Pembrokeshire County Council Cyngor Sir Penfro | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Will Bramble since 31 March 2021 [2] | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 60 councillors |
Political groups |
|
Length of term | 5 years |
| Elections | |
| First past the post | |
Last election | 5 May 2022 |
Next election | 6 May 2027 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| County Hall, Freemens Way, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP | |
| Website | |
| www | |
Pembrokeshire County Council (Welsh : Cyngor Sir Penfro) is the local authority for the county of Pembrokeshire, one of the principal areas of Wales.
There have been two bodies called Pembrokeshire County Council. The first existed from 1889 until 1974, and the current one was created in 1996.
Elected county councils were established in 1889 under the Local Government Act 1888, taking over administrative functions previously performed by unelected magistrates at each county's quarter sessions. [3] The town of Haverfordwest was a county corporate with its own quarter sessions, but was deemed too small to run its own county council functions; it was therefore included in administrative county of Pembrokeshire and administered by Pembrokeshire County Council. [4]
The first elections were held in January 1889, and the council came into its powers on 1 April 1889. [5] On that day the council held its formal meeting at the Shire Hall in Haverfordwest, the courthouse (built 1837) which had served as the meeting place of the quarter sessions which preceded the county council. [6] Henry George Allen, a Liberal, was appointed the first chairman of the council. [7]
The first incarnation of the county council was abolished in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. From 1 April 1974 the area was split between the two new districts of Preseli and South Pembrokeshire, both of which were subordinate to the new county of Dyfed, with county-level functions passing to the new Dyfed County Council. [8]
In 1996 the councils established in 1974 were all abolished under the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994, and Pembrokeshire County Council was re-established as a unitary authority for the area. [9]
Since the 2017 election the council has been led by a coalition of some of the independent councillors, Labour, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats, with the same coalition continuing following the 2022 election. [10]
The first election to the modern council was held in 1995, initially operating as a shadow authority before coming into its powers on 1 April 1996. Independent councillors have held over half the council's seats ever since 1996:
| Party in control | Years | |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | 1996–present | |
Different groupings have formed among the independent councillors at different times, sometimes forming administrations with councillors from political parties. Between 1996 and 2017 the leader of the council came from the "Independent Political Group" (later called the "Independent Plus Political Group"). That group's numbers were reduced from 33 to 13 at the May 2017 election. Its leader Jamie Adams blamed the poor performance at that election on the IPPG's close connections to the council's discredited former chief executive. [11] [12]
The leaders of the council since 1996 have been: [13]
| Councillor | Party | From | To | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Harries [14] | Independent | 1 Apr 1996 | 9 May 1999 | Leading "Independent Political Group" | |
| Maurice Hughes [15] | Independent | 20 May 1999 | 13 Jun 2004 | Leading "Independent Political Group" | |
| John Davies [16] | Independent | 29 Jun 2004 | 24 May 2012 | Leading "Independent Plus Political Group" (IPPG) | |
| Jamie Adams [17] | Independent | 24 May 2012 | 25 May 2017 | Leading IPPG | |
| David Simpson | Independent | 25 May 2017 | 10 May 2024 | ||
| Jon Harvey [18] | Independent | 10 May 2024 | |||
Following the 2022 election and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance up to July 2024, the composition of the council was: [19] [20]
| Party | Councillors | |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | 36 | |
| Conservative | 10 | |
| Labour | 10 | |
| Liberal Democrats | 2 | |
| Plaid Cymru | 2 | |
| Total | 60 | |
Of the independent councillors, 19 sit together as the "Independent Group" and the other 17 are not affiliated to any group. The leader of the council, Jon Harvey, is one of the non-affiliated independent councillors, and positions of responsibility in the council's cabinet are held by other non-affiliated independents and members of the Labour and Plaid Cymru groups. [21] The next election is due in 2027.
Since the last boundary changes in 2022 the council has comprised 60 councillors, representing 59 wards. The ward of Pembroke: Monkton and St Mary South elects two councillors; all the other wards elect one councillor each. [22]
| Year | Seats | Independent | Labour | Plaid Cymru | Conservative | Liberal Democrats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 [23] | 60 | 41 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1999 | 60 | 38 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 5 | |
| 2004 | 60 | 40 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 3 | |
| 2008 | 60 | 42 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | |
| 2012 | 60 | 42 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 60 | 34 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 60 | 35 | 10 | 2 | 11 | 2 | |
Party with the most elected councillors in bold.
The council is based at County Hall on Freemens Way in Haverfordwest.
The original county council generally held its meetings at the Shire Hall at 47 High Street, Haverfordwest. [24] In 1923 the council acquired the former Pembrokeshire and Haverfordwest Infirmary at the corner of St Thomas Green and Winch Lane, which had been built in 1872, converting it to become their main offices. The old infirmary became known as the County Offices, and remained the council's headquarters until its abolition in 1974. The building was subsequently used as an area office by Dyfed County Council. Following the re-establishment of Pembrokeshire County Council in 1996 and the opening of a new County Hall in 1999 the County Offices became surplus to requirements and so were demolished and a leisure centre built on the site, opening in 2009. [25]
When re-created in 1996 the council inherited offices from the two predecessor authorities: Cambria House in Haverfordwest from Preseli Pembrokeshire District Council and Llanion Park in Pembroke Dock from South Pembrokeshire District Council, along with the former County Offices of Dyfed County Council on St Thomas's Green in Haverfordwest. The first meeting of the new authority was held at Shire Hall, Haverfordwest, which had been the meeting place of the pre-1974 Pembrokeshire County Council. [26] Subsequent meetings were held at Cambria House. It was decided shortly after the new council's creation to build a new headquarters adjoining Cambria House. The new building was named County Hall, with the first full council meeting in the new building being held in October 1999. [27] Cambria House was demolished shortly afterwards. The new County Hall was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 22 November 2001. [28]
District councils subordinate to the county council were established under the Local Government Act 1894, replacing the earlier sanitary districts (except those which were municipal boroughs). The districts of Pembrokeshire from 1894 to 1974 were: [29]
| Name | From | To | Notes | Successor in 1974 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cemaes Rural District | 1 Apr 1934 | 31 Mar 1974 | Created from merger of St Dogmells Rural District and Llanfyrnach Rural District. | Preseli |
| Fishguard Urban District | 1 Apr 1907 | 31 Mar 1934 | Created from part of Haverfordwest Rural District. Abolished to become part of Fishguard and Goodwick Urban District. | n/a |
| Fishguard and Goodwick Urban District | 1 Apr 1934 | 31 Mar 1974 | Created from merger of separate Goodwick and Fishguard urban districts. | Preseli |
| Goodwick Urban District | 1 Apr 1923 | 31 Mar 1934 | Created from part of Haverfordwest Rural District. Abolished to become part of Fishguard and Goodwick Urban District. | n/a |
| Haverfordwest Municipal Borough | 1 Apr 1889 | 31 Mar 1974 | Predated creation of county council. | Preseli |
| Haverfordwest Rural District | 28 Dec 1894 | 31 Mar 1974 | Created from Haverfordwest Rural Sanitary District. | Preseli |
| Llanfyrnach Rural District | 28 Dec 1894 | 31 Mar 1934 | Created from the part of the Newcastle Emlyn Rural Sanitary District within Pembrokeshire. Abolished to become part of Cemaes Rural District. | n/a |
| Milford Haven Urban District | 31 Dec 1894 | 31 Mar 1974 | Created from Milford Improvement Commissioners District. | Preseli |
| Narberth Rural District | 28 Dec 1894 | 31 Mar 1974 | Created from Narberth Rural Sanitary District. | South Pembrokeshire |
| Narberth Urban District | 1 Apr 1902 | 31 Mar 1974 | Created from part of Narberth Rural District. | South Pembrokeshire |
| Neyland Urban District | 1 Oct 1900 | 31 Mar 1974 | Created from part of Pembroke Rural District. | Preseli |
| Pembroke Municipal Borough | 1 Apr 1889 | 31 Mar 1974 | Predated creation of county council. | South Pembrokeshire |
| Pembroke Rural District | 28 Dec 1894 | 31 Mar 1974 | Created from Pembroke Rural Sanitary District. | South Pembrokeshire |
| St Dogmells Rural District | 28 Dec 1894 | 31 Mar 1934 | Created from the part of the Cardigan Rural Sanitary District within Pembrokeshire. Abolished to become part of Cemaes Rural District. | n/a |
| Tenby Municipal Borough | 1 Apr 1889 | 31 Mar 1974 | Predated creation of county council. | South Pembrokeshire |
Dyfed is a preserved county in southwestern Wales. It is a mostly rural area with a coastline on the Irish Sea and the Bristol Channel.
Pembrokeshire is a county in the south-west of Wales. It is bordered by Carmarthenshire to the east, Ceredigion to the northeast, and otherwise by the sea. Haverfordwest is the largest town and administrative headquarters of Pembrokeshire County Council.
Haverfordwest is the county town of Pembrokeshire, Wales, and the most populous urban area in Pembrokeshire with a population of 14,596 in 2011. It is also a community, being the second most populous community in the county, with 12,042 people, after Milford Haven. The suburbs include the former parish of Prendergast, Albert Town and the residential and industrial areas of Withybush.
Neyland is a town and community in Pembrokeshire, Wales, lying on the River Cleddau and the upstream end of the Milford Haven estuary. The Cleddau Bridge carrying the A477 links Pembroke Dock with Neyland.
South Pembrokeshire was one of six local government districts of Dyfed, Wales from 1974 to 1996.
Flintshire County Council is the unitary local authority for the county of Flintshire, one of the principal areas of Wales. It is based at County Hall in Mold.
Carmarthenshire County Council is the local authority for the county of Carmarthenshire, Wales. It provides a range of services including education, planning, transport, social services and public safety. The council is one of twenty-two unitary authorities that came into existence on 1 April 1996 under the provisions of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994. It took over local government functions previously provided by the three district councils of Carmarthen, Dinefwr, and Llanelli, as well as the county-level services in the area from Dyfed County Council, all of which councils were abolished at the same time.
Preseli Pembrokeshire was one of six local government districts of Dyfed in West Wales from 1974 to 1996. Until 1987 the name of the district was Preseli. The district took its name from the Preseli Hills.
Monmouthshire County Council is the governing body for the Monmouthshire principal area – one of the unitary authorities of Wales.
Ceredigion County Council is the governing body for the county of Ceredigion, since 1996 one of the unitary authorities of Wales. The council's main offices are in Aberaeron.
Powys County Council is the local authority for Powys, one of the 22 principal areas of Wales. The council is based at County Hall in Llandrindod Wells.
Gloucestershire County Council is the upper-tier local authority for the non-metropolitan county of Gloucestershire, in England. The council was created in 1889. The council's principal functions are county roads and rights of way, social services, education and libraries, but it also provides many other local government services in the area it covers. The non-metropolitan county is smaller than the ceremonial county, the latter additionally including South Gloucestershire. The council went under no overall control following a change of allegiance in May 2024, having previously been under Conservative majority control. It is based at Shire Hall in Gloucester.
Worcestershire County Council is the county council for the non-metropolitan county of Worcestershire in England. Its headquarters are at County Hall in Worcester, the county town. The council consists of 57 councillors and is currently controlled by the Conservative Party.
Cardiganshire County Council was the local government authority for the county of Cardiganshire, Wales, between 1889 and 1974. It was superseded by Dyfed County Council.
Dyfed County Council was the county council of the non-metropolitan county of Dyfed in south west Wales. It operated between 1974 and 1996. The county council was based at County Hall, Carmarthen.
The first election to Pembrokeshire County Council, was held in January 1889. It was followed by the 1892 election. The county was divided into numerous single member wards with two or more councillors elected to represent Tenby and Pembroke Dock.
Ceredigion District Council was one of six district-level authorities in the county of Dyfed, Wales, from 1974 until 1996. The district had an identical area to the pre-1974 administrative county of Cardiganshire. From its creation in 1974 the district used the name "Ceredigion" rather than "Cardiganshire", which had been used for the former county council. Further local government reorganisation in 1996 saw Dyfed County Council abolished and Ceredigion become a unitary authority, with the district council taking over county-level services to become Ceredigion County Council.
The Shire Hall is a municipal structure in the High Street, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales. The shire hall, which was the meeting place of the old Pembrokeshire County Council, is a Grade II* listed building.
Haverfordwest Rural District was a rural district in the administrative county of Pembrokeshire, Wales from 1894 to 1974, covering an area in the west of the county. It surrounded, but did not include, the town of Haverfordwest after which it was named.
The County Hall is a municipal building on Freemens Way in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales. It was built in 1999 and serves as the offices and meeting place of Pembrokeshire County Council.
 Council elections in Pembrokeshire | |
|---|---|
| Pembrokeshire County Council | |
| Preseli Pembrokeshire District Council | |
| South Pembrokeshire District Council | |
| International | |
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| National | |
