Councillors press cabinet on Freeport jobs, library cuts and Net Zero delays
The questions have been raised ahead of key December council meeting
PEMBROKESHIRE councillors are preparing to challenge the cabinet on Freeport promises, library funding, Net Zero delays and winter road safety when the authority meets on Thursday, 12 December. The agenda, published today (Dec 1), includes one public question, eleven councillor questions and four notices of motion - many focusing on stalled commitments, uneven investment and concerns about basic services.
Freeport jobs questioned as expectations grow
Independent councillor Huw Murphy has asked how many direct jobs have been created in Pembrokeshire since the Celtic Freeport was formally launched in March 2025. The Freeport was billed as delivering up to 11,500 high-skilled green roles across south-west Wales by 2030, with GBP8.4bn of investment over the decade.
Early activity has centred on planning work for sustainable aviation fuel and green hydrogen plants in Pembroke. However, no direct local hires have yet been confirmed, prompting calls for clarity on how much of the promised economic benefit is being felt in the county.
Milford Haven library struggles contrasted with Haverfordwest upgrades
Councillor Alan Dennison has raised concerns over "drastic cuts" to Milford Haven Library's budget, which has forced volunteers to introduce a GBP3 weekly contribution from users. He contrasts this with what he describes as "unlimited funds" for library facilities in Haverfordwest.
Milford's library has lacked a permanent home since its former building was sold several years ago, and Dennison says the community feels abandoned.
He asks what steps the cabinet intends to take to ensure "sufficient investment" in services for one of Pembrokeshire's largest towns.
Net Zero 2030: missed meetings and ignored reporting duties
A series of questions from councillors Mike Stoddart and Alan Dennison focus on the county's Net Zero 2030 commitment. They say the working group established in 2019 - disrupted during the pandemic - has still not recovered momentum. Members agreed in July this year to reinstate the group, yet it has reportedly not met for four months.
Councillors also point to a 2023 requirement for bi-annual progress and cost reports, none of which have been delivered. They argue that cabinet cannot "pick and choose" which resolutions to follow.
Riding school fees row resurfaces
Councillor Murphy has challenged figures used in a November scrutiny report, which suggested riding schools can earn GBP80 per two-hour session and generate GBP7,200 per day. Operators say these figures are "misleading" and do not reflect the realities of rural equestrian businesses.
Pembrokeshire's licensing fees are significantly higher than those in neighbouring Ceredigion under a full cost-recovery model.
Murphy wants transparency over what consultation was carried out before the report went to scrutiny.
Education and planning concerns
Councillor Phil Kidney alleges that the consultation on the future of Manorbier School was "misleading" and skewed towards closure in favour of St Florence. Other questions probe the use of Section 106 agreements to support school infrastructure when development takes place. Councillor Jamie Adams cites a Welsh Local Government Association peer review which referred to a "lack of political leadership", asking the council leader to set out short-term priorities with elections less than two years away.
Budget terminology challenged and payments queried
Councillor Stoddart questions the use of the term "accumulated funding gap", describing it as "mathematically unsound".
Meanwhile, Councillor Dennison has queried why the council would endorse payments to senior officials who lose their seats or positions, and whether the authority should lobby Welsh Government to remove exit payments for unelected Senedd Members. Notices of motion: Gypsy sites, winter roads, epi-pens and digital ID Four motions will go before the meeting:
o Gypsy Traveller sites - Councillor Aaron Carey calls for a cross-departmental group to review the condition of local sites and work with residents to improve maintenance and services.
o Winter roads - Councillor Murphy urges the reinstatement of a salt outstation near Crymych, highlighting the dangerous state of the A478 during recent snowfall. Rural communities say gaps in the gritting schedule are leaving key routes impassable.
o Epi-pens in schools - Murphy also calls for a county-wide policy to ensure every school has emergency adrenaline auto-injectors. Welsh Government has not responded to an eight-month-old scrutiny recommendation, and while schools may stock epi-pens, it is not mandatory as it is in England.
o Digital ID - A motion modelled on Cornwall Council's November vote instructs the council leader to oppose the UK Government's planned mandatory digital ID for right-to-work checks by 2028.
Councillors argue the GBP1.8bn programme risks eroding civil liberties and creating new barriers for rural residents. The public can attend the meeting at County Hall, Haverfordwest, or watch the livestream online. Speaking ahead of the session, Cllr Murphy said: "From job creation that must deliver for Pembrokeshire to defending our freedoms against digital overreach, these questions deserve clear answers.
Residents need transparency on how their money is being spent and how their futures are being safeguarded."