where they wish. Councillor Alistair Cameron supported the proposal and echoed earlier comments regarding the need to review meeting times to improve accessibility for those in full-time employment, noting that current arrangements may limit the representativeness of the Council. He also reinforced concerns raised about the impact of social media abuse on prospective and serving councillors, highlighting the need for the Authority to consider how it can better support individuals in this regard. Councillor Neil Prior expressed support for the proposal but raised concerns regarding the strength of the Council’s duty of care towards Members. He suggested that councillors, who are often exposed to challenging and sometimes hostile situations, should receive a level of support comparable to that provided to staff, and encouraged further development of this aspect within the action plan. Councillor Tudor Thomas, as Equality Champion, welcomed the pledge and commended the work undertaken in preparing it. He stressed that the principles within the pledge should be actively applied in the present, rather than viewed solely as a future commitment. He highlighted the importance of maintaining respectful standards of behaviour and conduct, including in online interactions between Members. Councillor David Bryan echoed earlier concerns raised by other Members, expressing reservations about the Council formally committing itself to promoting increased representation, and emphasised the view that electoral outcomes should ultimately be determined by voters. Councillor Alan Dennison concluded by noting that there were already signs of improving diversity within the Council and referenced the three women standing for the post of Leader of Council. The vote to approve the Recommendation, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, Alistair Cameron, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Tim Evans, Claire George, Nicola Gwynn, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Paul Miller, Huw Murphy, Nick Neumann, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Billy Shaw, David Simpson, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Rhys Sinnett, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Scott Thorley, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Danny Young [45] Against the Motion: Councillors David Bryan, Aaron Carey, Rhys Jordan, Iwan Ward, Jacob Williams, Simon Wright [6] There were no abstentions. RESOLVED That a commitment be made to promote being a more ‘Diverse Council’ in 2027 by agreeing to provide a clear public commitment encouraging diversity in democracy; demonstrating an open and welcoming culture to all, promoting the highest standards of behaviour and conduct; and setting out a local Diverse Council Action Plan ahead of the 2027 local elections.
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RESOLVED That the changes to the Constitution, as set out in the report, be approved.
Council considered a report by the Monitoring Officer asking Council to consider a number of changes to the Constitution. The Leader presented a report seeking approval for a number of amendments to the Council’s Constitution. These included clarifying the role of the Governance and Audit Committee in relation to the budget, reflecting its existing involvement in reviewing budget monitoring reports and strengthening its strategic oversight function following consultation with relevant officers. The report also addressed a correction to the Reserve List Protocol, where previously agreed wording relating to its application to bodies not subject to political balance had been omitted in error from the published Constitution. In addition, minor corrections to references and footnotes were proposed, alongside an amendment to allow for the use of electronic sealing of documents, which is not currently provided for within the Constitution. The Recommendation was Moved by the Leader; Seconded by Councillor Jacob Williams. The vote to approve the Recommendation, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Aaron Carey, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Tim Evans, Claire George, Nicola Gwynn, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike John, Rhys Jordan, Paul Miller, Huw Murphy, Nick Neumann, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Billy Shaw, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Scott Thorley, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Iwan Ward, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Simon Wright, Danny Young [47] There were no votes against or abstentions RESOLVED That the changes to the Constitution, as set out in the report, be approved.
The Leader responded to a question submitted by Councillor Michael Williams prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.18 as follows: Is the Leader concerned at the reported resignation of the Celtic Freeport Chief Executive, Ms Luciana Ciubotariu, as well as the Permanent Chair, Mr Ed Tomp? The Leader provided the following response: I am aware of the departures of Ms Luciana Ciubotariu and Mr Ed Tomp from their respective roles at Celtic Freeport. The Council’s focus is to ensure that strong governance and effective leadership arrangements remain firmly in place. The company has already appointed an Interim Chair and an Interim Chief Executive, providing continuity and stability during this period of transition. There is strong support and confidence in these interim arrangements, not only from the Board and myself, but also at Welsh Government and UK Government levels. Officers will continue to engage closely with Freeport partners to monitor progress and to ensure that programme delivery, investor confidence, and the anticipated economic benefits for the region are maintained. Personally, I remain fully supportive of the Celtic Freeport initiative, and I am confident that appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure continuity and resilience during this period of change. As a supplementary question, Councillor Michael Williams raised concerns regarding the need to prioritise the recruitment of a Chief Executive and senior management roles, emphasising their importance to the future success of the initiative. He highlighted concerns about Pembrokeshire’s peripheral location, suggesting this may limit the area’s ability to benefit fully from proposed developments, particularly in comparison to locations such as Port Talbot. He questioned whether centralised development could reduce the anticipated opportunities for Milford Haven, although noted that there may be alternative delivery approaches, such as modular construction and transportation by sea. Councillor Williams stressed the importance of appointing suitably experienced individuals with relevant industry knowledge to drive the project forward and expressed concern about previous initiatives that had not delivered expected outcomes. He emphasised the need for confidence that the current proposals would result in tangible benefits for the County. In response, the Leader agreed with the points made.
Councillor Jacob Williams, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to a question submitted by Councillor Alan Dennison prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.18 as follows: During a recent discussion regarding a planning application for a battery storage terminal in Milford, a question arose about why some residents living near the development were not notified, while those residing further away were informed. Upon further inquiry, it became evident that a similar situation had occurred at another site in Milford, indeed a letter was sent to a Kebab house. After consulting with the Head of Planning, I learned that there is no legal obligation to send notification letters to residents; such communications are simply a matter of public relations. Can the Cabinet Member provide information on the number of non-statutory notifications issued over the past three years, along with the associated costs of sending these letters? Councillor Jacob Williams provided the following response: Publicity for planning applications in Wales is set out mainly in the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012 and Welsh Government guidance and responsibility for publicity rests with the local planning authority (LPA). The statutory framework in Wales sets minimum publicity requirements, not maximum ones, and the Planning Authority is entitled to use both neighbour notification letters and site notices where it considers it necessary or appropriate. Over the past three years, there were 1,615 applications publicised using both neighbour notification letters and site notices, resulting in 10,363 neighbournotification letters. Of those letters, 1,513 were emailed. The remainder were either hand delivered or posted via prepaid second class. I have been informed that the Council’s software system does not record between these two methods of delivery, but of those sent by Royal Mail, which is the vast majority, the postage charge is 65 pence per letter. For his supplementary question, Councillor Alan Dennison sought clarification regarding whether the Council is legally required to send neighbour notification letters for planning applications, noting increasing postage costs and questioning if such correspondence was mandatory. The Cabinet Member responded that planning legislation sets minimum publicity requirements, which can be met through measures such as site notices or press notices. While the Council currently issues neighbour notification letters as part of its practice, this exceeds the statutory minimum and is therefore not strictly required in all cases. It was acknowledged that the extent of publicity provided is a balance between transparency and cost, with additional notification methods, such as issuing letters, increasing expenditure but potentially improving awareness of applications.
Councillor Jacob Williams, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to a question submitted by Councillor Alan Dennison prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.18 as follows: How many discharge of conditions requests have been made to the Planning Department by Pembrokeshire County Council over the last four years and how many have been refused by the PCC Planning Department. Councillor Jacob Williams provided the following response: Over the last four years, 56 discharge of conditions applications have been submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council, of which 36 were approved; 16 have been part approved or part refused; zero refused; two withdrawn; and two undetermined.
Councillor Alistair Cameron, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to a question submitted by Councillor Alan Dennison prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.18 as follows: Since 2017, what percentage increase has occurred for a Band D property, and what benefits have the majority of Council Tax payers experienced as a result of this increase in Council Tax? Councillor Alistair Cameron provided the following response: From 2017-18 to 2026-27, there has been a 95.7% increase in Council Tax for a Band D property. This includes a 9.35% increase in 2025-26 which was a joint proposal from the then Cabinet and the Independent Group. The benefits experienced by the majority of Council Tax payers as a result of this increase in Council Tax has been the ongoing provision and in some cases enhancement of essential services to some of the most vulnerable in our communities, despite unprecedented increases in demand. During the period 2017-18 to 2026-27, the Education budget has increased by 49% and the Social Care budget has increased by 121%. As part of his supplementary question, Councillor Alan Dennison raised concerns regarding feedback from residents about day-to-day service issues, including overgrown streets, lack of dog waste bins and missed refuse collections. He questioned what tangible benefits were being delivered to council taxpayers who may not directly benefit from increased spending on areas such as education and social care. In response, Councillor Alistair Cameron acknowledged these concerns and referred to recent budget allocations, noting that additional resources had been directed towards services such as street cleansing and highways maintenance, with the expectation that improvements would follow. He explained, however, that a significant proportion of the Council’s budget is committed to statutory services, particularly education and social care, with increasing demand—especially in supporting an ageing population—placing considerable pressure on resources.
Councillor Rhys Sinnett, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to a question submitted by Councillor Delme Harries prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.18 as follows: I have received representations regarding the condition of the astroturf surface at Fishguard Leisure Centre which is reported to be a heavily?used facility supporting a range of local sports clubs and community activity. Concerns have been raised that the surface is now approaching 20 years old, and that resurfacing is now considered long overdue. In light of the Council’s recent reviews and investments at other leisure centres in the south of the County, which are much welcomed, can the Cabinet Member please clarify: • What formal assessments have been carried out on the condition and remaining lifespan of the astroturf at Fishguard Leisure Centre? • How this facility is currently prioritised within the Council’s wider leisure and sports investment programme; and • What consideration has been given to future upgrade or replacement at Fishguard, particularly in comparison with leisure facility investments made elsewhere in Pembrokeshire? Councillor Rhys Sinnett provided the following response: Our pitches are inspected annually, with the last inspection having been undertaken recently. The report on this is imminent. The level of use and the ongoing maintenance regime for the pitch has enabled it to continue in use, but, within the last 12 months it has been recognised that a replacement carpet is required. The replacement of the pitch is included within our annual capital programme, although, wherever possible, we will seek to secure external funding to reduce the impact on Pembrokeshire County Council resources. In this particular case, we have already submitted one funding bid and are at an advanced stage with preparing a second bid. The Local Member is fully aware of the situation, and she has had discussions with the Centre management team on the matter.
Councillor Rhys Sinnett, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to a question submitted by Councillor John Cole prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.18 as follows: 1) During refuse collection. Some cardboard packaging is quite often too large to be put in the blue cardboard bag. It is often left behind during collection, as it seems only cardboard contained within the bag is picked up. How are households to dispose of such packaging, other than booking a trip to their local waste centre? 2) On the day allocated to the collection of residual waste, there are often residual waste bags, either tagged or painted with a red cross not collected. I understand this may be because a household has put more than the allowance out, or the bag is too heavy etc. These bags are often left where they were put, eventually days later being collected by Council employees which is surely at an additional cost to the Council. Why are such bags left in the first instance, only to have them collected at what cost later? Councillor Rhys Sinnett provided the following response: The Council’s kerbside recycling service is designed to provide a reliable and safe way for households to recycle everyday materials, whilst also operating within legal, environmental and practical limits. For cardboard, residents are asked to place material inside the blue “cardboard” recycling bag. This requirement is in line with legislation, which allows councils to specify how recycling should be presented for collection, including the use of containers. These arrangements help ensure that collections can be carried out safely, that vehicles are not overloaded, and that the service is used fairly and consistently across the county. The collection vehicle is unable to handle larger items due to the size of the compartment aperture. Residents can fold, rip up or cut up larger cardboard boxes to fit within their blue bag if they are unable to take them to a waste and recycling centre. The second question is that residual waste that exceeds the agreed allowance is too heavy or is incorrectly presented is not collected in line with Council policy. In such cases, bags are clearly tagged to indicate the reason for non-collection and to prompt the householder to take corrective action. Following non-collection, responsibility rests with the resident to remove, reduce or correctly represent the waste at the next scheduled collection or to dispose of it via appropriate alternative routes such as a household waste and recycling centre. This approach supports the Council's objectives to encourage compliance with waste presentation rules, promote waste reduction and recycling, ensure the health and safety of collection crews and maintain a fair and consistent service across the county. Where uncollected waste is not addressed and begins to pose a public health, environmental or amenity concern, the Council may arrange a follow-up removal. Whilst this can incur additional cost, it is a necessary and proportionate measure to maintain local environmental standards. In some cases, black bags may also be marked with a cross to indicate that they have been assessed or searched. This typically occurs where a waste is suspected to be fly-tipped or where there are concerns regarding over -presentation and where further education or enforcement action may be appropriate. Bags subject to this process are subsequently collected. The overall approach is intended to drive behavioural change, reduce repeat occurrences, and minimise avoidable costs. The Council continues to monitor and review collection practises, alongside ongoing public engagement and education, to improve compliance and ensure the service operates as efficiently as possible.
Councillor Rhys Sinnett, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to a question submitted by Councillor John Cole prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.18 as follows: Could I have an update on my Notice of Motion regarding free parking at County Hall on Saturdays and Sundays to attract more visitors into Haverfordwest town centre? This would allow retailers to trade equally with the out of town retail parks, which provide free parking at their sites for their customers. Councillor Rhys Sinnett provided the following response: We recognise that Councillor Cole has been leading the way in terms of seeking to have car parking charges reduced or removed on town centre car parks in the Haverfordwest area. Cabinet has listened to that. It has maintained a position that an agreed study should be undertaken following a more settled period once key projects are further advanced or completed so that the impact of parking charges can be properly and evidence-based assessed. When the interchange opens this summer, there will be one hour free parking. We have also introduced a four-hour parking at Perrott’s Road car park. But in terms of the one-hour free parking to be introduced at the new Riverside interchange, I think the idea is that we evaluate the impact of that, both pro and negative, and assess whether or not this can be rolled out further across Haverfordwest. What we need to remember is that the car parking account is used in terms of providing maintenance for our areas of car parking that we are responsible for, not all of which are chargeable at the moment. We have around about 90 car parking areas that we take responsibility for. Only about a third of those are chargeable, but we still have to maintain them and we still have to pay for those areas to be resurfaced and realigned. I acknowledge that Councillor Cole would like to see County Hall car parking charges removed. We will assess the impact on the new interchange and then see whether or not we need to move it out more widely. In his supplementary question, Councillor John Cole raised concerns regarding the introduction of parking charges at County Hall, noting that the car park had previously been free and was now under?utilised, particularly at weekends. He suggested that requiring payment may be discouraging members of the public from using the facility, despite it often being largely empty outside of working hours. In response, Councillor Paul Miller acknowledged the concerns and indicated that the Authority is moving towards a more flexible approach to parking across Haverfordwest town centre. He advised that the introduction of one-hour’s free parking at the new interchange would serve as a pilot, with the intention of reviewing its impact. Subject to the outcomes of this approach, consideration would then be given to extending similar arrangements more widely, including to County Hall, in order to create a consistent approach across town centre car parks.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.