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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED That the Action Log be noted.
RESOLVED That the public submission relating to the Empty Property Plan be acknowledged and a response be collated and provided to the questioner which will be shared with the Committee.
RESOLVED (a) That the Forward Work Programme be amended as follows: (i) The Insurance Strategy and the County Farms Policy 2026-31 be considered in January 2026; (ii) The Policy Review item be deferred to March 2026; (iii) The Public Service Protection Order Review be deferred to March 2026; (iv) The Low Carbon and Affordable Energy Strategy item be removed; (v) A review of the Contaminated Land Strategy be added to the Programme and considered in January 2026; and (vi) A review of the Procurement Strategy be added to the Programme and considered in March 2026. (b) That a referral be made to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee requesting it to look at Allotments and the budget for School Transport.
RESOLVED That Cabinet be recommended to adopt the draft Empty Property Strategy 2025-2030 and Enforced Sales procedure.
RESOLVED That Option 2b - 4.3% plus up to £5.00 per individual rent that is currently below Standard Rent (subject to Welsh Government agreement) be recommended to Cabinet as the Committee’s preferred option for rent setting levels for 2026-2027. Councillor Aled Thomas proposed that the rent setting report be referred to Full Council on 11 December for consultation prior to Cabinet making the final decision; Seconded by Councillor Murphy. Members agreed that this would allow wider discussion and address concerns raised about transparency and Member involvement. The vote on whether to refer the matter to full Council, undertaken by way of a roll-call, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Simon Hancock, Aled Thomas, Claire George, Michael John, Michael James, Huw Murphy, Bethan Price, Michele Wiggins, and Vanessa Thomas [9] Abstentions: Councillors Michael Stoddart and Michael Williams [2] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED That the report be referred to full Council for consultation prior to consideration by Cabinet.
RESOLVED That the report be noted and a report be received in June 2026 following consultation with all Members.
RESOLVED That the revised Participation Strategy Action Plan be noted.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Alan Dennison (substituted by Councillor Michael John), Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall (substituted by Councillor Vanessa Thomas), Jordan Ryan and Viv Stoddart (substituted by Councillor Michael Stoddart).
None
Councillor Michelle Bateman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda item 8 – Draft Empty Property Strategy 2025-2030 for Pembrokeshire, and advised that she had an interest in matters relating to the empty property premium and could only speak on those matters.
Moved by Councillor Simon Hancock; Seconded by Councillor Claire George The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 September 2025 be approved as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Action Log be noted.
The Committee considered the Log of actions arising from the last meeting. The Head of Democratic Services reported that in respect of the first action, the referral to the Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee remains pending, as the Committee will consider the matter in January. All other actions had been completed. For the public record, the Chair requested that the answer to the question raised under the second action be read out. The question sought clarity on the number of Council-owned properties currently vacant and the amount of empty property tax paid from the Housing Revenue Account to the Council’s General Fund. The response confirmed that the Council tax paid for 2024–25 was £371,000. For 2025–26, the amount paid to date is £168,000, with an estimated total of £300,000 by the end of the financial year. As of the end of last month, there were 271 void properties. This figure changes regularly due to tenancy turnover across the Council’s 5,800 housing stock and includes properties empty for routine tenancy changes, decanting, the decarbonization programme, and major refurbishment schemes. It was noted that this information had already been circulated to Committee Members. Moved by Councillor Simon Hancock; Seconded by Councillor Claire George The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Action Log be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the public submission relating to the Empty Property Plan be acknowledged and a response be collated and provided to the questioner which will be shared with the Committee.
A submission from a member of the public was received in respect of the agenda item on the Empty Property Plan. The Chair advised that the submission raised a number of detailed questions focusing on three areas: firstly, the definition of a long-term empty home; secondly, how the council measures and identifies long-term empty properties and tracks progress against the previous action plan; and lastly, the setting and use of the empty homes premium. He stated that responses to these questions will need to be gathered collectively from across the Authority. Officers have confirmed that a collated response will be prepared within the next ten days. This response will be shared through the Chair of the Committee with Committee Members and sent to the individual who submitted the questions, who has requested to remain anonymous. Moved by Councillor Simon Hancock; Seconded by Councillor Michael John The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the public submission relating to the Empty Property Plan be acknowledged and a response be collated and provided to the questioner which will be shared with the Committee.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED (a) That the Forward Work Programme be amended as follows: (i) The Insurance Strategy and the County Farms Policy 2026-31 be considered in January 2026; (ii) The Policy Review item be deferred to March 2026; (iii) The Public Service Protection Order Review be deferred to March 2026; (iv) The Low Carbon and Affordable Energy Strategy item be removed; (v) A review of the Contaminated Land Strategy be added to the Programme and considered in January 2026; and (vi) A review of the Procurement Strategy be added to the Programme and considered in March 2026. (b) That a referral be made to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee requesting it to look at Allotments and the budget for School Transport.
The Committee considered the Forward Work Programme and noted changes to the scheduled programme. The Head of Democratic Services reported on several changes to reports that were due to be considered at today’s meeting as outlined in the cover report. During discussion, Councillor Huw Murphy suggested that allotments should be considered at a future meeting, noting the growing demand and their relevance to well-being and future generations. He highlighted the potential for unused land to be allocated for allotments and the opportunity to generate revenue. Councillor Michael James raised concerns about bus transport, particularly school transport, and suggested the committee review this area given rising costs. In response, the Head of Democratic Services clarified that both allotments and school transport fall under the remit of other Overview and Scrutiny Committees rather than this Committee, which focuses on policies and strategies prior to Cabinet submission. She suggested that these topics be referred to the relevant Committees. Councillor Claire George proposed reviewing the Procurement Strategy, which runs from 2023 to 2027, to assess delivery so far and undertake pre-scrutiny of the next proposed strategy. This was agreed for March, given the workload in January. Members noted the significant volume of work planned for January and agreed to review priorities. Accordingly, the items on the Policy Review and the Public Service Protection Order Review were deferred to the March meeting. It was suggested that the item on Low Carbon and Affordable Energy Strategy item be removed on the basis that it was unclear where the referral had originated and no such strategy was in place. Moved by Councillor Simon Hancock; Seconded by Councillor Michael James The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED (a) That the Forward Work Programme be amended as follows: (i) The Insurance Strategy and the County Farms Policy 2026-31 be considered in January 2026; (ii) The Policy Review item be deferred to March 2026; (iii) The Public Service Protection Order Review be deferred to March 2026; (iv) The Low Carbon and Affordable Energy Strategy item be removed; (v) A review of the Contaminated Land Strategy be added to the Programme and considered in January 2026; and (vi) A review of the Procurement Strategy be added to the Programme and considered in March 2026. (b) That a referral be made to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee requesting it to look at Allotments and the budget for School Transport.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That Cabinet be recommended to adopt the draft Empty Property Strategy 2025-2030 and Enforced Sales procedure.
[During consideration of this item, Councillor Michael James declared a personal interest by virtue of being the Chair of a local community group which was involved in a business that is converting an unused upstairs room back into use. Councillor Bethan Price declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Member of St Davids City Council who has an empty property which was in the process of redevelopment.] The Committee considered a report by the Head of Housing and Public Protection on the draft Empty Property Strategy 2025-2030 and Enforced Sales Procedure which sought the Committee’s support for a recommendation to put forward to Cabinet for its adoption. The Chair welcomed the Cabinet Member for Housing, the Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, the Head of Housing and Public Protection and the Public Protection Manager to the meeting for this item. The Cabinet Member for Housing explained that the item had been previously withdrawn to ensure the Enforced Sales Procedure was included within the wider context of the draft Empty Property Strategy. This inclusion was considered important because enforced sales are just one part of a broader set of measures for addressing empty properties in Pembrokeshire. She pointed out that the Committee was now asked to review and scrutinise the Empty Property Action Plan, which incorporated the Enforced Sales Procedure. The Cabinet Member for Housing highlighted that the Welsh Government, through its Affordable Housing Task Force, made several recommendations regarding empty properties, reinforcing the need for this to be a strategic priority for the Authority. She added that the draft strategy focuses on identifying empty properties and promoting a collaborative approach across multiple Council departments, as the issue spans several portfolios and links to regional work in town centres. Finally, she clarified that the discussion today was not about Council Tax premiums on empty homes, as that decision had already been made and that the strategy would have been necessary regardless of the premium. The Head of Housing and Public Protection advised that the new strategic document aims to provide a broader corporate context. She added that empty properties were not just a service issue but a corporate and wider community concern, requiring engagement with the private sector, particularly developers, and linking to regeneration efforts. The strategy covers both residential and commercial properties, with the Council’s role primarily on the residential side. It sets out workstreams to show Members and the public how more could be done, given resources, to bring empty properties back into use. The Head of Housing and Public Protection emphasised that Members will be aware of empty properties in their communities, and she advised Members to feed this information back to the Council to help encourage owners to act. The Committee then discussed the report and the following key points were noted: The Chair sought clarification on whether the Council has the capacity to deliver a more interventionist approach to tackling empty properties, particularly in terms of legal steps and building maintenance. The Head of Housing and Public Protection responded that enforcement was considered a last resort, used only when property owners fail to engage and the property causes a significant community impact. In terms of capacity, the Head of Housing and Public Protection acknowledged limitations, noting there was currently only one full-time officer in the Private Sector Housing Team, whose role also includes administering the empty homes grant scheme. While additional resources would be welcome, she added the focus was on better collaboration across departments to prioritise problematic properties and explore available options. It was noted that the Council also has access to external expertise funded by Welsh Government, including consultancy advice, guidance and training. The Public Protection Manager added that problematic properties often affect multiple services, such as Planning and Enforcement, and can cost the Council significant sums over time. The strategic plan aims to address this by mapping debts and works earlier, enabling quicker intervention and more financially responsible action. He noted that while the Council is good at taking enforcement action, it needs to improve coordination and debt recovery across services. The Chair emphasised the importance of using local intelligence to identify empty properties stating that all 60 elected members have detailed knowledge of their wards and can provide valuable insight, particularly on long-term empty homes. He encouraged Officers to actively engage with Members to gather this information and local knowledge, which would support the implementation of the strategy. Councillor Michael James raised a query in relation to his experience with the Valuation Office asked whether the Authority could put pressure on the Valuation Office to respond to a particular request. Officers responded that the Valuation Office was independent of local authorities, so direct influence was unlikely. However, they agreed to raise the issue with relevant contacts and provide feedback to Councillor James. Councillor Michael John advised that a letter had already been sent to the Valuation Office following concerns raised at the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee about delays in their processes, and a reply had been received. It was agreed that the letter and response will be circulated to this Committee for information. Councillor John then stressed the need for empathy when dealing with property owners, highlighting that delays were often due to genuine circumstances, such as inheritance issues or renovation challenges, and urged that the process should not be heavy-handed. He considered that the primary aim should remain bringing properties back into use, allowing flexibility where reasonable to support owners and developers. In response, the Public Protection Manager gave assurance that by the time enforcement or enforced sale was considered, Officers will have already engaged extensively with the property owner and that the process was rarely used and serves as an additional tool rather than a routine measure. Councillor Michael Stoddart welcomed confirmation that enforced acquisition would be a last resort, stressing the need to tread carefully when dealing with property rights. He highlighted that converting empty properties was often complex, particularly flats above shops, which involve significant regulatory requirements such as fireproofing and soundproofing. He expressed support for the Authority’s approach of assisting owners rather than resorting to enforced acquisitions. Councillor Aled Thomas suggested that the Council should lead by example by reducing its own empty properties before enforcing measures on the private sector; and asked for reassurance that the Housing Team was actively working to reduce Council-owned voids, so the Authority can act from a position of strength when implementing this policy. The Cabinet Member for Housing explained that enforced sales only apply when the Council has carried out urgent works on a property causing safety or nuisance issues, billed the owner, and the debt remains unpaid—never for non-payment of the empty property premium. The process is a last resort after extensive engagement and offering grants or loans. On council-owned voids, she explained these occur within a large housing portfolio due to turnover, major works, or decanting. All voids have plans for reuse, but delays are often due to capacity. Unlike abandoned private properties, she stated that Council voids are actively managed. The Head of Housing and Public Protection advised that additional internal capacity was being considered to address longer turnaround times for void properties, which have been affected by decarbonisation requirements. She added that each property has an individual plan, and some were undergoing extensions and adaptations to meet housing needs, such as converting smaller homes into larger family properties. In terms of supporting owners of empty properties subject to the empty homes premium, it was noted that the Council intends to take a proactive approach by contacting those on the empty property register and providing information on available support, including refurbishment opportunities with private developers. Priority will be given to properties that have been empty for extended periods. Assurance was given that work is ongoing to resolve issues affecting certain properties, and Members expressed confidence in the delivery of new schemes. Councillor Thomas sought clarification on the role of the empty property premium in enforced sale procedures. He queried whether unpaid premiums could be used as grounds for an enforced sale, noting that significant debts could accumulate over many years. It was confirmed that the premium does not influence enforced sale processes and that recovery of such debts would require court action. It was noted that Legal constraints prevented the use of empty property premium arrears as a basis for enforced sale. The Committee received clarification that enforced sales were linked to the Empty Property Action Plan and would only be pursued where works in default have been carried out. It was explained that the power to enforce a sale derives from the Law of Property Act 1948, which allows local authorities to act in specific circumstances. While the Act could technically be applied where a debt exists, any decision would be subject to discretion under the Council’s Constitution and public interest considerations. For the purposes of the current discussion, it was noted that enforced sales were being considered only in relation to empty property interventions. The Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services referred to the draft policy criteria for enforced sales, noting that properties with outstanding financial local land charges exceeding £1,000 could qualify. He questioned whether such charges could include Council Tax arrears. Furthermore, he emphasised that the policy should focus on problematic properties where the Council had attempted interventions, such as addressing safety concerns or anti-social behaviour, rather than targeting empty properties in reasonable condition. He highlighted that the process for enforced sales was lengthy and did not guarantee that properties would be transferred to responsible owners. Finally, he observed that the empty homes premium served as a punitive measure intended to encourage owners to bring properties back into use, alongside other forms of support offered by the Council. Councillor Michael Williams welcomed the initiative to strengthen enforcement measures, highlighting longstanding issues with problematic properties in his area. He noted that current legislation was often ineffective, as making a property safe does not address its wider impact on neighbouring homes. Councillor Williams stressed the need for tougher action and suggested that local Members should be involved in identifying properties causing a blight on communities, as they hold valuable local knowledge. Councillor Claire George raised several questions regarding the scope and detail of the proposed policy. She asked what types of costs could be recovered beyond Council Tax, noting references to issues such as anti-social behaviour and vermin. She also sought clarity on whether the policy applied to private, local authority-owned, and commercial properties, and expressed concern about the subjectivity of scoring criteria, particularly the definition of an “eyesore.” Additionally, she questioned why properties with no attempt to sell, re-let, or refurbish scored fewer points, given that this appeared central to the strategy. Furthermore, she queried the meaning of the priority property list and the target of eight properties. In response, Officers explained that recoverable costs typically relate to works in default, such as pest control or waste clearance, while other interventions like securing properties may not be recoverable under this process. The policy aims to address problematic properties corporately, with a realistic target for initial focus, while allowing escalation where necessary. The priority property list was described as a tool developed to identify properties causing complaints or posing risks to communities, with input from Building Control and Statutory Nuisance teams. She emphasised that the list did not exclude action on other properties and that engagement with owners, including enabling connections with developers, remained a key part of the strategy. Councillor Murphy expressed support for the proposed policy, describing it as necessary and beneficial. However, he stressed the importance of prioritising the return of the Council’s own properties to use. While agreeing with the policy, he emphasised that addressing Council-owned properties should be a priority. The Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services clarified that the policy under discussion relates to private or non-Council properties and expressed confidence that Council-owned properties would not meet the criteria for enforced sale. He raised an important question regarding whether a land charge could be registered for unpaid Council Tax under Part Two of the Local Land Charges Register, noting that if this was possible, the policy might need to explicitly exclude enforced sales based solely on Council Tax arrears. Councillor Aled Thomas supported this point, stating that the Authority does sometimes place charges by agreement on properties for unpaid premiums as part of payment plans. Officers confirmed that Council Tax and legal advice would be sought and reassured Members that the policy focuses on empty properties causing community issues. They agreed to review the wording and amend the policy if necessary before it being presented to Cabinet. It was also noted that while the Law of Property Act provides broad powers for debt recovery, the current procedure was specifically aimed at problematic empty properties. The Chair Moved the recommendation; Seconded by Councillor Huw Murphy The vote, undertaken by way of a roll-call, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Simon Hancock, Aled Thomas, Claire George, Michael John, Michael James, Huw Murphy, Bethan Price, Michael Stoddart, Michele Wiggins, Michael Williams and Vanessa Thomas [11] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED That Cabinet be recommended to adopt the draft Empty Property Strategy 2025-2030 and Enforced Sales procedure.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That Option 2b - 4.3% plus up to £5.00 per individual rent that is currently below Standard Rent (subject to Welsh Government agreement) be recommended to Cabinet as the Committee’s preferred option for rent setting levels for 2026-2027. Councillor Aled Thomas proposed that the rent setting report be referred to Full Council on 11 December for consultation prior to Cabinet making the final decision; Seconded by Councillor Murphy. Members agreed that this would allow wider discussion and address concerns raised about transparency and Member involvement. The vote on whether to refer the matter to full Council, undertaken by way of a roll-call, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Simon Hancock, Aled Thomas, Claire George, Michael John, Michael James, Huw Murphy, Bethan Price, Michele Wiggins, and Vanessa Thomas [9] Abstentions: Councillors Michael Stoddart and Michael Williams [2] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED That the report be referred to full Council for consultation prior to consideration by Cabinet.
The Committee considered a joint report by the Director of Social Care and Housing and Director of Resources on options for rent setting levels for 2026-2027 for further consideration by Cabinet and Council. The Cabinet Member for Housing introduced the report, noting that the Head of Law and Governance had determined the decision was a Cabinet matter rather than Full Council. She explained that the report had already been considered by the HRA (Housing Revenue Account) Working Group. The Cabinet Member highlighted the complexity of rent-setting in Pembrokeshire, where tenants in similar properties often pay different rents due to historic variations and compounded percentage increases. She stressed that Welsh Government rent standards, including an overall income cap introduced several years ago, limited the Council’s ability to align rents and address these disparities. Despite lobbying for change, she added that the new rent standard retained the cap, creating ongoing challenges in balancing fairness for tenants with maintaining income levels for the HRA. The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the rent-setting options under consideration. She stated that the default proposal, which complied with the Welsh Government income cap, would apply the maximum uplift of £2.55 per week to tenants paying below the standard rent, while limiting increases for others to 3.6% instead of the maximum 4.3%. She explained that discussions with Welsh Government had opened the possibility of a pilot scheme, allowing either full increases alongside the £2.55 uplift or a higher uplift of up to £5 to accelerate rent equalisation. The Cabinet Member confirmed her preference for the £5 option, subject to Welsh Government approval. She stressed that affordability remained a key consideration, referencing the Joseph Rowntree model, which showed Pembrokeshire rents were well below regional averages and private sector levels. Finally, she highlighted financial pressures on the Housing Revenue Account, including rising construction costs, Welsh Housing Quality Standards 2 compliance, and the need to maintain and expand housing stock, making income maximisation essential. The Committee then discussed the report and the following key points were noted: The Chair queried the recent decline in tenant satisfaction regarding rent value for money, which fell from 76% to 67%, and asked whether higher rent increases might exacerbate arrears, currently standing at £2.93 million. The Head of Housing and Public Protection explained that the reasons for the drop were not yet clear, as the STAR (Survey of Tenants and Residents) survey closed recently, but further analysis will be undertaken. She noted that the Tenants’ Panel unanimously considered rents to be good value compared to private sector levels. Regarding arrears, she acknowledged the continuing increase, partly due to delays in court action linked to national compliance issues, but confirmed that enforcement will resume. She highlighted proactive measures, including financial support officers, early intervention, and direct payment arrangements with the Department of Works and Pensions, which have had success in preventing escalation. Over 75% of tenants receive housing benefit or Universal Credit, so arrears often indicate non-engagement rather than affordability. While arrears remain a concern, it was noted that the Council was investing resources to reduce them and does not expect rent increases alone to be the primary driver. The Cabinet Member for Housing highlighted that the Authority was participating in the LIFT (Low Income Family Tracker) project, which identified unclaimed benefits and supported tenants in maximising income. She pointed out that tenants would receive significant notice of rent increases, with most changes not taking effect until July, allowing time for engagement and support. The Cabinet Member also emphasised that higher rents do not appear to deter demand for social housing, citing strong interest in properties offered by Registered Social Landlords despite their higher rent levels. She stressed that affordability and security of tenure remain key factors for tenants. Councillor Claire George sought clarification on the timescale for achieving rent standardisation under the proposed options and whether the five-year projection mentioned in the report was realistic. The Head of Housing and Public Protection confirmed that applying the maximum CPI increase plus a £5 uplift per week would enable full alignment within approximately five years, whereas using the £2.55 uplift would take over ten years. The Cabinet Member for Housing reiterated that the £5 option was preferred as it offered a practical timeframe for levelling rents while maintaining affordability. She explained that Welsh Government had indicated any dispensation would require Cabinet-level consideration and committed to continuing discussions with Ministers, despite previous disappointment that the income cap was retained in the new rent standard. Councillor Stoddart expressed disappointment that rent-setting decisions have moved from Full Council to Cabinet, arguing that Members should have a say on rent levels affecting their constituents. He cautioned against simplistic comparisons of value for money, noting that private landlords do not receive government grants and that housing association properties often have modern features such as solar panels and better insulation. He also highlighted that most tenants receiving housing benefit may perceive rents as affordable because they do not pay them directly. Councillor Stoddart reiterated his long-standing concern about rent disparities within the Council’s housing stock, where neighbouring tenants can pay significantly different rents, and criticised past policies that contributed to this issue. He supported the proposal for option 2B (£5 uplift) and questioned why the income cap remained despite its conflict with efforts to level rents. In response, the Head of Housing and Public Protection explained that all social landlords must meet the same Welsh Housing Quality Standards, and the Council continues to invest in retrofitting and modernising older stock to achieve compliance. She emphasised that additional income was essential to maintain standards and fund new developments. In response to concerns raised about Cabinet rather than Council making the final decision, the Head of Democratic Services provided advice from the Head of Law and Governance clarifying that under the Constitution, rent setting defaulted to Cabinet unless explicitly designated as a Council function. Members explored whether the rent setting report could be referred to Full Council for discussion before Cabinet approval, given concerns about transparency and Member involvement. Officers confirmed that while this was possible, the timescales would be extremely tight if Cabinet was delayed until January, due to statutory notice periods and back-office processing requirements. An extraordinary Cabinet meeting following the December Council was suggested as a practical solution. The Cabinet Member indicated willingness to arrange this if Members preferred a Council discussion over an all-Member workshop. Members expressed a preference for a Full Council agenda item to ensure openness and accountability. Councillor Stoddart questioned the urgency of the deadlines, noting that rent increases did not take effect until July and suggesting there should be sufficient time for notice if Cabinet approval was delayed. The Head of Housing and Public Protection clarified that two rent increase periods existed, April and July, and the complexity of managing both required a decision in December. Councillor Claire George acknowledged that the options presented were dependent on Welsh Government approval and Moved support for Option 2b, a 4.3% increase plus a £5 uplift; Seconded by Councillor Bethan Price. The vote in support of Option 2b, undertaken by way of a roll-call, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Simon Hancock, Aled Thomas, Claire George, Michael John, Michael James, Huw Murphy, Bethan Price, Michael Stoddart, Michele Wiggins, Michael Williams and Vanessa Thomas [11] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED That Option 2b - 4.3% plus up to £5.00 per individual rent that is currently below Standard Rent (subject to Welsh Government agreement) be recommended to Cabinet as the Committee’s preferred option for rent setting levels for 2026-2027. Councillor Aled Thomas proposed that the rent setting report be referred to Full Council on 11 December for consultation prior to Cabinet making the final decision; Seconded by Councillor Murphy. Members agreed that this would allow wider discussion and address concerns raised about transparency and Member involvement. The vote on whether to refer the matter to full Council, undertaken by way of a roll-call, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Simon Hancock, Aled Thomas, Claire George, Michael John, Michael James, Huw Murphy, Bethan Price, Michele Wiggins, and Vanessa Thomas [9] Abstentions: Councillors Michael Stoddart and Michael Williams [2] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED That the report be referred to full Council for consultation prior to consideration by Cabinet.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the report be noted and a report be received in June 2026 following consultation with all Members.
The Committee considered a report by the Head of Transport and Environment recommending that Members review the criteria and wider issues associated with street lighting including budgets surrounding energy costs and savings. The Chair welcomed the Head of Transport and Environment and the Cabinet Member for Residents Services’ for this item. The Cabinet Member introduced the item and stated that the report followed a Council referral to address concerns about street lighting. He noted that there was no legal duty to provide lighting, but where installed, it must be maintained safely. He reported that Pembrokeshire’s policy, agreed in 2008 and last reviewed in 2016, used four criteria: accident history, traffic or pedestrian use, crime levels, and properties fronting roads. Since 2008, measures included part-night lighting for carbon reduction and the 2024 removal of 186 non-compliant lights, saving around £1.5 million annually. Requests for reinstatement were declined after review, and rural policing data showed no link between lighting removal and crime. He added that the County still maintained about 15,500 lanterns, most now LED, with ongoing changes as roads were adopted. The Committee then discussed the report and the following key points were noted: Councillor Michael John explained that he had originally raised concerns in May about the loss of rural street lights and requested a review of the policy. He expressed disappointment that the current report was only for noting rather than a full review. Councillor John stressed that this was not a criticism of staff, who faced difficult decisions under the policy, but highlighted concerns that the criteria were biased against rural areas. He pointed out that factors such as accident records, traffic levels, and property frontage did not reflect rural needs, where lighting supported safety, walking routes and community confidence. He cited examples of lights removed from strategic locations, such as lanes and fast roads, and questioned why compliant lights could not be converted to LED rather than removed. Furthermore, he raised issues about lack of Member notification when lights were decommissioned and called for better communication and consideration of rural circumstances. The Head of Transport and Environment explained that damaged lights were initially removed for safety reasons and then assessed against the 2016 Cabinet-approved criteria before reinstatement. She apologised for the lack of notification and committed to improving communication. She emphasised the need for clear, consistent criteria to avoid complexity and ensure fair decisions, noting that expanding the criteria could make the process unmanageable. The Head of Transport and Environment highlighted ongoing financial pressures and confirmed that all replacements met modern standards, including LED upgrades where criteria were satisfied. Furthermore, she acknowledged the challenge of balancing rural and urban service delivery and reiterated that the team was working within established policy to achieve savings and carbon reduction goals. Councillor John emphasised that his comments were not a criticism of staff, acknowledging the financial pressures and strict guidelines they worked under. He reiterated his request for a review of the street lighting policy rather than simply noting it, suggesting a task and finish group involving rural Members to identify priorities and address perceived inequalities between rural and urban areas. Councillor Claire George asked whether the Council was considering Welsh Government’s new Dark Skies Guidance and if the street lighting criteria would be reviewed. The Head of Transport and Environment confirmed that the removal of some lights supported dark sky principles and agreed to consult the Conservation Team and report back. The Cabinet Member acknowledged the complexity of balancing rural and urban needs and the significant costs of maintaining street lighting. He supported a review of the criteria but stressed it should be realistic given financial pressures. The Head of Transport and Environment noted that the policy, introduced in 2008, had last undergone a full review in 2016, with subsequent checks focused on compliance and end-of-life replacements. She agreed that a detailed review was overdue. Members discussed how a review of the street lighting policy could be undertaken. The Chair asked for suggestions, and Councillor John reiterated that the policy had not been fully reviewed since 2008, apart from minor changes in 2016, and should be examined to ensure fairness between rural and urban areas. He suggested options such as a task and finish group or working group but acknowledged capacity issues. The Head of Democratic Services advised that the existing Rural Communities Working Group could consider the policy, and Members agreed this was a practical approach. However, it was considered that this would bias rural areas over urban areas. It was also proposed that all Councillors, including those representing urban areas, should have the opportunity to contribute. The Head of Transport and Environment confirmed that the criteria would be circulated to all Members for comment, with feedback brought back to the Committee. The Committee then agreed to note the report, with the assurance that a review would take place. Moved by the Chair; Seconded by Councillor Claire George The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the report be noted and a report be received in June 2026 following consultation with all Members.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the revised Participation Strategy Action Plan be noted.
The Committee considered a report by the Head of Democratic Services which provided a mid-year update (for 2025-26) on progress with the Authority’s Participation Strategy Action Plan 2022 – 2027. The Chair welcomed the Cabinet Member for Young People, Communities and the Well-being of Future Generations to the meeting who then introduced the item. The Cabinet Member explained that the Participation Strategy, launched in 2022 and adopted by Cabinet in 2023, aimed to run until 2027. The purpose of the report was to review progress against priority objectives and highlight work by the Children and Young People’s Rights Officer, which had actively engaged with schools to hear young people’s views. The top issue raised was improving the school experience, which the Cabinet Member planned to address with education colleagues. The Cabinet Member stressed the importance of widening democratic engagement through the Administration’s programme and Public Services Board work, supported by an action group that last met in September. Key developments included plans to increase youth participation ahead of the Senedd election and the 2027 local government election, strengthen links with town and community councils, and improve public communication and consultation. The Head of Democratic Services reported steady progress on participation objectives. Digital access improved with near-universal 4G coverage and 82% 5G availability. Youth engagement initiatives and a democracy champions training pack were highlighted. Public petitions increased, though questions declined slightly; scrutiny engagement broadened in topics. Planning updates included an online enforcement complaint form and progress on Local Development Plan 2. Communications work began on new strategies, alternative formats, and a pilot impact assessment process. Feedback from a Member survey would inform induction planning for the 2027 elections. The Committee then discussed the report and the following points were noted: Councillor Claire George commended Councillor Delme Harries for using Welsh effectively in the Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee, noting its positive impact on engagement. She also highlighted the value of the “Working Better Together” meetings, which have been held regularly since COVID to improve integration and dialogue. Finally, she suggested trialling an out-of-hours meeting to assess whether it would enhance engagement, while recognising the outcomes of the recent survey on meeting timings. Moved by the Chair; Seconded by Councillor Michael John The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the revised Participation Strategy Action Plan be noted.
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